Upstream with Jim and Jon

It's been a big week for America. We are sure you've heard enough about the election, so this week we instead talk about a number of reasons we love our country! This conversation was inspired by the documentary "Safeguard: An Electoral College Story," which you've probably already heard us mention and can watch on Amazon Prime. We also tried some new audio stuff in this episode and we would love any feedback you have!

It's another list episode! In this conversation, we go over 5 pieces of Biblical bad news for us and how, in actuality, they are great news. In the upside-down Kingdom of God it is the last who is first, the weak who are strong, and the selfless who is King. Why is it good news that we as human beings are incapable of perfection? Listen in and find out!

Happy Monday! On this episode of Upstream, we ask if an intellectual belief in God and His son Jesus is enough to be saved. If I have that belief but my life doesn't show it, what does that mean? What is the difference between the legalism of the old covenant and the righteous expectations of the new one? Is this whole conversation a waste of time? We are so grateful for all of our listeners, talk to you next week!

The Netflix docudrama "The Social Dilemma" has exploded in popularity and this week we decided to watch it and share our thoughts! We discuss the documentary, which explores the often-nefarious practices of big tech companies in designing social media, and the effect of that media on us and on the world. It was an interesting piece of media and it made for interesting conversation. Thanks for listening!

Welcome back! We do a deep dive this week into 2 Timothy, where Paul makes three unique metaphors: that Christ followers should be like soldiers, like farmers, and like athletes. What message can we find in these metaphors for us today, and how do we apply them to our lives in a practical way? You've got to listen to find out! We are so grateful for your time, have an awesome week.

Jon had a series of questions this week brought on by a Francis Chan message on why he was leaving the states to enter the mission field. With scripture as a guide we discuss: Is every follower of Jesus meant to leave their home to spread the Gospel? Why not? What does it look like, in a tangible way, for a "normal" Christian to seek first the kingdom of God in their lives? This week is a doozy but it was very helpful for Jon and we believe it will be for you too. Thanks, as always, for listening and have an awesome week!

Another week, another episode of Upstream! This time we read through a bit of Hebrews chapter 12 to talk about hardship and pain, and how followers of Jesus are called to view difficult times as discipleship opportunities for us to grow closer to, and stronger in, our God. We give some practical examples of what this might look like for those in hard circumstances, and advice for listeners hoping to comfort others suffering as well. Thanks so much for listening, talk to you next week!

Jim was smitten this week with a list of four essential skills/priorities that are foundational to our mental and spiritual health. We talk over this list, how the specific items apply individually and in tandem in our lives, and discuss a definition of pain that Jim believes works well with this list of essentials. Jon learned a lot this week and we hope you will too! Thank you for listening.

Guest Ryan Betz joins us this week for a discussion on how to not only survive, but flourish during times of chaos unprecedented in our lifetimes. Ranging from our professional, to spiritual, to home lives, how do we organize with enough purpose to grow when things are as unpredictable as they are? Using examples from Ryan's own experience, we talk about this and more this week on Upstream. Thanks for listening!

A pastor in Kentucky has had a series of dreams that he says may be prophetic for our country in the coming months. As they have gained attention, we figured we should talk about the validity of his specific dreams, their content, and our own predictions for the end of this year and the start of the next. We hope that this episode, more than anything, reminds you that God is in control of it all and we have nothing to fear. Thanks for listening!