GoodlifeNews!

This is the final episode for 2022. "Salvation" is a popular theme for Christian ministries. It shows up in sermons, books, magazines, songs, and even personal conversations. In this post I ask two questions: What are we saved from? and What are we saved for? 

This episode will go live just a few days after Thanksgiving Day 2022. I share a few memories, observations, things for which I am thankful, and at the end a wonderful story of John D. Rockefeller's most momentous life choice.

In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness." In this episode I share a personal story about making restitution and "conscience money," followed by some thoughts about God's promise for renewal and restoration.

This is the 8th fruit of the Spirit the Apostle Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23. Next month I will finish the series with an episode on "Self-control."

"Faithfulness" is the seventh fruit of the Spirit listed by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. In this episode of the podcast I share some thoughts about this "fruit." I introduce my thoughts with a precious story about "Greyfriars Bobby," a "wee little doggie" that guarded his master's grave for 14 years. 

In this episode I share some thoughts about the 6th fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5. Goodness, caring, and kindness can only come from a living Person who is good, loving, and kind. 

This is the fifth episode in the series on the fruit of the Spirit the Apostle Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23.

This is the fourth in our series on the "Fruit of the Spirit" as listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

This is the third episode of the "Fruits of the Spirit" series.

Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. Joy is a gift of God through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we choose happiness--regardless of the circumstances of life--God gives us joy!

Beginning the new year the publishing schedule for GoodlifeNews! Podcast and Blog is changing from weekly to monthly. Each new episode will publish on the last Monday of each month.

This month--January 2022-- the focus is on God's Agápe Love, the first of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. For the first nine months of this year we will explore a new "fruit" from that list.

Be sure to watch for the announcements, and tune in! Also, please share the links with a friend!

Some thoughts of our spiritual condition as we approach 2022, plus a short story of a memorable New Year's Eve from 40 years ago when I was pastor of a small congregation in Irrigon, Oregon--a tiny community on the banks of the Columbia River in eastern Oregon.

On the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem, angels from heaven sang in celebration. The only attendees to this amazing concert were a few lowly shepherds tending their flocks out in the fields around the hometown of King David--the shepherd boy who became a great king of Israel and wrote the beloved 23rd Psalm.

What might we learn from the angels' announcement? Be sure to listen and find out!

The bulk of this episode is the telling of an "unforgettable Christmas gift" from my young years growing up on the farm. I hope you enjoy it!

In this episode I share a brief bio of Eric Metaxas, then explore a few of his larger books--biographies of Martin Luther, William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer--and his most recent book, Is Atheism Dead? 

Also, I encourage listeners to visit the blogpost of this episode to see the pictures I include there--especially the diagram of the cargo deck of a 16th century ship. This picture, and others like it, was instrumental in bringing awareness of the British people to the inhumane plight and treatment of the African slaves. The drawings aroused such a public outcry that Parliament was forced to act, passing legislation outlawing slavery. 

Some Christians have claimed that today's believers do not need to keep the Ten Commandments, because they believe the Old Testament Law--in all its precepts--was "nailed to the cross," thereby ending the obligation to obey God's instructions for the Jews. Others believe that what was nailed to the cross was only the Jewish ceremonial laws -- and they were fulfilled by the perfect life of Christ.

What is the truth of the matter?

In this episode I explore the biblical foundations of Paul's message to the Colossians where this expression is found.

Here's the final installment of the six-part series, "Studies in Romans: Saved by Grace; Powered by Love." This is the concluding episode for the series. In it I explore the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to move us from being "shame-based" to "grace-based."

In this episode we dig a little deeper into Paul's admonition in Romans 12:1-2 to "present your body as a living sacrifice." Just what does that mean? And how does this relate to the principle that "the purpose of a temple is to glorify the deity within"? May God bless each one who listens! I pray that we all may grow in grace each day in our journey toward the Kingdom! LLF

This is Part IV of the series, "Studies in Romans: Saved by Grace; Powered by Love." What does it mean to "live by faith"? How do we do that? What role does the Holy Spirit play? These are vital teachings from the Apostle Paul here in the Book of Romans. 

This week's episode is the third in our six-part series of studies in the Book of Romans: "Saved by Grace; Powered by Love." Most of this week's study focuses on Romans 5 and 2 Corinthians 5, in which the Apostle Paul teaches that we are "ambassadors" for Christ in this present world.

This is the second part of our six-part series of Studies in Romans: Saved by Grace; Fueled by Love." 

My book, My Seven Essential Daily Prayers tells how I learned to build a prayer "firewall" every morning to survive spiritual conflicts. I pray these seven prayers will also enrich your journey with Jesus--all the way into the Kingdom!

Have you every been mystified by the descriptions of Ezekiel, the Old Testament prophet? His visions can sometimes be positively strange! But in this week's episode I take a closer look at his "wheels within wheels" vision found in chapter one. What can this vision tell us about how God works in the world to accomplish his purposes? Be sure to tune in to find out!

Teams and teamwork are found everywhere. There's good reason--that's the way the whole Universe works! In this episode I cite several fascinating examples from nature, and show how the church works best using the spiritual gifts God gives to empower his work on earth.

There's an old saying that runs, "You may be the only Jesus that someone else will ever see." So, we have to ask ourselves this question: What kind of Jesus do we want others to see in us? The question is certainly worth exploring for a few minutes--and, I think you may enjoy hearing a once-in-a-lifetime experience I had as a young missionary in Taiwan, back in the early 1970s. God bless. 

Lee Strobel was a tough-minded no-nonsense court reporter for the Chicago Tribune, when his world turned upside down. His wife, Leslie became a Christian! This development drove Lee to "prove her wrong" by conducting a two-year thorough investigation of the evidences for Jesus. The outcome was that Lee himself accepted Christ as his own Savior and Lord. The Case for Christ is the story of Lee's journey of faith through this deep investigation through reading, interviewing a variety of "expert witnesses," and carefully analyzing the inescapable conclusion that Jesus of Nazareth was, in fact, the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, the Son of God. In the intervening 40 years since his conversion, Strobel has written over 40 books, and has become one of America's foremost Christian apologists.

What is our real witness for Jesus as his followers? In this episode I share the story of a little incident from my teen years when I got into a heated verbal argument with my brother. In the course of that "fight" I used some pretty bad language, and he rightly--but kindly--confronted me about it. I think you may enjoy hearing the story and the eventual outcome, plus a few life lessons for living the Christian life.

Here's a thought that seems obvious: The value of a Christian's personal witness is directly tied to our attitude. If we are filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, surely our words and actions will reflect God's grace for us. In this week's episode, I examine the idea of the Economics of Godly Relationships. I pray it may be beneficial to all who listen.

The Apostle Paul lists nine "fruits" of the Holy Spirit that are manifested in our lives when He is present. Paul says there "is no law against these things" (Galatians 5:24). At the beginning of this post I relate a short story of my experience climbing the traditional Mt. Sinai in Egypt. Enjoy!

Each month, the first episode of the month for the GoodlifeNews! Podcast and Blog, will feature a favorite book and/or author whose content amplifies our focus and goals for this ministry.

This week's featured author is Jan Karon, author/creator of Mitford, North Carolina. Jan's stories have blessed and inspired millions of devoted fans all around the world. I am confident that each listener/reader for our podcast and blog pages will love--and be blessed--by Jan's writing. It is a genuine pleasure to share her work here with each one.

This episode is a follow-up to the two previous episodes focused on The Lord's Prayer. This week I share some personal stories of how I began a daily life-long practice of seeking time each morning to spend with God. I pray my thoughts here will be an encouragement to others to find a time each day alone with God. Truly, this practice makes all the difference in our need for spiritual growth--at least that has been my experience. It is a joy to share with others.

This is the second of the two-episode focus on The Lord's Prayer.

This is the first of a two-episode series focused on the model prayer Jesus taught to his disciples, recorded in Matthew 6:9-13. Part II of this series will be the subject of next week's post (Episode 8).

This episode is a special message for Memorial Day, 2001. It includes a simple bugle rendition of Taps, and a few thoughtful lessons to carry with us as we remember friends, loved ones, and military service personnel who gave their lives in the course of duty.

This is the third part of a three-episode focus on God, including the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

This is the second of three episodes focusing on the three Persons of the Godhead--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

I share some memories of my brother Beryl from our younger years as I lead into some thoughts about God's great love for us through Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man.

This version of Episode 2 replaces the previously published file.

This the Premier Episode of the GoodlifeNews! Podcast. Thanks to all listeners for tuning in for Episode #1!