Season 1.5 of 'The Better Beautiful' continues with a meditation on chapter two of 'Confronting Unbelief,' that Jesus fights for Jerusalem. Find out how His advocacy for Jerusalem secures His advocacy for us, and what's significant about the part of Isaiah 61 Jesus *didn't* read aloud in Luke four. "Jealousy is a Husband's fury—therefore He will not spare when He takes revenge." Listen to 'The Better Belief: Part Two (He Fights for Her)' now in the FAI App DURATION: 33 minutes RESOURCES: - "Figh...
Sep 05, 2020•33 min
In a very 'typical 2020' move, the Jeff & Steph show has been forced to postpone our Season 2 plans. Find out why and join us for Season 1.5 as we explore the seven attributes as Jesus discussed in Stephanie's book 'Confronting Unbelief.' Jerusalem is the stage He set to reveal His character in this age, and we have much to take confidence in from His pages of profound revelation. DURATION: 31 minutes DOWNLOAD 'THE ANSWER FOR EVERY QUESTION': jessraymusic.com...
Aug 29, 2020•31 min
What began in February (remember February?) comes to an end: Jeff & Steph close the first season of 'The Better Beautiful' and finish our time in the book of Hebrews—for now. We reflect on our time exploring all the "betters" of Jesus and how this testimony has held up in our own lives. It's also a big weekend for Jeff and his family; tune in to hear why—and find out where we're going in Season 2.... DURATION: 29 minutes
Aug 01, 2020•29 min
"But earnestly desire the spiritual gifts—and I will show you a still more excellent way." "Let brotherly love continue." Join Jeff & Steph for a discussion through the "better way" and what it means for you when you (or your brother) wander off to the "far country." The end game is eternity—and we'll start it off around the biggest banquet table we've ever seen. Let's help each other get there. DURATION: 38 minutes RESOURCES: - "The Return of the Prodigal Son," Henri Nouwen - "A Call to Com...
Jul 25, 2020•39 min
Nothing in the universe will ever get behind you being king. Nothing works right that way. We were literally made to belong to the Kingdom: “Seek first the Kingdom, and everything will be added to you.” But if you seek YOU first, nothing will be added to you. You’ll actually be subtracted. Is there more to salvation than simply hearing Jesus “standing at the door, knocking” and letting Him in to have a meal with us? RESOURCES: - “The Unshakeable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person,” E. Stanley Jon...
Jul 18, 2020•38 min
We "have need of endurance." How do we get it? What do we train for? Jeff & Steph discuss the better horizon to set our sights on, the better finish line at the end of the race—and the good Dad who helps us keep going when the cramps set in and our lungs start burning. DURATION: 35 minutes GET THE THEME SONG: jessraymusic.com
Jul 11, 2020•35 min
Jeff & Steph examine the testimonies of the many witnesses in the "Hall of Faith," and explore what it means to "die in faith"—and how we can endeavor to do the same. RESOURCES: "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction," Eugene Peterson DURATION: 36 minutes
Jul 04, 2020•36 min
How can we take "big picture" issues like the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus and apply them to our lives and communities today? What does it mean for systemic injustice? What should the people of Jesus be known for, and is it too late to catch up? DURATION: 34 minutes
Jun 19, 2020•34 min
Was the Cross "cosmic child abuse"? What do we do with a Father willing to give His Son up on the altar as a "burnt offering"? Why do we need an offering at all, and why was Jesus' death the better offering? Join Jeff & Steph this week to tackle these loaded questions. RESOURCES: - "The Gospel of Christ Crucified: A Theology of Suffering Before Glory," John P. Harrigan SONGS TO SWIM IN: - "Saviour King," Hillsong Worship - "Grace Alone," Kings Kaleidoscope DURATION: 33 minutes...
Jun 06, 2020•33 min
The Jeff & Steph Show returns this week to walk through Hebrews 8:1-9:10. What makes the "new covenant" particularly "new" and what does Israel's covenantal peculiarity mean for the rest of us? RESOURCES: "What About the New Covenant," FFOZ: https://ffoz.com/what-about-the-new-covenant-audio-cds.html SONGS TO SWIM IN: "Promises," Maverick City Music "Orange Park," Brian Wages (Album) DURATION: 34 minutes...
May 30, 2020•34 min
Or, "The One That'll Give Stephanie a Vulnerability Hangover." Find out why hope is not for the faint of heart and how it becomes the unflinching anchor for our souls. Songs To Swim In This Week: - "Daylight," Brave Saint Saturn - "Bet All I Have," Mission House Music DURATION: 37 minutes
May 23, 2020•38 min
What is your "pillow-top theology"—what do you think about God when you put your head on your pillow at night? Jeff & Steph explore our confidence in the immutable vows of the One who cuts and keeps eternal covenants. DURATION: 25 minutes
May 16, 2020•25 min
We tackle a harrowing warning against impossible repentance and work through how to wean ourselves off of bottles and start chewing the fatty meats of Scripture. Join Jeff & Steph this week as we seek the "better things" in store. DURATION: 25 minutes
May 09, 2020•26 min
The One With Melchizedek // Jeff & Steph tackle one of Scripture's notoriously mysterious figures, and consider the kindness of our greatest Intercessor: Jesus. Unlike any man in the Levitical priesthood, our Great High Priest is Himself the offering for our sin and will forever serve to make us right with God our Father. DURATION: 29 minutes (+ a special treat at the end!)
May 02, 2020•38 min
NEW EPISODE // "Therefore today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart....there is still a rest for the people of God." Dig through Hebrews 3-4 with us in the latest episode of #TheBetterBeautiful. How do we enter His rest, and how do we square up resting in His provision and promises with Scripture's calls to "endure to the end"? DURATION: 29 minutes #becauseJesus
Apr 26, 2020•29 min
"Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses." Join Jeff & Steph for a conversation about sons, servants, and shining faces—and how Jesus' days in the desert guide you into fuller grace for your own "wilderness" (or quarantine). DURATION: 20 minutes
Apr 18, 2020•20 min
This week, Jeff and Steph swim through the implications of Hebrews 2:1-4. With all the "white noise" of the podcasts, tweets, YouTube clips, and voices to listen to, messages to soak in, and songs to sing, why is the name and message of Jesus the "better declaration"? What does that mean for our lives? "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience rece...
Apr 04, 2020•21 min
Jeff & Steph return this week with a new episode of ‘The Better Beautiful.’ How do we spend these uncertain days? DURATION: 21 minutes THEME SONG: jessraymusic.com
Mar 28, 2020•21 min
SPECIAL EDITION of 'The Better Beautiful' // "I had no reason to go [back to Ireland], save for the Gospel and God's promises." Hear how the human trafficking survivor and strategic pioneer we call "Patrick" became the patron saint for the nation that stole years of his life—and how his legacy led to Jeff & Steph's favorite hymn. #becauseJesus DURATION: 20 minutes THEME SONG: jessraymusic.com
Mar 17, 2020•21 min
NEW EPISODE // Jesus is the better Brother. He saves us on the school yard, finds us in the far country, and goes and shares His inheritance with us. His kindness is appalling. Listen now in the FAI app: faimission.org/app #becauseJesus DURATION: 21 minutes
Mar 14, 2020•21 min
NEW EPISODE // #TheBetterBeautiful returns with a look at how & why the God-Man is better than angels. But we also ask important questions like if our guardian angels like the music we crank up in the car. #becauseJesus DURATION: 22 minutes THEME SONG: jessraymusic.com
Mar 07, 2020•22 min
The craziest thing about Jesus having the "Name above all names" is that He has it not because He is powerful and fancy and all-the-holy-things, but because He washes our feet and stoops low to meet our needs—and that commitment pinned Him to splintered wood with rusty nails to die a death we should've died to give us "life and life abundant." Incredible. DURATION: 18 minutes THEME SONG BY JESS RAY: jessraymusic.com
Feb 28, 2020•18 min
It's the first episode of what we affectionately call "The Jeff & Steph Show," wherein we stare at Jesus, cry at beautiful truths, and make jokes that probably only we think are funny. We all have questions. Jesus is the answer to all of them. He is more than Sunday School simplicity. He is the irreducible minimum. He is the better Beautiful. DURATION: 14 MIN GET THE THEME SONG: jessraymusic.com
Feb 21, 2020•14 min
