Category Archives: Commentary

#57-Podcast Re-Cast: Surviving Perilous Times

Play

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?

#44-Upside Down Blessings

Play

blessings copyThis week, we go back to the world of spiritual ideas to talk about “blessings.”  Each week, I end this podcast with an exhortation to “share you blessings with someone else.”  The question is, “What are our blessings?”  Are they the things we have?  The people we know?  The life we lead?  Jesus tells us about blessings and this lesson from my home church talks about those definitions in the context of Jesus’ birth.

Scriptures referenced in this lesson are:

#42-The Story of Christmas

Play

birth-of-jesusIt’s two days before Christmas as I write this.  The season of giving, receiving, family, friends, fellowship, and food is upon us.  But, will we take time to remember the reason for this season?  Will we take time – individually and corporately – to celebrate, to contemplate, to remember the One who gave us the most important gift of all?  “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son.  And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.  God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was.  He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3:16, The Message)  This podcast celebrates this gift in words and music.  Enjoy!

Music heard in this podcast:

#40-Giveaways, Audiobooks, & Carols #2

Play
Concealed in My Heart

Concealed in My Heart

Songs That I Whisper

Songs That I Whisper

Painted Sky-vol 1

The Wells Fargo Express Series – Volume 1 – The Desperate Road

Faith and the Law-Ambush

Faith and the Law-Ambush

Holiday Give-Away 2015

This week’s podcast looks at four books from two very different genres.  For the ladies, there is the sweet romance series by Regina Puckett, The Warren Family.  This features two books, Concealed in My Heart and Songs That I Whisper.  For the guys, there are two westerns.  From Remington Colt’s Wells Fargo Series, Murray Pura pens The Desperate Road.  James Griffin has written Faith and the Law: Ambush.  Both books feature great characters and exciting action.  You’ll hear samples from all these books as well as a look at a traditional Christmas Carol.  And don’t forget that my Holiday Give-Away is in full swing – right through New Year’s Day!

Music on this podcast:

Angels We Have Heard by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=004&page=1 Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Canon and Variation by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Links for this podcast:

Concealed in My Heart by Regina Puckett

SongsThat I Whisper by Regina Puckett

The Desperate Road by Murray Pura

Faith and the Law: Ambush by James J. Griffin

Holiday Give-Away

Christmas Miracle by Donna Patton

Miracles: 32 True Stories by Joanie Hileman

#39-Giveaways, Books, & Carols -1

Play

Holiday Give-Away 2015

Knighthawke

DOI #4-Cover smallIn this episode, we take a look at the Cyber-December that is being celebrated at Narration by George.  Not only am I making available a great short-story, a true-story-a-day-give-away, but I’m giving a book away every day in December.  Today I look at three possible books that might be of interest to you. Knighthawke and Knighthawke: Vanishing Shadows combine romance, action-adventure, and science fiction to tell the compelling story of Michael Weber.  Then, we look at some historical fiction with The Declaration of Independence Series: John Hancock. Finally, in the spirit of Christmas, the story of one of the most famous of all Christmas carols: Joy to the World.

Music credits:

Canon and Variation by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Joy To The World by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100189 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Links referred to in this episode are:

Narration by George on Facebook

Narration by George on Twitter

A Christmas Miracle by Donna Patton

Miracles: 32 True Stories by Joanie Hileman

Knighthawke by Jerry Minchew

Knighthawke: Vanishing Shadows by Jerry Minchew

The Declaration of Independence Series: John Hancock by Joseph Max Lewis

The Roman’s Quest Interview – part 1

Play

Anne Baxter-CampbellRomans Quest cover 1DSCF1381-WEBThis week, I interviewed Anne Baxter Campbell and Trish Horner about the latest Narration by George Audio Book release, The Roman’s Quest.  Anne is the author of this very fine novel.  Trish was the narrator for the female characters and the female point-of-view narratives.  We talked about the novel and about the faith in God that is evident throughout and central to the book.  You’ll hear examples of everything mentioned.  There is so much to hear that this is only the first part of the interview.  Next week, for part two, Anne interviews Trish and me.

Here are the links mentioned in the program:

Helping Hands Press web-site

Narration by George web-site

The Roman’s Quest – samples  to hear and click to buy

#34-What is the Gospel’s response to sexual immorality

Play

FAQ #5-Sexual immoralityThis week, we examine the fifth and final Frequently Asked Question – questions that people ask about God by looking at the Gospel’s response to sexual immorality.  This answer may surprise you!  But, you’ll never know without listening!

 

The scriptures and links referred to in this podcast are listed below:

John 1:1, 14

John 4:23

Leviticus 18:4

Leviticus 18:6, 8-18

Leviticus 18:20; 20:10

Leviticus 18:21

Leviticus 18:22; 20:18

Leviticus 18:23

Leviticus 18:24-25

1 Corinthians 6:16-20

John 8:2-6

John 8:6-8

Romans 3:23

Romans 6:23

1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 11

John 8:9-10

John 8:11

e-Mail me

Narration by George on Facebook

Narration by George on Twitter

#33-FAQ: How can I be certain that my decisions reflect God’s will for my life?

Play

FAQ #4-God's willWe continue looking at the five tough questions people ask about God.  This week is a more internal question than the others: How can I be certain that my decisions reflect God’s will for my life?  Again, I feature the teaching of Joey Davis from the Clear Creek Church of Christ on this topic.  Your comments are always welcome.

Here are links to the scriptures referred to in this lesson:

1 Timothy 2:3-4

Ephesians 5:15-17

Micah 6:1-4; 6-8

Numbers 13

James 4:8

And other links mentioned in the podcast:

Narration by George on Facebook

Narration by George on Twitter

Narration by George e-Mail

#32-FAQ: What about people who’ve never heard the gospel?

Play

FAQ #3-Going to HellThis week features question number three of the five tough questions that people ask about God.  We look at the question of people who have never had the chance to hear the gospel.  Are they condemned to hell?  This podcast, like the others, features the teaching of Joey Davis of the Clear Creek Church of Christ.  Your comments are always welcome to me.

The scriptures and links referenced in this podcast are below:

Matthew 10:28

Matthew 8:12

Matthew 13:42

Matthew 13:50

Matthew 22:13

Matthew 24:51

Matthew 25:30

Ezekiel 33:11

2 Peter 3:9

Romans 7:18-20; 24-25

John 14:6

1 Peter 3:18

John 3:16-17

Romans 3:23

Romans 6:23

Romans 2:15; Acts 17:26-27

Hebrews 1:1-2

Acts 1:6-7

Romans 1:16

The Romans Quest (new audiobook)

Narration by George on Facebook

Narration by George on Twitter

#31-FAQ: On God and Suffering

Play

FAQ #2-Just GodWe continue our look at five tough questions which are asked about God when Christians begin to share their faith outside of the church building’s walls.  This week’s question: If God is loving and just, why does he allow suffering and injustice?  Listen for some answers.

Scriptures referenced in this podcast are:

2 Peter 3:9

1 Peter 1:6-9

Daniel 3:24-25

Isaiah 43:1-3

Matthew 27:46

Psalm 22

2 Corinthians 5:21

1 Peter 1:3-5

1 Corinthians 15:54-57