Upstream with Jim and Jon: Recent Episodes
Jim and Jon
Father and son conversations about navigating religiosity, human depravity, and culture in the Pacific Northwest
In the final (for now) episode of Upstream, we go over our favorite episodes, things we're most proud of, things we struggled with, and what we have in store for the future! But more than any of that we express our gratitude, truly, for all of the listeners and supporters who've tuned in over these three years. It means more to us than you probably know, and we hope you continue to have your own meaningful conversations with those in your own circles. We love you guys - keep an eye out for what we have coming next!
In our penultimate episode, we answer questions sent in by our wonderful listeners! Ranging from fun queries to some of the more serious variety, check this one out if you want to hear more of our opinions on various topics. We were thrilled with the number of questions we received and are so grateful for our regular listeners. We will talk to you next week for the final episode - an Upstream retrospective and 'what's coming next'!
We're back this week with an expanded discussion on a topic touched on in last week's episode: Are your thoughts and feelings related, and can you change them? We bring in more wisdom from Dallas Willard, as well as some personal breakthroughs to view this question from multiple angles. Stay tuned 'till the end for a very important update on the future of Upstream, and send us questions or comments you have for next week's Q&A Special!
This week we reflect on a chapter of Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard, where he lays out the six components that make up human nature. What happens when these components are in agreement, working together? What happens when they're askew? We explore this list, including the parts we emphatically agree with and the parts that might make us (or one of us; take a guess who) hesitate. Got a question for us? Send it our way! We would love to answer it in our upcoming 'Listener Mail' episode.
This week we have a Jon Thoughts for you, recapping Jon's biggest takeaways from Lessons From the Saints - a workbook by Maxie Dunnam - as well as some freshly-formed thoughts on C.S. Lewis' "Till We Have Faces." Jim will be back for next week's episode, see you then!
We've shared a number of mindfulness tips that we believe can change your life, and this episode might have our most powerful one yet. This tool has to do with managing your self-love and, merging this idea with our new perspective on culture, we think you can love people better than ever, and live out Proverbs 20:5 - "The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out." Have an awesome week!
The wrath of God is, for most people, an uncomfortable concept. Sometimes, when talking about wrath or judgment in a way to reduce anxiety on the topic, we can veer towards belittling or making light of it. So, without taking the teeth out of the Biblical truth of the matter, what is the deal with the wrath and judgment of God? Is there a way to view this reality that is both accurate, and gives people peace? Tune in this week to find out!
Happy new year! In the first episode of 2022, we have part two of our conversation on "living as a pilgrim," using 2 Timothy as a guide to dive deeper into what that looks like, and walking through the many situations that might challenge that lifestyle. Got a topic you'd like us to discuss? Let us know!
It's that time again! At the end of last year (Episode 87) we discussed the potential of 2021 and some of our goals for the year. We are back to review the year, share some personal highlights, evaluate how we went about achieving our goals, and set new ones for 2022. We are so thankful for our listeners! Have some of your own goals for the coming year? We'd love to hear them.
Jim's on his soapbox! After a frustrating interaction, he had a moment of clarity and this week brings you a list of six things you can do to be a great Christ-following American. Jon hears this list for the first time on-air, and will either talk him down or rage alongside him. We hope you enjoy this father and son conversation - have a great Christmas!
In another installment in our long-running "grace and works" conversation, this week we explore a new, fresh take on the metaphor Jesus uses in the gospels; that you will know a tree by its fruits. How can we use this image to reconcile the tension between the grace we know we are given, and the lifestyle standards we are called to? And what do we do if we are consistently falling short of those standards? Tune in to find out!
This week Jim helps Jon break down two ideas he had recently inspired by the book of Hebrews; both concerning the nature of what it is to live by faith in a world that is only a shadow of the one that is to come. These metaphors have the potential to reshape some of our thoughts and questions about one of the great mysteries of our faith. Did they help you? Let us know!
Everyone has two lives: one that is observable from the outside, and one that exists primarily in your head; an ongoing conversation you have with yourself for your entire life. For many people, the inner life can be a place of constant frustration, where the ongoing monologue is a cycle of hurt, pride, and shame. But what if this inner life could not only be relieved of its pain, but become the source of all your peace, joy, and endurance. We believe this is absolutely possible, and here is a sneak peak into the episode: it starts with inviting someone else in.
Culture, whether healthy or unhealthy, always seems invisible. This makes any attempts to purposefully alter, or recreate culture frustratingly difficult. But what if you could directly affect the culture around you in very tangible ways? Or even create culture? Well in this episode, we break down a way for you to do just that!
There seems to be a huge gap between the abundant, peaceful, overcoming life that Jesus promised and described in the New Testament and the life that most of us are living. What gives? In this episode Jim discusses the journey he is on to close that gap between the life the New Testament describes and the life he is actually living. Hopefully you can join the journey with him to the abundant life!
In a moment of cohesion between ancient and modern wisdom, this week we discuss the shared theme of Romans 1 and Occam’s Razor: that almost always, the truth is right in front of our faces. As we navigate a world that seems to grow more complicated every day, how can we cut through the noise and seek real, powerful truth? We’ve got some ideas. Thanks for tuning in – let us know what your takeaway from this conversation was!
This week's conversation is about majority and minority cultures. Statistically, the majority of Americans still consider themselves Christians - so why is it that in regards to all other lifestyle statistics (marriage, finances, etc.) true Christ followers seem to be a small minority? And if they are a minority, how does that change their relationship to not only the larger secular public, but also other professing Christians? In a sequel to last week's episode, Jim and Jon discuss these questions and more. Thanks for listening!
Jim and Jon have some tough love for the western Church this week. While the majority of Americans still identify as Christians, a cursory glance around the country will tell you that this is not entirely accurate - and the high profile Christians and churches you do see often have the aroma of anything but Christ. But we believe in the God of hope and this is far from a lost cause! What, then, can we do to reverse the damage, and contribute to the resurrection of the American Church? Tune in to find out!
Inspired by 'In the Name of Jesus' by Henri Nouwen, this week's conversation takes another look at the temptations of Christ in the wilderness and reveals what those temptations truly meant - and how they are temptations we as disciples face every day whether we know it or not. We are huge fans of this concept and highly encourage you to listen 'till the end!
Generally, you can trust the words of a dying man. Or at least you know he chose the words he is saying to you very carefully. So, when we get to the Last Supper in John 17, and Jesus prays with His disciples for the last time before His resurrection, what He prays for must be extraordinarily important – and He decided to pray for you! And we believe the American church is entirely missing out on the gift that He prayed for us to have that day.
As the public sphere grows both more crowded and more contentious, is it still possible for a Christ follower, being fully committed to a life of servitude and humility, to be a social media "influencer"? We discuss this question this week in light of some recent clarity Jon has had on his personal life calling, and further convictions on the posture that disciples should take when communicating - especially to the masses. Have opinions on this week's conversation? Let us know!
Ouch! In this conversation, we each share three recent "whacks on the side of the head" we have had - meaning a sudden realization that provided a fresh way of viewing things. Each one has given us recent clarity on ways we can reach out to, serve, and empathize with those around us. Did one of these reach out and smack you, too? Let us know!
If you asked a dozen Christ-followers you know to describe themselves in single words, chances are the word 'holy' would not come up once. And yet Scripture tells us not just to try to be holy, but that holy is already what we are! So what does this mean? Is holiness a way of living, or a state of being? And what does holiness look like in 2021? Let us know if you had a takeaway from this week's conversation!
Responding to a listener question this week, we address the few passages in scripture that, in English translations, refer to God hating certain people. In the context of Jesus' character and teachings, the thought of Father God hating any human is alarming! So what does scripture mean in these instances? And how do we reconcile these, or any other, conflicting Bible passages? We give our two cents on these questions in this episode. Thanks for listening.
Experienced missionary Tim Southerland joins us this week for a conversation on his experiences with faith in other countries and cultures around the world. What surprised him about Christians in these countries? What are some idiosyncrasies of American church culture that we don't even notice? Tim answers these question and more in this episode - thanks for listening!
Thanks for tuning in! We go deep this week with a multi-faceted conversation on those who believe different than us, and explore how these relatively small differences lead us to dehumanize, consciously or otherwise, our fellow man. We are called to love past the petty barriers between us, and when we do beautiful things happen! All feedback is welcome, we love hearing from you.
Continuing a conversation from episodes 115 and 116, this week we look at the lives of three amazing Christ-followers as case studies for what God can do in people with vastly different personalities, stories, and abilities. These practical examples showcase the variety of the Body of Christ, and how every one of us has a purpose we have been specifically designed for, with all our strengths and weaknesses. Our listeners mean the world to us, thanks so much for your time!
This week we look at three different examples from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus interacted with those who were either socially outcast, physically crippled, or were caught in their sin. We discuss the lessons we can learn from Him here, and how these lessons often go against our individualist American values. Jim also shares a very powerful thought exercise that has enhanced his scripture reading. We love our listeners, see you next week for episode 121!
With Jim out this week, Jon takes the mic for another round of Jon Thoughts! This episode he talks about time, its impact on our relationships with God, and how it affects our worldviews and values. Jim will be back next week for another father-and-son conversation - as always, thanks for listening!
This week we dig deep in the three parables Jesus presents in Mathew 25, about His great return, to see how we can know we are ready for it. These include the parables of the ten virgins, the bags of gold, and the sheep and the goats. What is Jesus trying to teach us with these metaphors? How can we use them to enrich our own lives, and honor Him? Listen to find out! Talk to you next week.
We welcome guest Jon Corcoran back to the studio this week to finish the story of his conversion to Catholicism, and ask some of the questions we had last time but didn't have time for. What appealed to him about the Catholic church that other Christian denominations didn't have? What was that process like? How does he feel about those other denominations now? Jon answers these questions and more! Thanks for listening this week, if you have any other questions for our guest let us know and we will use them in a later episode.
After our last conversation about the Gift Passion Story assessment tool, Jon took the test and has brought back his results! This week we go over what the assessment told him, what the results may or may not mean, and how he can use them going forward. We hope this is helpful for you and your own results, after taking the free assessment at giftpassionstory.com. As always, thank you so much for listening!
For episode 115, we talk over the challenges everyone faces with finding their purpose, the difference between purpose and meaning, and review yet another great assessment tool to help those who my be struggling in this arena. We would love to hear from our listeners, all feedback is welcome!
Following our discussion on letting Jesus lead your life in a practical way, this week we talk about what the word "disciple" even means, and what it looks like to be one today. We also unpack a framework for self examination that can help you further your discipleship under Jesus. That model, and a link to the Examen prayer mentioned last week, can be found on our Instagram! We are so grateful for our listeners.
There is a big difference between considering Jesus to be, in a symbolic sort of way, your figurative leader, and placing him firmly, purposefully, as the leader of your life in a very real way. How do we go from the former, a way of frustration and disappointment, to the later, a way of adventure and fulfillment? Tune in this week to find out!
Back in the studio this week, Jim and Jon discuss the famously contentious passages found in the book of James concerning our faith and our works, or deeds. They both have a bit of a breakthrough in this conversation and are excited to share it. Jim also shares a great story from the recent Ladd family reunion, and Jon raves some more on one of his new favorite novels for Show and Tell. We are so grateful for our listeners, talk to you next time!
Jim and Jon come to you this week from vacation in Estes Park, Colorado! They are joined by the third Ladd man, brother and son Tim Ladd, to talk about the ways their spread out family has stayed connected and healthy despite some hefty geographical distances between them, and ways they could still improve. Story time is at the end of this episode, thank you to all of our listeners!
It's been a wild few years for the United States. As the country continues to push on through times of almost unprecedented division, made worse by the lingering pandemic, Jim and Jon take a minute to discuss their individual concerns for their beloved home and native land. While we consider these serious threats to the nation, through everything we rejoice and trust in the sovereignty of our God. He is so good! Tune in next week for an episode abroad, as we record from Estes Park, Colorado.
This week Jim and Jon discuss the power of your moment-to-moment thoughts, how they are the building blocks of not only who you currently are, but also will be in the future, and how to change these thoughts and break destructive behavioral patterns. We wish you a restful Memorial Day, and ask that you take a moment today to pray for our servicemen and women, and their families. Thank you for listening, we are so grateful!
Often through the New Testament, Christ followers are called to submit to the authorities over them, and not to treat any human as our enemy. But if there is a point where a Christian ought to oppose their rulers or fellow man, to take a stand, when is that? And how should they go about it in a way that resembles Jesus and is pleasing to God? We are passionate about this conversation and are excited to share it with you. Thanks for listening!
This week, Jim and Jon are reunited! Join us as we talk about the nature of sin and how God sees it, and how your view on this, and other frameworks of your beliefs, can end up shaping your entire faith. Jim shares a story from his recent anniversary and Jon shows off one of his coolest book finds. Thanks for tuning in!
Jon discusses how to find God's help when your life or faith become disrupted. Also a great book review and Jon offers Ulysses S. Grant a formal apology.
Jim was abroad this week, so join him for a Jim Thoughts from Dallas Texas! He shares a list of ongoing convictions he has had lately concerning such things as the future of the church, and the depth of the love of God. Thank you for listening as we enter our second year of Upstream!
It's officially been two years of Upstream episodes! We have had a great time sharing our conversations with you, and are so, so grateful for our listeners. If you didn't get a question in in time, still send it our way. If we don't make an episode out of it we will discuss it in another special like this one down the road. Here's to another year of Upstream!
It’s another episode on identity! We have devised a model that may help you sort out your identity, who exactly you are, without relying on shifting, dynamic factors such as your career, abilities, etc. But instead of forgetting those factors completely, this model recognizes the powerful ways that God uses that information and experience in redeeming your story. We think it’s a great episode, tune in next week for our two-year anniversary special!
The Gospel (and Jesus Himself) is full of tension in what it calls Christ-followers to do. Are we to sell all we have and give to the poor, or to leave an inheritance to our children's children? Are promised a prosperous, blessed life, or a life of servitude and suffering? We observe these tensions and more this week, and discuss the ways they can actually prove very powerful in our lives. Have a great week!
It is news to no one that we are in the middle of a mental health epidemic even more severe and long-lasting than that of COVID. Especially for those in the Millennial and Gen-Z generations, anxiety and depression are brutally common. In this episode, we review some data and theories from professionals of the field as to why that is, and share some wisdom on how to navigate these challenges if you yourself struggle here. Got any feedback? Leave it in the comments below!
The 12 Steps are famous as the curriculum for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and aim to help those in the grip of substance abuse to find their way out via submitting to Christ. But what if the truths found in the 12 Steps could actually be useful for every Christ-follower in their individual, personal battles with their sin nature? We explore that idea in this, our one-hundredth episode! We are so grateful for your time, see you next week.
Even before the COVID pandemic, the church's role in modern America has been in flux. This episode we break down the four ways that the church can interact with the greater national culture, what motivates each of those expressions of the church, the pro's and con's of each method, and the one we believe is the way Jesus intends for us and the people we are meant to reach. We are so grateful for our listeners, tune in next week for episode 100!
This week, we talk to guest Jon Corcoran about his faith walk, and discuss the winding roads and persistent questions that lead us to God. How do we continue to pursue God through dark times and nagging unknowns, some of which can last for years? Listen in for Jon's experience facing these problems, and the lessons he learned along the way.
This week, Jim and Jon both share ways they have used a powerful phrase to help them sort through confusion and contradictions in their worldviews: two things can be true at once. Called 'the power of and,' this phrase has helped to assess an often gray world while still holding to scripture that is very much black and white. We hope this concept can be as helpful for you as it has been for us. Join us next week for Episode 98!
If there's been a theme for the podcast over the last few months, it has been the importance of mindfulness; of taking some time out of your day to really think through what you are doing and who you are. This week we have a list of questions to help you walk through the latter. These questions will not only help you discern who are currently, but also who you'd like to be. Thanks a ton for listening, have a great week!
We have some differing opinions this week on the topic of cancel culture, which Jim has grown increasingly frustrated with, and wary of. It seems every day someone new is getting publicly disowned for something they have said or done, but is this really such a big deal? And is it anything new, or especially dangerous? Tune in for our conversation this week as we reconcile our differing opinions!
It is a common notion among American Christians that our country was once intended to be one that shares our faith, in legislation and in culture, and that only in the last century has that begun to fade. But is this historically true? And is it an idea that is supported by scripture? We try to cut through our own culture and revisionist history to answer these questions as best we can, and we invite you to share your opinions with us!
Since Jim is away visiting his newest beautiful granddaughter, Jon sat down for another cozy episode of Jon Thoughts! This week he talks about what it is Christ-followers are expected to do during their time on earth, how much freedom that does or does not entail, and how easy it can be to feel pressure, or to pressure others, on how you should live your life. Thanks for listening, and be sure to join us next week for another father-and-son conversation!
Recently, Jon made a slight change in his daily routine that had a huge affect on his life. This taught him a lesson that he thinks can be applied to other areas of his life, and for other people. We've talked before about how difficult it can be to implement change in our lives, and this has been somewhat of a breakthrough! Thank you for listening, have a great week.
During His ministry on earth, Jesus talked about money more than almost any other topic. While he also addressed myriad ethical questions, why would God in the flesh speak on possessions and wealth so much? And what does that say about the very nature of money itself? Especially in a culture as stuff-focused as ours, this is an incredibly important conversation to have and we had a fun time having it. See you in episode 92!
This week, Jon has a bone to pick with brilliant Christian author Dallas Willard, and his assertion in his book The Divine Conspiracy that the world is an inherently joyous place that God is very pleased with. There are many biblical passages to support this worldview, and there are many others that suggest otherwise. How are we as Christ followers to view the world? As a strictly beautiful place that God is thrilled with? Or a bloody battlefield awaiting His final wrath? We hope you enjoy these weekly father and son conversations, thanks for tuning in!
Few things are more disturbing than the public moral failing of a spiritual leader. And when that moral failing is especially predatory, and that spiritual leader was one of the leading apologists of our time, it is even worse. This week we walk through the Ravi Zacharias scandal, and discuss the challenges of implementing change in our own lives. Thanks, as always for listening!
Jim had a breakthrough over the holidays regarding the human condition, and how exactly the curse of original sin still affects us to this day. This episode, Jon interviews him on a model he developed from this breakthrough that he believes has some real power to allow us to understand ourselves better; what is really motivating us and what we are really afraid of. We think there's great potential to use this tool, working alongside Jesus, to transform your life. Thanks so much for listening, and happy New Year!
While the coming of a new year is often met with excitement and anticipation, this one in particular has many nervous. In a year as chaotic and unpredictable as this one, how can we approach the next one with confidence? This week we set out to answer that question with a series of prioritization techniques, so you can organize your goals for the next year and take control of your time! Thanks as always for listening, see you next week.
It's time for another Jon Thoughts! Alone this week, Jon talks about his recent reading of Ecclesiastes, the challenges of that particular book, and some epiphanies he had there. Jim is in Arizona this week to be closer to his son, Jon's brother, Tim, who has been hospitalized due to COVID. Tim is on the up and up but your prayers are very appreciated. Thanks for listening!
This week we discuss Practicing the Presence of God, a collection of writings from 17th century monk Brother Lawrence on how to consistently remain in God's presence throughout your day. What are the 8 principles he shares to help you "practice the presence"? Is Lawrence's experience in a secluded priory even relevant to our modern, crazy lives? These are the questions we wrestle with this week, and we had a great time! Thanks so much for listening, talk to you next week.
This week we dive in head-first on everybody's favorite topic: healthy sexuality. With a ton of help from our special guest Rodney Wright of Pure Desire Ministries, we discuss topics such as the pandemic of pornography, sexual shame, and recovery from compulsive, unwanted sexual behavior. This is an incredibly important topic and we are so grateful for Rodney's ministry work, and his time with us. Thanks as always for listening, talk to you soon!
After a previous episode on guidelines for mental health, Jon had some follow-up questions on one of those guidelines: maintaining boundaries. In a committed relationship, or in relationships where there is shared responsibility, how are we supposed to protect our boundaries? And when, if ever, is it appropriate to flex those boundaries? We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and appreciate you listening!
Happy Thanksgiving! For a shorter holiday episode, this week we decided to share some of the philosophies that we individually have learned and benefited from, five from Jim and five from Jon. All of these philosophies are either scripture-inspired, or at the least scripture-aligned. Thanks so much for listening, enjoy your Turkey Day!
The changes of dogma from the Old Testament to the New is challenging and, if you're anything like us, reading the two can bring up a lot of questions. Why don't we practice all of the old Jewish laws? Why did Jesus change some laws and not others? Did God change his mind? We break down a series of chapters from Following Jesus the Servant King by Jonathan Lunde to get some answers. Thanks as always to our listeners, have a great week!
It's been a big week for America. We are sure you've heard enough about the election, so this week we instead talk about a number of reasons we love our country! This conversation was inspired by the documentary "Safeguard: An Electoral College Story," which you've probably already heard us mention and can watch on Amazon Prime. We also tried some new audio stuff in this episode and we would love any feedback you have!
It's another list episode! In this conversation, we go over 5 pieces of Biblical bad news for us and how, in actuality, they are great news. In the upside-down Kingdom of God it is the last who is first, the weak who are strong, and the selfless who is King. Why is it good news that we as human beings are incapable of perfection? Listen in and find out!
Happy Monday! On this episode of Upstream, we ask if an intellectual belief in God and His son Jesus is enough to be saved. If I have that belief but my life doesn't show it, what does that mean? What is the difference between the legalism of the old covenant and the righteous expectations of the new one? Is this whole conversation a waste of time? We are so grateful for all of our listeners, talk to you next week!
The Netflix docudrama "The Social Dilemma" has exploded in popularity and this week we decided to watch it and share our thoughts! We discuss the documentary, which explores the often-nefarious practices of big tech companies in designing social media, and the effect of that media on us and on the world. It was an interesting piece of media and it made for interesting conversation. Thanks for listening!
Welcome back! We do a deep dive this week into 2 Timothy, where Paul makes three unique metaphors: that Christ followers should be like soldiers, like farmers, and like athletes. What message can we find in these metaphors for us today, and how do we apply them to our lives in a practical way? You've got to listen to find out! We are so grateful for your time, have an awesome week.
Jon had a series of questions this week brought on by a Francis Chan message on why he was leaving the states to enter the mission field. With scripture as a guide we discuss: Is every follower of Jesus meant to leave their home to spread the Gospel? Why not? What does it look like, in a tangible way, for a "normal" Christian to seek first the kingdom of God in their lives? This week is a doozy but it was very helpful for Jon and we believe it will be for you too. Thanks, as always, for listening and have an awesome week!
Another week, another episode of Upstream! This time we read through a bit of Hebrews chapter 12 to talk about hardship and pain, and how followers of Jesus are called to view difficult times as discipleship opportunities for us to grow closer to, and stronger in, our God. We give some practical examples of what this might look like for those in hard circumstances, and advice for listeners hoping to comfort others suffering as well. Thanks so much for listening, talk to you next week!
Jim was smitten this week with a list of four essential skills/priorities that are foundational to our mental and spiritual health. We talk over this list, how the specific items apply individually and in tandem in our lives, and discuss a definition of pain that Jim believes works well with this list of essentials. Jon learned a lot this week and we hope you will too! Thank you for listening.
Guest Ryan Betz joins us this week for a discussion on how to not only survive, but flourish during times of chaos unprecedented in our lifetimes. Ranging from our professional, to spiritual, to home lives, how do we organize with enough purpose to grow when things are as unpredictable as they are? Using examples from Ryan's own experience, we talk about this and more this week on Upstream. Thanks for listening!
A pastor in Kentucky has had a series of dreams that he says may be prophetic for our country in the coming months. As they have gained attention, we figured we should talk about the validity of his specific dreams, their content, and our own predictions for the end of this year and the start of the next. We hope that this episode, more than anything, reminds you that God is in control of it all and we have nothing to fear. Thanks for listening!
Jesus speaks with severity on a number of topics, yet few as severely as the topic of forgiveness. Throughout the gospels we see him laying out multiple parables on both the power of forgiveness, and the dire consequences for us if we refuse to forgive. Why is forgiveness such an important topic to Jesus? What if I feel like I can't forgive someone who has wronged me? We talk about these questions and more in this episode. Disclaimer: Jon had some difficulties with his mic this week and the audio suffered as a result, but we think there's stuff here that can be edifying to you and we are so grateful for all of our listeners!
While Jon is on vacation, Jim discusses the three questions we must answer correctly to have all the power, influence and fruitfulness God has in mind for us during this crazy year. The opportunity before us is incredible, but the pathway will be different than we are used to. Thanks for listening as always, we will see you next week.
We read through two lists of passages of scripture this week that emphasize both the eternal forgiving power of the blood of Jesus, and the importance of faith-inspired works. Are passages that warn believers not to return to sin a sign that we can lose our Christ-given salvation? We wrestle with that question and more in this episode of Upstream. Thanks for listening!
Jesus makes very clear in the gospels that it is not free to follow him. This week we analyze the language Jesus used to describe what it is like to be a disciple, why many in the western church have not really wrestled with what following him could, and might still, cost them, and how in the end it is still very worth it. See you all next week!
We had the opportunity to host some guests in the studio again for a panel on the challenges and opportunities facing millennial men, specifically during the COVID pandemic. Both Michael and Jordan work in production at Evergreen and we're so grateful they were able to join us. Thanks for listening, see you next time!
We're back in the studio this week for a talk about faith and doubt, diving deep into Hebrews 11 for the definition of faith, and for the idea that faith is what made the great men and women of God great. Is faith the absence of doubt? Or are Christ followers meant to overcome their doubts with faith? We're especially proud of this episode and are very grateful for our listeners. See you next week!
How do I stay sane and focused in a crazy world? This week, Jim flies solo as Jon is on a short vacation. Jim will unpack how he is learning to stay positive, focused, and optimistic in a world of chaos. If you battle anxiety, frustration, or trials, this episode is for you! Tune in next week for some good, old fashioned Upstream and thanks for listening!
Public discourse has gone from a sense that you can't please everybody, to a sense that you can't please anybody at all. If you have any differences in belief from those on either end of a spectrum of extremes, you are seen as an absolute enemy to all they believe. How can we navigate a society like this while maintaining our gospel and showing love to those around us? Do we just shut down and mind our own business or do we pick a hill to die on? We have this conversation up, down, and sideways this week, thanks as always for listening!
This is Jon Thoughts! With Jim out of town for a few weeks, Jon took to the mic for a very impromptu rambling sesh on what's been occupying his thoughts for the last little while, namely on meaning, and on looking at the history of man and God in a narrative sense. Its a shorter episode with some chill vibes, but if that's not for you we will be back next week with some regularly scheduled Upstream! Thank you as always for listening, and, this week in particular, please give us feedback. We may have another Jon, or Jim, Thoughts down the line if we need to, but otherwise the show will go on as per usual (Note: the word Jon is looking for at one point in the episode is "Theophany." Also he once says "Nova Scotia" instead of "Newfoundland," which is what he meant).
The Bible describes the Gospel as having the power to change people to the extent that the only appropriate way to phrase it is that they were entirely born again; the old has gone and the new has come. But when we look at ourselves and at others, do we really see change on this level? And is this change meant to be all at once in a miracle moment, or gradually over time? How much of our personal identity is meant to survive this change? We both had questions swirling around this topic and figured we'd hit record and share with you all. Thanks so much for checking it out!
We made it to episode 60! Thanks as always for listening. This episode we talk about personal responsibility: how it seems to be disappearing from our culture; how a life without responsibility can feel meaningless; and how finding meaning, through responsibility, might be the key to happiness and a sense of fulfillment. Enjoy!
Multiple passages of scripture provide the same message: that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Jon had a question this week on how far, exactly, this extends. If you find yourself at piece with the world does that mean something is wrong? Should you go picking fights with the world just to feel some resistance? And what of struggles you experience between yourself and the church? We dive deep into these questions and more this episode, thanks so much for listening.
As the nation has come to another grinding halt in the last few weeks during protests in respect to the murder of George Floyd, we figured it was pertinent to have a conversation, or in this case, 6 small conversations, on race relations in America. We also touch on related issues like the power of speech and the Frustrated Majority. Please note: we are very aware that, as two white men in a primarily white part of the country, we have myriad blind spots in regard to the black experience. Thank you for understanding and for listening. All feedback is welcome!
On the topic of Evergreen's new Oikochurch program, we talked this week about how, relationally, a small intimate group can have a far bigger effect on the lives of its members than that of a larger group. We also discuss how this principal, going big by going small, relates to other areas of life, and how everybody needs at least one "2 a.m. friend." As always, thanks so much for listening, and stay safe out there!
Happy Memorial Day! We hope you all are having great three day weekends and are so grateful for your listening patronage. Jim and Sue had an interesting conversation on their own that Jon had his own take on, which led to this conversation on how our contemporary culture seems to decide what is right and what is wrong. We compare that with some cases of Biblical morality, including a few times when the Bible itself goes into some morally grey areas. Enjoy some family time this weekend, see y'all next week!
We get personal this week on our own non-stop fighting of our sin natures, and talk about if there is a better way to go about righteousness than trying really hard to be better and hating yourself when you fail. If being born again is really as powerful and dramatic as it sounds, why do men and women of faith still fight temptation all the way to the grave? Tune in and find out (Note: yes, we have done a sin management episode before; we tried to being some fresh material for this one. As always thanks for listening)!
Well, there it is. This week we talk about gun ownership, not through the lens of gun control legislation or our political positions on them, but on our personal convictions (or lack thereof) on gun ownership as disciples. Would Paul have owned guns? Would Jesus? Does preparing for the worst mean you lack faith/doubt the sovereignty of God? We walk through our own personal values and questions here and are not setting out to speak definitively for all Christians, so please enjoy and send us any comments/questions you have! And as always, thanks for listening.
Welcome to the first episode of year two of Upstream! Thank you so much for your continued support, we are so grateful for our listeners. This week we have another COVID-19 discussion, this time on the many ethical questions it has brought to the front of public discussion. Among them; should older Americans risk their lives for the sake of the economy? Hope you all are safe and, again, thank you.
This week marks one whole year of Upstream episodes! We could not be more grateful for those who give us their time and tune in every week, and a special shout out to our Upstream Team who support us on Patreon. We celebrate this occasion by looking back at how we started, what our goals were and where we are now, and then look toward the future of the podcast with some of our goals going forward. Look out for more from us going into our second year and, again, thank you!
This week we look as best we can into the future, when the shutdowns are eased and people are back to sharing all kind of space with all kinds of people. We look at possible changes ranging from the more dramatic to the more mundane, with a particular focus on how this culture shift might affect our professional world and its status quo. Thanks so much for listening as always, and catch us next week for our one-year anniversary episode!
Are the commands that Jesus gave to the Apostles exactly the same He would give to every Christian, or are there different levels of expectations for those who are not in vocational ministry? We talk about that this week in our first remotely-recorded episode! Thanks for listening.
We review a study and advice from a professional with credentials for above our own this week on what exactly happens to our minds, both chemically and otherwise, during a time of mass crisis like we all find ourselves in. As well as breaking down why exactly we react the ways we do to pressure, we go over ways to use that information, and this extra time on your hands, to your advantage. As always, thanks so much for listening! Appreciate you guys.
This week, Jon had a sort of "aha" during Jim's sermon on Sunday. You don't have to attend church for very long before you hear about God's plan and the ways it may run contrary to your own, but often we talk about this in regard to aspirations, career goals or life purpose. But the realization was that this extends to really all manner of things, including prayers during life or death scenarios. When God does not spare a loved one, what would it take to accept that with grace knowing that He did what was best for the Kingdom? And what does submitting that fully to the will of God look like in the real world? It's a thick one, but thank you so much for listening and all feedback is invited!
While many Washingtonians have already been staying home for the good of themselves and their countrymen, there may be a long road of self-isolation still ahead of us. To help you stay sane and healthy, we both wrote a list of ways you can stave off boredom, and even use this time as an opportunity to help people! We had a lot of fun, thank you all for listening.
We bring you this early episode of Upstream to encourage peace during a week of panic that shows no signs of slowing down. The figures and public opinion surrounding this novel coronavirus change so rapidly that we are delivering this to you very soon after we recorded, and if you listen to it next week please give us grace in regard to information that may be out of date by then. Between those who believe the world is overreacting, and those who believe death is imminent, we believe this is a serious issue that need not encourage fear in the hearts of the followers of Jesus. We love you guys, thank you very much for listening!
Some hot, fresh statistics have recently been released, showing again the decline of Church attendance in America. This time, however, it has shown an increase in personal faith engagement (prayer, Bible reading), which complicates things. So again we look at the future of the American Church, why these stats are the way they are, and what other forms Church-going may take in the coming years. Thanks, as always, for listening!
Jon has a question this week on Philippians 2:12 where Paul tell us to "work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling." Salvation is normally associated with joy and grace, so this wordage caught him off guard. We talk through it this week, and through the general concepts of what it is to fear God, and what responsibility you have in regards to your own salvation. Thanks for listening!
The New Testament seems to acknowledge only one kind of Christian, one who is totally bought in and on fire for God. This seems contrary to how ministry seems today, where there can be many kids of Christ followers (i.e. the new convert, the cooled-off Christian, the stuck one, etc.). So we break down a list this week of the differences between a casual, cultural Christian, and a bonafide New Testament disciple. Thanks for listening, all feedback is appreciated!
We break down another list this week, this time on lies people believe about work and their careers. Jim provides an employer perspective, focused on how to provide the healthiest and most productive environment for your team, and Jon the employee, focused on how to enjoy your time at work the most and the realities of a work-life balance (or if that is one of the lies)!
This week's topic is an especially squirrely one. We talk about research that indicates that a person is basically already who they are going to be from a very young age, with many predispositions set before birth, and what this says about us and our interactions with God. How free-will enters into the equation, and what being 'born again' really means in a practical sense. We had a great time recording it and we think you'll have a great time listening to it. Thanks for tuning in!
This week we use one of the smaller miracles of Jesus as a case study to understand the relationship between what we believe and how we view the world, and how challenging it can be to believe against our unbelief that God is still working in supernatural ways all the time. Thanks for listening, we made it to 40!
This week we talk about the idea that happiness is a choice, and how one might go about choosing it. We break down a famous list of qualities of happy Christ followers, and the possibility that happiness isn't a goal, so much as it is a byproduct of a healthy and God-honoring lifestyle.
This week we are graced with our second guest ever (and the first non-Ladd) Alex Cloninger! Jim interviews him and Jon about their predictions and aspirations for their careers, and those of other Gen. Z's, and offers his own life experience and advice. Alex hosts his own podcast, which you can find on Instagram @chatthepodcast. Thanks for listening!
Oh boy. What can be said about this one. This week we finally talk about Trump in regards to the recent drama surrounding a Christianity Today article on him, which was probably inevitable, and for how much we dreaded it we think it turned out very well. Thank you for listening to one drop of in sea of editorials about the current political state of the U.S. Also, Jim was wrong and this is the 37th episode, not the 38th.
This week we talk about the romantic, pensive, and often disappointing time of New Years, and the marked decrease in people practicing resolutions. We share our thoughts on the holiday, on the passage of time, and on the right way to do resolutions without burning out or failing yourself. Overall, we have a good time. Thanks for listening!
This week, Jim and Jon are joined by daughter/sister Bethany to talk about what work, faith, family, and friendships are like for millennial women!
It's the Christmas episode! This week Jim and Jon spend a good amount of time sharing their favorite Christmas memories and traditions, and talk about ways to make the holiday easier to those for whom Christmas is complicated or painful. Merry Christmas!
The Christian faith has been in steady decline for a long time. If you follow that trajectory, America seems like it will end up in a similar scenario as many western nations: where followers of Jesus seem to be fewer and far between. Is this inevitable? What is causing this? And could this actually be a good thing? Find out this week, on Upstream!
Jesus shook many religious trees during his time on earth, but his treatment of the commandment of Sabbath stands out. Why don't we treat the Sabbath the way the Jews did? Does Jesus say this commandment doesn't matter? This week Jim and Jon answer these questions, and highlight why exactly the Sabbath is still so important.
It's not a jolly topic, but it's certainly an important one. The bible teaches, and we believe, that the hope of Jesus sets us free from all manner of things, one of which being despair/hopelessness. However this is, tragically, not always the case. This week Jim and Jon talk about the factors at play when a Christ follower feels hopelessness, and open up a bit about their own struggles with it.
In this episode Jim and Jon break down "sin management," a hot phrase in modern Christianity. When Jesus and the New Testament writers say that He has set us free, why do we still have sin urges? And will we ever be rid of them?
Jim and Jon believe that a lack of conversation on issues such as this one is a contributing factor to why they happen in the first place. This week they talk about the systems at play in this public moral failing, and how the body of Christ moves forward.
This week Jim and Jon talk about absolute morality, what the Bible says about that, and how complicated morality can be in our complex, sticky world. Thanks for listening!
Kanye West says he has committed his life to Christ, and has released what many are calling a worship album, Jesus is King. Already a controversial figure, many Christians doubt his authenticity, many hip-hop fans are disappointed in him, and many others think this is just another chapter in his descent into mental illness. Jim and Jon give their take on the situation, and try and make a case for why every Christ-follower's first reaction should be joy.
This week, Jim and Jon use the question, "should Christians go to bars," as a catalyst for the discussion on whether or not you need to mind the convictions of other people of faith. If you feel free to drink, and other believers don't believe you are, do you abstain as a means to cohesion, or do you enjoy your blood-bought freedom. Their discussion comes mainly out of the writings of Paul, and is vitally important in the age of a divided church. Thanks for listening!
Our God promises to provide for us, and bless us even further in our obedience. Is there a limit, then, for how abundantly Christians should live? A limit to how much money one should have? That is what Jim and Jon talk about this week.
This week Jim and Jon share what they believe are God's top three priorities for their lives in this season. They are all personal and specific to them, but hopefully this conversation inspires you to think this way about your life as well.
This week's episode is a response to a teaching by Francis Chan (who we hold in high regard) with the message that not all people who claim Christ as their savior will end up in Heaven. It is an incredibly sensitive and heavy topic and Jim and Jon navigate it as best they can, giving their take on the issue. To watch Chan's message, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FmtVuHxzUA&t=1s
We are called to confront our spouses and to help them grow, and conflict is incredibly important than this. The challenge then becomes making sure your spouse feels respected, heard, and that you two are on the same team. How does one do this? Find out in the episode!
The quarter life crisis is a generational phenomenon affecting the millennial generation, and the older members of generation z. It has seen its share of mockery, but the quarter life crisis is being taken more and more seriously as more people go through one. This week, Jim and Jon wade neck deep in crises and see if they can help.
It can feel especially hopeless when you have adult family (children, parents, siblings) who are far from God. Oftentimes the situation is out of your hands, but this week Jim and Jon talk about ways you can show them Jesus without preaching to them every day.
Building a bit on last weeks conversation on friendship, this week Jim and Jon walk through how you can go about witnessing to your friends, telling them about Jesus while not putting barriers between you. Have an awesome week!
Adults by and large don't have friendships to the quality they would like. This is no different within the Church, and yet it should be. As the body of Christ, why aren't Christians the most unified people on earth? This is what picked Jim and Jon's interest this week. Enjoy!
A conversation between Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper about grief went viral recently and it sparked a conversation about suffering, and how God walks with us in, and even redeems, our suffering.
This episode is in response to a streak of high-profile Christians walking away from the faith. It's a somber one, but Jim and Jon explore how doubt plays in the lives of Christ followers, and how any person of strong faith has plenty of doubts.
Just another easy-breezy conversation with Jim and Jon. Jokes aside this conversation puts the experience of life in perspective, and will be helpful for anyone struggling to see the meaning in their day to day work. Thanks for listening.
Jim and Jon have a much needed chat about the Holy Spirit this week, and why He is a point of so much debate within the church. They also talk about why it is that western Christians specifically have a hard time with the Spirit.
Jim and Jon, being both qualified by their anatomy and facial hair, begin a conversation on modern masculinity and the many snares that come with "being a man."
This week Jim and Jon talk about the roles entertainment and art play in the lives of Christians, through the lens of fantasy phenomenon Game of Thrones.
Jim and Jon talk about generational diversity, the tensions that exist between our generations, and the value of that diversity to the future of the church.
This week, Jim and Jon talk about whether or not you can trust the knowledge and advice of non-Christians, if there is a difference between them at all, and about the nature of Truth. It's a doozy!
We live in a culture that has a lot of respect for our "feelings." Our culture also has opinions on how those feelings should be regarded in terms of Truth. Fortunately for this show, so do Jim and Jon. Enjoy!
Does God care what I do for a living? And if so is there one specific job for me? These questions and more are tentatively answered by Jim and Jon in this episode. There's some baseball talk thrown in too.
Our lives are the sum of our decisions. For Jim this is very good news, and for Jon not so much. Settle in for a deep dive into why exactly that is.
No, you aren't confused; Valentine's Day was months ago. Nevertheless Jon is here to interview Jim about the incredible highs and sneaky pitfalls of a 35- year marriage.
Jim and Jon talk about their favorite movies and explore what that says about them. Why do men love certain kinds of movies and what do those movies speak to in the heart of a man?
This week, Jim and Jon breeze through the delightfully simple concept of the sovereignty of God. That is a joke. This was a tough one to chew on, but they do happen upon some insights along the way.
In this episode, Jim and Jon try their best to define what exactly a church is, and whether or not it is still necessary, or even relevant, to the modern Christian Faith (Spoiler: it is).
Is political engagement an expectation God has for believers? What level of engagement should that be? What role does government play in the Kingdom of God? Jim and Jon discuss these issues and more.
Does God desire abundance for everyone? What is abundance? What is God's part in providing abundantly? What is our part? What about bad things happening to great people? What derails abundance and how do we keep our priorities straight?