My Seminary Life

Welcome back to My Seminary Life Presents: Fish FryDays the Musical, and a happy Saint Patrick's Day to you all. Before we crack open green beer and diving into some corned beef and cabbage, I sit down to talk about the classic song Johnny I hardly Knew Ya; a song that reminds us of the grim realities of war and how war is a place fo destruction while God is in the work of restoration. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life Presents: Fish FryDays the Musical. In this musical devotional series, I cover a different song each week that captures the themes, postures, and practices of Lent. This week, I'm looking at a beloved U2 song from The Joshua Tree; a song about spiritual longing and a surprising declaration that should challenge our perception of what it means to be a human. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

"Because you're mine, I walk the line." Welcome back to My Seminary Life Presents: Fish FryDays the Musical. Today, we move into Act II with a look at what is considered to be the greatest country song of all time, "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash. This is a love song that acknowledges faithfulness and self-denial, two key aspects of a Lenten fast. However, as we see in Cash's iconic song and from Scripture, the motivation to be faithful and to deny oneself does not come from inner strength, but from a greater experience that moves one to fiathfulness. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

"You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of the dust."Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Today is the start of My Seminary Life Presents: Fish FryDays the Musical. Each week, I will sit down to discuss a song that I think captures the posture, themes, and Scriptures that impact the Lent season. To begin, I talk about Beautiful Things by Gungor; a song of lament that reminds us to groan our humanity, the earth's final redemption, but also points us to God's ability to bring life from desperate places.Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

This episode is a rebroadcast from last year's Fish Frydays. Happy (early) Saint Patrick's Day! Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Today, for our Fish FryDay devotional, we are taking a look at Rend Collective's newest song "The Prayer of Saint Patrick" inspired by The Prayer/Breastplate of Saint Patrick. After briefly recapping the history of Rend Collective and their recent campaign to "Make Rend Folk Again," I dive into the words of both the song and the prayer, look at their differences, and focus on the general message of these words that Jesus is in us and is our strength. As we travel through this wilderness, there will be times when hunger pains sit in, both literal and existential. The words of this prayer renew our mind to the reality that it is Christ in us our strength, not by our own might. Listen to the song: https://youtu.be/Hi-rZMTURCY?si=_KO9D_URA469m59WContact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode of My Seminary Life. Worship projects for Lent are few and far between. Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns has filled that worship gap with his latest project Hymns of Lent. Nathan and I discuss how these songs came together and how they guide us during the Lenten season. Nathan also talks about some of his geeky hobbies too! Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Rabbit Trail is an on-going series where I discuss the things that I wish I could have talked about in my sermon. Today, inspired by my sermon on Psalm 2, I sit down to discuss what I and others call The American Persecution Complex. I also talk about how I kinda messed this sermon up...Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Experiential Preaching is on on-going series where I discuss specific sermons that I preached that utilized an experiential element to bring the congregation into the sermon to make it a living and dynamic experience. In this episode, I recap my sermon on Psalm 1 and discuss how inviting the congregation to meditate during the service impacted those in attendance. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Inspried by last week's dive into season two of NPR's Extremely American, I sit down to pitch my theory that there are indeed at least two ways that Christian Nationalism manifests itself. That's right, I'm attempting to systematize Christian Nationalism, but I think it will help us to better identify what we are looking at if we do. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. In today's episode, I sit down to review the NPR series Extremely American. After briefly recapping season one which covered Alt-Right Maltia Groups, I focus my attention on season two which took a dive into the ministry of Doug Wilson who is a prominent Christian Nationalist. What does a non-Christian organization have to say about Christian Nationalism? Tune in to find out! Listen to Extremely American here: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510381/extremely-americanContact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

The foremost focus of this podcast episode is a thorough discussion among Joshua Noel, Christian Ashley, and Brandon Knight, regarding their individual podcasts under the Anazao Podcasts Network and their reflections on the events of 2025. They delve into their respective projects, articulating the significant developments and content that have engaged their audiences throughout the past year. As they explore their aspirations and goals for 2026, the conversation unveils an array of upcoming projects and thematic directions, promising an engaging year ahead for listeners. Each host articulates personal anecdotes and insights, fostering a sense of community and shared experience within the network. This episode serves as an informative preview, allowing listeners to anticipate exciting new content and collaborations on the horizon.The podcast episode delves into a broader exploration of interpersonal relationships within the church, highlighting the necessity for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, echoing the divine forgiveness extended to humanity through Christ. Through this lens Joshua Noel, Christian Ashley, and Brandon Knight, engage in a thought-provoking dialogue about the challenges faced by modern Christians in fostering genuine community while navigating differing opinions and emotions. The episode further invites reflection on the complexities of maintaining unity within the church amidst diverse perspectives and experiences.The speakers encourage listeners to consider how understanding and empathy can mitigate conflicts, suggesting that slowing down to engage in meaningful dialogue can enhance relationships and diminish hostile reactions. They emphasize the significance of forgiveness as a deliberate choice, mirroring the grace received from God. This part of the discussion serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of grace in nurturing a loving and supportive church environment. In conclusion, the episode not only provides theological insights but also practical implications for personal conduct and community dynamics, urging listeners to embody the principles of love and understanding in their daily interactions.The episode also features a light-hearted introduction to the hosts and a discussion about their various podcasting endeavors, establishing a casual atmosphere that juxtaposes the serious themes discussed. They reflect on their personal journeys, illustrating the diverse backgrounds that inform their perspectives on faith and community. The hosts share anecdotes about their experiences in church and podcasting, creating a relatable context for the serious discussions that follow. This blend of personal stories and theological discourse enriches the episode, making it accessible while still addressing profound spiritual truths. The concluding remarks reiterate the importance of unity, kindness, and forgiveness within the church, encouraging listeners to actively contribute to a culture of understanding and grace, both in their personal lives and in their wider church communities.In essence, the podcast episode challenges listeners to reflect on their behaviors and attitudes towards others, particularly in moments of conflict, while offering practical strategies for fostering a more compassionate and unified community. The hosts' earnest engagement with these themes invites listeners to not only reflect on their personal faith journeys but also to actively participate in creating a church environment characterized by love, truth, and mutual support. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to embody the principles discussed and to engage with one another in a spirit of kindness and understanding.Takeaways:The hosts reflect on their individual podcast journeys and share insights about their shows' evolution throughout 2025.The discussion emphasizes the importance of community engagement and understanding diverse viewpoints within the Christian faith.Listeners are encouraged to explore various shows on the Anazao Podcast Network to broaden their perspectives and engage with different theological discussions.Brandon Knight announces an innovative format for his upcoming episodes, blending music themes with scriptural reflections during Lent in 2026.Christian Ashley highlights the significance of personal growth through challenges in faith, particularly during his job search since graduating seminary.The hosts express a commitment to fostering genuine dialogue and unity within the Christian community as they prepare for future episodes in 2026..Check out the new Anazao Podcasts Network website:https://anazao-podcasts-shop.fourthwall.com/Mentioned in this episode:Easily subscribe to our show wherever you listen!https://the-whole-church-podcast.captivate.fm/listenCheck out the other AMP Network shows!https://anazao-ministries.captivate.fm . https://open.spotify.com/show/725pdvTzkle0fDWK2sdxnD?si=e317918366e04338 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/anazao-podcasts/id6447432145One Time Donations

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Today, we kick off 2026 with a Rabbit Trail edition of the show. Usually on Rabbit Trail, I talk about the thing that I wished I could have talked about in a recent sermon that I preached. However, for this episode, I talk about when to make the exception to run down the Rabbit Trail. Join me in Genesis 16 as we explore a controversial passage and run down the Trail together. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. In today's episode, I sit down to highlight what has been going on in 2025, and more importantly, announce some of what is to come in 2026. Your boy has been cooking up some things in the kitchen, and you're not ready for what's coming in 2026! Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. In today's episode, we are making one last stop on memory lane as we go back to Year Four, episode 150, The Eyes of the Ranger are Upon You. This was originally a part of the Celebrate March series which focused on people born in March that made an impact on religion, faith, or pop culture. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Today, I take us back down memory lane to Year Three of the show with Of Monsters and Luther (Part 1). This episode features Joshua Noel and I discussing Santanism, the affect of the Satanic Panic on our view of Satanists, and what Martin Luther had to say about Satan and Demons. Plus poop jokes and a dated reference to kick off the show. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. This week we are taking another trip down memory lane as we revisit the most downloaded episode from Year Two of the show. This is episode 55, Smashing Pumpkins; that time my friends and I pulled off the biggest pumpkin heist in history. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. Over the next few weeks we are going to take a trip down memory lane as I revisist the most downloaded episode from each year of the show. This week I head back to Year One during the Spiritual Formation series to talk about a book that at the time I did not care much for but my opinions have changed on it since. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNineContact: emailseminarylife@gmail.com

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. In today's episode, I am joined by Joe Dea and Christian Ashley of Friday Night Frights to discuss the identity of the Sons of God and Nephilim in Scripture. As we look at various takes on this debate, we get down to the TRUTH of the matter...sortaFriday Night Frights: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/773e85f2-7f7d-45d2-9835-2773f8dafc7aContact MSL: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. In today's episode, I sit down with our good friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer to discuss his views on the existence of God...sorta. The year is 1930, Bonhoeffer is visiting Amierca, and he has some thoughts on how places like Union Seminary is doing theology. This episode brings us back to basics on how Bonhoeffer views Scripture, but also on how we cannot neglect the use of philosophy and especially ethics as modern Christians. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. We are picking things up after the break with ReOrientation; the special where we strip everything down and get back to basics, our pursuit of Jesus. For this year's edition, I sit down to look at Judges 3:12-31 at how Ehud delivered Israel from Moab and from it I challenge the common said phrase that "God works in mysterious ways." I think that statement does not represent how God works well and does damage to how we are to live. Instead, I reflect on how God works in unexpected ways and how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of that. Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine