The Nonmicrowaved Truth With C.L. Whiteside

While we're on a short break, here's another of C.L.'s memorable episodes! This episode originally ran in December 2021. Being a good friend takes a unique understanding of HOW, especially since some don't even want a friend—they want a person they can control and who allows them to feel more comfortable in being wrong. C.L. breaks down the special responsibility that goes with being a Christian f...

We're taking a short break during this Christmas season. But we leave you with some of CL's hand-picked memorable and favorite episodes! Too often those who are deemed as strong get overlooked and don't have many places to turn to when they are dealing with a lot. Who counsels the counselor? If you are often leaned on, you have to know how to recharge. If you want to be stronger, take a look at ho...

It's one thing to tell someone you're a Christian; it's another thing when someone notices that you are different (in a positive way). Are you a blessing? What are the signs or symbols of a Christian? There are distinct trademarks that Christians are empowered to display that are often overlooked. This episode explores those distinct trademarks.    Proverbs 16:24      Proverbs 18:21      Matthew 1...

Chasing happiness can have you bouncing from one thing to another. How strong is your desire to be happy? The book of Philippians has some outstanding lessons and shows us there is something greater than happiness. Believe it or not, we as Christians can see why happiness is overrated and where to find something greater than worldly happiness.    Philippians 1, 2, 3, 4 You can now also WATCH C.L.!...

Observing different types of conversations is interesting. Sometimes people talk too much, and others want to avoid talking to them. Sometimes people seem as if they don't know what to say at all. How good do you think you are at conversing? This episode analyzes Jesus' conversational approach and considers an exchange that he had with an unlikely person. This conversation can help you notice some...

Do you have someone you call your mentor? Even if you don't give someone the title of mentor, mentorship plays a role in your life. There are some overlooked components of mentorship that can benefit you greatly. There are also some warnings as well as some encouragements that make being a mentor a double-edged role. Proverbs 27:17      Proverbs 22:6      Proverbs 13:20      Titus 2:3-5      Mark...

Life is like a movie, and the main character in your life is none other than you. How much should you focus on yourself and embrace the mentality that you are the main character? And what should that look like? What script are you looking at? Who is the director of your life? However you may answer, don't forget about the actual star character in your life who is real and special. Ephesians 2:10 ...

Can the devil read minds? The greatest liar, accuser, and fraud is a powerful enemy we should be aware of, but how far does his power extend? There are some weapons and traps he uses that we often overlook but shouldn't. Here's the real question that has to be addressed: Is the devil on the same level as our God?          Genesis 5:3      Romans 12:2        1 John 2:15-17      Luke 13:11-13       ...

Do you know what qualifies or disqualifies someone from being a pastor? "A pastor is to be above reproach." What does this mean? Is someone disqualified from being a pastor if they've had a crazy past, gotten a divorce, or have a wild family? Our culture has opinions, messages, and feelings on who should be a pastor, but we have to look at God's Word to give us the truth. This episode looks at som...

When do you personally reevaulate your life, calling, and purpose? Maybe you've never given it a lot of thought or time. C.L. examines his life each year around his birthday and comes up with a word for the year to focus on. This year's word has to do with "proving more powerful than opposing forces." Check out why he chose this word and how it relates to all Christians.        Ecclesiastes 4:12 ...

Who doesn't love good customer service that makes them feel welcome and appreciated? In fact, we often choose a church based on how well it can serve us. But should Christians have the customer service mentality when it comes to church? What other aspects of a good church might we be missing if we only choose based on how it can serve us? What about how we can serve the church?  1 Corinthians 12 ...

The dating world is becoming harder, and it's getting more cutthroat. If your relationship status is single, you may be wondering how to attract Mr. or Ms. Right. If you are in a relationship or even married, you may be wondering if the person you're with is the right one. Whether you are looking for the ideal person, wondering if the person you're with is right, or want to help someone else find...

What does a God-fearing woman look like? There are some characteristics that seem to be common in God-fearing women and one characteristic ALL should strive to emulate whether you are a woman or a man. This episode examines those characteristics and highlights how Jesus, the perfect man, shared commonality especially with one of these traits. Matthew 27:55    Luke 8:1-3    John 12:1-5      Luke 24...

You don't have to be a man to appreciate this episode, but think about what characteristics you think make a man. What does a REAL man look like? There are some characteristics and traits that are up for debate. Regardless of that, a Christian man should have characteristics that are different from a "worldly" man. Of course, we can always learn something from the most manly man ever—Jesus.       ...

The apostle Paul was known for sending letters to churches and people. His letters called them out, encouraged them, and spoke on cultural issues. Some have said that America could use a letter from Paul reminding us of a few things. What do you think Paul would say to the churches in America and to people who claim to be Christians? This episode takes a guess at what Paul may have said to America...

Don't let your faults define you. Don't try to justify your wrongs. Instead of acting like your negative behaviors, responses, and choices don't exist, be aware of how they can be silently killing you. This doesn't have to be the case and should NOT happen to any follower of Christ no matter how bad or ugly the crime or offense was. There is a compelling reason we can thrive as Christians despite...

There's a mentality carried by gang leaders who often act as father figures. This mentality may be something you have adopted in your life and not even realized it. Are there any philosophies our heavenly Father and Jesus share in common with OGs?  Learn what gang/family you're a part of and why. Discover in this episode how our heavenly Father and leader Jesus are unique in their position of powe...

Is there a dream you have that just hasn't come true yet? But the bigger the dream, the more you'll need of this often overlooked quality. This episode looks at Joseph's dream and what lessons we can learn from him and his rise to power. Genesis 37, 39, 40, 41 Genesis 20 Galatians 6:7 Matthew 1:20 Colossians 3:23,24 Proverb 3:5,6 Matthew 25:23 John 14:25 Luke 11:28 1 John 5:2 You can now also WATC...

The media would rather publicize something other than Jesus. As Christians, should we follow this trend? If we want to get rid of our blindness and see the truth, we will need to take lessons from a beggar who knew keeping it low key was not the answer to his problems. Striving for spiritual growth along with finding confidence in the message proclaimed in the Bible gives us the confidence to move...

Being fueled by our feelings can lead us astray. Feelings are a part of life, and it's beneficial to be in tune with them properly. But for Christians, there is something we can be inspired by that is more trustworthy than our feelings. This episode examines how Jesus dealt with situations that would have us very much in our feelings. Romans 12:2      Galatians 5:17      Proverbs 26:11        1 Pe...

The world has changed the name of certain sins to try and make them seem like they are not sins. Switching names is a tactic used to confuse and manipulate people to act a certain way. Watch what others try to call those who want to represent Christian living. Even Jesus had to deal with people trying to call him something he was not.          Proverbs 5:15-19              Genesis 38             ...

The most important book a person can read is the Bible. There are some major reasons why people should read scripture and not just be content with letting someone else tell them what the Bible actually says. There are some places anyone can start when it comes to reading the Bible. And even if you feel like you know the Bible pretty well, there are still reasons you'd want to read God's Word.     ...

There are some trick questions we all need to know how to answer, because we need to be aware of the reasons why trick questions are posed to us in the first place. The sources of these trick questions might surprise you, but Jesus shows us how to deal with trick questions with his amazing answer.  Judges 14:12-18    Genesis 3:1,4,5            Genesis 16      Genesis 17:17    Genesis 18:10-12     ...

Some things in life are better when you have both: milk and cereal, peanut butter and jelly. There are two things needed in our spiritual journeys too. See how this pair is unique, special, and one of a kind.    Mark 10:17-21      Romans 2:14,15        Ephesians 2:8,9      John 19:11    Luke 12:47,48          Romans 2:12-16        Matthew 11:20-24 You can now also WATCH C.L.! That's right: C.L. is...

"Build it how you want" is something we strive to do in our culture. We even use this philosophy with whom we worship and trust. But building a god doesn't make our lives better; it only rejects the God who cares and has sacrificed for us like no other. 1 Corinthians 8    Psalm 5:4        John 3:16    John 3:17,18      Romans 3:23-26      Isaiah 55:9 You can now also WATCH C.L.! That's right: C.L....