Something To Gnaw On

The Saul Syndrome is all about the Christian minister who is a bit like King Saul....   certainly called to ministry but carrying a lot of baggage, ranging from paranoia - depression - anxiety - to some basic behaviors of control and manipulation.   There may be the external persona of success, but behind the scene's the spears get thrown frequently!   This  episode is the second half of the...

This episode starts Part 2 of the book "INSIGHTS OF PASTORAL SIGNIFICANCE" with a look at what we sometimes refer to as the 'dark-side' of ministry...... The Saul Syndrome.   It is important to restate from the introduction that this book was intended for ministers, bible college students and professors, so that these 'dark sides' would not catch them off guard, that...

In this episode we wrap up Part 1, Peter's Paradigm, with chapters 4 (presenting the paradigm to pastors), 5 (history validates the paradigm), and the conclusion. Next week we dig into Part 2, The Saul Syndrome.

This episode continues through the DO's & DON'TS of Shepherding (according to Peter's Paradigm) Just a heads up:   I do not have a transcript for these episodes.  Pastor Vainio's book can be purchased on Amazon, the link is below.    Also, due to time and production dynamics, not all quotes in the book are attributed in this audio format.  This book has at least 155 citatio...

This week we dig a little bit deeper into the job description of the Shepherd.   Again it should be noted that management and leadership styles in different areas of life don't translate well to  the leadership style of 'shepherd'.  As this chapter begins to define the role more specifically, we start into the "DO'S & DON'T'S" of being a shepherd.    Jus...

This week we spend some time on the last two of the eight imparitives behind Peter's Paradigm...... "The Empire Strikes" & "Sheep Behaving Baaaadly". Just a heads up:   I do not have a transcript for these episodes.  Pastor Vainio's book can be purchased on Amazon, the link is below.    Also, due to time and production dynamics, not all quotes in the book are attr...

In a church world that is prone to adopt leadership styles from places other than the Bible, or Jesus Himself, this book takes a look at what made Peter the pastor/church leader that he was.  In this episode we will dive into chapters 1 & 2 and begin taking a look at Peter's Paradigm, a biblical model for pastoral leadership.    This episode we will cover the mandate, as well as 6 of the...

In a church world where corporate leadership styles and growth techniques run rampant, does it really jive with the biblical model - and more specifically, the instruction that Jesus gave Peter? Listen in on this episode and subsequent episodes as we dive in to "Peter's Paradigm", "The Saul Syndrome", and "Paul's Key's to Success", three studies by my d...

Have you ever met a smug person?  A pious person?  An arrogant person?  or better yet, an arrogant person who has a beautiful way of trying to make themselves look good in the midst of absolute stupidity?   Strange twists of wisdom justify every stupid, or dare I say... evil, act.   Well that's King Ahaz, and the has had plenty of time and opportunity to turn his life around....   and on toda...

There was a 4 part message from God to King Ahaz:  Be Careful, Be Quiet, Don't Fear, and Don't lose heart.    In the past two episodes we covered "Be Careful" and addressed the fear and losing heart issues.     This episode tackles the "Be Quiet Statement".   Quite possibly one of the most difficult things for us humanoid's to do!!! This episode starts in Alaska,...

this episode is a continuation of Part 4, and is a deeper dive into what it means to "BE CAREFUL" in Isaiah 7.

This episode will have a different presentation to it....   it will still have the parable style story, but we’re going to go through this story on AHAZ in a verse by verse commentary style.      I’m excited to see what God speaks to people through this series ..... today the message addresses our simple obedience in taking Gods message to those who need it most, but deserve it least.    Be blesse...

This week is just a quick update on some happenings with the study and the podcast.   Next week we'll pick up with King Ahaz and ....... good details on this episode, please take a listen and stay up to speed on podcast events and processes. God Bless Nate

This episode is the first of a few episodes that involve on of Israel's most notoriously evil kings, and his interaction with Gods man..... Isaiah.  If ever there was a wicked man in leadership, this guy would be on the top of the list.  But that's not the story. The story here is not that it would be easy for anyone to dismiss him and throw him under the proverbial moral bus, .... no, t...

After spending weeks on the "Crash Course Through The Old Testament" it's time to take the 'scenic-route' and spend a little time digging into the book of Isaiah.  This will not be a verse by verse, deep dive into the book... it will be more of a drive-by bible study that tackles some of the more major themes that weave their way through the book. This episode begins by lo...

I have wanted to re-air this episode for a while.  It is both fun, and has a solid message.  Listen in and enjoy an episode that tackles our human tendency to delay action when presented with truth.  And the characters in this episode is yours truly, as an 8th grade punk, and a guy from John 3 by the name of Nicodemus. (Next week I anticipate getting back into the sub-series from A Crash Course Th...

Backstory:  two days before this episode posted, I had NOTHING ready!   I had plenty in my head, but nothing on paper.   That night in church I sensed God saying ‘let’s do something different.  Instead of something scripted, it’s time to shoot from the hip and just talk about what I have seen, what I have heard, and what I have experienced over the last few years at James River Church.’  ( disclai...

Last week was the most brutal of cliff-hangers since the "Lost" series on TV!  LOL!!   Listen in as Luke Taylor and I wrap up our conversation on Ezekeil, and for Luke's answer to the cliff-hanger question!    Listen in, Enjoy, Get into the Word for yourself, Let the Word get into you (even the OT Books!!!  You'd be amazed at what it show's you about the heart and characte...

My conversation with Luke Taylor continues on this episode.  Luke has a podcast called Cross-References, and he has about 50 episodes specifically on the book of Ezekiel.   As has been the case with this entire series, we will be moving pretty fast over some topics, but when the dust settles, I believe you will have a good understanding of it's layout, and also a solid base of hope that is fo...

Soooooooo, the opportunity presented itself to have a conversation with Luke Taylor about the Book of Ezekiel..... and I jumped all over it.  Luke has a podcast called Cross-References, and he has about 50 episodes specifically on the book of Ezekiel.   So this week we are going to abandon the study in Isaiah, skip over Jeremiah and Lamentations, and dive into a conversation about Ezekiel. Listen...

In a crash course throught the Old Testament, I had the totally misguided idea that in the same way that I busted through some of the other books, that I could do the same with the Prophets, and Isaiah. Well folks...... I can't tell you right now how many episodes I'll be doing in this book, but this crash course is slowing down to the speed of a slow-motion train wreck as we dig in to w...

Uncover the depth of the Old Testament prophets with me, Nate Vainio, as we traverse the themes of judgment and hope that are intricately woven into their divine messages. It's a journey that promises to reshape your understanding of God's holiness and the significance of salvation. The prophets weren't just harbingers of impending doom; they balanced their warnings with promises of...

Our main listening site www.somethingtognawon.com Our Merch Store https://somethingtognawon.myspreadshop.com/ Our email somethingtognawon@gmail.com or nvainiosr@gmail.com Luke Taylor's You Tube Chanel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX8ajOxYJ_uvW3tQH1iJ-Fw www.youtube.com/@CrossReferencesPodcast “UPBEAT – ACCOUSTIC” Used By Permission Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/stock...

Think back to a moment from your childhood that still stings – for me, Nate Vainio, it was a seemingly trivial reading mishap that echoed far beyond the classroom walls. Join me as I unravel how a burst of laughter at a mispronounced word can shape a 'don't care' shell, designed to shield from vulnerability but often leading to a spiritual disconnect. In today's heartfelt episo...