Pastors Brent and Paul follow up on Episode 130 by offering commentary on Brent’s Advent sermon series in the book of Ruth. Pastor Brent highlights Naomi as the central character in ch. 1 and a woman of deep and exemplary faith despite her emotional distress. The Bible is direct and realistic about the pain and suffering that exists in this world. When we, like Naomi, reach the place of emptiness, God has us exactly where He wants us when we fully return to Him. After Brent briefly previews ch. 2, Paul plugs our New Life EFC Vimeo page to watch past sermons (incl. the current series in Ruth) and ends with a benediction from 1 Thes. 1:9.

Following up on his elective class on Dec. 2, Pastor Brent banters with Pastor Paul about the call for wisdom (“biblical truth lived out”) and restraint as we’re surrounded by digital technology in our lives. As image bearers and Christ-followers, we must cultivate and protect biblical priorities. In addition to personal and cultural examples of exercising self-control, the pastors discuss several biblical texts including Gen. 2:15; Gal. 5:22-23; and 1 Cor. 9:24-27. Ultimately, all technology (including digital technology and AI) can and should be used to fulfill The Great Commandment (Mark 12:29-31) and The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). “ ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be enslaved by anything.” (1 Cor. 6:12b, ESV)

Pastor Paul offers a Thanksgiving Weekend devotional on giving thanks for trials and difficult times in addition to what we think of as pleasant things and blessings. Using various Thanksgiving weeks from his own life ranging from 1985 through 2025 (most notably a depression-ending breakthrough in 2002), Pastor Paul focuses on 1 Thes. 5:18, Eph. 5:20, and Col. 3:15-17 as key thanksgiving verses. Supporting passages include Job 1:21; 2:10; John 3:30; Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 12:9; Col. 1:24-29; Jas. 1:2-4, 17; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; and 2 Pet. 3:18.

Pastor Brent and Pastor Paul overview New Life’s Advent sermon series for 2025, The Book of Ruth (Nov. 23-Dec. 21). Conceived well over a year ago as a unique but gospel-centered Christmas message, Pastor Brent outlines several key theological themes in Ruth: 1) Suffering and Pain; 2) Trust and Commitment; 3) Redemption and Restoration; and 4) Unworthy and Worthy. Pastor Paul calls Ruth “a Samwise Gamgee of the Bible” (see 1:17) and offers a parallel between Ruth 1:16 and John 20:17. From Pastor Brent’s Preaching Series Overview: “The book of Ruth is a ray of hope in the midst of despair. This story foreshadows the coming of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ.”

Three years ago today, the Roots & Branches podcast debuted! While the original purpose was to discuss the Biblical Foundations and Transformational Outcomes of our vision to expand the ministries and facilities at New Life EFC in Hastings, MN, Pastor Paul articulates five main reasons why this podcast continues: 1) church vision-casting; 2) fun conversations; 3) biblical teaching; 4) in-depth interviews; and 5) solo commentary. He also introduces a new feature, “Congregational Questions,” where listeners are encouraged to submit questions and/or comments to [email protected] for possible inclusion in future episodes. After sharing “timely” excerpts from Eccl. 3 and Titus 1, Pastor Paul references or quotes other Scriptures throughout this anniversary episode, including Job 38-41; Matt. 6:26b; 7:7-8; Eph. 6:10-20; Heb. 10:23-25; and Phil. 1:6.

On this Reformation Day 2025, Pastor Paul and Pastor Brent address in broad terms the various crises being experienced within our church family right now. Hospitalizations, end-of-life struggles, financial stresses, and other “trials of various kinds” (Jas. 1:2) can sometimes feel overwhelming. In His sovereignty, God does what He pleases (Ps. 115:3); but in His providence, He works through both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances for our good (Rom. 8:28)! In addition to poignant passages (e.g., Matt. 7:7; Heb. 10:24-25; 12:5-7; 2 Cor. 12:7-10), the pastoral pair discuss biblical ideas from authors Randy Alcorn (“Heaven”); John Calvin (“Institutes of the Christian Religion”); Kevin DeYoung (“Daily Doctrine”); Erwin Lutzer (“One Minute After You Die”); and Jerry Sittser (“A Grace Disguised”).

One of the fruits of his recent sabbatical is that Pastor Brent strongly desires to regularly teach elective classes here at New Life. In this episode, he banters with Pastor Paul about five one-off elective classes coming up this school year on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Dome. Nov. 4: “The Last Days: Introduction to the End Times”; Dec. 2: “Wisdom in a Digital Age: Devices, Social Media, and AI”; Feb. 17: “The Spiritual Realm: Angels and Demons”; April 28: “Geography of the Bible: What It Matters”; and May 26: “Councils, Creeds, and Confessions: Are They Authoritative?” A long-term goal is to offer Sunday school for adults and youth in the current classroom wing, which is yet another reason we’re praying for a new classroom wing to be built as the Lord wills and provides! Meanwhile, these one-off electives (and more in the future) will help our local body to renew our minds (Rom. 12:2) and deepen our fellowship and whole-life discipleship.

Reflecting on his recent commissioning on Sunday 10/12/25, Associate Pastor Paul Arneberg starts with an ABBA parody and then reviews three title changes since being hired on 10/1/23. This episode also includes lauding the plurality of leaders and teams at New Life EFC; Paul’s earnest prayers for the Lord’s direction regarding location, congregation and vocation starting in January 2020; endeavoring to live out Pastor Brent’s “prophecy” of fruitfulness (based on faithfulness) in addition to the dichotomous goal of being a catalyst and collaborator; and sharing how the Lord answered in times of desperate need and only by His strength. Pastor Paul interweaves several key Scripture passages that continue to be key in his calling and growing trust in the Lord, including Ps. 23:3; 118:5; Isa. 40:30-31; Mark 10:13-16; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:5; and Jas. 4:15.

Paul and Pastor Brent discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its deep affect on many among us. Key points in their dialogue include boasting only in the cross of Christ; increasing our boldness for the gospel; and prioritizing in-person relationships, especially rooted in fellow believers through the local church. Paul also reflects briefly on Charlie Kirk’s faith and his Sept. 21 memorial service where many eulogists openly shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also recaps five points as taught to our Youth Group who are processing the events of the past three weeks. Pastor Brent ends with a strong exhortation to curb the use of social media (even challenging some to consider a fast) before Paul closes with a benediction from 2 Tim. 3:12-17.

At 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, 1985, Paul witnessed his mom die after long battles with breast cancer and leukemia. This poem was written during the pandemic for Paul’s former monthly column for Jugheads Youth Juggling Co. As Audrey Arneberg’s death in the middle of Paul’s high school career is a major part of his testimony, he reads the poem along with brief commentary on death; how survivors should use death as an occasion to glean examples from the departed while also renewing one’s purpose to trust in and live for the Lord (see Eccl. 7:2); and look to Jesus and our blessed hope in Him, His return, and His promise that all the redeemed will live forever together in His kingdom (see 1 Thes. 4:13-18). The final four lines of Paul’s 92-line poem attempt to express Christ-centered stewardship of the years the Lord gives us (regardless of lifespan) and the highest aim for one’s life and death in Christ: “I want to live well and to die in the Son / When All told, I yet live for an Audience of One.”