In this week's episode we were blessed with the opportunity to sit down with Justin N. Poythress, pastor of All Saints Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Boise, ID, about his upcoming book Who Am I and What Am I Doing with My Life?, set for release on April 1st from the Good Book Company. 

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Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

This past week marked the annual observance of America's most important religious, er, national holiday: the NFL Super Bowl. As per usual, there was no shortage of controversy surrounding the halftime show, this year hosted by an artist named Bad Bunny. But this year there was not one but two halftime shows, with the other pitched the "All-American Halftime Show", which aimed at being a celebration of "American culture, freedom, and faith." Sifting through all the noise, we thought we'd add our thoughts about what all of this says for American Christians, and how we might, as Reformed Christians, seek to avoid populist Evangelicalism. 

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Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

This week we're traveling back in time to examine the so-called Young, Restless, and Reformed movement, analyzing its roots, its rise to prominence in the evangelical world in the 2000s, and its subsequent decline in the mid-2010s. Through it all we explore the real strengths of the movement, alongside a sober analysis of the genuine weaknesses and valid criticisms. For anyone who lived through it, this may be an intriguing walk down memory lane. For others, it may be merely a cautionary tale. But for all, we hope it's a thoughtful analysis of a movement that profoundly impacted evangelicalism in the early years of the 21st century.

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Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

This week we dive into a fascinating discussion and exploration of what the Bible has to teach us about Satan, demons, sin, and temptation. A listener recently asked us whether it's true that Satan is to blame for our temptation, or whether this removes too much of the responsibility off our shoulders. So this episode is one part response to the question, one part a theology of Satan and demons, and one part exploration of what we might call the "gestational stages" of temptation based on James 1:13-15. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Referenced in the episode:

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Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

In the Christian life there are often sins that are overlooked, dismissed, and neglected. These exist in contrast to the ones that are far more obvious and therefore far more commonly addressed. So in an effort to discern the whole counsel of God and allow its light to pervade into every nook and cranny of our hearts, this week we turn to the sins of greed, gluttony, and grumbling in an effort to address how Christ's Lordship affects our hearts and even our plates.

Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

A few weeks ago, a pastor friend reached out to Pastor Zac asking what his go-to book recommendations were for new Christians, and this question got him thinking. Books are an important part of discipleship for many Christians, and so in this week's episode we take some time to reflect on what books we'd recommend for getting to grips with Christianity depending on various considerations (age, maturity level, spiritual needs, etc.). This will be a helpful episode for anyone looking for good books to start with, or for anyone looking for good books to recommend to new Christians in their church.

Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

In this first episode of 2026, we take some time to reflect on 2025 and some of the major events that transpired. We pay special attention on the recent developments within the conservative right and the fractures that have become clear in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death as a result of conspiracy theories and the appeal of sensational explanatory narratives. Following the guidance of Scripture & our Reformed confessions, in this episode we discuss how Christians ought not be marked by pervasive distrust of government and institutions, but by an abiding respect for and willingness to trust them despite their failings. 

Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Do you know the REAL Christmas story, as opposed to the popular versions of the story we hear every year around this time? In this week's episode, we spend some time, like Mary herself, marveling at the goodness of God in the Matthew and Luke's accounts of the nativity of Christ our Lord. We get into the date of Christ's birth, the timeline leading up to and after His birth, the story of the shepherds, the wise men, and the slaughter of the innocents. As we prepare for Christmas, this is a devotional episode to help us focus on the reality of Christmas and the glad tidings of great joy.

Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

While it may sound strange to many, the Reformed tradition has had a long and complicated history with regard to the use of the Church Calendar. In some corners it's been outright rejected, whereas in others it's been strongly encouraged. So given that we are currently in the season of Advent and approaching Christmas, we thought it would be fun to sit down and discuss how Reformed Christians can and should use the Church Calendar today and how our tradition helps shine the spotlight on the so-called "evangelical feast days." We hope this is a fun and enlightening episode!

Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! As another Christmas season has now descended upon us, we thought it would we'd get a little festive and spend this week's episode ranking our favorite (and least favorite) Christmas carols and songs. Perhaps we'll step on some toes, but more importantly we hope to deepen your appreciation for some of the true gems of this wonderful season where we celebrate the arrival of the Son of God in the incarnation. 

Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.

Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.