We are created to be loved, and to love others. But it’s easy to settle for likes. We feel a boost of ego when someone leaves a flattering comment or shares our post, and it’s satisfying … to a point. But deep inside we all want to be loved, not just liked. Jeff brings up Scripture passages on what it means to be created for love and talks about the things that hold us back from pursuing authentic love. Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, or email Jeff at theje...
Jul 12, 2019•34 min
Ministry programs and apologetics are great, but there’s one area that parishes can often neglect: evangelization. Christians have a mandate to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” But so many Catholics seem to opt out of this and prefer to build programs that service the inner circle instead of welcoming in the larger community. We’re hitting the target, but not the bullseye. Jeff references Scripture p...
Jul 05, 2019•32 min
If social media existed when the Scriptures were written, what would they say about it? Jeff revises verses from the Bible about speech to answer this question. Snippet from the Show “Rash tweets are like sword thrusts, but the tweet of the wise brings healing.” Check out today's shownotes (including every scripture verse from this episode) at ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow or email us at [email protected]
Jun 28, 2019•33 min
A go-to response to insomnia typically involves a snack and TV remote, but there are better ways to get real rest and wake up feeling refreshed. Jeff has some advice for those who have difficulty sleeping, and it all comes from Scripture! The topic of sleep is a recurring theme in the Bible, and each verse in this episode provides an instruction about how to quiet the mind and get the rest we crave. Snippet from the Show Worry is where you pay today for something that could possibly happen tomor...
Jun 21, 2019•39 min
Jeff shares the feelings of shame and isolation he faced as a kid struggling with bedwetting. Even if you never wet the bed, experiencing embarrassment and even self-loathing because of a perceived flaw is something we can all relate to. Jeff shares tips on how to react to someone experiencing these feelings, and points out that we’re not defined by those imperfections. We’re defined by our relationship with Jesus, and he will always look on us with love. Snippet from the Show “What we perceive ...
Jun 14, 2019•30 min
If you are a parent, grandparent, godparent, or spiritual parent, one of the best gifts you can give is a Bible. But not just any Bible, your Bible. The one where you’ve underlined verses, written notes in the margins, and added your prayers in the open spaces. Start writing in your Bible with the specific intention of giving it to your son or daughter. It’s a beautiful way to share your spiritual life with your children and they will cherish it for life. Jeff goes over some practical tips on ho...
Jun 07, 2019•32 min
Looking for peace and simplicity? Get rid of the factors that complicate your life. Jeff zeroes in on the things that disrupt our peace and rupture our relationships. He explains how each of these things affects us and what we can do to overcome these disruptions and find our inner calm. Snippet from the Show “When we choose to sin, it complicates our lives in powerful ways ... we lose the integration between soul and body.” Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, ...
May 31, 2019•39 min
Jeff continues the discussion on how the seven deadly sins can show up in our lives. This week he covers envy, gluttony, avarice, and sloth and all the ways we can participate in these vices, often without realizing it. Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, or email Jeff at [email protected]. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “Jesus said we should mourn with those who mourn and rejoice w...
May 24, 2019•36 min
We’re familiar with the seven deadly sins, but these vices have offshoots that can be harder to identify. For example, you may not think you have a problem with pride, but if you struggle with disobedience, boastfulness, or stubbornness, you’re grappling with a “child” of pride. Jeff goes through the offspring of pride, anger, and lust in today’s episode, and will cover the rest of the seven deadly sins next week! Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Send an email to thejeffcavinsshow@asc...
May 17, 2019•38 min
Did you know God likes certain aromas and smells? It’s not the literal smell that finds favor with God, but the meaning behind the smell. For example, the smell of incense represents prayer going up to heaven, which God loves. Jeff breaks down the four favorite aromas of God in today’s episode: prayer, repentance, kerygma, and loving sacrifice. He also reads out some feedback and answers questions from listeners. Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, or email Jef...
May 10, 2019•32 min
Jeff sits down with Mike “Gomer” Gormley and Dave VanVickle, hosts of Every Knee Shall Bow (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/everykneeshallbow/), a podcast about how Catholics can evangelize and share the faith. Mike and Dave are both very active in evangelization at their parishes and in their personal lives. We talk about the assumptions we make about other Catholics, tracks (pamphlets that preach the gospel), and what to say to people who don’t consider evangelizat...
May 03, 2019•38 min
Just as we need to eat to nourish the body, there are certain things we need to do to nourish the soul. Jeff shares 7 ways to truly feed our souls. For more episodes, check out this podcast at ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow SHOWNOTES The Eucharist: The body, blood, soul and divinity. Pure life. It contains the grace you need. Scripture. Prayer. Confession. Focused reading. Rub shoulders with the saints. Really get to know a few of them. Take care of yourself. Eat well, sleep well and avoid...
Apr 26, 2019•34 min
Apr 19, 2019•8 min
Have you ever tried walking on water? It is definitely not something we can do on our own. But this scripture passage is an invitation for each of us to get out of our comfort zones and come to him. One of the ways we can do this is by sharing the good news of the Gospel with people he puts in our paths. Jeff talks about what to say to others about God as well as tips for approaching people. When we share the message of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit confirms that message in those hearts. One perso...
Apr 12, 2019•37 min
Jeff is talking to Chef John Folse, restaurant owner, television host, leading authority on cajun food, and devout Catholic. From growing up in the swamps of Louisiana during segregation, to serving food to President Reagan and Soviet Leader Gorbachevat, to meeting St. John Paul II, Chef John says he strives everyday to ask God, “What do you want me to do now?” _Snippet from the Show It was fifteen years before I woke up in the middle of the night one night, I sat up in bed and I said, “Oh my Go...
Apr 05, 2019•48 min
Do you want to learn how to read minds? All you have to do is think about what you wish people would do for you, and then do it for them. You’ll find it’s exactly how people want to be treated. It’s like reading their mind. Do you want understanding, forgiveness, compassion, respect, and friendliness from others? They want that from you as well. We can also look to Scripture to discover how people want to be treated, especially the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love,...
Mar 29, 2019•36 min
I’m speaking with Fr. Josh Johnson, pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fr. Josh has a new book out, Broken and Blessed, about how we are broken and our Church is broken, but that the mercy and blessings of God surpasses all our failings. We discuss the theme of brokenness: how to respond to it in others, what to do about it in the Church, and what God thinks of us when we fall. If you know someone struggling with brokenness, I highly recommend Fr. Josh’s book—you ...
Mar 22, 2019•38 min
Repentance is critical for a healthy spiritual life. If we want to get over our mistakes and really orient ourselves around God, we have to have daily repentance. True repentance is not only a change in mind, “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you” but also a change in action, “I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more …” Discover stories of repentance in the Bible, including the Prodigal Son, and learn what these Scripture verses mean for you. Want the showno...
Mar 15, 2019•38 min
Stick to the three pillars of Lent for the full forty days with this strategy from Jeff Cavins. We hear about fasting, almsgiving, and prayer so often during Lent that the words can become bland and lose meaning. But these practices are not arbitrary measures designed to make us miserable for forty days. They are spiritual disciplines specifically aimed at three areas of weakness in our souls. They help us overcome sin and become more like Jesus. Jeff compares biblical figures from Genesis and 1...
Mar 08, 2019•34 min
Parish life sometimes feels like being stuck in traffic. Things aren’t moving forward, resources are limited, tempers flare, and it feels like there’s nothing we can do to move things along. But Jeff heard an interesting take on this from Fr. Josh Johnson. He said, “You’re not stuck in traffic. You are traffic.” Without knowing it, we can contribute to parish gridlock. Jeff points out several areas where we aimlessly honk our horns instead of doing something to ease the tension. * Gawking: We fi...
Mar 01, 2019•30 min
In today’s episode, Jeff tries something new. He wants you to meet his friend Dr. Edward Sri. Dr. Sri is a theologian, speaker, author of several bestselling books, and also hosts a podcast. He just authored a brand new book entitled “No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion.” In addition to the book, he went to Israel to film videos that allow you to meditate on Christ’s passion in a much deeper way. Jeff and Dr. Sri also answer tough questions such as: * If God is going to wip...
Feb 22, 2019•33 min
Have you ever felt like an outcast? This is a show of hope and possibility. In the old testament, because the righteousness of Israel could not overcome the sin and unrighteousness of Egypt, Israelites were given a law that separated them from that unrighteousness. In the new testament, however, Jesus reaches out and touches those very people. Why? Because his righteousness is powerful enough to overcome the darkness and unrighteousness in this world. He cleanses us so that we can come and touch...
Feb 15, 2019•28 min
Peace of mind is something we all struggle towards, but rarely achieve. Today, Jeff talk about why we are unable to obtain peace and gives you five practical ways to reach this elusive state of mind. For the full shownotes, including the scripture passages Jeff refers to in this episode, go to ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow and click on this episode.
Feb 08, 2019•35 min
The morning is a pivotal moment that forms the shape of your day. Unfortunately for many of us, we wake up and find ourselves in the same loop we have been in for so many years. You desire more, but how is this possible in the midst of a busy life? Today Jeff explains how a true disciple not only believes, but listens, reflects, and acts on the Word of God. If you want to change the shape of your day, change the shape of your morning...that’s where it all begins. Also, in honor of The Jeff Cavin...
Feb 01, 2019•31 min
Next week is The Jeff Cavins Show’s 100th episode and we want to do something to celebrate! We will be giving away three signed copies of various books Jeff has written: The Activated Disciple, Walking with God, and My Life on the Rock. How do you enter? All you have to do is sign up to receive Jeff’s weekly shownotes! Simple right? Don’t know how? Visit ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow Scroll down and you will see a box where you can enter your email address. Enter your email and press subs...
Jan 25, 2019•6 min
Take a journey with Jeff to the land of Israel and learn how the geography of this historic land teaches you about your spiritual life. Have you ever heard of the land of milk and honey? More than just a literal location, the land of milk and honey is a metaphor for two lifestyles of living. One is easy while the other is difficult. Learn how to use the geography of the Promised Land can help you in your walk with the Lord. For the complete shownotes, go to: ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow ...
Jan 18, 2019•34 min
Back by popular demand, Jeff compiles thirteen more motivating Scriptures to help you discern the future and to help you in times of suffering and fatigue. We often dwell on yesterday, become frozen with fear today, and can be paralyzed by tomorrow. However, it is in our weakness that God demonstrates his power and his strength. God is the ultimate motivational speaker. For the full shownotes, include scripture verses, go to ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow
Jan 11, 2019•32 min
To start the new year off right, Jeff compiles twelve motivating Scripture verses to encourage and motivate you during times of fear, impossible situations, and unbelievable obstacles. In this world, you will experience trials and tribulations. Through all of this, Jesus calls us to be of good cheer because he has overcome the world. If you commit these motivating Scripture verses to heart, you will be amazed how many times they will come up and speak to you on a daily basis. For the full showno...
Jan 04, 2019•31 min
Jeff wishes you a Happy New Year and shares a bit about his upcoming travels.
Dec 28, 2018•8 min
In his mercy, God sent his only to be born of a virgin and die for our sins. We need this mercy each and every day, but are able to see it in a special way at Christmas. Jeff unpacks the incredible mystery of the incarnation. He draws parallels between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant and walk us through scripture to show how the incarnation brings us back to mercy. Jeff’s words will change your perspective of Christmas forever. For the full shownotes, go to ascensionpress.com/thejeffcavinsshow ...
Dec 21, 2018•29 min
