Tag Archives: commentary

#97-Spiritual Ideas: Ephesians, part 2

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We continue looking at the book of Ephesians by studying the second part of chapter one.  As Paul discusses the key to unlocking the spiritual blessing we talked about in the first study, we find that the key may not be a popular one.  In fact, it can be down-right unpopular — but necessary.  Are you willing to do the unpopular?

I also play an extended excerpt from a recently released audio book, The Swaddling Clothes by Amber Schamel.  This is great historical fiction tracing a history of God’s people from King David to the time of the birth of Christ, focusing on the Swaddling Clothes which ultimately covered the baby Jesus.

LINKS IN TODAY’S PODCAST

#96 – Spiritual Ideas: Ephesians, part 1

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This is the first in a series of podcasts with teaching from the book of Ephesians.  The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to a church he loved deeply from a Roman prison.  He clearly outlines the Good News of Jesus and then tells his readers what that means for people who follow Him.

In this section from Chapter 1, Paul tells us about the “spiritual blessings” God has bestowed on us; what they are and how to attain them.  Join me as we enumerate these blessings and talk about the key to unlocking them.

LINKS FOUND IN THIS PODCAST

#86-Of Thanks and Thanksgiving

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As we move into Thanksgiving week-end, I have some thoughts to share with you about the holiday.  You’ll hear some history.  I’ll share some ideas about being thankful as well as some scripture.  And you’ll hear some “thanksgiving” music.  I pray this podcast helps you think about being grateful and to whom to be grateful.

LINKS FROM THIS PODCAST

#84-For Our Veterans

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Sgt. John Yell (back, right)

This Friday is Veteran’s Day.  So, I wanted to honor my fellow Vets with music and reading.  This podcast features a little about the job I used to do for the military, the Armed Forces Medley (all the themes of each of the services), some poetry from Regina Puckett, the story of Sgt. John Yell, the uncle of one of my authors, and the prologue from a book, Undeserved Favor, that will be out in the spring featuring the fictional Sgt. Frank Ballard.  I close with some scripture and commentary that are particularly appropriate for this post-election season.

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#72-Headlines

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Headlines IconThis week, we’re stepping away from the world of audio books to look at the timeless word of spiritual ideas.  Let me start with a question: Are you afraid?  Do you look at the headlines or hear the stories on TV news and quake from fear?  How do you cope with that fear?

Some people want to spend a lot of time and money and effort in extreme preparation.  So, we have shows on TV, like “Doomsday Preppers” from National Geograhic.  “A show dedicated to ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it.”  Some people may be paralyzed by fear.  Others may just put it out of their minds.

What should be a Christian’s response to the headlines and news stories we see and hear?  Should we be preppers?  Or hide from it?  Or ignore it?  Do we realize that fear is Satan’s greatest weapon among people of faith?

This week, I want to share a lesson from the preacher at my congregation, Clear Creek Church of Christ, as he discusses what God’s Word has to say about times like these.

LINKS IN THIS WEEK’S PODCAST:

#63 – The Violin Player and the Fearsome Powers

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Anka Watt - By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen - Own work, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3991230

Anka Watt – By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen – Own work, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3991230

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We explore some spiritual ideas on today’s podcast.  Randy Harris, a professor from Abilene Christian University, shares a powerful lesson from Colossians 2. He even references Anka Watt.  Why?  You’ll have to listen.

Here are some quotations which may entice you:

  • Jesus Christ has triumphed over all the powers of darkness. Why aren’t you living like that?
  • Become what you are.
  • You are set free from sin by Jesus Christ. He has conquered all the dark powers.  And we spend the rest of our lives learning to become  what He has declared us to be.
  • God loves you so much that He’s conquered the dark powers through Jesus Christ

Join me for some amazing and encouraging words!

#61-Meet Mr. Holmes & Dr. Watson #2

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A Study in Scarlett CD coverThis week’s podcast continues where we left off last week.  A Study in Scarlett is separated into two different parts.  Last week, we looked at part one.  This week, we look at part two. We start with the passages which outline the events which take place in America and affect the London events which we looked at last week.  Then we begin listening to some of Holmes’ descriptions of his deductions.  Join us for some amazing descriptions of the American western landscape and some exciting events.  There is also a couple bits of trivia about books and reading.

Links in today’s episode:

#57-Podcast Re-Cast: Surviving Perilous Times

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We continue looking back at prior podcasts – “re-casts” if you will – while I am moving and the studio is being rebuilt.  We go back to look at a spiritual episode from the past, this week.

Most of the time we read passages like Luke 21 in light of an end-of-times narrative.  However, I think that Jesus’ hearers – his disciples and apostles – would have heard this narrative in a different way.  Jesus was preparing his disciples with instructions for survival in perilous times.  In their day, Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, the church was to be scattered through persecution, and disciples would be killed.  How would they get through those times?

In many ways, our times are not so different.  There is persecution for believers in Jesus – some that leads to death.  Churches are in trouble for various reasons.  And times seem to be getting more difficult.  How to God’s children cope?

In this podcast, I go back to Jesus’ instructions for His first followers from Luke 21:5-36.  Let’s hear Jesus’ words as they might have heard them, not as an end-of-times narrative.  What do we learn of coping in perilous times?

#55-ReCast: An Interview with Becky Wooley

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Non-Prophet Murders coverBecky WooleyIf you listened last week, you know that we are going to feature some older podcasts as “re-casts” for the next four weeks while I move and re-build my studio in a new home.  This week’s re-cast features my friend and author, Becky Wooley.  As a minister’s wife and church secretary, she has the inside scoop on how churches run.  And she has taken that information and some great imagination to write the clerical crime novel, Non-Prophet Murders.   Grit along with three pastors find themselves the target of a killer.  Can Grit and his girlfriend, Grace, find the killer before he or she strikes again!  Full of humor, satire, and some scary moments, Non-Prophet Murders keeps you guessing “who-dun-it.”  Listen and find out how she does it!

Links mentioned in this podcast include:

#46-Two Mysteries & an Adventure Tale

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Non-Prophet Murders cover01 AStudyInScarletThe Destined_CoverThis week’s Audio Book of the Week is a great murder mystery full of satire and commentary about matters involving the way we Christians do “church”.  How do murder and church go together?  Check out Becky Wooley’s clerical crime novel, Non-Prophet Murders. It’s a great listen which we sample in this podcast.

Last week, I announced that two new books were in production. This week, I have samples for you to hear from each of the books.

  • The very first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlett, is the first time Dr. Watson & Holmes work together.  Today’s sample is from the first meeting between Watson & Holmes.
  • The Destined is the first novel for authors Glenn Eidson and Brent Hurst.  Six people – five teens and their teacher – are endowed with special powers to become The Destined: those with the responsibility to save the world from some really bad stuff!  In today’s sample, we see how one learned of his special endowment.

Links for this week’s podcast: