📋 Show Notes:

In this deeply personal and powerful kickoff to the “Things for Life & Godliness” series, James and Jorge explore the foundational gift God has given us: His Word. With heartfelt stories, laughs, and some strong coffee-fueled conviction, they unpack 2 Peter 1:3 and reflect on how the Bible isn’t just a book—it’s a compass, an anchor, and a sword.

They talk about childhood moments with Scripture, personal transformations through Bible reading, and even trace seven compelling reasons why the Bible is trustworthy—from manuscript reliability to prophetic accuracy and moral power. Whether you’re a Bible newbie or a seasoned student, this conversation will stir your love for the Word and challenge you to not just read it—but to let it read you.

🔑 Highlights include:

• A rocking chair with deep family meaning

• The Bible’s divine authorship across 40 writers, 3 continents, and 1500 years

• Why God's Word holds up under pressure—historically and in your heart

• Practical encouragement to approach the Bible daily, no matter your background

In this follow-up to the “Gathering Stones” episode, James and Jorge flip the script and explore what it means to cast away stones. Through personal stories (including a charging bull, broken windows, and childhood scars), biblical examples, and spiritual truths, they uncover five distinct moments when it’s time to let go, clear out, and sling what’s in your hand.

Some stones are judgment.
Some are shame.
Some are distractions.
Some block your miracle.
And some? Only God can roll away.

🪨 Five Times to Cast Away Stones:

1. When You’re Holding Judgment
   ➡️ (Joshua 7:25 – Achan’s sin affects the whole camp)
   Sometimes it’s not anger, but obedience and consecration that require casting judgment away.

2. When You’re Preparing the Ground
   ➡️ (Isaiah 5:2, Luke 8:6, Ezekiel 36:26)
   A stony heart can’t grow the Word. Clear the field of offense, apathy, and distraction.

3. When You’re Facing a Giant
   ➡️ (1 Samuel 17:40, 49)
   David didn’t just gather stones—he slang it. Scripture is your ammo. Memorize it. Use it.

4. When a Miracle is Waiting on You
   ➡️ (John 11:39–44 – “Take ye away the stone.”)
   Obedience removes the obstacle so Jesus can speak resurrection into your situation.

5. When Only Heaven Can Move It
   ➡️ (Matthew 28:2 – The angel rolled the stone and sat on it.)
   Sometimes God moves the stone and settles it. Don’t give up. Your victory is coming.

🎯 Challenge:

What stone are you still holding?

• Bitterness?

• Shame?

• Silence?

• Distraction?

This week, ask yourself: “What do I need to drop, clear, slang, or surrender so God can move?”

Because there’s a time to gather stones…
and a time to cast them away.

🔖 Memorable Quotes & Truisms:

• “Some stones aren’t thrown in anger—they’re cast in consecration.”

• “You can’t fight giants with an empty pouch.”

• “Some breakthroughs are blocked because we refuse to cast away a stone.”

• “When God rolls the stone, it stays rolled.”

This episode rocks. Literally.

James and Jorge dive into a surprisingly deep—and surprisingly fun—conversation about one little phrase tucked into Ecclesiastes 3: “A time to gather stones together.” From childhood collections like pogs and marbles to Jewish memorial traditions, we explore how gathering stones isn’t just poetic... it’s prophetic.

You’ll walk away with a fresh appreciation for all the ways God uses stones in Scripture—and how He still calls us to gather them in our lives today.

Here are the six types of Biblical stones unpacked in this episode:

1. Testimony Stones – Memorials that mark miracles and remind us of where God brought us from.

2. Commitment Stones – Altars of surrender made from untouched rock.

3. Building Stones – Foundations of truth, anchored in Christ the Chief Cornerstone.

4. Sealing Stones – Closure moments that seal off the past for good.

5. Landmark Stones – Do-not-move boundaries of doctrine and spiritual heritage.

6. Supporting Stones – Stepping stones and support systems that help lift others up.

And don’t miss the closing challenge:
📌 Are you standing on the Rock… or stumbling over it?

🔥 Truism of the Week:
"The stone you ignore may be the one you trip over—or the one you’re meant to stand on."

Next episode: A Time to Cast Away Stones – when it’s time to let some things go.

👀 Summary:
What if everything you “knew” was wrong—just because of how you saw it? In this eye-opening episode of Truism, James and Jorge dive into the difference between what we see, what we feel, and what is actually true. From a college professor’s star trick to a misinterpreted altar in Joshua 22, this conversation peels back the layers of assumption, offense, and spiritual blindness to uncover God’s truth underneath it all.

🔍 Key Themes Covered:

• Perception isn’t always reality—and assumptions can be dangerous

• Spiritual blindness vs. sensation: Are you feeling God… but still missing the point?

• The power of God’s perspective—why only the Creator can define your true worth

• Real-world examples from Scripture: Gideon, David, the Pharisees, and the altar by the Jordan

• How to elevate your view through prayer, the Word, and godly leadership

📖 Featured Scripture Highlights:

• Joshua 22 (Altar misunderstanding)

• Numbers 13 (Grasshopper complex)

• Proverbs 21:2, Isaiah 55:8-9, 1 Samuel 16:7

• Over 20 verses reminding you how God sees YOU (see episode close)

🎯 Takeaway Truism:
You can’t trust your perception until you’ve checked it with the One who wrote the story. Whether it’s a 6, a 9, or a lowercase g—only the Creator knows what it was meant to be.

🙌 Challenge of the Week:
Pray this: “God, help me see myself, others, and this situation the way You do.”

🧠 Episode Summary:

Ever feel like you’re stuck between wanting to share your faith and not wanting to get called into HR? In this episode, James and Jorge tackle the tricky, hilarious, and heartfelt journey of being a light in the workplace (or school!) without being that weird Christian. You know, the one with the giant Bible and zero social skills. 😅

From door-to-door vacuum fails and copper-wire misadventures to real talk about leadership, relationships, and Jesus’ own example, this one hits home in all the best ways.

✨ In This Episode:

• 🧑‍🍳 Why sharing Jesus as a donut fryer is way easier than as a store manager.

• 🧔🏽 Beards, boundaries, and being a bold believer in Oklahoma.

• 🛠️ “You don’t get paid to evangelize”—but what do you get paid to do?

• 🧼 Living the gospel without shouting it from the cubicle.

• 🐍 Why Jesus told us to be “wise as serpents, harmless as doves”—and yes, there’s a zoo snake story!

• Do excellent work. Your testimony starts with integrity and excellence.
• Engage your environment. Be friendly. Be present. Be in the world but not of it.
• Be wise and gentle. Use discernment—don’t strike like a snake, glide like a dove.

• “You don’t get paid to evangelize. You get paid to give effort.”

• “Separation isn’t isolation.”

• “People can argue scripture, but they can’t argue your experience.”

• Colossians 3:23 — Do it heartily, as to the Lord.

• Ecclesiastes 9:10 — Do it with your might.

• Proverbs 10:4 — The hand of the diligent.

• Matthew 10:16 — Wise as serpents, harmless as doves.

• John 17 — In the world, not of it.

• Philemon 1:6 — Acknowledge the good in you.

🤝 Connect With Us:

Got a story of how you shared your faith in the workplace without being weird?
We’d love to hear from you: [email protected]

🔗 Check out more Apostolic podcasts at: Apostolic Podcast Network

⁉️Leave a comment: Satan couldn’t stop Jesus, and he can’t stop you either! How has knowing the unstoppable power of the gospel given you confidence to step out in faith? Share a moment when you saw God’s power at work in your life!

🎧 Listen now and be reminded: The gospel is unstoppable!

Episode Summary:Was hell really celebrating when Jesus was on the cross? In this powerful episode, James and Jorge challenge a common misconception and reveal how Satan tried repeatedly to stop the crucifixion—but failed every time. From Herod’s massacre of infants to the relentless attempts to kill Jesus before Calvary, they uncover 20 biblical examples proving that the cross wasn’t a defeat—it was hell’s worst nightmare.

Key Points:

✔ Satan’s Failed Attempts – From Jesus’ birth to His final moments, the enemy tried to stop the cross at every turn. (Matthew 2:16-18, Luke 4:28-30, John 19:1-11)
✔ The Cross Was the Plan All Along – Prophecies in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 foretold the crucifixion in detail, long before it happened.
✔ The Moment of Victory – Instead of rejoicing, hell was trembling as Jesus prepared to take the keys to death, hell, and the grave. (1 Corinthians 2:8-9, Hebrews 9:22)
✔ What It Means for Us – If Satan couldn’t stop the gospel, he can’t stop you either. Live in the power of Christ’s victory.

Key Scripture:"For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." – 1 Corinthians 2:8

Key Takeaway:"Jesus wasn’t defeated on the cross—He was invincible. His death wasn’t a loss for heaven; it was the ultimate victory over hell."

I couldn't stop myself - the lengths the enemy went to in an attempt to prevent the cross is astounding!

What do you get when you mix wild testimonies, 3-legged chickens, heartfelt worship, and 65 years of faithfulness?

You get this episode.

We sat down with the one and only Elder Elliott—a beloved evangelist, storyteller, and friend of the house—for an unscripted chat full of laughter, depth, and good ol’ wisdom.

From his motorcycle gang days in Toronto to miraculous moments on the mission field, Elder Elliott shares his incredible journey of salvation, ministry, and what it really takes to last in this walk with God.

You’ll hear:

• How he stumbled into a Pentecostal church… and never looked back

• Why blue jeans and a ducktail haircut didn’t stop him from getting the Holy Ghost

• The wildest miracle he’s ever witnessed (it’s jaw-dropping)

• What makes Jamaican Pentecostals unforgettable

• How studying the Bible—really studying—can change your walk

• And yes, more corny jokes than we know what to do with

  
  

Whether you’re new to the faith or a seasoned saint, this episode will remind you why we stay, why we love this truth, and how to keep going strong.

🎧 Listen in, laugh along, and let Elder Elliott’s testimony inspire you to keep walking—faithful, joyful, and grounded.

There is NO ONE like our Elder!

April 1st you don't want to miss this little talk I had with him while he was visiting us.

What kind of legacy are you building?

In this episode, James and Jorge present aseven-point to-do list for Christian living— These aren't just tasks to check off, but lifelong commitments that shape your character, relationships, and faith. With real-life anecdotes, biblical wisdom, and a few laughs along the way, this episode unpacks what it truly means to live with purpose.

Key Points:

✔Lead with Integrity – Live with honesty, transparency, and a strong ethical core. Daniel’s unwavering faith in Babylon serves as a powerful example.(Proverbs 11:3, 21:3)#BeLikeDaniel

✔Prioritize Family – Make time for loved ones and raise them in faith. Joshua’s commitment to his family’s spiritual well-being is a model for us all.(Proverbs 17:6, 22:6, 15:20; Ephesians 5 & 6)#BeLikeJoshua

✔Lifelong Learning – Never stop growing in wisdom and understanding. Solomon’s pursuit of knowledge exemplifies this.(Proverbs 19:20, 18:15, 1:7)#BeLikeSolomon

✔Friendship & Accountability – Surround yourself with people who challenge and uplift you. The bond between David and Jonathan is a model of true, godly friendship.(Proverbs 27:17, 13:20, 27:6; 1 Samuel 18:1-3)#BeLikeJonathan

✔Serve Others – True greatness comes from humility and service. Jesus washing his disciples' feet is the ultimate example of servant leadership.(Proverbs 3:27, 31:8-9, 19:17; John 13:14-15)#BeLikeJesus

✔Take Care of Physical & Mental Health – Your body is a temple; steward it well. Paul reminds us to find peace through prayer and care for our whole being.(Proverbs 23:20-21, 14:30, 4:23, 17:22; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Philippians 4:6-7)#BeLikePaul

✔Stay Rooted in Faith – In every season, trust in God. Job’s unwavering faith in suffering is a reminder to stay strong in our spiritual foundation.(Proverbs 3:5-6, 2:1-6, 30:5; Job 13:15)#BeLikeJob

Key Scripture:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." – Proverbs 3:5-6

Key Takeaway:

"Legacy isn’t built in a day—it’s built daily. Living with integrity, prioritizing family, and staying rooted in faith aren’t just goals; they’re commitments that define who we are and the impact we leave behind."

In a lighthearted close, James and Jorge reflect on what the "title" of their life’s story might be—Jorge choosing"Redemption" as a testament to his transformed life, while James settles on"Have Fun," a reminder that even in the seriousness of building a legacy, joy is essential.

Let’s Talk!

What will the title ofyourbiography be?