Thrive In The Word: Theology & Life

Hello!  Thanks so much for checking out the podcast.  As might be expected, I take this episode to give you a summary of who I am and why this podcast exists.   *POST-PUBLISHING NOTE* - After receiving some helpful feedback from my wife, I wanted to clarify a few things (briefly :D) regarding my testimony: A) I believe I was saved at the age of six, in other words, that was when I repented of my sin and put my faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, by God's grace. B) I sought to be obedient to the Lord from the age of six onward, to the degree that I knew how, yet I was significantly lacking in knowledge of the Lord and his will for my life, largely due to a lack of discipleship and consistent spiritual discipline.  This led to what I would consider to be a small amount of spiritual fruit, yet enough to confirm - to my knowledge (Philippians 2:12) - that my repentance and faith at age six were indeed genuine.  C) I name the summer of 2016 when I began reading the Word daily, not because I believe that's when Christ is his sovereignty saved me, nor because I believe reading the Bible saves anyone intrinsically, but because that was when Christ began using his Word much more profoundly in my life, giving me a deeper and more consistent desire to live a life obedient to him, free from consistent idolatry, and devoted to knowing him more and making him known. Any questions, comments, further clarifications, etc. can be directed to thriveinthewordcontact@gmail.com or in person.  :) Resources (in the order they were mentioned): Blog link for Thrive In The Word Just Thinking podcast (Just Thinking Ministries) PCA vs. PCUSA (The Aquila Report)

Hello hello.  Thanks for listening.  Today I talk about "crowd followers", ie those who just want Jesus for what he can give them, versus "disciples", ie those who seek to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24).  This episode comes from my blog post of the same title, as per usual, and primarily using the text of John 6:2-3.  There are certainly nuances to both of these categories, and I seek to cover at least some of those.  But, ultimately, the distinction is clear.  May we be a people who seek to follow Christ with all that we are, ie may we be disciples, not those who follow Jesus only for what he might give us, ie crowd followers. Resources (in order relevant): Original Thrive article: "Crowd Followers v. Disciples" Thrive YouTube channel Just Thinking episode on singleness and relationships: "Singles, Dating and Marriage" (#68) (Just Thinking Ministries) Just Thinking episodes on Ligonier state of theology survey: "Ligonier: The State of Theology" - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 (Just Thinking Ministries) Joshua Harris falling away resource: "Joshua Harris falling away from faith: 'I am not a Christian'" (The Christian Post) Moralistic therapeutic deism overview (Wikipedia) Todd White claims/infers sinlessness: "Todd White: 'I Live With Me'" (YouTube - The Messed Up Church) Joyce Meyer claims sinlessness: "Joyce Meyer says she does not sin  (1 John 1:8 / Not a sinner / Lying Heretic)" (YouTube - Doctrinal Watchdog) Perseverance of the saints doctrine: "TULIP and Reformed Theology: Perseverance of the Saints" - (Ligonier Ministries) My music channel (YouTube) Contact: thriveinthewordcontact@gmail.com

Hello all!  This week I discuss the concept of married people telling single people to be "content in their singleness", triggered by an article Marshall Segal, a desiringgod author, wrote years ago entitled "You Don't Have to Get Married to Be Happy" (which he wrote while he was married).  I wrote my blog post four and a half years ago when I was single, but am now commentating on it as a married person, which provides an interesting perspective.  I also provide a few thoughts on sexual purity and when and how you might want to pursue a godly spouse (if you are single) and some lessons I have learned along the way through God's word, godly wisdom, and practicality, etc. Resources (as usual, in the order they were mentioned or relevant): Original Thrive In The Word article - "On Married People Telling Single People to Be Happy In Singleness (On Valentine's Day)" Catholic perspective on Peter having a wife - "Did Peter Have a Wife?" (Catholic Answers) Ben Stuart singleness video - "Love the Single Chapter of Your Life" (YouTube - Desiring God) Just Thinking podcast episode on contentment - "Christian Contentment" (Just Thinking Ministries - Episode #96) "Content" uses in the Bible (Blue Letter Bible - NASB translation) "Contentment" verse in the Bible (1 Timothy 6:6) (Blue Letter Bible - NASB translation) Good free book on eight stories from persecuted women in other countries - "Hearts of Fire" (The Voice of the Martyrs) John Piper on "What Makes a Real Man?" (YouTube - Desiring God) Good Just Thinking episode on relationships - "Singles, Dating, and Marriage" (Just Thinking Ministries - Episode #68) Contact: thriveinthewordcontact@gmail.com

Howdy y'all.  Welcome to episode 2.  Here I take my first blog article and dive in, accompanied by some (maybe way too much) commentary on the Bible passages presented, some personal experiences, a few thoughts on our culture today, Side A/B (and apparently side X is actually a thing), and etc. Resources (in order as mentioned on the episode): *please note - just because I am sharing an article or news clip does not necessarily mean I endorse that website* Original Thrive In The Word article - "Jen Hatmaker & Homosexuality"  George Mueller prayer article (guy who I couldn't think of on episode - not a "couple" ha - who didn't make his needs known to others, just prayed!) - "What George Mueller Can Teach Us about Prayer" (Crossway) Jen Hatmaker comes out in support of gay marriage article - "The politics of Jen Hatmaker: Trump, Black Lives Matter, gay marriage and more" (Religion News Service) "Jen Hatmaker reveals her daughter is gay" article (Christian Today) Lauren Daigle thoughts on homosexuality (2018) - "Christian Singer Lauren Daigle on Homosexuality: 'I Can't Say One Way or The Other. I'm Not God'" (CBN News) Rosaria Butterfield article "What is wrong with gay Christianity? What is Side A and Side B anyway?" (Rosaria Champagne Butterfield) Greek word translated "homosexual" - "arsenokoites" (Blue Letter Bible) Greek word translated "effeminate in 1 Corinthians 6 (NASB) - "malakos" (Blue Letter Bible) Episcopal denomination beliefs on LGBTQ - "LGBTQ in the Church" (The Episcopal Church) Methodist denomination split - "Conservative United Methodists Plan Breakaway Denomination" (Christianity Today) World Magazine news (World) Just Thinking podcast from 2018 regarding Lauren Daigle & homosexuality - "Religion of LGBT" (Just Thinking Ministries - Episode #57)