Love God First

In this episode we explore the concept of building altars in the life of a Christ follower, using Abram as a model. We talk about why it was so important for Abram to have built an altar and call on the name of the Lord. We'll see the importance of committing to our own current spiritual assignment, and we'll look at an example of drawing on the Lord's transformative power and presence through worship. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and consider where they can build modern-day altars to invite God's presence into their circumstances.

In this episode, I shares reflections from my son's wedding, drawing parallels between the preparations for that wedding and the spiritual preparation of every Christian as the bride of Christ. I emphasize the importance of growing our inner character as we depend on the righteousness of Christ to clothe us. The conversation culminates in a hopeful vision of the eternal life that awaits believers, inspired by C.S. Lewis's writings.

Keywords

wedding, bride of Christ, preparation, righteousness, Love God First, Christian metaphor, Isaiah, Revelation, C.S. Lewis, spiritual journey

In this last conversation, Sarah Miller and I continue to explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God can call each of us to different ministries, jobs, and even locations in our lives. We delve into the importance of understanding one's identity and values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of community in confirming God's call to us. Through personal stories and insights we emphasize that the journey of faith is at its core a relationship with God. Hopefully by the end you will have a confidence (or at least a willingness) to embrace the unique calling that the Lord has given you!

Here is the link for the spiritual formation materials I talk about on this episode:

Life Lessons Publishing, Spiritual Formation

Keywords

calling, faith, God, personal growth, trust, life coaching, spiritual journey, obedience, values, community

In this second conversation, Sarah Miller and I continue to explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God can call each of us to different ministries, jobs, and even locations in our lives. We delve into the importance of understanding one's identity and values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of community in confirming God's call to us. Through personal stories and insights we emphasize that the journey of faith is at its core a relationship with God. Hopefully by the end you will have a confidence (or at least a willingness) to embrace the unique calling that the Lord has given you!

Keywords

calling, faith, God, personal growth, trust, life coaching, spiritual journey, obedience, values, community

In this conversation, Sarah Miller and I explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God calls individuals at different times and in different ways in their lives while at the same time calling us always into more of who He has made us to be. We delve into the importance of understanding our values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of community and trust in navigating God's call. Through personal stories and insights, we emphasize the journey of faith as a dynamic relationship with God, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique callings with confidence and trust.

Keywords:

calling, faith, God, personal growth, trust, life coaching, spiritual journey, obedience, values, community

A few takeaways:

The Lord calls us to different things at different times in our life.

Understanding our values helps us discern our calling.

Stepping out in faith often requires a leap into the unknown.

It's important to ask God for confirmation in our decisions.

The journey of faith is a continuous conversation with God.

In this episode, we begin the story of Abram (eventually Abraham), focusing on his journey of faith as depicted in Genesis 12. We discuss the significance of God's promises to Abram, the challenges he faced and how these experiences will eventually contribute to the growth of his faith. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trusting God, stepping out in faith, and recognizing that struggles are part of the journey towards inheriting God’s promises.

Keywords

Abraham, faith, promises, God, journey, challenges, growth, trust, transformation, spirituality

In this second episode about the Tower of Babel, we are focusing on the motivations behind its construction. And you might be surprised to see some similarities between these ancient tower builders and yourself! We highlights the significance of humility, contentment, and the dangers of seeking fame and power. And we end by encouraging listeners how to find satisfaction in their current circumstances, whatever they may be!

Sources:

Gaines, Chip and Joanna. The Magnolia Story. W Publishing Group (2016).

Morris, Henry. The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Baker Books (1976): 251-279.

Prager, Dennis. The Rational Bible: Genesis. Regenery Faith (2019): 143-150.

Keywords

Tower of Babel, Genesis, Nimrod, contentment, humility, biblical stories, archaeology, human ambition, faith, idolatry

In this episode, we delve into the biblical account of the Tower of Babel, exploring its historical context and archeological confirmation. In this two-part episode, we focus first on understanding the fine points, so that next time we meet, we will be ready to look closely at the personal application. If you like knowing the juicy details of a story, especially if it's a story that may have bothered you with its plausibility, then this is the episode for you! 

Sources:

"Century Mark: First Major Excavation of Babylon," Biblical Archaeology Review 50. 3 (2024): 26.

Morris, Henry. The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Baker Books (1976): 251-279.

Prager, Dennis. The Rational Bible: Genesis. Regenery Faith (2019): 143-150.

Keywords

Tower of Babel, Genesis, Nimrod, contentment, humility, biblical stories, archaeology, human ambition, faith, idolatry

We're continuing our conversation with Donna Jones today! 

Check out Donna's new book on Amazon:

Also listen to her on: That's Just What I Needed Podcast found on Spotify, Podbean or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Donna and I shift the focus from discussing how to bolster our own child's faith level to talking about any unbelieving members of the family. The conversation emphasizes the significance of open communication, understanding, and love in navigating relationships with non-believing family members while also sharing success stories of reconciliation and hope.

Keywords

prodigals, family dynamics, faith, parenting, prayer, communication, relationships, spiritual growth, Christian faith, family members