Let's Talk: Truth in Love

In this special Christmas conversation of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, recorded just after Christmas, we step back from the cultural noise surrounding the holiday to focus on what Christmas is truly about—the birth of Jesus Christ. While our culture emphasizes decorations, traditions, and celebrations, the Bible tells the Christmas story in a much richer and deeper way. In fact, Scripture gives us five distinct Christmas stories, each revealing a unique witness to who Jesus is and why He came.

We begin with Luke’s account (Luke 1–2), told largely from Mary’s perspective. Luke, a Gentile physician, carefully investigated these events, capturing the humility of a baby born in a manger, the wonder of angels announcing good news to shepherds, and Mary quietly pondering these things in her heart. This story reveals the identity of the child born in Bethlehem—Savior, Messiah, and Lord—conceived by the Holy Spirit, Son of God, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to all humanity.

Next, we turn to Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 1–2), written from a Jewish perspective and focused on Joseph. Matthew emphasizes fulfilled prophecy, the genealogy tracing Jesus back to Abraham, and the visit of the Magi—highly educated, powerful Gentile king-makers who traveled far to worship the newborn “King of the Jews.” Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh proclaim Jesus as King, Priest, and Sacrifice, revealing that this child came not only for Israel, but for the whole world.

The third Christmas story takes us deeper still—into eternity past. John 1 reveals that the baby in the manger is none other than God the Son, the eternal Word through whom all things were created. Christmas is not the beginning of Jesus; it is the moment the Creator stepped into His creation. Paul echoes this truth in Philippians 2, our fourth Christmas story, describing the breathtaking humility of Christ—who willingly laid aside heavenly glory to become fully human, obedient even to death on a cross, so that every knee might bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Finally, we return to the ancient prophecy of Isaiah 9:6–7—the fifth Christmas story—which reveals the purpose of the child born in Bethlehem. Jesus came to establish God’s Kingdom on earth, a reign of peace, righteousness, and justice that will never end. His names—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—point us to the majestic mystery of the Trinity: three Persons, one God, united in love and redemption.

One story. Five witnesses. One Savior. Join us as we rediscover the depth, beauty, and eternal significance of Christmas through the full testimony of Scripture.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we ask a timely question as Christmas approaches—not what do we want, but what does Jesus want? Scripture gives us a clear answer in Matthew 28:18–20: Jesus wants disciples. The Great Commission isn’t a suggestion or an optional ministry program—it is the mission statement Jesus Himself gave to His Church. As the Head of the Church, He assigns the mission; we don’t get to rewrite it.

We explore what it truly means to be a disciple. Jesus defines discipleship with two inseparable components: helping people come to faith (baptism) and then teaching them to obey everything He commanded. Through passages like John 14:21 and 23, we see that love for Jesus is expressed through obedience. We reflect on the first disciples—ordinary men and women who responded to the simple yet radical call, “Follow Me.” In a culture where rabbis trained disciples to become teachers themselves, Jesus made it clear that He alone is Lord and Teacher (Matthew 23:8–10).

But if this is Jesus’ mission for His Church, why isn’t the whole Church doing it? Many focus only on “getting people saved,” while others reduce Christianity to kindness or church membership. Yet discipling others requires first becoming a disciple ourselves—learning to obey all that Jesus commanded, even when it requires leaving old traditions, surrendering personal ambitions, and swimming against cultural currents. Examples from Pastor Tom’s travels, including witnessing hundreds of young disciples in India, remind us that the call is the same for every generation.

So how do we reverse the decline of Christianity in America and around the world? Jesus gives us the path: become disciples who make disciples. Paul described his life’s purpose as bringing about “the obedience of faith,” a call to trust and obey the God whose character and power leave no reason to resist Him. Jesus also tells us we must worship and follow Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24)—bowing in reverent submission, trusting the Holy Spirit within us, and embracing the truth Jesus teaches and commands. With God’s power in us, we can live out the hard but beautiful life of discipleship: loving our enemies, practicing humility, serving others, and obeying Jesus in everything.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we celebrate one of the most joy-filled commands in Scripture—giving thanks to God. Psalm 100:4–5 invites us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise,” and that’s exactly where this conversation leads: to a deeper, daily gratitude that transforms our hearts and lives.

While Thanksgiving may be a favorite holiday filled with food, family, and fellowship, true thanksgiving is more than a single day in November—it’s a way of life. From the Pilgrims’ first celebration to George Washington’s proclamation and today’s family gatherings, gratitude has always united people across history. But beyond tradition, thanksgiving is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to God, shifting our focus from problems to praise and filling our hearts with peace and joy.

We explore what Pastor Tom calls the “Four-Step Power of Thanksgiving”: remembering the good things in our lives, thanking God for them, remembering that He is still good, and finally bringing our present challenges to Him with hope and faith (Philippians 4:4–7). When we give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), we find strength to face a world full of division, uncertainty, and fear—trusting that “He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.”

As we reflect on God’s faithfulness, we’re reminded that every day can—and should—be Thanksgiving. Gratitude is the key to peace that passes understanding and the joy of salvation. Whether in seasons of abundance or challenge, our God remains good, loving, and worthy of praise.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we reflect on one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture: “He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3). Life in a broken world often leaves us weary and wounded—our souls burdened by anger, fear, depression, confusion, or addiction. Yet, the Shepherd who leads us beside still waters also heals what’s broken within.

Building on last week’s discussion about fear, we look deeper into how God restores the part of us that thinks, feels, and chooses—the soul. Drawing from passages like Matthew 11:28–30, Psalm 147:3, and Isaiah 40:28–31, we see that God not only strengthens us but renews us from the inside out. Through His Spirit, He meets our deepest needs for belonging, safety, and significance, transforming our inner pain into peace.

We explore how unresolved anger clogs the flow of love and joy, how fear steals our peace, and how confusion takes root when we believe lies instead of God’s truth. But in Christ, there is healing for every wound. Faith and forgiveness open the door for restoration, replacing despair with hope (Romans 15:13) and bondage with freedom.

No matter what you’ve faced—trauma, rejection, loss, or addiction—God desires to restore your soul. When you abide in His perfect love, trust His truth, and live in the power of His Spirit, you will find the freedom and renewal your heart longs for.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this timely episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, released on October 31, we face one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful emotions—fear. While Halloween celebrates the spooky and strange, this conversation uncovers what the Bible reveals about fear and how followers of Christ can find lasting peace in a fearful world.

Fear is a natural response to danger, yet when left unchecked, it steals our peace and fills our hearts with anxiety, stress, and worry. With so many today—young and old alike—struggling with fear and uncertainty, we turn to Scripture for hope and perspective. From the angels’ words to Mary, Zechariah, and the shepherds—“Do not be afraid”—to Jesus’ promise of peace in John 14:27, we see that God’s answer to fear is always His presence.

We explore how the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) frees us from the fear of both death and life, reminding us through Psalm 23, Hebrews 2, and Philippians 4 that His peace guards our hearts and minds in every circumstance. The first fear entered the world through separation from God (Genesis 3), but through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that separation is healed. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Yet, Scripture teaches that there is one kind of fear we should keep—the fear of the Lord. This reverent awe marks the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10) and deepens into loving trust as we come to know Him more. When we rest in God’s perfect love, that love casts out every other fear (1 John 4:18).

Join us as we discover how to replace fear with faith, anxiety with peace, and despair with the unshakable confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35–39).

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore one of the most vital and often misunderstood callings in the Christian life—holiness. From the beginning of creation to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, Scripture reveals that holiness isn’t an optional virtue for a few—it’s the defining mark of God’s people.

We trace this divine theme through the Bible, beginning with Genesis, where God blesses and makes the seventh day holy, setting it apart as sacred. In Exodus and Leviticus, God calls His people to be “a holy nation” and commands, “Be holy, for I am holy.” The New Testament echoes this same truth: as Peter writes, we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,” called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

Holiness means being consecrated—set apart for God’s purposes. It is the separation of light from darkness, the visible reflection of God’s glory in His people. Isaiah 60 declares, “Arise, shine, for your light has come,” reminding us that holiness is not about perfection, but transformation—living in the radiant light of the Lord while the world around us remains in shadow.

Through Christ, this calling is fulfilled. As God’s Spirit dwells within us, He empowers us to live differently—to think, act, and love as citizens of His Kingdom. In a world that blurs the lines between right and wrong, holiness shines as the evidence of God’s presence and power in His people.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore the irreplaceable role of Scripture in knowing Jesus and living out our faith. The Bible is not just a historical record or a set of moral teachings—it is the inspired revelation of God’s character, purposes, and promises. While creation may reveal God’s power and conscience may hint at His law, only Scripture shows us firsthand who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him.

Together, we unpack the authority and reliability of God’s Word. From the Psalms’ celebration of God’s law to Paul’s declaration that all Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16–17), we see how both Old and New Testaments point to Christ. We’ll examine Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law, His call to make disciples, and how the Bible remains the primary way we hear God’s voice today.

We also address two of the greatest attacks on Scripture throughout history: denying access to the Bible in people’s own language, and denying its reliability and authority. From Wycliffe and Tyndale’s bold translations to modern debates over interpretation, the Word of God has always stood firm as the one true source of divine truth. As Paul reminds us, we must guard against shaping God into our own image or editing out the parts we don’t like.

At its heart, this conversation is about trust. Understanding the Bible requires patience, context, prayer, and the guidance of the Spirit—but when read with faith and love, all of Scripture ties together to reveal the wisdom, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore marriage through God’s eyes—not just cultural traditions or modern debates, but the biblical revelation of what marriage was always meant to be. From Genesis 1 and 2 to Matthew 19, we see that marriage is more than a contract—it is the foundation of human society, a covenant relationship designed and joined by God Himself.

Marriage is God’s gift of companionship and teamwork, where husband and wife become “one flesh” in intimacy, partnership, and purpose. Far from being a hierarchy of master and servant, Scripture calls marriage a covenant of love, mutual honor, and shared stewardship over God’s creation. We’ll look at how the Bible portrays marriage as a reflection of God’s own covenant love—from Hosea’s faithfulness to his unfaithful wife, to the coming marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19).

We also tackle the challenges of Ephesians 5, often misunderstood in modern culture. Paul’s words on submission and headship were never about domination, but about love, sacrifice, and respect—husbands loving their wives as Christ loves the Church, and wives honoring their husbands as fellow heirs of eternal life. Marriage is not only a partnership between two people but also a union with God, a “threefold cord not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

At its core, marriage is a mystery that points us to Christ and His Church, a sacred picture of unity, intimacy, and agape love. When both husband and wife live in Christ, the same Spirit dwells in them, empowering their covenant to be a witness to the world of God’s faithfulness and love.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we dive into one of the most profound realities of the Christian life—what it truly means to be a child of God. Scripture tells us that those who receive Jesus are “born of God” (John 1:12–13), not merely born of man, and through the Spirit we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). But if this change is so extraordinary, why do so many believers still live like the world—and of the world?

Together, we explore how identity shapes everything: our faith, our choices, and our love. From Jesus’ call to become like little children (Matthew 18:1–4) to Paul’s reminder that we are no longer infants tossed about by the world (Ephesians 4), we unpack the difference between childlike trust and worldly immaturity. Entering God’s Kingdom is not just about the afterlife—it’s about learning to live Kingdom life here and now (Colossians 1:13; Romans 14:17).

You’ll be challenged to rethink what discipleship means, moving beyond a “just get saved” mentality to truly seeking first God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6). We’ll consider what it looks like to depend on our perfect Father and our King Jesus with the expectancy, curiosity, and joy of a healthy child—and how this transformation can restore our witness in a world longing for real love.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.

In this impactful episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we return to the vital topic of prayer—this time focusing on petition and intercession. When we cry out for help—whether for ourselves or for others—we’re not just asking; we’re aligning with God’s purposes and power.Starting with Jesus’ own teaching in Matthew 7 (“Ask, seek, knock”) and the call to be a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7), we unpack seven biblical principles for praying effectively:Relationship is the foundation—prayer connects us deeply to God as our Father (1 John 1:3-4).Prayer is the Christian’s primary work—not a last resort, but a frontline strategy (1 Thessalonians 5:17; John 14-15).Pray in the Name of Jesus—aligning our prayers with His will, not just our wants (James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15).Trust God’s answers—whether it's yes, no, wait, or something better, He is always faithful.Pray in agreement—with others and with God’s Word. There’s power in unity (Matthew 18:19-20; Ephesians 3:14-21).Pray with Purity, Passion, and Perseverance—God honors sincerity, intensity, and faithfulness in our prayers (2 Chronicles 7:14; James 5:16; Luke 18).Just Do It—the average Christian prays just minutes a day. It’s time to change that.You’ll be challenged to elevate your prayer life—not just as a practice, but as a way of life. Whether you’re lifting up personal needs or standing in the gap for others, this conversation will deepen your understanding of what it means to pray with purpose, faith, and boldness.Let’s be a people who don’t just talk about prayer—let’s live it.Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:Moon in the DarknessBe with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for JesusChrist in Us is the Hope of GloryThese books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.