Building Great Lives Podcast

Send a text message to the show! The book of Romans chapter 8, reminds us nothing can separate us from the love of God.  We know we are more than conquerors through Jesus.  So, why does it sometimes feel like God is a million miles away? Even as believers, we often find ourselves measuring God’s closeness by our feelings.  When things are going great, we tend to feel like God is close. During diff...

Send a text message to the show! We've all been tired. However, there’s a difference between being physically tired from a hard days work and being mentally, emotionally or spiritually weary.  Weariness can be a result of sickness, grief, anxiety, or the constant struggle of trying to handle complex life situations in our own limited abilities.  Extended seasons of weariness can result in exc...

Send a text message to the show! Faith is not just a religious term. Faith is our living connection with God. In Luke 17:5, the Disciples made a profound request. They asked Jesus to increase their faith. In a world filled with difficulties, it would have been understandable had they simply requested Jesus sustain their faith. But they didn’t, they prayed for more faith.  Jesus taught that faith i...

Send a text message to the show!  Hope can be defined as an earnest desire and expectation. Maintaining hope is extremely important. It plays a huge role in our spiritual and emotional wellbeing. The Apostle Peter told us to always be ready to give an answer to anyone that ask the reason for our hope. While life may be difficult right now, you have a reason to keep hope alive. Our hope is not in t...

Send a text message to the show! As humans we make many mistakes. We may have even said, "if you will forgive us, I'll never make that mistake again."  And we mean it. We are sincere and serious. Yet often we find ourselves failing again.  Struggling over and over with some of the same issues.   Thankfully, 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive...

Send a text message to the show! Today’s episode will be emotional for many.  It certainly was for me.  We’re going to talk about our need to forgive God. Yes, I know how strange that sounds, but hear me out. We all want things to make sense. It makes sense that an all powerful God can do anything. We, for good reason, expect Him to answer when we pray. It doesn’t make sense when a God that can do...

Send a text message to the show! For years mental health professionals and behavioral experts have debated if it’s possible for people to change. Jeremiah, an Old Testament prophet, asked "can a leopard change his spots"? Can those that are used to doing evil, change and start doing good? Can people change?  What a great question and one most of us have wondered too. I believe the Bible...

Send a text message to the show! Jesus said, in Matthew 21:21, if we have faith, and doubt not we can say unto the mountain, be thou removed… and  it shall be done. I believe God still performs miracles.  God can, in an instant , change a person's life completely. From sick to healed. From blind to seeing. From lame to walking. From sinful to forgiven.  The Bible gives us many examples of peo...

Send a text message to the show! The Queen of Sheba brought gifts to Solomon.  The Navy Of Tharshish also brought gifts to Solomon every 3 years.  The Navy of Hiram also brought gifts to Solomon ever 3 years. The men of the earth brought gifts to Solomon. The wise men brought gifts to the child Jesus.  Admittedly, these were all incredible gifts, but none of these were the greatest gift ever given...

Send a text message to the show! We all have insecurities. Including, God called, anointed and appointed leaders. Wrestling with insecurity doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, it means you’re a normal human being.  When it comes to leadership, managing insecurity must be high on our priority list.  Many leaders, feeling insecure, overcompensate by lashing out or cutting themselves off from others. ...

Send a text message to the show! From time to time, in one form or another, we each deal with insecurity. Perhaps you’re insecure about your appearance, your abilities or your past.  Whatever it may be, no one is exempt from dealing with insecurity.  Insecurities can lead to depression, anxiety and negative beliefs about ourselves.  If we let our insecurities control our lives, they will affect ou...

Send a text message to the show! No matter who we are or how long we've been living for God, there will be times that test our faith.  Admitting that we have times of doubt makes us feel uncomfortable. Our faith is the most central part of our relationship with God and times of doubt can be discouraging.  We may even worry about our relationship with God.  I’ve heard it said many times, faith...

Send a text message to the show! We all have met someone who claims to not be afraid of anything. And while this may sound like a mighty brag, the truth is, these people would prefer not to be afraid, yet even they have some fears. We are all afraid of something.  While researching for this episode, I came across an article that boldly declared, a “true christian believer” will never fear. I, howe...

Send a text message to the show! Life can leave you feeling wrecked and as though you are about to sink.  During these times we all need something we can hold on to.  Hebrews 10:23 says "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." In the face of pain and disappointment, the writer of Hebrews reminds us, that we  can hold on to...

Send a text message to the show! All of us are searching for peace, but in times like these, is peace even possible?  Jesus confirmed to His disciples that they would face tribulations in life.  Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 3:1 that perilous times would come. There would be times filled with difficulties. Despite these warnings, Jesus, in John 14:27, also declared that He would give us His peace. ...

Send a text message to the show! When we face difficult or complicated situations, it’s common for us to wonder if anyone really understands how we feel.  Many times these situations leave us feeling all alone. It's possible to feel alone even in a crowd or among friends and family.  However, we must remember that we are never alone. Matthew 1:23 states: Behold, a virgin shall be with child,...

Send a text message to the show! Life is full of incredible days. If someone asked me to name the most important day of my life, It would be impossible for me to pick just one.  The day I received the Holy Ghost.  The day I preached my first sermon.  The day I saw my future wife for the first time. WOW.   The day we got married.   The day our children were born.  For me, all of those are incredibl...

Send a text message to the show! Most of us would love to think we’re immune to discouragement, but the truth is we’re not. Discouragement is universal; none of us are exempt. Discouragement doesn’t discriminate. Discouragement doesn’t care if you’re young or old, rich or poor, or what country you were born in. It is no respecter of persons.  Each of us has experienced times of discouragement.  Di...

Send a text message to the show! In this episode we’re going talk about self-image. What it is, how it affects every area of our life and how to overcome it. Self-image is the personal view, or mental picture, that we have of ourselves. It’s  an “internal dictionary” that describes the characteristics we feel about ourself, including both positive and negative feelings. This “internal dictionary”...

Send a text message to the show! There are many things that amaze me about God. From His power to create, to His ability to heal. One attribute of God that amazes me most is His willingness to forgive. Each of us, at one time or another, has sinned.  We all are in need of a Savior that is able and willing to forgive.  Thankfully, the God of second chances is available to step in, forgive and conti...

Send a text message to the show! It is human nature to prefer things that are comfortable, familiar, or safe.  We feel more like ourselves in familiar surroundings. Our personal comfort zones are as unique as we are.  However, not all comfort zones are actually comfortable. Comfort zones can also be explained as familiar feelings.  These feelings are from a long term association or feelings we hav...

Send a text message to the show! Have you ever prayed and God was silent? Me too! Be encouraged, I have some comforting news! We are not alone! Everyone has been through seasons of silence or will eventually.  The great Psalmist David, known for his worship, experienced seasons of silence.  He records some of his frustration in the following psalms: Psalms 22:1-2 (ESV) 1 My God, my God, why have y...

Send a text message to the show! Today’s episode is very special to me.  The thought is not original to me.  The Five “Dangerous” Prayers, was preached by my mentor in ministry, the late Rev. Kenneth Humbers, over 25 years ago.  Thankfully, he passed these notes down to me.  Today’s episode is filled with exact quotes from his notes mixed with my own.  I dedicate this episode of the podcast to his...

Send a text message to the show! Most of us grew up with heroes.  I certainly did.  As I grew older and felt called to ministry, preachers became my heroes.  What happens when one of your heroes fall? What about when one of those heroes hurt you? I experienced this as a young preacher.  I was devastated.  A recent survey said 73% of people polled said they no longer attend church because they were...

Send a text message to the show! The story of Nehemiah and Israel rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days is something we rejoice about. What a miracle! But did you know, when the wall was only half built, they felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up? I had never noticed it either!  When life gets difficult, situations become complicated and things seem to be spiraling out of control, it’s nor...