It’s summer and most of us will be finding ways to take a break from school and work, through long planned vacations or smaller trips throughout the summer. In this episode we conclude season 2 of the Exhorter Podcast by providing a few suggestions for how we can spend this summer not just becoming further away from hour homes, but drawing closer to our Lord and out creator.
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Is doubting your faith and God wrong? Are we expected to have an unwavering belief as Christians? Join us as we search the scriptures for examples of doubters and see how God responded to them. We also talk about the right and wrong ways to test the scriptures and our faith. Learn about the core problem of the deconstruction movement and how it can quickly lead to deconversion in Christians.
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What bible translation do you read from? How accurate is it? What is the difference between each translation? Whether you read from KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, or NLT, in this episode, we briefly examine the broad categories of translations, speak about their accuracy, and discuss the overall value of side-by-side comparison during bible study.
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Are you one of the 20-25% of Americans that have a tattoo? Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? There are many differentviews about tattoos within the church - some earnestly opposed andothers see no issue. Join us as we have our own lengthy debate on this topic and let’s see what the bible says, and doesn’t say, about getting that ink.
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Historically we’ve made a strong effort to draw doctrinal distinctions between the Church and denominational churches. But when determining if an activity is right for us or our local church, we sometimes may ask ourselves “Would that make us look like them?”. Let’s unpack this comparison idea a little more and dive into the practice of finding scriptural authority for what we do.
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Struggling with feelings of guilt over your sins, past mistakes, or lingering regrets? Why do we hold on to guilt and regret of sin and why does it manifest in physical pain sometimes? Maybe like us, you are contemplating the concept of self-forgiveness and questioning its validity in comparison to relying on divine forgiveness. Come join us as we explore the alignment of self-forgiveness with biblical teachings and share insights on summoning the courage to release the burden of guilt.
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Have you ever caught yourself substituting a potentially offensive word with a seemingly innocent one? Well, that's a euphemism. What is the real impact of euphemisms? Are they wrong to use? Join us for a brief chat about our words of choice, euphemisms, blasphemous slang, and crude language.
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What is wrong with gambling? Is gambling a sin? Are innocuous friendly wagers and raffles wrong? What about investing? Join us as we unpack these questions and dive into gambling's relationship with our walk as Christians. Whether you're firmly rooted in your views on gambling or still pondering where the line in the sand should be drawn, this discussion is for anyone seeking a balanced dialogue on making wise and discerning choices when it comes to gambling.
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Grief is a journey we all navigate differently, and in this episode, Kyle and Jon talk candidly about lamenting to God in the mourning process. We will guide you through the biblical accounts of expressing our anguish to the Almighty—taking cues from David and Jeremiah—and reveal how their example may lead us to hope and healing.
Finally, we honor the legacies of those we've loved and lost, inspired by King David's own tributes. We reflect on balancing our memories of those we’ve lost with our devotion to God and share intimate stories of how legacies have touched our lives. This episode isn't just about coping with grief; it's an invitation to carry forward the torch of our departed loved ones through kindness and service that furthers God's love in the world.
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As the new year approaches many have healthy resolutions on the brain. Well so did Kyle, and he asks "How important should the pursuit of fitness be in the life of a Christian?". Being physically fit is a good thing right? Then what could be bad about it? On the other hand, aren't we supposed to be disciplined and good stewards of the lives that God gives us? Join us for a light-hearted discussion on all of these questions and maybe a few fitness tips as well.
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Do you like to listen to Christian Rock, Gospel, or any other genre of instrumental music outside of worship that mentions God and is centered around Christianity? How about religious Christmas music? Or, does it all bother your conscience to do so? In this episode, we talk about what our perspective should be, as Christians, on instrumental Christian music outside of our assembly and worship.
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Join us and Tommy Peeler as we talk about when sin first entered the world in Genesis 3. We'll discuss how tempting it is to get close to sin and why that's not a good idea. Let's chat about setting clear boundaries, avoiding messing with sin, and understanding how we deal with it.
We'll also look at Matthew chapters 5 and 6 and use the idea of "glorifying God" as a guide. It'll help us figure out which paths might not be full-on sinful but could still mess with our journey or dim our light.
You can check out Tommy's podcast "Carefully Examining the Text" on all platforms.
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Ever wonder why we have quirky rituals for sports games or high-stakes competitions? Are you guilty of patting your car dashboard before a road trip or avoiding ladders at all costs? We unravel these peculiarities, linking them to biblical teachings and how God views superstitions. Sharing a few laugh-worthy anecdotes we explore how superstitions affect our understanding of God's will.
Also, drawing from compelling narratives like the Philistines taking the Ark of the Covenant, we expose the pitfalls of tokenizing religion and blurring the line between religion and superstition.
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Ever wondered why, despite a packed schedule and ceaseless hustle, there’s a nagging feeling that something is missing? Are we sacrificing the truly important on the altar of the urgent? Join us as we have an honest conversation about the struggle to keep God at the forefront, amidst the whirlwind of life.
In our quest to balance faith, family, hobbies, and 'me time', it's easy for our priorities to tip over. We share personal stories and talk about the challenge of recognizing when our priorities are out of balance.
Our journey takes us through an exploration of how to resist the allure of 'good' things that can distract us from the 'best'—keeping God as our priority. We end on a note of grace, acknowledging that stumbling is part of the journey, and sharing practical tips on how to trim the excess off our time for what truly matters.
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Ever found yourself grappling with the harsh reality of prioritizing others' opinions over your faith? You're not alone. In this episode, we crack open some biblical accounts to shed light on this dilemma. We look at John 12, where many couldn't openly profess their belief in Jesus due to their fear of the Pharisees. We also explore the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) and see how anxiety over people's perceptions can lead to devastating choices.
As we journey through this episode, we examine how age and maturity play pivotal roles in our sensitivity to others' perceptions. Using Paul's experience in Corinth as a blueprint, we see that criticism can often fester even amidst spiritual maturity. But hey, that's where the challenge lies. As parents, we're tasked with instilling in our children a sense of self-worth that reflects their divine representation, aiming to cultivate a mindset that shouts 'None of self and all of Thee'.
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Gospel meetings, singings, lectureships, youth forums...events like these are somewhat above and beyond the usual weekly worship service. They aren't more important but they do have their own benefits to our congregations and our own Christian walks. What is your attitude in regard to these "extracurricular" events?
Join us as we reminisce about the importance of these sorts of events to our own lives. We also dive into how they have changed over time and what our attitudes should be towards these opportunities.
This episode also serves as an announcement of some of our own events coming up this fall. Be sure to check out the episode and mark your calendars!
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Remember the excitement of the start of a relationship? Those little notes, sweet gestures, and genuine eagerness to impress? In this episode, we explore the reminiscent charm of the initial stages of relationships and also draw a parallel to the early days of our conversion. Listen as we dissect the Church of Ephesus from Revelation 2, a congregation so steeped in doctrine they lost sight of their initial passion, their first love. This is not a tale of yesteryears, but a timely reminder of the peril of going through the motions, of letting the flame dwindle in our service to others and our relationships.
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Have you ever felt the pressure of fitting in while trying to maintain your faith in school? We're taking you on a journey back to our school days, exploring the trials and triumphs of navigating peer pressure, fitting in, and upholding faith. We delve into the importance of recognizing influences, the challenges in explaining our beliefs, and the balance required to maintain a healthy relationship between our faith and school.
Imagine being a high schooler, trying to find your place in a society that struggles to fully accept those who are different. In this episode, we reflect on this reality and discuss strategies for building self-confidence and serving others. We highlight the significance of friends and parents in shaping a positive environment, and how establishing relationships within the church community can provide a meaningful support system.
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Life frequently diverges from our expectations, especially in relationships and careers, causing disappointment. This episode explores setting aligned expectations with God's will and managing them in interactions with others. Pulling insights from Proverbs 13:12, we discuss how anticipations can lead to disappointment, and how the art of compromise in relationships allows us to manage these expectations.
But what happens when low expectations breed cynicism and negativity? Together, we'll dissect how faithfulness is key when setting expectations of God and those around us, and why grace and mercy are crucial when anticipations fall short. Drawing from Paul’s letter to Timothy, we'll delve into the importance of placing our hopes in serving God, guaranteeing that the outcome, regardless of what it is, aligns with the divine plan. The episode aims to guide listeners toward this reality by navigating the challenges of unmet expectations and underlining the need to ground hopes in God's Word. Effective communication and understanding our own imperfections are highlighted when expectations are not fulfilled.
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In this podcast episode, we explore the pervasive struggle of falling into the comparison trap and succumbing to negativity, especially fueled by the influence of social media. By delving into the harmful consequences of these traps on both our well-being and relationships, we uncover the true cost of constantly reaching for more while neglecting gratitude. Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, we discuss teaching contentment and resilience to our children and how fostering an attitude of gratitude can amplify our happiness and fulfillment. Join us on this transformative journey as we break free from the comparison cycle and prioritize the driver's seat of gratitude in our lives.
Scripture References:
- Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
- James 1:2: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
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Remember that time you walked into a room where everyone else seemed to know each other, and you felt like an intruder? Picture that scenario, but this time you're walking into a Church of Christ, trying to find solace and connection. In this episode, we peel back the layers of what it's like to be a newcomer in a church environment. We begin with exploring how simple actions of door greeters can shape a visitor's first impression and why it's necessary to ensure a warm and familiar ambiance for them.
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In this episode, we continue our interview with brother Jim Ruby and our subject of substance abuse, addiction, and its effect on so many lives in the church. This part-2 is a Q&A, where we dig deeper into the roots of addiction and bring in a biblical approach to helping those entrapped in it. This is our longest episode yet because it is jam-packed with discussions on tough subjects like...
- Being predisposed to addiction
- Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic
- Dangers of alcohol
- Relationship between addiction and sin
- Are 12-step programs biblical in practice? Are they helpful?
- What can we in the church do to help those struggling with addiction?
- Did the church (members) help or hinder Jim's recovery?
- and more...
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We don’t talk much about substance abuse and addiction, but in various ways, it does affect many lives in the Lord’s Church. In this part 1 of a 2-part episode - we interview brother Jim Ruby, hear how his life was affected by addiction, and set the stage for some valuable discussions about this difficult topic.
This episode is only part of the story so stay tuned for part 2. Also, apologies for the poor quality of the vocals - I had lost my voice just before recording. :)
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In this episode we approach a subject we often fail to talk about, How can we avoid sexual temptation, specifically that of pornography? We discuss how prevalent this issue is, strategies and tactics to avoid sexual temptation, and talk about how we can better guard our eyes and our minds.
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What is your relationship with money? Are you driven to acquire it? Are you content with what you have? In this episode, we all discuss what it means to love money and how you balance providing for your family, being a good steward of your income, and being content with your material blessings.
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60 - What Are We Summer Vacationing From?
40:20
59 - Doubt & Deconstruction
33:54
58 - Unearthing the Basics of Bible Translations
36:53
57 - Tattoos: Think Before You Ink
51:03
56 - That Sounds Denominational: Focusing More On Authority
24:12
55 - Self-Forgiveness: It's Ok to Let It Go
30:05
54 - Watch Your Mouth. We're Talking About Euphemisms.
25:00
53 - The Dicey Subject of Gambling
35:37
52 - Navigating Grief by Learning to Lament
32:20
51 - Fitness & Faith: How Important Should Fitness Be for Christians?
36:47
50 - Should Christians Listen to Contemporary Christian Music?
37:23
49 - How Close to Sin Can You Get Without Sinning?
34:37
48 - Not Superstitious, But A Little Stitious
27:25
47 - Balancing Life and Keeping God as a Priority
29:03
46 - Should I Care What People Think of Me?
28:56
45 - Are You Excited for Extracurriculars?
29:58
44 - Rekindling Lost Love in Faith & Marriage
36:11
43 - Back to School: Advice for Letting Lights Shine
34:02
42 - Tackling Unmet Expectations
29:15
41 - Reviving Gratitude for a Contented Life
28:02
40 - Welcoming Visitors
25:49
39 - Let’s Talk About Addiction - Part 2: Digging Deep
55:47
38 - Let’s Talk About Addiction - Part 1: Jim’s Story
42:53
37 - How to Avoid Sexual Temptation & Pornography
33:49
36 - Our Attitude Toward Money
33:13