Simon Peter may have been a pro at fishing but he still had a lot to learn about discipleship. (Don’t we all?) Let’s talk about that today on the Pasture’s Podcast. I don’t know when I’ve had more fun doing a podcast. That’s actually saying something, too, because I love every podcast I’m part of. Joy is what I felt. It seemed as if the pleasure of the Father was streaming back-and-forth between John and myself as we conversed about gospel truth, living faith, and, yes, fishing…Simon Peter style.   Luke 5:1-8 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”   I hope you’ll tune in and get a sense of what I’m talking about. For me, you can’t beat a dialogue that seems to be carried on the easy winds of divine grace. It’s effortless and oh so inspiring!   My friend and mentor, John Brown, joins me for a new edition of the Pasture’s Podcast, and we’ll swap thoughts and insights on not settling for less than the life our Lord is making available to us.   As we were talking I couldn’t help but think of the quote from C.S. Lewis,   It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us; like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. – C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory   So, with that, let’s go to an ancient Sea and learn how we might trade in our half-hearted lives for Another Life where greater things happen in the deep end of the ocean.

In this edition of the “Pasture’s Podcast” we’ll be contemplating the question ‘which side of the Truth will you find yourself on when all is said and done?’ or, perhaps more graphically, where will you be when the dam breaks? Galatians 3:2-5, NKJV This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? We’re continuing the new podcast series, “Spiritual Realities” and, once again, my dear friend John Brown is keeping me company at the mic as we discuss how we – who profess Jesus as our Savior – might break free from the malady of (as one friend calls it) “stinking thinking” and embrace Life as we’ve been called to experience it – as Jesus showed us in the gospels – from an ‘amen, Lord’ heart. In this segment, we’ll discuss how it appears more common than uncommon for the western expression of the church to listen and respond more readily with her head (our own understanding, Proverbs 3:5) than with her heart; saying ‘amen’ to biblical ideas and preaching points, but not sincerely walking them out. There’s much truth swirling about, but has it caught the church’s sails? Does the contemporary church resemble less a shining ‘army with banners’ (Song of Songs 6:4,10) and more a flea market of weekend bargain hunters? My friend John tells us, “the heart is the hearer,” and offers a vivid illustration at the end of how disastrous life can be if we insist on living from old patterns of thinking and reasoning and do not develop a hearing (and responsive) heart…and more so as we enter into an era of greater deception than we’ve yet known. Thank you for listening along to these episodes. Feel free to email me any questions you might have and, time permitting, we’ll address them in a future podcast.

It’s been a long while since my last podcast (the good-intention road being paved and all), so I dusted off the ol’ Blue Yeti mic and Audacity recording software and sat down with my friend, John Brown, to record a series of episodes both circling and landing on the theme of deception and truth. In this 38-minute introduction you’ll hear where the contemporary church is falling prey to deception in these last days and why that deception is only going to get worse. John and I are among a (thankfully) growing number who share a love, burden, and hope for the true Bride of Jesus and sense the urging of His Majesty to “make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:17)  And, by the enabling grace of God, we will be… …if we have ears to hear. In this episode, John will touch on the following areas of systemic, growing deception – particularly in our current church culture here in America: 1.She (the church) believes she is ‘in faith’ yet there is almost no obedience of faith to what her Lord has commanded. The reality is that most are unaware that faith has two parts to be a living faith: the hearing of faith and the obedience of faith. Romans 1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, Luke 6:46 Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you? James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 2. She believes in a gospel that says that she is saved because she accepts that Jesus died and atoned for her sins…and yet her reality is that she has never truly repented of the Sin of ruling and reigning over her own life. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. 3. She says that she believes (has faith) and claims that she has been born again, and is a new creature in Christ. The reality is that this is too often mere pretense, without any hard evidence. She dare not say to her family and friends that she is no longer of Adam’s race. Romans 6:4-5 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 4. She says that her old man was buried with Christ and is no longer alive. And yet the reality is that she continues to live as the old man and is “just a sinner saved by grace.” Romans 6:6-7 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 5. She says that she is in love with the Lord and yet there is almost no obedience though our Lord has said, “If you love Me you will keep my commandments.” The reality is that she isn’t even aware that her Lord has left her commandments to be observed. Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 6. She has an unwillingness to purchase the truth concerning her condition; she believes that there is no cost to her as she travels the road of salvation. Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

His initials might be “JV” but my guest on the podcast today is headed for the next level in the Kingdom of God. You’ve learned about Joshua before, today you’ll hear directly from him.  More About This Podcast… God’s given me a very bold mandate this new year, which is to feature 17 faith stories from 17 different people over the coming months on the podcast. I’m so delighted Joshua Vineyard could show up today for the first of these stories on this episode of the Pasture’s Podcast. This remarkable, kingdom-driven young man is all of 22 but has a very seasoned demeanor and solid mooring even as he seeks adventures abroad for the Lord’s glory. I’m eager for you to hear Joshua’s faith journey in his own words, his rocky road to finding that which is “real and genuine”, and the response of his life to lay it all down and live out his testimony by faith in the Christ “who loves [him] and laid His life down for [him]…” (Gal. 2:20). Thanks for listening in. I’m certain you’ll be blessed.  

Running Time: 14m, 17s Psalms 78:9-11 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle. They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them. “I married my bride 33 years ago. I suppose if we married on August 20, 1983 and never cohabitated, never communicated, never contemplated each other in the ensuing years, in time, we’d forget each other as much as a human being can forget another… “…Pick a spiritual discipline – any discipline at all – and through ignorance, neglect and emotionless connection you’ll discover emptiness, joylessness, lovelessness, and solitude of the soul…” Today on the Pasture’s Podcast. Save

Welcome to Podcast #26!   “Psalm 23 teaches us to embrace the immensity of the adventure that takes us home. David has been there. He knows. He’s learned the twists and pitfalls, the sunny trails and the dangerous cliff edges. He knows where the forks are and the spacious green fields. He’s painted us a picture in this stanza. He’s set a table in the wilderness for us and invited us to hear his adventures by a roaring campfire… “I’m not home yet. But I’m closer than I was 35 years ago when my dad read me this psalm that calmed my terror-stricken heart back then. Wild dogs were snarling at me from that dark valley of death but goodness and mercy were there all along, leading me home. Every mile, every trial, every cross, every loss, Every step, every stop, All has been mercy and grace. Through every danger, toil, and snare Mercy and grace has followed close beside, nipping at my heels.“ I could as easily have called this message “Dad and Me and Psalm 23” because the two are so intimately entwined in my life. You’ll see why. What you’ll hear today is from a recent sermon I shared with the wonderful people of West Huntsville Baptist Church* back in late May. I pray it’s a blessing and encouragement to you…and that the calming grace of our Shepherd God will lay a blanket over your soul. As always, thank you for listening – and by all means, please share this podcast episode with others who might need the Lord’s comfort as well. * I absolutely LOVE these people! My wife and I had our very first date on their campus wayyyy back in 1982 – just 4 months after my life-altering, life-bettering ‘accident’ (go to the “My Story” page)! Then youth pastor Pastor Scott (whose wife’s name is also Sandra) invited me to share my very new-to-me story at their fellowship’s Valentine Banquet, so I took my future sweetheart along for the occasion. Scott has been one of my life’s most important encouragers. So, what you’ll hear today is us being with our faith family of three decades…

  It’s post-Easter. Sunday has already come. In this new economy, we have the hope of our physical resurrection from this earth and translation to glory – in glorified bodies – to our forever homeland. Amen. Indeed, that is our “Sunday, one day” reality…but we don’t much feel like we’re people of resurrection in today’s culture…and from a slowly-turning calendar. The calendar tells us it’s (still, ‘somewhat’) Friday for us.  * Gethsemane ever goads us to Golgotha. * Waiting with the Lord one hour is our struggle too. * To forgive our tormentors is our mandate. * We’re surrounded by our own “bulls of Bashan.” * A secularized culture taunts our discipleship. * We’re saddled with a whole earth that “lies in the power of the evil one” (1Jn 5:19) * Injustice is everywhere. * Darkness covers our earth. * The bread of adversity and water of affliction (Isa 30:20) is our communion. What, then, is our play?  How do we make it to Sunday? How do we BE a people of Sunday? In today’s podcast* (#25), the first of a two-parter I got to preach to my former congregation, we’ll try to navigate through this dilemma with five practical and hopeful revelations from John 19:24-27. Join me, won’t you? * I apologize as the quality of the recording is lacking…but the message is so important! Thank you for sticking through!!!  

PODCAST #24 Today is Good Friday. This day is replete with solemn tones and harrowing pictures. Darkness. Injustice. Despair. But because we are living 2 millennium later, we know the story doesn’t end on Friday; it finds vindication in Sunday’s resurrection, when all things are made new. My guest today had his own Friday of sorts – and could have remained in emotional distress and the victim of betrayal – but God’s grace rescued Jack from darkness and despair and has changed the narrative of his life into that of an overcomer…

My pastor friend Chris asked me to come to his church last Sunday and share “My Story…” with his congregation. God mercifully moved and ministered some profound healing to His hurting saints. There was also plenty of encouragement for the remnant who have endured great hardship and have survived to tell their own grace stories. It was a wonderful time with some beautiful brothers and sisters, so I wanted to share the experience with you in this week’s podcast. You’ll probably want to have 2 Corinthians 4 handy as you listen. I promise you, God will say something to you through these scriptures if you have ears to hear. And, beloved, if your heart needs healing, this is for you.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:24-25   We’re still in the ‘love-obsessed’ month of February, so this episode of the Pasture’s Podcast will focus on three healthy images of marital bliss. I love all three, but I especially love what the 3rd image displays and says! (Hint, hint) >>>It means you gotta listen!<<< Hey it’s only 25 minutes short. You’ve got that much time to invest in a pretty crucial subject, doncha? Whether married, getting married, or dreaming of marriage, this episode is for you. If you are married or engaged, I’d like you to consider listening together with your significant other and talking about it when it’s finished. Ready? Here we go!