Podcasts

Culture and Christianity with LaGard Smith, Part 1

Kenny Embry · Balancing the Christian Life

Send us Fan Mail 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

Episode 89 - "She Calls Me Chuck Norris"

Ryan Joy · Bible Geeks Podcast

Be Amazed at the Heavenly Vision This week, John’s vision leads us through a door and into God’s spectacular throne room. Revelation helps us understand how we’ll celebrate in heaven and how the Lord sees congregations. As we go Finding Jesus, we learn that the lion is the lamb, and the lamb is the shepherd. Then we dive into Christ’s letters to the churches with some “Deeep Thoughts.” What does it have to do with Twilight Zone, Chuck Norris, and Jeff Bezos? You’ll have to listen to find out! The Big Idea: Jesus knows and cares what is happening in his churches. Weekly Challenge: Rate and revi

Daily Bible Reading with Sarah Renz

Jeff · Working with the Word

Sarah Renz is busy - she's a wife, mom of three little ones, and above all, a disciple of Jesus. But she joins us today to share what's helpful for her in daily Bible reading, including priorities, recognizing a need for God, and reading the Bible as a family. Resources mentioned in this episode - The Bible Recap The Children's Bible Creation to Revelation 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

OUTLAWS: John Wayne. Comic books. "Wanted! The Outlaws." Sheriff of Nottingham.

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! An outlaw is one who works outside acceptable and/or legal boundaries. Sometimes he is accomplishing something he would call “the greater good”; sometimes he is only concerned with himself. But one thing is constant: he does what he wants. This week on the podcast we will discuss John Wayne’s last role. And the danger in his last message for us; why “superheroes” are neither super nor heroes; how “Wanted! The Outlaws” saved country music and killed Waylon Jennings; and how “Sheriff of Nottingham” is a great game but a bad model for eth

S3 Ep1 - Talking Film and Faith with Stephen Kendrick

Stephen Kendrick · Inroads

Stephen Kendrick is a Christian film writer and producer behind major motion pictures like 'Fire Proof', 'War Room' and 'Overcomer'. He sits down with inRoads and discusses his journey in the Christian entertainment industry as well as the role we all play in spreading the gospel through media. Support the show

Surrender and Fight

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! This episode is for anyone who knows the right thing to do, but is struggling to do it. You know, with full conviction, what the Bible says, but emotions run high, temptation comes on strong, and you falter. If you have become frustrated with this demeaning and disheartening cycle, this episode is for you. You can win. With Christ you can win. But two things are required. And I mean REQUIRED. One of them will help, but not for long without them both. Come and hear the power of combining Surrender and Fight. - Why do we so

Importance of habits

Kenny Embry · Balancing the Christian Life

Send us Fan Mail 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

Episode 88 - "A Golden Thumbs Up"

Ryan Joy · Bible Geeks Podcast

Put the Lord First Always What do we learn about idolatry from WALL-E, Andy Griffith, and John Calvin? This week we take a look at our idols, acknowledging the many ways we can elevate other things and downgrade the One True God. As usual, we start the episode by Finding Jesus in this week’s reading, discovering the “Anti” Anti-Christ and learning how Jesus the opposite of the Wizard of Oz. And in our Scripture du Jour, Bryan enrolls us in “Symbols 101” as Jesus explains how to interpret the book of Revelation. The Big Idea: The well-ordered heart directs its greatest hope and adoration toward

BIBLE STUDY: with guests Edwin Crozier and Neal Grantham

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Edwin Crozier is the co-host of the Text Talk podcast, an extension of the work he does with the Livingston Avenue church of Christ in Tampa, Florida. Neal Grantham preaches for the Somerville church of Christ in northern Alabama. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and oth

The Social Dilemma

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! The Social Dilemma is a documentary on Netflix that explains the monetization of social media and the internet. If the product is free for you to use, then you are the product. Billions of dollars is paid by advertisers to social media sites, and the product they deliver to them... is you. Your time, your eyes, your mind, your life. There is a great warning, a massive dilemma, associated with the internet. On the one hand, there are a great many positives. But on the other side of the screen is a computer whose job is to

Power of responsibility

Kenny Embry · Balancing the Christian Life

Send us Fan Mail 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

Episode 87 - "Phantom Menaces"

Ryan Joy · Bible Geeks Podcast

Be Confident in Uncertain Times What do Craftsmen Tools and the Phantom Menace have to do with our confidence in Christ? With all the uncertainty around us, it seems like the perfect time to focus on what we can KNOW from the book of 1 John. Why does healing require honesty and why does prayer require give and take? This week’s reading in Hebrews 13 and 1 John 1-4 shows us how to deal with misplaced guilt and fear, how to confidently pray, and how what we love defines our stability. The Big Idea: Living in God’s love leads to confidence. Weekly Challenge: Do something to show someone your love

Daily Bible Reading with Mark Roberts

Jeff · Working with the Word

Mark Roberts joins us for an interview on reading the Bible every day. He encourages us to not think of Bible reading as marking off a checklist or posting an Instagram photo, but as an indispensable time for drawing near to God. Check out Mark's Bible reading plan and guide here: Five Day Bible Reading And more of Mark's writing and teaching at these places: Romans for Everyone Westside Church Pressing On Magazine 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

THANKSGIVING: Gluttony. Pilgrim's Progress. Shutdowns. Ticket to Ride.

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! This season is devoted to the giving of thanks to God. But as always, we often make things all about ourselves. I’m trying to do better this year, and I hope I can encourage you to do so as well. This week we will discuss the very real problem of having too much of many, many good things; the story of one who got everything he could hope for and was strong enough to get rid of it; the way to find blessings when you believe they are being withheld from you; and the one game above all for which I am the most thankful. Check out Hal on Yo

What Is Truth?

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! What a fantastic question! "What is Truth?" You will find that a lot of people don't ask it anymore. They think they know the truth already, like the Pharisees. There are others like Pilate, who ask the question, but don't put in the work to answer it. They end up with a lot of uncertainly. And then there are those like Peter who do ask and answer but aren't strong enough to apply it when the time is right. We can learn from all of these people. And we must learn from Jesus in John 18. How we ask, answer and apply will sh

Power of Gratitude

Kenny Embry · Balancing the Christian Life

Send us Fan Mail This week we discuss the importance and power of gratitude to the Christian life. I start out by talking about my younger son, Kent. He's a case of "still waters run deep." He's very bright, quiet and thoughtful. I mention in today's episode a foundational book.: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (affiliate link) If you haven't read this book, you should. Viktor Frankl was imprisoned at a concentration camp during World War II. A psychologist, he noted how some found hope and some completely lost faith. His observations are profound. Support the show

Episode 86 - "Stay Off My Lawn!"

Ryan Joy · Bible Geeks Podcast

Walk with Faith and Integrity This week, in a Psalm 15 edition of Poetry in Motion, we learn that God wants to host people in his home, but not everyone can enter. We discuss how the tabernacle is like LEGOs, character is like a key card, and seeking God is like dating (it made sense when we said it!). Plus, we answer questions like: Does God really want us to despise “vile” people? Is it wrong to do good things because we want the reward? And how can we say, “All is well,” when our circumstances seem “anything but.” Hebrews 11 is our Scripture du Jour and we’re Finding Jesus in this week’s re

CLEANLINESS: Baptism. Isaiah 1:18. "Next to godliness." Five Tribes.

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Cleaning yourself is one of the first jobs we learn. It helps keep us healthy, and it makes us more pleasant to be around — and that was true long before COVID-19 came along. This week we will discuss the ritual washing known as baptism; how filthy the job of priest must have been; how cleanliness may actually be next to godliness, or at least pretty close; and how carelessness destroyed one of my family’s favorite games and changed the way we play games forever. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal H

Alright Alright Alright

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Matthew McConaughey is a big celebrity around these parts. He graduated about an hour from here and lives in Austin. He is known for three words: "Alright, Alright, Alright." He is also known for a demeanor and attitude that is laid back and positive. However, in his new book "Greenlights," he reveals that there are some things that are non negotiable in his family. There are three things that are not alright. He was raised not to say three things, and he now is raising his three kids the same way. While McConaughey may n

Talking sports with Jason Romano

Kenny Embry · Balancing the Christian Life

Send us Fan Mail This was a great interview with Jason Romano. Jason was a 17 year ESPN producer who became an author and podcaster. In his first book, Live to Forgive, Jason talks about his struggles with his alcoholic father and then his struggle to become one, himself. In his journey, he meets his Heavenly father who helps him understand what true fatherhood is about. Along the way, Jason talks about how meeting his boyhood hero, Darryl Strawberry, was a dream come true, and an unexpected blessing. Jason has written two books, Live to Forgive and The Uniform of Leadership.. I heartily recom

Episode 85 - "The Soft Underbelly"

Ryan Joy · Bible Geeks Podcast

Overcome Your Spiritual Struggles Where are your spiritual “growing pains”? This week, we had a frank conversation about some of the difficulties that have threatened to pull us off course spiritually. From the magnetic pull of the comfortable to the isolation of feeling you’re on your own, there are so many ways to get discouraged and stop growing. Our current reading in Hebrews 3-7 exhorts a group of Christians to keep growing and keep holding onto the Lord. Join us as we dive into the Scriptures with an eye toward maturing in Christ! The Big Idea: God calls us from our easy comforts to an a

Daily Bible Reading - a Really Big Deal

Jeff · Working with the Word

You've heard preachers, Bible class teachers, maybe even your parents emphasize "read your Bible every day" - but why? What's the big deal with daily Bible reading? In this episode we get back to the basics of having a daily interaction with God through His Word. Along the way, we share some of our own struggles and victories in this discipline. Resources mentioned in this episode: American Bible Society "State of the Bible" survey https://news.americanbible.org/blog/entry/corporate-blog/american-bible-society-releases-10th-annual-state-of-the-bible-survey Intro song - "Faith" by Vibe Tracks O

JAZZ: Decently and in order. Blue Like Jazz. Music for sleep. Fluxx.

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! One jazz master put it this way: If you know the basic chords, you can improvise and create all sorts of music. But you have to know the chords. If Jazz is freedom, then good jazz is knowing how to have freedom without chaos. This week we will discuss what rules, if any, should apply in our worship, whether “Christian spirituality” has anything to do with the bible, what music puts me to sleep and why, and how you play a game with constantly changing goals — if there is a goal at all. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com

Five Thousand Times

Kris Emerson · Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks! Tony Robbins once spoke of success in these terms: success is not doing 5,000 things, it is doing the few right things 5,000 times. He is speaking of the power of daily habits over time. It reminds us that every decision you make is an investment in your future, IF you repeat those good decisions day after day. There are no shortcuts to success. But it doesn't have to be momentous, expensive, grand gestures. In fact, those represent doing a thing. We can do better. We want to become someone better. This is found in a few

Exploring Bible Lands: An Interview with Barry Britnell

Kenny Embry · Balancing the Christian Life