Episodes

This week I've got a lot on my plate with the end of the semester, so I'm doing an introduction to the idea of digital literacy. I've been meaning to put this episode together for a long time and now is the perfect time. I'm making an argument about why we need to pull the curtain back on what digital tools do to us and for us. God bless you this week! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

Do you feel like the world is changing all around you while you're trying to hold onto your Christianity? Do you wonder if the things changing around us should worry us or not? Gardner is a guy with a great perspective on the culture surrounding us, the hope we have in God and why today's Christian should inspire us with confidence. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

For the past few weeks I've been drawn again and again to Philippians. There's a lot of hope and exhortation in this short book. I thought seriously about giving a reflection on Philippians for this episode. I seem to always be drawn to 4:8 where Paul tells us what to think about. But that's in a larger discussion where he talks about where to focus and what to do in response. I could give the context. Or I could simply give you the book of Philippians, itself. This week is another experiment. T...

Covid is starting to become a memory...so what should we learn from the experience? And what questions should we be asking now? Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

Hal is a new friend and someone who hosts his own podcast, The Citizen of Heaven. In this episode, we discuss the importance of perspective. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

This week I'm talking to a colleague and friend, Dr. Stephen Okey. Okey (as I call him) is an excellent educator and has a good understanding of the relationship of Christ, Christians and culture. He discusses the different ways Christians often try to see Christ in regards to culture, and proposes a better way we might be able to be "in the world but not of the world." If you'd like to get in touch with Okey, he is very active on Twitter and you can reach him at https://twitter.com/StephenOkey ...

This week on the program we talk to the hosts of the podcast Devotional Doctors , Bryan Nash (Doctorate in ministry) and JD Souder (Doctorate in physical therapy). They have a simple but powerful message about the importance of understanding the body's relationship to Christianity. God created us both body and soul. Ultimately we rely on our bodies to carry out our Christian service. I start this episode with a simple exercise. Try it. See if it doesn't change your perspective. Support the show ...

In this episode, I collaborate with my good friend Darin Gerdes. Darin hosts The Leadersmith podcast. This episode is our conversation about the importance of failure, and part 2 is available on his podcast where we talk about the importance of taking risks. Darin takes over the hosting reins for this episode. It was fun and, I hope, worthwhile. This is the first time I've been a guest on my own podcast. Thank you, again, for joining me on this journey. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/...

Craig Bean is a close and dear friend and, I think, one of the very best to talk about intentional culture creation. Most people believes the culture to our congregations walk in the doors and leadership should respond to the culture in the pews. Craig talks about how to foster and create the kind of culture where Christians actively make positive change the places they are. Craig is a smart guy, and he's been a blessing to me for many years. I pray he is the same for you. Support the show (http...

Matt Bassford is a minister in Columbia, Tennessee. In this episode, he talks about how he and his wife dealt with the tragedy of a stillborn birth of their first daughter, Macy and how their relationships with God and other Christians were the only things which could fix it. This is a difficult but important conversation. I think about how all of us are broken, but we often feel those topics are taboo or need to be avoided. Matt's story is powerful. It's also a love story through trial for all ...

This week, we discuss one of the most basic parts of being a Christian, Bible study. Jason Hardin is a minister and author of Hello, I'm Your Bible , (affiliate link) a practical guide to Bible study.Jason has his own strategy for Bible study which helps put you in the right mindset and helps you develop a good attitude toward reading. Jason and his family minister at Charlestown Road church of Christ which has some innovative digital tools for growing Christians, including Building Blocks. Supp...

So how good are you at communication? I'm not sure we think about that question a lot...but we definitely hear a lot about its importance. This week I talk to one of my old students, Ryan Cummings, about the importance of communication for Christians. He covers the importance of productive conflict, working together, and how communication forms an important part of our relationship with God. Ryan's podcast with co-host Mike Sullivan is called "The Gospel According to." You can subscribe here. Ry...

This week we talk to my cousin, Craig Embry. Craig is someone who knows how to get things done and he has helped his congregation in the Sarasota area use the tools of digital discipleship to cope with Coronavirus and spread Christianity. I'm impressed with Craig, and I think you will be, too. You can see what they're trying at South Trail church of Christ . Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

Do you journal? I don't. Well, not yet. So when I talked to Jeremy Dehut about what made his Christian life better, I was curious why he said journaling was one of the most important things he does to help his Christian walk. Jeremy made some practical points about how journaling can help you both review and put in perspective your relationship with God. He also talks about how journaling started for him at a point in his life when not only did he really want a better relationship with God, but ...

This episode concludes the conversation we started last week with Edwin Crozier, Kris Emerson, Jason Hardin and Mark McCrary. In this episode, the guys talk about their own podcasts and what roles they play with their congregations, the love/hate relationship we all have with Zoom, concerns about returning to worship at a building and what they plan to keep doing after the pandemic is more controlled. I'll say it again, these are some great guys. If you'd like to get in touch with any of them, y...

Well...this was a conversation with four guys I think are doing excellent work in light of Covid. Edwin Crozier, Kris Emerson, Jason Hardin and Mark McCrary. Three of these guys are past guests. I just wanted to know how they reacted to Covid and putting together something they could use to help their members still feel connected. This is very frank, and I so appreciate the vulnerability they express. We're all figuring this out, and I worked hard to find a couple guys who have been doing this f...

Phil is an old friend who has a knack with teens and someone I greatly admire. I planned this episode to be about the teens he works with, but Phil quickly turned the conversation to parenting, and I think he was right. He shines a spotlight on what we can do better as parents. We also talk a little about digital discipleship and how his congregation in Gainesville may use tools such as Zoom after the pandemic is a memory. I think it's fair to say Phil is more skeptical of the digital tools, eve...

This is my second half of the conversation with Edwin Crozier. This part focuses on his view of digital discipleship and his writing process.I said it before, Edwin is a really good guy. Consider listening to his podcast, Text Talk, it's available at Apple podcasts , A few of Edwin's books include (affiliate links): Love Like a Samaritan The Gospel of the Kingdom Getting to Did Built by the Lord: A Study of the Family Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

Edwin Crozier is someone I have known for several years but never really talked to. This is the first part of a great conversation I had with Edwin. In this episode, Edwin talks about his own spiritual walk. If you're interested in listening to his podcast, Text Talk, it's available at Apple podcasts , A few of Edwin's books include (affiliate links): Love Like a Samaritan The Gospel of the Kingdom Getting to Did Built by the Lord: A Study of the Family Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/...

This week's interview is with preacher Mark Roberts. He works in Texas and says digital discipleship represents a disruption and not an interruption. This was a fun conversation and the first time I've talked with Mark. He's very sharp and kind. If you're interested in subscribing to his digital magazine, it's available at Pressing On Magazine. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

In this second episode with LaGard Smith, we talk about digital discipleship, how to keep your biases out of your Bible study, and a surprising project he's putting together which you may be able to see on a screen near you at some point. Some of the books I recommend by LaGard are: The Daily Bible Darwin's Secret Sex Problem Baptism - The Believer's Wedding Ceremony Meeting God in Quiet Places The Cultural Church Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

This is a conversation I had with LaGard Smith. He's a law professor and thought leader in Christianity. LaGard was a "bucket list" interview for me. He's taught at some prestigious universities and was both thought-provoking and kind. If you are interested in learning more about LaGard or read some of his books, a few are (affiliate links): The Daily Bible Darwin's Secret Sex Problem Baptism - The Believer's Wedding Ceremony Meeting God in Quiet Places The Cultural Church Support the show (http...

In this week's episode, we talk about the importance of uncovering the values tied up in your habits. This episode was, likewise, quick to write, but illuminating to me. Thanks so much for joining me on the podasting journey. In this episode I talk about (affiliate links): The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod Atomic Habits by James Clear Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/balancingthechristianlife)

This week I talk about the power of being responsible. This episode came together quickly. I compare the "rights" argument with the "responsibility" argument. In some ways, these are two sides of the same coin. If you have rights, you have corresponding responsibilities which come with them. I emphasize the responsibilities, however, because they are rarely discussed. I talk a lot about Jordan Peterson's book, The Twelve Rules for Life (affiliate link) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/b...