Spiritually Fit Today

Spiritually Fit Today

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Spiritually Fit Today episodes

  • You're Not Losing Faith—You're Spiritually Out of Shape - Spiritually Fit Today
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and this week's guest, Braden Pedersen. In this episode Arnie and Braden discuss why many Christians feel spiritually drained despite regular church attendance and Bible reading — and how spiritual fitness (not just faith effort) brings lasting change. They unpack a simple, practical daily roadmap from 1 Timothy 4:7–8: Receive, Reflect, Respond, Reveal, and offer steps to build small daily habits that grow your spiritual life.

    What to do next (4 R actions)
    - Read: Pick a clear starting point (Matthew chapter 1, Proverbs, or a daily Bible plan) and read a short passage each day.
    - Reflect: Pause and meditate on the passage. Ask what it reveals about God, yourself, and your story. Use a study Bible, devotional, or brief questions (Who? What? So what? Now what?) to guide thought.
    - Respond: Turn your reflection into prayer. Ask God, “What are you asking me to change?” and commit one personal next step.
    - Reveal: Share what you learned with someone else — a text, a quick conversation, a social post, or living out the truth in a practical way. Make that small step publicly count.


    Keywords: spiritual fitness, daily Bible reading, Bible habits, spiritual disciplines, Receive Reflect Respond Reveal, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, daily devotion, Christian growth, Braden Pedersen, Arnie Cole

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    10 min
  • The Father's Day Message Every Man Needs to Hear - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with Brian Doyle (founder of Iron Sharpens Iron) about Father’s Day, the state of fatherhood, and Malachi 4:6 — “He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the hearts of the children to their parents.” They discuss how many men are still trying to become the fathers they needed, practical ways to mentor boys without fathers, and a simple soul-pump assignment to start making a difference today.


    4 R Action Steps
    Read — Read Malachi 4:5-6. Let the promise and responsibility settle in.
    Reflect — Ask: What father did I need? Who in my life passes by unseen? How can my heart turn toward a son who needs spiritual leadership?
    Respond — Name one young man (son, nephew, neighbor, kid at church). Pray for him, send a casual text, invite him for a Coke or a meal, and commit to showing up consistently as a spiritual mentor.
    Reveal — Demonstrate this truth by bringing him to church, sharing your faith story, teaching Scripture with him, or introducing him to a men’s discipleship group.

    Want to help or send photos/questions to the show? Email [email protected]

    Keywords: Father’s Day, fatherhood, Christian father, Malachi 4:6, mentoring, spiritual father, men’s ministry, Iron Sharpens Iron, Arnie Cole, Brian Doyle, discipleship, Christian podcast, spiritual fitness

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    11 min
  • The Foundation That Held When Everything Fell Apart - Spiritually Fit Today
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Brian Doyle. In this episode Arnie and Brian talk honestly about carrying grief, loss, and regret — the “walking wounded” who must still show up for life and ministry. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, they explore how God comforts us in suffering and how that comfort becomes the most powerful legacy we can pass on. Brian shares personal experiences of loss, cancer survival, and how faith and a solid spiritual foundation helped him minister to his family and others through pain.

    4 R Action Steps
    Read — Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 daily this week. Make it the first passage you open to and underline phrases that stand out.
    Reflect — Ask: Where am I carrying a wound? How has God comforted me before? Who in my life needs that comfort now? Spend 5–10 minutes journaling your answers.
    Respond — Write four foundational practices you need (spiritual disciplines, relationships, resources). Commit to one specific step this week: a Bible reading time, a short prayer routine, or reaching out to a trusted friend or counselor.
    Reveal — Share what God has taught you with one person this week. Offer presence, a listening ear, and the Scripture that helped you. Small acts of vulnerability become tools of comfort for others.

    Resources and contact
    Email Arnie: [email protected] for questions, prayer requests, or to share how this episode helped you.

    Keywords: grief, Christian grief, comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, spiritual formation, faith and loss, pastoral care, bereavement, ministry and family, Arnie Cole, Brian Doyle, Spiritually Fit Today, coping with loss, Christian encouragement

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
    14 min
  • The Spiritual Legacy You're Leaving Right Now - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with Brian Doyle (founder, Iron Sharpens Iron) about the spiritual fitness of the American father and the powerful, often nonverbal ways fathers transmit faith to their children. Our scripture to absorb is Deuteronomy 6:6–7.


    4 R action steps
    - Read: Read Deuteronomy 6:6–7 aloud with your family or by yourself this week. Let the words be simple, frequent reminders.
    - Reflect: Ask: “What spiritual reflection am I actually transmitting?”; “What do my kids see when I think they're not looking?” Journal one example each day.
    - Respond: Take one practical step this week to normalize faith in daily life — restore the dinner table conversation, reinstate bedtime prayer, turn off your phone during family devotion, or model calm in traffic. Start small and consistent.
    - Reveal: Share one honest struggle or lesson with a younger person or your child. Invite them into your growth (mentoring, prayer walks, or a short family devotion you lead).

    Contact
    Arnie Cole — [email protected]

    Keywords: spiritual fitness, Christian father, parenting by example, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, family devotion, faith at home, fatherhood, mentorship, Iron Sharpens Iron, Brian Doyle, Arnie Cole, bedtime prayer, restore dinner table

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    12 min
  • Christian Men Are Lonely—and It's Becoming Dangerous - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Brian Doyle. In this episode we unpack the “question gap” many Christian fathers face—the late-night struggles, doubts, temptations, and loneliness that drive men to seek answers online instead of in community. Using Proverbs 27:17 (“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”), Arnie and Brian encourage men to move from isolated spiritual searching to honest friendships and accountability.


    4 R action steps:
    - Read: Proverbs 27:17. Read it slowly and note where your spiritual life needs sharpening.
    - Reflect: Ask: What am I wrestling with that I won’t tell my pastor or group? Where am I settling for quick online answers instead of real people?
    - Respond: Create an “iron list” of one or two men who could sharpen you. Send the text or make the call this week and set a time to meet in person.
    - Reveal: Share one honest struggle with a trusted brother and invite him to pray with you or meet regularly for mutual sharpening.

    Connect with Arnie: [email protected]

    Keywords: Christian fathers, spiritual growth, loneliness, question gap, iron sharpens iron, Proverbs 27:17, men's ministry, accountability, discipleship, mentoring, faith, Christian podcast

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    13 min
  • What Your Kids Learn From You When You Think They're Not Watching - Spiritually Fit Today
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. Today Arnie talks with Brian Doyle (founder and National Director of Iron Sharpens Iron) about what fatherhood looks like when no one is watching. We reflect on Psalm 78:6–7 and on findings from the SALT Index about men’s spiritual fitness, the gaps in men’s ministries, and practical steps fathers can take to lead their homes spiritually.

    Scripture to read: Psalm 78:6–7 — “so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds, but would keep his commands.”

    4 R action plan
    - Read: Read Psalm 78:6–7 out loud this morning before your phone, news, or coffee.
    - Reflect: Ask yourself — What example am I leaving when no one is watching? Where do my children see my faith lived out in private?
    - Respond: Do the 6 a.m. test for a week: read one verse aloud, write one line of reflection, and name one small change you’ll make this week. Find one other man to be honest with about your spiritual life.
    - Reveal: Let your kids catch you reading; explain what the verse means to you; invite a son, daughter, or another father to join your morning habit or hear what you’re learning.

    Need resources or want to connect with Arnie? Email [email protected]

    Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Brian Doyle, fatherhood, Psalm 78, men's ministry, spiritual fitness, Iron Sharpens Iron, SALT Index, Christian fathers, morning devotions, discipleship, parenting Christian children

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
    13 min
  • Why You Were Never Meant to Heal Alone - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with his guest Katlyn about building a lifeline for long-term resilience—how faith communities, daily spiritual rhythms, and trusted people walk with trauma survivors and trauma workers long after the immediate scene. Our Scripture to absorb: Galatians 6:2 — "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."


    4 R action steps to apply today
    - Read: Read Galatians 6:2 and the surrounding passage to see how bearing one another’s burdens is central to Christian life.
    - Reflect: Who walks with people through the long, hard days after crisis? Consider where your community shows up (or doesn’t) and how family and close relationships are included.
    - Respond: Reach out to three people in your church or small group and say, "I want to be better at carrying burdens with people. How can I pray for you this week?" Start showing up and trusting the body of believers.
    - Reveal: Demonstrate this truth by offering prayer, presence, and grace instead of judgment—be the person who walks with someone through the long recovery, not just the immediate scene.

    Want to follow up or suggest a guest? Email Arnie Cole at [email protected]. If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope and strength.

    Keywords: spiritual fitness, resilience, long-term recovery, trauma recovery, faith community, Galatians 6:2, carry each other’s burdens, Christian podcast, small group, prayer, community support, trauma workers, pastoral care

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    12 min
  • The Daily Habit That Protects Mental Health - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with his niece Katlyn, a flight nurse, about how gratitude can be a true resilience builder—even amid pain, broken bodies, and bad news. They ground the conversation in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus," and discuss practical ways Christian gratitude differs from toxic positivity and how to make gratitude a sustaining spiritual habit.


    4 R action steps:
    Read — Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 slowly and aloud. Let the phrase "in all circumstances" sink in.
    Reflect — Ask: Where have I seen God’s faithfulness? What am I tempted to ignore right now? How might gratitude shift my focus from loss to God’s presence?
    Respond — Start a three-in-one gratitude journal: each night write three things you’re thankful for (even on hard days) and include at least one item that points to God’s character or faithfulness.
    Reveal — Share your gratitude with someone: tell one person a specific way God has been faithful, pray with a friend, or model thankfulness in a difficult situation so others see hope in action.

    Questions or feedback: [email protected]

    Keywords: gratitude, resilience, Christian gratitude, toxic positivity, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, gratitude journal, spiritual growth, mental health, trauma recovery, flight nurse, Arnie Cole, Spiritually Fit Today

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    9 min
  • Why Unforgiveness Is Keeping You Stuck - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with host Arnie Cole and guest Katlyn, a helicopter flight nurse who has witnessed firsthand the deep emotional aftermath of tragedy, violence, and human error. In this episode, Arnie and Katlyn discuss one of the hardest spiritual challenges people face after trauma: forgiveness. This conversation is a powerful reminder that while trauma can leave lasting scars, bitterness does not have to control our future. Through Christ, forgiveness becomes the pathway to healing, peace, and spiritual freedom.


    4 R Action Steps
    Read — Read Colossians 3:13 slowly: “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Reflect on the depth of God’s forgiveness toward you.
    Reflect — Ask yourself: Is there someone or something I’m still holding onto with resentment or anger? How has unforgiveness affected my peace, relationships, or spiritual growth?
    Respond — Spend time honestly naming the hurt before God instead of burying it or replaying it. Write down one step you can take toward releasing bitterness this week—whether through prayer, journaling, counseling, or simply choosing not to rehearse the offense anymore. Focus on allowing God to reshape your heart, not just your circumstances.
    Reveal — Encourage someone who is carrying deep hurt by sharing a verse, a testimony, or simply reminding them that forgiveness is not weakness—it is freedom.

    Questions or feedback: [email protected]

    Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Katlyn, forgiveness, trauma recovery, Christian podcast, bitterness, healing through Christ, Colossians 3:13, faith and suffering, emotional healing, emergency medicine, spiritual growth

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    12 min
  • What the Psalms Teach Us About Trauma - Spiritually Fit Today

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Katlyn. In this episode we wrestle with the raw “Why, God?” question that rises when life falls apart. Katlyn, a helicopter flight nurse who’s seen profound suffering, talks with Arnie about the honesty of lament and how Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6 models bringing doubts and grief straight to God — then turning back to trust. You’ll hear practical examples of how Scripture can reshape suffering into resilience and hope.


    Four R action steps you can use today
    - Read: Read Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6 slowly. Note any words or phrases that name your feelings.
    - Reflect: Ask: What am I honestly feeling? Where do I want answers from God? How does the psalm move from complaint to trust?
    - Respond: Write your own short lament following Psalm 13’s pattern — name the pain, cry out, then declare trust. Read it aloud to God and save it for later.
    - Reveal: Share your lament or the lesson you learned with a trusted friend, small group, or someone in need of compassion; offer to pray with them and demonstrate God’s honesty and hope in relationship.


    Keywords: Psalm 13, lament, grief, spiritual formation, faith in suffering, Christian resilience, Bible study, prayer, trauma care, flight nurse, pastoral care, spiritual growth

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

    10 min

About Spiritually Fit Today

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today, where every day is a workout for your soul—one step, one choice, one spiritual rep at a time. Join Arnie Cole and guests as we talk about how to improve how we behave as a Christ followers. Because how we act tomorrow depends on getting spiritually fit today.