Shows
Maintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 23 - Peter After the ResurrectionThis week, our final lesson, explores the bold courage of Peter after the Resurrection. His dramatic transformation, by the power of the Holy Spirit, offers an absolute blueprint for a fearless life abandoned to God. That is the secret to Maintaining a Sane Brain—no matter how scary the world. 2025-04-1655 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 22 - Fear at Christ's CrossThis week we reflect on the most significant moment in all of history—the incredible sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Everything we’ve studied so far has pointed toward God’s perfect plan for humanity’s salvation. But to the people in Jerusalem that day, events surrounding the Crucifixion were surprising—and frightening. There’s much to learn by from the experiences of those eyewitnesses.2025-04-0941 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 21 - Peter Before the Resurrection and Humanity's Common FearsThis week marks the beginning of the end of our look at some of the Bible’s biggest names and how they handled fear. Our three-podcast conclusion starts by exploring the life of Peter before the crucifixion. We encounter a simple, uneducated fisherman whose relationship with Jesus was marked by personal confusion, bravado, and eventually panicky denial of Christ. In him, we see much of ourselves.2025-04-0250 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 20 - Martha and the Fear of EmbarrassmentThis week we look at the lives of Mary and Martha, two sisters who have very different reactions when Jesus comes to dinner. As we explore Mary’s devotion and Martha’s distress, we see that learning to handle routine worries helps the sisters—and us—learn to trust God with huge difficulties.2025-03-2637 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 19 - Nicodemus, the Woman at the Well, and the Fear of What Others ThinkIn this episode we look at two very different people who are privileged to have one-on-one conversations with Jesus the Messiah. Nicodemus, a leader of the Jewish Council, is consumed with curiosity and also afraid of his powerful, friends’ opinions. Fear compels him to visit Jesus under cover of darkness and he just can’t understand the simple gospel message. Shortly after Christ’s encounter with Nicodemus, He goes out of his way to meet with one of society’s most marginalized rejects—the nameless Samaritan Woman at the Well. What ensues is a great lesson in the liberating fearlessne...2025-03-1247 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 18 - Zechariah, Mary, and the Fear of the UnknownThis week we compare the experiences of Zechariah, a well-respected priest, familiar with all the intricacies of his religion, and Mary, a poor and humble peasant girl. Both are visited by the angel Gabriel. Both receive incredible news. That’s where the similarities end. Through them, we explore the differences between people with intellectual knowledge about God and those who simply open their hearts to His possibilities—and the awareness that knowing Him defeats all kinds of fear.2025-03-0446 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 17: Esther and the Miracles of "Coincidence"This week we dig into the most unusual Bible book. This incredible story of an orphan who becomes a queen, a simple man who refused to bow down to false idols and a wicked plot to wipe out the Jews, never mentions God, nor prayer. Yet, its drama and intrigue provide great insight into a Creator who orchestrates what we think are coincidences to bring about miraculous deliverance.2025-02-2641 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 16: Jonah and the Fear of God's Grace for OthersMost people have heard the incredible story of Jonah, the man who was swallowed by a huge fish and survived. But there’s so much more to learn from this most reluctant prophet. Besides foreshadowing Christ’s time in the tomb, Jonah offers a great example of someone who tries to run from God’s will—and the knowledge that our Creator has kind intentions for all people—even the ones we don’t like. If you’ve ever feared that God is going to be too nice to those you oppose, this study is for you.2025-02-1948 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 15: Elijah and the Fear of AbandonmentThis week we explore the life of Elijah, the most revered prophet in history. Jews still wait for him to herald the coming of the Messiah. Christians remain in awe of his appearance with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration. This is the man who caused drought, brought rain, and defeated hundreds of pagan priests. But our lesson uncovers a reluctant Man of God who suffered from loneliness, fear, and a sense of abandonment. The Bible’s revelations about this most celebrated of prophets encourages everyone who has ever felt desperate and alone.2025-02-1242 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 14: David and the Fear of Separation from God's SpiritThis week we study a portion of the long, complex life of David—a man after God’s own heart. We learn that this shepherd boy turned giant-slayer found God’s good favor not because he was a perfect man, but because he was a penitent man. As we explore his gravest sins, we discover that David feared only separation from the Spirit of God. A fear that can serve each of us well.2025-01-2942 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 13: Saul and the Fear of InadequacyThis week we continue our study in the Book of 1 Samuel as we look at a pivotal point in history—and how the fear of inadequacy drove God’s Chosen People to seek a king like their pagan neighbors had. In response, God gave them King Saul, a man who looked the part, but whose failure to find his adequacy in God resulted in disaster.2025-01-2246 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 12: Hannah and the Fear of Being Overlooked by GodThis week we encounter Hannah, a woman living in the time of Judges who has been desperate for a child for many years. We follow her journey as she progresses from fear of being overlooked by God to becoming confident and fully aware that God never neglects us but answers our prayers in the best way and at the perfect time. 2025-01-1532 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 11: Naomi and the Fear That Resides in HopelessnessThis week Colleen and Jessica study the life of Naomi, a Hebrew widow living in the time of the Judges, who is so bitter and wedded to her woundedness she can’t function. Naomi's story is found in the Book of Ruth, named for her faithful, pagan daughter-in-law who helps us all learn that no circumstances are hopeless when we trust the Lord. 2024-12-1138 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 10: Fear in the Time of Judges – The Insufficiency of Self-RelianceThis week we encounter two frightened men and two fearless women living when the Hebrews had forgotten their covenant with God, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Yet, no matter how deviant and destructive, the people, God remained faithful.2024-12-0346 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 9: Rahab and the Power of Small Faith to Overcome Huge FearColleen and Jessica discuss the faith and impact of Rahab, a pagan prostitute motivated by scant knowledge of God to abandon her national allegiance and ally herself with God’s purpose, plan and people. 2024-11-1933 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 8: Moses and the Transforming Faith that Overcomes FearColleen and Jessica explore more of the life of Moses and see how he has been transformed from a fearful coward into a faith-filled, courageous leader who has learned to trust the power of God.2024-11-1345 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpiside 7: Moses and the Crippling Fear of FailureIn the first of a two-part look at the life of Moses, Colleen and Jessica encounter this most unlikely redeemer of the Hebrew slaves and learn how Moses’ self-consciousness and fear of inadequacy caused him to resist God’s call.2024-11-0640 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 6: Joseph and the Sustaining Fear of GodColleen and Jessica look at the faith of Joseph who, during horrific troubles, learned that the fear of God, and God alone, was all he needed to survive and even thrive.2024-10-2932 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 5: Hagar and the Fear of DestitutionColleen and Jessica look at panic-stricken Hagar, whose sliver of faith in the “God who sees” empowered her to confidently endure a desperate situation.2024-10-2331 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 4: Sarah and the fear of DisappointmentColleen and Jessica look at God’s love for Sarah, who, fearful that God couldn’t keep His promise, came up with her own disastrous plan to help Him.2024-10-1635 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 3: Abraham and the Fear of What Might HappenColleen and Jessica look at God’s grace for Abraham whose fears compelled him to live a lie — despite the Lord’s great promises. 2024-10-0940 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 2: Noah – A Man Who Feared Only GodThis week we look at Noah, who despite the depravity and chaos of his culture feared nothing, other than disobeying His Creator.2024-10-0139 minMaintaining a Sane Brain in a Scary WorldEpisode 1: Eve, Adam, and the Fear of Being AshamedThis week we look at Eve, Adam and God’s loving response to their fear of being found out.2024-09-2548 min