The 2nd Mile Podcast

Christians need to ground themselves in relationships that foster consistent community. When it comes to the content guiding small groups, the possibilities are endless. What if the numerous options for curriculum are actually stifling us? It's time to go the second mile in discerning spiritual studies.

As the state of the world lengthens the timing of social distancing and normalizes our acceptance of it, we are in danger of becoming used to isolation. Loneliness is a standard emotion for many people and the consequences are devastating. It's time to go the second mile in addressing your loneliness.

For most of my life, I have resisted using the term persecution to describe what any Christian had to endure in the United States of America. Compared to what brothers and sisters experience around the world, we have it easy, but it is changing. It will get worse. It's time to go the 2nd mile in enduring persecution.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. These words of Jesus still ring like counter-cultural absurdities in chaotic times just as they did when he first said them. But in a time of unrest, where else will this peace come from? It's time to go the 2nd mile in pursuing peace.

We live in a culture that has forgotten how to blush. The prophet Jeremiah said that about his people during his time, but I am pretty confident we can say the same thing now. As our standards slip, we find ourselves in a world cherishing sin like a virtue. It's time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing purity.

We have almost arrived at a new year. It's a chance for new beginnings, but if we aren't careful, we will carry 2020's issues into 2021's days. It's been quite the year for us all. In the midst of all the stress, you've probably been hurt as well. How can you find relational peace? It's time to go the 2nd mile in offering mercy.

Our cravings often direct our lives. Whatever we want most of all, whatever we think about most often, and whatever creates in us the deepest hunger will be the central directive in our lives. Have you ever considered how deep your hunger is for spiritual matters? It's time to go the second mile with helpful hungers.

I grew up in a culture that teaches young men that nice guys finish last. If you want to find your way in this world, you have to trail blaze yourself to that reality. What we now see is a society plagued by millions of people trying to get ahead of each other. It's time to go the second mile in developing strong meekness.

What causes you to be emotional? Is it sappy music or heart-stirring films? Do you get weepy at moving stories or happy reunions? Maybe you rarely feel emotions at all. What if I were to tell you that following Jesus should incorporate emotions? It's time to go the second mile by meaningful mourning.

We are taught to be strong. We are taught to have it all together. And if we are deficient, act like you are not. It's the way we've always been taught, and it's killing us. The strength we need is often in admitting our weakness. It's time to go the second mile in acknowledging your spiritual bankruptcy.

We are on the verge of one of my favorite times of year - it is the Thanksgiving long weekend. Regardless of your specific traditions, these days are often characterized by food, family, and football, but for many of us, it's also known for frustration. It's time to go the second mile in having a peaceful family gathering.

We often obsess over things of which are not within our control. The concerns that occupy our minds are normally situations we can't even influence. We can't make changes regarding political policy, pandemic protocols, or worldwide worries. What can we do? It's time to go the second mile focusing on what you can control.

Over a week after the election for President of the United States, much of the country still feels in limbo. With one side claiming victory and the other side refusing to concede, this process may continue for quite some time. Don't feel helpless or hopeless. It's time to go the second mile in praying for national leaders.

If you stayed up late last night hoping to learn the status of the presidential election, you woke up with two realizations: you're tired and we still don't know anything. With tensions high now and people on alert, how should Christians respond? It's time to go the second mile in how we wait for the election results.

The United States of America is less than one week away from the polls closing on the 2020 election. Depending upon who wins, the administration will go in one of two very polarized directions. To what level should a Christian expect or desire? It's time to go the second mile in identifying the government's role.

As the presidential race ramps up in the remaining days before the election, you have a choice to make. You may have already made your decision regarding your candidate of choice, but if you haven’t, have you considered the weight of your decision? It’s time to go the second mile in determining your presidential vote.

Every day we draw nearer to the most contentious election of our lifetimes, and every moment we come closer to living in the aftermath of half of a country who is infuriated by the results. How do we, as Christians, keep the main thing the main thing? It’s time to go the second mile in protecting commissioned objectives.

No matter how hard we try, we cannot escape from the increasing political tension. While we are one month from the presidential election, we are in the middle of numerous controversies. As a disciple of Jesus, don’t get caught into traps laid out for us. It’s time to go the second mile in avoiding political extremes.

People have always maintained different opinions on world issues, but, due to the rise of social media, everyone has an opportunity to broadcast and amplify their voices more than ever before. How can we endure the next few weeks in a tense election season? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in learning to be slow when speaking.

As disciples of Jesus, we have the good news that this world needs to hear, but are we sharing it? Instead of waiting for people to come to you in need, have you ever considered inviting them to walk with you as you follow Jesus? I promise that it’s not as difficult as you think it is. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in bringing friends along.

As our world continues to polarize its citizens into different camps, how should Christians respond? Instead of retreating from this world, we need to be blessing this world. Your city should be a blessed place because of your church’s involvement in it. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in seeking the city’s welfare.

When times are difficult, it makes it easier for us to justify sin. As the pressures of 2020 rise, do you find it easy to excuse yourself for wayward behavior? Now is not the time to give in to sin, but to push towards obedience.

For anyone who has committed to a local church but never felt connected, I want to help you. The reason some never experience deep relationships is because the interaction is never pursued outside the weekly gathering. You can’t connect through 1 hour a week. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in committing to intentional checkups.

When social distancing hit, most churches went to groups online. While we were all thankful for apps like Zoom, we also feel the fatigue from it all. As we navigate the upcoming months, you need to commit to yours and others’ spiritual growth. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing your weekly group.

Now that we have made it through the first half of 2020, people are constantly asking - when will we get back to normal? I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think we are going to return to it, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing for your life, family, or church. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in the new church normal.