The C.O.D.E of Man

Ah! The Christmas season is here, and that is a good and wonderful thing! Of course, you know it is about to come at you like a wave; the rush, the schedule, all of the extra the events (school, church, work, family, maybe neighborhood). Add in all of the additional errands and expenses it can bring; shopping, buying, planning, attending, being here and going there, Christmas cards, calls to make, and somehow, we are supposed to keep our sanity and stay focused on Christ!!? If we are going to not blow it we need a plan!

This week the Crew discusses a few key components to helping each of us form a plan to keep our sanity during the season and actually come out of it better than we went into it!

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

Is it courageous to throw off the trappings of some traditions in order to pursue a true walk with Christ or is it just plain compromise?  In this second part of the discussion the Crew, along with Pastor John Chancey, discuss some examples of how traditions can become more important than truth and ways we can seek to be free of that while still respecting those who have led us and taught us in the way.

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

As a new generation of leaders in our churches, as well as fathers and husbands who want to raise families who will honor God, how can we navigate the shore lines of tradition and truth to a way of life that values our faith heritage and yet brings it into a modern day relevance that allows our friends and families to live the abundant life Jesus promised?  In this first of a two part series the C.O.D.E. Crew is joined by Pastor John Chancey to discuss how we can truly walk in the old paths of genuine holiness while avoiding the traps of vain religion.  

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

As we move fully into the holiday season we may find that renewed struggle between staying cheerful and hopeful while also facing a lot of stress and anxiety that the hurried and hectic season can try and demand from us.  The observance of Advent is a way to push back!  Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for, not only the remembrance of Christ' birth, but even more importantly, for the return of Jesus!  "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!"

Graham Glover returns to the C.O.D.E. for a discussion on Advent and for a little friendly Thanksgiving Trivia competition with Easy Target!

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

In the second half of this discussion the crew lays out , from personal practices, some practical ways to grab onto some handfuls of hope in these crazy days we are living in!  Grad a pen and paper and take some notes, brainstorm some of your own ideas and let's start living well.

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

How hopeful are you feeling these days?  There are a number of things in this current culture which are assaulting our capacity to live in hope.  In this two part series the C.O.D.E. crew discuss a strategy for staying anchored in hope!

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

In this special edition episode the C.O.D.E. Crew discuss the joys, challenges, and lessons learned from the recent backpacking trip to Grayson Highlands State Park and the Mount Rogers Wilderness Area in Virginia.  Even if you are not into backpacking and even if you never go to Grayson Highlands, you will benefit from the life lessons about friendship, resilience, soul care, and challenging our comfort zones; all of which were experienced and shared on the trail together!

Additional Resources:

The Mystery of Godliness: Barnette, Pastor Mike, Cantrell, Associate Pastor Corey, Russell, Charlie, Van Horn, Dr. Mike: 9798577988012: Amazon.com: Books

In the heart of every true follower of Christ there is a power invested by the Holy Spirit; the power of true godliness. This power is given to us so that we might live the gospel, have power to witness for the kingdom, power to reflect the light, love, and life of Jesus Christ in a world gone utterly mad in it's darkness and despair.

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

In this third and final entry (for now) on the studies in the gospel of Mark, Easy Target and Overtrek discuss the life, ministry, and manner of Jesus through Mark chapters 3 and 4.  Jesus had friends and companions whom he chose to share life with, but he also had a steady stream of opposition.  We learn how Jesus brings balance to personal soul care while at the same time teaching his disciples and ministering to the multitudes.  The discussion concludes with the amazing capacity of Jesus to remain calm in the chaos of a great storm on the sea, and of his reaction to the disciples when they are overcome by fear rather than faith.

Additional Resources:

The Mystery of Godliness: Barnette, Pastor Mike, Cantrell, Associate Pastor Corey, Russell, Charlie, Van Horn, Dr. Mike: 9798577988012: Amazon.com: Books

In the heart of every true follower of Christ there is a power invested by the Holy Spirit; the power of true godliness. This power is given to us so that we might live the gospel, have power to witness for the kingdom, power to reflect the light, love, and life of Jesus Christ in a world gone utterly mad in it's darkness and despair.

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]

In this second of three episodes we look at how Jesus is immediately immersed in the pressures of live and ministry in a chaotic world.  As soon as he began his public ministry he is hit with temptations, spiritual warfare, the non-stop needs of others being brought to him, and still needs to practice his own soul care!  How does he do it?

A special thank you to our friend Bruce Frye for the theme song, "Heart of a Champion."  You can find more of Bruce Frye's music and ministry at Bruce Frye Ministries - Singer, Songwriter & Evangelist | Online Christian Music and Book Store

Also, we welcome your emails at [email protected]