Part 1 of 3. Story of a difficult relationship with George and Barb. George had been a pastor and had multiple health issues as well as repressed anger. He and his wife requested medical advice but were not interested in any spiritual advice. But why? George believed anger should never be expressed and had scripture to back it up. Is anger like murder? Why was Jesus angry if he told us never to be? Why did Jesus instruct us to turn the other cheek? Are Jesus' disciples to be doormats inviting an...
Aug 20, 2021•28 min•Ep. 68
(Part 2 of 2) What happens when the rug is pulled out from under you by someone you trusted? Years ago there was a woman who did my bookkeeping and tax preparation. I'll call her Polly. After I left on Sabbatical to South America she took my money and ran. I was angry, vulnerable and betrayed. How could I forgive her? Even though I was teaching forgiveness in prisons and orphanages, It wasn't easy. Bitterness was binding me to Polly. I was ruminating on her, thinking often of what she had done a...
Aug 07, 2021•26 min•Ep. 67
(Part 1 of 2) Matthew 18 Jesus tells a story about a King who forgives an enormous debt of 10,000 Talents. The servant who was forgiven the debt does not forgive the man who owes him a smaller, but not insignificant debt. What are the nuts and bolts of forgiveness? Why is it so hard to forgive? There is a binding chain that develops between two people when you feel someone owes you an apology––or more. It doesn't seem fair for you to give to the person who has already owes you. How can it make s...
Jul 23, 2021•15 min•Ep. 66
Forgiveness Illustrations God doesn't need your help with justice. Envy becomes part of the problem when we focus on someone else. Envy will damage your relationship with God. The problem with focusing and ruminating on another is that you can't see or feel your own blessings. Help to forgive: Your identity as a member of God's family is the basis of forgiveness. It is difficult to forgive without a healthy identity. i.e. how God sees you. To God you have very high value. Using Gratitude and App...
Jul 09, 2021•16 min•Ep. 65
Problems in the soul (emotions) can overflow into the body and affect your health. Spirit-Soul-Body Illustration for first segment. Forgiveness illustration. Someone has taken something from you. What message did you receive? What happened to your value? How often do you think about it? What did you lose? Would you like vengeance? Your emotions are negative focused on the offender. Why is forgiveness so difficult? What can be done? What lie are you believing? "I don't matter" is a common lie tha...
Jun 30, 2021•21 min•Ep. 64
Can you hear from God when you make a mistake? Is there grace or condemnation? Ezekiel 36:26,27 I will give you a new heart and a new spirit...I will put my spirit within you... Col. 1: 27 ...Christ in you, the hope of glory. Eph. 1:13-14 ESV ...were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit... Freedom is not doing whatever you want. It is doing what you were designed to do. You get to decide to who or what you will be a slave. Will quenching the Holy Spirit make it more difficult to hear from God? G...
Jun 11, 2021•22 min•Ep. 62
Might life work better if we could hear from God? Jesus was confident you would be able to distinguish the voice of God from others. Humans are uniquely designed to hear from God. The Spirit-Soul-Body metaphor is one way to understand how we function spiritually and physically in this world. While not a perfect metaphor, I find it helpful. When someone invites Jesus to live in them, what happens to the spirit, soul and body? In Christ, we are a new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17) Why don't all bad habit...
Jun 01, 2021•19 min•Ep. 63
We are uniquely designed to hear from God. While not completely correct, this metaphoric illustration of the Spirit, Soul and Body, is a working model of the 3-part human. We usually cannot see or feel our soul or spirit and this illustration makes them visible. The spirit, soul and body are all connected to one another. When we believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, our human spirit becomes one with the Spirit of Jesus (But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 1 Cor. 6:17 ESV...
May 20, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 52
In the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, people hear from God. He walks and talks with Adam and Eve, shows up with two friends for lunch with Abraham, tells Moses to part the sea so the people can walk through it, etc. Jesus assumes we will recognize his voice as different from the voice of a stranger. (John 10) This requires some effort on our part. Beginning in Genesis, we look at Adam and Eve hearing––and sometimes not hearing––God. Is. 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, sayin...
Apr 30, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Are we supposed to hear from God? Do we not hear because God is not speaking or we are not listening? There are radio waves all around you, but if you don't have a receiver tuned to the station, you will hear nothing intelligible. What are the benefits and dangers of trying to hear from God? Did Jesus expect us to hear? Bible characters from Genesis to Revelation listened to God and responded. Jesus assumes we will recognize his voice as different from the voice of a stranger in John 10. This re...
Apr 03, 2021•30 min•Ep. 61
How do you respond when your prayers are not answered? Perhaps there was something good you really wanted to happen for yourself or someone else. Perhaps there was something bad you didn't want to happen. You prayed but did not get what you wanted. Dr. Levy encounters unanswered prayers that cause pain and suffering and cause him to ask God, "Why?"
Feb 21, 2021•39 min•Ep. 60
Zachariah and Elizabeth had a long-standing disappointment to overcome. In the process of waiting, Zachariah picked up a negative attitude. While understandable, the angel Gabriel was not amused. What can you do to keep from being negative when an angel comes with an answer to your prayers? Why was Zachariah the priest "muted" until the baby was born? Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Dec 26, 2020•25 min•Ep. 59
Where is Jesus when you are in trouble? Peter sinks after a heroic walk on water. Why did he sink and where was Jesus while he was sinking? Had Peter been in a prior situation in a boat in a storm? Was Jesus expecting them to have learned from the experience? Have you been in a prior stressful situation not EXACTLY like the one you are in now? Prov. 18:20-21 By the fruit of a man's mouth, his stomach is satisfied... Death and life are in the power of the tongue... How are your words about yourse...
Mar 23, 2020•22 min•Ep. 58
Fear and Emotional Contagion are rampant with the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. People regularly share bad or distressing news with each other. Anxiety, depression and fear-driven anger are easy to see. What does Jesus have to say about fear? Psalm 91 personalized. Peter gets out of the boat and walks on water. Why does he begin to sink? What are the dynamics with those in the boat? Was Jesus standing in front of him as the famous painting shows? Or was Jesus behind him? Photo by Barth Bailey o...
Mar 19, 2020•26 min•Ep. 57
Does King Saul believe David can win against Goliath in 1 Samuel 17? If you were trying to decide whether to send David against the giant, how would you decide? What strategy does David choose and where does he get his confidence? David is quoting from Deuteronomy 20 as he speaks with King Saul. He seems to have absolute confidence in The God of Israel. Are there other giants in the land? What happened to them? Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash...
Mar 17, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 56
How do you differentiate between God and coincidence? Numbers 13:25 The spies bring a "bad report." We see "emotional contagion," spreading fear among the Israelites who want to go back to Egypt. Why do they want to go into the Promised Land the day after they wanted to go back to Egypt? What changed in their mind? If we see or perceive God it changes the way we behave. The Israeli spies gave an "Honest Report" of what they saw, but without faith, God called it a "Bad Report," and it kept them a...
Feb 29, 2020•37 min•Ep. 55
We typically take the worst possible interpretation of what someone did or said as the truth. We review the offense over and over...I'm not good enough, I'm not special...I'm not loved. Is there a situation bothering you because you took offense? What message did you receive that wasn't from God? Continuing in 1 Samuel 17. Other people encounter lions in scripture. How did David kill a lion and bear? Did he use his sling like a chain-mace and break the jaw of the animal? David is not intimidated...
Feb 22, 2020•30 min•Ep. 50
1 Samuel 17. Judah doesn't conquer the Philistine territory they were given claiming the iron chariots of the plains were too strong for them. God defeated iron chariots in Judges 4. David's family dynamics include envy, resentment and a culture of dishonor. Envy is treating your gifts as lower value than someone else's gifts. Why do we interpret events negatively? Who do you envy? Who makes you jealous? Were you raised in a culture of dishonor? Photo by Kyle Johnston on Unsplash...
Feb 18, 2020•23 min•Ep. 49
1 Samuel 17 David is sent by his father to to see his brothers "fighting" with the Philistines. Goliath the Giant is described in all his glory, power and weapons of war. The narrator then switches to David at home with the sheep. Did God want Saul or one of David's brothers to fight the giant? David played the lyre, how do you worship? Saul is offering a reward if someone kills the giant and David asks repeatedly about it. Why is Eliab angry at David? Photo by Kyle Johnston on Unsplash...
Feb 11, 2020•37 min•Ep. 48
Saul becomes king of Israel and is successful in battle. Later, worried about an upcoming battle, he offers a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel, the Priest. We hear that God will remove Saul and choose another. Why do righteous people have children who don't follow God? Eli's sons and Samuel's sons don't follow God. They lack attachment (bonding) to the parent and to God. 1 Samuel 13 "Rules without relationship causes rebellion" - Josh McDowell How do you hear from God? Listening Prayer de...
Feb 04, 2020•31 min•Ep. 47
Saul is chosen king of Israel. Does God want a king in Israel? Deuteronomy 17:14-18 seems to indicate God was OK with a king as long as he was a spiritual as well as political leader. God wanted the king to read and write the scriptures daily to be familiar with what God wanted. The people want a king for security and prosperity. 1 Samuel 9 and 10. Is it possible you could hear God like Samuel did? Would it be a good thing for you? If you desire a spiritual gift, Ask, seek, knock. Photo by Valar...
Feb 03, 2020•31 min•Ep. 46
Why are the people worshipping idols? Where are the priests? Leviticus 10 and 1 Samuel 2 shows us why the people were not flocking to the priests for instruction during this period. Bible Maps here https://www.knowingthebible.net/studies/bible-maps
Jan 27, 2020•27 min•Ep. 45
Idolatry was forbidden by The God of Israel. Why? What is an idol? Have you conquered the territory God assigned to you? Begin discussion of the Levites and Priests. Leviticus 10, I Samuel Photo by Houcine Ncib on Unsplash
Jan 22, 2020•24 min•Ep. 44
Continuation of events in Judges 18. The tribe of Dan don't attempt to take their allotted inheritance in the Tel Aviv area of Israel. The opponents look to be too strong, so they go to find some unsuspecting people to attack in the extreme north of Israel. The 600 men from the tribe of Dan come to Micah's Inn for the night and steal his household Gods. Micah is very attached to his idols. What idols do you have in your life? Photo by Allie Smith on Unsplash See Bible Maps here. #14 Tribes of Is...
Jan 17, 2020•23 min•Ep. 43
What was life like in Israel before there was a king? We begin in one of the most confusing portions of scripture, Judges 17 and see syncretism, the mixing of idolatry with The God of Israel. Micah has an Inn in the hill country of Ephraim and strange things occur. Is this the Bible? We are asking these questions What does God want? What do the people want? Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash See Bible Maps here. #14 Tribes of Israel https://www.knowingthebible.net/studies/bible-maps...
Jan 14, 2020•17 min•Ep. 42
What are the characteristics of narcissistic relationships? What is "narcissistic supply?" Are you a people-pleaser? Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash
Dec 10, 2019•17 min•Ep. 41
Jesus had some awkward family dynamics. Can he help us with our families? Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
Nov 29, 2019•17 min•Ep. 40
We are to connect people with God. We are priests. (Rev. 1:6) Talk to God about the problem. Adrenaline keeps you non-relational. Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
Nov 19, 2019•11 min•Ep. 39
How do you feel? How are you doing? How did you sleep? What are the questions you ask your family and friends? What scripture would you use to help in a crisis? What words are you speaking over circumstances? Fear is belief in the greater ability of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy, than in God's ability to bless and protect you. Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash...
Nov 09, 2019•13 min•Ep. 38
What do you do when someone comes to you in a crisis? Physical, emotional, financial problems are all around us. Do you point them toward God as a resource? Jesus distills all scripture into 2 commandments. Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash...
Oct 30, 2019•17 min•Ep. 37
