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Adventures In Grace

123 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 28 ratings

This is THE podcast to discover the depths of God's unconditional love toward you. This show will help you know of God's amazing, covenant love toward you, and to realize that practically in day-to-day life.

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Episodes

#144 - How Bill and Anabel Got Into Their Fix (Pt 3 of 'Lifetime Guarantee')

February 25, 2024 23:27 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MB

We continue our study of Lifetime Guarantee this week by covering Chp 3 of the book: Anabel's Anticipation and Reality: Anabel entered marriage with high hopes, believing she could manage marital challenges as she had other aspects of life, only to face the everyday realities that tested her confidence. Flesh Patterns in Marriage: The narrative delves into how both Anabel and the author's inherent 'flesh' tendencies, or sinful behaviors, impact their relationship, leading to a cycle of ex...

#143 - Interview with Andrew Coloney of Malcolm Smith Ministries

February 17, 2024 15:29 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MB

Today, we interview my friend Andrew Coloney.   Andrew Coloney is the assistant pastor to Bishop Malcolm Smith at Unconditional Love Fellowship in Bandera, Texas.  Andrew discusses his journey into the Trinitarian love of God, how he started listening to Malcolm Smith, and more of his current life as a minister at Uncontional Love Fellowship. You can find more videos of Andrew here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIhXgN6F5s0n3ne_HhejVQ Also, find out more about Malcolm's weekly chur...

#142 - Breaking Free: The Power of Righteousness and True Acceptance (Pt 2 of 'Lifetime Guarantee')

February 09, 2024 20:19 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

Introduction: Warm welcome to listeners and introduction to Episode 142. Brief overview of the episode's focus on understanding righteousness and the concept of acceptance in the Christian life. The Gift of Righteousness: Exploration of the biblical concept of righteousness, highlighting its nature as a gift from God, not earned by human efforts. Discussion on Galatians 3:6-9 and Romans 4:9-13, emphasizing faith as the key to righteousness. Breakdown of what the "flesh" is in compa...

#141 - Unveiling the Mystery: 'Why You Struggle' (Pt 1 of 'Lifetime Guarantee')

January 14, 2024 00:42 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MB

Welcome to "Adventures in Grace" with Dr. Brandon Vaughn, where we delve into the transformative wisdom of 'Lifetime Guarantee' by Bill Gillham. In this episode, we begin our insightful journey with Chapter 1, aptly titled "Why You Struggle." This exploration is not just a study; it's an invitation to uncover the deeper reasons behind the challenges faced in the Christian walk. Have you ever felt like you're constantly battling against an impossible standard in your spiritual life? Do you ...

#140 - Unveiling Victory: The Lifetime Guarantee Promise

January 09, 2024 02:18 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MB

Welcome to Episode 140 of 'Adventures in Grace' with Dr. Brandon Vaughn. In this pivotal episode, we delve deep into the heart of what it means to live a victorious Christian life. Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of spiritual struggle, trying to live up to your faith in your own strength? Join us as we unravel the profound insights from the book 'Lifetime Guarantee,' offering a new perspective on this universal struggle. Discover how this isn't a battle meant for your shoulders alone – it...

#139 - Hyper-Grace ... Hyper-Mean: The Rise of the Grace Pharisee

December 22, 2023 18:15 - 33 minutes - 38.9 MB

In Episode 139 of "Adventures in Grace," titled "Hyper-Grace, Hyper-Mean: The Rise of the Grace Pharisee," we delve into the unsettling trend of hostility within the hyper-grace movement. Despite its foundation in the liberating message of grace, recent personal attacks by key figures, including a publisher, reveal a disconcerting shift toward exclusivity and condemnation reminiscent of the Pharisees' behavior that Jesus confronted. Our host shares personal experiences of being on the receiv...

#138 - Unlocking Divine Purpose (Pt 3): Navigating Life's Crossroads - Perfect Path or Permissive Route?

December 15, 2023 17:11 - 25 minutes - 29.4 MB

Exploring the Concept of God's Will: Delve into understanding the nature of God's will, particularly the distinction between His perfect and permissive plans for our lives. The Journey of Apostle Paul: Reflect on Philippians 3:13 and Paul's approach to life's challenges and past mistakes. Gain insight into how he navigated his path with a focus on moving forward and upward. The Impact of Past Choices: Examine how our past decisions, whether aligned or misaligned with God's will, shape our...

#137 - Unlocking Divine Purpose (Pt 2): Divine Blueprint - Unveiling and Embracing God's Plan for You

December 01, 2023 16:04 - 22 minutes - 26 MB

In this second episode of our inspiring podcast series, "Divine Blueprint: Unveiling and Embracing God's Plan for You," we delve into the multifaceted journey of discovering and living out God's unique plan for each of us. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, offering a deeper understanding of the spiritual journey towards fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Understanding God’s Personalized Plan for Each Believer Delve into the idea that God has a unique plan tailored for every...

#136 - Unlocking Divine Purpose: Christ, The Key to God's Will

November 17, 2023 13:47 - 27 minutes - 31.7 MB

Introduction The existential crisis of a middle-aged man questioning his identity and purpose. The despair of not finding answers in the world versus the hope found in Christianity. Christian Perspective on Identity Recognition of being created in the image of God. Man as distinct from animals and appointed as God's representative on Earth. The Fall and Redemption Acknowledgment of the fall of man and the distorted image of God in humanity. The concept of redemption through Chris...

#135 - Embracing Grace: Overcoming Burnout & Finding Worth in God's Eyes

November 11, 2023 14:12 - 19 minutes - 21.7 MB

Discover how to navigate life's challenges with faith and grace in this enlightening episode of 'Adventures in Grace.' Titled 'Embracing Grace: Overcoming Burnout & Finding Worth in God's Eyes,' we delve into the Christian perspective on coping with feelings of failure and burnout. Learn about God's unconditional love, inherent worth, and the promise of redemption and forgiveness. This episode offers a beacon of hope, illustrating how God's view is based on love, grace, and compassion, rathe...

#134 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 12 - Freedom in Dependency)

October 28, 2023 13:11 - 23 minutes - 27 MB

Podcast Notes: Freedom in Dependency George's Story: George, blind due to diabetes, struggled emotionally, feeling rejected by God. He was taught that faith's size determines God's response to prayers. His church emphasized faith as a means to healing, blaming individuals for their ailments. George internalized this, believing God hated him for his "little faith." Misconceptions of Faith: Faith is Not a Feeling: Emotional responses in religious settings are not faith. Faith is N...

#133 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 11 - Living By a Higher Law

October 20, 2023 14:00 - 24 minutes - 27.6 MB

Understanding Legalism in Christian Life: Legalism often refers to imposing extra conditions for salvation or Christian living, beyond what's taught in the Bible. It's not about the actions (e.g., Bible study, witnessing) but the motive behind them. Legalism involves doing these actions out of a sense of obligation or to earn God's acceptance, rather than out of love and gratitude. Motivation and Source of Life: Actions can be identical, but the motive determines if it's legalism or ...

#132 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Bob George Talking About The New Covenant)

October 13, 2023 21:27 - 1 hour - 75.2 MB

In this episode, we take a slight break from our study to listen to Bob George speak about The New Covenant.  We will return to our study of Classic Christianity in the next episode.

#131 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 10 - Free from the Yoke of Slavery)

October 06, 2023 14:00 - 23 minutes - 26.7 MB

FREE FROM THE YOKE OF SLAVERY Misconception Addressed: Preaching God's love and acceptance might give people a license to sin. Paul's Letters to the Romans: Emphasizes that understanding God's love and grace makes sinning under grace seem absurd. Illustrations: Highlights the irrationality of returning to sin when presented with God's abundant love. Christian World's Obsession with Sin: Criticizes the focus on sin rather than knowing Christ. The goal of the Christian life is to kno...

#130 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 9 - The Ministry of Condemnation)

September 29, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 34.4 MB

Here is a summary of this chapter: 1. The Standard of Perfection The law demands perfection, and even a single failure results in being guilty of breaking the entire law. Summary: The text references James 2:10, emphasizing that if one stumbles at just one point of the law, they are guilty of breaking all of it. This sets an incredibly high standard, which is perfection throughout one's entire life. 2. The Curse of the Law Relying on observing the law results in a curse, as the law's ...

#129 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 8 - The Great Exchange)

September 22, 2023 14:00 - 28 minutes - 33 MB

Here is a summary of this chapter: 1. Rejecting Satan's Lies The believer's journey often involves combating the deceptive whispers of Satan, which aim to undermine one's faith and self-worth. Summary: The text describes the familiar experience of Christians wanting to live up to God's expectations but facing discouragement from Satan's deceitful messages. The key is to reject these lies and rely on the truth of one's identity in Christ. 2. New Identity in Christ Embracing a new ident...

#128 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 7 - Loved and Accepted)

September 15, 2023 14:00 - 26 minutes - 30.6 MB

Here is a summary of this chapter: 1. Love vs. Acceptance The distinction between love and acceptance is explored through a personal story involving the author and his son, Bobby. While love is often assured, acceptance can be more elusive. Summary: Bobby, after struggling to find a job post-college, expresses to his father that while he always felt loved, he wasn't sure if he was accepted, especially in terms of his career choices. This highlights the profound difference between feelin...

#127 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 6 - Toward a Proper Self-Image)

September 08, 2023 17:46 - 31 minutes - 35.8 MB

  1. It's a Matter of Relationship: The foundation of our self-image should be built on our relationship with God. Our worth isn't determined by achievements or possessions, but by God's unconditional love. Deep understanding of this relationship can significantly transform our self-perception. 2. Looking in the Wrong Places: Many seek validation in wealth, popularity, or achievements. These external validations are fleeting and don’t provide lasting contentment. True contentmen...

#126 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 5 - Putting the Pieces Together)

September 01, 2023 17:21 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MB

Here is a short summary sentences for each of the sections in Chapter 5 of "Classic Christianity": God's Complete Provision: This section highlights the abundant provision of God through Jesus Christ, emphasizing how His redemptive work offers a complete solution for humanity's spiritual needs. Understanding Security: Exploring the theme of security in Christianity, this part underscores how faith in Christ ensures believers' eternal security, encouraging them to rely on God's unwavering p...

#125 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 4 - Forgiven to be Filled)

August 25, 2023 18:37 - 34 minutes - 39.2 MB

  God's Forgiveness and the Power of Christ's Resurrection Edward's Struggle: The chapter opens with a story about Edward, a man deeply rooted in his faith but tormented by a past sin. Despite believing in Christ, he can't accept God's forgiveness, symbolizing the internal battles many Christians face. Bondage of Past Mistakes: Many believers are trapped by past errors, preventing them from fully experiencing Christ's indwelling life. This bondage hinders spiritual growth and maturity. ...

#124 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 3 - Man Alive! The Neglected Half of the Gospel)

August 18, 2023 17:16 - 31 minutes - 36 MB

Chapter 3 of "Classic Christianity" by George Bob is titled "Man Alive! The Neglected Half of the Gospel." The chapter emphasizes a crucial but often overlooked aspect of the gospel message. It highlights that Christianity is not only about salvation and forgiveness, but also about the restoration of humanity's true identity and purpose. The author argues that a significant portion of Christianity's transformative power lies in recognizing the inherent value of humanity and our role as God's...

#123 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 2 - The Truth About Error)

August 11, 2023 18:14 - 27 minutes - 31 MB

We dive into Chp 2 of Bob George's book "The Truth About Error".  We get into the aspect that our emotions follow our thoughts, and if we want to go after a rouge emotion, we must determine what we are thinking.  And then take that thought captive and replace it with truth.

#122 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Chp 1 - Busy and Barren)

August 04, 2023 16:00 - 34 minutes - 39.2 MB

We begin our study of Bob George's "Classic Christianity" by looking at Chapter 1 "Busy and Barren".  In this chapter Bog George discusses the frustration that many believers face as they replace relationship by religion.  We discuss a foundational truth that will come up a lot in our study ... "The Truth sets you free" ... which means if truth sets us free, then error binds us.

#121 - Classic Christianity by Bob George (Introduction)

July 28, 2023 21:42 - 23 minutes - 26.8 MB

"Classic Christianity" by Bob George is a book that presents a profound exploration of the essential principles of the Christian faith. In this book, Bob George seeks to distill Christianity to its purest form, free from religious legalism and misconceptions. The book challenges readers to reexamine their beliefs, emphasizing the transformative power of God's grace and the simplicity of the gospel message. At the heart of "Classic Christianity," Bob George emphasizes that Christianity is n...

#120 - Thinking about The Art of Resting in the Covenant and news on Malcolm Smith

July 21, 2023 16:00 - 25 minutes - 29.3 MB

This week, we review the entirety of the "Art of Resting in the Covenant" series by Malcolm Smith.  We review the ideas of covenant, and I provide recommendations for future study.  In addition, Malcolm has recently been in the hospital and I talk about that in this show.

#119 - RARE - Malcolm Smith - The Art of Resting in the Covenant - Hour 5 - Person of the Holy Spirit

July 15, 2023 01:19 - 49 minutes - 56.4 MB

We conclude our series with Malcolm Smith on the "Art of Resting in the Covenant".  This week, we cover the topic of the Holy Spirit.  Please note, this recording of Malcolm was not very good quality with a variety of extra noise.  I have done my best to clean it to listen, but the recording is still not optimal.

#118 - RARE - Malcolm Smith - The Art of Resting in the Covenant - Hour 4 - Covenant: Personal Experience

July 07, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MB

This week, we continue on with our rare Malcolm Smith series on "The Art of Resting in the Covenant".  This week we are on Hour 4 which is titled "Covenant: Personal Experience".

#117 - RARE - Malcolm Smith - The Art of Resting in the Covenant - Hour 3 - I am Your God, You are My People

June 30, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 74.9 MB

This week we continue working our way through the rare Malcolm Smith series on "The Art of Resting in the Covenant".  This week, we listen to Hour 3 called "I Am Your God, You are My People".

#116 - RARE - Malcolm Smith - The Art of Resting in the Covenant - Hour 2 - Day of Atonement

June 27, 2023 02:26 - 1 hour - 73.4 MB

We continue our rare Malcolm Smith series on Resting in the Covenant. This week is Hour 2 "Day of Atonement".

#115 - RARE - Malcolm Smith - The Art of Resting in the Covenant - Hour 1 - The Making of Covenant

June 16, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 79.1 MB

I recently found a RARE Malcolm Smith teaching series that you cannot find anywhere.  We are working through this series on "The Art of Resting in the Covenant".  This week, Hour 1 on the Making of Covenant.

#114 - Thinking about Inerrancy (Part 3)

June 09, 2023 16:00 - 29 minutes - 34.1 MB

In this episode, I summarize the last two episodes on Innerancy and give my own views of the topic.  Be forwarned ... I do not in any way think my view is the "last word" on the topic. I might leave you with more questions than answers.  But I feel this view checks off most of the boxes where I still see the Scripture as inerrant and inspired, but helps me see consistency with the love of God, Trinity yet still answers some of those problematic texts we read in the Old Testament.

#113 - Thinking about Inerrancy (Part 2)

June 02, 2023 16:00 - 47 minutes - 54.7 MB

We continue our look at inerrancy of Scripture this week by listening to a talk by Dr Jeannie Constantinou, Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow, Theology, and Religious Studies, University of San Diego and AFR podcaster (Search The Scriptures).  I hope to interview Dr. Constantinou in the future, but for now, we will listen to an Eastern Orthodox perspective of this issue (although Brad Jersak is Eastern Orthodox as well).  Next week, I will summary both views and talk through how I see this issue.

#112 - Thinking about Inerrancy (Part 1)

May 26, 2023 16:00 - 57 minutes - 65.2 MB

After our recent study, I had various questions about inerrancy of the Bible.  I decided to break this into three sections, the last of which I plan to talk through how I currently see this issue.  This week, I thought we would benefit from listening to an interview with Brad Jersak talking about this issue.  You can watch the full interview here.

#111 - A More Christlike God (Conclusion)

May 19, 2023 17:16 - 31 minutes - 35.7 MB

In this episode, we conclude our study of a "More Christlike God".  We discuss again a new way to read the Old Testament, and dealing with the fear we are abandoning the inerrancy of Scripture in doing so.

#110 - A More Christlike God (Chp 14 - The Gospel in Chairs)

May 12, 2023 16:00 - 44 minutes - 50.8 MB

In "A More Christlike God," Bradley Jersak uses the "Gospel in Chairs" illustration to effectively communicate the difference between a traditional, punitive understanding of the Gospel and a more Christlike, relational approach. This powerful analogy involves two chairs representing different views of the Gospel. In the first chair, labeled the "Traditional Gospel," a person represents humanity, and another person represents Jesus. Between them, there is a gulf symbolizing the divide betw...

#109 - A More Christlike God (Chp 13 - The Pauline Metaphors)

May 05, 2023 23:13 - 23 minutes - 26.9 MB

In Chapter 13 of A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel, titled "Unwrathing the Cross Part II: The Pauline Metaphors," author Bradley Jersak addresses the Apostle Paul's metaphors used to describe the crucifixion of Christ. These metaphors serve to highlight the self-giving love and grace of God through the cross. Jersak begins by emphasizing that Paul's metaphors are not meant to be taken as literal explanations of the crucifixion, but rather as illustrative language to help us un...

#108 - A More Christlike God (Chp 12 - Divine Wrath as Giving Over)

April 28, 2023 16:00 - 24 minutes - 55.7 MB

In Chapter 12 of "A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel," Bradley Jersak tackles the traditional understanding of the crucifixion of Jesus and the implications of divine wrath in relation to the cross. He aims to dispel misconceptions about the crucifixion, primarily the idea that it represents God's wrath being poured out upon Jesus in place of humanity. Instead, Jersak offers alternative metaphors to better convey the true meaning of the cross and its connection to God's love and ...

#107 - A More Christlike God (Chp 11 - Divine Wrath as Giving Over)

April 22, 2023 12:39 - 26 minutes - 61.5 MB

In Chapter 11 of "A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel," author Bradley Jersak examines the concept of divine wrath and how it is often misunderstood. He argues that this misunderstanding has led to a distorted perception of God, characterized by anger, punishment, and vengeance. Jersak challenges this image by offering an alternative understanding of divine wrath as "giving over" or allowing the natural consequences of human choices to unfold. Jersak begins by pointing out that ...

#106 - A More Christlike God (Chp 10 - Love and Wrath as Consent)

April 14, 2023 17:05 - 29 minutes - 67.1 MB

In this episode, we begin to tackle the issue of the "wrath of God".  We can't deny that "wrath" is all over the Bible.  Even more, there are times in the Old Testament when it seems that God is asking people to do horrific things.  How do we attempt to understand all of this in the light of Jesus?  We begin looking at this issue in this episode.

#105 - A More Christlike God (Chp 9 - God is Good ... the Problem of Evil)

April 07, 2023 16:00 - 35 minutes - 81.6 MB

In this episode we return to Brad Jersak's book and cover Chp 9.  Chp 9 deal with the issue of evil and why God allows bad things to happen.  How do we process bad things in life in light of the revelation of Jesus?  We talk about that today.

#104 - A More Christlike God (Chp 9 - N.T. Wright on the Problem of Evil

April 01, 2023 11:40 - 1 hour - 144 MB

Before we look into Chp 9 of Brad Jersak's book (which deals with the problem of evil), I thought we would first step back and hear a preliminary reframing of the question. So on today's show, we listen to N.T. Wright discuss this issue and then next week we will discuss this along with Brad Jersak's chapter on the topic.

#103 - A More Christlike God (Chp 8 - The Cross as Divine Participation)

March 24, 2023 15:04 - 32 minutes - 73.6 MB

Brad Jersak explores the meaning of the cross and its significance for Christian faith. Jersak argues that the cross is not only a demonstration of God's love for humanity, but it is also a revelation of God's nature and character. Jersak explains that on the cross, God enters into the depths of human suffering and participates fully in the human experience. Through Jesus, God experiences the pain, injustice, and oppression of the world, and in doing so, God brings redemption and healing t...

#102 - A More Christlike God (Chp 7 - The Cross as Divine Consent)

March 17, 2023 16:00 - 38 minutes - 87.2 MB

We FINALLY continue our study of Brad Jersak's book "A More Christlike God".  In this episode we talk through Chapter 7 on "The Cross as Divine Consent".

#101 - Malcolm Smith - RARE Sermon on Imagination

March 10, 2023 20:18 - 1 hour - 192 MB

In this episode, we listen to Malcolm Smith talk about imagination in the life of a believer.  This is a RARE sermon by Malcolm that was originally broadcast back in Episode #42.

#100 - Jesus and the Pharisees (Rare Malcolm Smith sermon)

March 03, 2023 23:20 - 1 hour - 162 MB

At the end of the Malcolm Smith interview, I referenced a rare sermon of Malcolm's at the James Robison Bible conference (I think back in the late 80's). I had previously played this many years ago.  For convenience, here it is again for your enjoyment!

#099 - Malcolm Smith Interview Pt 4

February 25, 2023 03:15 - 51 minutes - 118 MB

In this episode of Adventures in Grace, we conclude our (initial) interview with Malcolm Smith.  In this epsiode we talk through some of Malcolm's most famous teachings.

#098 - Malcolm Smith Interview Pt 3

February 17, 2023 16:45 - 46 minutes - 107 MB

In this episode, we continue our interview with Malcolm Smith.  We finish up Malcolm's history, and begin talking about some of Malcolm's most famous teachings.

#097 - Malcolm Smith Interview Pt 2

February 10, 2023 21:36 - 44 minutes - 102 MB

In this episode, we continue our interview with Malcolm Smith.  In this part of the interview, we pick up Malcolm's life in 1960 to modern times.  Malcolm's wife, Cheryl, also discusses some of her life during this time.

#096 - Malcolm Smith Interview (Pt 1)

February 03, 2023 15:11 - 50 minutes - 115 MB

In this amazing one-of-a-kind interview, we sit down with Malcolm Smith.  We first begin talking about his early life and how being raised around bomb threats from Germany shaped the beginning of his understanding of the Gospel.

#095 - The Impossible Life

January 27, 2023 17:00 - 24 minutes - 55.5 MB

In today's episode, we talk about a passage in Mark 10 ... and how the Christian life is IMPOSSIBLE.  Only when we see this are we truly ready to live it.  We talk about what this means practically in this episode.

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