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Are emotions misleading distractions or God-given guides? This question sits at the heart of many spiritual struggles as believers try to navigate between what they feel and what they know to be true.

Drawing from biblical examples and personal experiences, our conversation explores the often-misunderstood relationship between emotions and principles in the Christian life. Rather than positioning these as opposing forces, we uncover how God designed them to work in harmony, with emotions providing motivation and principles offering direction.

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While headlines and studies point to a steady decline in church attendance across the country, what does that mean for us, especially in the Churches of Christ? In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at the data, listen to what some are saying about the future of the church, and consider how we should respond—not with panic, but with purpose. We’ll talk about what it means to live out the mission of Christ, how congregations can stay vibrant and faithful, and why the health of the church depends less on trends and more on our daily walk, our prayers, and our willingness to share the gospel.

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What boundaries protect and sanctify your marriage? In this episode, we talk about the so-called “Pence Rule,” opposite-sex friendships, and why 1 Thessalonians 4 calls us to intentional holiness. It's not about fear—it’s about wisdom, trust, and honoring your spouse before God.

Should married people have close friendships with the opposite sex? We unpack the thinking behind avoiding one-on-one time with the opposite sex: Is it fear-based, or a wise way to protect trust? Then we turn to 1 Thessalonians 4 to explore how pursuing holiness and transparency can strengthen emotional intimacy with your spouse.

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Nobody likes feeling left out—but it’s part of life. Feeling left out strikes at our core need to belong, affecting us deeply, whether it's an event we weren't invited to or a subtle sense that others are more connected than we are. This week, we’ll share why it hits so hard, what the Bible says about it, and how to create a culture of belonging wherever you are. If you've ever felt excluded (or accidentally excluded someone else), this one's for you.

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How do we navigate disagreement with church leadership while maintaining respect and unity? This thought-provoking episode tackles the delicate balance of honoring elders while addressing legitimate concerns.

We begin by examining our fundamental relationship with elders. Rather than waiting for them to reach out, we explore how members can take initiative in building meaningful connections through prayer, gratitude, and genuine interest in their lives as fellow Christians. These established relationships create the foundation for healthier communication when differences arise.

Whether you're currently navigating a challenging situation with church leadership or simply want to develop healthier patterns of interaction, this episode offers practical wisdom for approaching differences in ways that strengthen rather than divide the body of Christ. How might your congregation grow stronger if disagreements became opportunities for understanding rather than division?

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We all carry secrets—ours and other people’s. But should we? Is it ever right to share them? This episode dives into what Scripture says about managing secrets with integrity.

In this episode, we unpack biblical stories like Samuel keeping his mission quiet, Esther hiding her identity, and Samson… oversharing. You'll also hear why making blanket promises of confidentiality isn’t always wise and how to handle sensitive info with love, wisdom, and care.

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A casual game night conversation led us down an unexpected theological rabbit hole, wrestling with one of faith's most profound questions: Why would a loving God create us, knowing we would sin? This question touches the very core of how we understand God's character and our purpose in His divine plan. Whether you're wrestling with tough questions or seeking deeper understanding, this episode offers a perspective that honors both our honest doubts and God's loving character. Some things we covered:

• God values relationships, as shown in Genesis when He created humans in His image
• Being made in God's image includes having free will, which makes our choices meaningful
• The parent-child relationship provides insight—parents have children knowing they will disappoint
• Free will creates the possibility of heartbreak but gives value to our choice to follow God
• Like Job, our lives may demonstrate God's character to "rulers and authorities in heavenly places"
• God's desire to "bring many sons to glory" shows His ultimate purpose is relationship

Join us weekly for more bite-sized biblical discussions that challenge your thinking and deepen your faith. Share with friends who might be asking similar questions.

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How do you choose a church when every congregation claims to follow Christ yet teaches different things? Joshua Creel from the University Church of Christ in Tampa joins us to tackle this crucial question through the lens of Galatians.

The conversation revolves around three essential criteria for selecting a church: determining whether they genuinely seek to please Christ rather than people, verifying their teachings originate from Jesus and his apostles (not modern teachers), and observing if they truly live out biblical principles. 

We explore the tension many families face when selecting a church—balancing the desire for youth programs and peer relationships against the need for sound doctrine. While having a strong community of believers is valuable, Joshua reminds us that these benefits should flow naturally from a congregation's commitment to biblical truth.

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When someone mocks Christianity—but not your specific beliefs—should you be offended? In this listener-submitted episode, we explore the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony’s depiction of The Last Supper, the line between irreverence and blasphemy, and examples from music, movies, and everyday speech. We also discuss when and why Christians should take offense, how to respond with grace and wisdom, and how to ensure our own words honor God.

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In this episode, we analyze a viral video questioning Jesus's name and explore the question of how we got “Jesus” from His Hebrew name “Yeshuah”. Is it wrong to call our Lord and Savior, Jesus? We'll dive into the significance of the names we call Jesus and God.

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Have you ever wondered how you can juggle a bustling career, family responsibilities, and personal time without feeling overwhelmed? This episode explores the Pareto Principle, emphasizing that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. We discuss goal-setting strategies based on this principle, the importance of prioritizing meaningful relationships, and practical tips for managing time effectively. 

With wisdom drawn from Psalm 90, Ephesians 5, and Mary and Martha from the book of Luke we reflect on the true worth of time, offering practical tips on goal setting and prioritizing the things that truly matter.

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Have you ever caught yourself smirking when someone who sped past you on the highway gets pulled over? We've all felt that intriguing twinge of satisfaction at another's misfortune, and in this episode of the Exhorter podcast, we explore the curious emotion of schadenfreude. Through personal anecdotes and pop culture nods like Homer Simpson's envy-fueled glee, we examine how this complex feeling manifests in daily life and question whether it's inherently negative or a part of our human experience.

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Is sarcasm a clever tool or a dangerous trap? In this episode, we explore how sarcasm shows up in the Bible, from Elijah’s sharp mockery of Baal’s prophets to Job’s biting responses to his friends. While sarcasm can highlight absurdity and deliver truth with wit, it can also harm relationships when used carelessly. We’ll share biblical examples, personal stories, and insights into how sarcasm can enhance communication—or derail it—depending on the intent and audience. Join us as we navigate the fine line between humor that builds up and sarcasm that tears down.

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It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the presence of the other. This is what the concept of “iron sharpening iron”, from Proverbs 27, alludes to. Left isolated, both blades would be dull and quite useless. In this episode, we highlight 3 things we can learn from Proverbs 27:17, mutual accountability, encouragement and support, and the value of challenging one another.

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Can a church be doctrinally sound yet feel sterile and unwelcoming? Join us as we discuss how some congregations, despite their sound doctrine, might lack the warmth and familial excitement essential for a thriving church. Our conversation takes a deeper look at the church in Ephesus, whose commendable doctrinal soundness was shadowed by their loss of initial love and zeal. 

(Lost Episode) This episode was recorded last May and considered lost until recently.

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How do you navigate the complexities of church membership and unity within your congregation? Join us for a discussion recorded at the serene Dinky Lakes, California, as we reflect on the lessons from the churches in Thyatira and Sardis from the book of Revelation. We'll explore Jesus's advice to the faithful remnant in Thyatira to hold fast to true teachings amidst false doctrines and immorality. Through this, we consider the nuanced decision-making process of whether to stay or leave a congregation facing significant issues.

Note: Our apologies for the noise during the recording, we did our best to clean it up but it was a windy morning in the woods.

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Are we supposed to be fasting? Matthew 6:17 says “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face...”. Does this verse allude to a practice we are neglecting in our lives? What do we know about fasting? In this episode, we dive into this listener's request to learn more about biblical fasting.

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What does "membership" mean, and is it necessary to join a local church? Some argue that the Bible doesn't explicitly require membership. Join us as we explore the significance of local church membership and what the Bible says about it.

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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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