Ep. 35 - Childlike Faith Could Be The Answer

What happens when childlike faith breaks through the noise of our complicated adult lives? In this episode we don't look at gear or tactics or brands or any of that. This is a heartfelt conversation where we talk about the real things in life. We witness the power of simplicity as Jase shares how his toddler's prayer about Jesus dying on the cross brought him to tears. It's these unexpected moments that reassure us—maybe we're not failing at this parenting thing after all.

The contrast between massive VBS programs hosting 500+ children and tiny country churches with just nine kids reveals a powerful truth: size doesn't matter when it comes to spiritual impact. Both are doing exactly the same work of introducing children to Jesus, some of whom may have never heard His name before. In a culture where biblical literacy is rapidly declining (as evidenced by a young man who didn't recognize the name "Moses"), these programs serve as crucial touch-points for faith formation.

Our conversation takes unexpected turns through the countryside, examining how farming challenges and skyrocketing land values are changing rural communities. With agricultural land now selling for as much as $40,000 per acre in our area, farmers face impossible choices between continuing their generational legacy or cashing out. These economic realities are reshaping landscapes and wildlife habitats forever.

At the heart of our discussion lies a simple but profound acronym: J.O.Y. (Jesus Or Yourself). In a world designed to steal our contentment through fear-based news and endless drama, choosing Jesus over ourselves remains our daily battle. We reflect on how social media, political division, and constant busyness crowd out the presence of God, while admiring how figures like Phil Robertson maintained simplicity of faith despite widespread fame.

What if the solution to our complicated lives isn't more complexity but less? What if knowing Jesus intimately is enough? Join us as we explore how breaking faith down to its essentials—loving God and loving people—might be exactly what our distracted souls need most. After all "You'll never drift closer to God... the path of least resistance seldom gets you to a good place."

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Chapters

• 0:00 VBS Stories and Childlike Faith
• 6:59 Building Community Through Service
• 13:45 Different Church Sizes, Same Mission
• 22:20 Evolution, Truth, and Changing Narratives
• 32:55 Farming Challenges and Land Development
• 52:56 Finding Joy Amidst Life's Challenges
• 1:03:01 The Simplicity of Faith and Jesus
• 1:28:18 Baseball, Umpiring, and Christian Witness