In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty, Joined as usual by his friends Pastor Craig + Darik, discuss the topic of “Year End Review.” Tune in and get some insight into how you can look back at your year in a way that sets you up for future momentum 

Resources:

https://thebridgechurch.cc/year-end-review

Episode Summary: “Year End Review”

Authenticity: Emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself and living out one's true identity.

Identity in Christ: For Christians, understanding and embracing one's identity in Christ is crucial for authenticity.

Vulnerability: Being open and vulnerable is necessary for authenticity, but it should be done appropriately and in safe environments.

Healthy Boundaries: Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries to prevent burnout and ensure one remains true to oneself.

Emotional Intelligence: Developing emotional intelligence to better understand oneself and manage relationships with others effectively.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28mG4pLjMy19xG1tfWjrLR

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-something-different-podcast/id1750082999

In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty and his wife Jenny, share thoughts the importance of being authentic. 

Episode Summary: “The Importance Of Being Authentic”

Authenticity: The importance of being authentic, which involves living out one's true identity and knowing oneself deeply, including strengths, weaknesses, and unique qualities.

Journey and Past Experiences: Understanding one's journey and past experiences is crucial in developing authenticity. This includes acknowledging both positive and negative experiences that have shaped who you are.

Vulnerability: Being authentic requires vulnerability, which means being open about one's struggles and imperfections in appropriate settings.

Boundaries and Emotional Intelligence: Establishing healthy boundaries and developing emotional intelligence are essential for maintaining authenticity. This involves understanding and managing one's emotions and interactions with others. 

Spiritual Identity: For Christians, knowing one's identity in Christ is fundamental to being authentic. This includes understanding that each person is uniquely created by God with a specific purpose and plan.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty, Craig, and Darik share thoughts and wisdom on money. Too often, this quickly becomes a loaded topic, but they guys break it down in a practical way that gives you ideas on how you can win with your finances. 

Episode Resources:

Every Dollar App - Dave Ramsey Financial Solutions

https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/everydollar?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADJkv4Kd-T5c2VBvNkUa9Iq2mGWl4&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3vO3BhCqARIsAEWblcBmVJh01uxtV_5sv9gQFmX7zDPiNh7znD7VhM5cUYIooxJbsnL9DGoaAo72EALw_wcB

Pastor Marty’s Show Notes + list of 25 financial principles that

https://storage2.snappages.site/5GTJFG/assets/files/SDP_Episode_07_Show-Notes.pdf

Episode Summary: “Money Thoughts”

1. Track Your Money: Use tools like the EveryDollar app to monitor your spending and understand where your money is going. 

2. Set Financial Goals: Establish clear financial goals to guide your spending and saving habits.

3. Get Out of Debt: Prioritize paying off debt, distinguishing between good debt (like a mortgage) and bad debt (like credit card debt). 

4. Establish an Emergency Fund: Save up to $1,000 initially, then aim for three months of living expenses to cover unexpected costs. 

5. Be Generous: Practice generosity and consider giving as an essential part of your financial plan, reflecting a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty is joined once again by his best friend and wife, Jenny, as well as good friend Kelsey Van Hemert (Next Gen Director at The Bridge church). In this episode, they discuss parenting, teens, tweens, screens, technology, highs, lows, and everything in between. It’s all there and packed full of wisdom and resources. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

Habits of the Household - Justin Whitmel Earley

https://a.co/d/f3fVyU0

Are my kids on track? - Sissy Goff, David Thomas & Melissa Trevathan

https://a.co/d/3ng2Sm3

Parenting: Getting it Right - Andy & Sandra Stanley

https://a.co/d/07ABfbG

It’s Just a Phase So Don’t Miss It (Orange)

https://a.co/d/0jVgUUZ

Think Ahead - Craig Groschel

https://a.co/d/hR0zQPc

Parenting In The 21st Century | Sermon Series

https://www.thebridgechurch.cc/media/series/tqydctr/parenting-in-the-21st-century

Episode Summary: “Parenting?”

Phone-Free Schools Implementation:

Decision made to have phone-free schools with 60% parent support.

School board approval obtained.Implications for students and parents in terms of communication and monitoring phone usage at home.

Parental Involvement and Support:

Parents advised to align rules at home with school policy. Emphasis on parents monitoring phone usage and setting boundaries at home.

Challenges and Impact on Students:

Need for students to detox from phone usage during school. Risk of excessive phone engagement after school, leading to a cycle of detoxing and re-engagement.

Awareness of Technology Effects:

Acknowledgment of brain rewiring and addictive nature of technology. Emphasis on self-awareness and self-regulation in phone usage to avoid negative mental health and social effects.

Respect for Authority and Decision-Making:

Importance of honoring authority and respecting school rules.

Understanding the impact of decisions on personal behavior and well-being regarding technology use.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty and the SDP crew share thoughts on how to approach change and transition in all phases of life: at home, at work, with friends, family, etc. It’s all there. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

Managing Transitions by William Bridges 

https://a.co/d/6tdp97f 

Episode Summary: “Change/Transition”

Change is more situational and concrete, while transition is psychological and emotional, involving smaller changes related to the big change.

Recognizing the difference between change and transition can help understand why things are difficult.

Transition involves three stages: ending, neutral zone, and beginning, each with its own characteristics and challenges.

Communication, trust, and grace are crucial during times of change and transition.

Reflecting on past experiences, retelling stories, and being present in the moment can provide resilience and courage during transitions.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty is joined by his best friend and wife, Jenny, to talk about marriage and all the things they wish they had known. 

Episode Resources:

Book: Timothy Keller - The Meaning of Marriage

Book: Craig Groschel - From this Day Forward

Sermon Series: "Parenting in the 21st Century"

https://www.thebridgechurch.cc/media/series/tqydctr/parenting-in-the-21st-century

Episode Summary: “Rest”

Communication in marriage: Emphasized the importance of effective communication, including the practice of "sharing the floor" to improve communication.

Dealing with in-laws: Highlighted the significance of understanding each other's backgrounds and family dynamics to navigate relationships with in-laws.

Handling money in marriage: Shared experiences of financial disagreements, learning to communicate about money, and the importance of regular money meetings.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

In this episode of the SDP, Pastor Marty is joined by Pastors Craig + Darik to talk about something we could all use a little more of… rest. 

Episode Resources:

Year in Review / Questions to discover what is restful for you: 

RPMS-EF: Ask yourself the question, “how am I…” 

Relationally?

Physically?

Mentally?

Spiritually?

Emotionally?

Financially?

Serve Day is Saturday, July 20. Sign up to serve or register a project HERE: thebridgechurch.cc/serveday

WE SERVE WITH JOY! It’s about right priorities. We can wait to bless SE Iowa with serve day projects at all 4 of our locations!

Episode Summary: “Rest”

Rest is often misunderstood and undervalued, but it is essential for our well-being. Genuine rest goes beyond simply sitting or lying down for a few minutes and requires intentional time to recharge and rejuvenate.

Serving others can be restful and fulfilling for our souls. When we help and bless others, it not only benefits them but also brings joy and satisfaction to our own lives.

Restraint is important for maintaining a healthy soul. It involves saying no to certain things or activities that may drain us or distract us from what truly matters. By practicing restraint, we can focus on what is truly important and find greater peace and contentment.

Relationships play a crucial role in nourishing our souls. Connecting with others, sharing life experiences, and having meaningful conversations can bring a sense of belonging, support, and love. It is important to prioritize and invest in relationships that bring us joy and fulfillment.

Taking time to reflect and evaluate our lives is essential for soul care. Asking ourselves questions about what fills us up, what drains us, and what areas of our lives need attention can help us identify areas for growth and improvement. Regular self-reflection and evaluation can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

The Something Different Podcast covers a wide range of topics related to faith, family, leadership, and the good life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always authentic and for sure something different. Our hope is to share practical thoughts about the intersection of faith and life. Tune in on the first Tuesday of every month to hear faith building conversations that aim to inspire and energize your journey!

For more info, resources, and access to past episodes, please visit: somethingdifferent.cc

Show Notes:

https://www.barna.com

Barna Group is a Christian research organization that provides data and insights on the trends affecting faith, culture and ministry today. Explore their articles, reports, podcasts, courses and services to help you lead by faith in an ever-changing world.