The Amputated Baptist Podcast

Church hurt can be a broad term that covers quite a bit - everything from abusive clergy to people who just want to justify their sin.  In his latest book, Pastor Lee Snow provides a devotional workbook for those suffering from negative church experience.  The book provides the space one needs to heal - self reflection and Biblical truth.  Ultimately, we are pointed back to the Head of the Church...

Happy Independence Day!  On this Fourth of July, Ray Jewell and I spend the day in the theater watching Young Washington, a movie detailing the early military career of your first president.  So, listen in to see what we thought of the film.  After that, we got carried away talking about our favorite patriotic films in general.  Can you believe Ray has never seen National Treasure!!! Recommended R...

This week I welcome Pastor Lee Snow to talk about his book - Still Here: Finding Peace in Philippians.  What does the Bible say about mental health?  What does the "epistle of joy" have to do with depression or anxiety?  Download this podcast and find out! Recommended Resources: Still Here: Finding Peace in Philippians by Lee Snow Lee Snow's YouTube Page    

As the battle over control of the House of Representatives looms over the election in November, one seat Democrats are focusing on flipping is right here in the Wisconsin first congressional district.  I am a big supporter of Bryan Steil who currently holds this seat, but on the program this week is one of his challengers, Democrat Lorenzo Santos.  So, listen in as we chat about the war in Iran, h...

On this bonus edition I sit down with two of my youngest boys and review a new product available a Kwik Trip gas stations - Mountain Dew Dunkers.  Imagine Mountain Dew, but in a donut.  As a diabetic, I'm not willing to do that to myself, but I was curious enough to see if my kids who love drinking Mountain Dew enjoy eating Mountain Dew. Recommendation Resources: Do the Dewnut? Kwik Trip launches...

In this episode Pastor Ray Jewell and I tackle your questions.  Here are a few things you asked us about: Is doubt required for faith to be possible? How do you define strength in a Christlike way?  Why aren't Evangelicals & Fundamentalists objecting to the inhumane treatment of immigrants? Help me understand this. Why do evangelical & fundamentalist people feel persecuted? Recommended Res...

One thing is clear, come next year, the state of Wisconsin will have a new governor.  We have had the leading Democratic contender on the podcast.  The Republicans have already endorsed Congressman Tom Tiffany.  But, if you are looking beyond the two party system, let me introduce you to Dr. David King, an independent candidate for governor.  Dr. King and I had a great conversation here about fait...

Another fun podcast for you.  Ray Jewell and I are off on yet another road trip and this time we are chatting about his newest book - Unity in Weakness in the Body of Christ part 2.  It's a great devotional commentary on II Corinthians written from a pastor's heart.  Its encouraging and easy to read.  So listen in as two good friends banter about the Bible while trying to stay on the road... Recom...

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  It's one of my favorite times of the year, when Chick-Fil-A gives teachers free meals.  In recognition of this week I asked a fellow Christian school teacher to join me on the podcast to talk about what an educator's life is really like.  Listen in as James Skidmore share a little bit about how God is working in his career and family.   Recommended Resources: Supp...

This was not the episode I planned to air this week.  After last night's attempt on the President's life, I felt compelled to write about what a proper response should look like.  So here are six points for your consideration. Recommended Resources: The Your Calvinist Podcast WHCD Protesters   Read White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman Cole Allen’s full anti-Trump manifesto

In this episode, we welcome to Pastor Chris Brauns of the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL to talk about his recently released book, the Way of Repentance.  Just what is repentance?  What does repentance have to do with joy?  Tune in and find out! Recommended Resources: The Way of Repentance: Embracing God's Gift for a Transformed Life by Chris Brauns The Red Brick Church  

This week we are joined once again with Dr. Phil Allen.  Phil is here is talk about his new book, the Ache in the Ordinary: Finding God in Everyday Grief.  For several years now Phil has served as a hospice chaplain.  This book explores the idea of Biblical lament and recognizing the reality of everyday troubles and sorrows that often seek to cover. Recommended Resources: The Ache in the Ordinary:...

So, I saved the best for last.  I'm excited to endorse my friend and colleague Tom Morgan for Beloit City Council.  Listen in and hear Tom's vision for Beloit and passion for help others and brining people together. Recommended Resources: The Beloit Haus

April 7th (tomorrow) is a big day in the state of Wisconsin - local elections!  You know how I feel about the importance of local election.  Today we are featuring two episodes concerning a race here in Beloit.  First up is Jim White.  Jim is running for Beloit City Council and has my support.  Listen in to find out why. Recommended Resources: Jim White for Beloit City Council

Last week 8 million people attended a No Kings Rally - including Pastor Ray Jewell and I.  In this episode, Ray and I discuss our experience and talk to a few folks we ran into.  Listen in as we chat with State Senator Mark Spreitzer, Beloit City Counselman Yusuf Adama and Mandela Barnes - candidate for governor. Recommended Resource: No Kings

In this short bonus episode, I had the change to ask a question of who is now the leading Democrat running for governor of Wisconsin - Francesca Hong.  She is a self-identified democrats socialist and very pro-choice.  So, I told her I'm a pro-life conservative.  In age of division and hyper-partisanship, is common ground even possible?  That's our quick discussion.  Thank you to the Rogue Booksho...

This week my friend Connor Powers joins me to talk about his race for Rock County Board of Supervisors.  Not only do we get into what he wishes to accomplish as a supervisor, but we dive deeper into the issue of faith, politics and worldview. Recommended Resource: Connor Powers for Rock County Supervisor  

We continue our series on the Apostles Creed by talking about the deity and lordship of Jesus Christ.  Joining us is my old co-worker who currently served as an adjunct professor at Moody Bible Institute, Ariel Fernandez.   Recommended Resources: One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation by Marcus Peter Johnson The Incarnation of God: The Mystery of the Gospel as the Foundation of Evan...

This week we continue our series on the Apostles Creed with a conversation with Creationist Eric Hovind from Creation Today.  Eric was such a gracious guest who was not only willing to talk about why he believes in young earth creationism but took time off air to spend time in prayer with me. Recommended Resources: Creation Today

This week we continue our series on the Apostles Creed.  Of all the ways God could have revealed Himself to us, He chose to describe Himself as a father.  What does is it mean to have God as a father?  Join us as Pastor Logan Schwandt gives us his perspective. Recommended Resources: The Apostles' Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits by R. Albert Mohler From the Fathe...

This week on the podcast I geek out about Bible translations with Josh Barzon.  Josh just recently published his latest book, The History of English Bible Translations: A Simple Guide to the Story and Impact of English Bible Translations from the 14th Century to the 21st Century.  This book is fascinating!  But the best part is that it is short, accessible and easy to understand.  If you've ever w...

This week we continue our look at the Apostles Creed by exploring the statement, "I Believe."  Dr. Phil Allen joins us to unpack this seemingly unimportant phrase.  Yet, by the end of the episode, I think Dr. Phil will have you convinced there is a lot of meaning in these two words. Recommended Resources: Wick and Whisper Substack The Ache in the Ordinary: Finding God in Everyday Grief by Phil All...

Happy New Year!  We're starting off the new year with a new series.  I can't tell you how excited I am to start airing this series, which I began recording before Covid!  In this first episode, we chat about how the ancient creeds helped shape our beliefs and how they are still applicable to us today. We start this series with quite the heavy hitter, the one and only Dr. Carl Trueman. Recommended...

Across the country and even right here in Rock County, WI - new data centers are popping up and with them come quite a bit of controversy.  Its tempting to dismiss these arguments as just the typical "not in my backyard" conjecture, but these are real people in real communities.  They have a voice.  Among those opposing this particular data center are my friends Pastor Ray Jewell and Janesville Ci...

This week it was a thrill to have David Varnam on the program.  David is running for Lieutenant Governor here in Wisconsin.  You will want to hear his story of how he went from a theology major in Bible college in California to the mayor of a rural town in Wisconsin and along the way bumps into James Dobson!  He's a great candidate with a great message. Recommended Resources: Varnam for Wisconsin