Endure: Recent Episodes
Daniel Ritchie
Following Jesus is like running a race. But it's a marathon, not a sprint. While we prefer to live in the "right now," God is not after quick fixes. His ways and his timetable are better. He wants to make us like Christ, and that takes a lifetime. So how do we run the race with endurance?
Endure is a podcast that is aimed at encouraging and equipping you to run your race of faith well over the long run. Join us to see how trusting in God and His grace - while pursuing Him one step at a time - will bring about your growth and His glory.
Being a good spouse and a good parent is hard. Being a good spouse and parent while also in ministry is stress to the max. Doing all of that during COVID and an election is almost unfathomable.
This week we're talking about how to managed all of that with Roland and Tammy Martinez. They have dedicated themselves to teaching and discipling others. Initially serving in Christian education and pastoral ministry together in Miami and Ft. Myers, Florida. Eventually moving to Charlotte, Roland served as a full-time pastor where he and Tammy counseled couples and helped them to build God-honoring faith relationships. After pioneering the ministry of Christian Family Life in Caribbean and Latin American countries, Roland became the president of Christian Family Life in 2013. Roland and Tammy are frequently asked to teach church leadership the faith principles and share their application in seminars with couples. They have six children ranging in age from elementary school to college graduates and are active parents, residing in Charlotte, NC.
Josh has been the Lead Pastor of 2ND Conway since September 2018. He met his wife, Jacki, at Criswell College where they both earned degrees in Biblical Studies. He holds a B.A., Masters of Arts, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree. He began full-time church ministry in the Fall of 2001 and has served primarily in and around Dallas TX. Josh and Jacki have three sons and live in West Conway. He loves kayaking, reading on a Kindle, coffee, and tacos.
You can follow Josh on Twitter HERE.
It seems like the contentious nature of our day is stressing relationships to the point where friendships are being broken up and bridges are being burnt. This week, we look at the Christian response when people are hurt and sinned against. We're looking at forgiveness.
This is a sermon that Daniel preached this past Sunday at Denver Baptist Church from Ephesians 4:32.
Have a great week and be kind!
David serves as the Lead Pastor for First Baptist Church of Orange Park, Florida and is founder of the First Family Network of churches and campus locations. He is also the founder of Battle Ready Men, an organization that seeks make disciples of men and empower them to be the primary disciplemakers of their family.
You can read David's writing HERE.
You can follow David on Twitter HERE.
After a bit of a hiatus, we're back! This week we fill you guys in on all the things that have gone on in our family & ministry while also sharing what God has been teaching us.
Heather mentions our "Thrill of Hope" episode this week and you can find that episode HERE.
As always, thanks for listening and don't forget to be kind!
Nick Terry is the chaplain for NASCAR as a part of Motor Racing Outreach. He serves the teams, drivers and owners by helping to shepherd and lead the Christian community on the NASCAR circuit.
You can follow Nick on Twitter: @nickterryMRO
This week we are trying something a little different here at The Middle. We wanted to share a sermon that Daniel preached at our home church. We feel that this sermon is incredibly timely for many of us as we wonder what God is doing in this season. We pray this is an encouragement for you to not stop and to trust God's plan as He seeks to turn the world upside down.
Acts 17:1-15
Main Idea - God's gospel turns the world upside down
1) God's gospel doesn't make earthly sense.
2) God's kingdom upsets the order of the world
3) God's church grows by God's Word
4) God's people don't stop.
Have a great week and don't forget to be kind
One of the most common questions that I get from people in the moments after I speak is how they can share their testimony. For me sharing my story takes a lot of forms: from the stage, small groups or one-on-one in everyday life. Regardless the circumstance, I think these three aspects are crucial for honoring God in your story. We take a quick look at what three aspects need to be woven in any testimony.
What We Are Lovin'
D - For God So Loved The World by Dayton Hartman and Walt Strickland
H - Beginner's Pluck by Liz Bohannon
Let’s hang out online! Instagram - @danielpritchie @heathersletters
Facebook - @danielpritchie Twitter - @danielritchie Website/Speaking/Blog - www.danielritchie.org Thank you for listening! Feel feel to leave a review and don't forget to be kind!
Obviously, we cannot control a lot of things in our lives. 2020 has proven that like never before. But learning to cope when you feel out of control can help you manage your stress, your emotions and even alter your perspective as you live in a difficult season. This week we look at 3 ways to navigate stress regardless of what you find yourself in the middle of right now.
What We're Loving
H - Adorning The Dark by Andrew Peterson
D - American Gospel
Let’s hang out online! Instagram - @danielpritchie @heathersletters
Facebook - @danielpritchie Twitter - @danielritchie Website/Speaking/Blog - www.danielritchie.org Thank you for listening! Feel feel to leave a review and don't forget to be kind!
There are phrases that are used in Christian culture that, though common, aren't necessarily true. Today, we look at the phrase, "God will never give you more than you can handle." As we talk not only do we see that is not Scripturally true but that God does want you to have trials that go far beyond what YOU can handle.
Many of us may say we are in the middle of a season like this right now but we hope that you see today that God is working in you, through you and for you even in this tough season.
Let’s hang out online! Instagram - @danielpritchie @heathersletters
Facebook - @danielpritchie Twitter - @danielritchie Website/Speaking/Blog - www.danielritchie.org Thank you for listening! Feel feel to leave a review and don't forget to be kind!
Daniel was born without arms and therefore lives a life very differently from the majority of the rest of the world. Aside from having to adapt to doing everything with his feet, today he shares what it’s like to live differently in society. Heather also gives her perspective on being married to a non-typical person and how that affects their marriage and parenting. Together, these experiences will help you get a glimpse into the life of people who do not fit into the American norm, how to be great friends to people like this in your own life and grow in empathy and compassion. What we are loving: Daniel - Campfires Heather - Essie nail polish and Sally Hansen Gel Topcoat Let’s hang out online! Instagram - @danielpritchie @heathersletters
Facebook - @danielpritchie Twitter - @danielritchie Website/Speaking/Blog - www.danielritchie.org Thank you for listening! We love a 5 star review and don’t forget to subscribe!
We are incredibly excited here at The Middle because this episode falls on the one year anniversary of starting this podcast!!! We certainly understand that this episode comes in the midst of collective brokenness and hurt that is gripping our nation. While addressing and lamenting the hurt of our day, we talk about the practice of choosing to focus on the grace of God seen in both the spectacular and the mundane. We call these gifts - measures of grace.
To listen to Robert Lane's episode, CLICK HERE.
To sign up for Daniel's ministry newsletter, CLICK HERE.
What We Are Loving:
Heather - Visiting with her parents
Daniel - John Frame's book, Nature's Case For God
Hang out with us online!
Instagram @danielpritchie @heathersletters Facebook @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie Be kind!!
Robert Lane has been a friend for almost 20 years and is a brother in ministry that I deeply respect. He has been a missionary for 15 years in spots all across the planet. I pray this conversation will challenge you as you see what it means to support a missionary while still being on mission yourself.
The nation is reeling with riots and months of quarantine stress and we know the only place to turn is to God. Romans 8 is one of the most theologically dense pieces of scripture, yet so full of God’s character and promises and hope. Heather and Daniel walk through some of their favorite portions of this chapter today to remind yourself of the goodness of the Lord and strengthen your heart in these weary days. Romans 8 We Stand With You: Racial Reconciliation https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-middle-with-daniel-and-heather-ritchie/id1467805820?i=1000474332018 God’s Good Gift of Adoption https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-middle-with-daniel-and-heather-ritchie/id1467805820?i=1000457220944 SUBSCRIBE to The Middle and never forget an episode! Hang out with us online!
Instagram @danielpritchie @heathersletters Facebook @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie Book Daniel to Speak: www.danielritchie.org
Parenting is an incredible challenge that is filled with mountains and valleys. Parenting in quarantine has been a challenge all its own for many of us. Yet, this time brings an amazing opportunity for us to lead our kids through suffering as well as affording us the chance to model how to hold onto hope when circumstances are hard. We dive in to the importance of talking our kids through our suffering while offering some advice on how to model the hope of Jesus when it is needed the most.
What We're Loving:
H - Architectural Digest YouTube Channel
D - Hiking
SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes! Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie Facebook @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie http://www.danielritchie.org Stay Safe and Be Kind!!
Joe Thorn is the founding and Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles, IL. and a graduate of Moody Bible Inst. (BA) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv). He and his wife Jen have four children.
You can follow Joe on Twitter - @JoeThorn.
You can find the podcast Joe co-hosts along with Jimmy Fowler HERE.
Upon recently learning a longtime hero of our faith, Ravi Zacharias is in his final days, many are paying tribute to his life and what it meant to them. We felt the same and also wanted the chance to share many Christian leaders who have encouraged and shaped our faith with their lives and ministries. Each is unique. Hopefully at least one will be somebody whose ministry will also serve you well and push you closer to Christ! Ravi Zacharias - Jesus Among Other Gods John Piper - Desiring God Derwin Gray Donald Whitney Book: Trellis and The Vine Danny Akin Louie Giglio Elisabeth Elliot David Platt Jackie Hill Perry Gloria Furman Lysa TerKuerst Matt Chandler Jennie Allen Bob Goff Christine Caine The Austin Stone
The shocking death of Ahmaud Arbery became public knowledge last week. We are lamenting with many of you over his death and the evil that pervades America for those of color. Today, we wanted to walk through the beginning layers of identifying white privilege, the active lingering fruit of white supremacy in our nation, and the steps we can take towards racial reconciliation. Our hope is this episode unites as the Gospel unites and we pray you listen with a humble, open heart.
www.bethebridge.com
“Racial Reconciliation” sermon by Beau Hughes at The Village Church
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DZM0hSsm5CI
“Under Our Skin” by Benjamin Watson
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Our-Skin-Getting-Frustrations/dp/149641330X/ref=nodl_
The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey: Interview with Latasha Morrison
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happy-hour-with-jamie-ivey/id880741976?i=1000452028209
Let’s hang out online!
Instagram - @danielpritchie @heathersletters
Facebook - @danielpritchie
Twitter - @danielritchie
Website/Speaking/Blog - www.danielritchie.org
Thank you for listening! We love a 5 star review and don’t forget to subscribe!
Every time I talk with Dayton - whether it is about family, ministry, preaching or even sports - I come away encouraged and challenged. I know that's the way you'll feel once you listen to my conversation with him as we talk through the dangers of ministry, church planting and the tension of the church & race.
Dayton Hartman is a husband, father, pastor, professor and regular contributor to The Gospel Coalition, 9 Marks, For the Church, The Intersect Project and The Center for Baptist Renewal. He has also contributed to Bible Study Magazine, Christianity Today, Credo Magazine, Ministry Team Magazine and other print as well as online publications.
You can find Dayton's books we talked about HERE.
These days have brought us plenty of hurt, fear, isolation and despair. Finding the hope in these circumstances can be SO hard. What do I do? How can I comfort friends? The trite Christian phrase can be to just “hope in the gospel.” Which is true, but left by itself isn’t helpful at all. This week, we dive into the dynamic, robust hope of the gospel and lay out how we can share hope with ourselves and others. How can we clearly see hope? - Don't assume the gospel - Use God's promises to fight despair - Cry out with God's help - Leave a legacy of hope What We're Loving Heather - IF: TV Daniel - Stainless Steel Ice Cubes SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes! Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie Facebook @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie http://www.danielritchie.org Stay safe and Be Kind!!
Quarantine may have you feeling like there is too much “togetherness” with those you love the most. We’re feeling that too but we are also trying to redeem all this time together as a married couple. Today we are sharing how we are trying to serve one another, love and grow together in a time that is extra stressful. We hope if you have been married for a year or 50 you will be encouraged to pursue your spouse in fresh ways. VIDEO SERMONS are now one of the most creative ways Daniel can serve your church or conference. Go to www.danielritchie.org/booktospeak to start the conversation how he can best serve you and your people! RATE + REVIEW this show if you liked it today! This helps our show grow so much! LISTEN to the latest episode of The Pastor’s Corner now, Daniel’s interview with Daniel Darling. SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes! Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie Facebook @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie http://www.danielritchie.org What we are LOVING this week: Daniel - Southern Draw Cigars Heather - Joanna Gaines’ Chocolate Chip cookie recipe
Daniel Darling is the Senior Vice President for Communications for National Religious Broadcasters. Dan is a bestselling author of several books, including Teen People of the Bible, Crash Course, iFaith, Real, Activist Faith, The Original Jesus, The Dignity Revolution, The Characters of Christmas and the forthcoming, A Way With Words, releasing in September 2020. He is the general editor, along with Trillia Newbell, of a small group study on racial reconciliation, The Church and the Racial Divide and is a contributor to The Worldview Study Bible and The Couples Devotional Bible.
You can find Dan on Twitter HERE.
This week we’re having a party at The Middle!! This week is episode number 52. Obviously this is an odd number but with our special episodes and what we’re doing at The Pastor’s Corner, we weren’t sure whether to count them as an episode or not.
Since we have gotten to a year’s worth of episodes, we felt we needed to celebrate with all of you. To do that, we wanted to share some of our favorite episodes which are broken down into three categories: our favorite episodes, episodes with the most audience feedback and our favorite interviews.
If you haven’t heard any of the episodes we feature today, find some time to give them a listen. You can find a link to all of them below:
Our favorites
War in the Waiting
A Legacy of Faith
This Changes Everything
Audience Favorites
Where is God?
A Glimpse Into Student Ministry
5 Ways To Suffer Well
Our Favorite Interviews
An Interview with Megan Lively
The Pastor’s Corner: Mason King
An Interview with Josh Deckard
SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes!
Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook @danielpritchie
Twitter @danielritchie
http://www.danielritchie.org
Stay safe and be kind!
How do I know if my preaching or teaching is boring or ineffectual? What do I do if my pastor is a terrible preacher? How do I discern what preaching is biblically faithful? These are a few of the questions we deep dive into in this show from two perspectives: a pastor and a congregation member. Let this encourage your growth as a pastor, your grace as a church member and aid in your discernment as you might search for a church. A few trusted faithful pastor’s (among many) you could listen to if you don’t know who to listen to: -Matt Carter and Halim Suh at www.austinstone.org -Herb Reavis or Josh Reavis at www.njbc.org -Matt Chandler at www.thevillagechurch.net -Dayton Hartman at www.redeemerchurch.com -Louie Giglio or Ben Stuart at www.passioncitychurch.com -JD Greear at www.summitchurch.com RATE + REVIEW this show if you liked it today! 5 stars are the best. This helps our show grow so much! SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes! Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie Facebook @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie http://www.danielritchie.org What we are LOVING this week: Daniel - Good Reads app Heather - King’s Creek Round Rubber Duck Trucker Hat in Gold.
This wide-ranging conversation with Jared covers gospel-partnership, discipleship while social distancing and gospel faithfulness - all while we have quite a few laughs.
Jared C. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Spurgeon College, Author in Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, General Editor of For The Church (and host of the FTC Podcast), and Director of The Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO.
I pray you enjoy this conversation with Jared!
What are you doing to celebrate Easter this year? Today we are sharing the very simple things we decided to do to still make Easter feel special to us and our kids in quarantine this year. We hope this encourages you to think through what fits best for your family in this season and bend all our hearts in greater worship of Jesus. https://www.gospelproject.com/2020-family-easter-event/ www.christcommunity.com passioncitychurch.com What We’re Loving: Heather - TikTok Daniel - Helluva Good French Onion dip and Ruffles Potato Chips Keep up with us in real life: Instagram - @heathersletters @danielpritchie Facebook- @danielritchie Twitter - @danielritchie
This past Sunday we took some time to watch the livestream service from Passion City Church. Louie Giglio preach a sermon entitled, "Where Is God?" where he looked at the hearts of the disciples on the day wedged between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
On that Silent Saturday, the disciples certainly had questions, fears and doubts. Among those questions could have been, "Where is God in all of this?" Yet, He was present and at work - even in the stillness of that Saturday where the tomb was closed and the body of Jesus still laid lifeless.
This week, while many of us wonder about the presence of God in this epidemic, we want to offer the encouragement God gave us this weekend - He's still there. He's still at work. He still loves us.
You can watch Louie's sermon from Sunday HERE.
What We're Lovin' this week:
H - Interview with Cornell Doctor Dave Prince
D - Pastor's Talk Podcast
Please stay safe and be kind!
In this episode of The Pastor's Corner, we take time to sit and talk with Brian Dye. Brian is the head of Legacy Disciple which is a disciple-making conference for urban young adults. He also works with The Chicago Partnership which is an organization that works with church planting and leadership development in the Chicago area.
This is a master class in discipleship and I pray that this gives you loads of ideas and encouragement as you seek to make disciples in your context.
You can find Brian on social media:
Instagram & Twitter - @VisionNehemiah
This week we had a chance to talk with author and professor Karen Swallow Prior. Karen is brilliant, witty and loves Jesus - and all of those things are plainly seen in this conversation. In the times of trial we find ourselves in these days, this is exactly the conversation we need.
You can find Karen's Amazon author page HERE.
Karen's Social Media:
Twitter: @KSPrior
Instagram: @KarenSwallowPrior
Hope from the word of God is what our souls need the very most of all right now. Not more statistics or stockpiles of supplies. Daniel and Heather teach through the two passages of Scripture that God is using to specifically encourage their hearts amidst the immediate implications of quarantine for the Coronavirus. You will also receive a thrill of hope today as you listen that nothing but God can produce in the hearts of man during scary times.
Check out last week’s interview with Mason King on The Pastor’s Corner.
Genesis 22:1-19
Hebrews 11:17-19
Hebrews 4:14-16
“Obedience Precedes Blessing” episode from 2/18/20
What we are LOVING this week:
Daniel - #texanshelpingtexans
Heather - @sarahjanestudios sends out daily printable activities for your kids to work on while everyone is quarantined.
RATE + REVIEW this show if you liked it today! This helps our show grow so much!
SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes!
Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook @danielpritchie
Twitter @danielritchie
http://www.danielritchie.org
Mason King is the Director of The Village Institute in Flower Mound, TX and a man that I have held in high esteem since I met him four years ago.
This interview is a great challenge to many of us to not settle in our relationship with Christ or in our growth as leaders and pastors. We have to be aggressive to be present with the families that God has given us while also seeking to work diligently for the bride of Christ.
This is a wide-ranging, robust conversation and I know you'll come away encouraged and challenged by my conversation with Mason.
You can find Mason on social media here:
Twitter: @masonking
Website: www.masonking.com
Last week, we talked through our time in student ministry - what we loved, what gets overlooked and what we were disappointed by. There was so much feedback from the listeners, we decided to fill in a few things we didn't have the time to cover as we answer some questions you asked us in light of last week's episode.
In case you missed last week's episode, listen to it HERE.
Also, Josh Reavis gave great advice to pastors in our first episode of "The Pastor's Corner." You can listen to that episode HERE.
What We're Loving:
Heather - is hating healthy cookie recipes. You got a good one?
Daniel - Yeti Mug
SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes!
Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook @danielpritchie
Twitter @danielritchie
http://www.danielritchie.org
Have you heard the big news here on The Middle?! We launched a new series that will air right here, every other Friday called, “The Pastor’s Corner.” Daniel is having conversations with all kinds of people in ministry and you get to hear about it all. The struggles, unique challenges and blessings, leadership lessons and more.
And today we thought it was only fair that we share our own experience of pastoral ministry. Daniel was a student pastor for over 11 years and we want to share with you how much we loved it, things you may not know that come with the job, and what was disappointing about being a student pastor.
RATE + REVIEW this show if you liked it today! This helps our little show grow so much!
LISTEN to the very first episode of The Pastor’s Corner now, an interview with Josh Reavis.
SHARE which episodes you like on Social Media and see what we are up to behind the scenes!
Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook @danielpritchie
Twitter @danielritchie
http://www.danielritchie.org
What we are LOVING this week:
Daniel - Retro 51 Deluxe Stealth Tornado Pen
Heather - Hadley Mar Designs Key Ring Bracelet in light gray.
What we are LOVING this week:
Daniel - Retro 51 Deluxe Stealth Tornado Pen
Heather - Hadley Mar Designs Key Ring Bracelet in light gray.
Josh Reavis is the Associate Pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church. He's the husband to Seana and daddy to three amazing kids.
He is the brainchild behind the Twitter profile - "The Wrestling Pastor" - that has been a favorite follow for many pastors for years.
We hope you enjoy this conversation as we talk about calling, using social media wisely and the keys to not taking yourself too seriously.
You can find more of Josh here:
Twitter: @JoshReavis & @WrestlingPastor
Today is Heather’s birthday! We thought it would be fun to flip the script and have Daniel interview Heather so you all can get to know one of our co-hosts a little better. We talk evidences of God’s Grace, favorite books of the Bible, parenting hits and misses, why beauty is important and more things you never knew about Heather. Once you are finished listening you will feel like we had a jam-packed coffee date together!
“Praying the Bible” Donald Whitney
Thank you for listening!
Stop and SUBSCRIBE right now, then leave us a 5 STAR REVIEW if you enjoyed this show!
If you really liked it share on social media and be sure to tag us and follow for more behind the scenes:
Facebook: @danielpritchie
Instagram: @danielpritchie @heathersletters
Twitter: @danielritchie
This week on The Middle, we take some time to talk about obedience as a vital, visible aspect of our faith. Following Jesus must be active, otherwise it isn’t faith at all. God is kind and gracious to bless those who walk out what He has asked of us, but He is also swift to deal with disobedience strongly. As we take stock of the grace God has given us, how can we ignore the call for obedience that God has put on our life?
Obedience matters – no matter how big or small.
God deals with disobedience as any loving Father would – clearly and quickly.
God blesses those who live out what He has asked of them.
What we’re loving:
H – Yeti Mug
D – www.cigarbid.com
Over the last year we have been asked quite a bit to share the story of how we met and got married. It is a very unique story, very unconventional. To us and hopefully to you, it is just proof God can do absolutely anything. He can bring any two people together in His sovereign plans however He well pleases. So whether you are single or married this Valentines week, we hope you feel unconditionally loved and seen by God and loved and appreciated by those in your life. Books Mentioned: Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliott I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy What We’re Loving: Heather - King’s Creek Sweatshirt Daniel - King’s Creek Trucker Hats
Our family shares a fun nickname for Josh Deckard - The Most Interesting Man in the World. And listening today you will get a taste of why we say that. Josh formerly worked in the White House and is now is raising a family of four kids with his wife, Ali. Adoption and having a child with 24/7 medical needs is a part of their story and so is how God intersected his life and changed it forever. This conversation is full of wisdom and encouragement that no matter what you are in the middle of God is there, He’s in control and will bring purpose from it. We love the Deckard family and know after today you will too! "Hidden Christmas" by Tim Keller
"Every Good Endeavor' by Tim Keller
Follow Josh here! Instagram - @joshdeckard Twitter - @JSDeckard See what we are in the middle of! Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie Twitter @danielritchie Facebook @danielpritchie www.danielritchie.org Don’t miss the next episode by SUBSCRIBING and we always appreciate a 5 STAR rating! Thanks for listening!
We’re all pretty guilty of it. Checking out, numbing out because honestly, life is hard. We have stressors, anxiety and sometimes we need an escape. But when does that escape go too far, into the territory of being poor stewards of our time on earth. And worse, disconnecting from the lives around us that need us? We share in this struggle and today we share 4 ways to make sure we are all staying present. We hope you live the life God has given you to the fullest. Thriving, engaged, on mission. We can only do that if we are present and healthy.
What we are loving:
Daniel - Rtic Tumbler
Heather - Himwari backpack on Amazon
Subscribe and review our show this week!
Always know what we are in the middle of:
Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook @danielpritchie
Twitter @danielritchie
www.danielritchie.org
Most of us care enough to want to leave a legacy of meaning in one way or another. Listen as we share how Daniel’s own grandmother left a legacy of faith in the simplest and surprising of ways. It will encourage you with whatever you are in the middle of to everyday faithfulness.
This week we are recapping our Christmas and letting you in on what we are in the middle of right now in this new year. A huge part of that is our pursuit of God this year and we are sharing our most favorite Bible study and prayer tools in case you are also wanting to strengthen your relationship with God this year. Tune in, this episode is packed with great information, resources and fun!
-Christmas recap.
-New years goals (check out last week’s episode on that “Boldly Moving Into a New Decade.”)
-Bible Study and prayer resources:
Heather- The Bible Recap Podcast/reading plan.
She Reads Truth Study Bible
$3.99 notebook from Target
Val Marie Prayer Journal
Morning and Evening by Paul David Tripp
Favorite pens
*importance of having a time and place each day.
Daniel- ESV scripture journal
Prayer journal
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney (and Praying the Bible)
Logos Bible App
The Bible Project
What we are loving:
Heather - New rhythm of working out together again.
Daniel - Branded Bills NC baseball hat.
New year, new me, right? Maybe. If you change nothing then nothing will change and wouldn’t we all love to look back in 2030 and see marked growth in our lives? Listen today to hear how Daniel and Heather have reflected and planned for the upcoming year for the last several years of their marriage. It’s clean and simple, but with the time invested we are confident you will see the goodness of the Lord to you in 2020 and through this whole decade. It is IMPORTANT to cast vision, to dream and expect big, wild things from God! 1. Take an assessment of your life. Helpful tools for this: - Cultivate What Matters Power Sheets - Jennie Allen’s Dream Guide - Shay Cochrane’s Business Assessment - Brighton Keller’s Self Assessment 2.Dream BIG! All categories of your life. Throw it all down on paper. 3. Write it all down. Start finding categories for these dreams. Break it into baby steps. Set specific measurable goals. 4. Talk it all out with someone. Friend, roommates, spouse. 5. Keep your goals out. Revisit them at least weekly. Keep asking God about them and just get to work! What We Are Loving: Daniel - Football season. All the bowl games and championships. Heather - My new slippers I scored on Black Friday. I never ever take them off unless I’m going in public. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to this and leave a review if you listened and enjoyed it! Thank you if you have and if you have shared this with a friend. Hang Out Online! INSTAGRAM @heathersletters @danielpritchie FACEBOOK @danielpritchie TWITTER @danielritchie
On The Middle we love to talk about God, the saving work of Christ, and we love to laugh! We wanted to end 2019 on a high note and we thought you would enjoy laughing with us at everything we edited out. Have fun, and laugh at our top favorite bloopers of 2019. Happy New Year!
We continue our Advent study this week by looking at the many facets that love can take by looking at the life of Jesus. This week is our ultimate challenge to "Be Kind" by looking to the One who is the truest picture of kindness and love.
LOVE HAS MANY FACES -Love is an emotion and emotions move us to action. (John 3:16) God loves us so much that He SENT HIS SON. Action. COMPASSION - Jesus has compassion on the people as he traveled and preached and healed (Matthew 9:35-10:1). Because of this he PRAYED for God to send the workers because the harvest was plentiful. Then Jesus CALLED TO HIM the 12 disciples, and GAVE THEM AUTHORITY to heal and cast out demons in His name. GRIEF - John 11:33-44 Jesus was deeply moved and His spirit was troubled watching Mary cry over Lazarus. He joined her in that grief and CRIED with them. Then he RAISED Lazarus. ANGER - John 2:13-22 Jesus was angry that the temple was being used for commerce at the time of Passover (perhaps even taking advantages of travelers in unfair pricing) so he FLIPPED TABLES, MADE A WHIP OF CORDS AND SCREAMED at everyone as He DROVE THEM OUT of the temple courts. Then Jesus did it AGAIN in Matthew 21:12. JUSTICE - The Snake Crusher promised in Genesis is coming to finish the job. How kind, comforting and loving for God to bring evil to an end and bring us all the way Home, Aslan-style. A warrior, a robe dipped in blood, a tattoo down His thigh, and a flaming sword. For His glory, and His great love for us. HUMILITY - To do an accomplish any of this required the humility of God to be born as a baby, nursed by His mother, raised as a refugee, growing into a poor man who was a tradesman, had no home, rejected and despised by men who died for people who once loved Him but now betrayed Him, naked and alone. He lived and suffered an incredible humble life out of love for us. What we're lovin Daniel - Xikar Lighters Heather - A Hallelujah Christmas by Cloverton Follow us here:
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Twitter @danielritchie
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Many will assume that this is the most joyful time of the year, but for a slew of reasons, that’s not true for all of us. So how do you fight for that joy when it’s not selling up naturally inside of you? Today we discuss 8 weapons we use to fight for joy that are back up by the pages of Philippians in the Bible. We hope God’s word and the practical advice derived from it will help you grasp joy in this season.
SHOW NOTES
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Thanksgiving and gratitude practiced daily.
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Philippians 1:3-5, 4:4
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Christ-centered identity.
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Philippians 1:21
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Serving others.
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Philippians 2:3-4
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Detach from worldly things.
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Philippians 3:8
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Don’t settle.
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Philippians 3:13-14
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Fill your heart/mind with good things.
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Philippians 4:8
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Don’t base your hope on your circumstances.
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Philippians 4:11-12
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Soli Deo Gloria
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Philippians 4:20
What We Are Loving:
Daniel - To Live Is Christ by Matt Chandler
Heather - Lessons From The Precipice, sermon by Matt Chandler, The Village Church
Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to this show and leave a REVIEW in iTunes! Thank you for listening!
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Today’s world is defined by instant gratification, doing things fast and getting results. So no wonder for us to wait for anything tries our patience...and when we are waiting on God to move, it can test our faith. Listen as we discuss practical ways to war in a season of waiting faithfully. We draw from men and women in scripture who waited on a promise, or some who just waited for something to change because life was that bad.
We pray it helps you to hold to Jesus when it seems like He isn’t moving or hearing you.
What we are loving:
Daniel - Chick-fil-A Peppermint Milkshake
Heather - Rosebud’s Salve
Follow What We Are Up To:
Instagram - @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook - @danielpritchie
Twitter - @danielritchie
www.danielritchie.org
Looking at the Church and the world, there is a lot of heaviness, sin, struggles and it just feels overwhelming at times. But good news, we have hope in Christ despite all of this. In an effort to turn our hearts from all the evil and dysfunction we sadly tend to focus on, today we discuss 5 ways we see hope for the Church! This episode will remind your heart Jesus wins no matter what and Church has not gone to hell in a hand-basket.
SHOW NOTES
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There is global gospel growth!
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Cultural Christianity is fading away - this is a good thing!
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There is a hunger for community.
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Justice is a concern for the majority and no longer just the margins.
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Jesus is at the center and we know the end - He wins!
What we are loving this week:
Daniel - iFlex
Heather - Love Beauty and Planet Hand Cream
Follow us and hit subscribe to this podcast!
Instagram- @heathersletters @danielpritchie
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Twitter- @danielritchie
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This week on The Middle, we share with you guys all of our favorite things that will make great gifts as you dive headlong into Christmas shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. This is the every man's gift guide. They are all great gifts at reasonable prices.
You can take a look at and get the links to all the items we talked about by CLICKING HERE.
Follow Us Everywhere:
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Facebook @danielpritchie
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#themiddlewithdanielandheather Have a great week! Be kind!
Adoption has always been something that we have talked about on a regular basis. Due in part to our faith but also due to the fact that Heather herself was adopted as an infant. This week we dive into the doctrine of adoption and what that means for the church in the practical ways we live out the new family we have in Christ.
The Theology of Adoption 1) Before adoption was an earthly act, it was a heavenly plan [Galatians 4:4-5] - "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." [John 1:12-13] - "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." 2) If view of our adoption, we consider doing the same [Ephesians 5:1] - "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." [James 1:27] - Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. What I Can Do - Consider adoption for your family - Talk about adoption & its gospel roots (there's still a stigma about it) - Give financially to families and organizations involved in adoption (which includes pregnancy centers) - Serve and give to families that are adopting in your church (babysitting, meals, items kids need) What We're Lovin Daniel - Carhartt Beanie & Carhartt Vest Heather - Influencer Jen Reed Follow Us Everywhere:
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Facebook @danielpritchie
Twitter @danielritchie
www.danielritchie.org
#themiddlewithdanielandheather Have a great week! Be kind!
Sometimes the Holy Spirit feels like the ugly stepchild of the Trinity. He isn’t talked about often in Baptist circles especially and that’s a shame because He brings so much value (not to mention salvation) to us! Listen as we discuss the job and the power the Spirit holds according to Scripture. It will breathe fresh encouragement to your heart today as we uncover the work of the Spirit in your life, the gifts He gives to us and our purpose in using them!
The Holy Spirit-Who He Is
1 Corinthians 12:3
Titus 3:5
1 Peter 1:2
Romans 8:26
Luke 12:11-12
The Holy Spirit-Gifts
Ephesians 5
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
What we are Loving this week:
Daniel- Ozark Trail 30oz. Stainless Steel Tumbler
Heather- True Lemon Flavored drink packets
Make sure to hit SUBSCRIBE if you haven’t yet and all new episodes (every Tuesday) will automatically upload to your phone!
If you are listening and enjoying this and think others will too, please SHARE on social media and leave us a super quick review on iTunes. We thank you!!
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Be Kind.
“This changes everything.” This being Jesus. When He is Lord of our life and we are pouring into His word...it changes everything! What great news!
Join us today as we dissect the hope and importance of being in Scripture daily, how to fight for the time to do it and our top favorite resources to help you no matter what stage or season of life you are in!
SHOW NOTES
Book Daniel to speak in 2020 at www.danielritchie.org/booktospeak
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
2 Peter 3:18
Philippians 2:16
Study tips:
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Go slow.
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Adjust expectations from supernatural to obedient.
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Write it all down.
Resources we recommend:
Write the Word Journal by Cultivate What Matters
Give Me Jesus Journal by Well Watered Women
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
He Reads Truth (app, Bible, Bible Studies)
She Reads Truth (app, Bible, Bible Studies)
Gospel Transformation Study Bible
Christ Centered Exposition Commentary Series
What we are Loving this week:
Daniel - Sleeper - Fantasy Football App
Heather - Countdown to Christmas Hallmark movie app
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
One of the most beautiful realities for the believer is that God has given you a story. It is a story that isn't meant to be compare but it is a testimony of God's grace that should be told. This week, we look at the beauty of your story and the how you can share that story in ways that glorify God.
If you’re in Christ, you have a story - There’s no such thing as a bad story. It’s the legacy of God’s grace in your life. - Don’t covet the testimony of others. God uses the testimonies of brokenness, the stories the world looks down on, to point people to Him and His grace. [2 Timothy 1:8-9] – “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” That story is meant to be shared - God has showed you grace to encourage you – but to also encourage others. [2 Corinthians 1:3-4] – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” - People are searching all sorts of ways for hope and inspiration. To be able to share your story is to be able to point people to the road that God has graciously brought you down Different stories have different platforms - Not every story will be one shared from a stage. Some testimonies are meant to be shared in a more intimate setting. - Some stories inspire. Some empower. They’re all tools to be used, so pounce when you see an opening to share. What We're Lovin' Heather - Harvest Goods Co - www.harvestgoods.co/ Daniel - Golden Corral Yeast Rolls Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
Over the weekend, a video emerged of a Q & A panel at the Truth Matters Conference in which John MacArthur tells Beth Moore to “Go Home” in regards to her teaching and preaching ministry. In the following 7 minutes of the video, the men of the stage offer unkind and unfair criticism of both Beth and Southern Baptist Convention leadership. On today’s show, we will cover what exactly was said, but more than that we want to talk through what we can learn from this situation as we reflect on our own lives and faith.
If you want to watch the video we’re talking about, you can click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeNKHqpBcgc
Much of this week’s episode orbits around the idea of complementarianism and the role of women in the church. While we don’t fully cover those topics at length, there are two podcast episodes we’d encourage you to check out if you want to dive in further:
Danny Akin interviewed by Baptist 21
Doctrine and Devotion Clarifies their stance on complementarianism
At the close of looking at everything in this video, there were two takeaways we felt are important for us to be faithful to walk in as we closed:
1) Treat people with love – even if you don’t agree with them.
2) As leaders, be careful of what you say and how you say it.
What we’re lovin’
Heather – Atlas, our Great Dane
Daniel – Mochi
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
We are honored and excited to be interviewing our first guest on The Middle today! Megan Lively is a wife, mom, business owner and a woman who’s revelation of a past rape has brought hope to many while heartache to herself. Megan bravely shares how God has been her light in the darkness, ways to respond when you find out a loved one has been abused and how Jesus brings healing to our most painful wounds. You will leave inspired and encouraged that Jesus can and will do the same for you.
We want to warn you, this is not an episode for children to listen in on. We also urge you use your own discretion when listening if sexual abuse is a part of your past and might be a triggering discussion for you.
Megan’s Survivor Story from the ERLC’s 2019 Caring Well Conference - https://www.meganlively.com/single-post/2019/10/08/My-Survivor-Story
Find Megan here:
www.meganlively.com
IG @meganlively
Twitter @megannlively
Facebook https://m.facebook.com/themeganlively/
Megan has given listeners a special code for her social media management service for churches and organizations, Relevant Reach. With this code you can access the site (doors are currently closed) and instead of the usual $670 price for a year membership you will only pay $497! Access for you is in the link below:
http://www.relevantreach.org/themiddle
Follow us:
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Jesus did life with his disciple for 3 years, showing them, not just telling them how to live faithful lives to God and others. He modeled for us this mentor relationship beautifully. On today’s show we talk about the many benefits of being a mentor to others and being mentored. Some are obvious but we surprised ourselves after years of discipline younger believers at what being a mentor taught us about ourselves and God.
Benefits of Being Mentored
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Modeling is a powerful growth tool.
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It’s not a formula or something done “the right way” as the old saying goes, “more is caught than taught.”
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You can learn a lot just from watching how someone else lives (raising their kids, how they speak to their spouse or strangers in public, etc.)
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Philippians 3:17
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Scripture connects to life.
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By just living life with someone it can help you to connect the dots of scripture how to live a life following Christ.
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There’s a safety net for mistakes.
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Others can give us a fresh, non-emotional perspective on our lives, and big decisions we might be trying to make.
- Acts 20:35
Benefits of Being A Mentor
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It holds back a hard heart.
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It can be easy to become jaded when living a life of service and feeling like what you do doesn’t make a difference. Seeing young, hungry, vibrant faith can at times awaken our spiritual stupor.
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Psalm 51:12
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You get to watch sanctification up close.
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Miracles still happen. God calls dead people to life and infants of faith into deeper waters. Watching the sweeping movements of the Spirit is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of the entire Christian faith.
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Uncovers generational blind spots.
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One of the stand out moments of T4G in 2018 was watching godly, established leaders of our faith publicly repent of racial discrimination.
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Good, God-honoring people can blindly carry sin until there is a light to shine in the dark corners of our own hearts. As mentors, God can use a younger person in your life to expose your own wayward heart.
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It reminds us of our role on this earth and keeps you humble. The ultimate reminder is: it’s not about you.
Want to be mentored and/or mentor someone?
-Pray for a mentor and the just ask them to catch coffee or lunch or whatever on THEIR terms.
-There is no right formula to do this. Just start trying to meet together and you both decide what would be best for you in your lives and time constraints.
-Pray about someone you could pour into and then ask them if they are interested. I bet they will be!
What We Are Loving This Week
Daniel - The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshal and Tony Payne
Heather - Native Deodorant (it’s really that good!)
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
You may think you know, but truthfully, you have no idea the unique and unseen pressures on your pastor and his family unless you have served in pastoral ministry too. From 11 years serving as a student pastor, Daniel and Heather let you in on a peek behind the curtain of what pastoral ministry is like. They talk through not only the pressures of church ministry but also the fulfilling, unique joys of this calling too. Listen for 5 ways you can lift pressure off your pastor so he may continue to serve faithfully and in health for many years to come. Let this episode bring awareness and compassion to the man that serves you and God’s church each week.
PRESSURES
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Loneliness
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In that same Lifeway study of pastors, they found that 58% of pastors said that they did not have any true friends.
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Unending Schedule
- LifeWay says 40% of pastors work between 50-59 hours a week with the majority working seven days a week.
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It is a 24/7 job that often interrupts holidays, special occasions, and vacations.
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Financial Stress
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Most of the 400,000 pastors in the US are underpaid. Many pastors leave their current church or ministry altogether because they simply cannot make ends meet.
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Competition
- Ministry should not be a numbers game but it is the metric many use to rate the “success” of a pastor and if he does not meet a certain number for giving, attendance, baptisms, etc., then the blame is on him. Even if he is not to blame.
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Often caught between being faithful vs. being more attractional in order to draw more people in as our culture becomes increasingly entertainment-driven and consumeristic in worship style.
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The Homefront
- A struggle to pour out all day for others and not come home feeling empty when it is time to pour out to your own family.
- The unspoken expectations and pressures placed on pastor’s wives and children are unfair. Everyone has an idea of what they “should” look like, dress like, how they should serve, etc. with none of this communicated and little grace given. But, the pastor’s wife is always expected to take the high road or else....gossip will ensue.
HOW YOU CAN LIFT PRESSURE OFF YOUR PASTOR
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Pray fervently for him, his marriage, his children, in the way God is leading him. There is a very real spiritual war going on and it is felt on him and his family. Help him fight well. The enemy LOVES taking down a pastor.
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Encourage him and his family verbally. In a text, or card or email. For a great sermon or lesson, but also for his character that shines through in less visible moments than from the stage.
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Care for his family. His wife is not the unpaid staff member so don’t treat her as such. Love his kids, but not bringing too much attention to them. Offer to serve them someway with no strings attached.
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Set up safeguards.
- If there isn’t already an expectation and protection for a sabbath day, vacation time and sabbatical for your pastor then you need to put it into place.
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Protect your pastor by setting up accountability for him. No one pastor should make decisions without answering to someone else.
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Be Engaged.
Be a team player in the mission of the church. Nothing breathes more life into a pastor than seeing his congregation fall in love with Jesus and run on mission for Him.
UNIQUE JOYS OF MINISTRY
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Deep relationships can form over time. You are dealing with people’s souls and greatest joys and sorrows. Deep bonds are formed when you “go to war” together.
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Seeing spiritual fruit grow in those you pour into up close is wildly encouraging.
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Keeping the big picture in mind produces a joy that God has asked you serve His eternal purpose at this moment in time. It also helps keep your ego in check.
WHAT WE ARE LOVING
Daniel - Target brand Pumpkin Spice coffee.
Heather - Relevant Reach service for pastors and churches.
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
Today’s show carries a lot of weight and emotion with it but it is a very important topic to discuss. Daniel and Heather wade through what a holistic view of pro life looks like and then deep dive into the specific area of life in the womb, life of the birth mother, value of life not being based on timing or ability. As well as specific ways we can (and should be) be doing more to support abortion vulnerable families and women and not just in how we vote, alone.
Being pro-life does not just mean being pro-baby.
Abortion is the leading cause of death in the US. 74 kids are aborted every day in the state of North Carolina alone.
Meaningful Dialogue has to be done in love.
-James 1:27 - care for orphans and widows
-
Genesis 1:27 - we are all made in the image of God
-
Romans 12:21
-
John 9
Value is not based on viability.
Society wishes to silence men on this issue but your voice and action is needed!
Adoption is an option!
Call your local pregnancy center today and use them as a starting point of how to help.
What we are loving this week:
Daniel- Abortion is the Anti-Gospel
Heather- Living Proof Volume Blast spray.
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
As everyone wants to start talking about fall and soon after, the holidays, we recognize much of that revolves around the home. Homes come in all shapes and sizes, inhabited by singles, roommates, large and small families, empty nesters and more. But we all call a place “home” and today we unearth the power that home holds for us and others. Home is far more profound than simply the place we lay our head at night.
WHAT IS HOME?
-We believe the act of coming home is the closest taste of heaven we get this side of eternity.
“I think homesickness is a holy desire because we were meant to be at home, to be profoundly loved and deeply known, to belong to a people and a place where our story can unfold nourished by beauty, formed by goodness, rooted in love.” - Sally Clarkson, The Lifegiving Home
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart,” Ecclesiastes 3:11
“There is a dignity gained in loving oneself (we are to love our neighbors as ourselves) in the proper way. There is a psychological need met in surrounding oneself with beauty in the right way. There is expression that can be fulfilling even if other eyes do not see it and other voices do not say ‘thank you.’” - Edith Schaeffer The Hidden Art of Homemaking
SO WHAT DOES HOME LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
- Define what home means for you. Not from a tv show, Pinterest or a magazine.
- Homes have doors - to let in and shut out. What/who are you opening your home to? What are you shutting out?
WHAT ARE PRACTICAL WAYS TO BRING BEAUTY IN ONE’S HOME?
- Paint!! You can change almost ANYTHING quickly and cheaply with paint!
- Nature. Seasonal decorating is great but don’t feel the need to compete. Keep it simple.
- Refer to the 5 senses. How can you use them all to create an experience you desire for yourself and others within your home?
- Just get going...start with the thing that bugs you the most in your home.
- Ask how you can use your home to bless another today.
WHAT WE ARE LOVING THIS WEEK:
Daniel - The Lowe Post Podcast
Heather - chrislovesjulia.com and younghouselove.com
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week! Be Kind!
If you are like us, your fall calendar looks daunting! Dates filling up your schedule quickly can often leave us scrambling for air until we suddenly hit Christmas Break and wonder where the year went.
In an effort to play “the long game” and steward a busy season well, we discuss our plan of attack to keep us fueled through a busy fall and reveal errors we have made in the past and learned from.
You’ll leave this episode with some helpful pointers on not burning out but also the encouragement Scripture gives us to manage all our days well.
SHOW NOTES
- Signs of stress may not be any sort of breakdown, but when we find ourselves in a deficit it can show in our day to day lives, especially in doing the hard work of loving others.
[Psa 127:2] - "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
Keys to Staying Fueled:
Rhythms
[Psa 90:12] - "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Disciplines
- There's so much good that comes from the meat of Scripture and dependence of prayer. Build it into your daily rhythms.
Sleep
[Psa 4:8] - "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
- Sleep is an act of faith. In it, we trust His hands and His work - not our own.
“No"
[Luke 10] - Martha was anxious and too busy by doing "good things."
- Staying fueled can mean saying "no" to things that are good and God-honoring to prioritize the better and best.
"Yes"
- There's just times you need someone to talk to, someone to bear the load with. Say, “yes” to help, to accountability, to community.
What We Are Loving:
Daniel: Soups for fall weather.
Heather: Sleep...particularly my new “granny bedtime.”
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Loving people sounds easy but is actually very hard! We break this broad topic down by covering the 3 main areas we ought to practice loving others better: loving those close to us, those far from us and in our church community. For most of us, one of those is harder than the others.
Whatever category you fall in, there is hope and a challenge for every one of us to push forward in loving people better. Loving as Christ loved.
SHOW NOTES
3 Different Perspectives:
- Cultural Perspective - How are they treating me (self-focused)
- Personal Perspective - What is easiest for me (lazy loving)
- Godly Perspective - How am I treating them? (Others focused)
Loving those close to me
-Ephesians 5 - we ought to love those in our families so well as to not create blemish, to present them as Christ presents us to God.
-Sometimes to love others well we have to make sure we are managing our own stress well. (Sleep, exercise, time away, a hobby, etc.)
- [Matthew 7:12] - “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
- Know how your fam wants to be loved and pursue them in that w/o being asked
- This is a way to be like Christ to your family.
Loving those far away
- Acknowledge them. A "hello", head nod, eye contact. Treat them like the image bearer they are.
- Be willing to engage in unexpected conversation. That's eye-opening in a disengaged world.
- Live with the hope that you have so that you have the chance to speak of the hope you have.
[1 Peter 3:15] - "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
Loving those in gospel community
- Vulnerability is crucial. The community can't bear burdens you won't lay down.
[Galatians 6:2] - "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Accountability matters. The world doesn't seek out hard conversations apart from social media. Truth in love.
- Be present. You can't love who you don't know.
What we are loving this week:
Daniel - Headphones
Heather - Enjoying morning walks around my neighborhood.
Everyone wants to know their purpose in life. But some are content to approach life passively, waiting for a big sign. Today we discuss what scripture says about living with a purpose vs God’s sovereignty. We share ways we have seen intentional living and times of seemingly useless waiting as actually measures of God’s grace to us.
We hope this encourages you to dig deep and draw out what purposes God has for you and to lean into them with all you’ve got!
Show Notes
-Discipline in one area begets discipline in more areas of your life.
-Adaptability only takes you so far. There is greater profit in planning and living with purpose.
Why set goals and have a purpose?
- It prepares you for what may come and gives you something to aim toward as you move forward.
[Proverbs 20:4-5] – “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
-Yes, God is sovereign but man also has responsibility.
[Colossians 3:23-24] – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
[Ephesians 2:10] – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”
[Psalm 90:12] - So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
[1 Corinthians 7:29-31] - This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Be encouraged - today is a chance to start living with purpose if you feel you haven’t been!
If you feel like you aren’t using your giftings in this season of your life for whatever reason (going back to school, staying home with kids, health reasons) trust that this waiting time is not wasted time.
Sometimes God gives us seasons like that for rest, refreshment, to work something out of us or work something into us so we are more effective in the future!
Waiting is a great season to press into your relationship with God!
What we are loving:
Daniel - Flight Aware
Heather - Soapbox products
Follow us behind the scenes!
Instagram @heathersletters @danielpritchie
Facebook and Twitter @danielritchie
www.danielritchie.org
Be kind.
The culture at large has fed men the lie that “they are what they do.” It is in this lie where men can have their joy, their hope and their purpose stolen from them by a never-ending chase for more. Join us this week for us to talk about biblical manhood and the hope that comes from building your life on the One who holds your life in His hands.
1) The cultural perspective of manhood is broken.
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The world around us has built the picture of true manhood on two things:
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a) What man does (job, hobby, success in all things)
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b) What man has (house, truck, wife, $)
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A subjective moving target "identity" like that is something that creates a performance heavy view of my life.
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The lie in that sort of self-obsessed idolatry is that MY worth depends on MY work. It's a way of life that's doomed to fail.
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It is the reason you see men in mid-life crisis. They've worked decades to build a kingdom - that only disappoints.
2) We have to see what they world doesn't
[Colossians 2:6-7] - Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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The only reason I have worth has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Who has made me, saved me and is working in me.
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We don't keep score like the world does, which is hard because we are looking to a lot of things we can't see.
[Matthew 7:24-25] - “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
- We build our lives and our identity on His words. That gives us a firm foundation that won't crumble underneath us.
3) The identity of man is expressed in love
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The worldly picture of man does not involve love. It involves guns, grease and grit.
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The ultimate picture of manhood is expressed by the ultimate man in Jesus. All of that is seen in love:
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a) Love of God - pursue Him at home & at church
- b) Love your wife - the living picture of the gospel [Ephesians 5]
- c) Love your kids - you're the picture of the Father
- d) Love others - loving in such a counter cultural way gains gospel attention.
Loving
H – Home Revovations
D - Acts 29 in Guatemala
The phrase “follow your dreams” has been thrown around for years thought to inspire others to not settle in their life. But as with anything, the underlying messages sent can be damaging, shame-filled and leave us discontent and lacking trust in God.
Join us for an alternative conversation to #FollowYourDreams and biblical inspiration to dream with God!
SHOW NOTES
The Problem with #FollowYourDreams:
1. It is a shame tactic.
- Ephesians 3:20
- We are not our own.
-We have died and our lives are hidden with Christ. Including our dreams.
- Colossians 3:1-3
- 1 Peter 4:2
- 1 Corinthians 6:20
- It is a comparison trap.
- Look at the life of Joseph.
What We are Loving:
Daniel- TGC Article
Heather- Walmart Lightweight Sherpa Throw Blanket
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Just last week we celebrated 13 years of marriage! Feeling generous and wanting to celebrate a little more we decided to bring you a BONUS episode this week. We are sharing our top 13 pieces of marriage advice we have learned the hard way or through good advice given to us. To make it even more fun, we are sharing all 13 in 13 minutes! Share with a spouse or married friend today!
Show Notes:
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Communicate!! Expectations for everything from weekend plans, special days and holidays, to household responsibilities.
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Plan for big stuff, savor the little simple stuff. Contentment.
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Team mentality in everything! You are ONE now, so act like it. Serve the other well.
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Never bad mouth one another to other people. Always build up your spouse publicly. Be each other's biggest cheerleader.
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Don't try to change your spouse......but do push each other to grow! Set goals together, read books and articles together, listen to podcasts and talk about them, share biblical truth and your bible study with one another.
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Dream big together!
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Have sex. When you are happy, when you are grieving, when things feel wonky between you two, on a Tuesday. Sex is often the bridge back to each other.
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Be on the same page financially and always be honest! Have regular budget check ins, communicate when changes might come up.
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Stay unified no matter what, in all areas (parenting, ministry, career, friendships, money, etc.) Even if you have to pull away from other relationships, this relationship is the priority above all - even your children!!!
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Have FUN!!! Be silly, competitions, date nights on the couch or out. Plan fun things to do and memories to make.
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Get away. TOGETHER.
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Get away. ALONE. ....time out with friends, time for them to go do whatever they want to do (hike, shop, read, yoga).
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PRAY! Cover your spouse in prayer, pray for how you treat/approach them, pray for your struggles, hopes and dreams. Pray to be unified and love each other through all seasons.
Recommended Resources:
- You and Me Forever by Francis and Lisa Chan
- Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
- Mingling of Souls by Matt and Lauren Chandler
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- Becoming Us by Beth and Jeff McCord
What We Are Loving:
Daniel - Pizza Combos
Heather - Nut Thins crackers in Sriracha flavor.
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Hatefulness has become the language of the day and even worse, it plays out in our actions with others. Particularly if they look, think or act differently than I do. Today we talk about the uncomfortable things going on in our society as a result of not viewing one another first, as image bearers of God. We hope this episode, while hard to hear at times, might just help you to check your heart and make sure you are treating others with dignity and respect. To treat others how you want to be treated. SHOW NOTES • Don’t judge a book by its cover. • We have to get past seeing people with a label first. • Symptoms of hate include: racism, sexism, tribalism. - Tribalism even exists within the Church. We have to stop tearing one another apart and hurting the name of Christ. • There is power in the Imago Dei - because they are created in the image of God, they are valuable! • Ask, “are there sinful narratives and privileges I have been born into that now inform how I see others?” If so, repent, ask for God’s discernment in how to view people without hate or fear attached. • BE KIND. Treat everyone you meet with kindness! It takes effort and intentionality. • Listen to other’s experiences to learn what you do not know. This requires humility and often, repentance. But without it, we will not empathize with one another and enter into other’s sufferings the way Christ did for us. What We Are Loving: Daniel - Righteous Wretch apparel. Heather - Made For This podcast with Jennie Allen, episode 4. Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
We are always in the middle of something - answering an email, running one more errand, just to get one more thing checked off our list. And that spills over into our days off (if we even have one!) producing more stress, anxiety, and fractured relationships leading to burnout.
But God didn’t intend for us to live this way. His way is freedom, margin, and cycles of work and rest. Listen as we discuss why rest is so deeply spiritual, and ways to make it happen! You will leave empowered to master your schedule and days off which lead to a fulfilled soul.
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A. Why We Rest
1. Obedience
2. Trust + Surrender
3. This is God being the Good Shepherd to us.
- Psalm 23
B. Mastering the Recharge
1. Protect the Day Off.
- Maybe set up an email autoresponder and adding your office days/hours to email signature so others know why you don’t respond on that day.
- Unexpected invitation on your sabbath? Do this:
1. Check in with your spouse/roommate FIRST before responding.
2. Does this invitation serve the greater good for us in this week or meet a high value for our family in this season?
3. What is our bandwidth? Do we have energy for another thing or will this add to the overwhelm, exhaustion and eventual burnout?
2. Know Thyself
3. Communicate, Respect and Serve One Another
Resources:
Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
Margin by Richard A. Swenson, M.D.
Loving:
Daniel - 21 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John Piper
Heather - The Lion King
Find Us Here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Many of you have wondered how Daniel does things with no arms. From changing a diaper to drinking a soda. And some of you asked deeper questions about living differently. We compiled all the questions you asked us on social media and answered as many as possible in this episode. So, if you were ever curious about a life with two missing limbs, this will be very entertaining for you! We laughed a lot through this one, we hope you do as well!
-This week The Middle with Daniel and Heather Ritchie made the front page of New + Noteworthy on iTunes in the Religion and Spirituality category! THANKS to ALL of you for making that happen!!
- Keep sharing with friends, and be sure to leave a review and subscribe if you haven’t yet. That is what helps our podcast continue to grow and reach more people! We love bringing this show to you each week.
Heather is loving: New summer nail polish, “In Full Swing” by Essie.
Daniel is loving: The mountains of West Virginia after just taking our son, Teague with him there on a quick trip.
As always, you can find us here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week and be kind.
All of us are human and either have or will experience suffering in our life. So, we need to know how to handle that well. For your benefit, we are giving you the complete breakdown of our show with all points and scripture references to help you or someone else you know through their dark season.
If you like this show, share it with others and be sure to tag us! Even better, would you rate and review our show in iTunes? It significantly helps the show reach more people! Thank you!
1) Repeat God's promises to yourself
- This is easier said than done, but the best thing we can do is to remind ourselves of the God we have entrusted our lives to. [Hebrews 12:1-2]
- This is a CHOICE. Believe God’s truth over what we feel in our time of pain. Believing our feelings leads down a dangerous path “The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable--who can understand it?” - Jeremiah 17:9
[2 Corinthians 4:17-18] – “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- We focus on Christ and His promises, understanding we are NOT alone in our pain!
“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” -Romans 8:26-27 MSG
2) Sing in the victory and the pain
- The psalmist cries to God is good times and bad. He did not forget to worship God in His suffering. -Psalm 86 a song of lament.
- Worship and praise of God in your most trying times can become a battle cry for you! The song that gets stuck in your head should be one of victory and belief that Jesus is Better than anything else in this world.
- An act of surrender and trust. Believing before the victory comes that we have victory in Jesus and that He won't leave us where we are now.
- Acts 16 Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God in prison.
3) Run to community
• Our pain and suffering will drive us to isolate ourselves, which is one of the worst things we can do. Choose to have your brothers and sisters support you when you go through trials. [Galatians 6:2]
[Proverbs 17:17] – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.”
[1 Corinthians 12:26] – “So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
- When you are weak, you need a friend whose faith you can stand on. A friend that will lower you to Jesus.
- Just one or two trusted people is all you need. BUT don't wear your friends out - know your boundaries. They are your friends, not your therapist.
- Seek out a good counselor as a part of your team!
4) Choose daily to keep fighting
•Even when the pain doesn’t go away, we remind ourselves that God still has a plan for me, He is still working in me and He is going to finish what He has started in my life. [Philippians 1:6]
[Job 13:15a] – “Even if he kills me, I will hope in him.”
- Trust there's purpose in your pain.
- We cannot always see it in the moment of our pain, but God is with us and is working in our lives in the midst of our pain.
[James 1:2-4] – “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
5) Use your pain as a gospel opportunity
- The people closest to you take a deeper notice of you when things fall apart. With the world watching, what am I showing them?
[2 Corinthians 1:4-5] – “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
- God has people waiting in the wings that need to hear how you survived. To know they can too.
Resources
"Why Suffering?" by Ravi Zacharias
"When I Don't Desire God" by John Piper
“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” by Lysa TerKeurst
"My Affliction for His Glory" by Daniel Ritchie
To book Daniel to speak - Daniel speaks to communities large and small all around the country on this very topic.
This week we are loving:
Daniel - Cheerwine, the soda of the Carolinas as a sweet simple pleasure in the summertime.
Heather - Voxer app. It allows her to stay connected to friends better than texting when phone calls are hard to coordinate.
As always, you can find us here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week and be kind.
Everyone is Enneagram crazed right now. If you aren't totally sure about it all, I encourage you to listen today. We give the you the 30,000 foot view of what it is, the 9 types, and explain what in the world wings are and even share our VERY polar opposite numbers.
We also share how we have used it personally and in our marriage, and how to keep this tool in its rightful place in submission to God's Word.
In addition, we give you our practical ways to use it to push you into deeper dependence on Christ and give more grace to those you are in community with. And of course, our favorite resources surrounding this topic!
If you like this show, share it with others and be sure to tag us! Even better, would you rate and review our show in iTunes? It significantly helps the show reach more people! Thank you!
Resources
1. yourenneagramcoach.com - Beth Ann McCord's website, test, type descriptions and more.
2. The Enneacast Podcast with Jesse Eubanks and Sam Stevenson
^^ Both of these resources approach the Enneagram with Gospel truth!
3. enneagraminstitute.com - Lots of great information on each type as well as a test.
This week we are loving:
Daniel - Taking our family to Charlotte Knights baseball games.
Heather - Hosting a ladies summer bible study that has been very fruitful.
As always, you can find us here:
Daniel
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter || Facebook ||Instagram
Heather
Instagram
Have a great week!
We love our country and the freedoms she represents and the grace God has shown the United States. However, problems arise when we confuse policies and political leaders as functional saviors in the place of Jesus' preeminence over all earthly kingdoms.
Join us for a conversation about how the American dream is antithetical to the Gospel, how to not read Scripture with an "American" lens on, and reminding ourselves we are citizens of heaven who reside in the United States. We leave you with some practical ways to keep yourself in check in this area and to encourage you to be the best citizen you can be here, representing the name of Jesus Christ.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Radical by David Platt
- American Gospel: Christ Alone documentary
- "Jesus Paid Taxes" sermon by Mark Dever
- 1 Peter 2:11
Raving about this week:
- Daniel loves his new humidor.
- Heather is grateful for entertaining a guest this week that two years ago welcomed her in their home in Southeast Asia.
Find us at:
Daniel
- Twitter and Facebook @danielritchie
- Instagram @danielpritchie
- www.danielritchie.org
Heather
- Instagram @heathersletters
We road trip with our kids a lot, so we are sharing all our favorite hacks and tricks. From packing smarter, logistics, and entertaining the kids (with no technology!) we cover it all. Hopefully this helps all your summer trips go a little smoother.
FIND US ONLINE
Daniel:
www.danielritchie.org
Twitter @danielritchie
Facebook @danielritchie
Instagram @danielpritchie
Heather:
Instagram @heathersletters
Social Media Is loved and hated and most of us feel right in the middle of that depending on the day. Today we discuss how to use it strategically for our faith, how to not be a jerk online, and what a gift and danger it is all in one.
Resources from this epidsode:
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Romans 8:15
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Galatians 5:1
After discipling teenagers for over a decade we learned some helpful ways to go after your kid's hearts. We now try to implement those with our young children and share with you our favorite resources for both young kids and older teenagers.
Today we introduce ourselves to you, what our individual and joint stories are. We explain why we are passionate about our goal to encourage you and challenge us together. And how we will seek to live life well, no matter what we all are in the middle of right now. If this was fun, leave a REVIEW above! We would be so thankful!! Find us each here: DANIEL - https://www.instagram.com/danielpritchie/ Instagram https://www.facebook.com/danielpritchie/ Facebook https://twitter.com/DanielRitchie Twitter https://danielritchie.org/ Daniel's Website HEATHER - https://www.instagram.com/heathersletters/ Instagram