FAI Central

As we come to some of the "glorious peaks" of the Farewell Discourse, this episode brings us to some of our very favorite verses: John 15:1-8—where we get the language to "abide in the Vine." But how do we persevere through a "long obedience in the same direction" when life is unpredictable and winds around (and within!) us rage? This week, we welcome special guest Martin Mallory to the table with...

Have you ever wondered what the point to this age is? Why the garden? Why was the snake allowed in? Why the cross? And why are we asking these questions in the middle of John 14? If you're following Jesus, you'll almost certainly hear Him say something like, "Arise, let us go from here" right before He leads you—very intentionally—into your own Gethsemane and Golgotha moment. We know we must "carr...

Jesus is the Way to, and the Image of, the Father. Jeff and Steph continue through John's Farewell Discourse this week in John 14:7-14. Consider His representation, and the "greater things" we are invited into. Enroll in EMMAUS ONLINE: faitraining.org/emmaus-online Find out more about Jeff & Carol's new season of ministry: jeffhenderson.global

Right after He tells all His disciples that 1) one of them is a traitor, 2) one of them is a denier, 3) He's leaving (and they can't come with) and 4) all the triggers are getting pulled by sunrise, Jesus says: "Let not your hearts be troubled." What? We enter 2021 with John 14:1-6; and perhaps Jesus' encouragement—in tandem with His declaration that He is "the way, the truth, the life"—will serve...

This week's passage is John 13:31-35, and it's CHRISTMAS! What does the Incarnation of the "Word made flesh, who dwelt among us" mean for the tomb, the cross, and the crown? "Maranatha" means Jesus came once to break the power of death and sin, and He's coming again to restore all things. In this episode, we meditate on the Incarnation and wish you all a MERRY-NATHA! DURATION: 32 minutes

Young love is often as immature as it is sincere, and Peter was no exception. He had big dreams, a mouth to boot, and a real desire to stay steadfast—whatever befall. But he was about to find out just how far he could fall, and just how quickly he would implode. We've all betrayed, and we've all denied. We've all hung by the thread of Jesus' intercession and wondered if we could survive. Find cour...

You’re 3 years into something that has cost you your life. You haven’t slept in your own bed since you heard “Follow Me,” and you’ve “done life” with the same twelve rowdy guys ever since—God Incarnate included. You sit down for the most special holiday meal of your entire calendar year, and He tells you someone in the room is about to stab Him—and everyone else—in the back. What will this do to y...

Jeff is back, Season 2 is rolling, and Christmas is right around the corner. Dare we say 2020 couldn’t take everything from us? Here we begin a slow, deep swim through The Farewell Discourse. Join Jeff, Steph, and John the Beloved for a thoughtful meditation through Jesus’ last moments with His boys—with all the drama, tension, pain, and glory John could cram into these few chapters. Episode 01: T...

It's the coldest winter in 30 years. You're in a fox hole. You don't have the food, ammo, or coat you need to survive. Trees are exploding above you. And Hitler is closing in. Find out why "Bastogne" is the code word for "hell"—because even the toughest men can break. And then what? Stephanie, Jeff, Anna, and Andrew return to the round table this week for Part 5 of 'The Better Brotherhood.' Listen...

What happens when we're crippled—even blinded—by fear? Or how do we gently, lovingly lead people when panic sets in to suffocate them? Andrew and Stephanie return to continue our miniseries Season 1.75 of 'The Better Brotherhood,' examining lessons in life, leadership, and community through the lives and testimony of Easy Company. But this episode is extra special because Anna Thomas sat down at o...

"Don't ever put yourself in a position where you can take from these men." Before he was promoted to command 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Cpt. Dick Winters leveled a measured rebuke against his commanding officer. What convictions made him so bold, and why is it important for us today? Join Stephanie and Andrew for an important lesson in life, co...

On 10/23/20, US President Trump announced diplomatic normalization between the State of Israel and the Republic of Sudan, the third Muslim-majority Arab state to announce a peace deal with the Jewish State since August. As many in the Middle East are celebrating the continued success of the so-called Abraham Accords, many Christians are asking whether Sudan's government can be trusted in light of...

Few things test us like watching someone new wear medals we think they didn't earn. How do we respond to "replacements"—people who join the ranks and are trusted with the mission, but they weren't there for the fire of training? How can we forge trust with people who weren't with us in the trenches? How do we keep a tender heart—and live without callous? Stephanie and Andrew share lessons from Eas...

Meet Maj. Dick Winters and Cpt. Lewis Nixon of Easy Company, better known as the "Band of Brothers." Find out why their friendship and brotherhood brings such encouragement to Stephanie and the FAI family as we pioneer on the Gospel frontier—and, very simply, learn how to live and love each other like Jesus does. Special guest (and unofficial Easy Company expert) Andrew Cowart joins. Who is the Qu...

"Well cue Shania Twain, y'all, because it looks like we've made it." Season 1.5 of 'The Better Beautiful' comes to a close as our 'The Better Belief' miniseries through 'Confronting Unbelief' closes with the final chapter: Jesus rebuilds His bride. He rebuilds His beloved. He rebuilds Jerusalem. He rebuilds Peter. And He rebuilds us—and through every storm that tosses and afflicts us, He reveals H...

As we discussed last week, it is the gentleness of Jesus that makes us great—but sometimes the hand that shepherds us so gently also prunes us with severity. "Suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character, and character produces hope." If it is "for discipline we must endure," and by this we know we are legitimate sons, how do we cling to the goodness of God in the midst of severity?...

"A day is coming" when Jerusalem will behold the Son of Man and weep for Him like one mourns a firstborn Son. This gorgeous, long-awaited moment will be marked with very human grief—and relief. Like messy weeping relief, and the City of the Great King will sing: "Blessed is He! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" But her song is not the first; in fact, it's His: "The LORD your God is...

The danger of feeling forgotten is its weed of unbelief that grows into accusations and arrogance like: "God doesn't love me." "I hate offering Him anything." "I'll just do the bare minimum." "Anything goes. God loves me just the way and I am and everything I like to do." "I should hoard all my resources." "What's the point of obeying God when it costs me? Nothing matters." Any of these sound fami...

Sometimes the best news is the most offensive, and forgiveness is certainly no exception. Redemption is expensive, but nothing else will get us to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. How can we embrace this deep truth for ourselves ("forgive us our trangressions") and live free enough to want it for our enemies ("as we forgive our transgressors")? But we must: if we do not forgive, we are not forgive...

Season 1.5 of 'The Better Beautiful' continues with a meditation on chapter two of 'Confronting Unbelief,' that Jesus fights for Jerusalem. Find out how His advocacy for Jerusalem secures His advocacy for us, and what's significant about the part of Isaiah 61 Jesus *didn't* read aloud in Luke four. "Jealousy is a Husband's fury—therefore He will not spare when He takes revenge." Listen to 'The Bet...

Podcast sobre o Oriente Médio, cristianismo e política internacional com Paulo Costa e Igor Sabino.