The 44

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In this episode, we reflect on Galatians 6:17, where Paul declares, “I bear on my body the brand marks of Jesus.” We explore what Paul meant by these marks—scars of suffering, faithfulness, and allegiance—and why they mattered more than outward religious symbols. This conversation invites us to consider the marks our own lives bear and what they reveal about who we belong to. Following Jesus is not about convenience or comfort, but about a love that leaves its imprint on our priorities, choices, and obedience. The episode closes with a searching question: if our lives were examined, would they quietly but clearly say, “This person belongs to Jesus”?

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In this episode we explore a simple but serious question: What is the one thing that’s been holding you back from a deeper relationship with the Lord? We look at the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18 — a moral, religious man who walked away sad because there was one area of his life he refused to surrender — and we contrast him with Paul in Philippians 3, who released everything to pursue Christ and said, “One thing I do: I press on.” From there, we walk through four gospel-shaped steps: naming your “one thing,” asking what’s really underneath it, replacing it with Spirit-led transformation (Ephesians 4), and pressing forward daily in Christ. This isn’t about behavior-modification or “just stop it” Christianity — it’s about heart-level renewal and learning to love Jesus more than the thing we cling to. Our prayer is that your “one thing” becomes the very place where God does His deepest work in your life.

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This episode looks closely at the often-overlooked words “fear not” and “do not be afraid,” especially as they appear throughout the story surrounding the birth of Jesus. Scripture shows these words are never spoken when life is calm, but when futures are uncertain and everything is about to change. From Mary and Joseph to the shepherds, fear does not disqualify people from God’s work—it places them right at the center of it. The good news of Jesus is not that fear disappears, but that God chooses nearness, stepping directly into fearful spaces with His people.

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This episode reflects on a heavy, exhausting week marked by sickness, sleepless nights, and the lingering question, “When is this going to end?” Using a familiar Seinfeld illustration, it explores why peace can’t be forced or shouted into existence, and why the pursuit of “serenity now” often leaves us more restless. Scripture points us instead to a renewed mind anchored in trust, where peace is formed over time rather than demanded in the moment. Real serenity doesn’t come from escaping the storm, but from letting Christ rule while we walk through it.

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In this episode we eat on what biblical compassion really looks like — not the watered-down version we often settle for, but the powerful, gut-level word splagchnizomai that shaped the life of Jesus. We explore how He saw people, felt deeply for them, and then moved into action, and why that same pattern is meant to shape us today. Through Scripture, stories, and practical insight, this episode challenges you to move from passive sympathy to active, Christlike compassion that has the power to change lives — including your own.

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In this episode, the host shares meaningful reflections from a recent trip to Washington, D.C. with his daughters—walking through memorials, standing at the Vietnam Wall, and even finding a family name etched in stone. These moments opened a deeper conversation about sacrifice, gratitude, and the faith we inherit from those who came before us. Drawing from John 15:13 and Hebrews 11, the host connects national sacrifice to the spiritual legacy of believers who laid down their lives for the Lord. This episode invites listeners to remember their stories and to live lives worthy of those who laid down theirs.

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This episode explores the powerful true story of Jamal Shead, a college basketball player whose quiet act of character and integrity—picking up trash after a heated loss—preached louder than any words. We connect Jamal’s moment to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 16:10 and three spiritual truths about integrity, witness, and peacemaking. When the world reacts with frustration, Jamal shows what it means to reflect Christ through simple, faithful choices. You’ll walk away challenged to notice the “trash can moments” in your own life and to step toward them with humility. In a world full of chaos and entitlement, this episode invites you to be a Jamal.

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In this episode, we eat on how sin slowly desensitizes the heart using a striking illustration of an Eskimo’s blood-covered blade and the fatal numbness it creates. Drawing from biblical examples like David, Solomon, and the sons of Eli, we look at how even God’s people can drift into spiritual callousness through small compromises. We then ties this into the theme of last week's episode, “Faith Remembered, Failures Forgotten,” and see that while grace restores the repentant, it never excuses ongoing numbness to sin. The episode concludes with four practical, scripture-rooted steps to re-sensitize the conscience and return to a tender, responsive walk with God.

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Check out the Excel Still More Podcast. Here is the Apple Podcast link. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excel-still-more/id1450565022

In this episode, we eat from Hebrews 11 — a passage often called the Hall of Faith. But what if we read it not just as a list of heroes, but through the lens of God’s grace? In this episode, we explore what isn’t mentioned in Hebrews 11 — the failures, doubts, and flaws that God chose to forget — and reminds us that the same mercy that rewrote their stories can rewrite ours. Faith remembered. Failures forgotten.

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In this episode of The 44, we explore the powerful message behind the story of the donkey in the well — a reminder that when life throws dirt on us, faith teaches us to shake it off and take a step up. Through the stories of Hannah, Joseph, and Paul, we see how God turns rejection, betrayal, and hardship into stepping stones that lift His people higher. Scripture shows again and again that what was meant to bury us can become the very thing God uses to raise us. If you're walking through a difficult season, this episode will encourage you to keep stepping, keep praying, and keep trusting. God is not finished writing your story — He’s preparing you to rise.