Small Steps with God

38 - Challenging the Culture of Convenience We challenge the status quo and explore the role of convenience in our lives as Christians. Let's start by asking ourselves, is convenience really the way God wants us to live? While it may seem like the easy and comfortable choice, we need to question whether it's truly serving us in the long run. We'll explore the idea of inconvenience and how it can a...

37 - Dolly Parton’s Wisdom on Achieving Your Dreams and Helping Others Today I talk about Dolly Parton’s book “Dream More, Celebrate the Dreamer in You”. Dolly Parton is a woman of deep faith, and her life is a testament to the power of dreaming big and working hard. In “Dream More”, Parton shares her wisdom and encouragement with readers. She wants us all to dream more, learn more, care for other...

36 - Exploring Liberty and Freedom Today, we're diving deep into liberty and freedom, exploring what it means from a Christian perspective. As we explore Biblical passages that discuss freedom, such as John 8:32 and Galatians 5, we'll be asking some big questions. What does true freedom look like in Christianity? Is it just about being able to do whatever we want? Or is there a deeper, more meanin...

35 - A Radical Kind of Love Today, we're talking about the radical kind of love that Jesus has for us and how we can have that same kind of love for others. We will discuss the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff. Goff's outlook on Jesus and serving others is so refreshing and inspiring, and I just had to share it with you guys. He emphasizes that love is about doing, not just saying, and I couldn't agre...

34 - Moving Beyond Lukewarm Christianity Today, we're diving into Kyle Eidelman's book "Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus." This book challenges readers to go beyond just being a fan of Jesus and instead become a fully committed follower. During this episode, I share how this book has impacted my own life and why I believe it's so important for all of us to consider what...

33 - Exploring the World of Bible Translation I explore the fascinating world of Bible translations. We all know that there are many different versions of the Bible out there, but have you ever stopped to think about what sets them apart from each other? Today, we’ll be exploring the differences between ESV, NIV, King James, New King James, NASB, and New Living Translation and helping you to under...

32 - Lost and Found in Translation I discuss the book Why Should I Trust the Bible by William D Mounce. Have you ever wondered why the translation of the Bible is such a challenging task? Well, it turns out that idioms, complex ideas, and differences in language structure can make it quite a daunting task. That's why there are different types of translations, formal and dynamic, aiming to convey t...

31 - God's Miracle of Nature I delve into the incredible ways we can connect with God through nature. I share a review of the children's devotional book "God is in Nature" by Jessica Dobler, which highlights the complexity and beauty of the natural world and how it all works together in harmony. With biblical passages about nature, the book creates meaningful devotionals for all ages. I also discu...

30 - Tips and Tricks for Effective Bible Study  Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the Bible? In this episode, you’ll find all the tips and tricks to study the Bible effectively, from reading it daily to finding the perfect time and place to settle down with your Bible. You’ll also learn about different Bible study methods, such as diving in by book, topic, or even life circumstance....

29 - Faith and Star Trek Let’s boldly go where no one has gone before and talk about the fascinating role of faith in Star Trek! As you may know, Gene Roddenberry was an atheist, so religion wasn’t always portrayed in a positive light in the show. But did you know that there were some instances where faith was actually celebrated, like in the episode “Bread and Circuses” and with Nichelle Nichols,...

28 - What a Church Family Shares The book “When the Church Was a Family” by Joseph H. Hellerman emphasizes the importance of community in the American church and how it is failing us due to individualism. Paul saw the church as a community where people should treat each other like brothers and sisters in Christ, and this family image was important to Jesus. The early church helped others and was i...

27 - The Community Jesus Built I talk about the book When the Church Was a Famil y by Joseph H. Hellerman and the importance of being a part of a Christian community, drawing inspiration from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s commitment to his community in Germany despite the dangers. Hellerman emphasizes the need for an authentic Christian community and criticizes American individualism and familyism. I agre...

26 - What is your Faith Style? I discuss the evangelism styles used by people in the New Testament to share the message of Jesus. I emphasize the importance of finding the best way for each individual rather than forcing everyone to do the same activity. I also encourage listeners to think about their gifts and talents and how they can use them to reach others with the Word of God. https://smallst...

25 - Chicken Method of Sharing the Faith I discuss the importance of sharing the message of God with others, emphasizing the urgency and clear message of the gospel. I suggest ways to incorporate evangelism into daily life, such as being open about one’s faith and using personal strengths and gifts to bring others to Christ. I also caution against common pitfalls in evangelism, such as arrogance a...

24 - Wigged Out Saturday I discuss the day before Easter Sunday, often called Holy Saturday or Vigil Saturday. I call it “Wigged Out Saturday” and explore the reactions of various individuals, including the apostles and Mary Magdalene, after the death of Jesus. Consider your reaction to such an event and touch on the day’s history and significance in the Christian faith. https://smallstepswithgod....

23 - What About Evangelism and Atheism I discuss my experience with atheism and reflect on the different perspectives and arguments for and against belief in God. I also explore the topic of evangelism and the responsibility to share the gospel with others. I challenge listeners to consider their own beliefs and actions regarding evangelism and talk about the importance of taking small steps in sh...

22 - Put On Your Full Armor of God Are you ready to suit up in the Armor of God? Let’s dive into Ephesians 6:10-20 where we’ll discover how each piece of this powerful armor can shield us from spiritual attacks. Remember, the journey begins with putting on the Armor of God! https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=201 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod Twitter SmallStepsPod Email the...

21 - Forty Days to Being Closer to Jesus I discuss the book “40 Days of Decrease - A Different Kind of Hunger, A Different Kind of Fast” by Alicia Britt Chole, which offers alternative ideas for Lenten sacrifices beyond giving up food. The book suggests giving up things dear to us to feel a sense of denial and to be more reliant on God. I provide examples of some of the sacrifices suggested in the...

20 - Great Bumperstick Advice - The Religious Edition I share some of their favorite religious bumper stickers and the good advice they offer. I encourage listeners to look for free advice in the world around them (as long as it is good!) and to share any bumper stickers they find. https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=176 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod Twitter SmallStepsPod Em...

19 - Neighbors of the New Testament I discuss the impact of various empires on Israel and the Hebrew people, including the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires. I cover topics such as the sacking of Jerusalem and the legalization of Christianity by Constantine. I also touch on the Roman Empire’s influence on the spread of Christianity and the rights of Roman citizens such as Pau...

18 - Ancient Neighbors of the Old Testament I discuss Israel’s neighboring countries during the Old Testament, including Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. I provide general characteristics of each country and their impact on the region’s history. The episode also touches on the language of the Bible and its various influences. https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=170 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.c...

17 - My Conversion Story Today I talk about how I came to faith and the “The Hell Story” much to the chagrin of my friend. I share their journey from being an atheist to becoming a Christian, including experiences with different religions and their relationship with my father. I discuss the importance of adult education in faith and my hope for this podcast to provide that. https://smallstepswithg...

16 - Demons Start with Small Steps Too Part 2 of the conversation about the book “Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis explores the tactics of demons to lead people away from God. The demons use small sins, pride, and cliques to break down the person’s faith. The book emphasizes the importance of prayer, humility, and love in staying close to God. The demons are horrified when the person gains a girlf...

15 - Demons Plot to Wreck a Man I discuss the book The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and how it educates readers on the subtle ways the devil can twist things around to turn people away from God. The devil’s tactics include materialism, group thinking, and arrogance. I suggest listeners reflect on their divisions and how they can take them down to walk away from the demons in their lives https:/...

14 - Red Sea Rules Shows Us The Way Out In this podcast episode, I discuss the third to tenth rules from the book “The Red Sea Rules” by Robert J. Morgan, which provide strategies for overcoming difficult times. These rules include acknowledging the enemy but keeping your eyes on the Lord, praying, staying calm and confident, trusting God to deliver in His unique way, and praising Him. I reflect o...