Life Around "The Fire"

Send us Fan Mail When everyday life blurs into routine, it’s easy to chase quick fixes that look strong on the surface. Our conversation traces Israel’s turning point in 1 Samuel 8—when the people asked for a king like the other nations—and unpacks why impatience often taxes the future. We look at the warning God gave through Samuel about the hidden costs of human systems: conscription, taxation,...

Send us Fan Mail Change doesn’t just test plans; it tests hearts. We walk through the turbulent handoff from judges to monarchy in 1 Samuel and explore why some leaders bless the next season while others cling to control and crumble. Samuel stands in the tension, tasked with anointing a king the people demanded, modeling how to honor the past and obey God without being ruled by public pressure. Sa...

Send us Fan Mail We open 1 Samuel and trace the scarlet thread of Scripture to a revealing portrait of Saul—a leader anointed by the Spirit, admired by people, and yet undone by fear of man and a restless heart. From the mountain-top moment of prophesying with the prophets to the valley of hiding among the baggage, we explore how a surge of spiritual power differs from the steady work of intimacy...

Send us Fan Mail Hunger is rising for a faith that runs deeper than services and schedules. We talk candidly about why programs alone can’t sustain a soul, why so many leaders end up burned out, and how true power flows when character is shaped in God’s presence. Using 1 Samuel as our guide, we slow down to the real pace of formation hidden inside a narrative that spans centuries, not minutes. Tho...

Send us Fan Mail A nation on the brink of change, a community under siege, and a leader torn between the fear of people and the fear of God—this conversation journeys through 1 Samuel 10–13 to uncover why character, not charisma, determines the future. We explore Israel’s move from judges to monarchy and why the desire to look like other nations exposed deeper heart issues. When Nahash threatened...

Send us Fan Mail Hungry for a faith that feels alive, guided, and grounded in peace? We dive into covenant alignment as a relationship that reshapes daily life—less striving, more trusting—and learn how seeking first the kingdom reframes every choice, habit, and plan. Instead of chasing clarity, we begin with obedience, stepping when God says step, and discovering that direction often arrives mid-...

Send us Fan Mail What if the battles wearing you down aren’t yours to fight—but signals that your life is out of alignment with the covenant you’re already part of? We open a new series with teacher Stephen Crews to explore covenant alignment: a clear, scriptural path from striving to authority, from constant warfare to steady union with God. We start by defining covenant as a binding oneness—one...

Send us Fan Mail A ruthless demand to “gouge the right eye” sounds like distant history, but the siege of Jabesh Gilead reveals something uncomfortably current: the enemy still bargains for small concessions that cost us our sight in the battles that matter. We walk through 1 Samuel 11, unpack who Nahash the Ammonite was, and explain why the right eye carried military, social, and spiritual weight...

Send us Fan Mail *** Editors note: David refered to Nahash as being a Philistine King. He was an Ammonite Ruler, not a Philistine King. *** Pressure makes bad deals look reasonable. We slow down to a pace of peace and turn two vivid stories—Jabesh-Gilead under siege in 1 Samuel 11 and Samson’s collapse in Judges 16—like a diamond, catching fresh angles on compromise, courage, and restoration. Naha...

Send us Fan Mail What if the real contest in your life isn’t busyness or burnout, but worship—what you give your attention to, and who gets to shape your desires? We open Scripture to 1 Samuel 11 and Judges 16 and trace how Israel’s story reveals the quiet currents that steer a soul: subtle influences, cultural pressure, and the unseen powers that promise fullness but leave us empty. From Samson’s...

Send us Fan Mail What if the warning you’re tempted to ignore is actually an act of mercy? We walk through 1 Samuel 10 and the moment Israel traded a theocracy for a visible king, only to find Saul hiding among the baggage on coronation day. The picture is vivid and painfully familiar: when comparison drives our choices, we crown the wrong kings and pay for it later. From Baal’s seductive promises...

Send us Fan Mail Attention builds identity. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Stephen Crews as we explore what it really means to “behold and become.” We start with Psalm 27:4—one thing, one focus, one desire—and trace how a lifestyle of beholding Jesus forms habits of mind and heart that outlast hype and hurry. Stephen shares concrete rhythms for silence, Scripture, and prayer, includ...

Send us Fan Mail What if your home life felt lighter, your marriage steadier, and your faith more alive—not by doing more, but by aligning your time with God’s? Stephen Crews joins us to trace a humble, hopeful path from the family dinner table to covenant alignment, sharing how Sabbath and the biblical feasts became the backbone of his spiritual growth, marriage, and parenting. His story moves fr...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if God cares about the small details of your life? Those seemingly random events that feel inconsequential might actually be divine appointments orchestrated with purpose. In our journey through 1 Samuel 9, we witness the fascinating story of how lost donkeys became the catalyst for Israel's monarchy. Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, reluctantly embark...

Send us Fan Mail Our goal in life is to walk in the balance of righteosness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. However, there are timees when we find ourselves drifting off course and we need to make corrections.  Irael was in that very place when we find them in 1 Samuel chapter 8. Samuel "The Seer" and one of The Judges of Israel was old and his sons weren't following in the foot...

Send us Fan Mail Trevor McMahan returns for part two of his illuminating exploration of 1 Samuel 8, where Israel's fateful decision to demand a king reveals profound spiritual lessons for today's believers. McMahan masterfully decodes the spiritual significance behind Israel's request to "be like the nations around us," unveiling how this seemingly simple desire represents...

Send us Fan Mail The journey from brokenness to purpose unfolds dramatically in this heart-stirring conversation with Trevor McMahan, who shares how Christ transformed him from a homeless drug addict to a devoted family man with a burning passion for God's Word. Trevor takes us deep into 1 Samuel 8, revealing a profound parallel between Samuel and Eli—two men who failed their families despite...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what happens when God's glory collides with careless curiosity? Or why spiritual breakthroughs often trigger immediate opposition? This compelling journey through 1 Samuel 6-7 unveils ancient patterns that still define our spiritual lives today. The narrative begins with a remarkable scene: the Ark of the Covenant, captured by the Philistines, makes its...

Send us Fan Mail Are you holding onto something inferior simply because it's familiar? The story of the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant reveals our human tendency to seek workarounds rather than embrace transformation. When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, they placed it as a trophy in their god Dagon's temple. But God wouldn't share His glory with demons. T...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like God was absent in your darkest moments? The ancient story of the Ark of the Covenant's capture reveals a powerful truth that transforms how we view seemingly hopeless situations. When Israel's most sacred object was seized by their enemies, it appeared to be a devastating defeat. But behind the visible circumstances, an invisible battle was unfold...

Send us Fan Mail The tension between individualism and true Christian community lies at the heart of our spiritual journey. While society champions personal rights and self-focus—particularly in American culture—the divine invitation calls us toward something profoundly different: a Christ-centered existence that naturally flows outward in genuine care for others. When Jesus occupies the central p...

Send us Fan Mail The consequences of our actions echo through generations—nowhere is this more evident than in the sobering account from 1 Samuel 4 explored in this episode. When Israel treated the Ark of God as a magical talisman rather than a holy vessel, they faced devastating defeat at the hands of the Philistines. This fascinating journey through ancient Israel reveals what happens when God&a...

Send us Fan Mail Stories have power. The biblical narratives found in 1 Samuel aren't merely historical accounts—they're divine revelations that speak across millennia directly into our lives today. These ancient tales reveal not just what happened, but what happens in every generation when we either embrace or reject God's wisdom. Samuel's story begins with miraculous birth an...

Send us Fan Mail When life's dysfunction threatens to overwhelm us, we need the powerful reminder that God is greater. This deeply personal message explores how our heavenly Father exceeds any brokenness we face, whether in mental health struggles, addictions, family trauma, or relational difficulties. Through the remarkable story of Samuel, we witness divine intervention in profoundly dysfun...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if God still speaks today? Samuel's story reveals how divine calling works even in the most dysfunctional environments. Samuel's very name—meaning "God hears"—carries profound significance. While we often encounter people who barely listen to us, God genuinely attends to our prayers with perfect understanding. But in this exploration of 1...