Where your big questions get real answers
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
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Intro and a traditional Gripesgiving Emergency (00:00-15:55)
Seeing family during the holidays, one of the things I think about is how differently they se “being a good Christian” than I do. How do I deal with people who think I am not a very good Christian, and I feel the same about them? (16:32-29:43)
I…don’t really feel thankful. Lots of stuff is bad and it has been a hard year. Why should I put effort into trying to be thankful? it feels fake. (29:46-45:23)
I see the story of the widow’s offering used to say that people should give money even if it puts them in financial distress. That seems really wrong, but it does also seem like the story is saying that. Am I missing something? (45:27-01:00:06)
Closing Song: You Have Better (Jed Brewer)
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
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*Matt's audio is better this episode. We promise it will be fully fixed by next week. We had a stern talk with our audio engineer...who is Matt.
Intro and an emergency with a twist. (00:00-11:30)
How should Christians think about the economy changing? Like, I know giving is good, but if I want to buy a house someday soon, I probably need to save more than I thought I would need to. (11:47-25:30)
I was recently told I was “too negative.” I don’t consider myself a negative person. I would say I am positive sometimes and negative other times and that I try to be realistic. Is it possible to just be a “negative” person? What do I do? (25:33-42:34)
How do I deal with people who talk about all religion like it is a cult? I heard someone talking about Scientology recently and someone commented something like “yeah, that’s weird. But they all are.” That kind of offended me, but I didn’t know what to say. (42:40-01:00:55)
Closing Song: A Mighty Fortress (Pete Lawson)
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
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Apologies for Matt's audio (the sound quality, not what he says, though maybe that too), intro, and a medieval emergency. (00:00-15:45)
I feel like life is extremely unfair. Not necessarily to me, I have had it pretty easy all in all, but in general. This is proving to be a big sticking point when I think about life and God. How do I deal with this? (15:51-27:31)
Sometimes my friends talk about believing in “something bigger” or a “higher power”. That is kind of frustrating to me because I think they are trying to say that is the same as my belief in Christ. But I think it is very different because I know what I believe in. Am I wrong to be bothered by that? (27:35-40:12)
I normally don’t care much about end times stuff. But I was reading 2 Timothy 3 recently, and it was describing things that sounded pretty similar to today. Can you help me be less freaked out? (40:15-54:57)
Closing Song: Micah 6:8 (The Poolhouse Guru)
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
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Intro and an Christian nightclub emergency. (00:00-16:50)
How do I deal with bad leadership? Like, if someone has a good heart but just is not good at organizing things or leading a team. Do I need to just not worry about it and do what I can? (16:57-31:27)
What can you do to stay encouraged when you feel stuck? (31:31-43:30)
The verse about how “if God is for us, who can be against us?” Kind of confuses me. God isn’t for everything everyone is doing all the time, right? How do I know if He Is “for” me in a situation? (43:34-54:48)
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
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Intro and an emergency about the worst-named holiday of all time. (00:00-17:50)
Luke 1:37 says “for no word of God will ever fail.” What does that mean? I get that it’s encouraging, but it seems confusing to me. (17:57-30:51)
What is the line between processing and talking about my experience with someone and gossiping or trash talking about them? (30:54-47:03)
Do I need to have a good reason for every decision I make? Like if I break up with someone, or leave a job, or move, do I need to have a really good reason for it to be a wise choice? (47:07-1:03:03)
Closing Song: Oh The Deep Deep Love of Jesus (Lee Younger)
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
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Intro and a coffee and condescension emergency (00:00-20:00)
I feel like I get in a pattern where I expect the worst of a person or situation and then the situation spins into the worst. How do I get out of that pattern? (20:05-30:32)
What does 1 Thessalonians 3:3 mean when it says we are “destined for trials”? (30:37-42:44)
Two pieces of advice I get from people are “be patient” and “be bold” can I do both of those at the same time? (42:48-55:31)
Closing Song: Romans 12:15 (The Poolhouse Guru)
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
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Intro and a Big League Emergency (00:00-19:00)
How do I deal with my family when they are driving me crazy? I want to maintain relationships, but I feel like drama is taking up too much of my time right now. (19:14-33:41)
I am getting discouraged about prayer. I don’t feel like anything is happening. And I don’t really feel anything. What can I do? (33:44-47:54)
When someone is spouting nonsense in real life or online in the name of Christianity, is there any responsibility to point out that they are wrong? I know it won’t change their mind, but what about people who are hearing them? (47:57-1:00:25)
Closing Song: You Tell Me (Front Toward Enemy)
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
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When I have two options before me, I often think of it in terms of picking the “right” one. Is there a right decision? If God is looking out for me, what would making the “wrong” decision even mean? (17:41-28:41)
There are a lot of examples of churches and leaders doing a really bad job with scandals. How should a church or organization deal with a failing? What would a good response be? (28:43-41:31)
What does Jesus mean in Matthew 7 when he talks about the wide and narrow gates? I feel like those verses get used to talk about hard work or not being “worldly”. (41:35-54:51)
Closing Song: You've Made Up Your Mind (Jed Brewer)
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
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I started thinking about it when I saw this on my Facebook and I started feeling confused.
“Imagine what would happen if the single pursuit of Christians is not the lights, smoke machines, LED panels, charismatic preachers and thumping music but the presence of God during services.”
What are your thoughts about this idea of God's presence? (13:35-29:44)
How can I ask God to help me be a more optimistic person? Is that even something I should want? (29:50-45:01)
Is it good to take time away from things to “focus on God”? It sounds good, but shouldn’t we be focusing on God as part of our lives? (45:07-1:00:04)
Closing Song: His Beloved (Lee Younger)
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
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Have I not really forgiven someone if I still feel angry about the situation? (14:21-28:16)
A lot of the Bible, especially the OT talks about the strength of the Lord and calling on his mighty name, etc. it seems like most of the people I see claiming to do that are on something weird. What does it mean to do that in a real way? (28:20-40:41)
I get very frustrated sometimes and I feel like it really costs me a lot of happiness. How does God want me to deal with this? (40:48-52:55)
Closing Song: The Same As Me (Jed Brewer)