YOU Podcast

We can all be narrow-minded sometimes. It’s funny to hear somebody insist that staying on Highway 231 will get you there faster when you’re convinced that taking several side roads saves time. A person can be so focused—so narrow-minded—that they can’t see the advantages of another route.

Christians are often accused of being narrowminded. The accusation is that Christians aren’t tolerant of other people’s beliefs. Christians are rather straightforward about their belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, but there is no such thing as not being narrow-minded. Every faith in existence is narrow-minded with its own teachings.

* Atheists are narrow-minded toward those who believe in God.

* Animists are narrow-minded toward those who only believe in one God.

* Universalists are narrow-minded toward those who believe there’s only one way to God.

Every faith in existence is narrow-minded with its own teachings…The question is not whether or not we are narrow-minded, but whether or not our narrow belief represents the truth.”

Everyone is narrow-minded. The question is not whether or not we are narrow-minded, but whether or not our narrow belief represents the truth. The apostle John points us to the right kind of narrowmindedness.

In my various interactions with non-believers, there is a specific argument I hear frequently as they attempt to dismiss belief in God.

Either God is a loving God, or He is an all-powerful God, but He cannot be both. If He was a loving God, He would not allow suffering. And since suffering exists, He is either not loving and doesn’t care, or He is not powerful enough to stop it.

To make an argument like that, people have to start with certain assumptions. One assumption is that God is the cause of all suffering. Another assumption is that He is unreliable and randomly imposes suffering on people. A third assumption is that there is never any purpose in suffering. In addition to those assumptions, people also have to suppose that their personal definition of suffering applies to every person and circumstance. Of course, none of these are true.

An understanding of suffering requires deep thinking which the Bible helps us to do through the life of one who suffered. We know him as Job. This Old Testament suffering servant, is a great starting point for our questions on suffering.”

An understanding of suffering requires much deeper thinking which the Bible helps us to do through the life of one who suffered. We know him as Job. This Old Testament suffering servant, is a great starting point for our questions on suffering.So, what can we learn about suffering from Job’s life?

One reason Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is popular is because it helps people account for the existence of life without the need for the existence of God. Evolutionary scientists have worked intensely to show how natural processes can account for the existence of life and for the many life forms on earth. The main types of evidence they use to make their case are:

* the remains of ancient organisms,

* fossil layers,

* similarities among organisms that are alive today,

* similarities in DNA,

* similarities of embryos.

The problem is that none of these prove scientifically the possibility that naturalistic evolution is true, and that is why it remains a theory. Their idea of evolution a belief based on their faith in nature with no scientific basis at all.

God not only exists, but He is able to interact with His creation in ways that are outside of natural laws.”

The Bible voices a totally different worldview belief where God not only exists, but He is able to interact with His creation in ways that are outside of natural laws. The apostle John has given us a powerful awareness of God’s use of miracles in the world.

Today’s, YOLO (You Only Live Once), YDU (You Do You) as well as Living My Truth, world defines postmodernism which means that people make up our own version of what is true. This self-focused way of thinking dominates many aspects of our modern society. Daily we hear of people walking away from the faith or traditional religion, choosing to identify as deconstructionist, agnostics, and even atheists, or simply not choosing to be bound by old-timey thinking.

Today’s, YOLO (You Only Live Once), YDU (You Do You) as well as Living My Truth, world defines postmodernism which means that people make up our own version of what is true…Fortunately, the Bible provides us with the unchanging truth.”

We live in a day when people believe they’re allowed and have the right to make up their own truth. Social media has empowered users to boldly cancel others by blocking or unfollowing those whose perspectives they disagree with. At any moment, 24 hours a day, we can view content on social platforms that are constantly exposing viewers to truth that changes daily.

But God! Fortunately, the Bible provides us with unchanging truth. In the Gospel of John, we see that truth is not a matter of human imagination or definition. Instead, truth is based on divine revelation from an unchanging, all-knowing, real, and present God who has spoken to us in history, so those who choose to believe would know HIStory.

Wars have been waged since the beginning of time. In fact, scripture highlights wars between God’s people and opposing idolatrous nations. There have been many iconic wars that have taken place over the years in America and abroad. These wars include French Revolution, Cold War, American Civil War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iran-Iraq War, US-Afghan War, World War I, and World War II. All of these civil and international wars have drastically shaped our country’s history.

Countless courageous soldiers have served our country by fighting these wars by land, air, and sea. Without soldiers, freedom would be impossible, peace would be inconceivable, and prosperity would be intangible. We owe them an immense amount of gratitude. These soldiers train for war every day so that they are always prepared for whenever war is enacted.

Countless courageous soldiers have served our country by fighting these wars by land, air, and sea. As Christians we engage in spiritual warfare and therefore are commanded “to put on the full armor of God so that [we] can stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Similar to our brave men and women in armed forces, we must prepare for spiritual warfare every day.”

Scripture informs us that we engage in spiritual warfare and therefore are commanded “to put on the full armor of God so that [we] can stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Similar to our brave men and women in armed forces, we must prepare for spiritual warfare every day. We will learn in this session that prayer and fasting are two essential training tools we can utilize inspiritual warfare.

My two-year daughter, Ellie, just like many two-year-olds is extremely active; she is always in something, doing something she is not supposed to be doing. We often find Ellie engaging in some of the most mischievous yet cute acts: hiding in closets, covering herself in toilet paper, splashing water from the tub, walking in mommy and daddy’s shoes, marking walls and floors with markers and crayons; whew! LOL! Can anybody relate?

One of the things that I admire about Ellie is her freedom in confession. No matter what trouble she gets into—no matter how ‘egregious’ the act—my daughter has no problem telling on herself. In fact, when Ellie is caught doing wrong and asked what she did, she will offer full details, including animated reenactments. She is truly free to confess her mistakes.

Believers are not expected to be perfect beings; God sent Jesus to accomplish that goal. However, as followers of Christ, we are expected to acknowledge and confess our sins to God and then repent from those actions. It is vital we will discover the necessity and blessings attached to those who practice confession.”

You know believers are called to walk with the same freedom Ellie habitually displays. We are not expected to be perfect beings; God sent Jesus to accomplish that goal. However, as followers of Christ, we are expected to acknowledge and confess our sins to God and then repent from those actions. In today’s session, we will discover the necessity and blessings attached to those who practice confession.

Do the Right Thing is Spike Lee’s highly acclaimed debut film, released in 1989. The film’s plot setting is based in Brooklyn, New York. It highlights racial tensions between a community of African-Americans and a local Italian-American family that owns a long-standing pizzeria business in the same neighborhood. In the movie, the heavy racial tensions between the African-American and Italian-American residents rise so high that it causes a massive brawl and a subsequent unjust murder of a young African-American at the hands of a police officer.

The aftermath of the incident sparked many emotions in all parties involved. We see everyone’s reactions to this event. The aftermath of that climatic scene indirectly forces the audience to ask themselves what is the right thing to do?

As believers, we are given God’s Word, which explicitly commands us to do what is right in God’s eyes. We do not live by the world’s standards; we live by God’s Word. We must choose to do the right thing even in the face of opposition and chastisement.”

Situations like those uncovered in the movie are left to interpretation concerning what is right and wrong. However, as believers, we are given God’s Word, which explicitly commands us to do what is right in God’s eyes. We do not live by the world’s standards; we live by God’s Word. In today’s session, we will explore the life of Daniel and learn how he chose to do the right thing even in the face of opposition and chastisement.

Muhammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) is undeniably one of the greatest boxers of all time. Ali finished his career with an impressive 56-5 record; 37 of those victories came by knockout. He was the first and only boxer to win the heavyweight championship on three different occasions. No wonder many still affectionately refer to him as “the greatest.”

In 1967, Ali stood as the boxing heavyweight of the world. However, he was drafted for the Vietnam War in that same year. Ali vehemently opposed the war and refused his induction into the U.S. Armed forces. Consequently, Ali was arrested, fined $10,000 (about $100,000 in today’s value), and stripped of his heavyweight title.

When asked about his refusal, Ali shared that he did not believe people should engage in war. He continued, “We are not to be the aggressor but only defend ourselves if attacked.” Ali boldly spoke and stood on his truth even in the face of immense opposition and substantial loss.

Christians are called to stand for truth in proclamation and practice. We are called to stand and speak up even when it is antithetical to popular culture. This is the clarion call and expectation for all witnesses of Christ.”

Similarly, Christians are called to stand for truth in proclamation and practice. We are called to stand and speak up even when it is antithetical to popular culture. This is the clarion call and expectation for all witnesses of Christ.

Perhaps you know the uncomfortable feeling of being outmatched by a task in front of you. Maybe you had a shower that sprung a leak. Perhaps you had a vehicle that started to make a strange sound. Maybe you read a recipe filled with all kinds of spices and intricate techniques with which you were unfamiliar. Unless you are proficient in plumbing, car repair, or the culinary arts, you probably had a feeling of powerlessness. So what do you do?

Most of us know the solution: Google, YouTube, Siri, or Alexa. We can find an expert who has uploaded simplified instructions online to help us. We can find the resources we need to address our situation with a few quick keystrokes. However, imagine facing a problem but never using the resources to which we have access. Unfortunately, we often do that with issues far more severe than plumbing or cooking; we do it in the real-life struggles we face every day.

We have access to a resource that is far more powerful than the Internet; we have the power of prayer. Instead of utilizing it, we choose to trust in our own ability to handle difficult situations. Prayer is not only the avenue by which we can access divine resources, but that engaging in prayer makes a difference.”

We have access to a resource that is far more powerful than the Internet; we have the power of prayer. Instead of utilizing it, we choose to trust in our own ability to handle difficult situations. In this session, we will be reminded that prayer is not only the avenue by which we can access divine resources, but that engaging in prayer makes a difference.

“Soul” is centered on the life narrative of Joe Gardner, an extraordinarily talented jazz musician and experienced middle school music teacher. However, although Joe has committed himself to the classroom, Joe passionately and continually dreams about playing jazz music professionally full-time.

One day, Joe meets a famous jazz musician who invited him to play for her that evening. Joe’s uncontrollable excitement distracted him while walking, which ultimately caused him to fall inside a utility hole of a sewer drain, where he landed lost and bewildered in an unknown place called the Great Beyond.

We sometimes look at our world and assess all the things happening today and say, “This is NOT the world I have known! Similarly, the Old Testament prophet Daniel was transported into a foreign and ungodly place where everything was wrong. His example can help us on to live faithfully to God in a seemingly unfamiliar world.”

Like Joe, we sometimes look at our world and assess all the things happening today and say, “This is NOT the world I have known! It seems that we too have landed in the Great Beyond and we recognize there is something vastly wrong here. Similarly, the Old Testament prophet Daniel was transported into a foreign and ungodly place where everything was wrong. His example can help us on to live faithfully to God in a seemingly unfamiliar world.