An eagle screams near the summit at Masada, near the Dead Sea. Once Herod’s summer palace, it was later the scene of a terrible incident in which Jews chose suicide rather than enslavement to Rome. When Roman soldiers breached the defenses at the top, they were met by silence, the wind, and perhaps a lone eagle, watching. We are talking this week about your place on the winds of history. Where do you stand with God? Why are you here? Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew thei...
Mar 20, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 470
There’s a reason the Bible uses so many metaphors. The wisdom God has for us lends itself well to short narratives, and we learn much from stories. A famous passage from Isaiah we’ve been discussing this week uses a powerful mental image to convey deep truths from God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The sight of a majestic eagle, flying high above th...
Mar 19, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 469
Are you a person that has walked away from your faith? Maybe you believed once, very much, but it faded over time. Maybe you accepted the promises of God for a little, while but then something else caught your eye. That’s not uncommon. Starting out on fire for God and then becoming weary is something many of us have dealt with. To use a flying analogy for our talk today, sometimes your flight of faith becomes grounded. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. The...
Mar 18, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 468
If you’re like most people, the more chaotic life gets, the more you need a solution broken down in easy-to-understand concepts. We’ve been discussing what happens when people move away from God, and the consequences that impact us. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Besides the soothing beauty of the language, notice that God gives us several elements t...
Mar 17, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 467
The prophet, Isaiah, lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything. In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: We all need a relationship with our Creator. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on...
Mar 16, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 466
Solomon was king after his famous father, David, in ancient Israel. He also became insanely wealthy. According to the world’s standard, he had everything. Everything except peace later in life. In this way he was like a modern person, because truthfully, people’s natures never really change over time. It’s one of the things we have talked about this week. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what...
Mar 13, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 465
History tells us that God exists. Really, it does. And even if you aren’t interested in history, you might be interested in a few quick examples. At the battle of Gettysburg, when the United States was about to be ripped apart by civil war, General Lee’s attack plans were lost by an officer and found by Union soldiers. This helped turn the tide of the battle, and led to victory and reconciliation of the country later. For centuries, disease threatened all of Europe. The Black Death wiped out mil...
Mar 12, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 464
Since the beginning of time, millions of people have denied the existence of God. They are called different names: unbelievers, atheists, maybe agnostic. Many of them have quite a bit to say about it, and have even become famous doing so. God also has something to say about it. A fascinating verse in the Bible speaks directly to this question of the existence of God, and it also speaks to our discussion this week. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also...
Mar 11, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 463
In an age of technology booms and information-sharing, it’s amazing how lonely we have become. Everything and everyone is connected, but does all that online connection ever leave you feeling disconnected in real life? Do you feel alone? If you do, you are listening at the right time this week as we are reminded that God’s timing is always perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God ha...
Mar 10, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 462
Where are you at today? I don’t mean the freeway or your kitchen or a doctor’s office. I mean, is your life stable? Are you on the right road? Our topic this week is the perfect timing of God. You might be in an okay place, or you might be free falling. As usual, God’s Word speaks to this. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Wow. That is a description of...
Mar 09, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 461
One movie image is so powerful, if you’ve seen it you’ll never forget it. A pair of army boots leaves the ground as a helicopter takes the wearer airborne, away from the field of battle. This is a scene from “We Were Soldiers,” a film about America’s first battle of the Vietnam War. This happened in 1965, and tells the story of Col. Hal Moore and his men. Moore was the clear leader, and he had also served in Korea. He promised his men and their families before they left for that far-away country...
Mar 06, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 460
You want to be a winner, right? You want to be part of a winning team. That’s obvious. It’s what we all want. The question is, how do you do it? We just finished another Super Bowl. Hundreds of pro players who want to win it all practice hard every year with that goal in mind. The truth is though, at the beginning of the season, none of them know which team to join to win a Super Bowl. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world...
Mar 05, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 459
A common theme today is that people are just bone-tired of chaos, both public and private. It’s exhausting sometimes dealing with bad relationships. Global problems are with us every day. We wonder when it will end. There is Good News for you, though. Literally Good News. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” This is a message to us that we don’t have to win the war ourselves. We don’t have to win a battl...
Mar 04, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 458
We are inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom. Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus, and He forms the backdrop of our talks this week spotlighting warriors. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, ...
Mar 03, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 457
Charles McGee is one of those improbable heroes. Part of the reason is because he started life with obstacles to overcome — just because of the color of his skin. He is now the last surviving member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. This was an incredible group of pilots made up of African Americans during World War 2. He pushed to achieve great things, and God was with him every step. Today, Retired General Charles McGee is 100 and thriving. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the...
Mar 02, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 456
God’s Word is a collection of individual books about the history of the world including poetry, worship songs, letters, and the beginnings of the Church. But it’s also all about Jesus! Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Jesus, who came to our world as God in the flesh, is actually the Creator of everything that exist...
Feb 28, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 455
Did you know God’s Word is indestructible? Many ancient books have been lost to history. Others sit still buried under the sands of the Middle East. But after thousands of years, the Bible is more widely read than ever. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” There’s an interesting story in the Old Testament book of Jerem...
Feb 27, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 454
The world is full of interesting ancient books. The Indian Vedas, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, even ancient clay tablets from Sumeria. In the Bible though, we read that God’s Word is alive , not dead. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Active. That’s a very interesting way to describe a book. It sits on a shelf, or...
Feb 26, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 453
People have different views on just what God’s Word actually is. Some think it’s an ancient book of wisdom. Others think it’s just kind of an interesting piece of historical literature. But the Word itself tells us that it has amazing benefits for those who read it and believe it. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I...
Feb 25, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 452
The Bible. It’s been called the foundation of our civilization, a sacred book, even our guide for life. Actually, it’s more than that. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” From ancient times, God decided that He would communicate with humans through language, the written word. He wanted us to have our history and His i...
Feb 24, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 451
The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels. Eventually he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family. It is really a story of Jesus and us. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We scre...
Feb 21, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 450
Hurricane Dorian recently caused a lot of anxiety and destruction. Many of us worried about the east coast of our own country, but the Bahamas got hit really hard, with the storm basically stationary for many hours. Chella Phillips, from Nassau, thought of the least of these. She opened her home to 97 terrified, homeless dogs! Sending a message to the outside world, she said: "97 dogs are inside my house and 79 of them are inside my master bedroom. We have barricaded the refuge and nobody is out...
Feb 20, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 449
Colossians is a very informative book. Originally, it was a letter written by Paul and Timothy to believers in a small city. Chapter One tells us that Jesus made everything we see (and plenty we don’t see!). The universe was brought into being by Him. That’s kind of a comforting thought! This great source of Love also made it all and He sustains it all. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Many people, maybe rightly so, worry about the planet. Cer...
Feb 19, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 448
Carol had really messed up in her personal life. The career wasn’t going so well, either. But it was one particular relationship that kept her up at night, and she felt like things were coming apart. Instead of going to lunch with co-workers one day though, she ducked into a coffee shop and found an empty seat in the back. There she pulled out her phone and fed her soul by looking up Scripture. She met Jesus that day in the coffee shop. Carol looked out a window at the busy street outside and th...
Feb 18, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 447
Do you feel like you’re falling apart today? It’s okay to say yes. Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it’s a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are and He cares about your problems. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is not caught off-guard by problems in your life and most importantly, He truly cares for you and is able to help. Remembe...
Feb 17, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 446
We are wrapping-up a weeklong discussion of love. Beyond deep questions like Candy? Flowers? or BOTH? We’ve decided to focus on what God says about true love. And in that realization, a very great gift is waiting for each of us! 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” We get so caught up in our human relationships t...
Feb 14, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 445
We hope this week is a great one for you in your relationships. Like many people, you have a special someone in your life and you’ve gotten a gift from someone who loves you. At least a last-minute one! But part of truly loving and being healthy emotionally is looking at what God intends for human love. That provides an opportunity for you to share the love of Christ in a very real way. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not prou...
Feb 13, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 444
Have you ever been hurt in a relationship? If you’ve been alive very long at all, the answer is an obvious “Yes!” Reality has shown us that love can be the most wonderful feeling ever…or it can be ugly and brutal. It can feel like your heart has been run over by a truck. We’re talking about Loving Like Jesus, and as usual, His Word unlocks the secrets of our hearts, and shows us the way to healing. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it...
Feb 12, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 443
When it comes to love, the secular world has plenty to say. Turn on the television, radio, or explore the internet, and you’ll find advice on every type of relationship, from friendships to getting along with your parents, and of course – advice on romantic relationships. People are clamoring to figure love out…but what does the Bible say about love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is...
Feb 11, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 442
Love is in the air, as they say, and that is our topic this week. Love can be a broad term, but we want to refine it for our time together—at the same time we are preoccupied with cards, gifts, and candy hearts. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” If we’re honest, that definition—God’s definition, really—is pret...
Feb 10, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 441
