In our discussion of the miracle of loaves and fish, we consider the scale of feeding 5,000 men, plus uncounted women and children, and how look at how Jesus, in a way, allowed the crowd to participate in the miraculous. We discuss how physical needs are as important spiritual needs and how God meets both in abundance. With us in this week’s milestone podcast: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Kyle Trahan (“The Deacon”), Steve Titch (“The Gambler) and Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) and host Bill Cox ...
Apr 23, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Jesus heals a paralytic on the Sabbath and the Pharisees' first reaction on witnessing this miracle is to debate whether the healing was in line with religious law. With the passage in mind, we talk about our various past experiences in farming, retailing, legal prep, training and news reporting that required each of us to work on Sundays. In a 24/7 world, even a social distanced one, how do we respect the Sabbath? We also talk about we spent our unique 2020 Easter. Podcasting now, resting later...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Covid-19 stay-at-home orders will mean Christians will hunker down inside this Easter, just like the apostles did on the very first Resurrection Sunday. Our group talks about how much of departure from tradition 2020 Holy Week and Easter will be for them personally. Our scripture study looks at Jesus’s healing of the hemorrhaging woman, and how God sees past social stigmas to the real value of each human life. Our virtual panel, virtually unstoppable: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Kyle Trahan (“Th...
Apr 09, 2020•59 min
Jesus raises the deceased daughter of Jairus, a synagogue official. We look at Jairus’s faith and the way Jesus works in his own time. We also talk about how we’re trying to faithfully manage our professional lives as we stay socially distanced. Together but separate this week on our Zoom platform: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch (“The Gambler) and Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) and host Bill Cox (“The Director”). Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, Apple P...
Apr 02, 2020•1 hr 4 min
The disciples, in a panic, wake Jesus during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. He quiets the tempest, but still rebukes his followers. Why? We apply the lessons of this miracle to the storm Covid-19 is wreaking in our lives. Also, we mark three years of podcasting by looking back at the personal storms each of us has weathered over the course of that time. In our gallery on Zoom: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Kyle Trahan (“The Deacon”), Steve Titch (“The Gambler) and Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) a...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Man Up goes virtual! In the spirit of social distancing we recorded our podcast via teleconference. We continue our look at Jesus’ healing miracles and juxtapose it with the current pandemic that is indeed touching everyone’s lives. We talk about the people we know who are afflicted with illness and disabilities and the ways they have responded. We try to get past the clichés of “the Lord will provide” and go deeper into what it means to hold onto faith in difficult times. Together but separate:...
Mar 19, 2020•54 min
In the middle of the coronavirus epidemic, the irony of discussing the story of Jesus healing the leper is not lost on us. What must the crowd have thought when Jesus touched someone who was, according to religious law, unclean? And aside from its lesson in compassion, how does this story stand as an allegory to our sinful condition? Also, host Bill Cox (“The Director”) introduces Man Up Media’s Men Matters program. On the panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Kyle Trahan (“The Deacon”) and Robert ...
Mar 12, 2020•59 min
We begin a new study series on the miracles of Jesus with an unusual choice—the temptation in the wilderness. Should this even be considered a miracle, considering that Jesus was, um, God, and pretty much knew all creation Lucifer was offering was his to begin with? Or, after 40 days of fasting, did Jesus require all his divine essence to resist? And what’s the difference between being tempted and being tested? And how can faith and scripture serve us as weapons as we face struggles in our own p...
Mar 05, 2020•56 min
Paul wraps up his letter to the church at Colossae with “shout-outs” to friends and associates who have served, traveled and sustained him over the course of his missionary journeys through his imprisonment in Rome. This inspires use to talk about the figures who have brought us to Christ and shaped our Christians lives. Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”), Steve Titch ("The Gambler") and Kyle Trahan (“The Deacon”). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at ...
Feb 27, 2020•46 min
We look at Paul’s interesting mix of advice on prayer and approaching non-believers in the world. Do we underestimate the power of prayer? And what’s the best way to tell our stories of faith? Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 20, 2020•59 min
Man Up marks Valentine’s Day by ambling into the scriptural minefield that is Paul’s call for wives to “submit” to their husbands. Fortunately we have help from our first-time woman guest, cancer surgeon Dr. Sandy Templeton, who adds her perspective on 21st century marriage roles for Christian men and women. Along with Colossians 3, we look at other writings of Paul and other parts of scripture (like Proverbs 31:10-31) that raise the question whether Christianity is as rigidly patriarchal as som...
Feb 13, 2020•56 min
Now that you’ve cast off your old self (Col. 3:9), what are you going to wear? If clothes make the man, what outward trappings reflect an inner spiritual light. We look at Paul’s specific list and his challenge that we fit them to our lifestyle. Also, we begin our podcast with a closer look at how millennial males are “manning up” and offer some thoughts about the cultural contradiction that was the Super Bowl halftime show. Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) ...
Feb 06, 2020•55 min
How is Christian living like good lawn care? Paul advises the Colossians keep the mind and heart on things above and put to earthly sin to death. We look at Holy Spirit-guided discipline as the Ortho sprayer for the soul. Also, Bill mans up and defeats the temptation of cynicism after being scammed by a spoofed email. Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find ...
Jan 30, 2020•54 min
Paul calls out legalism and other forms spiritual intimidation. Bill recalls a time he was written off as only a “14-carat Christian” because he lacked a charismatic experience. Steve asks if it’s still really a “sacrifice” to give up meat on Friday. It’s amazing how soon these false doctrines of “Christ-Plus” rules and practices seeped into the early church and continue in various forms today, from prohibitions on dancing, rock music and, as we learned this week, rainbow sweaters. Every denomin...
Jan 23, 2020•52 min
100% Christ is sufficient--no additives--is the basic message of our faith. Yet it seems to be human nature to pile on extra stuff to attain salvation, be it circumcision in Paul's day, or necessary works, special rules and spiritual mysticism in ours. We dive into this wordy passage, reading translations from the NIV and "The Message." With us this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu ("The Professor) and Kyle Trahan ("The Deacon"), injuries mended and back with us. Steve Titch ("The...
Jan 16, 2020•56 min
We start the new year with a double lesson, looking at the mystery of the spirit-directed life and how we as men can express that through our participation in the genuine, living church. Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Robert Cocheu discuss with host Steve Titch ("The Gambler") host. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 09, 2020•1 hr 1 min
We talk about how the Cross of Christ reconciles each of us to God and God to creation. Bill is moved by Paul’s imagery of our reborn selves. Mike talks about the believer’s job to assist in building the new Kingdom. And is Col 1:20 a case for Universalism? Or does salvation depend on individual acceptance of grace? And in this Christmas season, we all address the idea of staying open to Spirit-led hope in a world filled with negativity. With us this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch...
Dec 19, 2019•57 min
Who is Jesus? Fully God and fully man, writes Paul, creator, sustainer and redeemer. We explore the primary theological idea behind Christianity—Jesus Christ as God-made-flesh in a conversation along the way touches on the image of God, the Son of God’s pre-incarnate appearances in the Old Testament, and Big Bang and quantum physics. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man...
Dec 12, 2019•50 min
We’re back after a break for Thanksgiving with the start of a study on Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. After looking at some of the overall themes of the letter, we talk about the encouragement Paul offers in words and prayers at the outset of his letter, and our own approaches to prayer, including Robert’s ACTS formula. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man-upspi...
Dec 05, 2019•56 min
In our last installment on the Ten Commandments (plus two) we discuss the Great Commission, Jesus’ instruction to make disciples of all people. As men, we wonder if its best to witnessing with actions and attitudes, and leave the words to the preachers. Above all, the importance of love and human connection to any discipling endeavor. We also speak to the emergency at the Houston Food Bank (www.houstonfoodbank.org), which lost 2 million lbs. of food last week due to a refrigeration system failur...
Nov 21, 2019•50 min
Loving God is easy, Loving your neighbor is hard. We step our game and do an actual studio taping, and talk about who our neighbors really are—particularly the “invisible” souls around us who might simply need human contact and the acknowledgment that they, too, matter. It’s more than suspending judgment. Sometimes it means testing whether our own ingrained values truly reflect those of God. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch ("The Gambler...
Nov 14, 2019•57 min
The culture wants us to want things—things that promise happiness and well-being but that ultimately leave us empty. Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler") and Bill Cox talk about countering balancing desire with contentment and gratitude, as well as cultivating a spirit of authenticity. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 07, 2019•50 min
We look at the legal, ethical and Christian aspects of the commandment against bearing false witness, perhaps the easiest commandment to break, therefore the easiest to rationalize. What is our responsibility to the truth in a time when hype and spin are considered a natural part of doing business? Our panel this week: Mike Cropper ("The Judge"), Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Kyle Trahan (The Deacon), calling in from a campsite in north Texas. Steve Titch ("The Gambler") and Bill Cox ("The Di...
Oct 31, 2019•52 min
“You shall not steal,” says the Eighth Commandment. Although it’s doubtful any of us will rob a bank, we look at how we can justify swiping pens at the office, surfing the Internet on company time and downloading music and video without paying. Robert talks about how to promote employee ideas without stealing them. Steve asks about the rules of God’s economy. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) ...
Oct 24, 2019•1 hr 1 min
We look at the 7th Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” and debate its meaning, complexity and scope in our highly sexualized cultural climate. *Warning: Mature Content* What is the Christian alternative to a world where sex is commoditized? Is the church hypocritical when it tolerates divorce and adult sexual relationships outside of marriage yet banishes gay men and women? How do millennials view this commandment? And is the “Me Too” movement an unspoken call for respect, structure and...
Oct 17, 2019•1 hr
Who knew four words (two in Hebrew!) could raise so many complex questions? We talk about the upholding sanctity of life amid contemporary questions regarding war, capital punishment, suicide and--not willing to flinch--abortion. No church answers, and no easy ones either. Listen and comment (civilly, please). With us this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) Larry Post (“The Pastor”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us ...
Oct 10, 2019•1 hr 2 min
We look at the 5th Commandment and its New Testament counterparts (Eph. 6:1, Col 3:20). We discuss how to “honor” one’s parents, and, as men, making ourselves worthy of the honor and respect of our own children. We discuss the importance of family to social stability and debate the appropriateness of spanking. With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) Larry Post (“The Pastor”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.m...
Oct 03, 2019•50 min
God commanded his people to take a day off each week from worldly pursuits. In modern times we struggle to find a balance between neglect of the Sabbath and legalistic, restrictive observance. This week’s podcast on the Fourth Commandment looks reasons why we should stop, rest and rejuvenate and the pressures that frustrate that. Bill Cox (“The Director) also revisits some his thoughts from last week’s podcast on the Lord’s name. Joining Bill this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch ("...
Sep 26, 2019•50 min
Names are a big deal. This week, we look at the injunction against using the name of God in vain. Our discussion touches on the emotional power every name carries. We look at the different “names” of God and how they show different aspects of the Divine. Bill, our host and director, also talks about times, as a Christian, he’s felt it artistically necessary to employ profanity in professional writing, acting and filmmaking. Joining Bill this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Steve Titch ("The...
Sep 19, 2019•51 min
In a discussion of the 2nd Commandment, we look at the dangers of falling into idolatry, even in in the name of religion. Is it all too human to replace worship with ritual and attempt to fit God into our plans rather than seek how we fit into God’s plans? With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Larry Post (“The Pastor”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Twitter, Facebook and You...
Sep 12, 2019•54 min
