Podcasts

Hope, grief, guilt, joy, assurance, anger, praise - the emotions expressed in the Psalms span the whole spectrum of human emotions. This collection of prayers, songs, and poems show how God's people pour out their hearts to him in every situation. But how do they fit into the whole story? In this episode we focus on four Psalms to show how they prepare us for Jesus. Music Credits Intro - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks Outro - "The Starry Night" by John Tadlock (from Sight of the Stars )

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Podcast Mar 23, 2021

WARFARE: The real enemy. "The Long War Against God." "The 1812 Overture." Stratego.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! If you are a Christian, that means you have volunteered to serve in the army of Jesus Christ. Like many volunteers, you may not have known the full scope of the war that is going on. But believe me, it is terrible. But it is worth the fight. This week we will discuss who is our true enemy (and it’s not your neighbor), the philosophy that under-girds the enemy’s every effort, inspiration for the fight from the music of Peter Tchaikovsky, and a game from my childhood that was more philosophical than I knew. Hal Hammons is the preacher fo

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Podcast Mar 22, 2021

Believe to Achieve

Tommy Peeler · Carefully Examining the Text

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! I was on a long drive back to Texas from Missouri this past week. A friend suggested a podcast called Chasing Excellence. It is secular in nature, but taps into the power to do greater things. But that power has to be in me. I must believe in something. Not because others do, nor because they tell me I should. That thing must be real to me. Once it is, and I can explain to myself and others why it is, I can draw from the power of that conviction to live an extraordinary life. But not in all things. Only in things in which

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Podcast Mar 20, 2021

Introduction to Psalms

In this very brief introduction to Psalms we ask whether the Psalms are words to God or from God, what kind of literature is Psalms, and how the Psalms speak of Jesus.

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Podcast Mar 19, 2021

It could fail, part 1

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I collaborate with my good friend Darin Gerdes. Darin hosts The Leadersmith podcast. This episode is our conversation about the importance of failure, and part 2 is available on his podcast where we talk about the importance of taking risks. Darin takes over the hosting reins for this episode. It was fun and, I hope, worthwhile. This is the first time I've been a guest on my own podcast. Thank you, again, for joining me on this journey. Support the show

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Podcast Mar 18, 2021

Episode 101 - "I'm Not a Slacker!"

Put First Things First “Baby steps to the door, baby steps down the stairs...” Like Bill Murray in What About Bob, this week we’re learning it’s sometimes hard to plan a future beyond the next right step. Mary and Martha teach us to slow down and ask a timely question in a Like the Teacher story. We also give our Top 4 Proverbs on priorities and discover that our most fertile mission field might be closer than we think. And we close with five challenges we can do together to help establish God-honoring priorities. The Big Idea: Our ever-changing lives require vigilant attention to prioritize t

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Podcast Mar 16, 2021

Get Up and Build - Reading Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

The 70 years of Exile are over. The remnant returns to a city in ruins. Together, Ezra and Nehemiah mobilize the people to rebuild the temple and walls of Jerusalem amidst relentless opposition. Meanwhile, Esther providentially rises to power as Queen of Persia to rescue her people from annihilation. These are action-packed books, but how do they point us to God's plan to save us through Jesus? Music Credits Intro - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks Outro - "The Starry Night" by John Tadlock (from Sight of the Stars )

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Podcast Mar 16, 2021

PAIN: Why suffering? "Tried by Fire." "Hurt." Galaxy Trucker.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! The existence of suffering is one of the oldest arguments against the existence of God. But God has always wanted different things for us than we wanted for ourselves. People of faith accept and embrace that — even when it hurts. This week we will discuss the purposes pain plays in our lives; the historical connection between the absence of pain and the presence of problems; the last and perhaps greatest message from Johnny Cash; and how you can build a spaceship that will make it to port without breaking in half. Hal Hammons is the pr

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Podcast Mar 15, 2021

Death, Burial, Resurrection

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

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Podcast Mar 12, 2021

Building community, an interview with Craig Bean

Send us Fan Mail Craig Bean is a close and dear friend and, I think, one of the very best to talk about intentional culture creation. Most people believes the culture to our congregations walk in the doors and leadership should respond to the culture in the pews. Craig talks about how to foster and create the kind of culture where Christians actively make positive change the places they are. Craig is a smart guy, and he's been a blessing to me for many years. I pray he is the same for you. Support the show

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Podcast Mar 11, 2021

Episode 100 - "What’s He Doing?!"

Hold Nothing Back From God Living dangerously... but with discernment? This week we start with Jesus’ consuming zeal, as he cleanses the temple, guns blazing, so to speak. What if we acted with that kind of force and passion? That leads into a Shema Edition of Heavy Words, as we seek to live the Greatest Commandment. Finally, we take on (maybe) our toughest set of challenges yet, working on giving our whole hearts to the Lord. The Big Idea: Wholehearted service to God requires honesty before him. Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here. Show Notes Cross Training -

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Podcast Mar 9, 2021

ADVENTURE: Walking by faith. "The Wright Brothers." Jordan Peterson and Abraham. Lost Cities.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Adventure means excitement for a child. To an adult it usually means something complicated at best, terrifying at worst. They’re both right. The key is not to embrace or avoid adventure; it’s choosing the right one. This week we will discuss the challenges that come with walking by faith; the impact of two bicycle repairmen from Dayton, Ohio; the parallels between Abraham’s adventure and ours; and the level of commitment we are willing to show for Jesus. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons se

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Podcast Mar 9, 2021

Daily Bible Reading with Ben Johnson

We're revisiting the topic of daily Bible reading and study with Ben Johnson. Ben is an excellent teacher and student of the Bible - and more importantly, a devoted disciple of Jesus. In this uplifting conversation, Ben shares with us practical wisdom for prioritizing time with God's word, leading a family by example, and bearing fruit for Christ. Listen and be encouraged! Music Credits Intro - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks Transition - "The Forest of Andor" by John Tadlock (from his new album Alandria ) Outro - "The Starry Night" by John Tadlock (from Sight of the Stars )

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Podcast Mar 8, 2021

Don't Get Jealous...

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Kids get jealous. It is obvious on their faces, or in their cries. It pops up fast and then is forgotten. Adults get jealous. They are much better at hiding it, but not so good at letting it go. Jealousy, coupled with pride, is a relationship killer. And saddest of all, it prevent us from getting better! The very person who could help us is being judged by us. We can do better! Let's talk about how jealousy works and why it is so powerful. Then, I want to add TWO WORDS to the episode title that can make a massive differen

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Podcast Mar 5, 2021

God fixes our brokenness, an interview with Matt Bassford

Send us Fan Mail Matt Bassford is a minister in Columbia, Tennessee. In this episode, he talks about how he and his wife dealt with the tragedy of a stillborn birth of their first daughter, Macy and how their relationships with God and other Christians were the only things which could fix it. This is a difficult but important conversation. I think about how all of us are broken, but we often feel those topics are taboo or need to be avoided. Matt's story is powerful. It's also a love story through trial for all his important relationships. We are all broken. Not all like Matt and Lauren, but a

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Podcast Mar 4, 2021

Episode 99 - "I Don’t Know, Can You?"

Count the Cost What's your Impenetrable Barrier? And what does counting the cost have to do with life in a Vietnam POW camp? This week we look at the DEDICATION required of a disciple, taking on some hard words of Jesus about who "cannot" follow him. Plus, Bryan explains what it means to be the apple of God's eye, and we appreciate the "prayer of a righteous man" in a Psalm 17 edition of Poetry in Motion. As usual, we end by working through 5 challenges you can do with us Through the Week. We hope you'll join us! The Big Idea: If we’re not prepared for difficulty and sacrifice, we won’t have t

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Podcast Mar 3, 2021

INTERNET (part 2): with Kris Emerson and Kenny Embry

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Is the internet the irresistible and desirable future for the church, or is it the church’s doom? What are “social influencers,” who are they influencing, and for what purpose? We cover this and more in the second half of my conversation with Kris Emerson and Dr. Kenny Embry. Kris preaches for the Lindale church of Christ in Lindale, Texas, and hosts the Excel Still More podcast. Kenny is an associate professor of communication at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida, and hosts the “Balancing the Christian Life” podcast. Check ou

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Podcast Mar 2, 2021

Getting Carried Away... in a Good Way!

Justin Dobbs · Listen, My Children

Justin studies with his entire family as he invites his wife and four children to the couch. Listen in as they discuss Proverbs 5. You can watch the video of this study at www.youtube.com/appianmedia

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Podcast Mar 2, 2021

Give Us A King - Reading 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings

"We want a king!" These words resonate loudly in Israel's history as the cry of an unfaithful people rejecting God as their leader. And so begins the period of Israel's monarchy - its rise, division, and ultimate downfall. Yet these words also reflect our real need, for we really do need a perfect king even today. Join us as we talk about how the books of Samuel and Kings lead us to that King - Jesus. Intro song - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks Outro song - special thanks to John Tadlock for letting us use "The Starry Night" from his brand new album The Sight of the Stars

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Podcast Mar 2, 2021

INTERNET (part 1): with guests Kris Emerson and Kenny Embry

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! It’s a new world out there, for better or worse. And the internet is its university, its playground, and its courtroom. There’s no point in pretending otherwise. We will explore the pros and cons of the internet with my two guests. Kris Emerson preaches for the Lindale church of Christ in Lindale, Texas, and hosts the Excel Still More podcast. Dr. Kenny Embry is an associate professor of communication at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. In part 1, we discuss the echo chamber effect we experience online; and we consider the p

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Podcast Mar 1, 2021

S3 Ep7 - 25th Episode Celebration!

Appian Media · Inroads

Craig and Stu take a look back on some of the most powerful soundbites from inRoads and how our guests are spreading God's word through great content! Hear our top 3 interviews on today's episode. Support the show

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Podcast Mar 1, 2021

The Unanswered Prayer

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! As people of faith, we know that God hears us when we pray. We know He cares and listens and answers. Sometimes we get a YES. Sometimes a NO. Sometimes a WAIT. But why don't we get more YESES? I mean, we are people of faith and love Him, right? It can be difficult to accept circumstances when you ask Him and He declines. Maybe an old country song can help today. Garth Brooks sang "Unanswered Prayers." I can relate to the lyrics of that song. Can you? Let's talk about that for a bit, and then settle into a passage of Scrip

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Podcast Feb 26, 2021

So, whatcha reading? An interview with Jason Hardin

Send us Fan Mail This week, we discuss one of the most basic parts of being a Christian, Bible study. Jason Hardin is a minister and author of Hello, I'm Your Bible, (affiliate link) a practical guide to Bible study.Jason has his own strategy for Bible study which helps put you in the right mindset and helps you develop a good attitude toward reading. Jason and his family minister at Charlestown Road church of Christ which has some innovative digital tools for growing Christians, including Building Blocks. Support the show

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Podcast Feb 25, 2021

Episode 98 - "So Merciful and So Gracious!"