Christmas Day - Emmanuel—God With UsScripture: Matthew 1:23 (NIV) "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')." Merry Christmas! We've arrived at the culmination of our Advent journey. Remember how in Star Wars, with Luke Skywalker they have as the title says “A New Hope” for the galaxy? In a far greater way, Jesus' birth is God stepping into our world and giving us a new hope. Immanuel—God with us. Not distant, not detached, bu...
Dec 25, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Advent Day 24 - Love One AnotherScripture: John 13:34 (NIV) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Welcome back! As we near the end of our Advent journey, let's focus on Jesus' words in John 13:34: "Love one another." Just as He loves us. Picture the camaraderie among the Avengers or the fellowship in The Lord of the Rings. Those bonds are strong because they're rooted in shared purpose and sacrifice. Jesus calls us to a love that's even ...
Dec 24, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Advent Day 23 - The Greatest CommandmentScripture: Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Hey friends! Today's scripture is a familiar one but always worth revisiting. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus sums up the entire law with two commandments: Love God and love your neighbor. It's like the Prime Directiv...
Dec 23, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 36
Advent Day 22 - God's Love for UsScripture: 1 John 4:9 (NIV) "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." Hey everyone! Welcome to Week 4 of our Advent series, where we're focusing on Love. Today, let's dive into 1 John 4:9. It says, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." Think about the sacrifices made in stories like The Lord of the Rings, ...
Dec 22, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 35
Advent Day 21 - Shouts of JoyScripture: Psalm 100:1 (KJV) "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands." Welcome back! Our final episode on joy brings us to Psalm 100:1: "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands." Imagine being at a concert where everyone is singing along in unison—the energy is palpable! This verse invites us to express our joy openly and collectively. Worship isn't just a personal experience; it's a communal celebration of who God is. Making a joyful noise can be si...
Dec 21, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Advent Day 20 - Restoring JoyScripture: Psalm 51:12 (KJV) "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." Hey friends! Today's verse is a heartfelt plea from David: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." We've all had moments when we've drifted off course, like taking a wrong turn in an open-world game and ending up far from our quest. David wrote this Psalm after confronting his own failures. He recognized that true joy comes from God's salvation, not from h...
Dec 20, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 33
Advent Day 19 - Complete JoyScripture: John 15:11 (KJV) "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Hello again! In John 15:11, Jesus says He wants His joy to remain in us so that our joy may be full. Think about completing a marathon or finishing a massive project—the sense of accomplishment brings complete joy. Jesus desires that kind of fullness of joy for us. He's sharing His teachings so we can remain connected to Him, the true vi...
Dec 19, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 32
Advent Day 18 - Joy in TrialsScripture: James 1:2 (KJV) "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" Hey everyone! Today we're diving into James 1:2, which tells us to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." Wait, joy in trials? It's a bit like leveling up in a challenging video game. Each obstacle makes your character stronger and more skilled. James is encouraging us to view our struggles as opportunities for growth. Trials test our faith and develop p...
Dec 18, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Advent Day 17 - Rejoice AlwaysScripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Welcome back! Today's verse is short but packs a punch: The KIng James says "Rejoice evermore." That's it—1 Thessalonians 5:16. It's like those catchphrases from our favorite movies or shows that stick with us. Simple yet profound. Paul is encouraging us to have a constant attitude of joy. But let's be real—i...
Dec 17, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Advent Day 16 - Joy to the WorldScripture: Luke 2:10 (KJV) "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Hey friends! Today's scripture is from Luke 2:10. Picture this: shepherds are chilling under the night sky, and suddenly an angel appears with a game-changing announcement. It's like getting an exclusive reveal of the next big thing in tech or gaming, but infinitely better! The angel brings "good tidings of great jo...
Dec 16, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Advent Day 15 - The Joy of the LordScripture: Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV) "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Hey everyone! Welcome back to our Advent journey. This week, we're diving into the theme of Joy. Today, we're looking at Nehemiah 8:10, where Nehemiah tells the people, "The joy of the LORD is your streng...
Dec 15, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Episode 14: Advent Day 14 - Instruments of PeaceScripture: Romans 12:18 (NIV) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Welcome back! Let's reflect on Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." It's a bit like being the healer in a role-playing game—you might not control the whole battle, but your role is crucial to the team's well-being. We can't control how others act, but we can control our responses. Paul ...
Dec 14, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Episode 13: Advent Day 13 - Peace Beyond UnderstandingScripture: Philippians 4:7 (NIV) "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Hey friends! Philippians 4:7 talks about a peace that "transcends all understanding." It's like watching Doctor Strange manipulate time and space—mind-blowing and beyond normal comprehension. This peace isn't logical by worldly standards. It steadies us when everything else is shaking. How can we ...
Dec 13, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Episode 12: Advent Day 12 - The Peace of ChristScripture: Colossians 3:15 (NIV) "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." Hello again! Colossians 3:15 encourages us to "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Imagine being part of a well-coordinated team in a game like Overwatch or League of Legends. Success comes when everyone works together under a unified strategy. Similarly, we're called to let Christ's peace guide our hearts ...
Dec 12, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Episode 11: Advent Day 11 - Peace in Troubled TimesScripture: Psalm 46:1 (NIV) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Hey everyone! Today's scripture is a comforting one: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Think about Superman swooping in just in time to save the day. While superheroes are fictional, God's help is very real and always on time. Life doesn't come with a script. Unexpected challenges can throw us off balance—a sudden illne...
Dec 11, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Episode 10: Advent Day 10 - Peacemakers #Advent #Christmas #Jesus #ChristianNerdScripture: Matthew 5:9 (NIV) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Welcome back! In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Remember in Marvel's The Avengers when the heroes put aside their differences to work together for the greater good? They became peacemakers in a world under threat. Being a peacemaker means actively seeki...
Dec 10, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Advent Day 9 - Perfect PeaceScripture: Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Hey friends! Today's verse is from Isaiah 26:3, which promises, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Think about when you're engrossed in an intense game like Chess or Sudoku. Your focus blocks out distractions. Similarly, keeping our minds steadfast on God means focusing on Him amidst life's ...
Dec 09, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Episode 8: Advent Day 8 - Peace I Leave With YouScripture: John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Hey everyone! Welcome back to our Advent series. This week, we're diving into the theme of Peace. In John 14:27, Jesus tells His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." It's like that moment in The Lord of the Rings when Frodo feels the weight of the journey, a...
Dec 08, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Episode 7: Advent Day 7 - Sharing HopeScripture: 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...” (NIV) Hey everyone! As we conclude our week on hope, let's delve into 1 Peter 3:15. It encourages us to always be ready to explain the reason for our hope, but with gentleness and respect. Imagine someone asking you about your favorite sci-fi series. You'd probably light up and share enthusiastically, right? Similarly, when...
Dec 07, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Episode 6: Advent Day 6 - Hope Does Not DisappointScripture: Romans 5:5 “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit...” (NIV) Welcome back! Today we're reflecting on Romans 5:5, which assures us that hope does not disappoint us because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Have you ever hyped up a movie or game sequel only to feel let down? Unlike those experiences, the hope we have in God is gua...
Dec 06, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Episode 5: Advent Day 5 - Anchored in HopeScripture: Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...” (NIV) Hey friends! Continuing our Advent journey, let's look at Hebrews 6:19. It describes hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Think about the starship Enterprise from Star Trek. No matter how vast or turbulent space gets, the crew relies on their instruments to navigate safely. Our hope in Christ is like that—an anchor that keeps us steady when life's ...
Dec 05, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Episode 4: Hope in UncertaintyScripture: Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope...” (NIV) Hey everyone! Welcome back to our Advent series. Today, we're diving into Romans 15:13, where Paul talks about the God of hope filling us with joy and peace as we trust in Him, so we can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. You know how in The Legend of Zelda, Link often steps into the unknown, armed with hope ...
Dec 04, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Episode 3: Living Hope Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Hey friends! Have you ever felt reinvigorated after watching an inspiring movie, like Rocky training for his big fight? That's a bit like the living hope Peter talks about. It's active, energizing, and changes how we live. Our hope isn't just a wish; it's alive becaus...
Dec 03, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Episode 2: Hope in God's TimingScripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Script: Welcome back! Ever binge-watched a series and wished the next season would drop already? Waiting can be tough. Ecclesiastes reminds us there's a time for everything. Advent teaches us to trust in God's timing, even when we're eager for what's next. Just like eagerly awaiting the next Marvel movie, we can find joy in the anticipation, knowin...
Dec 02, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Every day of the Advent season we will have a short episode with a scripture, a quick comment about the theme and a prayer. Join us every day for the next 25 days.
Dec 01, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Hi Guys! Ricky Pope here and this week on the Christian Nerds Unite Podcast we are joined by Simon Amadeus Pillario of the Word for Word Bible Comic and Paul Snuggs game designer as we discuss their new game. The Great Commission Strategic Card Game. Plus scripture and nerdy news. Support The Great Commission Strategic Card Game Follow the Word For Word Bible Comic Check out the Christian Nerd HQ Podcast Network ! Episodes from member podcasts release Monday through Friday! Follow @ChristianNerd...
Aug 26, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Hi guys! Ricky Pope here. Today on the Christian Nerds Unite podcast I am joined by Casey and Marie Norris from the Potato Candy podcast network to talk about tabletop roleplaying games. Casey hosts the Dreadful Tales a clean horror real play podcast and Marie hosts Blank Scenario where she helps GMs come up with one shot RPG scenarios. Plus scripture and nerdy news Connect with Potato Candy: https://www.facebook.com/potatocandynet https://twitter.com/PotatoCandyNet https://www.instagram.com/pot...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Hi Guys! Ricky Pope here and this week on the Christian Nerds Unite Podcast I am joined by film Director Benjamin Ironside Koppin and Actress Courtney Bandeko. They talk about their recent film "Pastor's Kid.” The film tells a poignant and raw story of a young woman dealing with the impact of her family, and her own struggles with faith and acceptance. The conversation delves into themes of authenticity in storytelling, the changes in Christian cinema, and the personal and professional journeys ...
Apr 30, 2024•46 min
Hi Guys! Ricky Pope here and this week on the Christian Nerds Unite Podcast, I talk with Ryan Beck the Chief Technology Officer of Pray.com. Ryan discusses his journey from Bible college to co-founding Pray.com. With a background in ministry and software development for faith organizations, Ryan explains the evolution of Pray.com as a digital platform for faith content. The conversation touches on the decline in physical church attendance and the rise of digital faith engagement. Ryan also delve...
Apr 23, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Hi Guys! Ricky Pope here and this week on the Christian Nerds Unite Podcast, I am joined by author Jeb Smith and we talk about his book Middle-earth Lore : Tolkien's Legends Revealed. We discuss his introduction to J.R.R. Tolkien through the movies rather than the books, his initial disinterest in fantasy, and how his perception changed after watching "The Lord of the Rings." He shares his deep dive into Tolkien's writings and biographies, exploring Tolkien's integration of his Christian beliefs...
Apr 17, 2024•39 min
