Hey, Neighbor! 

Papa John's is selling a pizza featuring crispy "cuppy-roni."  This is worth mentioning at LEAST a few times this episode...

Next: there has been a little bit on controversy in the Fight Laugh Feast network. (But, really, what else is new?) Sometimes listeners feel like their favorite hosts aren't practicing what they preach... 

The Peaches thinks this speaks to the natural limitations of the podcast platform. It's impossible to get a complete picture of a person's beliefs, even if you consume several hours worth of their content every week! (There's sooooooo much that is still happening behind the scenes.)  It's possible to hear a message about "Rowdy Christians" multiple times and STILL not understand how to apply it, until you've spent more in-person time with the messenger.

Later:   Some concepts and analogies we share on the podcast are not going to translate if listeners are not part of a real-life community.   Podcasts have their place! Sermons are valuable! But there is no substitute for committed, imtimate relationships, where true disciples are made. 

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Hey, neighbor!

The Peaches and The Ninja have been together longer than they were "single."  They've gone by many names over the years...   But why does Uncle David call John "Scooter?" (Settle in, while Scooter unloads his coffee-related trauma.) 

Then: HAPPY TRANS VISIBILITY DAY!  We actually know people--in real life--who have swallowed that Kool-Aid. 

AND:  Our Comedy Clique has been talking about Foot-Washing Ceremonies.  Some good questions have been raised in the last few days!  What message is the Pope sending when he washes the feet of 12 female prisoners?  Is there a better way to demonstrate "servanthood' to a modern culture?

Finally:  Jesus taught that being a servant makes you the GREATER in the Kingdom of Heaven. Many Christians are uncomfortable with the way they are elevated to places of Authority, while they keep trying to be perpetual doormats. How do we deal with the reality that our acts of service give us more responsibility and "power?"

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It's basketball season, Neighbor, and our NCAA bracket is looking sad!  But legend has it, the Branyan kids once predicted all four of the Final Four teams and won enough money for John to retire for about two hours. 

Also, there is DRAMA among the McKinney/West/Farkas cousins.  (No, nothing scandalous.) A group of actors, aged 13 and under, are producing their own musical theater show. It's the most adorable thing we've seen in a while.

Next: If a person can't explain WHY the believe something, do they really even believe it?

Use your words, Pkarlgh!   Pictures aren't really worth 1000 words, and you CAN'T preach the Gospel silently...

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If you're tuning in for this episode, you will be among the first to sample The Podcast Ninja's new Outgoing Personality! (Tell us if you think he's not being "serious" enough.)

We tackle other questions like: should men wear a suit and tie to church?  And should adults watch cartoons?...

Later: If you want to add rocks to your health and wellness journey, we have a great opportunity for you!  (It's basically witchcraft--but it's all the rage.)

Email the Comedian's family: [email protected]  Tell us what kind of "crystal" John should take to the Quack Doctor's virtual event.

Welcome to the table, Pkarlgh.  Our family participated in a huge fundraiser for our local Christian school--and we were very encouraged! Many hands make for light work... It's great to be part of a functioning community!

Then:  If you're hearing us talk about this well-oiled machine and wishing your community was as Perfect as ours, let us remind you that we are very critical of parachurch organizations!  We really need to make some clarifications about WHY we focus on the Bad Stuff in the culture...  (Someone wrote to us and said, "I'm struggling to find a church that I can trust. I don't understand the different denominations, but I know you guys disagree with most of them...") 

Keep this in mind at all times: God will not hold you accountable for things you DON'T understand; he holds you accountable for obeying what you DO understand.

Later: Let's talk about the problem with popular Christian worship leaders. (But don't let fear of heretical music keep you from going to church!) 

Email the Comedian's family at [email protected]. (But don't ask us questions that should be directed at your elders.  :) )

Hi, Neighbor!  John and Luke called an "audible" at church last week and switched up the communion prep system.  Who's going to be mad about that?  (Well, some people might.) 

If you start taking responsibility and making decisions then you will deal with some pushback. But, overall, you will be a HUGE ASSET to a healthy church (or soccer program).  Leaders take initiative!

Later:  Luke shares his fail-proof system for aspiring conversationalists. If you're wondering, "How does Luke always have something interesting to say???" be prepared to take notes!

Email the Comedian's family at [email protected] 

Hey, Neighbor!

We thought we uploaded this episode ON TIME, but technical difficulties occurred...

Better late than never!

It's snowy in Indiana--but the Peaches broke a power pole back when the roads were basically clear. 

Luke did a show with Dave Dugan, and John did a show in Wisconsin (Wa-Keh-Shaw). Were these "good" events or "bad" ones? It totally depends on your perspective!  Any single event could be both good and bad, or both challenging and successful at the same time.

John still gets rushes of adrenaline when he's going on stage. Luke and his brother-in-law struggle to sleep immediately after a performance.  But is that the same thing as stage fright or "nervousness?" 

The difference between "Excitement" and "anxiety" is simply whether you're looking forward to it or not. 

Later: Most people in the audience do not want the speaker to fail. They're on your side!  But even the pros get sweaty while managing their adrenaline.  It's normal!  Can we learn to thank God regardless of whether we are feeling wide awake or ready to curl up and rest?

Finally:  Let's beat a dead horse...that is still trotting around... We know a pastor whose daughter found a questionable book in her school library.  What should he do now?

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Hey, Neighbor, we're recording on Superbowl Sunday...  not to be confused with Tuesdays with Taylor...

(By the way, are you the Master of your own Sea?)

Then: Not only do Christians like to identify as "Sinners," but we like to sanitize the behavior of the Unbelievers. We want to give them the benefit of the doubt--even though they are Lost.

Later: We tried to raise Luke's bloodpressure with the story of a grumpy patient complaining about her stay at the hospital.  But he is pretty unflappable.   

Do you know what the medical community does with particularly uncooperative patients?

Finally: Let's talk about the idol of People Pleasing.  What IS the difference between having a "servant's heart" and being a people-pleaser?

Contact the comedian's family: [email protected]

We have an extra guest at the table today, Neighbor! 

Also, John's sons-in-law created a video game character who is almost indescribably ugly.  But we try anyway.

Either way--let's get down to business...  Transformers and electronic tablets are for Christians/Saints--not for Sinners.

Boy, this is a controversial topic in our community right now.  Is it wise to refer to Christians as "Sinners saved by grace?"  

The Peaches really feels encouraged, because she was called a "she-devil" several times.  What inspired that kind of vitriol? It was the suggestion (no--insistence) that being a Saint who struggles with sin is very different from continuing to identify with your sin by calling yourself a "sinner."  

Saying "I am a sinner" is an identity statement.  One person told us, "I was a sinner, I am a sinner, and it's what I ALWAYS WILL BE."   Yuck.  That comes from unthoughtful church culture--not from God's Word.  The power of the Gospel is completely removed when Christians still cling to their sinful identity. God calls us Children (He calls us Saints). But Americans still call themselves "Sinners."

Later: Listen to some truly unhinged accusations from really, really angry people.

Email the Comedian's Family at [email protected].