Pulling Weeds and Planting Seeds: Recent Episodes
Roger Nelmes
Our journey of faith is a lot like yard work; basic yet intentional and necessary. It’s about removing the brown dead spots in my lawn of life. It’s been about feeding the soil of my spirit. It’s been about watering my walk of faith with spiritual habits and making the most of whatever my circumstances might be.
It’s been about pulling weeds and planting seeds.
Jesus gave us an example to follow in discipleship. He led in such a way - connected to God, and connected to others - demonstrating that we are better together. This disciple-making process starts with a seed and ends with more seeds: Planted, Rooted, Growing, Producing Fruit, and Multiplying. From a seed planted to a seed multiplied.
God wants us to see ourselves as one being sent - sent to present the Gospel and to disciple. We are to remain in that cyclical process and create environments for others to connect, learn, grow, and do the same. It is in those spaces that we have the opportunity to live on mission, to disciple and be a spiritual coach for others.
If you would like the show notes for personal use or for a team training, please email Roger@rogernelmes.com and indicate the title, season, and episode number.
I admit, juggling between work, family, taking care of our home, our bills, being active in our community and church…it can be disorienting at times. This is all the more reason to maintain a disciplined prayer life. Lets take a quick look at three ways Paul encourages us to have daily encounters with God.
We’ve all probably had a personal gut punch in our life-time. A loved one passing, loss of a job, rejection of special someone, or an unexpected bill. The truth is, we need to expect the unexpected. Let's chat for a minute about noble king who after receiving a death sentence, was granted 15 bonus years to live.
This episode is a reading of the introduction and chapter 1 of my book, The 12. If you're interested in purchasing a copy you can visit my webpage, rogernelmes.com
Assuming that delegated authority and power given us as believers, we seek to fulfill the commission to make disciples. In the context of small groups, I offer you six directives for making your groups a gateway to discipleship. Click HERE for the show notes.
Suicide is not something we are very eager to talk about. In fact, the topic for many is taboo and uncomfortable. Today's show features a guest appearance from Sara Tanner, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate at Changing Tides Counseling. Sara shares some vital statistics and information to ease difficult conversations into productive dialogue. Note can be made available upon request. Simply email Roger Nelmes at roger@rogernelmes.com
How often do we walk around defeated, seemingly powerless, all because we are loosing the battle in our mind before we even pick up our sword? The battle in Gideon’s mind probably isn't very different that yours. Let's look at five keys to fighting that battle. Click here for the Show notes. Click for the GoFundMe page.
It's one thing to be a "fan" it's another to be an actual follower. Joshua was following this great leader, learning, serving, and doing. But now Moses is dead and its time for Joshua to step out. God tells him, "get ready" - it's you turn to lead.
Show Note - Click HERE
I think it’s safe to say that we all face dilemmas everyday. Situations where we have to make decisions about what’s better for us personally, or as a family, or as a business. So what’s better, or even best? How do I know? Perhaps a few simple questions will help us to sort it out. Click HERE to download the show notes.
I think we all want revival - personally and corporately. The problem is that our enthusiasm for Jesus gets muddied down by the messy middle of life. This happens in other areas of our life - our marriages, our parenting, our schooling, our jobs, and careers. It’s not intentional. Our excuse is often times, “well, life happened.” Things got messy in the middle. Things got harder and I thought it was supposed to get easier. This is Part 2 of The Messy Middle where we look at three things we can do while in the messy middle of life. You can download the show notes here!
I believe we are always in the midst of revival but we far too often miss it because we get stuck in the messy middle of a mundane Christian life. Revival isn’t something that comes and goes. It’s not a special event or series of services. Revival is always present. Revival is something that we either embrace or overlook. Are you experiencing personal revival? OR are you stuck in the messy middle of life?
Ideally, the purpose of the President’s State of the Union address is to instill confidence in the current government system and to display how the current administration is protecting and providing for the people. It’s also a means to propose his personal plans for the years to come. What would it look like for you to give an address about the state of your union with Christ?
Download the Show Notes and follow along for personal study or use them to lead your team or small group in some discussion: https://bit.ly/3lDF6u2
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (perish). But happy is he who keeps the law. (Provers 29:18)
God’s VISION is that of divine relationship - that God’s people would be holy and set aside for his glory. The LAW was designed to give us guidelines, boundaries, and processes to fulfill God’s vision for that very relationship.
VISION when accompanied by PROCESS brings blessing. We become not only inspired and motivated, but also empowered and equipped to do what God has called us to do!
Click HERE for the Sermon Notes.
It has been discovered that the second Friday of the year is the day when about 80% of people drop or quit their New Years resolutions. I’m pretty sure that none of us have to look very far in our own history to see resolutions that we have “quit” on. Most resolutions are around the idea of health - exercising, eating better, or maybe even stopping a negative habit like smoking. Whatever your resolutions might be, I want to briefly encourage and equip you to not give up. And even if you’ve dropped out or quit on them, let me challenge you to try again and succeed.
Is there a Christmas that stands out above the rest for you? Maybe it was the year that your significant other popped the big question with a beautiful diamond ring. Maybe it was the year that your dad got you a puppy. I’m sure there is one that sticks out in your mind even now. What was it? Do you want to know mine?
Whether you are manager at Walmart, a high school teacher, a shift supervisor at Chik-Fil-A, a VP of operations at Exxon, a PTA president, or a volunteer coordinator at your church, building teams is a HUGE part of what we all do. With the winter holidays on top of us, I know that we are all feeling the pressure to finish 2022 strong, and plan for an amazing 2023. I am no expert in building teams, but I have learned a few things over the years from some great mentors like Jeanie Mayo and Harold Mizner. Here are a few things I hope will encourage you.
Having an attitude of gratitude requires that we remember three things: Our Past–how far he has brought us, His Promises–His faithfulness now and his faithfulness yet to come, and His power–He uses our barriers as stepping stones toward victory. Failure to remember puts us on the road to disappointment, because what we fail to remember we are prone to repeat. Download the FREE study guide HERE or copy and paste this link into your browser - https://bit.ly/3WN5hfP.
I was the typical little brother, notorious for being a tag along to my older siblings. The thing about tag alongs is that they are generally uninvited guests. Sometimes I think that's how I've viewed my relationship with God. Can you relate? So then what do we do with the Scripture where Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13)? We are not bystanders taking a casual ride on the coat tails of our King. The formula is, I do the natural and He does the super - I do, he does. Paul tells us that this is the secret of living. I do through YOU, Jesus.
The Psalmist said THIS is the day the Lord has made and we need to rejoice in it! But far too often Mondays can become mundane, Tuesdays can be tiresome, Wednesday become whiny, Thursdays can be treacherous, Friday’s get freaky, Saturday are sleepy, and Sundays become scattered. That's not living life to the fullest and that's definitely not what God intended. Everyday is an opportunity to meet with God, to enjoy our relationships, to make the most of life, and to make a difference in someone’s life. This is the day!
We all have the right to our opinions and to speak our minds, but we have to earn the right to influence someone. Genesis 37 through 45 tells the story of Joseph and how he earned the right to influence others. You can download the study guide HERE.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11fiheXM5TOgK76_4vxi-vaPAgHoLPqjZ/view?usp=sharing
The emotion of anger isn’t wrong or sinful. As with all emotions, it’s our reaction to anger that leads to positive or negative results. Today we will look at God’s anger, why ours is different, and how we should deal with it. HERE is the study Guide to use for your small group discussion or as leadership development for the team you serve with.
Here is the link to my Go Fund Me campaign for my book The12.
https://gofund.me/edd8932c
Have you ever noticed that people love debating about who is the greatest? Who was the greatest NBA player, Michael or Kobe? How about quarterback, Brady or Montana? How about the greatest band, Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd? I think we all have a little bit of a desire to be the greatest - maybe not the greatest in the world - but at least greater than we were last year, last week, or yesterday. Did you know that Jesus said that we will do greater things than the work He did?
I think we Would you agree that we have a tendency toward solitude? That is one of the enemy's tactics. God never intended for us to do life alone. Relationship was God's original intent - both vertically with Him, and horizontally with others. We are better together. Today we going to take a quick look at why small groups are valuable and necessary. Here is the Study Guide - https://bit.ly/3wRIG6G
We need to not only be eager and willing to learn, but also ready to pass that wisdom and knowledge on to others. We need to be both teachable and willing to teach. You can download the Study Guide HERE.
Check out my GoFundMe page and consider praying for and supporting my book publishing journey. Click HERE for more information.
Holiness simply means to come out and be separate, set apart unto God. Peter is reiterating the Old Testament principle of how we are to be God’s covenant people, and how obedience and being set apart is the only lane that leads to blessing. We need to stay in our lane. You can download a FREE copy of the Study Guide by clicking HERE.
Paul was well aware that both his ministry and his life were coming to a close. He writes this letter to his protege Timothy and gives the secret formula for leaving a legacy. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Here is the STUDY GUIDE for you to use on your own or with others in a group for discussion and application.
Regardless of where we are physically or spiritually, like Peter, we are all being asked, “Do you love me?” Do you love Jesus more than a career, more than a relationship, more than your social status, more than your title, more than the size of your bank account?
He asked Peter 3 times. I don’t know how many times Jesus has asked you. I couldn’t tell you how many times he’s asked me - a lot. What I do know is that regardless of how many times it has been, He’s asking you again today. Do you love me? Then FOLLOW ME.
Download the free study guide HERE.
Spiritual maturity celebrates progress and victories while keeping the end in mind. We may be able to see the finish line, but we’re not there yet. We may have been knocked off course at times. We may have dropped the baton. We may be wearing someone else’s sneakers, or even feel like we are not in the best lane. But, we know - yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, so today - right now - we press on.
To download a copy of the study guide for yourself or to use for your small group, CLICK HERE. You can also email questions and comments to roger@rogernelmes.com
Fear is real and at times incapacitating emotion. We all face it and we all learn to either live with it, or to overcome it. We can’t just ignore it. King David understood this and he had a solution. He said in Psalm 56:3, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Today we will look at three keys to overcome our fears.
As with anything, the amount of time and energy you invest into something is directly related to the results you get out it. We’ve all heard a form of that statement before. You only get out what you put in. Don’t expect more until you do more. Whether it’s you lawn or your life, the principle holds true.