Folks Gotta Eat: Recent Episodes
Straight Street Inc.
Listen in as we share Scripture and stories at our food shares to offer words of encouragement to our homeless and hungry friends and the volunteers who serve them.
www.straightst.org
During Holy Week, PJ focuses of Jesus' suffering; particularly the betrayal of Judas. How can we view betrayal and suffering as a blessing?
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As we approach Easter, PJ reflects on an important part of Jesus' final days, particularly his acceptance of the suffering he was preparing to endure.
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It's been a long winter for our friends on the Street, but the weather has warmed up and PJ is back with a story of God's mercy and patience.
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The battle between darkness and light is often fought in our minds and our hearts. To lose that battle is to lose faith, but this Christmas season we can choose victory in Jesus Christ. (Focus Passage: Romans 13: 11-14)
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A relationship with Jesus begins as simply as knowing that He who knows you best loves you most and will meet you at your worst to bring out your very best! ( Reference Passage: Psalm 139)
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PJ ruminates on a seemingly simple passage with major implications about the beauty of friendship. (Focus Passage: Romans 1:11-12)
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Thank God for Jesus who's sacrifice offers us an opportunity to be better today than we were yesterday. PJ reminds us to recognize that God is ready to do the work if and when we are. (Psalm 128:1-2)
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How we approach life depends on what we think about death. In this episode, PJ wrestles through the complexities that distort the simplicity of faith. (Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:17)
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PJ is feeling his age while trying to hold on to a childlike faith and enthusiasm for the things of God. (Focus Verses: Philippians 3:13-14)
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Sometimes, humility comes at a cost we aren't often ready for or willing to pay, but not all lessons need to be learned the hard way. (Reference Verse: Psalm 119:67)
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It is said that music is the language of the soul. How it speaks to each of us is different, but what it has the power to reveal can have eternal spiritual implications. (Focus Passage: Romans 1:19-22)
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PJ shares the story of the inception of the phrase "folks gotta eat" to a slightly hostile audience. Warning: Some explicit language. (Focus Passage: Matthew 4:1-4)
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In honor of our 14th anniversary, we pulled up another episode from the archives. In 2012, we were serving an average of 250 people a night. There were lots of people to stand in front of, many of whom did not want to hear what PJ had to say... but he said it anyway. (Original recording: June 12, 2012)
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PJ encourages us all to believe that change is possible even when it feels like things will always be the same. (Acts 4:21-22)
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Sometimes what we're looking for is already here. Listen in as PJ engages in a lively discussion about waiting, looking, seeking, and finding. (Focus Passage: Luke 23:50-52)
In PJ's absence we've been digging through the crates and found this gem originally recorded in the summer of 2012. Have a listen as PJ speaks truth about speaking truth to a sometimes unwilling audience. (Original recording: June 18, 2012)
PJ discusses the lies of the world, the lies from our peers, and the lies we tell ourselves that creates a truth that keeps us from the truth. (Focus Verse: Psalm 86:11)
Correction: Song title discussed is "Hospital" by The Used.
Tonight, PJ has a "come to Jesus" moment as he speaks about prophecy and promise and the glimmer of light that invades all the dark places of our lives. (Focus passage: Luke 1:78-79)
PJ's been gone for a bit but he's back with a passionate plea to remember the promises of God and a call to surrender to those promises in full assurance of faith. (Focus Verse: Jeremiah 7:23)
PJ had a lot on his mind this night revealing some harsh truths about his weaknesses and temptations. He reveals that vulnerability can be the greatest asset to your faith. (Focus Verses: Romans 12:3, Luke 14:11)
Panic, prayer, and the power of an undertow. PJ connects the dots as he tells a story of battling to keep your head above water by having faith in what we know to be true. (Focus Passage: Psalm 42:7-8)
Two days after Easter, PJ is led to offer our friends an opportunity to take communion as he reminds us of the history of Passover and the importance of a new promise that begins with a final meal. (Focus Passage: Luke 22:14-20)
In the wake of another school shooting, PJ continues on his journey through the Lent season with a timely passage and a timeless truth. (Focus Verse: Matthew 19:14)
It’s the season of Lent and Christians everywhere are giving up habits, but what happens when the season ends? Do we begin again? PJ speaks on it. (Focus Passage: 1 John 2:15-17)
It’s the season of Lent and Christians everywhere are giving up habits, but what happens when the season ends? Do we begin again? PJ speaks on it. (Focus Passage: 1 John 2:15-17)
What does Duran Duran have to do with Scripture? Listen in as PJ connects the dots. (Focus Verse: Romans 6:16)
Knowing who your enemy is… good. Knowing who’s got your back… GREAT! PJ expounds upon the battle of good versus evil. (Ephesians 6:12)
PJ discusses the importance of reflecting on past blessings to help overcome current tribulations (Psalm 23:1-6)
PJ struggles with sharing about his own burdens and those he carries for others. It is a message of reflection, resolution, and restoration of hope. (Focus Verse: Job 2:10)
Battling through sound issues, PJ gives a brief history of the story of St. Valentine and discusses the essence of love that truly comes from the heart. (Focus Verses: Luke 10:27, John 21:15-17)
In this episode, PJ reflects on his transition from living a reckless life to a life of reckless abandon. (Focus verse: Colossians 3:2-3)
PJ reminisces about family and reveals a life lesson that was years in the making but proved to be invaluable. (Focus verse: Psalm 18:36)
Read. Receive. Renew. Repeat. Sometimes Scripture is just that easy! (Focus Verse: Jeremiah 1:11-12)
Some nights the crowd is just not in the mood to hear from PJ, but the silence proves he’s got their attention and the message is hitting the target. (Focus Verse: Psalm 9:9-10)
PJ kicks off the first episode of 2023 urging all believers to stay diligent in their pursuit of holiness, not as a resolution but as an obligation. (Focus passage: Matthew 25:1-13)
On this episode, PJ explores the power of words versus the power of redemption and how each influences how we view ourselves. (Focus verse: Galatians 2:20)
PJ ushers in the holiday season by sharing a verse he returns to year after year to focus on the essence of Christmas. (Focus Verse: Matthew 1:23)
PJ takes a hard look at living for self-gratification and self-glorification and the dangers of living like we are immortal. (Focus passage: Romans 1:21-25)
PJ shares his struggle in the hopes of encouraging our friends to stand firm in faith and press on when all signs point to giving in and giving up. (Focus Verse: Isaiah 7:9b)
This week PJ ponders the idea of what it really means to be created in the image of God, what qualities we can choose to adopt, and how those qualities are designed to help us live the best life possible. (Focus verses: Genesis 1:26, Galatians 5:22-23)
He’s been away awhile, but PJ is back with a thought provoking trip down memory lane. He shares how important it is to respect and reconcile with our past while always looking ahead to the future. (Focus verse: Proverbs 20:29)
There comes a time when we all need to come clean about the lies we tell ourselves and let the truth set us free! (Focus verse: Romans 12:3)
It’s Holy Week and PJ shares the story of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and the value of authentic relationships. (Focus Verse: Matthew 26:15)
PJ discusses how our choices can be a blessing or a burden to ourselves, the people around us, and especially to God. (Focus Verses: Psalm 14:1-3, 2 Peter 3:9, Psalm 16:11)
PJ shares with our friends about our struggle with wanting to create a god of our own design rather than being mindful of the God who was, is and always will be. (Focus passage: Psalm 8:3-4)
We’ve been on quite a break, but PJ is back with with a message of hope and restoration for all of us who find ourselves stuck but hungry for change. (Focus verse: Psalm 51:12)
Loving those who don’t want to be loved is easy to say but hard to do. Do it anyway! (Focus verse: Hebrews 13:2)
This week PJ shares a bit of his own story with sharing about his own worry and the faithfulness of God to give us what we need when we need it. (Focus verse: Psalm 46:10)
There are thousands of choices we make everyday. Who or what do we use to guide those decisions? (Focus verse: Genesis 13:9)
PJ unpacks how God works in the margin of less to give more than we can possibly imagine. (Focus passage: Daniel 1:1-16)
Scripture can sometimes seem obscure and weird, but God promises that His word, every word, has purpose. We have to want to understand. (Focus verse: Exodus 23:19)
Healing through hurt involves a level of wisdom that only comes from knowing who God is and understanding His immeasurable capacity to love and care for us. (Focus verse: Malachi 4:2)
People don’t change or do they? Thankfully, God is patient, but none of us are promised tomorrow. (Focus Verse: Revelation 22:10-11)
Most days our audience is gracious and receptive. Other days not so much. This Tuesday of Holy Week, PJ and the team found it a greater challenge than usual to maintain an atmosphere of peace and love. (Focus passage: Matthew 24:6-14)
As we battle daily between the flesh and the Spirit it is important to remember Jesus feels our pain and leads by example. (Focus verse: Galatians 5:16-17)
As we examine our own hearts this Lenten season, let’s not forget to stand in awe of the One who made it all! (Focus Verse: Psalm 19:1-2)
Comparison is one of the greatest obstacles to self improvement. You will never catch what isn’t yours to chase! (Focus verse: Philippians 2:12-13)
PJ challenges us to take time during this season of Lent to consider if we are truly dying to live or just living to die. (Focus verse: Luke 9:23-24)
Freedom is where obedience and faith intersect. Sometimes we have to dig deep and fight for our mental, physical and spiritual freedom! (Focus verse: John 8:36)
Stop trying to please everyone and focus on the only One you need to stress to impress. You can be sure He will appreciate your efforts. (Focus verse: Acts 24:16)
Triumph over tragedy has purpose if we understand our broken hearts make us who we are so we can be all God created us to be. (Focus verse: Psalm 30:5)
This week, PJ shares a personal story to paint a picture to help bring to life a parable we may struggle with finding the relevance to our lives today. (Focus Passage: Luke 15:3-7)
The ways of the world have a way of making us crazy! We need to train to hold our thoughts captive. PJ shares an important and timely message with our friends. (Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:5)
Is Jesus a stumbling block or a cornerstone in your life? PJ examines how He often starts off as the former on His way to the latter. (Focus Verse: Romans 9:33)
As we look forward to a new year, PJ suggests that the obstacles of this past year have been in preparation for a new season and a new us! (Focus verse: Isaiah 43:18-19)
PJ shares a new take on the old story of the wise men and their journey of hope against all hope to visit a baby who would be king. (Focus verse: Romans 4:18)
In this episode, PJ shares what he believes is the best reason to celebrate the Christmas season. (Focus verse: Matthew 1:23)
This week, PJ discusses the biblical meaning behind the number forty and what it means for us as followers of Christ. (Focus passage: Acts 7)
This discussion involves our struggle with forgiveness and extending grace even as we undeservingly but graciously accept both from God. (Focus verse: 2 Corinthians 13:14)
PJ opens this pre-Thanksgiving meal with a message about gratitude in all circumstances. (Focus verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)
Learn about the vision behind the mission of Straight Street in an interview with founder and director, PJ Charles.