What does it really mean to think like the Messiah? And where did Paul believe he would go when he died? In this episode of Whiskey and the Writings, we continue our journey through Philippians and explore how Paul invites his community to adopt the mind of Christ. We look at why he refuses to sweat the small stuff, why he believes his life still has meaningful work to do, and why the way we live in public matters for the kingdom of God.

What does it really mean to be a servant of Jesus. Is it blind obedience or something deeper. In this episode we slow down with the letter to the Philippians and look at how Paul understood servanthood, prayer, wisdom, and love. If you have ever wondered how to follow Jesus without losing yourself, or how to read the Bible in a way that makes sense for a modern thinker, this conversation is for you. Together we explore the opening of Philippians, the meaning behind words like servant and Christ, and how love, knowledge, and wisdom shape the way we see God and each other.

Before you ever read the letter to the Philippians, there is a wild origin story sitting in Acts 16. In this episode of Whiskey and the Writings, we slow down, pour a glass of Blantons, and look at how a wealthy woman named Lydia, a slave girl, and a Roman jailer all become part of the very first Jesus community in Philippi.

We will trace how Paul first arrived in this proud Roman colony, why Lydia is such a significant figure, what is going on with the slave girl and her exploitative masters, and how a late night earthquake turns into a jailer and his whole household trusting Jesus as Lord. Along the way, we will talk about power, empire, spiritual darkness, and why the New Testament spends more time exposing systems that exploit people than it does satisfying our curiosity about the supernatural.

This is the first part of a Philippians series where we are not just looking for verses to pull out of context. We are learning how to read this letter as someone else’s mail, written to real people in a real city, and then asking what wisdom it still offers the spiritually curious, the skeptic, and the seeker today. Grab your Bible, your beverage of choice, and let us begin at the riverbank with Lydia before we ever open Philippians itself.

If you have ever opened the Bible and wondered where to start or how to make sense of it, this one is for you. I share a simple way to read the Bible slowly and well, we explore two historic views of God’s judgment (punitive and restorative), and I answer a viewer’s question about who I am and why this channel exists. We look at Mark’s Gospel, context, footnotes, and the kind of reading that leads to understanding rather than quick quotes. This is a space for the spiritually curious and the skeptic, for anyone who still believes but not quite like they used to.

Most people think the Bible teaches a fiery place of eternal torture called “hell.” But what if that image didn’t actually come from Scripture? In this episode, we trace how three ancient words Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna — got blended together through centuries of translation and theology to form the modern idea of hell. We’ll look at what the Hebrew writers actually believed, what Jesus meant by “Gehenna,” and how later translators and theologians like Augustine and Dante changed the story.

Progressive Christianity is growing—and so is the controversy around it. Some say it’s breathing new life into faith by asking hard questions and re-centering Jesus. Others argue it’s diluting Christianity and leaving behind historic truth.

In this episode of Whiskey and the Writings, we’ll explore what’s really behind the debate:

• Why progressive Christianity is seen as threatening to conservatives
• The core issues at stake, from Scripture to social ethics
• What this means for those still searching for an authentic faith

If you’re skeptical, curious, or just trying to understand the tension, this conversation will help you see why the question matters.

Most of us look for God in the big moments—miracles, worship, answers to prayer. But what if God has been quietly showing up in the ordinary all along? In the laughter of friends, the morning coffee ritual, the walk through falling leaves.

In this episode of Whiskey and the Writings, we talk about what it means to notice God in the everyday moments we often overlook. We’ll look at stories from Scripture where God revealed Himself in simple, unnoticed ways—like Moses tending sheep in the wilderness, or the disciples sharing breakfast with Jesus after His resurrection.

This isn’t about adding more religion to your life. It’s about learning to see what’s already holy.

Have you ever sat in silence, wanting to pray but not knowing what to say? You’re not alone. For many of us, prayer can feel awkward, forced, or even pointless when we’re not sure God is listening. But what if prayer was never meant to be perfect words or polished thoughts?

In this episode of Whiskey and the Writings, we talk about what it means to pray when you feel lost for words. We’ll look at how ancient prayers in the Psalms, Jesus’ own words in Matthew 6, and even moments of silence can lead us into deeper connection with God—without performance or pressure.

If you’ve ever felt spiritually stuck or distant, this one’s for you.

Why do so many people feel like church isn’t a safe place to bring their struggles, doubts, or pain? In this episode of Whiskey and the Writings, we’ll take an honest look at the ways churches sometimes fail to be spaces of grace and safety. From fear of judgment, to leaders who minimize pain, to a culture that prizes appearance over authenticity—these realities can leave people hiding in silence instead of finding healing in community.

But why does this happen? And what was the church meant to be instead? Together, we’ll wrestle with these questions, exploring scripture, culture, and our own experiences. If you’ve ever felt like church wasn’t safe for your story, this conversation is for you.

Apologetics is often seen as the frontline defense of the Christian faith. But what if this practice of proving, debating, and defending is actually doing more harm than good? In this video, we’ll explore why apologetics may be unintentionally damaging Christianity, how it can miss the heart of faith, and what a better way forward could look like. Whether you’re skeptical, spiritually curious, or wrestling with belief, this conversation opens space for a fresh perspective on what it means to follow Jesus today.