At some point in your life, you have been absolutely committed, sold out for something or someone. Education, professionally, relationally, financially, spiritually, that you would do whatever was required of you to see it through. In this episode, we explore the lengths of commitment of 5 men. #faith #chrisitian  #commitment #desire #faithjourney 

For those who are in Christ, we have been given what we can't keep, and we've received what we can't lose! Some of the most influential voices in modern Christianity was in the spiritual bloodline of a complete unknown. You don't have to be big and famous to make a difference for billions of souls! #christianliving #faith #faithful #faithjourney

Sometimes God speaks loudly and firmly to get out attention, and sometimes it's a calm, still small voice. When He wants us to deal with something, He provides multiple opportunities to take the test. #christianliving #faith #faithhabits #listen 

Many of us are carrying things with us that are part of our past. God has called us from the past and given us a new life, meaning we still may have things we truly haven't buried. #christianlife #christianliving #faith #abundantlife 

What seemed like a chance encounter many years ago absolutely wasn't coincidence. Do you have loved ones who have walked away from their faith? Don't give up. #faithjourney #pray #faithful #christianliving

Just like a basketball game for the ages played 52 years ago, we know that the battle is already won. Because of Jesus, we win! Even when it looks like a loss with only a few minutes to go, victory is ours through Jesus! #Victory #Jesus #UCLA #NortreDame #Faith 

Many don't understand, and even criticize the love of God because He will forgive anyone, even those who commit horrible acts, when they repent and put their faith in God. But it's not how you start that matters. #Faith #Jesus #Love #Forgiveness #Grace #Mercy 

It's Holy Week, and I can't help but think of some of the words that describe the pivotal moment in all of human history.  #Jesus #Easter #ResurrectionDay #Faith #Love 

This is the 100th episode. The vision from how it all started quickly changed, and I'm perfectly content with that! #faithjourney #GodsPlan #Trust #Faith #ApostlePaul #encouragement 

I didn't wake up today expecting to do this, but God put a word on my heart that may just be for you. #christianliving  #Healing #Coping #SelfMedicate #LeanOnGod 

Often times, our dreams don't turn out the way we hoped. They turn out even better, even when it's a little messy. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Dreams #Hopes #Ministry #Challenge #FaithJourney 

In the creation story, Genesis 1:26 tells us we are made in God's image. Think about that! What an honor and amazing responsibility that is! #christianliving #faith #faithjourney #discipline #discipleship 

Every single one of us has an internal battle going on. Do we choose good, or bad? Healthy ,or unhealthy? Spirit, or flesh? To feed one, you starve the other. #christianliving #faith #discipline #discipleship #battle #struggle #victory 

There are definitely topics we don't like to talk about, much less think about. But these things definitely need our attention because they often result in developing perspective and evaluating priorities. Life is precious, fragile, brief, and unpredictable. #faithjourney #christianliving #urgency #reflections #priorities #perspective 

We have each been created with unimaginable detail by God. Over the course of life, we stray further and further from His plan for us, and we need to be restored back to the simple, yet intricate and purpose our Designer had in mind. #christianliving #christianity #Creator #design #purpose #restoration 

Many people don't know the true meaning behind a popularly used bible verse. The real meaning is a wake up call. #faith #faithjourney #jesus #christianliving #bible #spiritualgrowth 

Every one of us has a book of our lives. If you're reading this, your book is still in progress. Who is writing your book, and who is the central figure? #faith #faithjourney #jesus #christianliving #inspiration 

Many people are so committed to hating Jesus and everything he stands for, they're going to find something to argue about no matter what you do. My recent experience proves that out. #Jesus #Faith #faithjourney #Truth #Love #Bible #Truth

How do we best demonstrate love to those who don't know God? In this episode, we unpack a short passage to see what God says. #faith #jesus #faithjourney #christianliving #inspiration #tellthem #purpose

My stepson had a very profound dream several years ago that is very important to share. I'm sure it will challenge and inspire you. #Faith #faithjourney #jesus #christianliving #inspiration #bible #courage 

Merry Christmas! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us also remember that as innocent and glorious as it was, He came to earth with a single purpose; to redeem mankind. To reconcile us to God. Jesus knew the mission before that silent night. #christmas #Jesus #faith #Cross #Redemption 

The recent comments from President Trump regarding the horrific murders of Rob Reiner and his wife were reprehensible. Calling out the error in his comments inspired some surprising pushback from Christians. #Integrity #ChristianCharacter #BiblicalTruth #BiblicalLiving #Accountability #Trump #Reiner 

Whether by accident or on purpose, we collect a lot of stuff through life to the point that we can become bogged down by it. Some of it may be tangible things, some may be emotional, mental, even spiritual. Maybe it's time to delete some things so we have capacity to enjoy the fullness of God. #Faithjourney #jesus #inspiration #christianliving

It is  the enemy's strategy, to distract us from our mission and turn us against each other on things that ultimately make no difference in our lives. Satan is the author of confusion, so we must be intentional about keeping God as our focus. #faith #faithjourney #jesus #focus #christianliving 

We all know the famous movie, but life in Christ is infinitely and eternally more rewarding. #faith #faithjourney #trustgod #inspiration #jesus #christianliving

𝐀 𝐡𝐨𝐭-𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. – 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟏𝟖

Emotional conflict comes with the territory of being an ambassador of Christ. Remain resolute and let the peace and love of God be evident in your words, thoughts, and actions.

Sometimes, like a well-used instrument, we fall out of tune in life. We are not in sync with God and others. At all times, and especially times like these, it is vital that we lock in to the Source of all creation. 

It's that season of SHOPPING, and you know deep in your heart that NO ONE has everything. But there is a place you can go where all your needs are in stock and plentiful. 

We live in such a fast-paced culture. Always on-the-move. But it's important to stop. To wait. Not push or manipulate things that aren't supposed to happen yet. To experience the fullness of God, sometimes we need to endure His timing. 

Like in chemistry, bringing two elements together can create a profound reaction. Speaking of Jesus and the gospel in the world is no different. But what joy comes in sharing our faith and pleasing God with our lives!

Thinking you're getting away with something? You might be more afraid of people than of God. Denying God's omniscience and omnipresence is a scary place to be. #Faith #GodsLove #Omniscience #Christianity #Religion

What is our focus in living for the Lord? Is it to receive blessings, or to please Him come what may? Living in His favor doesn't mean everything will be easy, and blessings don't necessarily mean we have His favor. When we live to please Him, we can rest in that He is faithful.

A Christian friend of mine recently suggested to me that when we claim to know the heart and mind of Christ, it is arrogant and prideful. If you think this or someone tries to get you to believe this, I believe this episode is for you.

We are created by God to experience a type of euphoria when we do things that please Him. When we share His love by word and/or deed, we sense His pleasure and it leads to our desire to keep it going. But it all begins with a first step, and it doesn't have to be difficult. 

The global Christian community has suffered the loss some big lives and voices recently, but as a revival sweeps our land, we cannot rely on the famous and those with millions of social media followers to reach those in your sphere of influence. This season is up to us and the relationships we've cultivated, beginning with our relationship with God. 

How do we move forward? With purpose. With a mindset on the great (co)mission. The world is watching and seeing the difference between love and hate. God is not waiting for the next famous person, but He wants to use you and me. 

During Charlie Kirk's memorial service, we saw an extraordinary act of humanity, and a common act of a true Jesus follower.

Here is the link to the segment of Erika's speech that I refer to in the episode. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/g3T1WT0AP8E?si=gNo8pHUug_XkpNDe

Many confuse love for hate. In this episode, we define the ultimate act of hate, and the ultimate act of love among humans.

Due to recent tragedies, battle lines have been drawn. Who is the enemy? And maybe more importantly, who isn't?

In the wake of the week's violence, we've seen some disturbing responses by an alarmingly large number of people. What is the answer? #charliekirk #faith #love #debate #ideas #peace

So many succumb to deception and believe there are loopholes to the law that exempt them from accountability and consequences.

Until they stand before the judge.

#sovcit #sovereigncitizen #judge #loophole #faith #God #truth 

Living life intentionally as an enthusiastic advocate for the God of the universe, the one who created you and loved you so much that He left heaven in the form of Jesus in order to redeem you, is a purpose with eternal value. We discuss this exciting topic in today's episode. Please like and subscribe today! 

Is God punishing us when we go through difficulties, or is there a positive purpose to adversity? And why do bees feel the need to videobomb this episode?

I recently had a health emergency that I want to share with you, as well as some perspective the experience continues to provide. 

Recently, my 7 year old niece asked an age-old question asked by many much older than she. The answer couldn't be simpler, or more impossible to fully comprehend. 

Reconciliation is a wonderful and powerful thing. It is a deeply spiritual necessity. But is it a condition of forgiveness in human relationships? This is our topic today. 

Life is already messy and complicated at times, but we frequently make decisions and chase material things and relationships that only make it more stressful. There are things we can do to simplify life. 

God sees in each one of us incredible potential to glorify Him and to bless others. He uses literally everything that makes us who we are. Every skill and ability we're born with and develop, and every experience in our lives can be used to His plan that may not come until many years later. 

Piggybacking off episode 57, we discuss practical and biblical ways to put your struggles into perspective by training our focus on God. 

We live in a crazy time with emotions and opinions spanning the entire spectrum. Every opinion you have from politics to your favorite breakfast food has a group of people lined up around the block who will insult you for it. It's easy to get worn down by all the noise if we let it. A focus change may be in order!

I don't know about you, but I've rolled my eyes so many times when reading and hearing the account of Peter's denial of Jesus. Three times! But when I'm really honest with myself, I have made him look like a total rookie. In this episode, I share some Holy Week thoughts. 

In this episode, I share an impactful memory that opened my eyes and gave me perspective that I've never shaken. We can do so much with so little that can literally change lives. 

Inspired by our recent missionary guests at church who will be serving in Austria beginning this summer, I wanted to share some thoughts with you. I also want to encourage you to support our new friends in prayer for sure, but maybe even financially, too. Below is the link to their information page I invite you to visit and learn about them and to offer your support. I'm also providing a link to the message they shared with us that I believe will inspire and challenge you, as it did me. And finally, the link to my website. Please be sure to like and subscribe, if you haven't already, and please leave some comments! I'd love to hear from you!

https://agmd.org/u/RuckmansEurope

https://www.facebook.com/GladTidingsRI/videos/693758043322052

coachbarnabas.buzzsprout.com

Not a golfer? That's OK. Neither am I! But I learned some valuable life lessons on the golf course about the value of choosing wise friends and learning from them. 

Sometimes we go into something with a plan that will define success when it's all over, only to realize God's definition can often be different. In His loving, gentle, and faithful way, He reminds us of what is truly most important. 

I learned a valuable lesson from the "kids in the back". The kids who were left on the outside. The kids who weren't like the others. Little did I know at the time that they impacted my life more than I impacted theirs. 

What do you do when you think your story just isn't very exciting? Do you feel the need to embellish it? Do you avoid telling it? That's the topic of today's episode!

What will others say of you at your funeral? What we do in life, how we make people feel, how we influence people will be our legacy. It's not too late to make changes so that what we leave behind is a positive, even eternal impact on the lives of others.

Sometimes we have to determine who we aren't to discover who we are. To identify what we don't want in order to discover what we do want. This is something that will happen over and over in your life.

Just like each snowflake is unique from every other one, we are all created uniquely, specifically, and intentionally. God has included within you the essential ingredients that make up your purpose in this world, to please Him and making a difference in the lives of others.

Growing up and living with insecurity and a powerful inferiority complex was sometimes crippling. But as I grew in my relationship with God, I transformed from being a people-pleaser to being a God-pleaser. And the byproduct has been not a confidence in self, but in God that He defies logic and sometimes uses the most unexpected people and personalities to do things they never thought they could. 

For the holidays, the word and concept of family can harbor uncomfortable and even very heavy emotions. We don't get a chance to choose our family. Or do we? As we grow in life, we absolutely do make choices relating to who we spend our time with, and those choices can and do have a serious impact on the quality of our lives. We discuss that in this episode. 

In this episode, I share my personal story of making my decision to ask Jesus into my heart. In that process, I had to ask myself, and even a friend, some important questions. And God used a little razzle-dazzle to buy me some time to ask!