"I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as We are One. While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled. Now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy completed in them." Meditate ...
Apr 03, 2021•38 min
In Part 17 of our journey through the Farewell Discourse, we find ourselves—still—solidly in John....17. Fate? "I have manifested Your name to them...." What does this mean? Jesus' prayer moments before His arrest, recorded by His beloved friend and brother John, is loaded with magnificent and mighty language: "eternal life," "glory," "sanctify," "truth," "given," "kept," and more—but perhaps we are meant to hear it all through the manifestation of His name through the shining face of Jesus, the...
Mar 27, 2021•38 min
We've made it to verse 4 of John 17: "I have glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do." Marinate in this power-packed prayer with us.
Mar 20, 2021•49 min
All authority belongs to Jesus (John 17:2). Meditate on this with us in this week's 'The Better Beautiful.'
Mar 13, 2021•50 min
We' re.....still in John 17. Sit down. Stay a while. :)
Mar 06, 2021•37 min
"Father, the hour has come." Years after first garnering public attention at the Cana wedding—the one with the best wine—when it "was not yet His time," Jesus finds Himself in a garden across the valley from where He will one day reign. He looked up to heaven, and said, " Father...it 's time." We have reached John 17, what Jeff considers to be the best prayer of all time. It is certainly one of Scripture's highest mountain peaks, if not the highest of them all. The air is thin, and the glory is ...
Feb 27, 2021•35 min
Happy Birthday to 'The Better Beautiful'! In our first anniversary episode, we polish the second half of John 16. Jeff 1) showcases his new Romanian vocabulary and 2) walks us all back from the cliff of anxiety. "Waiting"—for the Lord's return, or for whatever your life fills in the blanks—presses against our confidence, our faith, in very unique ways. How do we hold on? First, we drink deeply from the well of this tried and true word: He will get us across the finish line. And He will take care...
Feb 20, 2021•47 min
"Nevertheless...." This one word is the hinge of this week's passage. Jeff & Steph wade through John 16:5-15 and ask what it means for the disciples to hear "the Helper is coming" in light of losing the presence of their trusted Rabbi. But we also don't live in the first century, and need to know what it means to live under the leadership of the Helper in the 21st century. So how do we? Also, we invite you to play a game and eat your favorite treat or a shot of apple cider vinegar every time...
Feb 13, 2021•38 min
"And just maybe, He'll make me a little less cranky." Our prayer for ourselves this week closes this conversation on John 15:18-16:4, and what it means for the world to hate Jesus' disciples for no reason other than it hates Him. But many questions emerge in this meditation; for one thing, what is hatred? How does it contrast against love? And what planks might we have lodged in our own eyeballs that we need to dig out before we cry "wolf"? Is it possible we carry a persecution complex that we t...
Feb 06, 2021•45 min
"Dear Father, in heaven...." Why is this "best blasphemy a Muslim will ever hear" our great comfort, and ultimate anchor for obedience? In John 15:9-17, Jesus uses strong yet gorgeous language to describe the friendship and family offered to us by and through the Father, Son, and Spirit—if we obey. So what is obedience? And how did it wreck the life of a man already "so well behaved," Saul of Tarsus? Join Jeff & Steph for one of our most favorite episodes to date, Part 9 of our deep dive int...
Jan 30, 2021•45 min
As we come to some of the "glorious peaks" of the Farewell Discourse, this episode brings us to some of our very favorite verses: John 15:1-8—where we get the language to "abide in the Vine." But how do we persevere through a "long obedience in the same direction" when life is unpredictable and winds around (and within!) us rage? This week, we welcome special guest Martin Mallory to the table with Jeff. Stephanie (who is writing this caption) deliberately stepped out of the way so we could all s...
Jan 23, 2021•43 min
Have you ever wondered what the point to this age is? Why the garden? Why was the snake allowed in? Why the cross? And why are we asking these questions in the middle of John 14? If you're following Jesus, you'll almost certainly hear Him say something like, "Arise, let us go from here" right before He leads you—very intentionally—into your own Gethsemane and Golgotha moment. We know we must "carry our cross daily," but sometimes it catches us a bit off-guard. Where is He? Why must we go there? ...
Jan 16, 2021•32 min
Jesus is the Way to, and the Image of, the Father. Jeff and Steph continue through John's Farewell Discourse this week in John 14:7-14. Consider His representation, and the "greater things" we are invited into. Enroll in EMMAUS ONLINE: faitraining.org/emmaus-online Find out more about Jeff & Carol's new season of ministry: jeffhenderson.global
Jan 09, 2021•33 min
Right after He tells all His disciples that 1) one of them is a traitor, 2) one of them is a denier, 3) He's leaving (and they can't come with) and 4) all the triggers are getting pulled by sunrise, Jesus says: "Let not your hearts be troubled." What? We enter 2021 with John 14:1-6; and perhaps Jesus' encouragement—in tandem with His declaration that He is "the way, the truth, the life"—will serve you as we begin this New Year.
Jan 02, 2021•34 min
This week's passage is John 13:31-35, and it's CHRISTMAS! What does the Incarnation of the "Word made flesh, who dwelt among us" mean for the tomb, the cross, and the crown? "Maranatha" means Jesus came once to break the power of death and sin, and He's coming again to restore all things. In this episode, we meditate on the Incarnation and wish you all a MERRY-NATHA! DURATION: 32 minutes
Dec 26, 2020•32 min
Young love is often as immature as it is sincere, and Peter was no exception. He had big dreams, a mouth to boot, and a real desire to stay steadfast—whatever befall. But he was about to find out just how far he could fall, and just how quickly he would implode. We've all betrayed, and we've all denied. We've all hung by the thread of Jesus' intercession and wondered if we could survive. Find courage in the life of Peter. Listen to Part 3 of our journey through the Farewell Discourse: The Denier...
Dec 19, 2020•39 min
You’re 3 years into something that has cost you your life. You haven’t slept in your own bed since you heard “Follow Me,” and you’ve “done life” with the same twelve rowdy guys ever since—God Incarnate included. You sit down for the most special holiday meal of your entire calendar year, and He tells you someone in the room is about to stab Him—and everyone else—in the back. What will this do to your family? Your community? Your ministry? What will this do to Jesus? And—is it you? Listen to Epis...
Dec 12, 2020•38 min
Jeff is back, Season 2 is rolling, and Christmas is right around the corner. Dare we say 2020 couldn’t take everything from us? Here we begin a slow, deep swim through The Farewell Discourse. Join Jeff, Steph, and John the Beloved for a thoughtful meditation through Jesus’ last moments with His boys—with all the drama, tension, pain, and glory John could cram into these few chapters. Episode 01: The Washing (John 13:1-17) SONGS WE RECOMMEND: - “Eden,” Jervis Campbell - “Beloved,” Tenth Avenue No...
Dec 05, 2020•39 min
Incredibly, the company that began in Toccoa, trained on Currahee, jumped into D-Day and Market Garden, and held the Bois Jacques woods in Bastogne, lived to see VE Day in Berchtesgaden—at Hitler's very own mountain retreat, known as the "Eagle's Nest." At D-Day+336, these men who had lost, survived, and fought for so much got to kick their feet up on their enemy's balcony, plunder his champagne, and raise a few toasts to his final defeat. This incredible moment was captured in an iconic photo t...
Nov 28, 2020•47 min
"Currahee." This Cherokee word became a hallmark of the 101st Airborne, with particular significance to the Band of Brothers. While other units were told to shout "Geronimo!" as they jumped from planes on D-Day, the men of Easy Company were under orders to scream this into the air instead. What originally meant "We stand alone" was adapted to mean "We stand alone—together." And that's how they made it to the war and successfully completed their mission—each man bearing his own load, in strength ...
Nov 21, 2020•42 min
It's the coldest winter in 30 years. You're in a fox hole. You don't have the food, ammo, or coat you need to survive. Trees are exploding above you. And Hitler is closing in. Find out why "Bastogne" is the code word for "hell"—because even the toughest men can break. And then what? Stephanie, Jeff, Anna, and Andrew return to the round table this week for Part 5 of 'The Better Brotherhood.' Listen now. DURATION: 35 minutes
Nov 14, 2020•35 min
What happens when we're crippled—even blinded—by fear? Or how do we gently, lovingly lead people when panic sets in to suffocate them? Andrew and Stephanie return to continue our miniseries Season 1.75 of 'The Better Brotherhood,' examining lessons in life, leadership, and community through the lives and testimony of Easy Company. But this episode is extra special because Anna Thomas sat down at our round table, and none other than JEFF HENDERSON makes his mighty return. DURATION: 32 minutes...
Nov 07, 2020•32 min
"Don't ever put yourself in a position where you can take from these men." Before he was promoted to command 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Cpt. Dick Winters leveled a measured rebuke against his commanding officer. What convictions made him so bold, and why is it important for us today? Join Stephanie and Andrew for an important lesson in life, community, and leadership from Easy Company—the 'Band of Brothers'—and grow as a leader who serves and...
Oct 31, 2020•34 min
Few things test us like watching someone new wear medals we think they didn't earn. How do we respond to "replacements"—people who join the ranks and are trusted with the mission, but they weren't there for the fire of training? How can we forge trust with people who weren't with us in the trenches? How do we keep a tender heart—and live without callous? Stephanie and Andrew share lessons from Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division, who faced these very questions when lives were literally o...
Oct 24, 2020•33 min
Meet Maj. Dick Winters and Cpt. Lewis Nixon of Easy Company, better known as the "Band of Brothers." Find out why their friendship and brotherhood brings such encouragement to Stephanie and the FAI family as we pioneer on the Gospel frontier—and, very simply, learn how to live and love each other like Jesus does. Special guest (and unofficial Easy Company expert) Andrew Cowart joins. Who is the Quaker? Who is the alcoholic? More importantly, which one reminds Stephanie of herself? Find out in th...
Oct 17, 2020•34 min
"Well cue Shania Twain, y'all, because it looks like we've made it." Season 1.5 of 'The Better Beautiful' comes to a close as our 'The Better Belief' miniseries through 'Confronting Unbelief' closes with the final chapter: Jesus rebuilds His bride. He rebuilds His beloved. He rebuilds Jerusalem. He rebuilds Peter. And He rebuilds us—and through every storm that tosses and afflicts us, He reveals His manifold, multicolored wisdom for every power and principality to see and be ashamed. He is a fai...
Oct 10, 2020•34 min
As we discussed last week, it is the gentleness of Jesus that makes us great—but sometimes the hand that shepherds us so gently also prunes us with severity. "Suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character, and character produces hope." If it is "for discipline we must endure," and by this we know we are legitimate sons, how do we cling to the goodness of God in the midst of severity? How do we intercede—firmly against sin, but in faithful solidarity with Jesus' eternal purposes? It ...
Oct 03, 2020•32 min
"A day is coming" when Jerusalem will behold the Son of Man and weep for Him like one mourns a firstborn Son. This gorgeous, long-awaited moment will be marked with very human grief—and relief. Like messy weeping relief, and the City of the Great King will sing: "Blessed is He! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" But her song is not the first; in fact, it's His: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet yo...
Sep 26, 2020•24 min
The danger of feeling forgotten is its weed of unbelief that grows into accusations and arrogance like: "God doesn't love me." "I hate offering Him anything." "I'll just do the bare minimum." "Anything goes. God loves me just the way and I am and everything I like to do." "I should hoard all my resources." "What's the point of obeying God when it costs me? Nothing matters." Any of these sound familiar? But He is more attentive than a mother is to her newborn child, and He is with us until the en...
Sep 19, 2020•33 min
Sometimes the best news is the most offensive, and forgiveness is certainly no exception. Redemption is expensive, but nothing else will get us to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. How can we embrace this deep truth for ourselves ("forgive us our trangressions") and live free enough to want it for our enemies ("as we forgive our transgressors")? But we must: if we do not forgive, we are not forgiven. Join Stephanie as we continue our mini-series through 'Confronting Unbelief' and stare at the lit...
Sep 12, 2020•38 min
