THOUGHTS WHILE DRIVING

The picture of Christmas that is often painted is a serene setting filled with quiet music, a crackling fire, and snow softly falling. However for many the description that best matches their experience is vastly different. The same was true on that first Christmas. All wasn't calm and bright on a silent night. In this episode I share my thoughts on looking to Christ in the chaos. He brings calm i...

Christmas time can bring about lots of worry in people's lives. The peace on earth is hard to come by. In the account of that first Christmas Mary certainly had reasons to worry. Circumstances were less than ideal and yet we see a young lady filled with quiet peace. In this episode I share my thoughts on the source of that peace. #christmas #mary #peace #anxiety #worry #podcast #christian

Christmas time can be stressful and difficult when life changes happen. What was once the central part of our celebration might no longer be the reality of life. We need to learn to hold the things of life loosely as a gift or we set ourselves up for discouragement. #christmas #ecclesiastes #change

In this episode I share my warnings about living in the past or the future instead of the present. This can be especially the case at Christmas time because of it's sentimentality and nostalgia. However this can rob us of the joy of the present and what God is doing now. #christmas #nostalgia #trust

Christmas time can be a difficult season for many people mentally and emotionally. The pressures to perform, the expectations to reach, can really weigh upon people. In this episode I share some thoughts about combatting this type of seasonal depression. #christmas #mentalhealth #depression

The Grinch (1966) version has a lot to teach us about Christmas and celebration. Instead of criticizing celebrations, let them point you to the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of the Christ child. #christmas #grinch #christ

Christmas is a time for traditions. In our culture that's obsessed with being young and fresh being traditional gets a bad reputation. However at Christmas time we think about traditions a lot and this is a good thing. Traditions are simply habits that enforce culture and values. What are your traditions enforcing in your life? #christmas #traditions #christianity

I don't put up any Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving and there is a real reason. I don't want to rush into the season but rather sit in the waiting and anticipation of the Advent. In this episode I share some encouragement on how to find space to slow down this Holiday season. #christmas #thanksgiving #holiday #christianity

In Luke 31-32 the Lord Jesus tells Peter of a situation that's happening behind the scenes. Satan is asking to apply pressure, Peter will fail and be restored, and most importantly Jesus prays for Peter. This is a tremendous truth. In our weakness and failures the Lord is praying for us. #christianity #prayer #failure #restoration.

In this episode I share my thoughts on how frustrating it can be when we don't grow spiritually as quickly as we'd like. #christianity #sanctification #victory #sin

In this episode I share my thoughts on the spiritual discipline of journaling. This can be a beneficial way to meditate on Scripture without turning into unhealthy navel gazing, introspection. #christianity #scripture #meditation

In Matthew 16:23 Jesus rebukes Peter because Peter's idea of how God should work wasn't in line with the will of God. Too often we get frustrated that God doesn't work in the way we want. In this episode I share my thoughts and challenge each of us to submit to God's plan.

The Puritans were skilled soul physicians during their time and wrote much about what we would call depression. In this episode, I share my thoughts on a sermon I recently listened to which talked about the Puritan description of depression and its treatments. #christianity #depression #mentalhealth #compassion https://open.spotify.com/episode/5a3KSxV87S95BaBh6ZoE7h?si=c0WMKktqSaWJA5pbv3Dnrg

Another election and the temptation to be consumed with earthly kingdoms remains. In Colossians 3 the Apostle Paul tells believers to set their minds on things above. When we become focused on things below only heartache and false hope follows. #christianity #hope #election #politics #anxiety

In 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. This would launch the Protestant Reformation. Luther had boldness because he was anchored to Scripture, what gives you courage in times of fear. #luther #reformation #fear #courage

In this episode I talk about two typical fears we deal with, the fear of the unknown and the fear of the future. In both cases focusing on the character of the Lord is the solution to overcoming fear. #christianity #fear #halloween #autism #faith

In this episode I share my thoughts on the biblical contrast between the fear of the Lord from Proverbs 1:7 and the spirit of fear from 2 Timothy 1:7. One leads to freedom the other to bondage. #christianity #fear #scary #halloween #mentalhealth

When it comes to consumption of scary stuff many Christians are clueless and foolish. These things can desensitize our souls to evil if we aren't careful to guard our lives. In this episode I continue to share how this is a part of spiritual warfare. #christianity #spiritualwar #halloween #horror

We have to keep our spiritual armor in fighting shape because we never know when we'll be in the heat of the battle. #christianity #spiritualwar #depression

Our culture is confused or in denial about evil. This is nowhere more apparent than in the way Disney has changed in their portrayal of villains. What used to be obvious is now either confused or denied. This is symptomatic of a culture that can't recognize wickedness and therefore can't fight it #christianity #wickedness #evil #disney #halloween

In this episode I refer to CS Lewis book "The Screwtape Letters" as a reminder that most spiritual warfare is taking place in the boring and ordinary places of life. #christianity #cslewis #halloween #spiritual #temptation

In this episode I share my thoughts and warnings about Christians exposing themselves to darkness through the entertainment they consume. #Christianity #halloween #spooky #light #darkness

In this episode I share how the song "It is Well with my Soul" powerfully communicates the response of faith to trials. #christianity #faith #trials #peace #hymns https://open.spotify.com/track/5t0izTLPeWYLiIfHPJbORJ?si=aKUtYZGFQeucUiuxtSczpw

In this episode I share my struggles with wanting to do more to fight the darkness in our world. The reality is that battle is close at hand and that's where we all must focus first before God would expand the field of conflict. #christianity #battle #lordoftherings #epic #darkness #quest #holiness #bible

In this episode I share the biblical connection between the fool and the wicked. Many times we start down the path of the fool it leads to rebellion, wickedness, and destruction. #christianity #foolish #wicked #repent #wisdom