The Nook Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we continue to dive deep into the aspect of making worship a priority as we begin a new year. Join Me in welcoming Chad Bird to The Nook. He is a Scholar in Residence with an organization called 1517 , where he draws from a rich academic and theological background in Hebrew and Old Testament studies to build a bridge between the very ancient elements of our faith...

Send us Fan Mail In this new series, we will be looking at how we can make worshiping God a greater priority in our lives, understanding what it means and, why we should do it every day. Kicking things off, I get to introduce you to Jen Smale ; she is a worship leader at 29:11 Church in Tempe, Arizona as well as a co-host of the Worship Leader Probs podcast. We discuss how to model worship for our...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we wrap up a series, taking special look at the arrival of Christ.  The Christmas season is over but an abundant life with Christ is just getting started. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives...

Send us Fan Mail In this special bonus Christmas episode, sing and song writer Ross King joins me to discuss his song, Bethlehem . It's such a great reminder of the humble beginnings of Christ and how we approach the celebration of his birth. Merry Christmas! *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for t...

Send us Fan Mail It is the week of Christmas, and in this episode, we continue to look at the arrival of Jesus Christ in a slightly different way. My hope is that you have time to pause in this week before we celebrate and remember all that happened at the time of Jesus' arrival. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we take a look at about the last year before the birth of Christ. Read Luke chapter 1 HERE *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people. And I can’t think of a better recipient than Cris...

Send us Fan Mail This is the second part of a 5-part series about the preparations for the arrival of Jesus Christ. In this episode, we will look at a 400 year span when God said nothing to the Jewish people.  *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this community to rally together and actually make a dif...

Send us Fan Mail This episode marks the beginning of a 5 week series called, Prepare . Throughout this time, we take a slightly different look at the birth of Jesus Christ and how we might prepare for him to have a greater place in each of our lives. I hope that you have some time to pause and reflect on some of the most incredible truths that I think we tend to blow by when we get so busy and so...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I take an interesting look at The Parable of the Good Samaritan. At the end of a brutal mid-term election season, it's vital to look at what is diving so many people and consider what God would have us do. From chapter 10 of the Gospel of Luke The Most Important Commandment  25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this quest...

Send us Fan Mail Just a short encouragement for you that ties my last two series of shows together. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” –Matthew 26:36 *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this community to rally toget...

Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of our prayer series, we’re joined by Jim Ramos—author, speaker, and founder of Men in the Arena . Jim is the bestselling author of Strong Men Dangerous Times , Tell Them: What Great Fathers Tell Their Sons and Daughters , The Field Guide: A Bathroom Book for Men , and the 5-book Strong Men Study Guide Series for men’s small groups. Known for his high-energy...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, I get to speak with my friend, Tim Shelton from Seek Well about the process of getting quiet and really seeking God to hear his unique voice. Let this conversation serve as a reminder that prayer is a two-way street; we can talk to God AND he wants to speak to us... but what does that even mean, and how does it work? Your own ears will hear him.     Right behind y...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been in the middle of an incredibly difficult situation when it felt like you couldn't even put your deepest thoughts into prayer... when God seems so distant from where you are that you cannot form the words to cry out to him? In this episode, I have the honor of introducing you to Chris and Stephanie Teague ; they are a music duo from Nashville, TN. Their&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever faced a situation so desperate that all you could do was cry out to God—even when you weren’t sure what that meant? In this episode, I have the privilege of introducing you to Bryce Bagwill , a devoted husband and father of two daughters. His story revolves around the challenges that began after the birth of his youngest, who was diagnosed with serious heart and live...

Send us Fan Mail How is your prayer life? That is the question that we will be looking at for the month of October in a series I'm calling, " I Suck at Prayer ".  This episode has a mix of things: Setting the table; laying out the general direction on how this set of episodes will go. Introducing the bible verse that will guide us. Insights from Brandon Lake on his own priorities in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I get to share a most interesting story… one that you may have a hard time believing. Life for Ashley Lagos started fairly normal. From all appearances, she was just a good kid from a good family in a small town. She grew up in church and her parents were involved in music and youth ministry. But things started to take a turn when she was just 4 years old. ***Pare...

Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Pastor Josh Earls , for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about some of the most commonly misquoted and misunderstood Bible verses. We dive into those popular phrases people think are in the Bible—like “God helps those who help themselves”—and reveal the truth behind what Scripture actually says. Whether you're a seasoned b...

Send us Fan Mail As a follow up to the series about regular bible reading, I will be bringing a series of shows all about prayer... What is it? What is it not? How can I have a dialogue with the Creator of everything? If you struggle with prayer, I hope that you learn along with me as we dive into this topic! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with th...

Send us Fan Mail Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. –Proverbs 22:6 My guest in this episode, Amber Newman , talks about why scripture means so much to her and why she feels so passionate about teaching her children about the bible; talking to them at their level of understanding and being consistent. And you must love the Lord your God with a...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to season 3! For the month of September, we are going back to school. Research indicates that you can experience drastic improvement in your spiritual life just by reading the Bible more. In this episode, we will discuss some practical ways to grow closer to Jesus through consistent bible reading. Read the entire article that we discuss HERE . Check out more from Aaron Sha...

Send us Fan Mail A short encouragement for your week! Based on 1 Timothy 1:12-14 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? –Romans 2:4 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. –Psalm 65:3 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3 of the Nook Podcast starts on September 5th and marks the return of my regular episodes; talking to people about real faith in real time – Make sure that you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of it. In the mean time, enjoy these short encouragements for the month of August. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3 of the Nook Podcast starts on September 5th and marks the return of my regular episodes; talking to people about real faith in real time – Make sure that you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of it. In the mean time, enjoy these short encouragements for the month of August. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3 of the Nook Podcast starts on September 5th and marks the return of my regular episodes; talking to people about real faith in real time – Make sure that you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of it. In the mean time, enjoy these short encouragements for the month of August. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3 of the Nook Podcast starts on September 5th and marks the return of my regular episodes; talking to people about real faith in real time – Make sure that you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of it. In the mean time, enjoy these short encouragements for the month of August. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve...