Solid Steps Radio

“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” - Blaise Pascal. Why does being alone strike fear in our hearts? Maybe always being “connected” isn’t healthy. On this week’s show, Kurt and Chad talk about Soul Retreats - put on by Further Still Ministries. The retreats are a 2 year journey - learning to live at a pace and rhythm of life that cares for our soul. Current soul retreat participants Sarah Sheets and Rachael Loy join Chad and Kurt to discuss their experience with the retreats. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalms 90:12 NIV

“ For the average man you’ve got about 4000 weeks of life.”- Dr Jerry Rabalais, U of L professor of school of medicine

29,000 days. 4,000 weeks. 960 months.

That’s the average for the man that lives to be 80 years old. We’re not guaranteed tomorrow, but most men will live to be at or around 80 years old. What purpose are you living for and how do you reach a life of fulfillment and number of our days from a biblical perspective?

On this week show, university of Louisville medical professor, Dr. Jerry Rabalais talks with Kurt and Chad about how to live with purpose and longevity in mind. More than just how’s your blood pressure, what are the things that contribute to a man living a long and fulfilling life?

Topics include:

-How impactful loneliness is in a person longevity

-The relationship between longevity and close relationships

-A 30 year Harvard study that can be summed up in 3 words. (It’s something that Jesus taught 2000 years ago.)

Imagine you’re 29 years old and just received a 35 year prison sentence. You do the math, and know you’re going to be in your 60’s before you are a free man. How could you possibly have any hope for your future? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt talk with Darrell Davis - founder of The Prisoners Hope ministry www.theprisonershope.life. He spent almost half of his life behind bars. Darrell talks about his journey from convicted felon to free man, a freedom he experienced even while still in jail. But his journey to freedom had some twists and turns. God’s plans and timing were not the same as Darrell’s, and it couldn’t have turned out any better.

(This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

“Freedom isn't free.” That's a bumper sticker for some people, but it's been a way of life for the men, women and families of the United States military. On this weeks, Kurt and Chad sit down with veterans Don Waddell (Air Force, Vietnam) and Derek Henricks (West Point, Army, Afghanistan). Don and Derek talk about their experiences and perspectives on military service and the high cost of freedom - for the veterans, and for their families as well. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

“Spare the rod, spoil the child." (Proverbs 13:24) That proverb was written by King Solomon centuries ago. Is the idea of spanking as old as the phrase? Is there a place for spanking in the families of today? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt continue the study of the book Shepherding a Child's Heart (by Tedd Tripp). They talk with Family Pastor Bryan Elliott and Family Counselor Chad Stettler (Olive Branch Family Counseling https://m.facebook.com/Olivebranchfamilycounseling/ ) about what good discipline looks like, as well as what it shouldn't look like. The ultimate goal is getting to the heart of the child, not just managing their behavior. Kurt shares the story of how he explained gospel of Christ in a powerful way to one of his children during a spanking. It’s one of the most moving segments on the show (4th segment, it's worth checking out at least to hear the story.) (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

“ I swore off playing basketball ever again.” -Phil Morrison

Imagine growing up with dreams of playing basketball professionally, only to quit after your first year of college, thinking you’d never pick up a ball again—then years later, finding yourself playing in front of 54,000 people.

This week on the show, Kurt and Chad welcome Phil Morrison—founder of Hoops For Christ ( https://hoopsforchrist.org ), basketball instructor, and missionary—to share his incredible journey through the game of basketball. After a successful high school career, Phil had the opportunity to play college basketball. But after just one year, he walked away, giving up his dream of playing professionally. Then, a life-altering encounter with God changed everything. With a new sense of purpose, Phil found his way back to the game, playing at Asbury College, where he became an All-American and the first player in school history to go pro.

His career took him overseas, where he played for multiple teams—and eventually, he found himself on a court in the Philippines, fulfilling a dream he once had in his sleep, playing in front of 54,000 fans.

From quitting basketball to meeting God and his future wife at the same event, to playing around the world and launching a global ministry, Phil’s journey has been about more than just the game. It’s a story only God could write—and it’s still being written.

“You can't have a healthy civilization without healthy soil.”-Joel Salatin, farmer/author .

“Chickens are the gateway drugs for homesteading”- Homestead pastor Denny Dillman.

Cheeseburgers. Chicken sandwiches. Bacon. Before you take a bite, do you ever consider WHERE this animal came from? Do you consider HOW that animal got there? Do you think God even cares?

This week show, Kurt and Chad welcome homesteading pastor Denny Dillman. Denny talks about his journey that led him from an urban ministry to urban homesteading to owning a farm and and being a pastor, and how the homesteading movement is not just about chickens and vegetables, but about the Lord, moving in the hearts of people to glorify Him in the stewardship of His creation…And it’s about chickens.

“Who’s this big white guy?”

When you hear the word “urban” what do you think about? What does the person look like who is “urban”?

On this weekends show, Kurt and Chad welcomes Youth for Christ’s Mark Singleton (as well as friend Bobby Schiavone) to talk about what living life on purpose for others looks like, when they may look different, or come from a different neighborhood, but still have much in common: The need for Jesus and his grace and love.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength”

How’s your joy? A challenging question in challenging times. But does the Bible say that we have joy in our circumstances? The joy of the Lord is our strength and joy is a non negotiable in the life of a follower of Christ.

On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad welcome three friends, Ken Martin, Kurt Franck, and David Bryant who talk about how joy has bound them together and helped them through the tough times.

Dallas Willard (to philosophy students in class)- “What is the purpose of business? ”Student response- “Profits!” Dallas Willard- “Is that what you will tell your customers?” One of the things that can get men (and women) really engaged with when you bring it up, is business and work. Starting a business is scary but also invigorating. Challenging but rewarding. But if we’re running a business by God‘s economy and not the worlds, what does running a kingdom minded business look like? On this weeks show Kurt has on longtime friends and businessmen Mark Green and Glenn Bednarczyk. They talk about how they run their businesses and how they can help hold each other accountable and encourage one another through having a “board of directors” for one another’s business with other businessmen. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)