God Doesn't Do Focus Groups: Recent Episodes
John VanVeen
God Doesn't Do Focus Groups
Why We Experience Unfulfilled Expectations in Our Walk with the Lord
By John Van Veen
This Podcast is presented by the author to give further insight to his book, and testimony in the hopes of pointing all hearts back to the one, true God and His Word. God's Word is the only source of truth, and this podcast and book is to be used as a personal testimony. Remember by faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone.
Van Veen, John. God Doesn't Do Focus Groups: Why We Experience Unfulfilled Expectations in Our Walk with the Lord. United States, Vide Press.
Please send any kind regards, thoughts, and questions to GDDFGroups@gmail.com.
Now this one is a little scary. Do we always know what we are really getting when we chose something? Usually, we have to wait and see how it play out, how it works and what the consequences are. Is that the relationship we want with God? Or do we want to watch, read, hear, see, and DO what He has already so lovingly placed before us and in us to do? Well, John walks us through this chapter and it is a sobering message. But it is a message out of love to say and remind the body of Christ that sin does not have to hold it’s sway. Life your life according and worthy of the Gospel. And Church? That’s what God wants us to do. Let’s hear about it further today.
Thanks to:
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com to credit for a moment of peace and inspiration
What does it mean for God to partner with us? Have we said, thought, or heard this before? John walks us through what this mindset really does and deals with and how it deconstructs the relationship God has given us through Christ.
The title says it all. We've all wrestled, and maybe are still wrestling with the Lord about this and how we see life. But, we know that God addresses this in His Word and we also have testimonies of what that mindset produces and how wisdom would tell us to react to this. John shares with us in his book how he has seen this play out and how he would direct you back to the Father for answers. We go over some deep material, and the prodigal journey that God led back a son from. Thank the Father that He did.
Ephesians 1
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
A special thanks for the musicians whose music we have used within this podcast, from Purple Planet Music's, "Pure by Design," and music from our fellow brother in Christ, DappyTKeys', "Background Music #2."
https://dappytkeys.bandcamp.com/album/background-music
http://www.youtube.com/dappytkeys
https://www.purple-planet.com/pure-by-design
Often, we think of everything in our lives this way. Why? Because it is common. It is how we interact at the store, the restaurant, and our work. There it is.....our work. Therefore, we often think that if we give God more of our work, our time, money, anything....doesn't He owe us? What does the Bible say? We know this isn't true, and that peace comes from rest in the Lord and what he has given to us, and obedience to Him, which shows thankfulness. Let's listen as John gives some examples, his testimony, of circumstances in his and others lives that shows this doesn't bring peace and isn't what the Lord has called us to do or how to think.
Oh how we demand God listen to us, and follow through on our desires and wants, even when they have such positive intent. The Bible speaks to this greatly, especially when we read God's Word fully and not in a copy and paste fashion. We certainly want good for everyone around us, and John has seen plenty of this desire during the time in ministry and leadership. This episode we explore this subject and hope to bring peace to your heart and know that you are not alone in the wrestling. But, are you willing to concede to the Lord or still expect to bring Him to the table?
We would like to thank Bensound and Purple Plant at Music: https://www.purple-planet.com for the music in our episodes.
We have all been frustrated at the iniquity in the world and directly in our lives. We ask and wonder, "Why?' and "How can this be?" This episode John discusses how we try to pull God into a conversation to write new terms of order and love, and how this is what led to our sin in the first place, when we try to take the throne from God.
This episode we explore the age old topic of good works and whether they are good enough to get us into Heaven. Well, what does the Bible say about that? What does the Lord say? How has John seen this during his ministry, and how can it negatively affect the church, and everyone's individual relationship with God? We go over that in some detail today and but we must express that God is the final authority on everything He has created, not us, not our wishes, or what we think. We simply want to remind each other of the Lord's truth and explore this topic further.
Is the Gospel too exclusive, and is it unfair that not everyone will go to Heaven? Whether you're a believer or not, we've all wrestled with this question. We are created beings and we certainly want all our questions answered, but our Father has given us His answers. We go over some of these in our episode.
Job asked these questions, and we ask them to. Believers want to know, do we really need to suffer for the sake of the Gospel? Jesus said in all four accounts yet we hope to be freed from it. But, our King suffered and we will have to as well, but remember that the Gospel brings life to the lost and poor, something we all were before our God called us. May this encourage us all.
This time John explores Chapter 3 of God Doesn't Do Focus Groups entitled, "God does not address the needs in Society." I think if we listen closely, we will find that he indeed does, but perhaps not how we think it should be done.
This week we go over Chapter 2: God's Design is out of touch with Humanity. We explore how John has seen this in the ministry, and the realization that God is not out of touch, rather we want Him to change to us. May this help us remember how we are to serve the Lord our God.
Reach out to us at GDDFGroups@gmail.com with your questions and comments.
This time we explore Chapter 1 of John's book. We will hear many of John's experiences and continue our journey understanding that our Father is perfect and unchanging.
We wanted to add a correction to our outro, the email address is: gddfgroups@gmail.com.
Thank you for listening.
John gives us an overview of his book and what to expect as we read through it. Stick with us to know what it is all about, and how maybe, you have seen this in your life as well. Testimonies are here to share, and indeed that is what John is providing.
Today I’ll be introducing a new podcast series based on Pastor John VanVeen’s book, “God Doesn’t Do Focus Groups” published by Vide Press.
Please send any kind regards, thoughts, and questions to GDDFGroups@gmail.com.