Small Steps with God

98 - Unexpected Heroes of Christmas In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the profound lessons from The Characters of Christmas by Daniel Darling. The story of Jesus’ birth is filled with ordinary people thrust into extraordinary roles, from Joseph and Mary to lowly shepherds and devout elders like Simeon and Anna. We explore how their lives and choices can inspire us to live with faith, humilit...

97 - Man-Made Religion vs. Christianity What makes Christianity unique compared to religions humans might invent? In a podcast exploring this thought-provoking question, the stark differences between a faith designed for human gratification and the teachings of Christianity emerge. Far from catering to human desires, Christianity challenges its followers to embrace humility, self-sacrifice, and lo...

96 - Growth and Challenges of the Early Christian Church Jesus’ ascension to its establishment across continents. Faced with persecution, the early followers exhibited unwavering faith, and over time, Christianity spread far beyond the Roman Empire, shaping cultures and societies. Key figures like Justin Martyr and Tertullian, significant councils, and the strategic use of Roman infrastructure all...

95 - How We Got Our Liturgies In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history of Christian liturgy, exploring how it evolved from the earliest apostles to the structured services we recognize today. Liturgy, which means “work of the people” in Greek, plays a significant role in worship across many Christian denominations. Origins of Liturgy: We explore how early Christian liturgies were infl...

94 - How to Live Boldly for Christ In this episode, we dive into Ken Harrison’s book, Daring Faith in a Cowardly World, exploring how Christians can live with courage and boldness in their everyday lives. Too many believers are content with waiting for heaven, but Harrison encourages us to focus on how God can work through us now. His book challenges the idea of living a polite Christian life and...

93 - Moving Beyond Simplistic Views of the God In this episode, we explore how many people hold onto limited or distorted views of God. Drawing inspiration from J.B. Phillips’ book Your God is Too Small, we discuss how these views hinder spiritual growth and how we can embrace a fuller understanding of God’s immense nature. We touch on how God’s vastness coexists with His intimate care for each in...

92 - Reassessing Our Image of God In this episode, we dive into the thought-provoking ideas from Your God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips. The book offers a powerful reflection on the limiting ways people tend to think about God. From portraying God as an authoritarian rule-enforcer to viewing Him through the lens of our earthly parents, Phillips challenges us to reconsider these misconceptions. Res...

91 - Imagine God and Heaven In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of near-death experiences (NDEs) through the lens of John Burke’s extensive research. Initially a skeptic, Burke’s journey into studying over a thousand NDEs has led to some compelling insights about what might lie beyond death. This episode discusses the common themes found in NDEs, their profound impact on those...

90 - You’re Heart Will Lead You Astray In today’s episode, we explore the dangers of self-worship, a prevalent theme in modern culture that encourages us to prioritize our own desires and emotions above all else. Drawing inspiration from Thaddeus J. Williams’ book, Don’t Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship, we discuss how this mindset can lead to emptiness and h...

89 - Digging In Deeper With Hard Questions In this enlightening episode, we explore Gregory Koukl’s book “Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.” Koukl offers a practical guide for engaging in faith conversations, focusing on asking strategic questions to promote deeper thinking. The episode covers his renowned Columbo Method, techniques for handling common objections, and...

88 - Conversations and Questions With Doubters Greg Koukl’s book, “Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.” is a guide for anyone looking to engage in meaningful conversations about faith, particularly with challenging individuals. Koukl’s approach combines knowledge, wisdom, and character, emphasizing respectful dialogue and thoughtful questioning. The Essence of Tactical...

87 - Jesus, Aslan, and Destiny The Christian themes and allegories embedded in C.S. Lewis’s beloved series give us a way to look at Jesus and life in The Chronicles of Narnia. We explore how these stories reflect deep messages of faith, redemption, and morality and discuss their significance for both children and adults. Join us as we uncover the profound spiritual lessons that can be gleaned from...

86 - Moses Leads in the Exodus In this episode, we explore Moses’s leadership journey as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land. Drawing insights from Charles Swindoll’s book Moses, a Man of Selfless Dedication, we delve into the qualities that made Moses a remarkable leader and how these lessons apply to modern leadership. Obedience to God’s Call: Moses’ initial reluctan...

85 - Moses Meets Pharaoh In today’s episode, we explore Moses’ incredible journey as he transitions from a reluctant shepherd in Midian to a resolute leader confronting the Pharaoh in Egypt. Based on Charles Swindoll’s “Moses, a Man of Selfless Dedication,” we see the key moments of Moses’ transformation, his struggles with self-doubt, and the unwavering faith that propelled him forward. Moses’ Re...

84 - Moses The First 80 Years In this episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Moses, exploring his transformation from an Egyptian prince to the leader of the Israelites. We discuss key events in his life, including his flight to Midian, his encounter with God at the burning bush, and his role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. 1 Moses’ Early Life in Egypt: Raised as an Egyptian prince...

83 - Balancing Service and Worship In this episode, we continue our exploration of Joanna Weaver’s enlightening book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life. The discussion focuses on balancing spiritual devotion with daily responsibilities, a challenge many of us face in our hectic lives. Weaver draws on the biblical story of Mary and Martha, high...

In this episode, we discuss Joanna Weaver’s insightful book, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life.” We explore the biblical story of Martha and Mary and its profound implications for our modern lives. Learn how to prioritize your relationship with God amidst life’s busyness and discover practical tips for creating sacred spaces for spiritual gro...

81 - From Busy to Serenity Welcome to today’s episode where we review Joanna Weaver’s transformative book, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.” This episode explores how we can find intimacy with God amidst the busyness of life, drawing from the biblical story of Mary and Martha. Why this book is a must-read for those feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands. The Mary and Martha Dilemma: Contrast...

80 - Read, Interpret, and Apply! In this episode, we dive into the heart of inductive Bible study, a method that promises a richer, more personal understanding of the Bible. Our discussion unpacks the three core steps of this approach: observation, interpretation, and application, and explores how they can transform your Bible study experience. Observation: We start by examining the text closely,...

79 - An Introduction to Inductive Bible Study The Inductive Bible Study method offers a deep, structured approach to understanding the Bible, focusing on observation, interpretation, and application. This technique is detailed in the work by Richard Allen Feurer, Jr., and Andreas Kostenberger, which provides valuable insights into studying the scriptures effectively. Key Features of the Method: Th...

78 - The Depth of Biblical Interpretation Biblical interpretation is a critical skill for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the scriptures and apply their teachings effectively. As the Bible contains a wealth of literary genres, historical contexts, and theological nuances, mastering interpretative techniques is essential for grasping its profound messages. Why Interpretation Matters...

77 - Unpacking Bible Difficulties We investigate the rich and complex world of the Bible, exploring its many facets through scholarly insight and personal reflection. Inspired by Father Mike Schmitz, we discuss various ways to engage with the Bible, whether as historical documentation, wisdom literature, or a collection of parables and stories. Understanding these perspectives enriches our approac...

76 - The Sweet Joys in Life In today’s episode, we delve into Margaret Feinberg’s captivating book, “Scouting the Divine: Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey,” a journey that intertwines the ancient world of agriculture with profound spiritual insights. Feinberg invites us to explore the biblical narrative through the lens of farming, viticulture, and beekeeping, revealing the deep con...

75 - Harvesting Hope In today’s episode, we dive into the fascinating intersection of farming and biblical teachings, inspired by Margaret Feinberg’s “Scouting the Divine.” We explore how the age-old practice of farming enriches our understanding of spiritual principles and offers tangible lessons on faith, stewardship, and community. Key Highlights: The Profession of Hope: Farming, at its core, i...

74 - The Meaning of the Seder and Jesus The celebration of Passover Seder and its connection to the story of Jesus. We explored the various elements of the Passover meal and how they symbolize different aspects of the Jewish people’s escape from Egypt. The reclining posture symbolizes freedom, while the yeast-free dishes represent the haste of their flight. The Passover Seder’s rich symbolism is t...