This episode features two revealing interviews exploring the intersection of faith and government at the Illinois State Capitol, with each guest offering unique perspectives on how spiritual forces shape our political landscape. • Capitol Chaplain Joel Satterfield reveals how Abraham Lincoln's assassination led to the current location of the Illinois State Capitol • The fascinating story of how Mary Todd Lincoln rejected Springfield's plans to build Lincoln's tomb at what is now the Capitol grou...
Jul 01, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 233
Ever notice how some Christian leaders present a polished façade while others overshare every struggle on social media? Both miss the mark of true servant leadership. Drawing from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus, we explore what genuine leadership in the body of Christ requires—character that stands up to scrutiny. The recent wave of ministry scandals reveals what happens when gifting outpaces maturity. Leaders face a unique challenge: their platforms magnify both their strengths and flaws. ...
Jun 27, 2025•11 min
Willard and Carol McDonnell share their journey in prophetic ministry, balancing firmness with love while emphasizing the importance of loving God and His people above all else. Important topics of discussion include: • The need to allow God to change us from the inside out rather than trying to change ourselves • How prophetic words helped their marriage by clarifying their individual purposes and how they work together. • The pressure to perform in ministry and the importance of maintaining in...
Jun 24, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 232
Freedom in Christ or submission to religious systems? That's the challenging question at the heart of this thought-provoking episode that exposes the spirit of control infiltrating many churches today. Jesus taught that we cannot serve two masters. When church protocols and pastoral directives become more important than the leading of the Holy Spirit, believers find themselves trapped in a system that produces obedient church members rather than mature followers of Christ. Galatians 5:1-3 remind...
Jun 20, 2025•10 min
We continue our exploration of Carl Jung's statement about organized religion protecting people from direct experiences of God, examining how leadership positions often reveal our spiritual readiness. • Leadership requires independence, yet God calls us to codependence with Him • Positional leadership is the weakest form - true leadership is about influence, not title • Religious systems can become idols when we begin "worshiping the filter" rather than God • Biblical pattern shows transformativ...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 231
Foolishness surrounds us. From social media hot takes to street protests, we're witnessing cycles of reaction without reflection—exactly what ancient wisdom warned against. This episode dives deep into Proverbs 29 and 30, examining Solomon's timeless insights on dealing with fools in a world that increasingly resembles one. "If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace." This single verse captures why so many of our attempts at meaningful dialogu...
Jun 13, 2025•7 min
We explore the tension between organized religion as a protective filter and as a potential barrier to direct divine encounter. • Examining Carl Jung's quote that "formalized religion protects people against a direct experience of God" • Unpacking Moses' request to see God's glory in Exodus 33 • Understanding that God shows Moses His back but not His face—protection from what humans cannot handle • Becoming "nose blind" to the presence of God when we're immersed in it daily • Recognizing our own...
Jun 10, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 230
Ever noticed how easily we become offended when God doesn't operate according to our expectations? This episode tackles a profound spiritual truth that's been weighing heavily on my heart: if you don't understand what God is doing or His purpose, you'll inevitably be offended at His process or method. Drawing from Hebrews 1, we explore how God speaks "in various times and various ways" – He's not cookie-cutter in His approach. There are Biblical examples where this principle plays out dramatical...
Jun 06, 2025•12 min
God is moving powerfully outside traditional church structures, calling believers to minister beyond institutional walls. We explore biblical examples of those who prophesied "outside the camp" and how Jesus defended people doing ministry without official approval. • Examining Numbers 11 where Moses defended those prophesying outside the designated place • Paralleling Mark 9 where Jesus supported those casting out demons in His name without following the disciples • Observing the increasing phen...
Jun 03, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 229
The ancient wisdom of Proverbs delivers startlingly blunt assessments of foolish behavior that remain painfully relevant today. This deep dive into Biblical teachings reveals the distinction between mere ignorance (which can be remedied) and true foolishness (which stubbornly resists all correction). Through verse after powerful verse, we discover why "rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool" and how "as a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."...
May 30, 2025•11 min
We explore the biblical and personal stories of experiencing God's power outside traditional religious structures, challenging sectarianism and encouraging direct relationship with God. • Moses embracing Eldad and Medad prophesying outside the camp (Numbers 11:24-30) • Jesus rebuking his disciples for trying to stop someone casting out demons (Mark 9:38-42) • Personal testimonies of salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit occurring outside church settings • The difference between head knowledge...
May 27, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 228
Foolishness might seem like a harmless trait, but Scripture paints a much more serious picture. This deep dive into biblical wisdom offers a challenging perspective on what it truly means to be foolish according to God's Word. Drawing extensively from Proverbs, we unpack the profound difference between lacking intellectual capacity and choosing to reject wisdom. The Bible describes fools not by their mental abilities, but by specific behaviors: despising instruction, spreading slander, being qui...
May 23, 2025•13 min
The world changed forever when Peter received a vision commanding him to "rise, kill and eat" unclean animals, setting the stage for the gospel's expansion to the Gentiles. • Cornelius, a Roman centurion, receives angelic instructions to send for Peter • Peter receives a vision of unclean animals and the command to "kill and eat" • God reveals the deeper meaning: Gentiles are no longer to be considered unclean • The Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and his household, astonishing the Jewish believe...
May 20, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 227
Have you ever wondered why God gave us certain commandments? What if they're not just rules to follow, but invitations to become more like Him? While exploring Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments, I noticed something profound about the Sabbath commandment. God doesn't just tell us to rest—He explains that we should rest because He rested. This simple pattern reveals a powerful truth: we are made in God's image and designed to imitate Him. When we follow His commands, we're not just obeying rules;...
May 16, 2025•8 min
We explore the concept of being partakers of God's grace and the responsibilities that accompany receiving this gift. Our understanding of scripture requires careful examination as we distinguish between Paul's teachings on faith and James' perspective on works. • Examining Philippians 1:7 where Paul describes believers as "partakers of grace" • The relationship between Paul and the Philippian church demonstrates spiritual discernment • Distinguishing between "works of the law" and the natural o...
May 13, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 226
What does it really mean to be called to ministry? In this short but powerful episode, we challenge the common misconception that ministry requires formal training or ordination. Drawing from Exodus 19-20, we explore God's declaration that all of Israel would be "a kingdom of priests" - a designation that extends to every believer today. We dive into some fascinating biblical math: though all Israelites were priests in function, only about 8.33% (the tribe of Levi) were called to professional pr...
May 09, 2025•5 min
C-Dub and Bones explore the biblical principle of drawing near to God while respecting divine boundaries, using Exodus 19 as their foundation for understanding this delicate balance. They examine how God invited the Israelites close enough to hear Him directly while establishing clear boundaries around Mount Sinai. • God wants believers to draw near but also sets protective boundaries based on our spiritual maturity level • Spiritual maturity comes through relationship and experience—Moses had 4...
May 06, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 225
The confrontation with comfort zones begins when Jesus meets a man possessed by thousands of demons, living among tombs and cutting himself. What follows isn't just a supernatural deliverance but a powerful exposé of human nature's darkest tendency—becoming comfortable with someone else's suffering. This short episode unpacks the story from Mark 5:1-20 where Jesus casts demons from a tormented man into a herd of pigs. Rather than celebrating this man's freedom, the community begs Jesus to leave ...
May 02, 2025•9 min
Discover the powerful relationship between accusation, grace, and focus as C-Dub and Bones explore Paul's encounter with a venomous snake on Malta. • Paul's experience with a viper bite on Malta after surviving shipwreck demonstrates God's grace at work • The islanders recognized Paul as a "murderer" but missed how grace had transformed him • When accusations come, even true ones, focus on your mission rather than defending yourself • Critical thinking requires humility and willingness to questi...
Apr 29, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 224
Righteous anger has a place in Christian life, and Jesus himself demonstrated this overlooked truth. Drawing from Mark 3:1-6, this episode explores a critical moment when Jesus looked at the religious leaders "with anger" while healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The sanitized "meek and mild" portrayal of Jesus often taught in churches completely misses his confrontational nature. We conveniently forget the Jesus who fashioned a whip of cords and overturned tables in the temple. S...
Apr 25, 2025•9 min
We explore the tension between religious theory and practical application, examining how believers often get stuck in theological debates while neglecting the simple power of obedient action. • Many Christians obsess over "new doctrines" rather than applying timeless biblical truths • Jesus wasn't teaching new doctrine in Mark 1:21-28, but demonstrating the power of obedient action • Religious leaders often prioritize theological correctness over helping people who are suffering • Denominational...
Apr 22, 2025•51 min•Season 5Ep. 223
Resurrection lies at the heart of the Christian faith, but what if it's more than just a historical event? What if it's actually a spiritual pattern we're meant to experience in our own lives? On this special Good Friday episode, we explore the profound connection between sacrifice and resurrection in our personal spiritual journeys. Drawing from years of ministry experience—including our own "wilderness" seasons where dreams seemed to die—we share vulnerable insights about what happens when we ...
Apr 18, 2025•6 min
Biblical sacrifice isn't just about what you willingly give up – it's about what you prioritize and what truly matters in both temporal and eternal contexts. We confront American consumer culture and challenging ministry dynamics while exploring how finding peace often comes when we surrender control. • You're always sacrificing something – either immediate pleasure for long-term benefit or long-term reward for immediate gratification • What we brag about sacrificing often reveals our true idols...
Apr 15, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 222
Have you ever questioned why some spiritual leaders insist you need their interpretation of Scripture rather than developing your own relationship with God's Word? This thought-provoking episode challenges the notion that our spiritual lives should be mediated through religious authorities rather than direct engagement with Scripture. We examine a powerful historical precedent: when John the Baptist arrived as the prophesied forerunner to the Messiah, Israel's spiritual leaders failed to recogni...
Apr 11, 2025•7 min
C Dub and Bones explore the critical importance of real-world experience in ministry and how connecting with people requires understanding their daily struggles beyond church walls. They examine a viral clip of a pastor who discovered that gaining secular work experience dramatically improved his ability to relate to his congregation. • Discussion of Hebrews 4:14-16 and Matthew 22:34-40 as biblical foundation for authentic ministry • Exploration of the "ministry bubble" phenomenon where pastors ...
Apr 08, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 221
The tension between justice and mercy sits at the heart of Christian living, but finding balance between these seemingly opposing forces can feel impossible. How do we avoid becoming so focused on judgment that we lose compassion? And equally dangerous, how do we prevent our compassion from eroding necessary boundaries? Faith stands in the middle of this spectrum, acting as the stabilizing force that keeps us centered on the narrow path Jesus described. By examining the Hebrew word for evil ("ra...
Apr 04, 2025•10 min
We explore the contrast between outward religious appearance and genuine spiritual fruit, diving deep into Jesus's teachings on the weightier matters of the law. • The difference between leaves (religious activities) and fruit (character transformation) • How Jesus cursed an out-of-season fig tree, teaching us to bear fruit regardless of circumstances • Balancing mercy and justice through genuine faith • Why judgment without mercy and mercy without accountability both lead to spiritual imbalance...
Apr 01, 2025•45 min•Season 5Ep. 220
We challenge traditional views of holiness in this episode, arguing that sanctification isn't merely about avoiding sin but being set apart for a divine purpose. The misconception that we must achieve perfect holiness before God can use us has paralyzed many believers, preventing them from fulfilling their mission. • Holiness isn't primarily about what we don't do but what we're called to do • Obedience is the fast track to sanctification—better than sacrifice • Biblical figures like David, Solo...
Mar 28, 2025•11 min
The winds of change are blowing across America as nationwide storm systems possibly indicate spiritual warfare happening in the heavenly realms. We discuss how powerful weather patterns might be physical manifestations of angelic battles taking place in the second heaven. • Examining the parallels between government power imbalances and church dysfunction • Discussing the decline of strong male leadership within the body of Christ • Exploring how David's Tabernacle represents authentic, undignif...
Mar 25, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 219
Have you noticed how everyone seems to have a complaint these days? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into Jesus' observation about His generation in Matthew 11 and how startlingly similar our modern culture of criticism appears. Jesus highlighted how the people of His time criticized John the Baptist for his asceticism while simultaneously condemning Jesus for His sociability – proving that some folks just aren't satisfied no matter what approach you take. We explore this timeless...
Mar 21, 2025•9 min
