Behind the Message

We take you behind what we teach with long form conversations on theology, leadership and spirituality.

Jonah and the Whale

Mariners clip of a man crying after the win:https://www.si.com/mlb/mariners-fans-full-emotion-seattle-first-home-playoff-win-since-2001 His Favorite Song of all – Phillips, Craig, and Dean Stacey Orricohttps://www.youtube.com/stacieorrico Barlow Girlhttps://www.youtube.com/user/barlowgirlmusic

10-10
47:13

David and Goliath

9/29/25 – David and Goliath Adventures in Odyssey Garrison Keeler Chris Theeley Nickel Creek Now 95 Wow Worship Best Friend Inside Out Darlene Zschech    Reuben Morgan Crystal Lewis Awesome God Shout to the Lord Sometimes by Step Like Incense Rich Mullins 17:00 start talking about the message Malcolm Gladwell’s book Davie and Goliath Miracle on Ice Babe Babe Ruth Hank Aaron

10-02
55:41

On Leadership, Charlie Kirk, and Aligning with the Way of Jesus

Emotionally healthy spirituality – Pete Scazzero Teddy Roosevelt https://theodoreroosevelt.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=991271&module_id=339332 John Wayne The Night at the Museum https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477347 The Natural History Museum in NYC https://www.amnh.org Presidential podcast by the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/presidential Safe Parking https://www.mvcdoregon.org

09-26
56:18

Sunday School - Noah's Ark

9:45 started talking about the sermon John 5:39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me. 1 Peter 3:20-21 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, When did we start […]

09-19
42:15

Good and Beautiful

Good and Beautiful books by James Bryan Smith Dallas Willardhttps://dwillard.org Rich Mullinshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Mullins Gen Z now Leads in Church Attendance: Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z:https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins Safe Housing: Rich Villodashttps://www.richvillodas.com Rich Villodas’ Church:

09-05
47:20

Westside Safe Housing Partnership with Bend Mayor Melanie Keller and Rick Russell

What is the project? Why this matters: About the program: Outcomes & Success: Addressing Concerns: Why the Church? Encouragement & Hope: Call to Action:

07-27
57:24

Big Questions

Unsolved Mysteries Robert Stack https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0821041 JOHN WALSH https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0909696 America’s Most Wanted https://www.fox.com/americas-most-wanted Jerry Seinfeld https://jerryseinfeld.com Perfect Strangers https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090501 TGIF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGIF_(TV_programming_block) 9:13 – started talking about Big Questions Lazarus https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%3A1-44&version=NLT John the Baptist https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011%3A1-6%2C%2011&version=NLT Zacchaeus https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A1-10&version=NLT James Byran Smith – Good and Beautiful books

07-25
47:43

T-Bone of Norwich

AI language Asbury revival How was the civil rights movement connected to the churchhttps://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/paving-the-way-for-today-how-the-black-church-supported-the-civil-rights-movement Desert Mothers and Fathershttps://www.britannica.com/topic/asceticism St. Ignatius of Loyola Julian of Norwichhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich Tooth and Nail Record Companyhttps://www.toothandnail.com Life is short, pray hardhttps://images.app.goo.gl/nLeanPCcCDdPC6MYA Have you considered the Lord lately?https://www.grailed.com/listings/18757333-vintage-vintage-90s-consider-the-lord-religious-jesus-tee-t-shirt Jesus is my homeboy MXPXhttps://www.mxpx.com T-Bonehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Bone_(rapper) Skillethttps://www.skillet.com CCMhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_Christian_music Michael W. Smith Amy Grant Sandy Pattyhttps://www.sandipatty.com

06-13
52:01

I wish Paul was an Abolitionist

Chopstick etiquettehttps://everythingchopsticks.com/Guide-to-Chopsticks-Etiquette-Around-the-World.html Ben’s favorite movie monsterhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195 Foursquare International Conferencehttps://www.foursquare.org/events/connection

06-05
47:47

Bo Stern-Brady Returns

Randy Remingtonhttps://www.foursquare.org/about/leadership/#senior-leadership B4 Churchhttps://www.b4church.org 27:25 – start talking about the message

05-23
41:59

Small Talk

Small talkhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/field-guide-to-families/202503/the-enormity-of-small-talk-as-an-introvert 12:36 – start talking about the message Les Mis Bo Stern Bradyhttps://www.bostern.com “Why we laugh when it’s not even funny”https://synapse.ucsf.edu/articles/2023/01/08/why-you-laugh-when-its-not-even-funny

05-16
51:37

Literally or Seriously?

1:55 – Kentucky Derby & F1 Racing 7:35 – Recapping Sunday: God’s Grace vs. Self-Righteousness 14:50 – How should we interact with God’s grace? 18:50 – God’s grace should motivate us to do good 22:20 – Grace should not be seen as optional 26:00 – The importance of driving stick, The Amazing Race, and The Bachelor 28:54 – Reading scripture in context (and with curiosity) 35:35 – Cherry-picking scripture vs. theology in cultural context 37:47 – Taking the Bible seriously 44:15 – Wrapping things up

05-09
44:32

I am Moana

Moanahttps://movies.disney.com/moana Flight of the Conchordshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0863046 Start talking about W1 – 6:00 Resurgence of Christianity Onesimushttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philemon 1&version=NLT Powers being humiliated by Christ’s work on the crosshttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians 2%3A14-15&version=NLT Daughtership? Yes, it is a word.https://www.oed.com/dictionary/daughtership_n?tl=true Going (formerly Scott’s cheap flights)https://www.going.com The Last Dance Documentaryhttps://www.netflix.com/title/80203144

05-02
44:55

Good Friday

This week, Ben and Evan discuss the significance of Good Friday. They also debate the shape and weight of the perfect coffee mug. Show Notes 6:50 – Holy Week10:25 – Gospel narrative post-resurrection14:07 – Sermon from Sunday The perfect mug:https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/what-makes-a-good-mug Dutch Bros Annihilatorhttps://www.dutchbros.com/menu/dutch-faves/annihilator Judas Maccabee – Palm Sundayhttps://www.christiantoday.com/news/what-is-palm-sunday-and-why-do-we-celebrate-it Brian Zahnd quote: “The crucifixion is not the ultimate attempt to change God’s mind about us — the cross is the ultimate attempt to change our mind about God. God is not like Caiaphas seeking a sacrifice. God is not like Pilate requiring an execution. God is like Jesus, absorbing sin and […]

04-18
47:28

Peaches the Donkey

Mini donkeys:https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/miniature-donkey Pengolin:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin The Rabbit Hole podcast:https://www.nytimes.com/column/rabbit-hole Cub’s fan story:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1908471 Canonization of scripture: Storks movie:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4624424 Why do we eat ham on Easter?https://www.bhg.com/holidays/easter/ham-on-easter The Rise and Fall of Prime Rib:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/24/dining/christmas-prime-rib.html

04-10
47:32

Betraying Jesus and the Inefficiency of Worship

(Start talking about message 6:15) Aladdin on Broadway https://www.broadway.com/shows/aladdin-broadway Lion King https://www.broadway.com/shows/the-lion-king Bluey https://www.bluey.tv https://news.mit.edu/2017/stress-can-lead-risky-decisions-1116 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark 14%3A 1-11&version=NIV https://bendmagazine.com/a-roller-skating-comeback-brings-nostalgia-and-thrill-to-bend/ https://www.scottericksonart.com

04-04
47:41

Love Your Neighbor (and Yourself)

Ben, Lindsay and Mike talk about Jesus’ challenge for us to love our neighbor as ourself. What does that look like over years of relationship? What does that look like in traffic? And how does repentance and self-love bring the whole picture into focus? Show notes: Started the message at 2:09 Mark 12:28-34 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord […]

03-27
49:18

Rich, Young, and Powerful

This week, Ben and Evan discuss the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Mark chapter 10. Jesus said it’s impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Did he really mean that? Show Notes Evan’s age meme – https://ifunny.co/picture/it-s-interesting-growing-up-and-learn-ing-that-most-ypuZtOEW6 7:48 started talking about the message Rich Young Ruler – Mark 10:17-22 Pete Kelley https://www.antiochchurch.org/about/ Pete Carol https://www.petecarroll.com/

03-20
46:10

Ashes to Ashes

To kick off Lent, Ben and Evan discuss the power of recognizing our mortality, and how Jesus’ identity as a suffering Messiah was a direct challenge to the religious nationalism of His day. 3:35 start talking about Ash Wednesday Church Calendar Explained: https://anglicancompass.com/what-time-is-it-an-overview-of-the-church-calendar-and-liturgical-year/#:~:text=Keeping sacred time did not,16%3A13-17 17:39 – Start talking about Mark 20:42 – Community Homeless Forumhttps://cohomelessforum.org Pete Scazzerohttps://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/aboutpete/

03-12
44:52

Gameliel is my Favorite

This week, Ben and Evan have a wide ranging conversation on the rise of AI, how Jesus pushes back against religious guilt, and why we spend so much time talking about Jesus. Should we use manners with AI?https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-you-be-nice-to-ai-chatbots-such-as-chatgpt/   What is a Luddite? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite   Roots of the last names Earwicker and Fleming:https://www.houseofnames.com/earwicker-family-crest  https://www.houseofnames.com/fleming-family-crest   Mark 5:24-34 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%205%3A24-34&version=NLT   Paddington in Peru https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5822536/   Eugene Peterson’s biography https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Bones-Authorized-Biography-Translator-ebook/dp/B083RZKZSB   Ben’s favorite blind guy https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209%3A1-5&version=NIV   Gamaliel https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205%3A34-39&version=NIV   Ananias and Sapphira https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=ananias+and+sapphira&version=NIV&oq=annanias+and+saphira   Simon the Sorcerer https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=simon+the+sorcerer&version=NIV

02-21
55:37

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