Latest Personal formation Podcast Episodes
Man on Fire
In Focus - April 30, 2021 16:00 - 21 minutesToday we reflect on a famous prophecy from Deuteronomy about the One who will succeed Moses in speaking to the people on behalf of the holy God. Episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/8435620 [email protected]
Distinct
In Focus - April 15, 2021 19:00 - 9 minutesToday's episode is a brief reflection on a conversation between God and Moses in Exodus 33. It is all about what makes God's people distinct from all of the people around them. Link to today's episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/8342709 Contact email: [email protected]...
Stormy Horizons
In Focus - April 06, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutesJesus concluded his most famous sermon with some wisdom for those staring at a stormy horizon with the tide rolling in. We're facing a similar situation today and ready for the wisdom that Jesus has to offer us. [email protected] Pilot (Justin's new book on Amazon) Stormy Horizons e...
The Blessed (Matthew 5:3-11)
In Focus - November 10, 2020 21:00 - 24 minutesToday's show kicks off a series on doing the Sermon on the Mount. Takeaways in thinking and living and being from Matthew 5:3-11: Perspective. We have to think and live and speak in light of what God is up to in the world. Christlikeness. Jesus' way is not the world's way. His is the way of ...
The Story and the Son
In Focus - September 25, 2020 18:00 - 16 minutesThis episode is something of a prequel to "Getting Down to Business" at least in terms of the chronology of God's story. After another overview, it focuses in on Jesus and how the whole story comes together in him. Enjoy! Episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/5604601 justlau...
Getting Down to Business
In Focus - September 08, 2020 19:00 - 32 minutesHere's an effort to grab ahold of the fire that's burning in my heart. God is at work. It's an exciting time. And the stakes couldn't be higher. It's time to get down to business. Today's episode is a little bit of the why and the what to all this. Here's my email: [email protected] ...
Check Yourself (Entering God's Promises #6)
In Focus - August 27, 2020 14:00 - 12 minutesToday is the final episode in our look at the early chapters of Joshua and the principles we see there about entering into God's promises. When Joshua encounters God face to face, with sword drawn, his very natural question is this, "Are you for us or our adversaries?" God's reply is a stark rem...
New Provision
In Focus - July 30, 2020 00:00 - 15 minutesToday's episode looks at how God's means of provision change through the years and how that change can be a bit challenging along the way. Contact email: [email protected] Direct link for this episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/4773119
New Provision (Entering God's Promises #5)
In Focus - July 30, 2020 00:00 - 15 minutesToday's episode looks at how God's means of provision change through the years and how that change can be a bit challenging along the way. Contact email: [email protected] Direct link for this episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/4773119
Jesus has More to Say
In Focus - June 21, 2020 16:00 - 16 minutesJohn 16:12 conveys a short and sweet message from Jesus, "I've got more to say to you, but you're ready for it yet." The two implications of this verse can set us up for continuing growth and a thriving life in Jesus Christ: Jesus won't speak to us anything we're not ready to hear. Jesus has m...
Set Apart (Entering God's Promises #4)
In Focus - June 14, 2020 16:00 - 19 minutesToday's episode takes us to Joshua 5 and a time to renew the covenant between God and the people despite the people's forgetfulness and unfaithfulness along the way. The takeaways from today's episode: Remember. Be set apart. Let go. Today's episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episo...
Upstream (Entering God's Promises #3)
In Focus - June 10, 2020 21:00 - 17 minutesReturning to Joshua for the third episode in the series, we enter the story as God's people are crossing over into God's promises. A number of details jump out in this passage (Joshua 3:14-4:9). Amidst everything, a response emerges for us as God's people entering into his promises in our lives ...
You haven't been this way before (Entering God's Promises #2)
In Focus - May 30, 2020 22:00 - 14 minutesThis episode returns to the early chapters of Joshua for another look at entering God's promises. It focuses in on Joshua 3 and God's instructions for the people to follow in light of the fact that they haven't been this way before. Takeaways for entering God's promises in our own lives: Keep ...
"You and I" (Entering God's Promises #1)
In Focus - May 19, 2020 20:00 - 12 minutesThis kicks off a series on the opening chapters of Joshua about Entering God's Promises. As the book begins, we immediately find a series of "you and I" statements from God regarding the Israelites entering the land God had promised them. While there are times in life when God works in an "I do,...
Praying with Job: Unleashing Anger and Frustration and Demanding to be Heard
In Focus - May 12, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutesCreating regular times of open space to be present with God was central to Jesus' way of living. As his followers, that practice cannot be ignored as the example we are to follow. However, we live in a world that shapes us as a closed people. This episode sheds light on prayer in light of Job's ...
Practicing Jesus' Way: "Open Space"
In Focus - May 10, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutesThis episode introduces a practical means of following Jesus' example and creating regular open space in our lives in order to become fully present with God. It includes a brief look at the what, the why, and the how of practicing Jesus' way in this manner. Hopefully, this episode goes beyond ...
A More Eternal Kind of Life
In Focus - May 07, 2020 17:00 - 24 minutesToday we dive in and talk about "a more eternal kind of life" that Jesus so often speaks of in John's gospel. In particular, we take Jesus words at face value concerning the timing of this eternal life - that it begins right here and now as soon as we turn to Jesus Christ. Finally, "a more etern...
Movement: Who's going where?
In Focus - May 05, 2020 19:00 - 11 minutesAs the world is unsteadied by the CoVid crisis, the Bible provides us a way of bringing things in to focus that is encouraging and hopeful, especially amidst uncertainty. We need something to change. And that's exactly what the Bible promises. Today's episode reflects on how that change will com...
Looking Out and Looking Ahead (with Kent Sovine)
In Focus - April 27, 2020 20:00 - 33 minutesFor today's episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kent Sovine regarding his thoughts and perspective on Church. Kent serves the Mid America District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. God's amazing work in Kent has resulted in a huge heart for the Church as well as a great perspecti...
Chaos, Satan, & Wild Beasts (Mark 1:12-13)
In Focus - April 24, 2020 22:00 - 18 minutesThis episode takes a look at Jesus' own life as the example and way for us all, specifically his habitual practice of setting himself apart to God in silence and solitude. From Mark 1:12-13, we also learn a little bit about what we might experience along the way as we embrace Jesus as our Way: t...
Chaos, Satan, & Wild Beasts (Present to God Within #1)
In Focus - April 24, 2020 22:00 - 18 minutesThis episode takes a look at Jesus' own life as the example and way for us all, specifically his habitual practice of setting himself apart to God in silence and solitude. From Mark 1:12-13, we also learn a little bit about what we might experience along the way as we embrace Jesus as our Way: t...
Paradox in John: Door and Shepherd
In Focus - April 16, 2020 22:00 - 16 minutesThis is the third of three episodes reflecting on various tensions and paradoxes addressed by the gospel of John. It takes a look at the ways John 10 addresses the tension between conservative and liberal soteriology (theologies of salvation) and the images of Jesus that each is contingent upon....
Holy Week 2020 - Resurrection Sunday
In Focus - April 12, 2020 16:00 - 12 minutesToday's episode is the final one in a series coming to us from YouTube on Holy Week 2020. The episode covers the biggest celebration of the Christian year - Resurrection Sunday. The video for this episode is viewable here for anyone who is interested: https://youtu.be/78CkpAk_RJw Please reach ...
Holy Week 2020 - Good Friday
In Focus - April 10, 2020 18:00 - 11 minutesToday's episode is the second from a video series recorded for Holy Week 2020. It is a reflection on Good Friday, specifically as recounted in the gospel of Mark. The video of today's episode is viewable at https://youtu.be/vG7GFDOYe2Q You can reach me with show ideas or feedback at justlaugh...
Holy Week 2020 - Maundy Thursday
In Focus - April 09, 2020 21:00 - 17 minutesThis episode is a reflection on Maundy Thursday and the significance of the Passover as the primary interpretive lens for Jesus' death and resurrection. It was originally recorded for my YouTube channel and is viewable at https://youtu.be/raMd5WR_RRI
"Unholy Like Esau" (with Chris Martinez)
In Focus - April 07, 2020 22:00 - 27 minutesI am joined for this episode by my very good friend, Chris Martinez as we discuss the differences between reflecting and reacting to the world around us as well as a few things that are definitely worth remembering as our lives continue taking shape and coming into focus. If you have idea for f...
Through the Good and the Bad
In Focus - April 05, 2020 16:00 - 10 minutesThis episode is the audio track from some reflections shared on my YouTube channel on how to live well through both good and challenging times - especially as we're navigating through the CoVid 19 times in our respective homes. The video is viewable at: https://youtu.be/FoSf6VzieuQ If you have...
Paradox in John: New Creation
In Focus - March 24, 2020 21:00 - 14 minutesIn this episode, our look at the tensions and paradoxes of John continues with a look at John's hints that in Jesus Christ, the new creation is already beginning and taking root here and now. Feel free to reach out with any suggestions for episodes or ideas on how to improve the show! justlau...
Paradox in John: To Die or Not to Die?
In Focus - March 18, 2020 17:00 - 17 minutesThe episode begins a series on some tensions and paradoxes that come to us from the Gospel of John. It takes a look at John 11:25-26 and some paradoxical statements by Jesus: first, that we will die and then live. Second, that we will never die. This paradox and tension seems particularly worth...
Love. Believe. Trust??
In Focus - March 10, 2020 16:00 - 29 minutesIn this episode, Justin and Michael discuss the challenges of trusting God in the practical details of life and in a world in which our experiences make it difficult to do so.
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