The 11:38 Podcast

Mulu and Tamrat are new friends of mine living in the Denver area who have a remarkable story of meeting Jesus. They are both from Ethiopia and currently have a ministry, Life Center Ethiopia, to orphans and widows living in Ethiopia. 

Life Center Ethiopia provides food, after-school tutoring and computer training, counseling, a safe place to play, and bible study and prayer. They also provide business training, micro-loans and business consulting, counseling and bible study and prayer for widows. 

I would ask you to consider donating to Life Center Ethiopia by either giving monthly or via a one time gift. Giving can be done online at 

LifeCenterEthiopia.org

I mention this new life first for them because as you listen you will hear about their old life. I can tell you I have never met a Prime Minister before. When we first sat down to eat breakfast I sheepishly asked how I ought to address them. I was pleasantly surprised when Tamrat said I could simply call him "brother".

I am struck by both Mulu and Tamrat's poise, grace, humility, and strength while telling of their former life before meeting Jesus. When you meet them now you see new people who are pursuing very different aims from their former pursuits. 

In this conversation you will hear a little of their former life before meeting Jesus. You will hear about imprisonment, solitary confinement, forgiveness, peace, hope, joy, provision, refugee camps, and reuniting a family. You will hear about meeting Jesus in dreams and hearing him speak in their native language. 

Psalm 119:71 

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Tamrat began to experience peace, hope, and joy in solitary confinement when he met Jesus. 

This episode is Part 2 of 2. I am hopeful their story will encourage you to never give up, to follow Jesus regardless of circumstances, and to trust Jesus when the darkness is very dark. 

So I hope you are encouraged hearing their story of transformation. It is indeed true that when you encounter the living Jesus you are not the same. 

For more information please find Tamrat at his website:

https://www.tamratlayne.org/

Please follow up with Mulu on their ministry website:

https://www.lifecenterethiopia.org

You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website

https://www.drinkofferings.com

or watch the video version of the conversations on our Youtube channel at

https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured

Follow Rudy on social

https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/

https://www.facebook.com/rudy.rivera.79/

https://twitter.com/the_rudman1

Mulu and Tamrat are new friends of mine living in the Denver area who have a remarkable story of meeting Jesus. They are both from Ethiopia and currently have a ministry, Life Center Ethiopia, to orphans and widows living in Ethiopia. 

Life Center Ethiopia provides food, after-school tutoring and computer training, counseling, a safe place to play, and bible study and prayer. They also provide business training, micro-loans and business consulting, counseling and bible study and prayer for widows. 

I would ask you to consider donating to Life Center Ethiopia by either giving monthly or via a one time gift. Giving can be done online at 

LifeCenterEthiopia.org

I mention this new life first for them because as you listen you will hear about their old life. I can tell you I have never met a Prime Minister before. When we first sat down to eat breakfast I sheepishly asked how I ought to address them. I was pleasantly surprised when Tamrat said I could simply call him "brother".

I am struck by both Mulu and Tamrat's poise, grace, humility, and strength while telling of their former life before meeting Jesus. When you meet them now you see new people who are pursuing very different aims from their former pursuits. 

In this conversation you will hear a little of their former life before meeting Jesus. When you listen, imagine yourself being used to amass a very large standing army which would then overthrow a standing government. Picture yourself rising up the leadership ladder to second in command of an entire country only to be betrayed and imprisoned. Picture yourself being the one slowly poisoned to death, tortured, and betrayed. Where would you place your hope and sense of accomplishment? Tamrat and Mulu have their new life in Christ Jesus as their identity, their pursuit, their love, and their stability. 

Psalm 119:71 

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

This episode is Part 1 of 2. I am hopeful their story will encourage you to never give up, to follow Jesus regardless of circumstances, and to trust Jesus when the darkness is very dark. 

So I hope you are encouraged hearing their story of transformation. It is indeed true that when you encounter the living Jesus you are not the same. 

For more information please find Tamrat at his website:

https://www.tamratlayne.org/

Please follow up with Mulu on their ministry website:

https://www.lifecenterethiopia.org

You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website

https://www.drinkofferings.com

or watch the video version of the conversations on our Youtube channel at

https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured

Follow Rudy on social

https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/

https://www.facebook.com/rudy.rivera.79/

https://twitter.com/the_rudman1

Matt is a friend of mine living in Austin Texas. He makes his home there where we used to live. Austin is where my wife and I grew up in the faith and learned ministry and it's also the birthplace of our kids. I am proud of Matt and his family for their dedication to gospel living in our old home. 

Matt called me in 2020 to see how I was doing. He did not know that phone call would greatly bless me as I was at a low point in life and ministry. We have since talked with each other regularly, and we mutually encourage one another to press into Jesus. Everyone needs a friend like Matt. 

In this conversation we cover topics ranging from family to church, the changing times and the timeless tips for following Jesus. We talk about how to get people in your life who will keep encouraging you to stay the course, and we talk about health. 

Matt is a local church pastor in Austin, a Coach for both pastors and missionaries, and a local minister/leader in Austin and surrounding area. I recently spent time in their home and just wanted to linger with their family. We talk about that in this conversation...

A word of wisdom from Matt for following Jesus in a healthy way...

Subtract quickly and add slowly. 

Those words remind me of wisdom I received from my good friend, Mark Hagen. He told me over two decades ago...you need to...

Subtract to Add

Thanks Mark (Episode 2) for that wisdom, and thanks Matt for living into that healthy choice making!

If you want to get in touch with Matt just email him.

[email protected]

You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website

https://www.drinkofferings.com

or watch the video version on our Youtube channel at

https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured

Follow Rudy on social

https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/

https://www.facebook.com/rudy.rivera.79/

https://twitter.com/the_rudman1

Justin is an old and new friend to me. We first met in Seattle at a mutual friend's wedding. (Tom Brown) Justin was officiating the wedding, and I was standing with Tom as a groomsman. Justin and I have kept in touch online and are finally catching up in person.

What you hear and see in Justin is his kindness, humility, and love for the Lord, family, and others. He has sacrificed much along the journey of following the Lord, and he counts all of the losses as blessings in Christ. He is a man of faith and purpose which you hear in our conversation. 

Justin and his wife Virginia live in Sammamish Washington where they are raising their family and serving the community. In this conversation you will hear their heart for the family, for intentional discipleship, and for missional living. You will hear how Justin makes decisions in faith, and how he and his wife had made decisions to live more simply for the sake of following Jesus. 

Towards the end you'll hear Justin talk about living with a heavenly mindset. Today and always the people of God are called to live such lives. Thanks Justin for being on The 11:38 Podcast! Thanks for sharing your story with me and all of us! 

I believe our two families have much overlap in our stories, and I only hope that the Kim family lives our same life without any of the Rivera family's chains. Blessings to the Kim family! 

If you want to get in touch with Justin to talk, hear more of his stories, and perhaps even be intentional with your discipleship then reach out to him on social or via email.

https://www.instagram.com/jungstin/

https://www.facebook.com/jungstin

[email protected]

If you're looking for a church in the Redmond Washington area...

https://www.doxa-church.com/

If you would like to hear sermons Justin has preached in the past then visit the YouTube channel of his sending church, Bethel Grace Church in Irvine CA

https://www.youtube.com/@BethelGraceChurch

You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website

https://www.drinkofferings.com

or watch the video version on our Youtube channel at

https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured

Follow Rudy on social

https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/

https://www.facebook.com/rudy.rivera.79/

https://twitter.com/the_rudman1

Sarah is an amazing artist who helped Sticks and Stones Publishing illustrate a second published book in 2021. Her work on the “The Little Clock” can be found on sticksandstonespublishing.com and can be purchased on Amazon.

What is even more amazing is her heart for Jesus, her kids (and all kids), and her family. In this interview you will hear Sarah mention several friends’ names each time saying how much she appreciates them. She is a self described introvert, has a hard heart, and is one of those biting sheep in the flock. Sarah has seen God give and take away, and she wants to see God as her treasure. She also is praying she can discern the Holy Spirit’s voice in her life.

Sarah has much to offer and say about persevering through trials and significant struggles. She endured marital abuse from a previous marriage, ptsd, and now lives with chronic pain, struggles, and other ailments.

Sarah is a dear friend who always lifts up others by pointing us back to Jesus. In her words…she “gospels people well.”

You can find Sarah on social media at

https://www.instagram.com/littlelampbooks/

https://www.facebook.com/sarahvega27

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahvega27/

You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website

https://www.drinkofferings.com

or watch the video version on Youtube at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgt4_5RGIwTtcy1B7XiZ_HA

Trevor is a good friend who lives about 30 minutes from me in Greeley Colorado. We cover topics ranging from family, church, bible reading, authoring books, and the changing landscape of Christianity.

Trevor authored a book titled, "Strange Revolution: Exploring the Life of Jesus". He dedicated his book to his son, Lincoln...need we say more?

Trevor is a curious deep thinker who is helpful to me. We took a hike last year where we talked about Psalm 23 and I thought it was cool we ended his podcast with a similar topic.

Trevor is an awesome guy who loves Jesus and is someone I learn from every time we get together. 

You can find Trevor online at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trevorispetty

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevorispetty/

Book website: https://www.strangerevolution.com

Buy the Book on his Publishing Company site: https://www.wanderhomepublishing.com

Buy the Book on Amazon!: https://amzn.to/3Kqtu4K

Barry is a good friend who lives life full of joy, laughter, and a morbid sense of humor. We cover topics ranging from family, humility, using our God given gifts all the way to the number one trait you want if you are ever lost in the wilderness. 

Barry is a dad, husband, teacher, pastor, stand up comedian, author, Texan, and friend. He loves Jesus, his family, and people. He produces online content for people wanting to learn how to read the Bible and how to grow in love with Jesus. He has a sharp mind and quick wit and truly humble.

This podcast is honest and kind...and it's more than his sweet Texas accent. We've spent time in Austin together, Poland together, and now talk on the phone from time to time. I hope you enjoy this interview with Barry Bishop.

Find Barry online at 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrybishop

Karina and I enjoy a conversation about all sorts of subjects. Karina is a woman of God who I very much appreciate for her wisdom, peace, and kindness. She is an enthusiastic mom, wife, friend, and loving family member. I feel like I rediscovered a little about Karina and her heart for prayer in this podcast.

She is writing for her church from time to time and is open to being contacted on social media. She writes at her blog karinavenable.wordpress.com and would love to hear from you there too!

When we started talking about her and David fostering kids my heart just broke a little. Karina is fierce, strong, persistent, and kind…in my opinion that’s a winning combination!

Something Karina said that I think is amazing and will stick with me…

“Good things grow slowly.”

“Read his word and take him at his word.”

At one point in their fostering journey the pain was so great she didn’t want to wake up. Boy… Karina is someone who knows how to walk with her God!

Shanna and I cover lots of ground on how to keep going in obedience when God is speaking to you. She talks about her battle with Lyme disease, how she kept looking for beauty anywhere she could see, and how God has called her to minister to others with her writing. She's a hydro-geoscientist by trade who is using her voice to encourage others, and she is currently writing her first book with a dear friend named Brooke. 

Shanna has such a great perspective on life and suffering which I know will truly bless everyone who reads her writing or listens to her talk. 

Quotes:

"Obey in the little things. When you obey the little things tend to turn into big things."

"Know that God is with you."

"Look for beauty...listen for whispers."

Show Notes:

Shanna writes with this purpose in mind:

We write to encourage people to find beauty and walk in victory, even in the darkest of nights, cultivating resiliency in healthy community, not isolation, as we navigate through chronic pain.

Follow Shanna and Brooke on social media and through their website. The best way to contact them are in those ways.

Shanna and Brooke's website:

https://www.findingbeautyforlife.com

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/findingbeautyforlife

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/findingbeautyforlife/

All Podcast Episodes can be found on my website: 

www.drinkofferings.com/

and Youtube if you'd like to watch the episode:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/The1138Podcast

Victoria and her mom Stephanie tell their story of God saving Victoria when her skull was crushed by a truck. She was so little at the time! Victoria sent me a video clip taken soon after the accident and wow the clip is just moving! Have a listen to this remarkable story of salvation which reminds me so much of my Mom and my Dad’s story of near death and salvation. In Part 2 we hear a little more from Victoria’s perspective and we learn more about some of the lingering effects of the accident. We also see a mom’s heart once again come through, the love of God shine, and Victoria’s appreciation for God’s sovereign hand of giving to her. Enjoy!