The 2nd Mile Podcast

For the last few decades, we have expected church programs to do what God has called parents to do. We have effectively dropped our children off at church and expected them to be Jesus-loving, Bible-obeying, manner-displaying kids by the time we pick them up. If we want children like that, we will need to be parents who prioritize family discipleship and not just rely on church programs. It’s time...

Where our worship wars used to be over what style of music a church should use, I believe the current worship war is the manner in which a worship team leads. While songs can still be divisive, subtle yet serious danger transpires when a worship team employs worldly practices instead of biblical principles. It’s time to go the second mile with the ministry of your worship team. Things to Remember...

To honor your marriage, you must keep the marriage bed pure from anyone else invading it. That includes real experiences and virtual experiences. Sex isn’t the problem. Sexual desires are not the issue. The dilemma is when we attempt to meet a God-given desire in an ungodly way. You are supposed to have your sexual needs met with your spouse and pornography is robbing you both.

Oftentimes in ministry, I want to discover what is the secret ingredient in the life that continues to grow in Christ and what is lacking in those who experience downfall. Where I used to think it was diligence or dedication, I have learned that many people continue to grow simply because they surround themselves with solid friends who want to grow as well. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in our frie...

It is important to highlight the need for a personal relationship with Jesus. But somewhere along the way, we have made our faith so private that we neglect the benefit of walking alongside others. Have you ever wanted to continue your growth but find yourself falling time and time again? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in having an accountability partner.

It happens at every summer church camp. It’s the final night of worship, and almost every person in attendance is ready to make a decision. If the person is confident in salvation, he or she might repent of sins or make a rededication of sorts.  Since last year’s camp got them all excited about living for Jesus, they thought it would be different. Unfortunately, many go back to previous ways...

I love sitting down with couples to lead pre-marital counseling. As we discuss all the opportunities and complexities that marriage brings, I will often ask, “So, tell me how you two handle conflict?”  In some instances, they will look at each other in such a way that makes me think they were arguing on the drive over to meet me. In other scenarios, the couple will look at me and explain, “We...

Imagine a time in which you were surrounded by danger. Forces were against you that literally threatened your very life. Someone comes up to you at the scariest moment and seeks to encourage you. Instead of providing personal counsel, this individual actually quotes a Bible verse to you. Recited from a beloved psalm, this verse reminds you that God will watch over you. Does that sound comforting t...

As a young Christian, people always told me about the importance of having a quiet time without anyone ever showing me how to have one. I tend to be a rather loud person anyway, so setting apart time to quiet myself seemed odd in the first place. What exactly am I supposed to do during that quiet time? All the godly people that I esteemed all talked about what God taught them during that time. I w...

We all know reading is supposed to help us, but many of us also feel as if we could be more dedicated readers. The reason many of us struggle is that we don't have a reading plan that has specific goals. If you ever wanted to become a more avid reader, it's time to go the second mile with our books. How to Discipline Yourself to Love Reading Commit to reading from 2 books every day. Create a deadl...

Our culture worships the Wiki God. We want ever so desperately to serve a deity whom we have the freedom and capability to edit. Many people are attempting to revise the Christian faith by cutting out what they don’t like, copying favorable ideas from other worldviews, and pasting them into some hopeless attempt at a hybrid faith. How do we reject our culture's desire to serve the Wiki God?

We all want change, but few of us were willing to do the work with one another to see that change happen. Discipleship happens within the context of intentional relationships. If you have gotten tired of spiritual stagnation, it’s time to go the 2nd mile with your small group. 6 Helpful Tips Biblical Authority Leadership Maturity Safe Authenticity Careful Accountability Intentional Availability Ea...

Maybe you don’t consider yourself a theologian, but I would beg to differ. You have beliefs about God and you share them with others even if by default. You really are a theologian, the question is: are you a good one? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in our theology. This episode explains the content of my new book, Wiki God, being released within a few days. I also read some sample content from it w...

If you have ever desired to have meaningful Sunday worship experiences with your church, the process starts on Saturday. In fact, if you don't prepare well, your frantic pace on Sunday can rob you of meaningful interactions with God and with God's people. In this episode of the 2nd mile podcast, I share 10 tips to ensure you have a great Sunday. Prepare your stuff on Saturday afternoon. Prepare yo...

Biblical illiteracy is on the rise. Why are so many people without a thorough understanding of scriptural teaching? One of the main reasons is we are reading it in a different way from how it was written. WARNINGS Don't attempt a marathon before you have completed a lap. Don't get stagnate with your time if you don't have an adequate amount of time. Don't read the Bible like a yearbook. Don't read...

The reason we want to go the 2nd mile in our lives is because Jesus went the 2nd mile in his death.  It’s time to consider how Jesus went the 2nd mile to secure our forgiveness. 7 Quotes from the Cross "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). "This day you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). "Woman, behold your son" (John 19:26-27). "My God, my God, why have you...

Why are those who have been changed by the gospel so timid to bring Jesus up in conversations?  How does fear paralyze us so when the opportunity comes to declare our allegiance?  Why does it almost seem that when we ask someone to come with us to church, we peg it as a negative thing?   It's time to go the second mile in inviting someone to church (without scaring them off). 5 Step...

Have you wondered about the legacy you are going to leave? It’s time to go the second mile in your discipleship legacy. WORK WITH THE PROVEN METHODS 1. Chronologically Teach the Bible Teaching children isolated stories can teach moral lessons but possibly neglect God’s truth. Prioritize a method of teaching your children the big picture of the Bible. 2. Highlight Teachable Moments Embrace the sche...

For all the role models I want my children to have, the role model whom they desperately need is me.  Children need intentional parents if they are to develop in the most critical areas of life.  Are you wanting to make an impact in your children?  It’s time to go the second mile in your parenting. The Problem Prioritize placing your children in the most spiritually-nurturing enviro...

Are you working towards marriage?  Don’t ruin the gift of marriage while you endure through the time of engagement. It’s time to go the second mile in your engagement. The 1st mile of engagement is working towards marriage while avoiding physical temptations.   The 2nd mile of engagement is working towards marriage while addressing spiritual connections. As I think through components tha...

Romance, nurture, and communication takes time.  Setting an appointment to spend together is going the first mile, but that isn’t enough to have a thriving marriage.  Do you want your relationship to feel vibrant again?  It’s time to go the second mile by making time for your marriage. 5 Reminders The tragedy of how we spend our time is that it is often our marriages that suffe...

Many marriages I know struggle greatly with the smallest of discrepancies. The issue seems rather small but if the couple fails to address it, it will create a great mess. It’s time to go the second mile in addressing the small issues that bring potential big impact. 1. IDENTIFY : Sometimes the smallest things in marriage can become the most dangerous. What are the obvious marriage separators enda...

Have you ever felt like you were wasting time because you simply didn't have the right tools in your hands? It's time to go the second mile in selecting the right productivity tools for the job. Why Is This Important? To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:41-48). Jesus taught a parable that highlighted the need to be faithful as stewards of the time God has given us. If you have been gi...

For many of us in life trying to go all in and all out, we get frustrated because we lose time and effort in wasted pursuits. We might find ourselves going the 2nd mile, but we travel it in the wrong direction. If you have ever felt like you are wasting opportunities, it's time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing your purposes. How do we ensure that we go the 2nd mile in the right direction? Identi...

The iPhone recently celebrated its 10th birthday. Let's just imagine that your usage was on the lower end of what some of the reports are giving us. Let's say that you are on your phone "only" 90 minutes a day. You know what that would equal to over the last 10 years? 328,500 minutes 5,475 hours 228 days (62% of 1 year) Over the last 10 years, you would have spent 228 days with your eyes on a smar...