Paul consistently opens his letters with emotionally and theologically charged greetings; Galatians is no different. He closes his introduction with verse five: "to Whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." But what is the glory of God? How is it distinct to Him, and how can we know it? Jeff and Steph grapple with the glory of God in episode five of THE BETTER FREEDOM, a season of The Better Beautiful devoted to Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. This ancient text bears upon us today—in ...
Feb 12, 2022•47 min
"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." With these words, Paul deflates any prosperous dreams for a "best" life being available or accessible in this age—this "present evil age." But he does powerfully and succinctly identify the totality of all we are rescued from, within and without our interior lives. And this is the scandal of the liberty secured...
Jan 29, 2022•38 min
"Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me: To the churches of Galatia. Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Our third episode of 'The Better Freedom' finds Jeff & Steph in the middle of Paul's ope...
Jan 22, 2022•44 min
Jeff and Steph discuss Paul's firecracker opening in his letter to the churches of Galatia: "Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead—" Why was it appropriate and necessary for Paul to play a (very legitimate) "thus saith the Lord" card when it came to his own qualifications and authority to speak into the Galatian church community? Why did it matter—and what weight did Paul bear responsibility for before the One who assigned hi...
Jan 15, 2022•37 min
The Better Beautiful returns with Season 4: THE BETTER FREEDOM. Join Jeff & Steph for the first of many (many many) conversations exploring & embracing the God-given Good News expounded upon in Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. Happy New Year, and Maranatha!
Jan 08, 2022•34 min
In this bonus off-season episode, Jeff and Steph discuss Luke 24's "burning heart" and why it's required to serve strategically in this moment in human history. Explore our in-person and online training opportunities in 2022 at faitraining.org
Oct 23, 2021•30 min
'The Better Thing' ends with 'Part III: The Accessible, Sustaining Beauty.' What could possibly enthrall, invite, entice, and captivate you "all the days" of your life? The best news is this: it's not just that David prioritized the pursuit of the Better Beautiful all the days of his life—it's that God sanctified his prayer in the Scriptures. Meaning this: David's prayer is actually God's invitation and intention for you and your life—all the days of your life. Seek Him, and you'll find Him. And...
Oct 16, 2021•37 min
Our pit stop in Psalm 27:4 en route to next season's journey through Galatians sets us this week in Part II of 'The Better Thing.' David set a vision to pursue, behold, and prioritize the beauty of the Lord 'all the days' of his life—his bad days, his good days, his wretched days, his battle days, his bored-out-his-mind days. We have to do the same. Good things take time. The best thing is worth all our time—all our days. Listen to this week's THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL now in the FAI App...
Oct 09, 2021•46 min
The human heart obeys that which it desires. This is why David's lifelong commitment and calibration to the "one thing" of Psalm 27:4 kept him from wandering onto the wide road that leads to destruction. If you want to walk the "narrow way" that leads to life, if you want to "finish the race set before you," then you need to lock your eyes on this ONE THING. What is it? Join Jeff & Steph for the first of three episodes in another mini season (we're up to Season 3.5 now) before we get to the ...
Oct 02, 2021•39 min
Season 3's meditation on Philippians 2:5-11 comes to an end with "Part XIV: Death, Joy, and Final Words from a Father." We extend our conversation into verses 12-18, and consider Paul's "therefore" words for his beloved Philippian family, knowing well these words could've been his last. What were they, and how should we hear them today?
Sep 18, 2021•42 min
In this season's second-to-last episode, we approach the end of Philippians 2:5-11's incredible hymn. As Paul testifies to the super-exaltation (i.e. reward) of Jesus' all-in obedience, he closes with these words: "to the glory of God the Father." Jeff & Steph discuss the implications of these words, and weave corresponding passages from the biblical testimony throughout the conversation. Listen to Part XIII of 'The Better Surrender': "How Our Father Glories in Obedience & Reward" now NO...
Sep 11, 2021•48 min
The Day of the LORD is coming, when Jesus is exalted above everything and everyone everywhere—in word, and deed. Every knee will bend and every mouth will declare His glory—even the most vile blasphemers among us still. This is the Day when injustices cease, and we want it to come. But as the prophets tell us, this Day is both "great" and "terrible." Jeff and Steph discuss the less popular, less shiny sides of Jesus' return, and their implications for us today. Listen to Part XII of 'The Better ...
Sep 04, 2021•35 min
In this Special Edition of 'The Better Beautiful,' Jeff & Steph discuss recent events in Afghanistan. How do we continue to care for and carry burdensome grief and advocacy? What is God doing in Afghanistan, and how do we pray and partner with Him strategically and effectively? PLEASE NOTE // This episode was recorded before the devastating attacks at the Kabul airport SUPPORT THE AFGHAN UNDERGROUND // catalyticministries.com GET TO KNOW THE GCM FAMILY // Watch 'SHEEP AMONG WOLVES' Vols. I &...
Aug 28, 2021•46 min
'The Better Beautiful' returns with Part 11 of 'The Better Surrender: The Name Above All Names.' Join Jeff and Steph for an extended conversation on Philippians 2:5-11, zeroing in this week on verses 9-10a, to meditate on the only Name that saves—the only Name that matters.
Aug 21, 2021•47 min
This week, we hit verse 9 in the Christological Everest that is Philippians 2:5-11. Likely an early church hymn, this text arrests us and puts us right where we belong: beneath the super-exalted King. Our surest freedom comes only on the terms of this sure truth: He is and will be preeminent in all things. Listen to Part X of The Better Surrender now: The Super-Theology of the Super-Exalted
Aug 14, 2021•39 min
In our final week on verse 8 ("and being found in human form, He became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross"), we meditate and explore what it means to preach the Cross. Join Jeff & Steph for this week's conversation on The Better Surrender: A Meditation on Philippians 2:5-11 Listen to "Part IX: Preaching the Cross" now here in the FAI App
Aug 07, 2021•48 min
Our journey through the early church hymn recorded in Philippians 2:5-11 finds us joyfully stuck on verse 8 for a third week in a row: "And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." The cross is not only God's upside-down means to redeem suffering, it is also the supreme revelation of His love—which is categorically different than the cheap, Hallmark rom-com love we generally think of. Listen to Part 8 of "The Better Surrend...
Jul 24, 2021•47 min
As we meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 this season, Jeff & Steph have parked, pitched their tents (and whatever other metaphor you can think of) on verse 8: "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Hang out here with us in this week's episode, "The Cross & Suffering."
Jul 17, 2021•39 min
"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Paul emphasizes the kind of death Jesus died for a reason—it matters for our redemption. Jeff & Steph hit Philippians 2:8 in Part VI of THE BETTER SURRENDER, our third season of THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL. It is our gift and privilege to stare at the Man Christ Jesus—the Better Beautiful—in wonder, and adore Him all our days. Join us for another conversation doing ju...
Jul 10, 2021•58 min
We arrive this week at verse 8 in this staggering hymn of the early church (Phil. 2:5-11): "And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Join Jeff & Steph and ponder these words with wonder; we will never graduate from this truth. We will never wrap our minds around what this verse conveys. But we may allow it to lead us to the Cross, and behold Him there. Listen to Part V of The Better Surrender now, right here in the ...
Jul 03, 2021•36 min
"Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when He had come as a man...." Sit with us in Philippians 2:7 this week. These are the depths of the depths.
Jun 26, 2021•43 min
" ....Who , being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God...." These are the words we meditate on this week, a simple phrase inviting us into the depths of Jesus. What does it mean that the "Word became flesh," in whom "it pleased God" that the "fullness of the Godhead would dwell in bodily form"—and "pleased God to crush"? How were (and are) the Father, Son, and Spirit—the plural Godhead—united in the work of the Cross? Was it, as some have supposed, "cosmic child a...
Jun 19, 2021•46 min
We pitched our tent in Philippians 2:5 this week: "Have this mind in you also, which is yours in Christ Jesus." How do we become so conformed into the image of Jesus that we literally begin to think like He thinks? How does this affect our ability to "love the Lord our God with all our mind"? Meditate with us on this incredible hymn of the early church this season as we stare in wonder at THE BETTER SURRENDER.
Jun 12, 2021•44 min
'The Better Beautiful' returns for Season 3 with a meditation on Philippians 2:5-11. Consider this likely hymn of the early discipleship communities: "Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when He had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to d...
Jun 05, 2021•50 min
Our journey through the Farewell Discourse ends in John 21, with Jesus' simple but profound private conversation with Peter just days after the young man's failure to obey and follow Jesus at any and all costs. This familiar (but incredible) passage illuminates Jesus' gentle hand, devoted intercession, and commitment to lead Peter into the fullness ordained for him "beforehand" (see Ephesians 2:10). The rowdy boy from the backwoods of the Galilee would indeed become a "fisher of men." He would, ...
May 15, 2021•52 min
"He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not put out a smoldering wick..." (Isaiah 42:3a) Part 23 of 'The Better Farewell' brings us to the morning of the empty tomb. And what does Jesus do? Whom does He seek to speak with first? A woman under such compounding grief, that she sees the empty tomb and cannot register what it means. A man so given to disillusionment, he makes a vow to never believe again—unless his terms and conditions are met. Before Jesus would give the Great Commission, He...
May 08, 2021•58 min
At the end of the day and the end of the age, there is but one King and one Truth. His Kingdom is not, will not, and cannot be tainted with the carnality of the flesh; it is "not of this world." We may only participate in His Kingdom with submission to His righteousness—and His alone. The "kings of the earth" will "rage" and "plot in vain," many with Pilate's cynicism on their lips: "What is truth?" Listen to Part 22 of 'The Better Farewell' now, as we examine the Man on a steadfast mission to d...
May 01, 2021•54 min
Immediately after Jesus finishes praying in John 17, the next chapter opens with His arrest—a mind-boggling event bookended by two men from His ministry team and brotherhood turning their backs on Him. Is Peter any different, any better than Judas? What do you do when you wake up in the morning with all the world before you as normal, only to go to bed that night under the rubble of your own implosions? Listen to Part 21 of 'The Better Farewell: Failure & Betrayal' DURATION: 42 minutes...
Apr 24, 2021•42 min
Our seventh session in John 17, the only chapter in Scripture capturing Jesus' prayer moments before His arrest, brings us to the last group of people He prayed for: Us. This is the conventional conclusion of the Farewell Discourse, but over the next month or so we're going to follow the story through Jesus' betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, and Peter's failure—and restoration on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Listen to Part 20: His Blood-Bought Prayer List now...
Apr 17, 2021•43 min
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” John 17:17-19 Meditate with us on these words and The Word, The Truth: Jesus of Nazareth. May we be washed in the water of His Word this week. DURATION: 40 minutes
Apr 10, 2021•40 min
