Redemption's Table

Today we have not one guest – we have five.  Five Smooth Stones.  Many of us associate those three words with the famous David and Goliath bout.  Little vs. big.  Good vs. evil.  Underdog vs. giant.  And so, we imagine we already know where today’s episode is going.

Consider this though.  What if the greatest giant you face is you?  What if he or she lives in a cave inside your heart?  What if the five smooth stones you need to subdue this giant are connected to thankfulness and gratitude?

The possibilities from this table are endless, as you are invited to join the fun and the whimsy and the wonder and the encouragement of gathering rock quintets of your own.  So, take off your shoes and wade into the stream.  There’s even an ever-changing Spotify playlist to inspire you.  Let the Thanksgiving search begin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Three weeks ago, we stepped into autumn.  We crossed the equatorial line where day and night were everywhere on earth, for just a brief time, of approximately equal length.  Of course, we didn’t literally step across the line.  Earth glided across and we’re just along for the ride.

Hello Fall!  I love all the four seasons, but I have a special fondness for only you.  ‘Tis the season of pumpkin spice and crisp weather and logs on the fire and hayrides, and post-season baseball, and the trees – it’s like our Creator Artist drags every leaf across the palette of color to catch our breath in wonder – and when we let it out, we can actually see the cloud of glory from our lungs!

Along today’s journey, you’ll hear of some great places for tacos, some five o’clock grace, and how you can receive some pumpkin spice on the table.  So pull up a haybale.  The ride’s about to begin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Kade Young

Behold a story you’ve never heard before.  An adventure of epic proportions that will cause your jaw to drop.  A true tale involving mountain lions and snow skiing North Koreans and crazy Christ-following.  The kind of life we are all called to if we just surrender to faith.

I’m excited for you to meet my friend Kade Young.  Kade follows Jesus.  He is a husband and a father, a son and a brother.  He served our country in the United States Marine Corps.  His conversation at the table today completes the first father and son duo to join me on the podcast.  (His dad Owen appeared two months ago.)

Somewhere in the midst of Kade’s retelling, he describes a moment as “poetic chaos.”  That pretty much sums up the opportunities Jesus offers to those who dare journey with Him.  In this world you will have chaos.  Why not live it poetic?

We saved you room on the ski lift!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Dick Foth

Food and the table are close to the heart of the biblical story of redemption.  The Bible opens in a garden and closes at a never-ending wedding feast.  Food is central and essential to our everyday lives.  I don’t know about you, but the past 18 months has stolen a little bit of the joy of coming together around a common table.  I say, let’s turn the table on that!

I could not be more excited about today’s conversation!   This episode has been three years in the making.  When the Wild Goose of God’s Spirit first whispered the idea for this podcast, today’s very special guest, Dr. Dick Foth, was at the top of the dream reservation list for possible folks to bring to the table.

I first heard Dr. Foth speak at National Community Church in Washington DC in the summer of 2016.  I have not missed a single message of his since then.  He is an author, a storyteller, and popular speaker.  He serves on the teaching teams of several congregations, including NCC, and hosts his own podcast – “Known” – (I highly recommend it).  He has been a major influence in my life these past 5 years and I am grateful to call him friend.

You’re invited and welcome to join us!  We saved you a seat!

https://www.known.fm

• 

• 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Horse, train, and eights.  As a loon and Looney Tunes.  Crazy.  

Anybody feel like you’ve been riding on a rollercoaster with Ozzy Osbourne the past 18 months?  Well, today’s episode comes with a challenge that might help you turn the table on that kind of crazy. 

Seems everywhere I go, folks admire the Jesus who flipped tables.  They want to be just like Him in that regard.  Call me crazy,  but I’m learning, the only tables I need to flip are the ones in my mind.  

So, all aboard!  We saved you a seat.  Come ride the rails to some “good” crazy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Josh Richardson

Word up! I believe listening to a single podcast has the potential to change your life.  I was listening to one* when I learned of Josh Richardson and an incredible vision God has given him to share Jesus with others.  

Josh is a young entrepreneur from Fort Collins, Colorado who recently stepped outside his wheelhouse to publish high-end, moleskin copies of “The Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.” This is more than just another book aboutJesus.  This is the blending together of the 4 Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, straight out of the Bible, into one seamless story.  This is the Word of God.

Whoever you are and wherever you may find yourself today, I believe listening to this table conversation has the potential to change your life.  Word up!

* Known with Dick FothTo order your FREE COPIES of the Jesus book, go to www.plusnothing.com

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

I like tunnels.  I like exploring them. I like driving through them.  For me, they are synonymous with National Parks.  From the Great Smoky Mountains to Glacier to Zion.  I like tunnels. They bear testimony to tons of hard work – literally.  Blood, sweat, tears, adversity, prolong seasons in the dark, resilience, and an undaunted spirit. I like tunnels.  And sometimes, I feel like I’m digging through one and I’m not quite sure where the tunnel is going to come out on the other side.  Perhaps you can identify.  Welcome to this week’s appetizer episode.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Lunch and Conversation at Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Montgomery, Alabama

                        Featuring Special Guest:  Jared McCroryHope.  It may be the most powerful gift you could give, especially when the one receiving it has little to none.  Where and to whom do you offer hope on a regular basis?Today’s Special Guest is Jared McCrory.  Jared is the Executive Director of Children’s Hope, a ministry offering tangible hope to orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti.   Jared and I recently sat down at one of the most iconic BBQ joints in the south to break bread and share hope.  
We have saved you a seat at this giant circle of hope and we’re passing hope from one person to the next like a plate full of Dreamland ribs.  Jesus is the one who got this dream circle started.  When He enters our lives, He brings the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  His hope fills us and we pass it on down the table to others.  Guitar-maker Hank Teuton built a beautiful Hope Guitar.  He passed this hope into the hands of Children’s Hope to be used to raise money to bring hope to children in Haiti.  Hank’s guitar has been passed through the hands of an abundance of musicians, including Vince Gill, Andrew Peterson, and others.  On September 23, Shane and Shane will lead worship in Montgomery, Alabama  and online, and if you have joined this circle of hope by giving $100 or more to Children’s Hope, you might be the one to get up from that table of hope with a $20,000 guitar in your hands.   And hopefully, whoever wins it and wherever it goes, that guitar will keep on resonating and passing a heapin’ helpin’ of hope!So share this special episode with every guitar player you know, listen to the conversation yourself, and go to       http://www.childrenshope.com to donate and learn more.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Sometimes you sense God’s presence and sometimes you don’t.

Sometimes life feels like Job 23 – you search for God and you can’t find Him.

At other times the truth of Psalm 139 is overwhelmingly evident – you couldn’t hide from God if you tried.Welcome!  Our Special Guest today is present for every episode and is a participant at every “Table.” You can’t always guess where or how He’ll show up, but you can rest assured He is always there.  Today we’ll examine our need for “soul recovery” as we “wrestle with God in the season of Job.”  And we’ll take a trip out west to a couple of National Parks where The Presence is waiting to surprise!  So put on your hiking boots and join us.  We saved you a canteen.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Conversation at the Ruby Ranch ranchhouse in Las Vegas, New Mexico

                        Featuring Special Guest:  Owen Young

Today’s podcast tells the story of a cowboy, a pool player, and a pastor, and they’re all the same Stetson-wearing amigo. 

Our Special Guest Owen Young is one of my best friends.  He dares imagine his story might not measure up to some of our previous guests.  Yet, I don’t think that’s quite how God sees him.  I am amazed at how wide God throws His loop in Owen’s surrendered hands. From the saddle to the poolhall, from a pulpit in the mountains of New Mexico to places around the world, this is a story of someone who will “do to ride the river with.”  So saddle up and join us!  We saved you a horse

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS