by Jeff | Jul 13, 2014
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” – Titus 1:15-16
What does your life profess? Do you dress, act, or live in a way that doesn’t exactly line up with who you are? For example, a young man sees his friends getting new clothes and thinks he’s a loser if he doesn’t get some new threads. So, he heads to the store and charges $500 on new clothes and a pair of shoes to his credit card. His profession is that he dresses well. His secret confession he’s not telling is that he’s now further in debt.
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See, many of us live with an appearance on the outside that does not line up with what we hold true on the inside. Is what your life professing lining up with what you’re professing? Share your confession with us. It can be completely anonymous.
Discussed on the Show
What’s the difference between professing something and confessing?
What attitudes or behaviors does our youth culture profess?
Are hypocrites everywhere?
Share your confession (It can remain anonymous)
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We would really love your feedback! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
by Jeff | Jul 6, 2014
Tonight, two youth pastors join Jeff and DW on the show! Michael Ott, Student Ministries Pastor at Graceway Fellowship, and Jordan Wind, Youth Pastor at Heartland Church chat about their experience in student ministry and give some challenging perspectives. What does it mean to conform? How should we live as Christians?
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Discussed on the Show
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2
“Who we’re following and what we’re following determines which direction we go in life.” – DW
Bowl haircuts.
Youth pastor hipster style.
Cussing.
Who’s mentoring you? Who are you mentoring?
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Post photo by Matt Schmachtenberg
by Jeff | Jun 29, 2014
We have a hard time separating the American Dream from real Christianity – or vice versa. Tonight, Jeff & DW welcome Terra K back to the show to continue the discussion on happiness.
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Discussed on the Show
Life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness – what is it?
What things steal our happiness? How does sin affect it?
“There are 6 things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
Here are 7 things we will all struggle with that steal our happiness:
- Lust – to have an intense desire or need: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
- Gluttony – excess in eating and drinking: “for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags” (Proverbs 23:21).
- Greed – excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness: “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:19).
- Laziness – disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous: “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway” (Proverbs 15:19).
- Wrath – strong vengeful anger or indignation: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1)
- Envy – painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:1-2).
- Pride – quality or state of being proud – inordinate self esteem: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
We would really love your feedback! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
by Jeff | Jun 22, 2014
Why do we struggle with happiness today? Americans have so much in the ways of technology, education, material wealth, entertainment outlets that it should seem we have nothing more to do, but be happy all the time. But so many of us are not. Depression, self-harm, drug and substance abuse are just some of the things we hear about often in our culture. Why is this? Tonight, Jeff asks the question, “With all that we have available to us in America, why is this not a happier place?”
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Discussed on the Show
Q: If I gave you one thing that would make you happy, what would it be?
Q: Why is it that we are not always happy?
Q: What does it take to be truly happy in life?
Story: Did you know that God had cake delivered to one of His prophets? Read about Elijah in 1 Kings 19.
Thought: Do something meaningful this summer!
Levels of communication
7 Reasons you Struggle with Happiness
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by Jeff | Jun 15, 2014
Happy Father’s Day to all our dads who listen to HopeNet Radio! How often have you heard the words from a guy you know who has young children say, “I just want to be the dad that I wish I had”? I’ve heard this phrase often. So many men today are growing up without dads that it’s alarming. Why do you think so many dads are confused about what it means to be a dad?
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Discussed on the Show
The importance of dads & men who mentor teens. (Consider becoming a Live Coach on the crisis chatline.)
When dads fall short. Dads make mistakes, too.
John 9: The blind man’s family – “Who has sinned?” -Disciples
Does God create people with a predisposition to be depressed or suicidal?
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