Shows
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 100: "Did You Think to Pray?"A life of multiple personal difficulties and tragedies, including living through the Civil War and losing her husband and two of her children, could have broken Mary Kidder, or made her bitter. Instead, she wrote hymns and used the words the Holy Spirit gave her to minister to herself and others while she supported her family. "Did You Think to Pray?" asks us hard questions that might make us uncomfortable, but answering them to ourselves and our God honestly ultimately enriches our lives immeasurably."'Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?"https...
2020-10-2915 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 99: If My People Pray, Part 2The Hebrew word used in 2 Chronicles 7:14 for 'pray' is a word that means to intercede, to intervene, to interpose. The humble praying we are doing for others as believers is in intercession. Like Abraham praying for Lot and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and like Moses standing in the face of God's wrath to pray for the wayward people of Israel, we are called to stand in the gap for those around us, that they would be redeemed and freed by the sacrifice and grace of Jesus Christ.https://utmost.org/intercessory-prayer/
2020-10-2812 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 98: If My People Pray, Part 1In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we're told that if God's people humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways and seek His face, He'll hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. What wicked ways is He talking about? Exactly who was God talking to in this verse? And today? Who is this verse for today? Who is God calling "My people?"
2020-10-2712 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 97: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"Penned as a poem to comfort his mother from across an ocean, Joseph Scriven drew from his own life experiences when he wrote the words "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear . . ." Through much personal tragedy, he testified of the healing power of taking everything to his Lord in prayer.http://www.staugustine.com/…/story-behind-song-what-friend-…https://www.sdretire.com/blogs/?p=125https://www.sdretire.com/blogs/?p=125 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privilege
2020-10-2210 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 96: Friendship, Part 2Why is it important to have friends -- particularly Godly friends? God tells us that two are better than one, and that good and Godly friends sharpen each other in beneficial ways. We're supposed to be encouraging to our friends and love them. Who should we NOT be friends with? The foolish and unwise, and those who are perpetually wrathful and in an angry temper. Who are your friends? Are you a good and Godly friend?https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/sharpening-one-another/https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-meaning-of-iron-sharpens-iron-in-proverbs-27-17.html
2020-10-2111 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 95: Friendship, Part 1Abraham was called a friend of God, because he believed God. That trust was important to God. Moses was God's friend -- God came and spoke to him face to face as a man speaks to a friend. Jesus tells us that the ultimate definition of a friend is one who has so much love for someone, they willingly lay down their life for them. Of course, Jesus Himself did exactly that, and He is the perfect example of a friend. What does it take for you or me to be a friend of God?
2020-10-2010 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 94: "O Rejoice in the Lord"In 1978, 28-year-old Ron Hamilton received the news that he had melanoma in his left eye. His only chance was surgery to remove his eye. After his bandages were taken off, his surgeon gave him an eye patch. Ron didn't know it that day, but that patch led him down the path God was leading him to. He became the much-loved Patch the Pirate, writing multitudes of stories and songs to share with children in his efforts to bring the Gospel of Jesus to them. Before he became Patch the Pirate, though, he wrote "O Rejoice in the Lord," almost immediately...
2020-10-1513 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 93: The Refiner, Part 2God says in Malachi 3:3 that He "sits as a refiner and purifer of silver." Refining and purifying silver requires the silversmith to sit and watch the silver in the flame, waiting for the exact moment that the dross -- the impurities -- are gone, and he can see his reflection in the liquid metal. He watches the entire time, lest it stay in the flame too long. In the same way, God watches over us as He refines us in various fires of life. http://www.clarion-call.org/extras/malachi.htm
2020-10-1411 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 92: The Refiner, Part 1Throughout the Bible, we find references to God as a Refiner, to the Refiner's fire, and the refining process. What does He mean by that? In Malachi 3, we see the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, and He is called THE refiner's fire. Jesus was and is that promised deliverer -- the Messiah. Who did He first do refining work on? His ministry team -- those 12 men He chose to work and teach alongside Him. He took unrefined, undesirable-for-their-positions men and refined them into some of the greatest preachers the world has ever seen.https://www.merriam-webster...
2020-10-1313 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 91: "May the Mind of Christ My Savior"In the beginning of the twentieth century, Kate Barclay Wilkinson wrote out six powerful stanzas of a poem that would become her only hymn, which wasn't published until 1925, only three years before her death. Drawing from multiple Scriptures that refer to the mind of Christ, but primarily Philippians 2:5, Kate Wilkinson builds a strong foundation with each stanza. "May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day; By His love and power controlling all I do and say."
2020-10-0811 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 90: The Good That I Would Do, Part 2We all mess up, and usually on a continual basis. The enemy would love to see us covered in shame and guilt, paralyzed and unable to live freely in Christ. God doesn't work that way, though. He says in our weakness, His power is perfected. Instead of hiding away in self-condemnation when we mess up, God says to come to Him and confess our sin. He says He is slow to anger, and full of gracious forgiveness and compassionate mercy.
2020-10-0712 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 89: The Good That I Would Do, Part 1In Romans 7:19, the Apostle Paul says "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." We all have good intentions -- good things we want to do. We often fall short of those good intentions, though, and no amount of trying to make it up is enough. We fall short of God's glory. It's through Jesus Christ that we are justified by His grace. When we allow Him to be our strength when we are weak, we glorify Him. Let Jesus give you the strength to do...
2020-10-0611 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 88: "Yesterday, Today, Forever"130 years ago, Albert B. Simpson wrote and published the hymn, "Yesterday, Today, Forever." The message remains the same today, just like Jesus Christ Himself. "All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!"
2020-10-0112 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 87: Changing Seasons, Part 2In life, there are stages we all must pass through that we could call seasons. We all have to be born, we all have to be babies, and then children. If we're granted long life, we have to grow old, and at some point, we all walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Those are seasons of life. Other things are like seasons in our lives, too. Circumstances that catch us by surprise -- good or bad, relationships ending or new ones beginning. Through each and every step of every single season, God is with us. He says...
2020-09-3012 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 86: Changing Seasons, Part 1God says that He set the stars in the heavens as signs for our seasons, and as long as the earth remains, the seasons will continue to change, without ceasing. We often look at the coming of spring after winter as a testament of God's faithfulness, and that is true. It is. What is also true is that the change from fall to winter is just as much a testament of His faithfulness! Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, and as the seasons changing -- every one of them -- speak that truth to us, year after...
2020-09-2912 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 85: "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!"Fanny Crosby, blinded at only 6 weeks old, wrote between 8,000 and 9,000 hymns in her lifetime, and when asked if she'd written any specifically about her own conversion experience, began to sing this one. Do you, like the song says, love to proclaim that you've been redeemed? Christ has bought us with the price of His own blood, and in so doing, He offers us the chance and ability to become His very own child forever.
2020-09-2410 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 84: Redemption, Part 2As children of the God of heaven, we are already redeemed from hell. God still offers us redemption, however, from other areas of life. Whether you need to be ransomed from the grip of something that draws your attention away from Him, or you need release from burdens, grief, despair, or depression, ask Him to redeem you. He is your Father, and He promises to redeem you from what is too strong for you.
2020-09-2313 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 83: Redemption, Part 1Redemption. What does it mean to you? The roots of the word mean "to buy back, release, ransom." What do we need to "bought back" from? What kind of ransom is involved with every single person who has ever lived? Why would YOU need to be redeemed?
2020-09-2213 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 82: "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms"This hymn from 1887 has a personal story behind its origins. From separate brokenhearted letters to a music professor, we are blessed by that professor's insight and encouraging heart, as he was inspired by the verse in Scripture about God's everlasting arms. He supplied the idea and the music, and his prolific hymn-writing friend supplied the famous lyrics, with that first line so many of us know so well: "What a fellowship, what a joy divine -- leaning on the everlasting arms."
2020-09-1711 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 81: Peace, Part 2When we're told in Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God, the third piece on the list is our shoes of the readiness of the gospel of peace. It might sound strange to put on "shoes of peace" as we prepare for battle, but these aren't just any shoes, and the peace they represent isn't just any peace. These shoes enable us to have firm footing on any ground we walk over, keeping us stable and moving forward, no matter the chaos of battle around us. How can you put on your shoes of peace, and what does...
2020-09-1611 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 80: Peace, Part 1When you hear the word "peace," what comes to mind? A placid and still lake? Quiet? What if I told you that stillness and quiet is only a small part of peace? Peace is, according to God, a complete soundness of mind, safety, security, wholeness, and friendship with Him. He offers "perfect peace" when you lean on Him for support, and trust that He's going to uphold you and sustain you.
2020-09-1511 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 79: "The Light of the World is Jesus"Jesus refers to Himself numerous times in the Scriptures as "the Light of the world." The man blind from birth who had his sight restored by Jesus declared, "Once I was blind, but now I see!" In Genesis 1:3, Jesus said, "Let there be light." In the end of the Bible, in Revelation 21, we read that Jesus is the light of the city of heaven. Philip P. Bliss knew all of this when he wrote and composed the hymn, "The Light of the World is Jesus," and he wove all of it into the message of his song. "Come to the...
2020-09-1011 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 78: The Light of the World, Part 2In Matthew 5, Jesus calls us -- believers -- "the light of the world." With His Spirit living in us, we do have that light. Do our lives, our words, and our actions reflect that light, or do they hide it in shadow? Light exposes what the darkness hides, and Jesus is calling you to reveal the truth by being the light. Let your light shine so others see it and are drawn to Jesus Christ.
2020-09-0912 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 77: The Light of the World, Part 1Darkness cannot share space with light. Where light is, darkness must flee. Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World. What darkness do you need illuminated by the light of His presence? What shame do you need to cast off as you step out of darkness and into light? Jesus says if you follow Him, you'll not walk in darkness, but you'll have the light of life.
2020-09-0812 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 76: "Jesus Loves Even Me"In his brief 38 years here on earth, Philip P. Bliss left a lasting legacy of hymns. One of the most loved is "Jesus Loves Even Me." Before we come to Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we are, by our very nature, His enemy. And yet, in His great mercy, He loves us. He gave His life for us, **while we were still sinners.** Truly, Jesus loves even ME.http://breadsite.org/hymnstories/jesuslovesevenme.htmhttps://meaningfulhomeschooling.com/hymn-study-jesus-loves-even-me/#:~:text=Philip%20P.,farm%20in%20a%20lumber%20camp.&text=The%20hymn%20“Jesus%20Loves%20Even,Love%20Jesus”%20was%20sung...
2020-09-0311 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 75: Love Your Enemies, Part 2It's hard enough to imagine loving our enemies, but when we really stop and think about doing such a thing, the inevitable question comes up: How? HOW do you love your enemy? The very next words Jesus utters after "love your enemies" are "pray for those who persecute you." We love our enemies by praying for them. Sound strange? Well, in the logic of the world around us, yes, it's strange! But Jesus said we're not called to conform to this world, so being a little strange is okay.https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-ways-to-pray-for-our-enemies/
2020-09-0210 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 74: Love Your Enemies, Part 1In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. He Himself is the ultimate example of Someone Who loves His enemies, but how do WE do that? And why would we want to? How do we even define the terms "love" and "enemy?"
2020-09-0112 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 73: "Trusting Jesus"Is God calling you to speak out, or go somewhere for Him? Or is He asking you to wait on Him right now? Either way, it requires trusting Him. The hymn "Trusting Jesus" calls us to trust Him no matter what our circumstances, no matter how small our faith, and to continue trusting Him to the end of our days here on earth, when He welcomes us into His home. "Trusting Jesus, that is all."
2020-08-2710 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 72: When God Asks You to WaitWhile it can be difficult to obey God when He calls to do or say something, or to go somewhere, it can be even harder to obey Him when He says "Wait. Wait on Me." Waiting on God, instead of doing it ourselves means we're trusting Him to act. Faith grows through patience, and even though waiting can sometimes be painful, and we might feel like nothing is happening -- nothing is changing -- God IS at work, and He will honor our faithfulness in waiting on Him.
2020-08-2611 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 71: When God Asks You to MoveHave you ever felt that nudge from God to do or say something that feels completely out of nowhere for you? Maybe He's calling you to go somewhere, whether that's down the street or thousands of miles, and you're frozen in fear or indecision. When the people of Israel were trapped on the beach of the Red Sea, and crying out to God in their fear, God's reply was to "Move forward." Move where? And in God's amazing and miraculous power and mercy, He split the sea in two, making a way forward. He's waiting to show you your way...
2020-08-2511 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 70: "Something Beautiful"Out of the more than 700 songs Bill and Gloria Gaither have written through the past 50+ years, this brief poem and touching melody reach out with encouragement and hope. Jesus says He is making you new. He says He's giving you beauty for your ashes. Let Him make you beautiful and good.https://youtu.be/Z_FTdgFe1ew
2020-08-2011 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 69: The Oil of Joy & The Garment of PraiseJesus not only has come to give us beauty for our ashes, He's come to pour out the oil of joy as a comfort for our mourning. He's come to clothe us in a garment of praise to take away the spirit of heaviness. When we lift our face to the heavens, we'll see the glimmer of joy as a sun ray through storm clouds, ready to anoint us in our sorrows and heavy hearts. Lift your voice in praise as your Savior wraps you in HIS beautiful garment.https://www.thesheepfold.org/studies/pdf/14_HEAVINESS_SPIRIT.pdf
2020-08-1912 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 68: Beauty For AshesIn Isaiah 61, we find prophetic verses about Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus read the first verse and part of the second in the synagogue of His hometown, declaring that He was the fulfillment of that prophecy. One of the things Jesus says He has come to do is to give us beauty for ashes. Ashes are symbol of deep grief and mourning, and our Savior promises to turn our ashes of grief into something beautiful.
2020-08-1812 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 67: "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"Though we don't know for sure who wrote the lyrics to this classic hymn, we do know who composed the music. William Bradbury -- composer of the well-known children's hymn, "Jesus Loves Me" -- originally intended for this to also be a children's hymn for his children's singing schools. This and many other of his hymns are in our hymnals today, meant to be sung by all, and their truths continue to shine the light of the Gospel every time they are lifted up in worship.https://www.rmjc.org/node/622
2020-08-1313 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 66: The Good Shepherd, Part 2In Psalm 23, we find David's perspective as a shepherd himself of God as our Shepherd. The Good Shepherd leads His sheep to the provision of daily food in green pastures, and for quietness of mind, He finds still waters to bring us to. When the pests of life threaten to overwhelm us and make life crazy, He anoints our heads with the oil of His goodness and mercy. You can follow Him, even through the darkest dark, in that valley of the shadow of death.https://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=39&sub=414&cat_name=&subcat_name=Shepherds
2020-08-1213 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 65: The Good Shepherd, Part 1Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, and He describes and refers to numerous roles and duties of a shepherd. Sheep and shepherds are an integral part of the shaping and history of the nation of Israel, and their presence and necessity is woven through the thousands of years since God first called Abraham. The Bible likens us to sheep, and studying sheep and shepherds is an eye-opening look at what Jesus really means when He calls Himself the Good Shepherd.https://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=39&sub=414&cat_name=Manners+%26+Customs&subcat_name=Shepherds
2020-08-1112 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 64: "Near to the Heart of GodIn 1903, Reverend Cleland McAfee's 2 tiny nieces died within 24 hours of each other from diphtheria. His brother's family was then quarantined, with no one allowed in or out. In the midst of this great grief for their family and their community, he was asked to both preach and sing for the funeral service. From that, he wrote this hymn, taught it to his church choir, and subsequently blessed thousands over the past 100+ years. "There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God."https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCldesSA6aJ/https://www.instagram.com...
2020-08-0610 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 63: Rest, Part 2Jesus calls us to Him, with our weariness and burdens, and He promises to give us rest. His rest involves submitting to His yoke, and He assures us of His guidance. The rest offered by a guiding yoke of submission to Jesus is interwoven with the restoring, rejuvenating rest of the Sabbath Day. Both require trusting God. The Sabbath rest inherently involves trusting Him for provision during our time of rest, and the yoke asks us to trust Him to direct our lives.https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/teaching-and-messages/the-yoke-of-jesus-biblical-meaning-and-importance.html
2020-08-0511 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 62: Rest, Part 1God says a lot about rest in the Bible. One of His promises made to His people in Exodus 33 was that He would go with them into the Promised Land -- and He would give them rest. Rest does not only mean sleep, it also means to establish, to be free from anxiety, to have peace of mind, and so much more.
2020-08-0411 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 61: "I Shall Not Be Moved" (song)There are many variations of this encouraging and faith-bolstering hymn, from Civil Rights versions to old gospel style. Its message strengthens resolve and gives hope to the singer and hearer alike. "I shall not be moved." If you are standing steady on the Cornerstone rock that is Jesus Christ, and you've allowed Him to plant the roots of your life in the rich soil next to the water of life that is His Word, you can truly say, "I shall not be moved." Whatever storms try to buffet you and blow you away, your foundation is secure and your roots...
2020-07-3010 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 60: I Shall Not Be Moved, Part 2Psalm 1 gives us great picture contrasts of a life lived for God versus a life lived in wicked opposition to Him. The one who follows God, obeys Him, and delights in His Word is "like a tree, planted by streams of water . . ." Trees grow deep roots and taller and stronger as wind buffets them. Through storms, however, that root system keeps them in place. They do not move from where they are rooted. If we are rooted in our God and His Word, we will not move or be shaken, either.
2020-07-2909 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 59: I Shall Not Be Moved, Part 1God refers to Himself as our refuge and our strength, and He describes Himself as a "very present" help in trouble. As all those things, we do not need to be afraid or in turmoil, even if the entire earth crumbles into nothing around us. Jesus says He is in the midst of us and we will not be moved as we steady ourselves and build our lives on Him as the cornerstone.
2020-07-2811 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 58: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"God has been our help in the past, and He is our hope and our help in the days ahead. Just as the Protestants of England faced uncertain times and potential loss of religious freedoms in the early 1700s, we also live in uncertain times, with many of our freedoms teetering precariously. Isaac Watts wrote "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" as a hymn of comfort and assurance as a response to the chaos of his time. 300 years later, these words still offer truth and hope, because Jesus Christ does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and...
2020-07-2311 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 57: Slayer of Giants, Part 2When God directed Joshua to lead the people of Israel across the Jordan River and into Canaan, the first giant they faced was the heavily fortified city of Jericho. With retaining walls and towering city walls that had houses built right into them, this fortress was impossible for them to penetrate of their own accord. They needed God to slay this giant, and He absolutely did. What giants do you face in your own life? Fear? A broken marriage? Addictions? Whatever your giants are, God is waiting for you to hand over the reins of control so He can conquer...
2020-07-2211 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 56: Slayer of Giants, Part 1The people of Israel allowed fear of physical giants to keep them from their Promised Land, despite God's assurance that He was going to fight their battles. David, hundreds of years later, however, did the opposite. Armed with the courage of the Lord of hosts, he went out to face the giant terrorizing the armies of the living God. Boldly, he stated that the battle was the Lord's, and that God would deliver the Goliath into his hands that very day. His faith and courage were correctly placed -- God DID fight the battle and slay the giant. God tells...
2020-07-2112 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 55: "Trust and Obey"At an evangelistic meeting of the famous preacher, Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood up and said "I am not quite sure -- but I will trust, and I will obey." Nobody knows who that young man was, but his words stuck with Moody's songleader, who wrote them down and shared them with a friend. Together, they wrote this enduring hymn, encouraging millions for the past 130+ years to trust, and to obey.
2020-07-1610 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 54: Obedience, Part 2The opposite of obedience is disobedience, and God has a lot to say about that, too. Our first line of defense against disobedience is to "take every thought captive to obey Christ." We are not in a physical battle, but a daily spiritual battle. Testing our thoughts against the Word of God helps us determine if we're being attacked and drawn into disobedience. If we stop thoughts that don't line up with Scripture right in their tracks, we're kept from harming ourselves or others with words or actions.
2020-07-1511 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 53: Obedience, Part 1Obedience. Does that word leave a sour taste in your mouth, or make you squirm uncomfortably in your seat? Obedience isn't always fun, but obeying God doesn't mean the ruining of your life. No, in fact, the opposite is true! God says if we obey Him and follow His commands, He has abundant blessings for us!
2020-07-1410 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 52: "Seek Ye First"A simple worship song written nearly fifty years ago has made its way into hymnals around the world, and its simple message is still speaking truth to countless hearts. "Seek Ye First" was written during a time of financial poverty in Karen Lafferty's life, and it has ended up providing her with financial support as she works in music missions internationally. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia."
2020-07-0909 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 51: Righteousness, Part 2We are in a spiritual battle every single day, and as God's children and soldiers for Him, He has issued us protective armor. One of those pieces is the Breastplate of Righteousness. Just as the physical heart is the source of life for the physical body, the spiritual heart is our spiritual source of life. It needs to be protected! Living in God's righteousness is one of the surest ways to protect against the unending schemes and attacks of the enemy.
2020-07-0811 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 50: Righteousness, Part 1"Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Jesus tells us to seek God's righteousness above all else. What is righteousness? How is it different from SELF-righteousness? How important is it to my individual life to care about God's righteousness?
2020-07-0710 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 49: "I Surrender All"For five years, Judson Van DeVenter wrestled with the decision of whether to continue his career as a teacher, or to transition into fulltime evanglistic ministry. Finally, he gave in, and when he did, he wrote this beautiful and enduring hymn, "I Surrender All." What is God calling you to surrender? A different job, like Van DeVenter? Or maybe you know He's been nudging you to give up certain activities, but you're holding on. They might even be good things, but He's asking you to lay them down! Whatever it is, listen to this song and the beautiful truths in...
2020-07-0214 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 48: Surrender, Part 2When Jesus left heaven for earth and gave up His life on the cross for us, He surrendered everything on our behalf. He set aside His power and authority so we could find freedom in His death and resurrection. What does He want US to surrender for Him? What does it mean -- really? -- to submit to God?
2020-07-0111 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 47: Surrender, Part 1When you hear the word "surrender," do you think of one army surrendering to another in defeat? The original, old English meaning of the word means to "go above and beyond giving back or giving up oneself." Yielding ourselves completely to Christ is surrender. Letting Him have final say over what we do with our bodies, and what we think, say, and do is part of taking up our cross daily.https://utmost.org/total-surrender/
2020-06-3010 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 46: "Send the Light"Charles H. Gabriel went from teaching himself to play an organ as an Iowa farm boy to organizing singing schools at age 17. Eventually, he'd go on to work with some of the biggest names in hymnody of his day, and write and compose over 7,000 hymns. Some of his well-known hymns include "His Eye is on the Sparrow," and "I Stand Amazed in the Presence." He wrote and composed "Send the Light" at the request of his church's Sunday School superintendent for a special missions offering on Easter Sunday. "Send the Light" quickly became one of the most popular and enduring...
2020-06-2509 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 45: The Gospel, Part 2What is the truth of the gospel? Is it that Jesus came to make our life happier and more comfortable? Or did Jesus come, as He said "to seek and to save those who are lost?" He did come to seek and to save, and what we are saved FROM is what we need to be sharing with all urgency with the people around us. We are saved from the Day of Judgment, from hell -- from the penalty for our own sin. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15Way of...
2020-06-2410 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 44: The Gospel, Part 1Who do you say that Jesus is? Historical evidence, even from secular sources, says He did exist. He did live and walk and talk here on earth. But was He God? IS He God? And if He is God, why did He come here? What does any of that have to do with your life now, thousands of years later?
2020-06-2313 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 43: "Be Still, My Soul"Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God." Katharina von Schlegel wrote a beautiful hymn around that phrase over 300 years ago, and over a period of around 150 years, that hymn made its way into English from German, and was paired with the beautiful melody FINLANDIA. What do we gain by "being still?" Well, like the verse says, when we "be still," we know that HE is GOD. The hymn, "Be Still, My Soul" draws out numerous ways we can know He is God, through every circumstance.
2020-06-1810 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 42: Never AloneEven sealed in a deep pit in the utter darkness, surrounded by hungry lions, Daniel was not alone. God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths. No matter where YOU go, and no matter what you do, you are never alone, either. God promises He is with you everywhere and anywhere, and He will never forget you. He can't! You are engraved in the palms of His hands, because He is holding you there securely.
2020-06-1712 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 41: Am I Alone?How often do you feel truly alone, like you're isolated and maybe even abandoned? Sometimes, we have to walk through a portion of life without others, but in those times, God is still with us, no matter how dark or lonely the circumstances become. Look with me at David, Elijah, and even Jesus Himself and how they went through lonely times and know you do not walk alone through the valley of the shadow of death.
2020-06-1610 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 40: "My Jesus, I Love Thee"The beautiful and stirring hymn, "My Jesus, I Love Thee," was written by a teenaged boy after he found salvation in Jesus Christ. William Featherstone blessed us with his poem, even as his own life was cut short at age twenty-seven. "My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign." Join me to find out more and to be able to truly say "If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."
2020-06-1111 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 39: Changed by the Holy SpiritThe transforming power of the Holy Spirit can change our hearts. As we looked yesterday at returning to Christ, our first love, we look today at how the Holy Spirit can help us do that when we allow Him to change our hearts and minds by rooting out sin and planting the seeds that yield the fruit of the Spirit.
2020-06-1012 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 38: Your First LoveIn Revelation chapter 2, we find a letter from Jesus to the church at Ephesus. In it, the Lord praises them for numerous positive traits, but pauses: "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You have left your first love." Today, we'll explore what that means and examine if we are also guilty of leaving our first love -- Jesus.
2020-06-0910 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 37: "Day by Day"With truth as our foundation walking through life, we need God's help day by day. Lina Sandell knew this and experienced God's faithfulness and sustaining love in her own life through personal loss. This "Fanny Crosby of Sweden" composed more than 650 hymns in her lifetime, and it is a blessing to share this one with you.
2020-06-0410 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 36: Truth, Part 2How and why does living a life of truth affect us and the people around us? Are we walking in integrity, or are we living a dishonest life? Join me in thinking about what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, and more as we discuss how to make truth a centerpiece of importance in our daily lives.
2020-06-0310 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 35: Truth, Part 1Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that He IS the Truth, and in John 8, He also says that we can know the truth and it will set us free. What is truth -- really? And why is it important? How can we be set free by truth? Like a path of solid, secure rocks across a flooding river, truth leads us from one secure step to the next in life, giving us firm footing.
2020-06-0210 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 34: "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"Most people have heard the term "Neanderthal," but do you know where it comes from? It is the German name for "Neander's Valley," which is a valley near Dusseldorf, Germany named after Joachim Neander. Neander wrote around 60 hymns in his short life before he died at age 30, and he loved to praise God for the beauty of creation. One of his most famous hymns is "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," and we look at both the life of Joachim Neander and the words of this hymn in today's episode.
2020-05-2811 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 33: Praise, Part 2What is one of the greatest spiritual weapons God has equipped us with? The power of praise! Praise has literally defeated mighty armies, shaken the earth and loosed chains, and it has powerfully converted torturers in the moments that their victims are singing praises while dying. How can you effectively wield this and praise the devil into fleeing from you? Join me today, and let's praise the enemy away!
2020-05-2710 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 32: Praise, Part 1What really is praise, and why is it important? We all appreciate praise from others, and God deserves praise from us. The Bible is filled with reasons to praise Him, and we are given multiple commands to do so. Well, what do we praise Him FOR? Look with me at the Psalms and find out what *you* can praise God for.https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-most-repeated-command-in-the-bible
2020-05-2609 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 31: "Standing on the Promises of God"Russell Kelso Carter was a man of many talents and ambitions, including teaching, preaching, and medical doctoring. In between all of that, he wrote hymns, and during a severe health crisis of his own, he entirely surrended to Jesus Christ, determined that he'd stand on God's promises, whether God chose to heal him on earth or not. Join me as we study this much-loved hymn.
2020-05-2111 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 30: God's Promises, Part 2From promises of strength and courage to assurances that He'll give wisdom if we ask, God's Word is absolutely full of promises, from beginning to end. The greatest promise of all is the promise of salvation and forgiveness of sins, resulting in eternal life in heaven. Have you claimed that promise as your own yet?
2020-05-2011 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 29: God's Promises, Part 1God has many promises in His Word. Some are for specific people, and some are for the nation of Israel. Still others are for us as believers, and there are promises for all of humanity. Join me today to look at the promises of God.
2020-05-1911 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 28: "Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary"Connecting with our earlier episodes this week about forgiveness, the burden caused by unforgiveness is one of the heaviest ones of our own making that we can carry. This beautiful hymn offers hope and help. "Burdens are lifted at Calvary -- Jesus is very near." Join me in studying how this hymn was born and in finding out how you can leave your burdens with Jesus today.
2020-05-1410 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 27: Forgiveness, Part 2Did you know that when you forgive, your brain pathways are rewired? The same thing happens when you choose not to forgive -- it negatively impacts your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and has destructive results on relationships. The catch? You have the choice.
2020-05-1312 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 26: Forgiveness, Part 1What does it mean to forgive? Broken down, the word means "to completely give up desire or power to punish." When we forgive, we free ourselves. If we choose not to forgive, we imprison ourselves. Christ forgives us, and He asks us to forgive each other.
2020-05-1210 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 25: "He Giveth More Grace"Despite a life filled with multiple sorrows and trials, Annie Flint was a happy woman, encouraging others, even as a crippled arthritic. Her poems and music proclaim her love for her Lord, and His love for His children. Join me as we study this beautiful hymn of promise and encouragement.
2020-05-0710 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 24: Loving God, Part 2God says that if we love Him, we love others. If we hate someone, He says we are not able to love Him the way we should. How do we let go of bitterness, hate, resentment, anger, and hate and love someone who has hurt us?
2020-05-0610 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 23: Loving God, Part 1What does it mean to love God? He tells us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. How do we do that? Join me in today's podcast as we check into what the Word of God says about loving Him.
2020-05-0509 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 22: My Lord Knows the Way Through the WildernessA simple, century-old gospel chorus boldly proclaims the truth about our wilderness experiences: Our Lord knows the way through, and all we have to do is follow.
2020-04-3009 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 21: Wilderness, Part 2If you're in the middle of a wilderness season, be assured that God intends to lead you out of it into your promised land. While you are there, He is protecting you, guiding you, and keeping you as "the apple of His eye." Find out what it means to be the apple of God's eye, and how you can come out of your wilderness to the other side, into your promised land.https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/meaning-of-apple-of-my-eye-in-the-bible.html
2020-04-2911 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 20: Wilderness, Part 1Are you in a place of wilderness in your life? Did you know God often purposely leads us into a wilderness to quiet our hearts and minds, so we can hear His voice?https://www.hprweb.com/2015/05/the-meaning-of-the-wilderness/
2020-04-2811 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 19: Breathe on Me, Breath of GodOur hymn this week fits well with our study of sanctuary. As God desires us to be His sanctuary, He fills us with His Holy Spirit. In this simple hymn, we find a beautiful prayer that progressively draws us closer to our Lord.
2020-04-2309 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 18: Sanctuary, Part 2Sanctuary: a place of refuge or protection. God calls you to Him, to take refuge in His everlasting arms. Find protection in the shelter of the Almighty God, Who consecrated and set you apart before you were even born.
2020-04-2209 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 17: Sanctuary, Pt 1God told His people to prepare a place -- a sanctuary -- for Him, so He could dwell among them. That consecrated, set-apart, and holy place was where He was able to come closest to them here on earth. Today, WE are the sanctuary -- the Holy Spirit dwells in each believer. God has declared us holy and sacred. How do we live a life that is holy, sacred, and set apart? What does it mean to be a sanctuary?
2020-04-2110 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 16: A Mighty Fortress is Our GodWhat is stronger than a mighty fortress or a bulwark that never fails? Nothing. God is our fortress, our refuge, our unfailing strength, and as we look at how the great Reformation hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" came to be, we find incredible encouragement and assurance in the promises of Who God truly is.
2020-04-1608 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 15: God is My Strength, Part 2How often do you rely on your strength? God says to rely on HIS strength, and that it is made perfect in your weakness. How does that even work? Find out how to have joy in making God your strength.
2020-04-1509 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 14: God Is My StrengthThe Bible is full of references to God's strength, but what does that actually mean? IS God strong? Look with me at some of the definitions of the word "strength," and how God comes through for us on all of them. He really is our strength!
2020-04-1410 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 13: Broken PiecesContinuing & concluding our theme of brokenness, in this episode, we look at the old gospel song, "Broken Pieces." Life's battles may have you heavy-hearted & discouraged, but Jesus is in the business of making all things new. Place your broken pieces at the Savior's feet and be made whole again.
2020-04-0912 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 12: Brokenness, Part 2What can we do with the mountains of hurt and pain causing our brokenness? Should we hold onto it? No, never. Leaving our brokenness in the devil's hands leads to gangrene and poisoned wounds. Leaving our brokenness in God's hands means we can find healing, and our hurts can bring glory to Him. Bring your broken pieces to the foot of the cross, and rest in His everlasting arms.
2020-04-0811 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 11: Brokenness, Part 1Like a dish dropped to the floor and broken into smithereens, is your life shattered into fractured pieces? What can God do with your brokenness, and why does He allow it?
2020-04-0711 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 10: How Firm a FoundationJesus Christ, as the Living Word, is the sure foundation we can build our lives upon. Join me as we look at another truly great hymn and how it relates to our study about stability this past week.
2020-04-0210 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 9: Stability, Pt 2When the world is topsy-turvy, and our emotions are racing around a roller coaster track, how can we find our footing? Where is our equilibrium coming from? The stability offered us by Christ as our firm foundation and our anchor in life's storms is a precious gift, securing our eternity.
2020-04-0110 min
ThoughtSeedsEpisode 8: Stability, Pt 1God promises in Isaiah to be "the stability for your times." Today, we discuss how being stable means to be steadfast, unchanging, enduring, and how God fulfills each of these requirements.https://rcspirituality.org/finding_the_plug/the-liturgy-of-the-word-responsorial-psalm/
2020-03-3109 min
ThoughtSeedsMy Faith Has Found a Resting Place -- Part 2Our second week studying this hymn leads us to the Living Word -- Jesus Christ Himself. He is not only the Living Word, He calls Himself the Great Physician. Rest your faith on Jesus and join me this week to learn about the final stanzas.
2020-03-2610 min
ThoughtSeedsTrust -- Part 2In the middle of all this global turmoil over COVID-19, we have a sure anchor to cling to. What is God's prescription for helping us to trust? Join me today for a look at what He directs us to do to increase our courage and our faith.
2020-03-2511 min
ThoughtSeedsTrust -- Part 1Even if life is falling apart around you, can you trust God? Can you rely on Him to be strong, consistent, and to embody truth? In a peek at the life of Job, we talk today about trust, and how God assures us He is trustworthy.
2020-03-2411 min
ThoughtSeedsThe God of New BeginningsDoes your day need a reset button? Maybe you feel like your year, or even your whole LIFE needs a reset. A new start. How can you, imperfect and flawed as you are, ever be enough? Open the door a crack and join me here in ThoughtSeeds as we talk about it. (BONUS EPISODE)
2020-03-2007 min
ThoughtSeedsMy Faith Has Found a Resting PlaceThe antidote to doubt is faith, & hymns are full of truth that builds our faith. Join me for a look at an old hymn, "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place," and the encouragement and assurance it offers us.
2020-03-1909 min
ThoughtSeedsDoubt: Part 2We may know & accept that God CAN do anything, but do we really believe He WILL? Does God really care what we pray about? Where is He when it seems like there are no answers?
2020-03-1810 min
ThoughtSeedsDoubt: Part 1Do you struggle with self-doubt? Do you ever doubt God, whether it be doubts of His care for you, or that He even exists? Look at the assurance of Jeremiah 32:27 with me, and see how God addresses our doubts.
2020-03-1710 min