Citizen of Heaven
389 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsI am Hal Hammons, a citizen of heaven. I broadcast regular reports of what it is for a child of God to live in Satan's world. My reports typically break down into four segments:"What I've been preaching" -- a point I have made in a recent sermon."What I've been reading" -- A brief breakdown of a book of the Bible or other reading material that has helped me in my understanding or application of the Bible."What I've been hearing" -- news from the internet or other sources about what is going on, either among brothers and sisters in Christ or out in the world at large."What I've been playing" -- how I've been entertaining myself in my spare time, and some spiritual points I have been able to extract.
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Episodes
ANGER, part 1: with Reagan McClenny and Scott Taylor
July 19, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBThis week I have a special pair of guests for you. Reagan McClenny is a long-time friend of the show. He preaches for the Timberland Drive church of Christ in Lufkin, Texas. Scott Taylor is a first-timer. He preaches for the West Mason church of Christ in suburban Cincinnati. Reagan and Scott will help me deal with the topic of anger this week. In the first part of our conversation, we discuss the example of Elijah and the difference between righteous indignation and just plain old losing y...
TIME, part 2: with Jeff O'Rear and BJ Sipe
July 13, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBI’m back with the second part of my conversation with Jeff O’Rear and BJ Sipe. Again, Jeff is the evangelist for the Judson Road church of Christ in Longview, Texas, and co-host of the Working with the Word podcast; BJ is the evangelist for the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky, and the host of the Set Your Mind Above podcast. BJ is another contributor to the Balancing the Christian Life Lectures; links are in the show notes. We finish by talking about the number of days and years it t...
TIME, with Jeff O'Rear and BJ Sipe
July 12, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBThis week I spend some time with Jeff O’Rear, evangelist for the Judson Road church of Christ in Longview, Texas, and co-host of the Working with the Word podcast; and also BJ Sipe, evangelist for the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky, and the host of the Set Your Mind Above podcast. BJ is another contributor to the Balancing the Christian Life Lectures; check it out if you have not already. In the first half of the conversation we discuss Solomon’s ideas about time in Ecclesiastes 3, a...
TRUTH, part 2: with Chris Kramer and Adam Shanks
July 06, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBThis is the second half of my conversation on the topic of truth with Adam Shanks and Chris Kramer, two of several participants in the Balancing the Christian Life Lectures who will be appearing in this space in coming weeks. In these two segments we discuss what we think of Ron Wyatt and his outrageous claims, as well as spurious Biblical arguments in general; and the “Telephone” game so popular at gatherings of young people that turns out to have been triggering to one of my guests. We’ll ...
TRUTH: with Adam Shanks and Chris Kramer
July 05, 2022 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBI’m joined this week by Adam Shanks and Chris Kramer, both first-time guests on the podcast. Adam is the preacher for the Edwards Lake church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, and the host of the Preach Impediments podcast. Chris is the preacher for the church of Christ Northside in Russellville, Kentucky, and a regular contributor to the Answering Religious Error stream on Facebook. Both will be contributors this month to the Balancing the Christian Life Lectures. In the first half of our c...
SECRETS: God's secrets. "The Circle." Introverts. Rear Window.
June 28, 2022 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBAre secrets good or bad? It probably depends on whether it is others’ secrets under consideration or your own. Knowledge may be power, but too much power can overload our circuitry. This week we will discuss the secrets God is keeping from us, whatever they may be; whether privacy is an inherently bad thing (and I can make the case); whether introverts can get to heaven — and if so, how; and how Alfred Hitchcock made his way to my game table. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods ...
SILENCE: Authority. "The Autobiography of Charles Chaplin." Tinnitus. The Mind.
June 21, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBIs silence golden? Is it deadly? Is it nervous? Is it dramatic? As with everything else I seem to talk about, it depends on the context. This week we will discuss the role silence plays, if any, regarding authority; the greatest silent picture star of all time, and what he didn’t say; the thousand tiny triangles that play constantly between my ears; and your new favorite game that I’m here to make you hate. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgeto...
EVIL: Idolatry and sex. "Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde." Satan's world. Cthulhu.
June 14, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBThere is evil in the world. I remember President George W. Bush getting in a lot of trouble saying that 20 years ago. But he was right then, and he’s right now. This week we will discuss my theory on why the ones who knew God best rejected Him the most; how Dr. Jeckyl thought he could have his cake and eat it too; why I insist on saying Satan is ruling in the world today; and why we avoid one of the most beloved characters in the board gaming world. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the La...
SPIES: Kadesh-Barnea. "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." Banana republics and banana pudding. Covert.
June 07, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBSpy stories have always fascinated me — the subterfuge, the twists and turns, the idea of being involved in something bigger than yourself. I’m largely over that, though, and this week I’ll tell you why. We will cover the challenges of getting too much information; the sacrifices that must be made for the cause; the moral dilemma of banana pudding; and the options available to us when we are in over our heads. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georget...
THE SKIES: Psalm 8 and telescopes. "Contact." Starlight. Clank! In Space.
May 31, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBThe Bible speaks of three “heavens” — the one with birds and clouds, the one with the sun, moon and stars; and the one where God dwells. We will touch them all this week. We will discuss Psalm 8 and how we may have our telescopes pointed in the wrong direction; Carl Sagan’s idea of God and how woefully short it falls; one of the best arguments against the six-day creation, and my argument against that; and how making the most of your time on earth can cause you to miss the only voyage that ...
THE SEA: Separation from God. "Raise the Titanic!" "There is a Sea." Oceanos.
May 24, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBThe sea represents the edge of the inhabited world. It’s deep, cold, mysterious, intimidating — not to be trifled with. This week we talk about the sea that separates us from God, and what God’s doing about it; Clive Cussler’s take on the Titanic story — better than James Cameron’s in my book; a pair of seas from the Bible and from our hymnbooks, one of which one may represent you; and the best scuba diving experience you will ever find that’s made out of cardboard. Hal Hammons is the prea...
THE EARTH: Stewardship. "State of Fear." The meek inherit. Habitats.
May 17, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBWe follow up on last week’s “Creation” episode by talking about the land we inhabit and the role God gives us while we do so. We will discuss the nature of our stewardship, and its implications for our own bodies; the folly of thinking we can every really know what we’re doing; what it means for the meek to “inherit the earth,” and how we can act responsibly with an uncertain future ahead of us. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He ...
CREATION: Something from nothing. "The Lie." Theistic evolution. Cascadia.
May 10, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBThis month is all about God’s power over the physical world — starting with our Evidence talk with the Appian Media guys last week, and continuing this week with the world we inhabit and how it came to be. We will discuss making something from nothing, both in the world and in our own lives; the great lie our enemies are telling, and how we can defeat it; the problems with squeezing the Bible into a model built by atheists; and why God’s ecosystems work so much better when we aren’t in them...
EVIDENCE, part 2: With Craig Dehut and Stuart Peck of Appian Media
May 04, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBThis is the rest of my conversation with Craig Dehut and Stuart Peck, the founders of Appian Media. Appian Media provides free resources of extraordinary quality to help flesh out and fortify the faith of Bible believers. Check them out at AppianMedia.org. In this part we discuss the testimony of the resurrection and how it paves the way for faith in other areas of study; and what we should do if and when the answers we are getting to our questions are not giving us the assurance we had ho...
EVIDENCE: With Craig Dehut and Stuart Peck of Appian Media
May 03, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBA few months ago I got to speak to Jeremy Dehut and Barry Britnell about some of the work being done by Appian Media. This week the founders of Appian Media are here, Craig Dehut and Stuart Peck. I got to pick their brains about the effective use of evidence from archaeology and history in efforts to build faith in ourselves and others. In the first part of our conversation we discuss the use of entertainment media, especially on behalf of our young people. Nothing will challenge the import...
LUCK: Karma. "The Kings of Big Spring." Origins. Yahtzee!
April 26, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBIronic, isn’t it? The man who never gets sick catches COVID the week he plans an episode on luck. You can’t make this stuff up. Anyway, I’m likely not at my best vocally, so your patience is appreciated. This week we will discuss the myth of Karma; our tendency to see bad luck crossing our path more often than good luck; the odds of humans evolving from non-living matter, if it’s even fair to calculate them; and how we can turn an unfortunate roll of the dice to our advantage. Hal Hammons...
PRECONCEPTIONS: "Behold, I thought." "The Prince and the Pauper" (2). Grapes on pizza. Box covers.
April 18, 2022 13:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBWe talked about standing up straight in the Posture episode last week. But stand where? For how long? Using our best judgment is critical; but sometimes what we call “best judgment” is simply what comes easiest. That may be simplistic and even counterproductive. This week we will discuss the dangers of thinking too much, the real difference (if any) between rich and poor, a new and perhaps horrifying vision of pizza, and the value of a good box cover. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the La...
POSTURE: Gird up your loins. "The Prince and the Pauper." Jordan Peterson. Aggravation.
April 12, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBTake a stand for truth. Be a stand-up guy. Stand up and be counted. We instinctively connect good posture and good character. If you don’t buy into that, if you prefer to be a slouch, it’s probably going to affect your relationships — including your relationship with Jesus. This week we will discuss what our loins are and how we gird them up; what separates princes and paupers; Jordan Peterson’s first rule for life; and what motivates me to play games, including awful games. Hal Hammons ...
RACISM, part 2 - with Benjamin Lee and Saif Alsafeer
April 06, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBWe pick up where we left off in my conversation about racism with Benjamin Lee and Saif Alsafeer. If you haven’t checked out part 1 yet, please do so. In this conversation we go back to Robinson Crusoe one last time to discuss how relevant the racism discussion is in today’s world and today’s church; and the hazards of stereotyping people based on a sliver of facts or surface appearances, especially in the era of social media. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of ...
RACISM, part 1 -- with Benjamin Lee and Saif Alsafeer
April 05, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBWe begin Season 4 of the podcast this week with a very special conversation with Benjamin Lee and Saif Alsafeer on a very sensitive topic. I very much appreciated the perspective of these two men, and I enjoyed how we were able to approach the topic as brethren. This is the first part of our discussion. We spend it emphasizing our commonality and our need to live together in the body of Christ, as well as assessing the problem of racism in the church today and how we should combat it. Chec...
PODCASTING, part 2: with Jared Bollman, Edwin Crozier and Kenny Embry
March 30, 2022 12:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis is the second half of my conversation with Kenny Embry, Edwin Crozier and Jared Bollman, three of my favorite people in this space. We will discuss the blessings and hazards of social media, what draws us to this space, the price we pay to participate, and the upcoming Balancing the Christian Life Lectures. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the La...
PODCASTING: with Jared Bollman, Edwin Crozier and Kenny Embry
March 29, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBTo cap the third season of Citizen of Heaven, I sat down over Zoom with three of my podcasting buddies to talk about the medium, how we are all using it, what potential pitfalls await us, and how we came to podcasting in the first place. I hope the conversation will be interesting and informative. Jared Bollman hosts the Man Up! podcast, as well as the Biblically Speaking channel on YouTube. Edwin Crozier teams up with Andrew Roberts to host the Text Talk podcast, an extension of the work h...
WORDS: Context. "Robinson Crusoe" (3). Profanity. Scrabble.
March 22, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBWords are the tools of my profession. Whether written or spoken, live or recorded, they are the weapons of my warfare, to borrow from 2 Corinthians 10:3. This week we will discuss a word used constantly by preachers like me — and if you ask me, we ought to use it more; the havoc that 300 years of usage can wreak on our vocabulary; the lie we tell ourselves about profanity and what it says about our view of God; and how the smallest of words can make the greatest of impacts. Hal Hammons i...
WORDS: Context. "Robinson Crusoe" (4). Profanity. Scrabble.
March 22, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBWords are the tools of my profession. Whether written or spoken, live or recorded, they are the weapons of my warfare, to borrow from 2 Corinthians 10:3. This week we will discuss a word used constantly by preachers like me — and if you ask me, we ought to use it more; the havoc that 300 years of usage can wreak on our vocabulary; the lie we tell ourselves about profanity and what it says about our view of God; and how the smallest of words can make the greatest of impacts. Hal Hammons i...
REPENTANCE: Kingdom prep. "Robinson Crusoe" (3). Fake apologies. Civilization.
March 15, 2022 07:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MB“Repentance” is a church word. We don’t hear it very often in our daily lives in the world. And maybe that’s the problem. We’re not doing it because no one is talking about it. This week we will discuss our utter unworthiness of the kingdom of God, our utter unwillingness to learn from our mistakes, our utter incompetence at simple apologies, and my own utter refusal to accept the consequences of my actions. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetow...
ISLANDS: The gospel's spread. "Robinson Crusoe" (2). Jimmy Buffett. Isle of Skye.
March 08, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBWhen I think of getting away from it all, I think of an island. Me here, problems way out there, it’s a comforting way of looking at the world. But island living is not as simple as that. This week we will discuss God’s plan to bridge the gap between the mainland and the islands; Robinson Crusoe conforming the island to meet his needs instead of the other way around; why “wasting away in Margaritaville” is not all it’s cracked up to be; and the island getaway so near and dear to my wife and...
CANNIBALS, part 2: with BJ Sipe
March 02, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBThis is the second half of my conversation with BJ Sipe, the preacher at the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky, and the host of the Set Your Mind Above podcast. Check out the first half if you have not already. True confession: the connection here to cannibalism is weak. But we have been personifying disease and death since long before Edgar Allen Poe picked up a pen or I picked up a game piece. We spend this segment discussing how to avoid being eaten up by the devil. Hal Hammons is ...
CANNIBALS: with guest BJ Sipe
March 01, 2022 08:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBDo Christians actually eat other Christians? Yes they do, and my guest and I have the bite marks to prove it, as do countless other Christians. BJ Sipe, the preacher at the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky, and the host of the Set Your Mind Above podcast, sat down with me to discuss the topic. This is the first half of our conversation. We discuss Galatians 5:13-16 and the eating habits of some brethren; and we’ll discuss how we maintain our love for bad actors despite their bad acts...
STUPIDITY: "Stupid" in the Bible. "The Laws of Human Stupidity." The "S" word. Aquasphere.
February 22, 2022 13:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBFor all the kindergarten teachers out there who are annoyed with me already, stick with me; I will get to you in a minute. The fact is, stupidity exists. And it’s not tough to prove it. This week we will discuss the things the Bible calls stupid; the behavior that makes you stupid, at least in the eyes of one author; the confusion over what is and is not a “cuss word”; and my weird obsession with playing games I don’t understand. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church...
ANARCHY: Under law to Christ. "The Power-House." Political protests. Monopoly.
February 15, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBAnarchy is society without government. If you’re not a big fan of government, and I’m not, that can sound pretty good. And in a perfect world, it would be. But in case you didn’t know, this isn’t a perfect world. This week we will discuss what it means to be under law to Christ; how conspiracy theories feed into our worst tendencies; whether political protests are part of the solution or part of the problem; and yet another reason not to play Monopoly. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the...
ADAPTATION: Adjustable vs. spineless. "The 39 Steps." The New World. Castles of Tuscany.
February 08, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBFair warning: This week’s episode will sound more like a lesson for preachers than normal. But I’m confident that any child of God will find a way to adapt it for personal use. (See what I did there?) We will cover the difference between being adjustable and being spineless; the importance of good source material, for movie makers and for Christians; why my new bumper music should be reminding you of Swing Low Sweet Chariot; and why a designer would want to rip off his own board game. Hal...
FEEELINGS, part 2: with Kris Emerson and Steve Wolfgang
February 02, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis is the second half of my conversation with Kris Emerson and Steve Wolfgang. Kris Emerson is host of the Excel Still More podcast and preacher for the Lindale church of Christ. Steve Wolfgang is the evangelist for the Downer’s Grove church of Christ in suburban Chicago. In the final part of our conversation, we discuss Jesus’ ideas about brotherly love, why the world isn’t generally interested, and how we should respond. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of C...
FEELINGS, part 2: with Kris Emerson and Steve Wolfgang
February 02, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis is the second half of my conversation with Kris Emerson and Steve Wolfgang. Kris Emerson is host of the Excel Still More podcast and preacher for the Lindale church of Christ. Steve Wolfgang is the evangelist for the Downer’s Grove church of Christ in suburban Chicago. In the final part of our conversation, we discuss Jesus’ ideas about brotherly love, why the world isn’t generally interested, and how we should respond. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of C...
FEELINGS, part 1: with Kris Emerson and Steve Wolfgang
February 01, 2022 08:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBI have two guests with me to share their insights — and if they choose, their feelings as well. Kris Emerson is host of the Excel Still More podcast and preacher for the Lindale church of Christ. Steve Wolfgang is the evangelist for the Downer’s Grove church of Christ in suburban Chicago. This is the first two segments of our discussion; we discuss the role conscience plays in spiritual decision-making; and whether we should care more about people’s feelings than Ben Shapiro seems to. Hal...
ETERNITY: A time for everything. "Centennial." Mahler's 2nd. The Game of Life.
January 25, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBIn some ways this week’s installment is a follow-up to last week’s. We discussed the concept of “Big” last week. And there’s nothing bigger than eternity. This week we will discuss the secret to life, according to the wisest man to ever live; how Native American philosophy, as narrated by James Michener, strangely mirrors the Bible; how you can be resurrected and not go to heaven, at least according to one composer; and a game from my childhood that reminds me why I play. Hal Hammons is ...
BIG: Big faith. "Texas." Gustav Mahler. Ticket to Ride: Europe.
January 18, 2022 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBThey say everything is bigger in Texas. The bluster, the egos, the steaks, the belt buckles. You name it, we can supersize it. But bigger comes with its problems — big commitments, big disappointments, big failures and big consequences among them. This week we will discuss big faith and why you should be trying to find it; big dreams that have always characterized the Lone Star State; big work from the greatest composer you’ve never heard of; and the big version of an old favorite. Hal H...
MURDER: Killer Christians. "Hunting Charles Manson." The Jennings Eight. H.H. Holmes' Murder Castle.
January 11, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBWhoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed. God told Noah that thousands of years ago. And the value of human life has not diminished since then. Unfortunately our valuation of it has in many cases. This week we will discuss whether Christians actually murder other Christians, and if so, how; the secrets to staying out of a sex-drug-murder cult; another reason not to stop for gas in Louisiana; and the only board game we own based on the work of a serial killer. Hal Hammons...
GEOGRAPHY (part 2): With Jeremy Dehut and Barry Britnell of Appian Media
January 05, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis is the second part of my discussion with Jeremy Dehut and Barry Britnell. Check out www.appianmedia.com for the great work Jeremy, Barry and the rest of the crew put together. I absolutely loved Bruce Feiler’s book, American Prophet, which detailed the importance of the Moses story in American life. So when I heard he had written a book about charting the story of God through actual journeys through Bible lands, I grabbed it quickly. What a disappointment. It became obvious early on t...
GEOGRAPHY (part 1): With Jeremy Dehut and Barry Britnell of Appian Media
January 04, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBThis week I have the privilege of sharing my discussion with Jeremy Dehut and Barry Britnell of Appian Media, a wonderful resource for professional and Biblical material. Check them out at www.appianmedia.org. This is the first half of our discussion. We will discuss the insights the crew found into the book of Revelation while filming their most recent project — “Trial and Triumph: Revelation’s Churches.” Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, T...
VISITORS: Hospitality. "The Tangible Kingdom." My guests. New York Slice.
December 28, 2021 08:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBMaybe it’s the holidays, Maybe it’s my new son-in-law. In any case, I’ve been spending a lot of time recently thinking about taking people on the outside and bringing them inside, creating blessings for host and visitor alike. This week we will discuss Biblical hospitality and Abraham’s example; barriers we may be erecting to keep brethren at a distance; the blessings that my guests have brought to the podcast; and how getting everything you want rarely comes from taking everything you can....
PERSPECTIVE: Circumspection. More "Mutiny on the Bounty," Mars Hill, Mystery House.
December 21, 2021 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBLooking at things from different perspectives is the fair way to approach a situation. But it’s more than that. It’s about compiling all the relevant information, including information that challenges our way of seeing the world. This week we discuss circumspection — the skill of viewing things from other points of view. And then we practice it on subjects from last week — poor, unappreciated Captain Bligh; the enablers of Mars Hill; and the true spirit of cooperation in search of truth. ...
BULLIES: David and Bathsheba. "Mutiny on the Bounty." Mars Hill. Mystery House.
December 14, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBBullies are people who take what they want at the expense of the weak. From the short kid on the playground to the minimum-wage worker to the next nation in the path of a warmonger, most of us have suffered bullying. And many of us have inflicted it. This week we discuss David’s failed and selfish leadership; the pros and cons of public whippings; the downfall of a mega-church and its mega-pastor; and the real bully at the Hammons game table (the name may surprise you). Hal Hammons is t...
JOCKS: Part 2, with BJ Sipe, Terry Francis and Peyton Francis
December 08, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBIn the western corner, representing the Oregon Ducks, we have BJ Sipe, host of the Set Your Mind Above Podcast and evangelist with the church of Christ in Danville, KY. In the eastern corner, representing the Tennessee Volunteers, we have Terry Francis, preacher for the church of Christ in Chelsea, Alabama, and his son Peyton. In the second half of our conversation, we debate the merits and demerits of football. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in George...
JOCKS: Part 1, with BJ Sipe, Terry Francis and Peyton Francis
December 07, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBLast month we discussed Nerds; this week we flip the coin over. Sitting in with me are the biggest sports fans and occasional participants I could find. BJ Sipe preaches for the church of Christ in Danville, KY. He also hosts the Set Your Mind Above podcast. Terry and Peyton Francis co-host the Pork and Son podcast, focusing on sports in general, Tennessee football in particular. Terry also preaches for the church of Christ in Chelsea, Alabama. In part 1, we discuss Samson, the greatest at...
ANGER: "Angry Words." "The Punch." Dash cam. Diplomacy.
November 30, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBEphesians 4:26 reads, “Be angry, and yet do not sin.” I fear sometimes we effectively leave off the second half of that sentence. The fact is, giving in to anger is just as bad as giving in to lust or envy. God’s words to Cain ring true for us: “You must master it.” This week we will discuss choosing brotherly love over angry words; a single outburst that radically changed two lives; my unhealthy obsession with dash cam footage; and the board game most likely to lead to literal bloodshed. ...
PUMPKINS: Death in the pot. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin Spam. Montana.
November 23, 2021 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBI don’t know how it is in your house, but I’m seeing pumpkins everywhere these days. From the coffee shop to the craft store to my front porch, it’s all pumpkin all the time. And for me, that’s a good thing. This week we discuss extreme reactions to extreme hunger; the lie you have been told your entire life about pumpkin pie; the weirdest meat in a can you’ve ever seen; and how upgraded pieces do not a board game make. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ ...
LIONS: The sluggard. "Born Free." The roar. Lions of Lydia.
November 16, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBLions run wild in the Bible, pardon the expression. Everyone knew about them. Everyone respected and feared them. That’s why they make such a great metaphor — make that a series of metaphors. This week we will discuss why the sluggard stays in bed, why our original state of freedom is preferable to luxury in captivity, a personal flashback to a day at the Tulsa Zoo, and the blessings and obligations of having lions in your pocket. Hal Hammons is the preacher for the Lakewoods Drive church...
ART: The Renaissance. Picasso and Mailer. Postmodernism. Atelier.
November 09, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBMore than a year ago, when I posted the Beauty episode, I said an episode on Art was on the way. Like I tell my wife, I always follow through with my promises; I don’t have to be reminded every six months. Today we discuss whether Renaissance artists actually accomplished anything for Jesus; whether Picasso was a brilliant master or a self-involved egomaniac (I vote for both); how postmodernists are lying to us about great art; and why simply collecting paint won’t make you a great painter....
NERDS: with guests Jared Bollman and Jared Saltz
November 02, 2021 07:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBI hope no one considers “nerd” to be a pejorative term; my guests this week certainly do not. Jared Bollman is the preacher for the Fifth Street church of Christ in Beaverton, Oregon; The action figures in his office speak volumes. Jared also hosts the Biblically Speaking podcast on Facebook. Jared Saltz is a professor at Florida College and preaches for the Palmetto church of christ in Tampa. There is no Star Wars film, TV show or novel he has not consumed. We discuss our role as underdog...
LOYALTY: Outside the camp. "Pirate Latitudes." "I swear to God." Maracaibo (2).
October 26, 2021 07:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBLoyalty to an underachieving sports team can be noble. Loyalty to an abusive relationship can be destructive. It’s all about finding a worthy cause, group or individual. This week we will discuss whether you can be both a Jew and a Christian, and why you and I should care; the choice between patriotism and pragmatism in 17th Century Jamaica; whether “I swear to God” is a confession or a blasphemy; and how choosing a side early maximizes the upside and minimizes the downside. Hal Hammons i...