No Church Answers!

Nebuchadnezzar has a dream no one can interpret. What do we do when faced with an impossible task? We see what we can we learn from Daniel’s example. Also, Deacon Kyle Trahan talks about the re-opening of our church after 14 weeks. With Kyle on the panel: Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”), Michael Cropper (“The Judge”). Steve Titch (“The Gambler” hosts). Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Fin...

We start a study of the Book of Daniel with a lesson in how to stand up for one’s principles in a way that results in a win-win. How do we hold onto God when society rewards a secular path? With us: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Michael Cropper ("The Judge"), Kyle Trahan ("The Deacon") and host Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Find our study, Faith Under Fire, at www.baptistwaypress.org Hosted on A...

"Everything is meaningless," Solomon writes. Right now, with the world coming apart at the seams, where do we as Christians find meaning? We pause from our regular study series to look at what the Bible says about depressing times, and, in our "no church answers" tradition, consider gaming as one way to find structure in the world. With us: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Michael Cropper ("The Ju...

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks two blind men. Their answer can be taken several different ways, which might make it the most appropriate for anyone at any time or place. We also view this healing as another example of Jesus seeing past the pressing crowd and addressing those too easily ignored and marginalized. Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch (“The Gambler”), Ro...

What do Christians owe the government? Taxes? Respect? Obedience? Our panel turns its attention to Jesus’ instruction to pay the temple tax so as “not to give offense.” We correlate that with other parts of scripture that call for submission to earthly powers, but does that obligation change under modern democracy? Our panel, still submitting to government social distancing orders: Mike Cropper (“...

Is faith strong enough to move mountains? A frustrated Jesus schools his disciples. Why the harsh tone? We talk about what “having faith” truly means. Is it simply believing God can do anything for you if you wish hard enough, or is there something deeper, more mature in committing to seeking the Kingdom? Our panel, frustrated by Covid-19 but responding in a Godly way: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”),...

We explore a section of Matthew’s gospel where Jesus seems most unJesus-like, ignoring a woman seeking healing for her daughter and then apparently insulting her when she gets his attention. No polite Sunday School answers as we unpack these verses, finding virtue in being “persistently humble.” On our panel this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch (“The Gambler) and Robert Cocheu (“The...

Which failure is worse: taking a risk and falling short or never taking a risk at all? Peter may not have been able to walk on water, but he did get out of the boat. We discuss this miracle and overcoming fear and rising to the challenge of Christian engagement. Also, we grade ourselves on how we’ve each handled social distancing and other restrictions of the Covid-19 lockdown. Panelists this week...

In our discussion of the miracle of loaves and fish, we consider the scale of feeding 5,000 men, plus uncounted women and children, and how look at how Jesus, in a way, allowed the crowd to participate in the miraculous. We discuss how physical needs are as important spiritual needs and how God meets both in abundance. With us in this week’s milestone podcast: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Kyle Trah...

Jesus heals a paralytic on the Sabbath and the Pharisees' first reaction on witnessing this miracle is to debate whether the healing was in line with religious law. With the passage in mind, we talk about our various past experiences in farming, retailing, legal prep, training and news reporting that required each of us to work on Sundays. In a 24/7 world, even a social distanced one, how do we re...

Covid-19 stay-at-home orders will mean Christians will hunker down inside this Easter, just like the apostles did on the very first Resurrection Sunday. Our group talks about how much of departure from tradition 2020 Holy Week and Easter will be for them personally. Our scripture study looks at Jesus’s healing of the hemorrhaging woman, and how God sees past social stigmas to the real value of eac...

Jesus raises the deceased daughter of Jairus, a synagogue official. We look at Jairus’s faith and the way Jesus works in his own time. We also talk about how we’re trying to faithfully manage our professional lives as we stay socially distanced. Together but separate this week on our Zoom platform: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Steve Titch (“The Gambler) and Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) and host...

The disciples, in a panic, wake Jesus during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. He quiets the tempest, but still rebukes his followers. Why? We apply the lessons of this miracle to the storm Covid-19 is wreaking in our lives. Also, we mark three years of podcasting by looking back at the personal storms each of us has weathered over the course of that time. In our gallery on Zoom: Mike Cropper (“The J...

Man Up goes virtual! In the spirit of social distancing we recorded our podcast via teleconference. We continue our look at Jesus’ healing miracles and juxtapose it with the current pandemic that is indeed touching everyone’s lives. We talk about the people we know who are afflicted with illness and disabilities and the ways they have responded. We try to get past the clichés of “the Lord will pro...

In the middle of the coronavirus epidemic, the irony of discussing the story of Jesus healing the leper is not lost on us. What must the crowd have thought when Jesus touched someone who was, according to religious law, unclean? And aside from its lesson in compassion, how does this story stand as an allegory to our sinful condition? Also, host Bill Cox (“The Director”) introduces Man Up Media’s M...

We begin a new study series on the miracles of Jesus with an unusual choice—the temptation in the wilderness. Should this even be considered a miracle, considering that Jesus was, um, God, and pretty much knew all creation Lucifer was offering was his to begin with? Or, after 40 days of fasting, did Jesus require all his divine essence to resist? And what’s the difference between being tempted and...

Paul wraps up his letter to the church at Colossae with “shout-outs” to friends and associates who have served, traveled and sustained him over the course of his missionary journeys through his imprisonment in Rome. This inspires use to talk about the figures who have brought us to Christ and shaped our Christians lives. Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”), Steve...

We look at Paul’s interesting mix of advice on prayer and approaching non-believers in the world. Do we underestimate the power of prayer? And what’s the best way to tell our stories of faith? Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes,...

Man Up marks Valentine’s Day by ambling into the scriptural minefield that is Paul’s call for wives to “submit” to their husbands. Fortunately we have help from our first-time woman guest, cancer surgeon Dr. Sandy Templeton, who adds her perspective on 21st century marriage roles for Christian men and women. Along with Colossians 3, we look at other writings of Paul and other parts of scripture (l...

Now that you’ve cast off your old self (Col. 3:9), what are you going to wear? If clothes make the man, what outward trappings reflect an inner spiritual light. We look at Paul’s specific list and his challenge that we fit them to our lifestyle. Also, we begin our podcast with a closer look at how millennial males are “manning up” and offer some thoughts about the cultural contradiction that was t...

How is Christian living like good lawn care? Paul advises the Colossians keep the mind and heart on things above and put to earthly sin to death. We look at Holy Spirit-guided discipline as the Ortho sprayer for the soul. Also, Bill mans up and defeats the temptation of cynicism after being scammed by a spoofed email. Our panel: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu (“The Professor”) Steve Tit...

Paul calls out legalism and other forms spiritual intimidation. Bill recalls a time he was written off as only a “14-carat Christian” because he lacked a charismatic experience. Steve asks if it’s still really a “sacrifice” to give up meat on Friday. It’s amazing how soon these false doctrines of “Christ-Plus” rules and practices seeped into the early church and continue in various forms today, fr...

100% Christ is sufficient--no additives--is the basic message of our faith. Yet it seems to be human nature to pile on extra stuff to attain salvation, be it circumcision in Paul's day, or necessary works, special rules and spiritual mysticism in ours. We dive into this wordy passage, reading translations from the NIV and "The Message." With us this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”), Robert Cocheu...

We start the new year with a double lesson, looking at the mystery of the spirit-directed life and how we as men can express that through our participation in the genuine, living church. Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Robert Cocheu discuss with host Steve Titch ("The Gambler") host. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Hosted on A...

We talk about how the Cross of Christ reconciles each of us to God and God to creation. Bill is moved by Paul’s imagery of our reborn selves. Mike talks about the believer’s job to assist in building the new Kingdom. And is Col 1:20 a case for Universalism? Or does salvation depend on individual acceptance of grace? And in this Christmas season, we all address the idea of staying open to Spirit-le...