So, let me ask, what is your first reaction to the word repentance? I mean, did you just cringe a little bit? I don’t know about you, but I find that, too often, this word is one of the big, bad, negative words in the Christian vocabulary. When it is one of its most positive words. To see this will mean that we need to look at this through the same lens of what it means to be a Christian. Which is a following of Christ that involves a relationship leading to studentship leading to a life lived f...
Apr 29, 2024•9 min•Ep. 115
Hello, Welcome to the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. My name is Charles, and this is the Coffee Side Chat series. So named because of this amazing cup of coffee sitting on the counter right beside me. We are coming to you from the hallowed halls of Mykitchen University. The kitchen counter is the perfect place to stand, talk, laugh, and learn together while sipping on a cup of beautiful coffee. Let me ask you a question. Why is forgiving others so important to our faith? Well, let’s kick this aroun...
Apr 22, 2024•10 min•Ep. 114
In this episode, we will do this by delving into the common experience of feeling that God has withdrawn from us as Christians. Many of us have encountered this feeling where he seems so distant, though there was a time when we felt so close to him. What’s up with that? In looking into this, I came up with two suggestions. I know there may be more, and please leave others in the comments section for me. Scripture Reference: Romans 8:11 ~ God makes his home in us. Hebrews 13:5 ~ God promises he w...
Apr 15, 2024•11 min•Ep. 113
In this episode, we are going to look at the best and worst parts of Christian life. And we are going to do this while looking through the lens of what it means to be a Christian, which is a following of Jesus that involves a relationship leading to studentship leading to living a life based on everything learned. Indeed, it is only as we look through this lens that we can see these parts as being fully the best and fully the worst. Let’s start with the best part. I like to start on the positive...
Apr 08, 2024•15 min•Ep. 112
In this episode, we are going to talk about the question: Who is Jesus? I know. In a fairly short video, are we going to explore this question fully? Yeah, no. But we are going to talk about a framework you can use while pursuing your relationship with him while learning who he is. So, what comes to mind when you hear the question, who is Jesus? You might be saying, “He is God.” Yes, but is that all we know about who he is? What else can you think of? “Lord and Savior?” Yes. What else? “Son of G...
Apr 01, 2024•9 min•Ep. 111
In this episode, we are going to consider the questions: what is prayer, and why is it so important? Many have talked about prayer, going into depth on the hows and whys of it all. So… what can a man, even one standing in these hallowed halls while chatting over a cup of coffee, contribute to the insights of such heavy hitters as these and other thoughtful scholars? I don’t know, but what better place to kick around an idea than at a kitchen counter over coffee? Scriptural example of Prayer: Mat...
Mar 29, 2024•7 min•Ep. 110
In this episode, we are going to consider the question, what is Christianity? Or to phrase it another way, what does it mean to be a Christian? I mean, the goal here is to view every topic discussed through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. We should probably discuss what it means to be a Christian. Right? Here’s what I have found while looking through the Bible. Christianity is following Jesus. Now, before you say, “Gee, Captain Obvious, can you be any more obvious?” Why yes, yes I c...
Mar 26, 2024•5 min•Ep. 109
I’m Charles, and this is the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. In this episode, I want to introduce our new series of Podcast episodes. Entitled the Coffee-side Chat series. So named because of this cup of coffee on the counter right beside me. And we’re coming to you from the hallowed halls of Mykitchen University. The kitchen table is the perfect place to sit, talk, laugh, and learn together. While sipping on a cup of beautiful coffee. I have found that too often, the lens we use tends to be a favor...
Mar 26, 2024•4 min•Ep. 108
After our last conversation, it took Old Man Tom a few days to get back by the house. But as old as he is, his memory is tack sharp. Indeed, it was he who reminded me that he had wanted to follow up and share what our last conversation had inspired. He started off by saying, “Good morning, Charles. Hey, have you heard the rumor about the butter?” “The butter? No.” “Oh, I’m not going to spread it.” Now, I may have grimaced just a little bit. Because he began to laugh even louder. Once he stopped ...
Dec 06, 2022•16 min•Ep. 107
The other day, as I was sweeping off my front porch, Old Man Tom came by and asked me something that caught me slightly off guard. He started simply enough by saying, “Good morning, Charles.” But it is what he said next that caught me off-guard. He said, “Did you know the earth is 70% water?” “Had no idea.” “It is. And as importantly, all that is uncarbonated.” I stared at him for a moment. Then hesitantly asked, “And?” “Well, technically, then, it is flat.” I had to ask. Sometimes, there is not...
Nov 22, 2022•17 min•Ep. 106
The other day, I was speaking with Old Man Tom. Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him anyway. Nobody really knows why. Personally, I think it’s because he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is a very sage individual, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. Anyway, on that particular day, the first thing he said was, “Charles, I’ve had an epiphany about how I clean house.” “An epiphany about cleaning house?” “Oh yeah. It comes from the saying, “From dust you came,...
Nov 08, 2022•20 min•Ep. 105
The other day, a good friend of mine stopped by, Old Man Tom. Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him. Though, I genuinely don't know why that is. Whether that is because he’s a wise old soul or, simply put, he’s just older than dirt. I like to think it’s because he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is very sage, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. Anyway, he came by and said, “Good morning, Charles.” “Morning, Tom.” “Charles, as I was drinking coffee this mor...
Oct 25, 2022•19 min•Ep. 104
The other day, I was speaking with Old Man Tom, a good friend of mine; Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him anyway. Though, I truly don't know why that is. Whether that is because he’s a wise old soul or, simply put, because he is older than dirt. I like to think it’s cause he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is a very sage individual, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. I’m telling ya. Anyway, he came by the other day and asked me a question; he said, “He...
Oct 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 103
This past week I have had cause to get angry at work. Now, the ins and outs of why are not crucial to our chat. For we all know what it’s like to get mad at work, right? But the anger itself is what is of interest. Because it brought to mind an age-old question; is getting angry a sin? Is it a sign of weak faith? This is what we are going to chat about in this episode. Now, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes, and this is the first episode of our new Coffee-side Chat series here on the Simple Not...
May 17, 2022•12 min•Ep. 102
Can I just say that once again, the Psalms have turned what I have thought about asking for God’s blessing on its head? Here, the psalmist asks God to bless the king so that others may also become blessed. Also, this gives a whole new perspective to something that two other psalms say. For instance, in Psalm 1…. Well, tell you what, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s first hear the psalm; then, we can chat. Also, before beginning, this podcast is sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple...
May 10, 2022•14 min•Ep. 101
Can I just say that, once again, I have been pleasantly surprised to find in the Psalms a most excellent example of a teaching of Jesus? Yes, a teaching of Jesus and one from James. The teaching of Jesus is that of having troubles in this world but to be of good cheer found in John 16:33. And the one from James is that trials should be considered pure joy as they help produce perseverance, which brings about spiritual maturity and complete faith, which is found in James1:2. Where do I find this ...
May 03, 2022•16 min•Ep. 100
Can I just say that I never considered pain and sorrow to be a part of a worship service before? Yet, here, the psalmist is very honest about his pain, sorrow, and despair, and still, this Psalm is contained in the prayer book of the Bible. Now, let’s keep perspective, the pain and sorrow are not being celebrated but the Psalmist’s response to them is a profound act of faith and worship. Now, well…. Tell you what, before delving into this, let’s listen to the Psalm, and then we’ll talk about wha...
Apr 26, 2022•10 min•Ep. 99
Can I just say that this Psalm contains so much that wants to be spoken about; that it has been difficult deciding what to talk about? For instance, there is the topic of Christians encountering despair and how to deal with it. There is also the topic of just how gritty and realistic Scripture can be in portraying hard times and difficult emotions. So much to talk about and so little time. So, to choose just one topic, the one thing that stood out a little more than the others is the response to...
Apr 19, 2022•19 min•Ep. 98
Can I just say that while context is king, tone may well be the Secretary of State? It is amazing how the tone used when we hear or read something colors how we listen to it; if we listen to it. For instance, the word “Hello.” Depending on the tone, it can be very warm and welcoming, or cold and even almost rude. The same is true of how we read the Bible. Isn’t that intriguing? The Bible can sound very warm, welcoming, and compassionate, or it can sound aloof, cold, and holier than thou. Which i...
Apr 12, 2022•19 min•Ep. 97
Can I just say that moving is one of my least favorite things in the world to do? But for the past two weeks, that’s where I have been, moving. But thankfully, that is all behind us now. I apologize that it got in the way of getting this episode to you an episode last week. But we’re back, we’re moving, and here we go with episode 96. Thank you for understanding. Enjoy. Now, can I just say, concerning this Psalm, that the thing that impressed me most in this concise poem is that the Psalmist cov...
Apr 05, 2022•11 min•Ep. 96
Welcome to the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This is Psalm Tuesday, where we read a different Psalm each Tuesday in a manner meant to honor its original use in a worship service. But this week, we are doing things just a little differently. This is because I’m in the middle of moving, and this has left me no time to prepare a new episode. So, we are going to revisit a listener favorite. It is episode 64, The Source of All Life and Living, which is a reading of Psalm 36. It is the most popular epis...
Mar 22, 2022•14 min•Ep. 95
Can I just say that of all the things I was expecting to find in a Psalm of praise, the psalmist praises God for something that wasn't even on the radar? It caught me entirely by surprise. Though, it does make perfect sense. He is praising God for refining his faith through a similar process to which silver is refined. Silver has to have the impurities burned out of it in order to be pure, and that fire is very hot. Another way this could be said is that he is praising God for disciplining him a...
Mar 15, 2022•13 min•Ep. 94
Can I just say that what struck me most in this psalm is that praise for God need not always be loud or super energetic in tone? That there can be a quiet and peaceful certainty in our honoring God. Yes, a positive and calm assurance is what I see here. For starters…. Well, let's first hear the psalm. Then we'll chat about it. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is now sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book is a collection of the ...
Mar 08, 2022•10 min•Ep. 93
Can I just say that I have found three profoundly beautiful words of encouragement in this psalm? They are, “But Sovereign God.” Three little words that say so much. Indeed, when life is out of hand, the pain faced is real, and the attitude of those causing the pain is, at best, callous, then these words are very encouraging indeed. Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is now sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A ...
Mar 01, 2022•10 min•Ep. 92
Can I just say that the more time I spend studying and learning about the Psalms, the more wonderous they become? For instance, in this one, Psalm 63, I have heard something quite profound. Something that I did not hear in the initial reading. In this psalm, I found the wisdom of keeping problems in the background of my thoughts and keeping God as their focus. See, it’s…. Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is no...
Feb 22, 2022•11 min•Ep. 91
Can I say that I am amazed and in awe of the sheer humanity I find in the Psalms? For instance, in this psalm, number 62, I see a peace of mind, a quiet certainty, a sublimely untroubled state of mind that many today are dreaming about but never able to discover for themselves. It is beyond awesome; it is comforting and reassuring. And the Psalmist shares his secret for being so at peace. He says…. Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, before beginning, I am proud to ...
Feb 15, 2022•12 min•Ep. 90
Can I say that I find something extraordinary in this psalm? We have all heard something about prayer, what it is, what it does, and how it works. Right? Yet, I find here an aspect of prayer rarely spoken of. Indeed, “rarely” is an understatement. Yet, it is most profound and makes total sense when viewed in a relationship with God. Prayer elevates us from pain into peace, joy, and praise as we talk with the one we trust. Now…. Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, be...
Feb 08, 2022•11 min•Ep. 89
Can I say that all who think Christianity is all roses and lollipops, you know, the thinking that “God only wants you to be happy, healthy, wealthy, and prosperous if you just have enough faith” probably aren’t exactly right? All you have to do is read a psalm or two to know this isn’t so. Take this psalm, for instance, which is Psalm 60; we find something much more profound than happy, healthy, wealthy happening…. Ahhh, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, before beginnin...
Feb 01, 2022•12 min•Ep. 88
Can I say that the Bible is full of beautiful twists and turns? For example, here in Psalm 59, we start with the Psalmist asking God to save him from fierce and strong enemies. Then, he builds his case against them to the point where he compares them to wild dogs that prowl about the city at night. He next praises God because God will give him triumph over his enemies; a joyful triumph is what he calls it. So far, so good. Nothing unexpected yet, right? But what he says next is, and it is beauti...
Jan 25, 2022•13 min•Ep. 87
Can I say that it is quite effortless to take passages from the Bible out of context? Which destroys the message and meaning the passage contains. We can then get hung up on a word or phrase rather than hearing what is actually being said. For instance, in this psalm… Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is now sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book is a collection of the ...
Jan 18, 2022•11 min•Ep. 86
