Something To Gnaw On

Did you ever see The Jerry Springer Show?   Well,  for those of you who think things in 'Bible-Times' were perfect  haven't met the Hebrew Karen found in 2 Samuel 3.   This episode will take a quick look at the life of Michal, daughter of King Saul, and wife of King David.   It's a tough look at growing up in a home with a loose cannon for a dad.  We also take a comparative loo...

What is it with us guys, cars, and the need for speed?   In this episode, catch the way God uses a few cars to teach my dad a lesson... or three! I hope y'all are enjoying these stories as much as I am enjoying recording them.   (((don't forget to write your stories down too... and share them!!!  Share them with friends and family members.... Make Jesus Famous by sharing what he's d...

Once again I dig into the family treasury that is dad's little collection of God - stories.   There are three quick stories; one humorously highlights the need to be humble and right before the Lord, and the other two will remind you that there is more going on behind the scenes when you are sharing your faith!!! Additionally, we will take a quick look at the Biblical precedent for writing do...

*** Bonus content at end. Maybe you were better than me in school, and somehow managed to avoid the principals office.   Good for you!!   This week I am taking a look at my last trip to the principals office, my senior year of high school... and it reminded me of a few characters in the bible who landed in the ultimate principals office ... King David and King Saul. This episode will contrast how...

In the first part of Leadership Team Conflicts we highlighted the character and nature of Joab, a very difficult person to have working for you - or along side you.  He is focused on the organizational goal, but self absorbed - and if the agenda of the organization and his personal goals collide, then there is no amount of manipulation he won't exercise to maintain control.... including murde...

What a crazy, long title!! In this episode we begin to dig in to the four characteristics evident in David's life that  become the tools to dealing with the Joab's of life...  In the event that you missed the last episode on Joab, please take a few moments and dig into that episode first...  It will make this episode make more sense. The beauty of it all is that these are not just for th...

What do you do when the "7 Steps To Conflict Resolution" don't seem to work?  What happens when you are locked in a situation within an organization with a member of the team that has a rogue attitude.   Fire him (or her), right?  Sure.... but what if firing them will split the organization?     In today's episode, we dig into David's relationship with Joab...  this is the...

If every decision I made was logical, this would have been first!  But, alas, such is not the case.   I am loving this study into the life of King David, and specifically how he handled conflict, and it is truly eye opening!     Next week will be an episode on David and Joab, and it's gonna be a good one!!!    All that said, it looks as if there will be several others to follow as well and th...

Conflict is like death and taxes...   it's not a question of if it happens, but "WHEN".   And then, to answer all the good news-reporter questions, there is the question of "HOW" often, "HOW" intense, "WHO" is involved, "WHERE" or what setting it occurs in.     King David's life is fraught with conflict.   And there is a baseline level of...

If I consulted Websters Dictionary for the definition of “PEACE” I would find  “A state of tranquility, ABSENCE of war; a pact to end a war; freedom from disorderly disturbances; freedom from worries.”  But, is this a biblically accurate definition of peace… ?  This episode takes a crash course run through the use of the word PEACE, once by Jeremiah in the Old Testament, and another by John in the...

Your kids will give you every opportunity to pray about “EVERYTHING”.   Someone’s gonna bite their nose in the nursery, or bloody their nose on the playground, or break their nose in a basketball game, and break their heart in relationships, and I hate to say it,… but some of us are going to see some pretty dark days… and it’s gonna break your heart to see.  The heartaches of life will come… in va...

Watergate is a great example of a cover-up attempt.... a conspiracy.   The basics of a cover-up are engrained in us all...  from stealing cookies and breaking windows to telling lies (whether little or big.)   At the same time, this concept of cover-up is at the heart of the resurrection story, and it's back story.   But so often we get lost in the weeds.  So often we get in the habit of thro...

What does a Hungarian POW and the Apostle Peter have in common?  They are both on a collision course that will change their lives.  It will be painful, but it will be good.  AW Tozer once wrote “it is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply”, in this two part episode we will dig into how God uses personal pain, our personal disasters,  for his glory.    “UPBEAT –...

Getting into the mess was easy... but how do you get out and STAY OUT!!!    The recipe for this episode includes a passage from Jeremiah 31, with a couple of excerpts from Paul, a dash of teaching from Jesus..... and a beautiful illustration from Bob,  Bob Wiley.... from the classic movie "What About Bob?" “UPBEAT – ACCOUSTIC” Used By Permission Music by <a href="https://pixabay....

Thinking the battle is over could prove to be a fatal mistake... certainly there are seasons of peace - times of rest...   but make no mistake about it - the Devil is always on the prowl...  and like most predators in nature, he doesn't attack head on.  He choses stealth, underhanded methodologies, and seeks vulnerability (aka the path of least resistance).   And he has a knack for taking adv...

We live in a culture that glorifies qualities like knowledge, wisdom, planning, and self-reliance.  And let's be honest, those aren't exactly bad things.... The book of Proverbs sing the praises of all four.   But a problem arises when these characteristics exist in a setting devoid of faith in THE Living God!   Listen in to a few stories of people exhibiting great faith, and see how God...

For the sake of continuity, and in the spirit of the 'short podcast',  both episodes have been put together on the same recording.   Feel free to pause in the middle if need be, (there is a natural break there).   This episode begins with a light-hearted/semi-comedic look into the latter years of the old hymnals in church worship, and the transition to more contemporary style.   It is pe...

You may recognize this story from "AN UNFORTUNATE ATTACK" with Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand's famous phrase "It's nothing".....   but the application comes from a short devotional I shared several months ago with our Living Free Ministry.   Sometimes we are tempted to trivialize issues of life with a Franz Ferdinand "It's Nothing" statement..... but it&apo...

There is power in prayer.   Not the 'yubba dub dub, thanks for the grub' dinner prayer or the 'now I lay me down to sleep' night time prayer, but there is prayer that it powerful and effective, prayer that changes the world as we know it.  Last episode we looked at two dynamics in  Paul's teaching:   Praying without ceasing, or praying 'always', and focusing more...

This is another 'slice of life' episode that highlights the power of prayer... even if that prayer comes from a frail 5 ft tall, 90+ year old prayer warrior, 2500 miles away.   “UPBEAT – ACCOUSTIC” Used By Permission Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/stockaudios-28301327/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_cont...

What do General George S. Patton, a World War II soldier of Samurai descent, children, and Joshua (Moses' protégé') have in common?  All four give an insightful perspective on obedience.   And can Nate actually cover all 4 in 15 minutes?  No, he can't..... this episode will be just over 17 (wink wink).      Tune in and check it out! “UPBEAT – ACCOUSTIC” Used By Permission Music by &...

What can the oldest soldier who landed on Utah beach at Normandy teach us about leaving a legacy?   And how does it relate to what Moses taught in Deuteronomy 6?  One is a surprisingly beautiful illustration of the other.   Tune in and enjoy!  “UPBEAT – ACCOUSTIC” Used By Permission Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/stockaudios-28301327/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_me...

Born a few years after Jesus was crucified, Joseph has some crazy stories to tell about life under Roman rule, and the fall off Jerusalem in AD 70.  But what does this have to do with 'repentence'?    Tune in and find out!!