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Why are fewer young people stepping into ministry today? Why does it feel like pastors are burning out, retiring, or walking away with no one to take their place?

In this episode of the March or Die Show, Jeremy Stalnecker and Sean Kennard sit down with Bart Barber, Pastor of First Baptist Farmersville, Texas and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, to talk honestly about the crisis in pastoral leadership and biblical leadership in general. 

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This episode is part 28 in a study of the gospel of Luke. In this episode Jesus ignores the crowds and talks to his followers about hypocrisy, fear and persecution.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, my guest Bill Derrick and I share how to navigate life’s unexpected challenges with faith and resilience. Drawing on powerful biblical principles, we discuss how to trust God in the midst of life’s storms and find restoration and hope when circumstances feel overwhelming. Our conversation dives into practical tools for facing adversity, embracing God’s peace, and emerging stronger through trials.

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold on to faith when life takes an unexpected turn, this episode will inspire and equip you to trust God’s plan and find hope in the storm.

 

Quotables from the episode:

• I was also learning about the curse of success. When you're very successful, you feel like you could do no wrong. And you feel like you've got all the answers. And I had to learn that neither one of those points were necessarily true. I also had to learn that, yes, I'm in control until I'm not, and now I'm not in control anymore. And last of all, I had to kind of learn that my priorities, because of success probably, had gotten out of whack.
• When somebody asks you, “what's your priorities?” You automatically say, "Well, that's easy. God, family, and business." I think during this time, my priorities of success now, not necessarily when things went bad, but when we were very successful, one might look at the priorities as being more like “business, business, business, and then God and family, because we were doing well.”
• Just stick with it because the storm will end. It may not end the way you want it, but it will end and there will be blessings that you will find because of the storm.
• From a practical standpoint, as leaders, when you do your planning, you plan for success.  You don't necessarily plan for what happens if we fail? That's a hard thing to do as a business leader. From a faith standpoint, we're told in the Bible to build your house on a solid foundation so that when the storms come, we don't get washed away. So from that standpoint, I think that's how you can prepare: you go into these storms on the right foundation of faith and trust in God.
• I was realizing that God had just spent five or six years preparing me. I mean, you know, it sounds a little weird, but I was prepared.
• I said, we don't know what we were ready for, but we're ready for it and I don't know what the future holds but we're ready to move forward and because I knew that God was going to be there.
• I feel a calmness, a contentment, that brings me at peace with my situation.
• I am so grateful for a lot of things and I tell people don't be like me and have to get to the point where things start to be taken away from you for you to be grateful.  Being grateful can change your life.
• First of all, don't ask the question, “where is God?” God is there. The first question we need to ask is, "Where am I?" And lean into God. He doesn't necessarily cause these things, but at the same time, He uses them for our benefit. And if we can just get our minds to that point to where we understand that and we can say, "All right, God, I'm along for the ride. I'm going to do what I can, but you're driving and I need to let you take me where you want me to go."
• Unexpected circumstances can upend our neatly planned life at any time.
• God is always there. The question is, do we trust Him enough to help us through the storm by His means and His way?
• I am amazed at how blind I was before the storm and how God was working in my life.
• No matter what your circumstances, no matter what your age, no matter what your physical or mental situation, no matter how tragic your experience – believe and trust in the Lord.
• We all have a choice to make when the storms of life assail us. We can blame God and get angry, or we can let Him t

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Every bedtime story, every scraped knee, every prayer whispered over a crib—it all matters. God sees your unseen sacrifices. Your home is a holy ground where tiny hearts are learning what God’s love looks like. Don’t strive for perfection; strive for presence. Let your kids see grace, not just rules. Let them see you pray, forgive, and lean on Jesus. Because one day, they’ll do the same. You’re doing kingdom work—one bedtime, one hug, one prayer at a time.

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Legendary actor Dennis Quaid says America can learn a lot from Ronald Reagan's friendship with politicians from across the aisle, including the Gipper's close relationship with then-Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, a member of the opposite party. Quaid portrays the former president in the upcoming biopic Reagan (PG-13), which chronicles the journey of the 40th president from his days as a Hollywood actor to his two terms in office and his battle with Alzheimer's.

Listen in to Michael and Dennis' conversation, and find the accompanying article here!

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Today’s Bible Verse:

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." — Psalm 18:19

Psalm 18:19 reminds us that God’s rescue is not only about deliverance from danger—it’s about being brought into freedom and security, rooted in His love. David celebrates that God doesn’t just save His people out of obligation; He saves because He delights in them.

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Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Jessica at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Rev. Jessica Van Roekel is a passionate Christian speaker, author, and worship pastor who shares how God brings beauty from brokenness. Her message centers on God’s power to rescue, restore, and renew, even after seasons of rejection or loss.

She is the author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything, a guide to seeing God’s purpose in life’s disappointments.

Jessica and her husband are raising a vibrant family, with two adult daughters, a college-aged son, and a high school daughter. You can explore her teachings, devotionals, and resources at WelcomeGrace.com.

Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.com

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Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by Melissa Disney, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. In this peaceful sleep reflection, enjoy God’s presence as you take in the sights and sounds at the park on a sunny day. Hear from the Scriptures joy-filled promises for renewal and restoration through Christ Jesus.

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for better sleep is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Tyler Boss, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Are you receiving every blessing God already has given you? Discover in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 the key to being blessed. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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A Prayer for a Servant's Heart

One of the most powerful acts of humility recorded in Scripture—Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.
In today's episode, Nicolet Bell helps us reflect on how this simple yet profound act shows us what it means to live with a servant’s heart. Jesus set the ultimate example of love, humility, and forgiveness.
We are reminded that following Jesus means picking up the “towel” daily—choosing to serve and forgive, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Reference: Psalm 139:7-12

Prayer: Father, I take such comfort in the fact that Even when I can't see my children, you can. There's nowhere they can go, nothing they can do, and no place they can hide, that they're outside the boundary of your love and your presence. Find them when they're in the dark and bring them into the light. In Jesus' name, amen.

LINKS:

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Christian joy isn’t something to feel guilty about—it’s a gift from God. In Go Ahead and Enjoy Your Life, Whitney Hopler reflects on Ecclesiastes 9:7 and reminds us that God has already approved the simple pleasures that bring gladness to our hearts. From meals with friends to family adventures, enjoying life is part of our spiritual walk. Discover how embracing joy in everyday moments deepens your faith, relieves stress, and opens your eyes to the wonder of God’s work around you.

✨ Highlights

• Ecclesiastes 9:7: God’s approval for us to enjoy life’s blessings

• Why Christians often feel guilty about rest, leisure, or enjoyment—and how to let go of that guilt

• Joy as a spiritual practice: how savoring meals, nature, and meaningful connections can draw us closer to God

• The difference between God-honoring enjoyment and reckless indulgence

• Practical ways to recognize God’s presence in joyful experiences

• How gratitude and delight strengthen your relationship with Him

Join the Conversation

Do you struggle with feeling guilty for enjoying life’s simple pleasures? How has God reminded you that joy is part of His plan for you? Share your story with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ChristianJoy #EnjoyLife #FaithAndHappiness to encourage others to embrace God’s approval to live with gladness.

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Full Transcript Below:

Go Ahead and Enjoy Your Life

By: Whitney Hopler 

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” - Ecclesiastes 9:7, NIV 

My favorite way to get together with my friends is to enjoy lunch together. I regularly make reservations at various restaurants to meet each friend one-on-one. There’s something about eating a good meal that helps us especially enjoy our time together. At lunch, we can relax and be fully present with each other, rather than getting distracted by the items on our to-do lists. We can savor our food by eating mindfully and savor our conversations by listening well to each other. As we do, we’re free from stress and able to fully embrace the joy God offers in that experience. We could eat shorter and less expensive lunches if we just ate at home while talking on the phone