Podcasts

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Everybody is trying to persuade someone. In fact, most of us are trying to shape other people's thinking every single day, and in many relationships! And each of us has some skill or two that God gave us to bring other's around to our way of thinking. However, most of us don't have all three! I'm talking about the big three Greek words Aristotle introduced in 400BC. When these three ideas: Pathos, Ethos, Logos, are working together, soft hearts can be shaped and molded to greater godliness. You can help persuade people to

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Podcast Jun 20, 2019

Ep. 44 - Our Daily Bread

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! We all know the importance of daily prayer. But what are you praying for daily? Most of us do a great job of praying about our daily bread. That is, daily provisions like health and safety. But we may be missing some things from "The Lord's Prayer" in Matthew 6. If we model our prayer after what He taught us, we can keep physical things like daily bread in its proper place, while putting much greater emphasis on our spiritual needs. This, of course, will have an affect on the entire day: "As goes your prayer life, goes yo

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Podcast Jun 20, 2019

Episode 20 - "Almost Funny"

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you — this week we’re sharing some of our Favorite Things about the connection between the New and Old Testaments, marriage, parenting, morning rituals, and organization. We look out the window in our Jesus Said segment to see the angels of God ascending and descending on the Messiah from John 1:51, and we search for more in-depth ways to connect with others by asking deeper questions. Weekly Challenge: Learn more about someone by asking some of their favorite things. Show Notes Jesus Said … John 1:51

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Podcast Jun 18, 2019

Faith in Adversity. How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci. Whataburger. Carpe Diem.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about faith in adversity. The key is not finding a kinder, better life; it’s finding the strength to cope with the life you have — and finding it in God. I’ve been reading … How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, by Michael J. Gelb. I would love to be as good at one thing as Leonardo seems to have been at absolutely everything. I’ve been hearing … Whataburger, the legendary Texas burger chain, has been sold. All my friends in Texas are panic-stricken, and I totally get it. I’ve been playing … Carpe Diem, a game that

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Podcast Jun 17, 2019

Ep. 43 - The Accountability Partner

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. There is power in your relationship with God, and you are hopefully experiencing that every day. However, God's plans and Christ's power may demand that you ask for help. There are some things so difficult, so challenging, so transformative, that you simply cannot do it alone. This is neither a knock against you, or God. This is just an opportunity to embrace the power of teamwork. By finding an accountability partner, someone who you can trust, someone who can wor

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Podcast Jun 14, 2019

Episode 19 - "Go Get Her A Sandwich!"

We’re moving beyond the "life hacks" and "tips & tricks" on this episode, talking about productivity from a biblical perspective. We discuss what “Jesus Said” in Luke 13:6-9 about His investment in us, how God will determine when enough is enough, the ways we can be more fruitful in small next steps, and the importance of recharging our batteries. So put down your day planner, grab a hoagie (if you’re getting hungry), and listen along! Weekly Challenge: Find time this week to recharge. Show Notes Jesus Said … Luke13:6-9 The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman (BOOK) Deep Work by Cal Newport (

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Podcast Jun 13, 2019

Ep. 42 - New Every Morning

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! I'm excited to share this! It really captivates what the Excel Still More journey is all about for me. Firstly, this is about optimism, redemption and hope EVERY single morning! Every day we are new, God's mercies are new, opportunities refresh and we can make that day great. You guys know what a great week is, right? It's seven great days, each one lived and utilized to the fullest. You can do this! To help, we have designed a journal: The ESM 3-Month Journal. The second half of the episode walks you through the pieces o

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Podcast Jun 11, 2019

God's plan for you. Start With Why. Kawhi Leonard. Wingspan.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about God’s plan for you. Psalm 114 is a great reminder of the extremes to which God will go to glorify you. It would be a shame to get in His way. I’ve been reading … Start With Why, by Simon Sinek. And I’m more convinced than ever that a large number of Christians have no idea what it really means to be a Christian. I’ve been hearing … Kawhi Leonard, one of the best basketball players in the world, has had trouble relating to teammates who needed help. I can relate to him. Sort of. I’ve been playing … Wingspan,

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Podcast Jun 10, 2019

Ep. 41 - Change Your Geography

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! We should always make the most out of any situation. If this is where you are now, then make the most out of this. This applies directly to location. Wherever you work, work well. Wherever you worship, worship well. Wherever you life, live well. With whomever you spend your time, use it well. And so on. However, sometimes things aren't going well. Sometimes things have gotten to a point where they keep you from getting better. Well, it may be time to ask a tough question: Do I need to move? Is a change in geography the an

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Podcast Jun 7, 2019

Episode 18 - "More Than Enough WiFi"

On this episode, we explore the difference between “enough” and “more, more!” This takes us from what Jesus Said about covetousness in Luke12:13-15 to what David said about a good night’s sleep in a Psalm 4 edition of Poetry in Motion. From our modern “FOMO” to Paul’s “secret,” contentment is a timeless answer to human restlessness and misplaced desire. Weekly Challenge: Identify something you have in abundance and share it with someone in need. Show Notes Jesus Said … Luke12:13-15 Finding Contentment by Bryan Schiele (SERMON)

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Podcast Jun 6, 2019

Ep. 40 - Hey I'm 40!

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Well, we all have to grow up sometime, right? I turned 40 last December and made the decision to make some fairly dramatic life changes. Maybe dramatic isn't the right word, but there were some internal struggles I'd been very hit or miss about. It was time to say, "Hey, I'm 40. I'm done with that inconsistency. I will give myself wholly to Christ. And I will live with abiding daily peace." Let me tell you: it's been awesome! I can't wait to share with you what some of those things are and how you too can finally decide t

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Podcast Jun 4, 2019

Being perfect. The Sushi Economy. Martin Luther King. Reworld.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about being perfect — how it’s possible, and how it’s impossible, and how that isn’t a contradiction. I’ve been reading … The Sushi Economy, by Sasha Issenberg. Japanese wholesalers are willing to spend $100,000 for a single fish — and that’s not even the crazy part of this story. I’ve been hearing … Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may have been guilty of numerous reprehensible behaviors. I don’t approve, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still a hero of mine. I’ve been playing … Reworld, in which earthlings abandon an un

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Podcast Jun 3, 2019

Ep. 39 - Parents Effecting Change

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Every parents wants obedient kids. This is a challenge, since all kids are different and they change quite frequently as they grow. Parents who try the same approach, no matter the child, or the age, or the outcome desired... well, they don't get great results. But if parents learn to work backwards: to analyze the effect desired and then study the situation to implement the cause that brings that about... it will make a world of difference! Now, this means mom and dad have to own up to everything that hasn't gone well so

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Podcast May 30, 2019

Ep. 38 - I Am Second

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Self centered living is lonely. Some may be successful. Some may make a mess of things. But all wonder, "Is this what it is all about?" I just focus on me. Everybody else just focuses on themselves? And somehow our life has value, meaning? When we learn to be second to Christ, we instantly learn the purpose of life. We still take care of ourselves, but we become about His majesty first, His glory, and our future with Him. That relationship becomes our passion. And... this extends into friendship and marriage and everyone.

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Podcast May 30, 2019

Episode 17 - "Stop, Collaborate, and Listen!"

Keeping it light this week, we’re just trying to answer all of life’s biggest questions! What’s my purpose? Why does the universe exist? What’s God’s big, eternal plan? Fortunately, Paul has given us a window into “the heavenly places” in the book of Ephesians, so we’re “Flying Through the Book!” And what Jesus Said in John 3:2-3 kicks us off, leading into the discussion of our new identity. Weekly Challenge: Examine your life to expose anything “unfruitful” that you should eliminate. Show Notes Jesus Said … John 3:2-3 The Common Rule (BOOK) The Common Rule Habits (CHART) Who Was Ephesians Wri

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Podcast May 28, 2019

Paul Hammons visits: Receiving sight. Gulliver's Travels. Abortion. MMOs.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Paul has been preaching … about the blind man in John 9. Just like Jesus brought light to the eyes of this man, so also He brings light to the world — if the world will open its eyes to Him. Paul has been reading … Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift. Exactly how advanced is human society? It depends on how honest we are willing to be with ourselves. Paul has been hearing … Alabama has criminalized abortion — but that doesn’t mean the culture war has been won, even in Alabama. Paul has been playing … MMOs — massive multiplayer online

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Podcast May 27, 2019

Ep. 37 - 30 Day Fast

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Okay, first of all, this episode is NOT about 30 days without food. I've never done that and don't plan on trying it any time soon. However, it is about two important ideas. 1) 30 days. It is the decision to commit to something for 30 days. After you have "Tried Three Times" and determined that something is doable and valuable to you, it's time to go for it! And hey, ESM people can do just about anything for 30 days! 2) Fasting. Fasting in the Bible is the giving up of something comfortable (food) to replace it with somet

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Podcast May 24, 2019

Episode 16 - "We're No Strangers To Love"

This week we take on some of the obstacles that keep us from fulfilling our two most basic purposes: loving God and others. We discuss the temptation to “hole up” away from the world, the difficulty of saying “no” to the demands and distractions of our lives, and the habit of insisting on our own way. We also talk about our favorite “love songs” in the Bible as we finish our Fruit series. And we wonder what is “new” about Jesus’ commandment to “love another” in John 13:34-35. Weekly Challenge: Choose one of the 8 habits from “The Common Rule” to try this week. Show Notes Jesus Said … John 13:3

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Podcast May 23, 2019

Ep. 36 - Be An Encourager

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! No tricks, illustrations, or planning here: just Be An Encourager! The best way to make even day worth while, and to grow as a person, is to uplift the people God puts in your life! We have to get over our own issues, and certainly pop the me-bubble, in order to fulfill our purpose of brightening other peoples' day. But when we do... life gets instantly better! To learn about a precious woman named Sarah who brightened my day during her worst day, tune in today. And we'll leave you with 4 practical tips for encouragement

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Podcast May 21, 2019

Making plans. Psalm 88. Game of Thrones. The Voyages of Marco Polo.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I have been preaching … about making plans. If you can plan for a family vacation or a comfy retirement, why not also plan to grow your faith? I have been reading … Psalm 88, arguably the saddest chapter in the Bible. But even though the psalm doesn’t say so, there is a reason for your suffering. In fact, there may be several. I have been hearing … Game of Thrones is done after 8 seasons — and unlike some Christians, I actually think that’s a good thing. I have been playing … The Voyages of Marco Polo, and it makes me wonder whether su

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Podcast May 20, 2019

Ep. 35 - Stress Free Chess

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! There is an awesome secret to daily peace! If you master this one thing, then you will have much less strife in the day. And if you repeat it day after day, boom, anxiety will disappear from your life! There is a strategy of planning your day: eliminating non essential plans, spreading out essential elements, and journalling for success, that will change everything! So much stress comes from too many options. We have so many possible things to do today, that we either do none of them, or try to do too many. But there is a

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Podcast May 16, 2019

Ep. 34 - Forfeit For Freedom

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Everyone is interested in a stress free life. No one wants to live with worry, anxiety and mental exhaustion. There are some great daily practices that can eliminate most worries, and we'll discuss that in the next episode. But first, let's talk about 4 big things that have got to go if we want to see the stress go away. Sometimes there are big ticket stress items that we hang on to, and they foster lots of unnecessary mental strain. So, by forfeiting those pesky things, we can experience freedom in thought and attitude t

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Podcast May 16, 2019

Episode 15 - "Cotton Candy and Cake Icing"

This week, what Jesus said in Luke 15:4-7 reminds us of the night we went searching the neighborhood for a dog. And what Paul says in Philippians 4 teaches us to avoid staring at “Medusa.” Join us we journey through the book of Philippians and consider how to live with joy, nearing the end of our Fruit series. Plus, Bryan uses the word “penultimate” appropriately and we ALMOST make it through an episode without mentioning Marie Kondo. Thanks for following and subscribing! Weekly Challenge: Read the book of Philippians and focus on joy. Show Notes Jesus Said … Luke 15:4-7 Chara Poster by The Bi

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Podcast May 14, 2019

Jesus' anger. The CEV. Transgender athletes. Cryptid.