Podcasts

Send us Fan Mail 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 his important relationships. We are all broken. Not all like Matt and Lauren, but a

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Podcast Mar 4, 2021

Episode 99 - "I Don’t Know, Can You?"

Count the Cost What's your Impenetrable Barrier? And what does counting the cost have to do with life in a Vietnam POW camp? This week we look at the DEDICATION required of a disciple, taking on some hard words of Jesus about who "cannot" follow him. Plus, Bryan explains what it means to be the apple of God's eye, and we appreciate the "prayer of a righteous man" in a Psalm 17 edition of Poetry in Motion. As usual, we end by working through 5 challenges you can do with us Through the Week. We hope you'll join us! The Big Idea: If we’re not prepared for difficulty and sacrifice, we won’t have t

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Podcast Mar 3, 2021

INTERNET (part 2): with Kris Emerson and Kenny Embry

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Is the internet the irresistible and desirable future for the church, or is it the church’s doom? What are “social influencers,” who are they influencing, and for what purpose? We cover this and more in the second half of my conversation with Kris Emerson and Dr. Kenny Embry. Kris preaches for the Lindale church of Christ in Lindale, Texas, and hosts the Excel Still More podcast. Kenny is an associate professor of communication at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida, and hosts the “Balancing the Christian Life” podcast. Check ou

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Podcast Mar 2, 2021

Getting Carried Away... in a Good Way!

Justin studies with his entire family as he invites his wife and four children to the couch. Listen in as they discuss Proverbs 5. You can watch the video of this study at www.youtube.com/appianmedia

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Podcast Mar 2, 2021

Give Us A King - Reading 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings

Jeff · Working with the Word

"We want a king!" These words resonate loudly in Israel's history as the cry of an unfaithful people rejecting God as their leader. And so begins the period of Israel's monarchy - its rise, division, and ultimate downfall. Yet these words also reflect our real need, for we really do need a perfect king even today. Join us as we talk about how the books of Samuel and Kings lead us to that King - Jesus. Intro song - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks Outro song - special thanks to John Tadlock for letting us use "The Starry Night" from his brand new album The Sight of the Stars

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Podcast Mar 2, 2021

INTERNET (part 1): with guests Kris Emerson and Kenny Embry

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! It’s a new world out there, for better or worse. And the internet is its university, its playground, and its courtroom. There’s no point in pretending otherwise. We will explore the pros and cons of the internet with my two guests. Kris Emerson preaches for the Lindale church of Christ in Lindale, Texas, and hosts the Excel Still More podcast. Dr. Kenny Embry is an associate professor of communication at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. In part 1, we discuss the echo chamber effect we experience online; and we consider the p

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Podcast Mar 1, 2021

S3 Ep7 - 25th Episode Celebration!

Appian Media · Inroads

Craig and Stu take a look back on some of the most powerful soundbites from inRoads and how our guests are spreading God's word through great content! Hear our top 3 interviews on today's episode. Support the show

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Podcast Mar 1, 2021

The Unanswered Prayer

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! As people of faith, we know that God hears us when we pray. We know He cares and listens and answers. Sometimes we get a YES. Sometimes a NO. Sometimes a WAIT. But why don't we get more YESES? I mean, we are people of faith and love Him, right? It can be difficult to accept circumstances when you ask Him and He declines. Maybe an old country song can help today. Garth Brooks sang "Unanswered Prayers." I can relate to the lyrics of that song. Can you? Let's talk about that for a bit, and then settle into a passage of Scrip

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Podcast Feb 26, 2021

So, whatcha reading? An interview with Jason Hardin

Send us Fan Mail 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. Support the show

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Podcast Feb 25, 2021

Episode 98 - "So Merciful and So Gracious!"

Speak Up About Your Faith Silence isn’t always golden. This week, we tell the story of Jonah and draw some insights from his reluctance to speak God’s message. And speaking of speaking, what does speaking have to do with faith? We have five challenges to help you grow in your commitment to confess the Lord and share the gospel. Plus, a close look at one of Jesus’ conversations shows us that dialogue beats a data dump, when we want people to grasp the saving truth. The Big Idea: As faith comes from hearing, faith leads to speaking. Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges

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Podcast Feb 23, 2021

FAVORITES: The view from Pisgah. "Watership Down." 40 Fingers. Great Western Trail (3).

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! To celebrate 100 episodes, I tried to pick out the things above all others that I like to preach, read, hear and play. I’m not sure I was successful, but what follows is the best I could do. So today we will discuss our own wandering in the wilderness and our anticipation of Canaan land; lessons in governing we can learn from fictitious, sentient rabbits; my fascination with four Italian guitar players; and my incessant, and largely unsuccessful, efforts to get better at Great Western Trail. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.yout

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Podcast Feb 23, 2021

How To Get Wisdom

Justin sits down to study with his 8-year old daughter and 6-year old son as they work through Proverbs 4. See how Justin's daughter helps his son as they go through this study. You can watch the video of this study at www.youtube.com/appianmedia

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Podcast Feb 22, 2021

Prayin' For Daylight

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! It has been a rough week in Texas and across most of the Country. The record cold and snow and ice and loss of power and water... quite a mess. I mean, it got below zero in East Texas! I was handling it fine, until one particular night. But I am thankful for that night, even with its weight and burden. I needed it. God knew we needed time together. I want to share that with you. - What would God have us do with our anxiety and fear? - But can I ask: do prayers always work? - If we just give God a few seconds of our time,

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Podcast Feb 19, 2021

Let's give them something to talk about, an interview with Ryan Cummings

Send us Fan Mail 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. Ryan works with the Manslick Road church of Christ. Support the show

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Podcast Feb 18, 2021

Episode 97 - "Gonna Dig a Storm Cellar"

Stick Firmly to the Lord How attached are you to the Lord? This week we continue our exploration of faith, taking steps to greater loyalty. We start by talking about the ultimate example of faithfulness, as Jesus goes all the way to the finish line. Then we learn some lessons from Job in a new segment we call “Hello, My Name Is …” Hope you’ll join us, and consider taking on our 5 Through the Week challenges this week! The Big Idea: We serve at the Lord’s pleasure, not our own. Weekly Challenges: Find this week’s Through the Week challenges here. Show Notes Cross Training - “Through Thick and T

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Podcast Feb 16, 2021

GOALS: The Christian graces. 9 Presidents. The goal vs. the prize. Great Western Trail (2).

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! We need goals to stay motivated and on course. Maybe it is a particular number on the bathroom scale. Maybe it is getting all the way to Revelation chapter 22 this year. In any case, the goals need to be reasonable and measurable if we are to maximize our chances of success. This week we will discuss how we “do” the Christian Graces of 2 Peter 1, what makes a truly great president, why heaven should NOT be your goal as a Christian, and how having fun with a game directly interferes with my efforts to win. Check out Hal on YouTube at ht

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Podcast Feb 16, 2021

Wisdom Leading to Grace

Justin talks with his 6-year old son and 4-year old daughter about Proverbs 3. Watch as he finds ways to make a study with his two younger children fun for all! You can watch the video of this study at www.youtube.com/appianmedia

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Podcast Feb 15, 2021

Living In Fear

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Fear is a factor for most of us. We have anxiety and concern about health and safety and COVID, and the government, and any number of things. To say they don't bother us would be dishonest. The question is, have you given these things the power to control your life? Or is your fear of God so absolute, so dominating, that everything falls victim to His control? Erasing fears in this life are not always possible. But increasing fear of God, in every sense of the word can prepare us to render carnal worries powerful in our l

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Podcast Feb 15, 2021

S3 Ep6 - Creating Material for the Youngest Bible Students

Appian Media · Inroads

A conversation with Brian and Joie Harber, the creators of the kids Bible workbooks 'Creation to Revelation'! www.creationtorevelation.com Support the show

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Podcast Feb 12, 2021

Keeping it in the family, an interview with Craig Embry

Send us Fan Mail 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

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Podcast Feb 11, 2021

Replay — "Fear Sandwich"

Programming Note: This week, we're replaying one of our favorite episodes from the past. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. “It was a dark and stormy night…” As we begin part five of our “Here’s Your Sign” series, a moment of life-or-death peril at sea meets one of history’s most fantastic miracles. Starting with what Jesus Said about fear in Luke 12:4-7, we try to understand the times we pass through the waters. Weekly Challenge: Memorize a powerful verse to help you overcome fearful situations. Show Notes Jesus Said … Luke 12:4-7 How To Talk To Yourself (Part 3) by Ryan Joy (S

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Podcast Feb 9, 2021

COWBOYS: Cattle vs. sheep. "Law West of the Pecos." Willie and Waylon. Great Western Trail.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Cowboys are part of American history — and even more than that, American folklore. It’s a lifestyle: play by your own rules, answer to your own conscience, and ride quietly off into the sunset at the end of the day. Noble hero or ruthless outlaw? Depends on who is making the movie. This week we will discuss the difference between herding cattle and tending sheep; the legacy of Texas legend Judge Roy Bean; the music of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings; and why my daughter beats me regularly in my favorite game — and the surprising reas

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Podcast Feb 9, 2021

No King in Israel - Reading Joshua, Judges, and Ruth

Jeff · Working with the Word

How do Joshua, Judges, and Ruth fit into the whole story of the Bible? How do they point to God's plan for saving man? In this episode we break down their major themes that teach important lessons about Israel's stubborn unfaithfulness and God's gracious faithfulness. You'll also hear how the book of Judges is the "toilet bowl of the Bible" and how the story of Ruth points us to Jesus. Intro song - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks Outro song - special thanks to John Tadlock for letting us use "The Starry Night" from his brand new album The Sight of the Stars

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Podcast Feb 9, 2021

Wisdom in the Heart