PocketNeif Podcast

I love hot salsas and ask for them when I'm out at Mexican restaurants. I've rarely been disappointed. I enjoyed some good heat while out with friends a while back. The waiter warned me as he put the sauces on the table. "Be careful!" Jesus used the same words of warning on multiple occasions. "Watch out or you'll fall!"

My yard doesn't always look great, but it did the other day and a couple of neighbors noticed. Their "Atta, boy!" made me want to do better in the future.

The writer of Psalm 136 is a bit of a broken record. Twenty-six times he repeats the same exact phrase: His love endures forever. The "his" is God, of course. Perhaps this psalmist knew his readers or hearers might forget God's love in the midst of troubling times and so he drives the truth deep into their souls. Do you need to hear this truth?

I've been preaching from the Psalms over the past few weeks and sharing songs inspired by several of these Hebrew poems. When it came time to focus on Psalm 23, I decided to write a song which would reflect the joy and refreshment David wanted his hearers to experience as they heard his comforting psalm. I pray The Lord Is My Shepherd will bring your into God's loving and caring presence. The Lord...

Wars abound. You've noticed, right? And you're praying? For whom and for what are you petitioning God? Mark Twain's essay, The War Prayer , and Joshua's encounter with the head of God's heavenly army might challenge you to pray differently.

When I was young, I got "saved" over and over again. I could always think of something I'd done which I was sure would send me to hell. I learned later what salvation really is and found joy in accepting it and living for Jesus.

Athletes I coach made it to the State meet. Others did not. There were smiles and tears aplenty throughout the qualifying meet. The same was true at the State championship. The same is true in the church. There are events which bring rejoicing and those which induce sobbing. God will help us to help each other in both.

Do you find joy in hearing how well others are doing? Are you blessed when your leadership or your words encourage another? Why not live a life of giving happiness to others as often as you can with God's help!

What words best describe God? David, the author of Psalm 86 which inspired the song I share today, and many others would shout their answer, "Gracious!" God is gracious, slow to anger, full of love. Gracious God , which I wrote earlier this year, gives God glory for his compassion and mercy. I trust you will grow in your love for him as you listen. Gracious God You are a gracious God, sl...

Can an AI-generated prayer become a real prayer? What is it that makes worship true worship? It's more than the words, whatever their source which makes for "in the Spirit" worship and "in truth" prayer.

Look up! Do you see God's hand in what's above you? The Psalmist did. Perhaps if you paused, you'd observe God's greatness as well.

I'm old enough now to be grumpy. Not that I always am. But I was on the day after Easter. God help, me.

A new-to-me custom, hand-crafted ukulele from Hawaii, gifted to me by my cousin, stirred up joy and a new worship song. "We Need Joy" is a bouncy, bubbly request for joy and two other gifts God is more than happy to grant to his children when they ask. We Need Joy Verse 1: We need joy, joy, joy, joy, joy in your Spirit! We need joy, joy, joy, joy, the fullness of your joy! We need joy, j...

I was thirsty the other day so I went to grab refreshment from the fridge at the church. I found more than sparkling water when I walked into the kitchen. A woman at a well also found more than she was seeking when she arrived at the well near her Samaritan village. Her thirst was satisfied by a someone rather than by a something.

My friend dropped a "Thank God" as we were driving the other day. It happened to be on a Friday, but I thought, "It doesn't matter what day it is. Thank God!"

There are things which, if you find them missing, are worth going back for. A missing laptop got me to thinking about how important it is to "go back for" one thing much more important than a tool.

Jesus, Fill My Heart is a song based on a prayer written by Ryan Skoog in the book, Lead with Prayer . It's a petition asking for God's good gifts of love and peace and wisdom among other things. I got permission from Mr. Skoog to adapt his words and put them to music and this is what came out. My prayer is that each of you will find this prayer useful in connecting with God. (The original...

Signing day for a high school athlete is a big deal! Family and friends and coaches are on hand. Everyone is full of joy! Same thing happens in heaven when someone says yes to Jesus.

Some people are always filled with joy. Some are never ever joyful. I've learned a little from God about dealing with the later over the years. I'm still seeking his guidance, but this is what I've got so far. (If you're listening to this, I doubt you're one of my joy-missers, but I bet you know one or two.)

I've been getting ads all over the place for apps which proport to provide AI (artificial intelligence) help in preparing sermons. They promise to cut writing time in half. I can see both sides of this issue, but come down on one side.

For hundreds of years, believers have recited the prayer we call the Lord's Prayer. They've done so because this prayer orients them over and over to what Jesus wants and wills. Recently, the Bible Project podcast put out five episodes on the Lord's Prayer and invited people to submit musical renditions of the famous petition to get it into people's hearts. I was a little late for...

What will life be like 100 years from now? I recently read an article about predictions made in 1925 about the year we're living in. (It's currently 2025.) Flying cars made the list along with a few other things. I don't know all that will be in 100 years, but I know a couple of things. I'm sure of them. ( Akron Beacon Journal article )

I've been trying out some new prayer practices as I slowly make my way through, Lead with Prayer , a book I got last year as a gift. It has been a gift to read new ideas of how to make my life with God more alive. I hope the practice of praying one-sentence prayers, which I am learning, will be helpful to you.

Psalm 46 says, "Be still, and know that I am God..." In the Friends church, we try to take this command seriously. Doing so is part of our heritage, our history. It's also part of our present to an extent. Do you need quiet, still time with God?

Do you know people who are struggling with life’s troubles? Maybe they’re dealing with a spouse who’s declining mentally or grieving a death of a close friend. Maybe a weird physical symptom has arisen and they’re worried or their job is stressing them almost to the breaking point.  Or maybe you’re the one suffering. You’re facing a situation that is stretching the limits of your patience…..with G...