How would you sum up your year in one word? As we complete 2019, we encourage you to reflect on your year with us, considering what happened and what you learned. We share some of the books that impacted us, what our goals were (and how we failed at them!), and discuss the important difference between a goal and an intention. And as usual, we kick things off with something Jesus Said — a promise that we will be satisfied in Matthew 5:6 . Join us as we put a bow on The Year That Was: 2019! The Bi...
Dec 26, 2019•40 min•Ep. 45
In this episode, we're diving into one of the most "singable" psalms — Psalm 8 — talking about God's majesty and love for us. What's our role on this earth? What does nature teach us about the Creator? Let's listen to the voice of the little ones in Matthew 21:14-16 ! And we wrap it all up with a few of our favorite things, including movies, books, and quiet moments alone in the woods. We hope you’ll join us — it's way better than listening to stereo instructions! The Big Idea: We may be small, ...
Dec 19, 2019•39 min•Ep. 44
We’re closing out our “Young folks” series with our Top 4 Proverbs on the subject along with some closing advice to our younger selves. How do you find great friends and a great spouse? Why is tending to your own heart such a big deal? And (sorry!) we had to get into every grown up’s favorite word to repeat to teenagers: “responsibility!” From some timeless words of Jesus in Matthew 26:41 (“Watch and pray”) to a silly saying by Ryan’s Grandpap (“Wherever you go, there you are”), we are grasping ...
Dec 12, 2019•33 min•Ep. 43
This week we continue our series for “young folks” with advice to our younger selves about “matters of the heart.” What kind of decisions can guide a Christian’s dating life towards a great, godly marriage? How do we protect ourselves (and our dates!) from decisions we’ll regret? What Jesus Said about plucking out your eye in Matthew 5:27-30 leads to what Job said about making a covenant with his eyes, and we can’t help but notice how uncomplicated these issues really are, if we’re honest. From ...
Dec 05, 2019•38 min•Ep. 42
How can a young person set a course for a meaningful work life? How is confessing Jesus ( Matt. 10:32–33 ) like giving a reference letter? And how do we begin to lift Bible reading from drudgery to delight? Continuing our series on what we would love to tell our younger selves, today we consider the value of values — the impact that writing down our core commitments can have on the shape of our lives. A well-built life starts with a purposefully-laid foundation of beliefs and habits! The Big Ide...
Nov 28, 2019•30 min•Ep. 41
Programming Note: This week, we're replaying one of our favorite episodes from the past. We'll be back Thursday, November 28th with a brand new episode. What is the value of weakness? What’s the problem with the term self-control? And why do we all occasionally find ourselves holding a tub of ice cream when we should probably have skipped dessert? This week we begin a series on the fruit of the Spirit and review all our challenges so far. We also talk about what Jesus Said to Paul in 2 Corinthia...
Nov 21, 2019•43 min
We’re heading back in the DeLorean to talk to our younger selves on this episode. What Jesus Said about service in Luke 22:24–27 leads the way in our discussion about how “young folks” can take on the role of leaders. When we start by leading ourselves through easy and tough times, then we can begin to take responsibility for leading others. We cover mentorship, organization, volunteering, and other areas the upcoming generation of disciples can make a difference. There’s no better time than tod...
Nov 14, 2019•33 min•Ep. 40
This week we take on the generation gap in the church, looking for a way forward that brings us together in the Lord’s name. A popular meme has young people responding to older generations with a #OKBoomer. A recent Pew Research poll documents the continued drop in Millennials who call themselves Christians. We see this problem all around us, but when relationships become strained in the Lord’s church — when either young or old become disconnected — we have a responsibility to build the body. So...
Nov 07, 2019•39 min•Ep. 39
Are you ready for Jesus’ return? How can you be sure? In this episode, we’re looking at his challenging words about preparedness from Luke 17:26-35 , and we’re “Flying Through the Book” of 2 Peter. The common theme: knowledge and growth. The more we know about the Lord, and the deeper our relationship with him, the greater our confidence will be. We cover the plastic food of fakers, keeping our eyeballs toward the hope of heaven, and being diligent in adding to our faith. The Big Idea: Our hope ...
Oct 31, 2019•34 min•Ep. 38
Ever get in a rut? Ever have a week, a month, or even a year when everything seems harder than it should be and you can’t seem to find your footing? This week we’re talking about momentum, starting what Jesus Said in Matthew 25:14-30 . How do we get out of “autopilot” and become an expert in our lives? How can our surroundings and support system make all the difference? Join us as we try to figure out how to get on the right track and stay there! The Big Idea: Small, positive steps can turn arou...
Oct 24, 2019•37 min•Ep. 37
If you’ve ever felt misunderstood or wrongly accused of something, you know how painful it can be. But how should a Christian respond? This week we begin with what “Jesus Said” segment focused on what Jesus DIDN’T say in Matthew 27:11-14 and then consider how we can learn to imitate his silence. Then we spend some time in a Poetry in Motion segment about a psalm David wrote while falsely accused. The Big Idea: If we live with simplicity and integrity, we’ll keep a clean conscience and unshaken c...
Oct 17, 2019•34 min•Ep. 36
This week we counted down our Top 4 Proverbs on money, which brought some interesting discoveries! We learned how to “lend money” to God and how to make friends with eternal houses. We discussed how our weekly paycheck is like Confederate currency at the end of the Civil War. And we wondered, “What would we see if we got a quarterly report on our spiritual investments?” The Big Idea: We have investment opportunities today that will soon disappear, so manage your money for eternal gains. Weekly C...
Oct 10, 2019•37 min•Ep. 35
This week a listener question about “interceding for others” raises lots of other questions for us. Like, how does it change us when we pray for our families, our enemies, and even strangers? When is it an empty gesture to say, “you’re in our thoughts and prayers”? And where do we get started, when everyone needs our prayers? Bryan sets it all up with a Jesus Said about praying for people who stand against us. Hope you’ll tune in today and then let us know your questions for a future episode! Th...
Oct 03, 2019•35 min•Ep. 34
Programming Note: This week, we're replaying one of our favorite episodes where we talked with our wives about the challenges of comparison. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. The ladies have arrived! This week we discover that our wives are better at podcasting than we are, as they join us to discuss the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We begin with what Jesus Said about anxiety in Matthew 6:31-34 and end with a challenge to combat comparison with appreciation. In between,...
Sep 26, 2019•42 min
This week, we answer a listener question about going from milk to meat and find that the next step of growth is different for all of us. The conversation takes us from muscle men with toothpick legs to babies with giant heads, as what Jesus Said in Mark 8:14-21 reminds us that the Lord expects us to follow an appropriate growth curve. How do we overcome spiritual stagnation and keep moving forward, both as Bible students and as disciples? Join us as we try to figure it out! The Big Idea: Discern...
Sep 19, 2019•37 min•Ep. 33
Ever feel stressed out and overloaded with all the busyness of life. We sure do! So what can we do about it? This week we’re talking about margin, and how to make more time, money, and energy available to serve God and others. Two of our favorite sisters from Luke 10:38-42 , Mary and Martha, show us both sides of stress. And we cover the challenges of saying “no,” the dissatisfaction we feel despite our modern conveniences, and how Jesus handled his busy schedule. The Big Idea: Saying “no” to so...
Sep 12, 2019•32 min•Ep. 32
Why is spiritual development like monkey bars or the American Ninja Warrior obstacle course? On this episode, we're talking about humility and learning to learn! We cover the pervasive problem of male pride, raising children in God's discipline and instruction, and the value of wounds from a friend. And we look to Jesus' perfect pattern of humility, as one who had "the tongue of those who are taught" in Isaiah 50:4-7 . We also lament our kids' muddy shoes and discuss how to save a failing restau...
Sep 05, 2019•34 min•Ep. 31
We’re putting a bow on the miracles of Jesus in John, with a discussion of the quintessentially amazing events surrounding his resurrection. We talk about going through grief, how seeing isn’t always believing, and about the transformation that comes when we cast our cares on God. Also getting into a bit of “Poetry in Motion” with David’s words from Psalm 6, and finally a challenge to reach out and submit your questions. Oh, and did we mention there’s a discussion about polar bear hunting? The B...
Aug 29, 2019•28 min•Ep. 30
Believe in Jesus’ Power to Raise the Dead We have big questions on our minds, as death looms over this week’s passages. Questions like: How can we put God in a box, even when we trust him in the big stuff? Does the famously brief verse, “Jesus wept,” display Christ’s humanity or his deity? And Jesus Said he holds the keys to Hades in Revelation 1:17-18, but what does that mean for us? Throughout our seventh “Here’s Your Sign” segment, we consider how the raising of Lazarus should affect our view...
Aug 22, 2019•31 min•Ep. 29
Be Confident Yet Moldable Whatta ya know? This week we take on a “Heavy Word” for “knowing,” and ask: How important is the difference between what we know and what we think we know? We get an answer when a “mic-drop” moment from a healed blind man leads to a childish moment from some Jews, in part six of our “Here’s Your Sign” series. And what Jesus Said in John 21:15-17 challenges, heals, and commissions Peter to serve others. Push play and let’s dive into the Word together! The Big Idea: It’s ...
Aug 15, 2019•34 min•Ep. 28
“It was a dark and stormy night…” As we begin part five of our “Here’s Your Sign” series, a moment of life-or-death peril at sea meets one of history’s most fantastic miracles. Starting with what Jesus Said about fear in Luke 12:4-7 , we try to understand the times we pass through the waters. Weekly Challenge: Memorize a powerful verse to help you overcome fearful situations. Show Notes Jesus Said … Luke 12:4-7 How To Talk To Yourself (Part 3) by Ryan Joy (SERMON) Through the Fire by Ryan Joy (S...
Aug 08, 2019•28 min•Ep. 27
Weird episode alert! This week we’re tackling Jesus’ challenging words about eating his body during that Passover meal in Luke 22:19-20 . We see similar language after he miraculously feeds 5000 in our “Here’s Your Sign” segment. After sharing a few “Deep Thoughts” about his ability to create abundance out of nothing, we talk about how Jesus is EVERYTHING. Hang on tight … difficult words ahead! Weekly Challenge: Figure out where you’re lacking and ask God for an abundance. Show Notes Jesus Said ...
Aug 01, 2019•33 min•Ep. 26
What do you want? What Jesus Said to Mary in John 20:14-16 kicks off an episode all about what we’re seeking. We dive into the question he asked a paralytic in part two of our miracles series, “Here’s Your Sign.” And then we take on the “Heavy Words” for “seek” and “want,” recognizing their significance in John’s gospel and our lives. We hope you’re as challenged and edified by Jesus’ words as we were in this week’s conversation! Weekly Challenge: Make a list of what you want and identify how th...
Jul 25, 2019•34 min•Ep. 25
When your child’s illness takes a turn for the worst, how do you cope, and could anything pull you from their bedside? This week, we continue our series on Christ’s miracles, “Here’s Your Sign,” watching as one desperate father runs to Jesus and gets more than a miracle in the exchange. Plus, in a Psalm 5 edition of “Poetry in Motion,” we journey through a morning prayer all about going to God in trouble. And what Jesus Said in Matthew 11:28-30 calls us to restful order with him. We stuffed this...
Jul 18, 2019•33 min•Ep. 24
This week we kick off a new series called “Here’s Your Sign,” mining the miracles of Jesus for their insights into the Lord himself. We start with a wedding story about Jesus saving the day! Plus, what Jesus Said in John 12:20-28 has us doing Mad Libs as we aim to glorify the Lord in the everyday moments of our lives. Weekly Challenge: Glorify the Lord in your everyday life. Show Notes Jesus Said … John 12:20-28 Episode 20 - “Almost Funny” (EPISODE) Jesus Turns Water into Wine (VIDEO)...
Jul 11, 2019•33 min•Ep. 23
Broken relationships, misunderstandings, hurt feelings. So easy to say “forgive and forget,” but how do we get past a wrong? Throughout this episode we keep coming back to life’s complicated moral debts — like the pain we cause others — so much harder to pay off than mortgages and credit cards! So we’re “Flying Through” Philemon, the short letter that tells the story of two brothers with some big problems to work out. And we find an answer to the question, “How can I love Jesus more?” when we he...
Jul 04, 2019•35 min•Ep. 22
The ladies have arrived! This week we discover that our wives are better at podcasting than we are, as they join us to discuss the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We begin with what Jesus Said about anxiety in Matthew 6:31-34 and end with a challenge to combat comparison with appreciation. In between, Adrienne and Sharilyn talk about beauty, lawn care, swimsuits, homeschooling, and working outside the home as a mom. You don’t want to miss this one! Weekly Challenge: Express gratitude to s...
Jun 27, 2019•42 min•Ep. 21
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 th...
Jun 20, 2019•27 min•Ep. 20
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 ...
Jun 14, 2019•31 min•Ep. 19
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 Conte...
Jun 07, 2019•27 min•Ep. 18
