Jesus speaks with severity on a number of topics, yet few as severely as the topic of forgiveness. Throughout the gospels we see him laying out multiple parables on both the power of forgiveness, and the dire consequences for us if we refuse to forgive. Why is forgiveness such an important topic to Jesus? What if I feel like I can't forgive someone who has wronged me? We talk about these questions and more in this episode. Disclaimer: Jon had some difficulties with his mic this week and the audi...
Aug 31, 2020•43 min•Ep. 70
While Jon is on vacation, Jim discusses the three questions we must answer correctly to have all the power, influence and fruitfulness God has in mind for us during this crazy year. The opportunity before us is incredible, but the pathway will be different than we are used to. Thanks for listening as always, we will see you next week.
Aug 24, 2020•40 min•Ep. 69
We read through two lists of passages of scripture this week that emphasize both the eternal forgiving power of the blood of Jesus, and the importance of faith-inspired works. Are passages that warn believers not to return to sin a sign that we can lose our Christ-given salvation? We wrestle with that question and more in this episode of Upstream. Thanks for listening!
Aug 17, 2020•58 min•Ep. 68
Jesus makes very clear in the gospels that it is not free to follow him. This week we analyze the language Jesus used to describe what it is like to be a disciple, why many in the western church have not really wrestled with what following him could, and might still, cost them, and how in the end it is still very worth it. See you all next week!
Aug 10, 2020•49 min•Ep. 67
We had the opportunity to host some guests in the studio again for a panel on the challenges and opportunities facing millennial men, specifically during the COVID pandemic. Both Michael and Jordan work in production at Evergreen and we're so grateful they were able to join us. Thanks for listening, see you next time!
Aug 03, 2020•43 min•Ep. 66
We're back in the studio this week for a talk about faith and doubt, diving deep into Hebrews 11 for the definition of faith, and for the idea that faith is what made the great men and women of God great. Is faith the absence of doubt? Or are Christ followers meant to overcome their doubts with faith? We're especially proud of this episode and are very grateful for our listeners. See you next week!
Jul 27, 2020•57 min•Ep. 65
How do I stay sane and focused in a crazy world? This week, Jim flies solo as Jon is on a short vacation. Jim will unpack how he is learning to stay positive, focused, and optimistic in a world of chaos. If you battle anxiety, frustration, or trials, this episode is for you! Tune in next week for some good, old fashioned Upstream and thanks for listening!
Jul 20, 2020•22 min•Ep. 64
Public discourse has gone from a sense that you can't please everybody, to a sense that you can't please anybody at all. If you have any differences in belief from those on either end of a spectrum of extremes, you are seen as an absolute enemy to all they believe. How can we navigate a society like this while maintaining our gospel and showing love to those around us? Do we just shut down and mind our own business or do we pick a hill to die on? We have this conversation up, down, and sideways ...
Jul 13, 2020•52 min•Ep. 63
This is Jon Thoughts! With Jim out of town for a few weeks, Jon took to the mic for a very impromptu rambling sesh on what's been occupying his thoughts for the last little while, namely on meaning, and on looking at the history of man and God in a narrative sense. Its a shorter episode with some chill vibes, but if that's not for you we will be back next week with some regularly scheduled Upstream! Thank you as always for listening, and, this week in particular, please give us feedback. We may ...
Jul 06, 2020•27 min•Ep. 62
The Bible describes the Gospel as having the power to change people to the extent that the only appropriate way to phrase it is that they were entirely born again; the old has gone and the new has come. But when we look at ourselves and at others, do we really see change on this level? And is this change meant to be all at once in a miracle moment, or gradually over time? How much of our personal identity is meant to survive this change? We both had questions swirling around this topic and figur...
Jun 29, 2020•44 min•Ep. 61
We made it to episode 60! Thanks as always for listening. This episode we talk about personal responsibility: how it seems to be disappearing from our culture; how a life without responsibility can feel meaningless; and how finding meaning, through responsibility, might be the key to happiness and a sense of fulfillment. Enjoy!
Jun 22, 2020•50 min•Ep. 60
Multiple passages of scripture provide the same message: that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Jon had a question this week on how far, exactly, this extends. If you find yourself at piece with the world does that mean something is wrong? Should you go picking fights with the world just to feel some resistance? And what of struggles you experience between yourself and the church? We dive deep into these questions and more this episode, thanks so much for listening.
Jun 15, 2020•53 min•Ep. 59
As the nation has come to another grinding halt in the last few weeks during protests in respect to the murder of George Floyd, we figured it was pertinent to have a conversation, or in this case, 6 small conversations, on race relations in America. We also touch on related issues like the power of speech and the Frustrated Majority. Please note: we are very aware that, as two white men in a primarily white part of the country, we have myriad blind spots in regard to the black experience. Thank ...
Jun 08, 2020•54 min•Ep. 58
On the topic of Evergreen's new Oikochurch program, we talked this week about how, relationally, a small intimate group can have a far bigger effect on the lives of its members than that of a larger group. We also discuss how this principal, going big by going small, relates to other areas of life, and how everybody needs at least one "2 a.m. friend." As always, thanks so much for listening, and stay safe out there!
Jun 01, 2020•56 min•Ep. 57
Happy Memorial Day! We hope you all are having great three day weekends and are so grateful for your listening patronage. Jim and Sue had an interesting conversation on their own that Jon had his own take on, which led to this conversation on how our contemporary culture seems to decide what is right and what is wrong. We compare that with some cases of Biblical morality, including a few times when the Bible itself goes into some morally grey areas. Enjoy some family time this weekend, see y'all...
May 25, 2020•53 min•Ep. 56
We get personal this week on our own non-stop fighting of our sin natures, and talk about if there is a better way to go about righteousness than trying really hard to be better and hating yourself when you fail. If being born again is really as powerful and dramatic as it sounds, why do men and women of faith still fight temptation all the way to the grave? Tune in and find out (Note: yes, we have done a sin management episode before; we tried to being some fresh material for this one. As alway...
May 18, 2020•53 min•Ep. 55
Well, there it is. This week we talk about gun ownership, not through the lens of gun control legislation or our political positions on them, but on our personal convictions (or lack thereof) on gun ownership as disciples. Would Paul have owned guns? Would Jesus? Does preparing for the worst mean you lack faith/doubt the sovereignty of God? We walk through our own personal values and questions here and are not setting out to speak definitively for all Christians, so please enjoy and send us any ...
May 11, 2020•49 min•Ep. 54
Welcome to the first episode of year two of Upstream! Thank you so much for your continued support, we are so grateful for our listeners. This week we have another COVID-19 discussion, this time on the many ethical questions it has brought to the front of public discussion. Among them; should older Americans risk their lives for the sake of the economy? Hope you all are safe and, again, thank you.
May 04, 2020•47 min•Ep. 53
This week marks one whole year of Upstream episodes! We could not be more grateful for those who give us their time and tune in every week, and a special shout out to our Upstream Team who support us on Patreon. We celebrate this occasion by looking back at how we started, what our goals were and where we are now, and then look toward the future of the podcast with some of our goals going forward. Look out for more from us going into our second year and, again, thank you!
Apr 27, 2020•45 min•Ep. 52
This week we look as best we can into the future, when the shutdowns are eased and people are back to sharing all kind of space with all kinds of people. We look at possible changes ranging from the more dramatic to the more mundane, with a particular focus on how this culture shift might affect our professional world and its status quo. Thanks so much for listening as always, and catch us next week for our one-year anniversary episode!
Apr 20, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 51
Are the commands that Jesus gave to the Apostles exactly the same He would give to every Christian, or are there different levels of expectations for those who are not in vocational ministry? We talk about that this week in our first remotely-recorded episode! Thanks for listening.
Apr 13, 2020•48 min•Ep. 50
We review a study and advice from a professional with credentials for above our own this week on what exactly happens to our minds, both chemically and otherwise, during a time of mass crisis like we all find ourselves in. As well as breaking down why exactly we react the ways we do to pressure, we go over ways to use that information, and this extra time on your hands, to your advantage. As always, thanks so much for listening! Appreciate you guys.
Apr 06, 2020•46 min•Ep. 49
This week, Jon had a sort of "aha" during Jim's sermon on Sunday. You don't have to attend church for very long before you hear about God's plan and the ways it may run contrary to your own, but often we talk about this in regard to aspirations, career goals or life purpose. But the realization was that this extends to really all manner of things, including prayers during life or death scenarios. When God does not spare a loved one, what would it take to accept that with grace knowing that He di...
Mar 30, 2020•44 min•Ep. 48
While many Washingtonians have already been staying home for the good of themselves and their countrymen, there may be a long road of self-isolation still ahead of us. To help you stay sane and healthy, we both wrote a list of ways you can stave off boredom, and even use this time as an opportunity to help people! We had a lot of fun, thank you all for listening.
Mar 23, 2020•46 min•Ep. 47
We bring you this early episode of Upstream to encourage peace during a week of panic that shows no signs of slowing down. The figures and public opinion surrounding this novel coronavirus change so rapidly that we are delivering this to you very soon after we recorded, and if you listen to it next week please give us grace in regard to information that may be out of date by then. Between those who believe the world is overreacting, and those who believe death is imminent, we believe this is a s...
Mar 13, 2020•42 min•Ep. 46
Some hot, fresh statistics have recently been released, showing again the decline of Church attendance in America. This time, however, it has shown an increase in personal faith engagement (prayer, Bible reading), which complicates things. So again we look at the future of the American Church, why these stats are the way they are, and what other forms Church-going may take in the coming years. Thanks, as always, for listening!
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 45
Jon has a question this week on Philippians 2:12 where Paul tell us to "work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling." Salvation is normally associated with joy and grace, so this wordage caught him off guard. We talk through it this week, and through the general concepts of what it is to fear God, and what responsibility you have in regards to your own salvation. Thanks for listening!
Mar 02, 2020•49 min•Ep. 44
The New Testament seems to acknowledge only one kind of Christian, one who is totally bought in and on fire for God. This seems contrary to how ministry seems today, where there can be many kids of Christ followers (i.e. the new convert, the cooled-off Christian, the stuck one, etc.). So we break down a list this week of the differences between a casual, cultural Christian, and a bonafide New Testament disciple. Thanks for listening, all feedback is appreciated!
Feb 24, 2020•48 min•Ep. 43
We break down another list this week, this time on lies people believe about work and their careers. Jim provides an employer perspective, focused on how to provide the healthiest and most productive environment for your team, and Jon the employee, focused on how to enjoy your time at work the most and the realities of a work-life balance (or if that is one of the lies)!
Feb 17, 2020•52 min•Ep. 42
This week's topic is an especially squirrely one. We talk about research that indicates that a person is basically already who they are going to be from a very young age, with many predispositions set before birth, and what this says about us and our interactions with God. How free-will enters into the equation, and what being 'born again' really means in a practical sense. We had a great time recording it and we think you'll have a great time listening to it. Thanks for tuning in!
Feb 10, 2020•49 min•Ep. 41
