Home Of The Blind Jesus Freak Podcast

I know it's been a while sinse we last posted but, here is a teaching I just did at an amazing church here in Orlando. I am hoping to be back to doing podcasts in the new year. Be blessed and please share this teaching freely!

Welcome to the first monthly episode of the Blind Jesus Freak Podcast. We will return to a weekly format in September. This week, contemporary Christian artist Ginny Owens joins Mike Calvo and Jamie Pauls to discuss the topic of worship. What is it? Why is it so important? How does it work? We may not have all the answers, but everyone shares from their hearts in this podcast and we trust that God will be glorified as you listen. Enjoy and please do leave a comment. Scriptures On Worship 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (KJV) 21And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. Psalms 99:5 (KJV) Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. Psalms 96:9 (KJV) O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Psalms 99:9 (KJV) Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy. Matthew 14:33 (KJV) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. John 4:23 (KJV) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

Title: Must We Suffer in Silence? The topic of suffering is not often discussed in many churches, yet the Bible guarantees us that we will be required to experience it in our Christian walk. In this week's podcast, Mike Calvo shares from his heart what God is teaching him about suffering in his own life and in the lives of all Christians. Here is a scripture along with several Facebook posts from Mike dealing with the subject of suffering: Bible Gateway passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - New International Version May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. Facebook posts from Mike Calvo Fortunately the good news of the Gospel is not an admonition to: "Hold on to God with all your strength and willpower and you'll be okay." The good news of the Gospel is not some encouragement to view your suffering in the right way or understand the theology of the cross more deeply. No, the good news is that God is hanging on to you! He's not waiting for you to save yourself or mature in to someone who no longer needs Him. He will never let you go, no matter what! Jesus will never ever leave you nor forsake you!!! Nothing you can do or not do can separate you from the love of Christ!!! In fact, the only thing God needs from you may be the only thing you have to offer, your death. Jesus came to raise the dead. He did not come to reward the rewardable, improve the improvable, or correct the correctable, He simply came to take a stand on a death He can use instead of on a life He can not. Grace is available because Jesus went through the valley of the shadow of death and rose from death. To your pane the gospel says, "you will be healed." To your shame the gospel says, "you can now come to God with confidence!" To your rejection the gospel says, "You ar accepted!" To your lostness the gospel says, you are found and I won't ever let you go!" To your sin the gospel says, "you are forgiven and God declares you pure and righteous!" To your death the gospel says, "you were once dead but now you are alive!" Trust in God, not explanations from God, is the true path through suffering. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

What does a true friend look like? How could Jesus ever consider us a friend? In this week's podcast, Mike and Jamie discuss these questions and share some deeply personal life experiences that graphically demonstrate the power of true friendship. John 15:13-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. Don't forget to visit us on Tuesday nights at about 9PM. Eastern for the live recording. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

This week Mike is not feeling well so Lisa Salinger shares three lessons and many experiences from a seven-week missionary trip she took to Togo, West Africa. If you would like to watch the entire YouTube video she referenced, It is here. Mike will be back next week so don't forget to visit us on Tuesday night for the live recording. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

Sometimes, God's light shines most brightly in our darkest trials. Join us as Jamie Pauls shares just such a time. You won't want to miss this fascinating story of God's grace! Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

Anger is one of the strongest and most passionate emotions we will ever experience as humans. But, what are we supposed to do about our anger as Christians? Can we really feel righteous anger? If so, what does it look like? What are we to do when our anger gets the best of us? How does God see our anger, what is His view on the matter, and what does He want us to do about it? Join us this week as we discuss this thing called "anger." You might be surprised at what we find. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

This week we talk about the trials the believer faces. How should we look at these trials? Does Jesus forsake us in the midst of our trials? These and many more questions will be answered in this podcast! Enjoy! John 16:33 ESV “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Romans 12:12 ESV “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” What Does the Bible Say About Trials and Tribulations: a long list of verses Here is a link to The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

Our guest for this week's podcast is John Detrick. He is the pastor of Big Trees Bible Church in Arnold, CA. He and his wife, Laura, have five grown children and six grandchildren. Pastor John is an active SAMNet member who also enjoys reading, singing, and playing the guitar. After opening God's word, Pastor John visits with Mike and Jamie about his life, his call to ministry and what it was like growing up in the height of the Jesus movement. As promised, here is a link to the main Web site of Calvary Chapel. Our Sufficiency is in Christ 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6 New International Version 12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software.

Blind Jesus Freak Podcast 9 Show Notes Jeremiah 1:12 Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it." Isaiah 42:16 "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone." Ephesians 3:6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Matthew 6:32-33 32 For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. MATTHEW 7:7-11 7 Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Judges 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.' Psalm 23:1> The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm34:9-10 9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him, there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. All quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible: NASB. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcas

This week Jamie is out so it's just Lisa and me. We ask the question: What is the Holiday to You? All the books discussed on this week's podcast are available from WWW.Audible.com in Audio Format. ! Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software!

This week we are joined by Pastor Richard Wels from Texas. Richard Wells is the pastor of Simpsonville Baptist Church between Gilmer and Pittsburg Texas. Visit his website to read some of his thoughts, or follow him on Twitter. Focal Passage: (Mark 10:46-52) King James Version (KJV) 46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Luke 9:51 King James Version (KJV) 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, John 15:13King James Version (KJV) 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Exodus 8:9-10 King James Version (KJV) 9 And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? 10 And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God. Matthew 7:7-8 King James Version (KJV) 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 28:18-20 King James Version (KJV) 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This week we address the oceans and the waves of life! MATTHEW 8:24-27 24 And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves; but He Himself was asleep. 25 And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" 26 And He *said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" MARK 4:37-41 37 And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *awoke Him and *said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, "Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?" 41 And they became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God." John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 1Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; ! Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software!

“Why would you go to such trouble to plan your Suffering with such excruciating detail? It doesn’t make sense, begging Your pardon, of course. Isn’t it enough that You will cleanse them of their sins? Why must you plan out Your own torture to the most insignificant details?” This story will change your life. It certainly changed all of us on the podcast. Many thanks to Lisa Salinger for sharing her testimony! We truly serve an amazing God that knows how to meet us at the most intimate place of need in our lives. To Him Be The Glory!! Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software!

We've discussed God's plan for the believer in another podcast, but, what does that look like for you and I specifically? How do we find our purpose and once we do, how do we walk in that calling, according to the Word when, our failures seem to haunt us at every turn?? Feel free to open your Bibles or just follow along here in the notes. I wanted to mention that I found a great Audio Bible this week. It is the Amplified Version. I like that it is not a dramatized version of the Bible. I really don't like those much. This is not a Bible I would use exclusively but certainly a great way to bring clarity to some points that might seem a bit hard to understand in other translations. I personally use a New American Standard Bible, a New International Version, and several software and online resources for study. I love the New Living Translation, and Amplified versions in audio for every day listening. The cost of this Bible is only $20 and the read is pretty darn good. Links to the purchase page are below. Now on to our lesson! Philippians 3:12-14. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. <13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Notes: You're not defined by what you've done, but who God says you are. You can go from being an enemy in the church and of God’s people, to becoming a servant in His house. God is in the business of changing things: Abram, Abraham... Jacob, Israel... Simon, Peter.... Saul, Paul... your past DOES NOT dictate your destiny!!! God changes you and creates a new destiny for you!! God will give you a new name and you'll grow into it! You can’t change history, but you CAN write the future! So many times, we spend so much time looking at the past, but change your direction, and write your future!! Out of the 27 books in the New Testament, Paul wrote 13 of them! Most of the words we read are from a murder!! He did not find rest in dwelling on the past, but looked to the name God called him to! Quit focusing on the past, and on what others are saying about you!!! Imitate your God, He forgot about your past, so why havent you?!?! Three forms of spiritual battle when leaving behind your past: 1. Guilt 2. Disappointment 3. Hopelessness Acts 10:13-15 13 And a voice came to him, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." 15 And again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software!

This week Lisa, Jamie, and I are blessed to have Christian singer/songwriter Ginny Owens with us on the podcast. She tells us all about growing up and how God lead her to overcome a number of life obstacles. We sprinkle some of her tracks throughout the program but it's but a small sampling of the amazing music this artist has been inspired to create. For God's glory! make sure to check this podcast out and do purchase Ginny's music to support her ministry. About Ginny Owens A three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner, Ginny Owens has sold nearly one million albums. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved,” among others, Owens’ music has impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Her music has received widespread film and television placement, including songs on the popular WB series’ “Roswell” and “Felicity.” Owens was featured on national television, including NBC’s “Today” and CNN, for her contribution to help rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Born and raised in Jackson, Miss., Owens was discovering melodies on the piano almost before she could complete a sentence. Songs began to emerge from her fingers as the vision began to leave her eyes and by the age of three. A degenerative eye condition left Owens completely blind. Despite her physical challenge, Owens pursued a music career. Songs provide a window into a world Owens can’t see and an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams. Owens’ unique musical style and inspirational lyrics continue to appeal to Christian and mainstream audiences alike. In 2005 Owens launched The Fingerprint Initiative, a hands-on, non-profit organization designed to “bring hope to the world, one project and one touch at a time.” The organization has partnered with and raised money for groups such as Compassion International, International Justice Mission and Habitat for Humanity. For More Information To learn more about Ginny Owens, visit her website or follow her on Twitter. Visit Amazon to purchase albums or tracks of Ginny’s music. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software!

In this podcast we explore Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. You may follow along in your Bibles or read from the show notes. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software! Scriptures: PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Welcome to the first Blind Jesus Freak Podcast! We’re glad you decided to check us out! In this podcast we discuss if blindness is an affliction from God or are we blind by design? You may follow along in your Bibles or read from the show notes. Please tell all your friends about us and feel free to follow us on Twitter or send us an email with any questions. Also feel free to leave a comment here and be sure to check us out weekly or better yet, add us to your favorite podcast software! God’s Plan Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. ... Psalm 40:5 You have done many miraculous things, O LORD my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! Jeremiah 1:12 Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” God Made Us Blind] Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD? Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Read various translations of this verse. Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9:1-3 1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

While a more detailed version of my testimony is available on this site, this one keeps it short and to the point. I do tend to be wordy sometimes so, if you want the short version of what the Lord has done in my life, check this one out. Also featured in this talk is an example using my Guide Dog Hurley. Enjoy and please remember to post comments and share on your social networks as the Lord leads. The meeting is located at 415 N. Main Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744. every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor in rooms #206/#208. May the Lord Bless You!

The Mid Atlantic Regional ACB Convention 2010 was held in Baltimore November 5-7, 2010. I was honored to be chosen as this year's keynote speaker for the banquet. I hope you like it. Please feel free to post comments and hey, if you want the rantings of a blind man at your event, drop me a line. Enjoy!