We live in a culture obsessed with the new and improved. From careers to cell phones, we're always looking for the next best thing. This is applies to our relationships. Whether grudges, irreconcilable differences, or matters of opinion, when the going gets tough in our friendships, marriages, and churches we're quick to get going in a search of something new. But what if we could stick together? What if when the going gets tough we knew that we weren't going anywhere? How can we experience rela...
Mar 08, 2015•35 min•Ep. 74
Family is supposed to be a place of safety, a place where we are loved and accepted in spite of our quirks, flaws, and imperfections. But outside our families, we tend to keep these characteristics hidden, out of fear of rejection or ridicule. At the same time, we have a tendency to avoid, exclude, or lose patience with anyone who rubs us the wrong way or doesn't live up to our standard. But what if we could know that we're loved and embraced just the way we are? And what if we could be the kind...
Mar 01, 2015•28 min•Ep. 73
We've all heard stories of the parent who did whatever it took to see their kid succeed. From athletics to academics and everything in between, stories of high achievement are often backed by a family who pulled out all the stops. Maybe you've experienced this for yourself, or maybe you're wondering who will ever do this for you. But what if someone already has? And what if you have what it takes to be that person for someone else? How can we have the kind of relationships where we are in each o...
Feb 22, 2015•32 min•Ep. 75
We all take our earliest cues from the parents or family who raised us. For good and for bad, we tend to resemble, at least to some degree, the characteristics and behaviours that surrounded us. So how does this affect the relationships outside our family? How does this help or hurt the health of our friendships? And ultimately, who should we seek to resemble if want to experience relationships the way God always intended?
Feb 15, 2015•35 min•Ep. 76
There is a lot in our world that competes for our attention and devotion, promising all sorts of rewards, benefits, and accolades. Every advertisement we come across promises something that will make our life better and more worth it. But what about a life of faith? As we've discovered, following Jesus comes with high demands? So what's the promise that makes a life of faith - a life of mission - worth it in the end?
Feb 08, 2015•36 min•Ep. 72
Whether you're thinking of losing weight, going back to school, learning an instrument or language, it seems that anything worth doing is difficult. Faith can be that way too. Following Jesus isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it's downright hard. But what do we do when it seems too difficult? How can we stay the course when the road gets rough?
Feb 01, 2015•31 min•Ep. 71
There's no worse feeling than not knowing what to say. Whether it's needing the right words in a time of crisis or grief or the impossible spiritual question from a co-worker, it's uncomfortable, humiliating, and even terrifying when our mind draws a blank and our tongue gets tied. Sometimes we'd rather say nothing and be thought a fool, than open our mouths and remove all doubt. What if we could have the right response at just the right time? What would it take to live with the confidence that ...
Jan 25, 2015•34 min•Ep. 70
There's plenty in life that we put off until we're financially "established" - going to school, getting married, having kids, traveling, embracing a hobby, or starting a business. Sometimes we even do this with our faith: pursuing our calling, just as soon as we are out of debt, working full time, have some savings, or retire. But can Jesus' mission really wait until our finances are in order? What does it look like to "be responsible" AND "be radical" in our devotion to Jesus?
Jan 18, 2015•32 min•Ep. 69
Have you ever been given a task that seemed way over your head? In these situations, we've all made excuses as to why we can't do it. I don't have what it takes. I don't know the right people. I'm too ordinary. But what if being ordinary is exactly what Jesus is looking for? What if the most critical mission depends on the most ordinary people? What if Jesus is looking for someone just like you?
Jan 11, 2015•30 min•Ep. 67
When you look at the world, what do you see? What stands out? What catches your attention? We all see the world through a particular lens that affects how we think, how we feel, and ultimately, how we live. So how did Jesus look at the world? What did he see and how did it make him feel? What does it look like to open our eyes to the mission before us?
Jan 04, 2015•31 min•Ep. 68
Christmas is a wonderful time of year to celebrate an incredible story. But sometimes stories don't seem like enough. Sometimes words can only go so far. After all, aren't we really looking for a 'show me, don't tell me' kind of faith? A 'show me, don't tell me' kind of love? A 'show me, don't tell me' kind of God? This Christmas, why not let actions speak louder than words?!
Dec 23, 2014•16 min•Ep. 66
We all like to know when we've done something helpful. Whether it's the money we give, the time we volunteer, or the causes we promote, it's a good feeling to be charitable. But what if our helpful intentions lead to unhelpful consequences more than we realize? Is it possible that our help can be both good and bad? How do we know when our helping might hurt? And what does it look like to love, serve, and help in a way that actually helps?
Dec 07, 2014•38 min•Ep. 65
Our culture has an incredible influence on our lifestyle - from how we spend our time and money, to whom we choose to hang out with, to how we pursue careers and past-times. Usually these influences promise excitement and fulfillment, but often result in mundane motions that make us feel more like we're running on a treadmill than living life to the fullest. So what would it look like to really embrace a life of adventure? How can we know that our lives are making a difference? How would things ...
Nov 30, 2014•41 min•Ep. 64
When we think of a "missionary" we tend to think of someone who has abandoned the North American way of life to move to a remote and needy part of the world in order to bring help that wouldn't be there without them. We tend to think of these "missionaries" as having a high calling, and for the most part, we're comfortable leaving the missionary stuff to those who have received "the call". But what if being a missionary is the one thing that every Jesus-follower should have in common? What if be...
Nov 23, 2014•41 min•Ep. 63
We live in a culture of comparison. Against a variety of standards, whether economic, social, moral, or ethical, we're constantly evaluating those who measure up and those who don't in our "humble" opinion. We even do this to ourselves, regularly wrestling with questions about whether we're in or out from other people's perspectives. But is this how Jesus looks at us? Who does he consider to be 'acceptable' or the 'in crowd'? What do we do if we don't feel like we measure up? And what does it lo...
Nov 16, 2014•35 min•Ep. 58
We live in a culture of comparison. Against a variety of standards, whether economic, social, moral, or ethical, we're constantly evaluating those who measure up and those who don't in our "humble" opinion. We even do this to ourselves, regularly wrestling with questions about whether we're in or out from other people's perspectives. But is this how Jesus looks at us? Who does he consider to be 'acceptable' or the 'in crowd'? What do we do if we don't feel like we measure up? And what does it lo...
Nov 09, 2014•38 min•Ep. 57
For the most part, we like to maintain control of our lives and manage our lifestyles in order to make sure that everything is just the way we like it. We have a vision of the "good life" and we know what it takes to get it. Is that true of our life with Jesus as well? Though we may believe that Jesus offers a superior way of life, how much would we prefer that he doesn't interfere with our own. What happens when Jesus's way disrupts our way, when his agenda interferes with our agenda? What if a...
Nov 02, 2014•38 min•Ep. 59
We've all experienced the 'storms of life'. Whether a dismissal or a diagnosis, a breakup or a breakdown, a crisis or a curve ball, none of us are immune to what life may throw our way, and none of us are truly prepared when it does. Sometimes in these moments it can feel like Jesus is asleep at the switch, slow to respond, maybe even blissfully unaware of our problems. Where is Jesus when the storms of life hit? How can we have faith when life goes off the rails? Where can we find peace in the ...
Oct 26, 2014•38 min•Ep. 60
When we want something bad enough, we're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Whether it means forking over a few more dollars for the latest model, working extra hours to earn the promotion, embracing new hobbies to impress that special someone, or pulling the all-nighter to ace the exam, when something of value is on the line, we do whatever it takes. But is that true when it comes to following Jesus? Though we want what Jesus has to offer, do we prefer to keep the relationship on our te...
Oct 19, 2014•27 min•Ep. 61
The identity of Jesus, who he really was and what he really did, is one of the perennial questions of thoughtful people, one that seems to resurface in new ways in every era. Some people imagine Jesus as a great teacher, others as a fiery prophet. Still others think of Jesus as an amazing miracle worker or a spiritual guru or an inspiring example. Who does the Bible portray Jesus to be? And what difference does it make to us? How does the question of Jesus's identity change how we respond to him...
Oct 12, 2014•33 min•Ep. 62
The question is often asked, how is believing in a man who lived and died two thousand years ago relevant to my life today? Does who Jesus is and what he did still have any impact on our time, our culture, our lives, and our future? Why should we bother trusting in him or try to follow his lead and emulate his example? What difference will it make if we do?
Oct 05, 2014•33 min•Ep. 53
First things first: when we think of faith, we usually think of God. But who is God? Ask fifty different people to describe God and you'll probably end up with fifty different deities! So, what is God really like? And what, if anything, does he want to do with me? What does he want from me or for me? Most importantly, how does knowing God make a difference in my life?
Sep 28, 2014•30 min•Ep. 54
First things first: when we think of faith, we usually think of God. But who is God? Ask fifty different people to describe God and you'll probably end up with fifty different deities! So, what is God really like? And what, if anything, does he want to do with me? What does he want from me or for me? Most importantly, how does knowing God make a difference in my life?
Sep 21, 2014•31 min•Ep. 55
First things first: when we think of faith, we usually think of God. But who is God? Ask fifty different people to describe God and you'll probably end up with fifty different deities! So, what is God really like? And what, if anything, does he want to do with me? What does he want from me or for me? Most importantly, how does knowing God make a difference in my life?
Sep 14, 2014•33 min•Ep. 56
Jesus said that whoever believes in him will be saved. But he also said that unless we leave our old life behind and follow him we won't experience all he has to offer. So do we have a choice between salvation and surrender? Does God love and accept us only if we change? What if God loves us just as we are, but loves us too much to leave us there?
Aug 24, 2014•38 min•Ep. 49
Some people say they love Jesus but have no need for the church. Others seem to think that their faith depends on participation and involvement in a faith community. So which is it? Can I follow Jesus all on my own? What does my faith have to do with everybody else?
Aug 17, 2014•28 min•Ep. 50
Christianity is about everyone believing the exact same thing, right? Then why does there seem to be so much disagreement among denominations and different churches, let alone people within the same faith community? What do we do when we can't all agree?
Aug 10, 2014•38 min•Ep. 51
When it comes to faith, some people seem to think that everything is black and white. Others seem to suggest that everything is grey. So how do we ease the tension between the absolutes and the grey areas? How do we find God in the black, white, and the grey?
Aug 03, 2014•42 min•Ep. 52
Sometimes it feels like life just happens. Day after day much is beyond our control so we simply eat, sleep, work, and go with the flow. But what if we looked at our lives as an endless series of choices being made in every moment of every day? What if we are constantly faced with the choice to follow Jesus' footsteps or not? You have a choice... What will you choose?
Jun 29, 2014•37 min•Ep. 46
The difference between right and wrong has been debated throughout history, often resulting in countless "dos" and "don'ts" that must be carefully adhered to. But is navigating a laundry list of rules in every decision and interaction really the way to live? What if there's a simpler way to get things right?
Jun 22, 2014•35 min•Ep. 47
