Shows
Love God FirstEp91 The God Who Sees: Understanding El Roi, Gen 16:6-16In this episode we explore the story of Hagar one finalt time as we focus on the character of God as El-Roi, the God Who Sees. I emphasize the importance of understanding God's constant presence in our lives, especially during times of loneliness and suffering. Through Hagar's experience, listeners are encouraged to reflect on the fact that Jesus is ever-present with us, whether we can feel it or not.
Schell, Steve, “The God Who Sees”: (sermon, Northwest Church, Federal Way, WA, May 19, 2002).
Keywords
God, Hagar, El-Roi, faith, promises, testimony, loneli...2025-07-2521 minLove God FirstEp90 How to Gain Fresh Strength from God, Gen. 16:6-16Keywords
Hagar, biblical stories, faith, obedience, strength, divine intervention, motherhood, character growth, spiritual healing, God's promises
Summary
In this third episode from the account of Hagar, we explore the story of Hagar from her own perspective, highlighting the truths about her character and looking closely at God's interaction with her. Through Hagar's journey in the desert, we see God show yet again that He knows what we need, and He alone can fill us with the strength it will take to walk where He leads us.2025-07-1819 minLove God FirstEp89 How NOT to Live Passively, Gen. 16:1-6In this episode we delve into the story of Hagar, Abram, and Sarai, exploring themes of decision-making, passivity, and the importance of living out an active faith. I emphasize the need to learn from Abram's mistakes, particularly when looking at his passive responses to Sarai's actions. Looking closely at Abram's part of the story will encourage listeners to actively pursue God and engage with their faith. I highlight the consequences of passivity in relationships and the necessity of support from others as we continue walking out our faith in Christ.
This is the second of four episodes...2025-07-1118 minLove God FirstEp88 Sarai's Struggles: A Lesson in Dependence on God, Gen. 16In this episode, I explore the story of Hagar from Genesis 16, focusing on the themes of dependence on God, the struggles of Sarai, and the cultural context of her decision to give her maid as an extra wife to her husband. Through Sarai's story we can see how easy it is to try and generate our own human solutions to God's leading and promises instead of relying on God Himself to do what He has promised.
This is the first of four episodes where we look at the same story from four different points of view.
2025-07-0414 minLove God FirstEp 87 Understanding the Depth of Covenant with Kari Bulman Pt 2In this episode Pastor Kari Bulman and I continue our conversation about covenant and its significance to us today. Through covenant, God's shows us His unwavering commitment to His people. Hopefully by the end of this episode we can get closer to truly understanding the depth of God's commitment to us.
Keywords
covenant, love God, Old Covenant, New Covenant, marriage, promises, faith, relationship, trust, leadership
2025-06-2716 minLove God FirstEp86 Understanding the Depth of Covenant with Kari Bulman Pt 1In this episode Pastor Kari Bulman and I explore the concept of covenant and its significance in both biblical and modern times. We talk about the difference between the Old and New Covenants and discuss how covenants represent trust and commitment, contrasting them with the contracts we make in our modern-day world. Ultimately, we highlight the beauty of God's unwavering commitment to His people and the transformative power of understanding covenant relationships.
Keywords
covenant, love God, Old Covenant, New Covenant, marriage, promises, faith, relationship, trust, leadership
2025-06-2015 minLove God FirstEp85 A Serious Promise, Gen 15:8-21In this episode, we delve into the profound theme of God's covenant love as illustrated through the life of Abraham. We explore the nature of covenants in the ancient Near East, the significance of the covenant ceremony between God and Abram, and how this covenant foreshadows and is fulfilled by the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The episode emphasizes the level of commitment God has to His promises and the depth of His love, encouraging listeners to appreciate the covenant relationship we have with God through faith in Jesus.
If you want to learn more about covenant, watch...2025-06-1317 minLove God FirstEp84 Faith is a Choice, Gen 15:1-7
We explore on a little bit more of the journey and life of Abraham, focusing on him becoming a father of many nations because he believed in the Lord. I touch on the the importance of honesty in prayer, but the real focus is on the significance of faith and its connection to righteousness. Ultimately, we must make the choice to believe God just like Abram did.
Keywords
Abraham, faith, God's promises, righteousness, belief, covenant, spiritual journey, biblical teachings, prayer
2025-06-0618 minLove God FirstEp83 Jesus as Our High Priest, Gen 14, Hebrews 7:1-10, 25-28With the example of the priest-king Melchizedek in Genesis 14 as a springboard, we take this episode to look at what the author explains in Hebrews about the similarities between Melchizedek and Jesus. And by the end we see how having a high priest like Jesus can be such a comfort to our souls.
2025-05-3009 minLove God FirstEp82 Battles and Priests, Gen 14:1-24In this episode, we watch Abram and his allies fight and defeat some Mesopotamian kings, save Lot, and head home to the hills. But on the way back, Abram meets a unique individual who is unlike almost every other person in the Bible. Join me as we lay some groundwork on understanding Melchizedek. We will discuss his and Abram's interactions and how Melchizedek's priesthood has some big repercussions on how we view and understand Jesus. The next episode will finish where this one leaves off.
Resources:
Study Verse by Verse: Hebrews by...2025-05-2317 minLove God FirstEp81 Finding Hope in Slow Growth, Gen 13:5-18In this episode we watch the next chapter of Abram's story unfold with his nephew Lot. We are focusing this episode on the theme of spiritual growth and on being patient with the process the Lord has us in because there is an absolutely wonderful reward in store for us at the end. Listen to find out what unique reward we have to look forward to!
Keywords
spiritual growth, Abram, Lot, God's promises, contentment, faith, trust, identity, biblical lessons, personal development
2025-05-1619 minLove God FirstEp80 How to Make Decisions: Lessons from Abram and David, Gen 12:10-20In this podcast episode, we explore the process of decision-making for Christians using biblical examples from Abram and David. I emphasize the importance of faith, the need to renew one's mind and the necessity of seeking God's guidance in making decisions. The discussion highlights the consequences of fear-driven choices and provides practical steps for making decisions aligned with God's will.
Keywords
Christian decision-making, faith, Abram, David, Bible stories, God's will, renewing the mind, fear, guidance, prayer
2025-05-0919 minLove God FirstEp79 Building Altars: A Tool for the Tool Belt Pt 2, Gen 12:6-9, 13:1-4In this episode I discuss the significance of building altars in our lives as a means of remembering God's promises and sustaining our faith. I emphasize the importance of returning to these altars to strengthen our relationship with God and to remind ourselves of His faithfulness. Through practical examples and personal anecdotes, I illustrate how modern-day altars can be created through journaling and other methods. Hopefully listeners will see the value of actively recording their significant moments with God!
Keywords
altars, faith, remembrance, spirituality, worship, promises, God, prayer, journaling, personal growth
2025-05-0219 minLove God FirstEp78 Building Altars: A Tool for the Toolbelt Part 1, Gen 12:6-9In this episode we explore the concept of building altars in the life of a Christ follower, using Abram as a model. We talk about why it was so important for Abram to have built an altar and call on the name of the Lord. We'll see the importance of committing to our own current spiritual assignment, and we'll look at an example of drawing on the Lord's transformative power and presence through worship. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and consider where they can build modern-day altars to invite God's presence into their circumstances.
2025-04-2521 minLove God FirstEp77 The Three Areas of Christian Calling with Marc HagmanIn this conversation, Marc Hagman and I explore the concept of calling in the Christian faith, discussing the different types of calls believers have, including the call to salvation, holiness, and ministry. We emphasize the importance of understanding that a person does not need to be perfect to step into ministry and that calling can manifest in various forms throughout our lives. The discussion also highlights the process of spiritual growth and the significance of community support in discovering our calling.
We will be talking in future episodes about this important topic because it is something that each of us c...2025-04-1820 minLove God FirstEp76 The Preparations of a Bride, Isa 61:10, Rev 19:7In this episode, I shares reflections from my son's wedding, drawing parallels between the preparations for that wedding and the spiritual preparation of every Christian as the bride of Christ. I emphasize the importance of growing our inner character as we depend on the righteousness of Christ to clothe us. The conversation culminates in a hopeful vision of the eternal life that awaits believers, inspired by C.S. Lewis's writings.
Keywords
wedding, bride of Christ, preparation, righteousness, Love God First, Christian metaphor, Isaiah, Revelation, C.S. Lewis, spiritual journey
2025-04-1108 minLove God FirstEp75 Embracing Your Calling: A Modern Perspective w/Sarah Miller Pt 3In this last conversation, Sarah Miller and I continue to explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God can call each of us to different ministries, jobs, and even locations in our lives. We delve into the importance of understanding one's identity and values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of community in confirming God's call to us. Through personal stories and insights we emphasize that the journey of faith is at its core a relationship with God. Hopefully by the end you will have a confidence (or at least a...2025-04-0414 minLove God FirstEp74 Embracing Your Calling: A Modern Perspective with Sarah Miller Pt 2In this second conversation, Sarah Miller and I continue to explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God can call each of us to different ministries, jobs, and even locations in our lives. We delve into the importance of understanding one's identity and values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of community in confirming God's call to us. Through personal stories and insights we emphasize that the journey of faith is at its core a relationship with God. Hopefully by the end you will have a confidence (or at least a...2025-03-2819 minLove God FirstEp73 Embracing Your Calling: A Modern Perspective, with Sarah Miller Pt 1In this conversation, Sarah Miller and I explore the concept of calling in a modern context, discussing how God calls individuals at different times and in different ways in their lives while at the same time calling us always into more of who He has made us to be. We delve into the importance of understanding our values, the process of stepping out in faith, and the significance of community and trust in navigating God's call. Through personal stories and insights, we emphasize the journey of faith as a dynamic relationship with God, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique...2025-03-2117 minLove God FirstEp72 The Journey of Faith: The Beginnings of Abraham's Story, Gen 11:27-12:10In this episode, we begin the story of Abram (eventually Abraham), focusing on his journey of faith as depicted in Genesis 12. We discuss the significance of God's promises to Abram, the challenges he faced and how these experiences will eventually contribute to the growth of his faith. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trusting God, stepping out in faith, and recognizing that struggles are part of the journey towards inheriting God’s promises.
Keywords
Abraham, faith, promises, God, journey, challenges, growth, trust, transformation, spirituality
2025-03-1420 minLove God FirstEp71 Lessons from the Tower of Babel, Gen 11:4In this second episode about the Tower of Babel, we are focusing on the motivations behind its construction. And you might be surprised to see some similarities between these ancient tower builders and yourself! We highlights the significance of humility, contentment, and the dangers of seeking fame and power. And we end by encouraging listeners how to find satisfaction in their current circumstances, whatever they may be!
Sources:
Gaines, Chip and Joanna. The Magnolia Story. W Publishing Group (2016).
Morris, Henry. The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book o...2025-03-0713 minLove God FirstEp70 Unraveling the Tower of Babel, Gen 10: 8-12, Gen 11:1-9In this episode, we delve into the biblical account of the Tower of Babel, exploring its historical context and archeological confirmation. In this two-part episode, we focus first on understanding the fine points, so that next time we meet, we will be ready to look closely at the personal application. If you like knowing the juicy details of a story, especially if it's a story that may have bothered you with its plausibility, then this is the episode for you!
Sources:
"Century Mark: First Major Excavation of Babylon," Biblical Archaeology Review 50. 3 (2024): 26.
Mo...2025-02-2812 minLove God FirstEp69 Communicating with Love: Strategies for Family Conversations with Donna JonesWe're continuing our conversation with Donna Jones today!
Check out Donna's new book on Amazon:
Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life
Also listen to her on: That's Just What I Needed Podcast found on Spotify, Podbean or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
Donna and I shift the focus from discussing how to bolster our own child's faith level to talking about any unbelieving members of the family. The conversation emphasizes the significance of open communication, understanding, and love in navigating relationships with non-believing family members while also sharing success stories of reconciliation and h...2025-02-2118 minLove God FirstEp68 Modeling Faith: The Key to Raising Children with Donna JonesWe have author and speaker Donna Jones with us today to talk about prodigals!
Check out Donna's new book on Amazon:
Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life
Also listen to her on: That's Just What I Needed Podcast found on Spotify, Podbean or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
In this conversation, Donna and I explore the challenges and strategies related to prodigal family members who have turned away from faith. We discuss the importance of modeling faith, the role of parents in nurturing spiritual growth, and the power of prayer and patience in w...2025-02-1421 minLove God FirstEp67 Ham's Downfall: A Cautionary Tale, Gen. 9:22-25In this episode of Love God First, we explore the story of Noah and his son Ham, focusing on the themes of personal responsibility in faith and the consequences of one's actions. The discussion highlights how Ham's choices affected his father and emphasizes that each individual is responsible for their own faith journey. The episode also addresses the challenges moms and dads face when their children stray from faith in God and offers hope for the weary parent.
Keywords
Noah, Ham, faith, personal responsibility, parenting, biblical lessons, family, hope, reconciliation, spiritual growth
2025-02-0817 minLove God FirstEp67 Ham's Downfall: A Cautionary Tale, Gen. 9:22-25In this episode of Love God First, we explore the story of Noah and his son Ham, focusing on the themes of personal responsibility in faith and the consequences of one's actions. The discussion highlights how Ham's choices affected his father and emphasizes that each individual is responsible for their own faith journey. The episode also addresses the challenges moms and dads face when their children stray from faith in God and offers hope for the weary parent.
Keywords
Noah, Ham, faith, personal responsibility, parenting, biblical lessons, family, hope, reconciliation, spiritual growth
2025-02-0717 minLove God FirstEp 66 The Consequences of Ham's Actions, Gen. 9:21-29In this episode we delve into the complex dynamics of family relationships, particularly focusing on the actions of Ham and the subsequent curse on Canaan at the end of Noah's account. We talk about God being a just God, the consequences of one's actions on family members, and the importance of living with integrity. Through a careful examination of Scripture, the episode highlights God's fairness and the impact of parental behavior on children, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and the example they set for their families.
Keywords
Noah, Ham, Canaan, f...2025-01-3116 minLove God FirstEp65 Getting Drunk Won't Solve AnythingIn this episode we talk about the biblical account of Noah's drunkenness and its implications for understanding our own human flaws and failures. The discussion transitions to the New Testament, focusing on a few moments of Peter's mistakes, highlighting that Jesus is not looking for perfection but rather for a relationship with us. We emphasize the importance of surrendering our spiritual journey to God and of recognizing His committed love of us, regardless of our mistakes.
This Episode's Takeaways:
Noah's drunkenness serves as a reminder of human flaws.
The Bible presents b...2025-01-2418 minLove God FirstEp64 Getting a Timely Promise from GodIn this episode, we explore the themes of our needs, God's promises, and the emotional aftermath of traumatic experiences through the lens of Noah's story. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's faithfulness and the fact that God can bring us the right promise or perspective change for our situation.
2025-01-1717 minLove God FirstEp63 Hearing God's Voice: A Conversation with Nancy HillIn this episode, the conversation revolves around the theme of hearing God's voice and understanding how He communicates with us. Prayer ministry leader Nancy Hill shares insights on the various ways God speaks, including through the Bible, silence, worship, and through other people. The discussion emphasizes the importance of tuning our spiritual ears, the diligence required in prayer, and the significance of recognizing God's voice in our lives. We talk about practical examples that show how hearing from God can enhance our ministry and relationships with others, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with God.
2025-01-1029 minLove God FirstEp62 How to Hear from God Pt 2We are continuing to talk about the fact that God still speaks! This part two episode explores the theme of hearing from God because God desires to communicate with everyone, not just people in the Bible. I give examples of times when the Lord has spoken to me or others so listeners can see how important it is to cultivate this important skill. Accurately hearing from God ultimately leads to our own spiritual growth and makes us effective ministers.
2024-12-2713 minLove God FirstEp61 How to Hear from God Pt 1In this episode we explore the theme of hearing from God because God desires to communicate with everyone, not just people in the Bible. The conversation delves into the various ways God speaks to us and the importance of developing our ability to recognize His voice. Why is this so important? Because accurately hearing from God ultimately leads to our own spiritual growth and effective ministry.
Keywords
God, hearing from God, spiritual growth, relationship with God, Bible, Holy Spirit, guidance, faith
Sorry I didn't get a transcript uploaded on this episode! If you really want o...2024-12-2016 minLove God FirstEp60 A New Way of Thinking for NoahIn this episode, we explore the transition into the post-flood world as described in Genesis 9. The conversation delves into the new commands given to Noah and his family, emphasizing the importance of surrendering our natural way of thinking to God. We talk about the significance of renewing our minds through Scripture and how this transformation leads to living abundantly in Christ. The episode encourages us to remain moldable in our journey of faith.
Keywords:Noah, post-flood, new standards, surrender, renewing minds, abundant life, biblical principles, Genesis, spiritual truths, transformation
2024-12-1319 minLove God FirstEp 59 How to Receive God's MercyIn this episode, we explore the themes of God's mercy and our perpetual need for it using the end of Noah's story as a foundation. No one will ever fully arrive at perfection on earth, and we will always need God's mercy, but we do have a powerful reminder of Jesus' compassion and the assurance of His forgiveness for us today!
Keywords: God's mercy, Noah, faith, sacrifice, repentance, forgiveness, compassion, sin, love
2024-12-0619 minLove God FirstEp58 Finding Grace in the Waiting w/Dr. Ray Pritchard Pt 3In our last conversation with Dr. Ray Pritchard, Ray opens up about his recent struggles with waiting, cancer and finding hope in the midst of it all. His insights will help any Christian who is struggling through their own set of difficult circumstances!
Dr. Ray Pritchard is President of Keep Believing Ministries. Check out his books and other resources at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/
Keywords
waiting, faith, Noah, patience, worship, community, God, hope, encouragement, adversity, faith, trials, personal growth, gratitude, waiting on God, character of God
2024-11-2916 minLove God FirstEp57Finding Grace in the Waiting w/ Dr. Ray Pritchard Pt 2In this conversation (the second of three episodes), Dr. Ray Pritchard and I explore the theme of waiting in faith, drawing lessons from the story of Noah's Ark. We discuss the challenges of waiting for God's promises and the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness to us.
Dr. Ray Pritchard is President of Keep Believing Ministries. Check out his books and other resources at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/
Keywords
waiting, faith, Noah, patience, worship, community, God, hope, encouragement, adversity, faith, trials, personal growth, gratitude, waiting on God, character of God...2024-11-2216 minLove God FirstEp56 Finding Grace in the Waiting w/ Dr. Ray Pritchard Pt 1In this conversation (the first of three episodes), Dr. Ray Pritchard and I explore the theme of waiting in faith, drawing lessons from the story of Noah's Ark. We discuss the challenges of waiting for God's promises and the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness to us.
Dr. Ray Pritchard is President of Keep Believing Ministries. Check out his books and other resources at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/
Keywords
waiting, faith, Noah, patience, worship, community, God, hope, encouragement, adversity, faith, trials, personal growth, gratitude, waiting on God, character of God...2024-11-1515 minLove God FirstEp55 Finding Hope in Times of Waiting Pt 2In this part two conversation on Love God First, we continue to explore the theme of waiting. We discuss how to find hope and encouragement during periods of waiting by looking at four different points from Noah's story in Genesis 8. Ultimately, this episode will encourage listeners to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful, patient, and filled with hope during their waiting times.
Takeaways
Finding hope in a small provision can encourage us during long waits.
Grumbling can lead to negative outcomes
God is preparing us or the answer during our waiting periods.
We should l...2024-11-0815 minLove God FirstEp54 Finding Hope in Times of Waiting Pt 1We have transcripts available for the first time on this episode!
In this conversation on Love God First, we explore the theme of waiting through the story of Noah in Genesis 8. We discuss the challenges of waiting, the importance of active waiting, and how to find hope and encouragement during periods of waiting. We will look at the first of four lessons we can learn from Noah's example (yes, this is a two-parter). Ultimately, this episode will encourage listeners to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful, patient, and filled with hope during their waiting times. 2024-11-0116 minLove God FirstEp53 What Does the Flood Tell Us about God?The account of the flood in Genesis 7 and 8 can trip up many people because they assume it shows God to be a mean and vindictive God. But by taking a closer look (and exercising our biblical worldview), we see a different story revealed about God's character. Join us today as we come back to Genesis and consider what is really shown about God's attributes in the flood story.
Here's that book I mentioned in this episode:
Harris, Laird R., Archer Gleason L., & Waltke, Bruce K. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Publishers, 1980.2024-10-2519 minLove God FirstEp52 What is a Christian's Primary Goal? Pt 3We are wrapping up our time in First Timothy and applying what we have learned about loving from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. This episode will bring it all home to our own lives!
2024-10-1812 minLove God FirstEp51 What is a Christian's Primary Goal? Pt 2We are picking up again on this question of how to love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith from 1 Timothy 1:5. In this second episode we are defining more terms and then looking at the good effects of loving this way and the bad effects if we do not regularly tend our heart, our conscience and our faith.
2024-10-1114 minLove God FirstEp50 What is A Christian's Primary Goal? Pt 1We are journeying far from Genesis on this episode and looking at a verse from First Timothy that addresses what our primary goal as Christians is. You may not be surprised to hear the answer: the primary goal is love. But the deeper question is how do we love the way Paul describes in this passage? Listen to find out!
2024-10-0416 minLove God FirstEp49 An Example of God's FaithfulnessWhat can we learn from such a simple act as God closing the door of the ark? There is actually a lot! Join me on this five-minute snippet (ok, so the snippets are actually getting a bit longer) as we consider what the act of closing the door says about God's character and about His involvement in our lives.
2024-09-2707 minLove God FirstEp48 Not Fearing What Others ThinkIn this five-minute snippet (that is really 7 minutes) we look at how Noah's family boarded the ark. They didn't give in to fearing what others would think of them while obeying God. For us, it can be difficult to do that, especially considering the cutting remarks people make on social media. So let's step back in this short episode and ask ourselves what is truly important as we strive to follow where Jesus leads us!
2024-09-2008 minLove God FirstEp47 A Family of FaithThis episode is another five-minute snippet where we take an extra brief look at something from Genesis. In the flood story, Noah's family isn't described much at all. In fact all we know is that they got on the ark. So what can we learn from that?! Find out on this episode!
2024-09-1306 minLove God FirstEp46 How is the Story of the Flood Relevant to Us Today?In this six-minute snippet, we talk about one way the story of the flood is relevant to us, and it has to do with the first command the Lord gives Noah in Genesis Chapter 7. God tells Noah to "Enter the ark." Listen to find out how in the world that simple command can be such a comfort and help to each one of us!
2024-09-0606 minLove God FirstEp45 How to Walk with God over a Lifetime with Mary Bursch Pt 2Walking with God requires surrender, obedience, and courage. Listen to a conversation with Pastor Mary Bursch and myself where we talk about times when the Lord has wanted us to step out in faith in different ministries, how we organize our daily devotion time, and more, in this wrap up to the question: how do we walk with God faithfully over a lifetime.
And for those interested in getting more information about Immersion, a nine-month intensive to grow women's leadership and ministry skills, check out this link: Immersion
There's also an Immersion leadership cohort for me...2024-08-3027 minLove God FirstEp44 How to Walk with God over a Lifetime, with Mary Bursch Pt 1We have seen how Noah walked with God and obeyed so well, and now we are going to talk about some practical aspects of walking with the Lord successfully over a lifetime. The topic is so broad that we won't hit everything, but we will talk about some key elements like:
• taking the first step of faith and surrender to become a Christian
• letting the Lord refine us regularly
• being willing to let go of things the Lord has given us to do (even good things)
• staying in community with other believer...2024-08-2320 minLove God FirstEp43 Noah: A Righteous and Obedient Dude Pt 2Noah obeyed God amazingly. So what was the key to his success? In this part two episode, we get into more of the practical aspects of walking with God so that we too can obey all the Lord commands us, just like Noah did.
2024-08-1617 minLove God FirstEp42 Noah: A Righteous and Obedient Dude Pt 1Noah wasn't just a blameless man in his generation. Today we begin to explore the other characteristics Noah had and talk about the one thing that made him stand out. In this part one of two episodes, we lay the foundation for answering the question, "How do we live at Noah's faith and obedience level today?"
2024-08-0917 minLove God FirstEp41 How to Stay Blameless in Today's WorldNoah did an amazing thing. He built an ark. And that is mostly what we focus on when we talk about Noah. But the guy was also a stellar man of God! In this episode we are going to look at one of the elements that made Noah unique in his generation: he was blameless. And we are going to find that being blameless is actually achievable and essential for us too!
2024-08-0223 minLove God FirstEp40 Walking Out A Promise Pt 2We are hearing the conclusion of our family story about how we followed God's leading to move to another state and start serving at a whole new level of ministry in Oregon. We were living out the concept that God initiates, and we respond. That's what the great forefathers and foremothers of faith modeled in the Bible for us, even in Chapter 5 of Genesis where we read through what seems to be just another genealogy.
2024-07-2619 minLove God FirstEp39 Walking Out a Promise Pt 1There are all kinds of examples in the Bible of the Lord giving a profound promise to someone and then waiting for a really long time to fulfill it. In this episode, I share a family story where we saw that exact truth played out. Hopefully it will build your faith and help you to persevere when He does that in your life too!
2024-07-1916 minLove God FirstEp38 Waiting in Faith (but still wondering)Sometimes it is easy to wonder if the Lord is actually doing anything in our lives. Is He working in us or in our circumstances to fulfill the promises He has made? This episode focuses on a chapter in Genesis where it is difficult to see the Lord's active involvement, but the truth is God was indeed working and doing something amazing. And if we wait long enough in our own lives, we too will see God fulfill the promises He has made to us.
2024-07-1218 minLove God FirstEp37 A New Level of Courage Pt 2We are taking a short break from Genesis and jumping over to Joshua 1 to finish up this study on courage and how to practice it in our lives as we walk in faith with God. What do we do when fear rises up? How can we train our minds to turn from it? We'll look at some practical helps and hopefully lay down any fears that have become too large in our lives in the process!
2024-07-0518 minLove God FirstEp36 A New Level of Courage Pt 1Who doesn't need more courage? Between sickness, responsibilities, children, parents, money, accidents, and regular life, I think we would all agree there is enough to worry about and have fear over. So what's the solution? A good first step is to take a look at a person in the Bible who could have had a lot of potential fear of his future and then see what God told him to do. In this episode and the next, we are stepping away from Genesis, but don't worry, we will return shortly!
2024-06-2818 minLove God FirstEp35 Becoming a True Disciple Pt. 2: A Conversation with Dr. Steve SchellWe wrap up our conversation with Dr. Steve Schell today on discipleship. We continue discussing the question: how do I become a disciple? And we also talk about how to stay a disciple our whole life. Pastor Steve brings his usual deep insights to any conversation, so you don't want to miss this episode!
2024-06-2132 minLove God FirstEp34 Becoming A True Disciple: A Conversation with Dr. Steve SchellOur very special guest, Dr. Steve Schell, is going to help us in this episode to truly understand how to become a sold out disciple of Jesus. Prepare to be engaged and challenged!
2024-06-1423 minLove God FirstEp33 Preparing Our Hearts for DiscipleshipWe are taking a break from Genesis so that we can talk about a really important topic: the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This episode is a preparation episode to help get listeners ready for our next two episodes which talk about discipleship. On this episode we will be covering three questions: What is the baptism with the Holy Spirit? Why do I want it? How do I get it? And by the end, you will be all prepped for our special guest speaker who will be featured on Episodes 34 and 35 and maybe even 36 too (He is that good)!2024-06-0726 minLove God FirstEp32 Going Deeper into WorshipHow can we learn to worship God at a higher level? On this episode we are looking at the phrase "to call on the name of the Lord" from Genesis 4. By studying what it looks like to call on the name of the Lord, we can become even deeper worshippers of our Savior. And why does that matter? Listen to this episode to find out!
2024-05-3119 minLove God FirstEp31 Learning from LamechYou have probably never heard of Lamech in your life, but this guy from Genesis has some things to teach us, not because he was some model of upright behavior, but because he was such a violent, vengeful man. What on earth can we learn from a guy like that?! You'd be surprised at how a non-example can be a great teaching tool for us to remember how important it is to forgive and NOT take matters into our own hands.
2024-05-2418 minLove God FirstEp30 How Do You Explain That?How did Cain move to a city after he left his parents? And where did his wife come from? People struggle with these kinds of questions about the Bible, and if we do not deal with the struggle, it can begin to erode our faith level in the Bible and even in God. So let's deal with these questions biblically, and let's arrive together to stand on the mountaintop of a faith that has a firm, secure foundation!
2024-05-1718 minLove God FirstEp29 Good Options for Bringing Comfort: A Conversation with Marc Hagman, Pt 2In this episode my guest (and husband) Marc Hagman reminds us from where evil and hardship truly come. This episode also gives us some good practical tips on how to comfort another believer with our words when tough times hit!
2024-05-1014 minLove God FirstEp28 Sovereignty vs. Control: A Conversation w/ Marc HagmanHow much does God control the circumstances of our lives? And why does it even matter to us? We are delving into this huge topic based on our last episode with Cain and Abel, so listen in on the discussion with our guest Marc Hagman as he explains the difference between God's sovereignty and God's control and why we should care about it!
2024-05-0320 minLove God FirstEp27 Does God Control Everything?Cain has just murdered his brother Abel. Have you ever wondered why God didn't stop that from happening? After all, Abel was a good guy! We are talking today about where God is in the midst of circumstances that seem really unfair, even evil, on planet Earth. How do I as a Christian explain and deal with the evil I may see or hear about? And what's my response going to be when it comes into my own life? Find out on this episode.
2024-04-2620 minLove God FirstEp26 Quite Tempting...We all have moments where we struggle with temptation. We really want to give in to doing something even though we know it is wrong. So how do we overcome those strong desires? In this episode, we watch Cain murder his brother, but he could have chosen not to. Learn some practical steps to overcome temptation that really work!
2024-04-1920 minLove God FirstEp25 Where is God When We Blow it?All of us at one time or another have done something wrong. And all of us will do more wrong things in the future too! So how do we deal with that? And where is God when we sin? Does he leave us? Is He disappointed and angry with us, or does He have another response? Today we are looking at God's actions after Adam and Eve have sinned as they get ready to leave the Garden of Eden.
2024-04-1219 minLove God FirstEp24 When Life Gets ToughOur attitude is really the only thing we have control over in life. In this episode, we are going to watch Adam as he deals with the pronouncement God makes to him after Adam and Eve have sinned. What will Adam's attitude be as he deals with the consequences of his wrong choices? And what will our attitude be when we encounter our own hardships in life? Let's learn from Adam's response and figure out what to do beforehand so that in hardship we can stay close to God through it all.
2024-04-0519 minLove God FirstEp23 How God Deals with His KidsWe are looking at Eve's consequences in the garden of Eden and what it reveals about God's character. How will the Lord respond to Eve now that she has sinned? Watching His interaction with Eve gives us a glimpse into how God deals with His children. What kind of a father is He truly? Listen to find out!
2024-03-2918 minLove God FirstEp22 A Glimpse into God's CharacterWhat can we learn about God from His interaction with Adam, Eve and the serpent after the forbidden fruit has been eaten? In the moment where the Lord is pronouncing judgment over the serpent, we get a glimpse into God's character, and we can see a little bit more of what He is truly like, and what He is willing to do to bring us back to Him.
2024-03-2218 minLove God FirstEp21 How to Pray: A Conversation with Nancy Hill, Part 2We are talking today about the best ways to go about praying and building our prayer life with God. Nancy Hill, Prayer Ministry Leader at Dayspring Community Church in Oklahoma, will give us insight into her own struggles and breakthroughs in prayer and will give some practical tips for those who want to step it up in their prayer times! And make sure to listen all the way to the end when she prays briefly for all of us. It is such a sweet, loving, anointed moment. You will be encouraged!
2024-03-1522 minLove God FirstEp20 Why Pray: A Conversation with Nancy Hill, Part 1Listen in on a conversation with Nancy Hill, Prayer Ministry Leader at Dayspring Community Church in Oklahoma, as we talk about why we pray and what the Lord does in us through prayer. And hear some remarkable stories and prayer answers! If you are a person who struggles with prayer or think God doesn't want to hear from you, please listen to this episode!
2024-03-0815 minLove God FirstEp19 Authority and Prayer: What Really Happened in the Garden of EdenDoes prayer really accomplish anything? To answer that question, we have to understand what happened with the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and we have to understand how God designed humanity's role on earth. As we look closer, we will discover not only that our prayers matter, but that they are crucial to stopping the devil's plans (and yes, the devil is real and does have plans).
2024-03-0114 minLove God FirstEp18 Apples and RepentanceHow does a person get right with God? Is it by feeling really sorry for something I did? Is it going to church? Or is it something else entirely? Thankfully, Adam and Eve reveal the answer in the garden of Eden.
2024-02-2318 minLove God FirstEp17 How to Marry Well with Shari KiffeHave you ever wondered how in the world to choose a future spouse? Where do you find a good candidate? What qualities are you looking for? And how do you know if a person is THE ONE? Join me as we continue our conversation with Shari Kiffe where we discuss the answers to these very important questions!
2024-02-1624 minLove God FirstEp16 Discussing Common Marriage Pitfalls and Ways to Improve Our Marriage with Shari KiffeHave you ever thought... if only there were someone I knew who had read numerous books on marriage, had lots of experience counseling couples, taught classes on marriage and had a great marriage themselves that I could talk to about my own marriage. Wouldn't that be helpful? Well that's exactly what we have today on this episode! Join me as I learn from Shari Kiffe, a really wise and kind mentor who has loads of experience teaching couples about marriage. And single people, please listen to gather wisdom and prepare yourself for your future!
2024-02-0918 minLove God FirstEp15 Marriage vs Living Together: Is There That Much of a Difference?No one wants to be lonely. So if living together cures loneliness and makes people feel less isolated, what is the big deal? That is the line of thinking that is very common today in our society. So in today's podcast we are going to talk about what the Bible says about marriage vs living together, about having sex before marriage, and about our sex lives as Christians. Prepare for a candid talk!
2024-02-0218 minLove God FirstEp14 Taking a Look at the First MarriageSo many people are lonely and isolated today, yet the idea of people getting married is at an all time low! Why is that?! Could there be a connection there? We begin a two-part podcast today looking at Eve's creation and Adam and Eve's marriage. What can we learn for ourselves from this account whether we are married or not? Tune in to find out.
2024-01-2615 minLove God FirstEp13 Testing 1, 2, 3Some see the situation in the Garden of Eden as a big set up of God testing Adam and Eve. The testing part is true, but it's not a bad thing. He does the same with us today too, and it is for our good! Find out in this episode how God's testing of our hearts actually benefits us.
2024-01-1914 minLove God FirstEp12 Why Is There Free Will?When I look around at the condition of the world and the evil that exists, I have to ask why the evil is so horrible. There is an answer, and we will talk about it on this episode! We will also look at the concept of free will: its effects, its necessity and our own decision-making options.
References:
D'Souza, Dinesh. God Forsaken. Tyndale House Publishers, 2012. pp. 77-102.
Duffield, Guy and Nathaniel Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Foursquare Media, 2016.
2024-01-1219 minLove God FirstEp11 Practical Steps on How to Sabbath with Linnea HagmanWe get to enjoy a conversation today with a college student who is trying to figure out just like the rest of us how to have a Sabbath with God. Listen in on our conversation as we discuss the benefits, the struggles and the realizations of setting aside a day to focus on the Lord. And get some practical tips on how to implement a Sabbath day in your home!
2024-01-0533 minLove God FirstEp10 Taking a Sabbath is a Principle for LifeIt is so easy to stay busy and distracted in life because there is so much to take care of each day! How do I slow down enough to spend quality time with God where I am hearing His voice and direction, receiving new strength of purpose from Him, and being encouraged and healed from the hits I take in life? How about taking a Sabbath?! In this episode I make a case for why a Sabbath is something that the Lord made for us that not only refreshes us physically but also gives us all we need in...2023-12-2915 minLove God FirstEp9 What’s So Great about Working?When God finished working, He rested. With the story of creation, the Lord models for us the importance of working well and resting well. So how does a person work for God, especially if they don't work at a church? And what does it mean to work "well"? In this episode we will look at where work originally came from and how to perform the jobs we have with purpose, satisfaction and excellence, no matter the task.
2023-12-2217 minLove God FirstEp8 What Does the Bible Say About Gender?Everyone agrees that our society has embraced a new way of thinking about gender, and the nation and much of the world is moving fast to catch up. But what does the Bible say about gender? Is it possible that there is a better way to understand gender that is more life-giving than the current perception accepted by our culture? Find out on this episode!
2023-12-1521 minLove God FirstEp7 What does it Mean to be Made in the Image of God?What does it mean to be made in God's image? We can't know all of what that means, but we can know some! Being made in God's image has to do with the very inside of who we are as human beings. We have a mind, will and emotions just like Him. We are a spirit just like Him. And we are valuable because God has made us so. He gave us the capacity to converse with Him, love Him, worship Him and obey Him to such a degree that a person could be called a "friend of God."...2023-12-0817 minLove God FirstEp6 God is Still in the Creation BusinessWhen I become a Christian, a miracle happens. God creates a born-again daughter or son from nothing, just like He created the world from nothing. In Genesis we see God's vast creation of the physical world. But through salvation we see God's miraculous inner creation of a born-again believer. And in the process we know the Creator of the Universe has just become our own Heavenly Father. Listen to find out the wonderful benefits of having such a close relationship with God!
2023-12-0118 minLove God FirstEp5 Philosophizing About Goodness with Darius FranklinHere's one of the occasional episodes where we spend time discussing some deep truths from the Bible with a guest. On this show we are trying to grasp more deeply what goodness is and how it impacts our daily life. Goodness is rooted in the very nature of God. He is good, and He created a good world in the beginning. Fast forward to today, and we see moral goodness on a steep decline and everyone having a different definition of what the word good means. So is it possible to still have hope? Yes, especially after listening to...2023-11-2432 minLove God FirstEp4 Who Gets to Say What is Good?The creation story has one theme that runs through it: everything was good. And how do we know it was good? Because God said it was. He gets to set the standard of what good is then and now. This episode will explain some of the hard to understand points in the creation story, and then we'll take a moment to check our own consciences about what we think is good and what God says is good, especially in our media choices.
2023-11-1718 minLove God FirstEp3 Creation vs. Science: How Do I Deal with Doubt?It can be difficult to navigate certain educational topics and classes as a Christian because sometimes it feels like our faith is flying in the face of science and reason. But is it? You might be surprised to find out that many scientists who made great discoveries in history were Christians. And just because a person believes in God doesn't mean they throw our their brains. Join me as we talk about faith, science, and how to deal with any lingering doubt.
2023-11-1618 minLove God FirstEp2 Your Purpose Started in the BeginningGenesis 1:1 brings up three foundational truths. First, from the moment of creation on, time has progressed forward toward a final day. Second, God exists. And third, creation wasn't an accident. You might be wondering why those statements make any difference to you. We'll discover the answer together, and we'll see the difference it makes in recognizing our ultimate purpose.
2023-11-1614 minLove God FirstEp1 Introductions (or Why on Earth Do You Want to Listen to This Podcast?)Every relationship begins with first getting to know a person. That's not just true of people; it's true of podcasts. With people you're asking: Do you like the person? Are they funny or serious? Do they listen well? And on a podcast you ask questions too. What is the host like? What kind of content is there? How is this podcast different than the plethora of podcasts already out there? You can find out the answers to all these questions on this episode. But the most important question that will be answered is this: why is it worth your...2023-11-0917 min