The Restoration Road with Mitch Kruse: Recent Episodes
Mitch Kruse
Just like a classic car in need of restoration, each one of us must surrender the old, the pieces, and the new in order to be restored to authenticity, reflecting the design of the Designer. Dr. Mitch Kruse engages those with stories of restoration in Christ to share their journeys from tragedy to triumph.
Hurry is the enemy of life and is the condition of a spiritual heart that is out of alignment.
The single greatest challenge to endure on this side is the death of someone close to us. The finality of the loss, combined with no longer being able to speak with that person, weighs heavily on our hearts. Whether their passing occurred suddenly or after suffering over a long period of time, the pain is severe. We live in a world that has fallen short of our Creator's design. Consequently, God wants to bring us together with Him free from the death that breaks His heart.
Huntington University's doctor of occupational therapy program prioritizes the Kingdom of God as the professors and degree candidates travel abroad to serve patients who otherwise would not receive treatment.
Do you ever think about where your soul goes when you die? The Bible is unmistakably clear that we have two options: eternal life with Christ or eternal separation from Him (see Matthew 25:46). If you took your last breath on this side today, where would you be? It’s the most important question you will ever answer.
This week's guest is truly an Indiana Jones, charting innumerable discoveries, including the world's oldest known synagogue. You will not want to miss author, professor, archaeologist, photographer, and filmmaker, Dr. Mark Fairchild, as he brings the New Testament to life.
Do you see God as a taskmaster who slaps you around after every evil thought? Would you like to know the truth about the heart of a loving heavenly Father?
We either live inside God’s circle of love in intimacy with Him or outside it in idolatry. When we thrive in our heavenly Father’s grace, He uses us to bring His life to future generations (Exodus 20:6), as is the case with this week’s guest.
Are you carrying around the burden and weight of your most heinous acts? Maybe you took something that wasn’t yours, leading to a life of deceit. Perhaps you made a string of foolish choices that destroyed your closest relationships. Possibly, addiction has captured your soul.
Is something shiny capturing your attention to draw you away from God? Each of us risks abandoning our desires to physical pleasure, power, or pride (1 John 2:16), and the results of doing so are devastating.
This week, our guest shares a story only God could write. The resulting ministry is amazing.
When you endure painful circumstances, do you see God as being far away or unwilling to help? King David offered insight into that perspective. My longtime friend and former radio partner stops by to discuss both the problem and the solution.
This week, a legendary entrepreneur shares how God led him through the loss of his father when he was only eleven years old and carried him, along with his wife, through an amazing miracle that recently brought him back to the memory of his greatest childhood loss.
Grace is the best deal ever offered, and each of us needs it: God's Riches At Christ's Expense.
How much of your life do you give to seeking and saving the lost? For many of us, this is a challenging question. Now think of the person who led you to Christ. What did they do to engage you? Is there anyone in your world who would benefit by you doing the same?
When we surrender our lives to Christ, He uses us to represent Him to a lost and hurting world. Shirley Woods describes this Divinely-inspired effort as re-presenting Jesus, often most vividly amidst life's trials. You will not want to miss her insights of how God transitions us from hurt to hope.
This week, County Line Church of God worship arts pastor Kevin McIntire transparently shares his story of how God walked with him through anxiety and depression in order to use his life to draw others to restoration in Christ.
What is stopping you from the journey God has for you? Too often, tragedy, fear, or addiction barricade us from experiencing His best for our lives, namely to shape us to be more like Christ. This week’s guest vulnerably shares his story of loss, numbing the pain, and recovery, only to discover there was more to surrender.
Do you see God as weighing your heart against others on His scales of justice, providing rewards and penalties depending on who is more righteous?
Shachah is the Hebrew word most frequently translated as worship in the Old Testament. It means “to bow down.” This week’s guest learned that bowing down to the God of the Universe in every moment was a prerequisite to leading others in worship of Christ the King.
This week’s episode is an absolute must-watch for any coach or athlete. Golf pro and Apex Golf Lab founder Quinn Griffing provides mental, physical, and spiritual insights into golf, sports, and life as he shares his transformational story and Core 4 philosophy.
Why do bad things happen to good people? This week, we begin a series of ten biblical insights that address this question, including how each of us has forged a gap in our connection with God (Isaiah 59:2). When He blesses us with an eternal relationship with Him, we receive more than we deserve.
Jesus taught that in this world, we will have trouble, but we can take heart in our relationship with Him. This week’s guest has lived those words through unspeakable tragedies, only to discover the truth of God’s promise to walk through the valley with us in order to bring His restoration to a lost and hurting world.
This week, my cousin, Dane Kruse, family connections pastor at County Line Church of God, stops by to share his story and the most prevalent issues facing our students today. This is a must-watch for anyone with children at home!
As a father of four daughters, I have coached girls in sports most of my life. My good friend, Ernie Bojrab, state championship football coach and father of an awesome young woman who was the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette Glass Spike award-winner for the volleyball player of the year, joins us to discuss the God-given differences in female athletes and how to coach and compete with Christ-centered excellence.
This week, my good friend, president of Huntington University Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, joins us to share her story and offer vivid insights on Christ-centered leadership. She is one of the most innovative leaders in higher education today.
When God prompts you toward something new in your life, how long do you wait before taking action? This week's guest is a rapid Holy Spirit-responder. His sensitivity to God's leading has guided him from the marketplace to ministry and now to a different hemisphere. You will be inspired by his story!
What is the opposite of love? While many would see it as hate, the answer might actually be apathy. This week, my daughter, Kelsey, stops by to discuss our source of love and the inspiration He provides.
This week's guest is a longtime friend of mine who is an amazing wife, mother, author, speaker, blogger, podcaster, and Christ-follower. She stops by to share the most challenging moments of her life where God met her face-to-face.
This week, recording artist, Jensen Snyder, and her mother Michelle share their message of God's healing and ministry through music.
As we prepare for the 2020 Global Leadership Summit, August 6-7, Kelly Byrd stops by to discuss four amazing leadership traits.
From the depths of her pain, recording artist, Niyoki Chapman, who had toured with Prince, penned these timeless lyrics:
"It feels like the walls are caving in and I can't escape.
I'm trying to catch my breath so I don't suffocate.
I'm hurt and confused but holding on cuz I know he'll never leave me alone.
Although right now I see less sunshine and more rain, but it'll be over soon so I'll Praise Him In My Pain!”
—Praise Him In My Pain
Amidst our pandemic and the need for a unifying voice of healing, our communities benefit from the wise leadership of my very good friend, Ben Miles, president of Parkview Regional Medical Center and Affiliates. A believer, husband, and father of three daughters, his insights to the Holy Spirit’s guidance during life’s transitions are powerful for any leader. It doesn’t hurt that he looks like Superman.
Marriage is like a pyramid with the husband and wife at the bottom and Christ at the top. The closer they grow to Christ, the closer they grow to each other.
So many of us ask God what He wants us to do next, but we rarely prioritize listening to His still small voice. My good friend, Larry Lance, senior advisor and president emeritus of Northern Indiana Youth For Christ, sits down with us to share an incredible encounter with his Heavenly Father when he took the time to hit the pause button on the busyness of life and listen. You will not want to miss what God said during this transition in Larry’s life when he focused on God's will for the next steps of his journey.
This week’s guest is an extremely gifted Bible teacher. His passion for God has created a thirst for His Word, which has motivated him to teach and shepherd God's people. Underneath his humility is an amazing story God has used to lead many people to Christ through his position as lead pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne where he has led dozens of educational trips to Israel.
Guilt says, “I did wrong.” Shame says, “I am wrong.” God is not a god of shame. Before you are too quick to dismiss whether you struggle with shame, you might want to take this week’s test and learn what the Bible teaches about the topic.
This week, author and speaker, Christy Cabe, shares her powerful story and the deep insights she has gleaned along the way.
After losing 80 percent of his congregation from a series of foolish choices, this week's guest experienced God's transformation to become a leader in restoring our community through Joshua's Temple and Joshua's Hand Ministries. God met him in the valley, so he would do the same with those in need, guiding them to economic, social, and spiritual freedom in Christ. Teaching the Bible so that parishioners will live, invest, value, and expect God's best for them, he brings a fresh, entrepreneurial approach to ministry.
Legendary ESPN SportsCenter Anchor and Golf Host Scott Van Pelt insightfully described the eldest son of this week's guests: "Tyler's unshakable faith in Jesus Christ was the source of his strength in the face of a fight that could have extinguished it. His hope in sharing his story and his faith is that they might strengthen yours." You will not want to miss this incredible story only God could write.
Dating, marriage, and sex challenge our deepest vulnerabilities. However, God desires that we experience intimacy, fulfillment, and wisdom in His design for our lives. Everyone wants to know and be fully known. That's intimacy, the connection of our innermost being with another. Nestled in his teaching about how we are called to steward our spiritual gifts, Paul revealed the ultimate intimate experience in the Bible's love chapter: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Not I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Only God can satisfy our longing for intimacy, so we cannot place that burden on another person. Paul taught that believers not only know God, but are also known by Him (see Galatians 4:9). In essence, our heart needs to be so wrapped up in God that our partner, or suitor, needs to wholeheartedly pursue Him in order to find it.
Jesus conquered death so that we may have eternal and abundant life. His resurrection is a proven historical fact evidenced by His empty tomb. Each of us must respond to the pursuit of His Holy Spirit who meets us wherever we are to provide His gracious gift of life when we surrender to Christ in faith and repent of our sin. None of us is beyond the reach of the arm of our Heavenly Father. This mother and daughter transparently share how He met them amidst their addictions and pain to restore their lives and lead them to bringing Christ's restoration to everyone they encounter.
When the natural chronology of life is out of order, everything seems to fall apart. A parent should never have to bury their child. Still, God can supernaturally redeem any tragedy we surrender to Him, as He walks through the valley with us, shaping our hearts to be like Christ's.
From running one of the midwest's largest illegal drug operations to giving his testimony throughout the Western Hemisphere, this week's guest has been through the fire where he heard the voice of God. Then everything changed.
Few have ever experienced the trials and triumphs of this week's guest. After illegal activity as a young man on the streets that led to imprisonment, escape, and a suicide attempt, God brought a fugitive from justice to Bible college and the pulpit to plant churches who share the restorative message of Jesus Christ. In today's uncertain times, we can discover true inspiration and hope in his transformation, including the founding an international business. His life is truly a miracle of his Heavenly Father.
Does the word father immediately conjure up an emotion inside you? When we hear it spoken, we seem to feel a strong electrical current through our inner beings as a result of our encounters, or lack of them, with our earthly patriarch. Whether our dads were present or absent, peaceful or volatile, faithful or adulterous, we can focus on our Heavenly Father who brings us as believers into His loving family and uses us to draw others to Christ.
This week's guest is flat-out amazing! Whereas many would choose to see themselves as a victim, he has chosen to be a victor. Accordingly, God has taken his willing heart and initiative to impact the world. What began with a tour of city sewers led to hikes throughout Europe and China, garnering the attention of 40 million people, including Ashton Kutcher, Tim McGraw, and Will Smith. You will not want to miss the inspirational life of this author, speaker, counselor, and nonprofit founder!
I've known this week's guest since she was a young girl when I served as a teaching pastor at Blackhawk Ministries. Enduring more than any woman should ever experience at her age, including the loss of her mother and father in a tragic plane crash, she has chosen to share her passion for Christ to help women find identity and purpose in Him through Named Free Ministries. Both her mother and her Heavenly Father are clearly evident in her spirit.
Usually, if a coach of female athletes corrects the team, each girl attributes the perceived criticism to herself. However, if the same scenario occurs with men, most players think the coach is talking about one of their teammates. This week, my daughter Kelsey, Head Coach of Huntington University Volleyball, will discuss how to wisely lead women in sports.
This week's guest takes us across the globe to experience her amazing journey to Christ and how He revealed His plan for her life, all through the ministry of a family who responded to God's call as church planters in Russia. This is a story only God could write.
This week, my good friend and mentor, Duane DuCharme, recaps his riveting story, from being abandoned by his alcoholic father, dropping out of high school despite being a premier athlete, a stint in the U.S. Navy, then hustling to make a living playing cards and shooting pool to starting a business and becoming one of the wealthiest men in the United States. Still, the burgeoning bank accounts, exotic automobiles, private aircraft, and oceanfront mansions were not enough to satisfy the emptiness in his soul. As he leveraged his assets with debt to acquire more wealth, a financial crisis and a DEA sting operation loomed. You won't want to miss how God met Duane at his lowest point and continues to draw others to Christ through his daily ministry.
We have an incredible opportunity to experience the amazing story of former Cincinnati Bengal and Syracuse University great, Jay Chapman, as he shares his journey to a fully surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ. Jay also offers insights to pursue excellence in serving God and others through ministry, family, and business.
After an automobile accident on his twenty-first birthday, Kevin Kraner was pronounced dead on the scene, but then he came back to life. This week, he shares what happened during that time period and how it affected the rest of his life, including the most difficult battle he would face.
Each day, our journey on this side brings us to a Y in the road representing a choice. That decision will either be wise or foolish and determine our next steps. One or two choices can radically alter the course of our lives.
This week, my longtime friend vulnerably shares how God orchestrated the final days of her cousin to experience Christ's redemption plus a bonus miracle, fulfilling her promise to share his faith journey.
This week, my brother Stuart, senior pastor of County Line Church of God, the movement co-founded by our great-great-grandfather 122 years ago, describes the vision God has placed in his heart and how it continues to be followed by God's provision.
From a near-death experience, followed by his commitment to Christ, God led this week's guest through a successful career in the oil industry to pastoring a church that became his denomination's largest membership per capita in two states. Today, he coaches leaders in both arenas. You will not want to miss his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and the subsequent wisdom revealed in his writings and teachings about conversational intelligence.
When we recognize God's vision is followed by His provision, we are free to discover our true identity in Christ and surrender every moment to Him. This week's guest learned this firsthand in co-founding a movement that has spanned across the globe.
Have you ever asked God, "What do you want me to do?" That question burned in the heart of this week's guest until she discovered His answer.
Fresh off his Fort Wayne mayoral campaign, MedPro senior vice president of operations and technology Tim Smith shares his journey of faith through family, friendships, challenges, and career. His authenticity and transparency will draw you closer to the heart of God.
Strength and conditioning coach, podcast host, entrepreneur, and good friend, Josh Collins, stops by this week to share his amazing story and how God is using him to train athletes to compete at the highest level.
This week's father-daughter duo are portraits of trusting God in all circumstances. While experiencing unspeakable tragedies, they chose to praise Him amidst life's storms. You will not want to miss their heart-wrenching story and how God met them in their deepest pain to restore their hearts to be even more like Christ's.
In a world filled with darkness, hate, and death, the Apostle John taught God is Light, Love, and Life. Join us on a journey through 1 John: Connecting with God and Others.
Has darkness engulfed an area of your life that you need to surrender to Christ? Three of my good friends sit down to discuss three illuminating Bible verses, as they authentically share their struggles with darkness and the Light they turned to in order to find freedom.
Why is it so difficult for us to admit making a mistake? Three wise friends join me to address this question, as well as the consequences of harboring sin versus the freedom and restoration available to us when we confess it. You will not want to miss their insights!
Why is obedience God's love language? This week, we address this question as we continue our series through 1 John. If you haven't joined us in our journey, please consider reading all five chapters of 1 John each day for the next thirty days. You will experience a deeper intimacy with God as He continues to transform your heart. In a world filled with darkness, hate, and death, He truly is light, love, and life.
Do you desire control, satisfaction, or achievement apart from God's design? Power, pleasure, and pride are the world's motivators. When we pursue them at all costs, we find ourselves stumbling in darkness. However, God offers His light that illuminates hope in every aspect of our lives when we fully surrender to Christ.
In our world today, we experience a potpourri of worldviews. Oftentimes, we pick and choose what we like best from different schools of thought in order to make our own philosophy. This is called, syncretism. Two thousand years ago when John wrote his letter to believers in Christ, the scene was similar. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit combined with his front row seat to the teachings of Jesus, the apostle established characteristics of a Christ-centered perspective versus one that was opposed to Him.
Have you ever thought about how much God loves you? His infinite grace seems impossible for us to fathom, but the Apostle John described it powerfully, using an illustration that still connects with any parent today.
We would all agree with the Apostle John's teaching that hate destroys and love builds, but are we keenly aware of how subtly hate enters our hearts? John calls us to examine our actions, which demonstrate what we truly believe.
How do we recognize the Holy Spirit's voice? This is just one of the questions we will address as we examine the Apostle John's teaching to discern authentic love, which is diametrically opposed to how our culture generally defines it. We will also discuss the necessity for wisdom to guide our teens through their use of smart phones, the web, and social media.
Jesus Christ paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. Our sin created that debt. Out of His great love for us, God offered all in Christ. Now, each of us must determine whether we will accept our Creator's incomparable generosity and receive His Spirit to travel a new journey, one of redemption, forgiveness, restoration, and transformation.
Our culture bombards us with the message not to fully trust God and certainly not to obey Him. However, we experience God's best for our lives when we do both.
In a world filled with darkness, hate, and death, Jesus Christ is light, love, and life. We invite you to take the 1 John challenge and read it in its entirety every day for the next thirty days. You will experience intimacy with God in a tangible way.
The Scriptures reveal a repeated theme of God searching for wholehearted followers. Our Creator is not interested in partial commitment; rather, He desires that each of us fully surrender our hearts to Christ with no holdbacks. This week's guest is a portrait of wholehearted devotion, regardless of the circumstances. You will be inspired by her powerful story. I'm thankful she influences both our community and our leaders in Washington D.C.
Has God ever prompted you to serve someone you have never encountered? That's what happened to this week's guest, and it became a nonprofit ministry.
Do you ever feel like you learn to manage one of life's most difficult challenges only for another to begin? This week's guest has experienced an intensity of pain, drawing her to trust in God, who continues to walk through the journey with her each step of the way, providing unparalleled purpose in ministering to others.
Aaron and Janell Lane are powerfully impacting the residents of southeast Fort Wayne through their amazing ministry. You will love how God fashioned their hearts, united them together, and provided a platform to advance His Kingdom.
Isaac Norris is a gifted musician, vocalist, and pastor anointed by the Holy Spirit to lead worship at Pathway Community Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Isaac's journey has not been spared of pain, but God has used all the events in his life to glorify the King of kings.
King David wrote about the most difficult time each one of us would experience when he described the darkest valley, the valley of the shadow of death. He penned that we would not need to be afraid because God would walk with us, providing His comfort (see Psalm 23:4). Ron Williams, founding and senior pastor of Pathway Community Church, sits down to share with us his journey through the darkest valley with his wife Laura, their children, and the Comforter.
This week, my good friend and mentor, Gordon Bell, founder of The Midland Group and author of Discover Your Next Best Step, sits down with me to share how God has used his latest book to impact many lives and what he has learned along the way.
When a leader grows, everyone wins. That has been the case with this week's guest. I have enjoyed the privilege of serving on the Global Leadership Summit board with Rob Wallstrom, CEO of Vera Bradley, who will share his unique and fascinating journey in retail as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Regardless how far we have fallen into sin, we are never beyond the reach of Almighty God (see Isaiah 59:1). This is where our two guests found each other. Mark had grown up in the church, but pushed away, as life's challenges seemed to engulf his spirit. Amber had not known Christ, so someone had to show her the way when a fatal car accident had altered the course of her life.
From a life of crime, growing up in street gangs outside Mexico City, to the senior pastor of Many Nations Church and founder of Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries Center in Fort Wayne, Jaiver Mondragon's story of restoration is one only God could write.
One decision can alter a life. That's what Anthony Ponds learned as a college freshman returning home from the summer. He would later be faced with another choice that would transform, not only his life, but the lives of countless others.
My daughter, Kelsey, completed her Master of Arts in Counseling Degree at Huntington University where she is the Head Volleyball Coach for the Foresters. Recently, she spoke at the University's chapel service about the power of authenticity and taking risks in our relationships, including with God. As I listened, captivated by her insights, I knew I wanted her to share them with you.
When you consider the concept of vulnerability, what do you feel? Many of us fear the risk of transparency in our relationships. This week, my daughter, Kelsey, the head coach of Huntington University Volleyball and graduate of her master's degree in family counseling, examines whether Jesus practiced vulnerability.
How are love and vulnerability connected? My daughter, Kelsey Herber, will shed light on the answer to that question, including four amazing insights she gleaned from her friend and mentor, Pastor Craig Eakright.
Theology is the study of God. Its root stems from Theos, meaning, "God," and logos, meaning "word, reason, or discourse." Theology can be categorized into four general areas: Biblical, Historical, Homiletical, and Systematic.
God designed each of us in His image. However, in our fallenness, we pursue life apart from Him; yet, He continues to lovingly reach inside our hearts.
How would it change your life, if you believed that Jesus came for you? What first steps can you take to allow Him to restore His purpose for your life?
As Christians, we often struggle with understanding the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. This week, my good friends, who know Him well, sit down to discuss who He is and what He does.
Sin can be defined as desiring life apart from God. It is the pursuit of the satisfaction of our desires apart from the only One who is designed to fulfill them. Since the first sin in the Garden of Eden, man has embodied a bent toward evil from his cradle to his grave (see Genesis 6:5; 8:21). Even though we break God's law, He still pursues us with His love that is undeserved and so unmerited, it is called, grace. This immeasurable affection flows from the very heart of God.
Who led you to Christ? This week, our guests answer this question, sharing emotional insights about the most significant decision they ever made.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? Would this perspective change the way you approach your family, friends, and career? This week, we dive into the Scriptures to learn about the priesthood of all believers and God's purpose for His Church.
This week, we focus on the Bible's exposed schemes of the fallen angel Satan. He baits us with temptation (see Matthew 4:3). He hooks us in the deceit of dissatisfied desires (see 2 Corinthians 11:14). He lifts the line from the water with the accusation of evil before God and others (see Revelation 12:10). He sinks us in destruction (see 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10). Solomon taught that Satan's prey is our: hearts, mouths, eyes, and feet (see Proverbs 4:23-27).
This week, we conclude our series, Restoration Theology, examining how the Bible describes itself as the inerrant Word of God, along with the power of applying the Scriptures to our lives.
God redeemed Andy Foster's life behind bars and called him to prison ministry unlike any other. God's vision would indeed be followed by His provision. As founder of Inspiration Ministries, Andy has partnered with local churches, probation, parole, community corrections, and local job placement services, in an effort to transition, transform, and train mean and women in DeKalb, Noble, and Steuben Counties. Andy's amazing story of restoration has been used by God to bring His restoration to others.
In response to fasting and prayer, God guided Andy Foster, while incarcerated, to exercise his gifts to teach 140 students wanting to earn their GED diplomas in prison, which gave him the relational credibility to lead chapels and Bible studies for one-fourth of his fellow inmates when revival broke out. Andy would learn God was preparing him for a lifetime of ministry upon his release that would reach more than six thousand prisoners and countless others through Inspiration Ministries.
God has used the insights of this week's guest to heal thousands of ministry leaders, and I am honored to call him my friend. His transparency, humility, and wisdom in sharing his personal story will inspire you to grow closer to Christ.
It has been said that discerning the Holy Spirit's voice is a learned skill. I have observed the manifestation of this gift in my good friend, Kevin Duval, who humbly shares how God has guided him every step of his life, through marriage, ministry, the marketplace, and even the darkest valleys.
Repeatedly abused by his stepfather, Donnie Foster grew up in constant fear. He began to self-medicate as an elementary school student, sipping bourbon he cleverly stole while taking valium from his mother's prescription bottle, so the beatings would become more bearable. Institutionalized from purposefully burning down his house, Donnie escaped, only to be returned for more shock therapy. After being sent home, he ran away at sixteen to survive on the streets where he ate from garbage dumpsters. Lost and alone, Donnie began a treacherous life of substance abuse, dealing, theft, and running from law enforcement, all in a search for hope and redemption.
Repeatedly abused by his stepfather, Donnie Foster grew up in constant fear. He began to self-medicate as an elementary school student, sipping bourbon he cleverly stole while taking valium from his mother's prescription bottle, so the beatings would become more bearable. Institutionalized from purposefully burning down his house, Donnie escaped, only to be returned for more shock therapy. After being sent home, he ran away at sixteen to survive on the streets where he ate from garbage dumpsters. Lost and alone, Donnie began a treacherous life of substance abuse, dealing, theft, and running from law enforcement, all in a search for hope and redemption.
This week, my daughter, Lilly, shares her freshman experience as an outside hitter for the Liberty University Flames volleyball program. She offers insights into honoring God through competition, training, communication, perseverance, and the resulting comaraderie of a team surrendered to Christ. Please invite any aspiring or current college athlete in your life to listen.
Several years ago, when I was walking in to the auditorium to speak at Huntington University's weekly chapel, I heard an amazing voice coming from the stage. I walked up to the shy freshman who was rehearsing for the worship service and asked if she would be willing to sing a closing hymn for me. She agreed. Little did I know what God had in store for her.
After hearing Rob Staley's testimony of founding The Crossing, president of Master Spas Terry Valmassoi sensed the Holy Spirit saying, "Let's strategically place a Christian school in our manufacturing facility." Add the restoration story of Courtney Bowlds and a team of educators, and this effort became a reality that reached deeper and wider than anyone had imagined.
This week, my longtime friend, Mary Collins, sits down with us to share her journey with God, including His restoration of her heart and life. She transparently offers her personal discovery of how deeply God cares about our thoughts because they shape our choices and actions.
My good friend, author, and marketplace leadership coach, Ty Bello, sits down with us to discuss the latest release of his book, 25 Sales Tips You Can Learn from Your Mother. You won't want to miss his personal and practical insights to improving communication, service, and meeting others' needs.
The Bible tells us that humility precedes wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7; 9-10). This week's guests exemplify this timeless truth as much as anyone I've encountered in their coaching profession. As our world bombards us with the opposite message, it is refreshing to witness how God uses bending the knees of our hearts to Him in order to transform lives and cultures. This was the case in perennial powerhouse Bishop Dwenger's storied 2015 Football State Championship run.
God brings people into our lives who are mentors, and our guest this week, Den Sutton, has been that for me. Throughout my life I've gone to Den for guidance and wisdom. This week, we'll sit down together as Den shares a very vulnerable time in his life when he was in combat taking heavy fire in Vietnam. During our conversation, we'll also go deeper in answering the question, "What does it mean to worship God 24/7 in your life?"
Dr. Jeanne Zehr is one of the most brilliant and gifted persons I have ever known. This week, she shares ground-breaking insights to transformation through the renewing of your mind.
Few people experience abandonment, deception, and betrayal at the level this week's guest has endured. Still, she was able to find hope amidst the chaos because someone took the initiative to invite her to church.
Proverbs is the Old Testament's book of wisdom. While it appears as a list of nearly 1,000 random pithy sayings, Proverbs is one of the Old Testament's most tightly outlined books designed to equip young leaders with wisdom to navigate through life's conflict toward community. In its introduction, Solomon reveals 12 words to the wise -- 12 pearls -- that serve as the foundational teachings of this literary gem. They can be organized into 4 strands of 3 pearls each: (1) morality: righteousness, equity, and justice; (2) mystery: wise behavior, understanding, and riddles; (3) mastery: prudence, discretion, and wise counsel; and (4) memory: discipline, knowledge, and learning. The strand of morality begins with the pearl of righteousness.
What is fair? We often ask this question in dating, marriage, parenting, education, sports, friendships, business partnerships, ministry collaborations, and national alliances. The wisdom literature in Proverbs offers us the answer in a key word embedded in the twelve signs of wisdom. That word is equity (meyshar in Hebrew).
How do you apply justice to your relationships when conflict has occurred? The word justice comes from the Latin root word that means "lawful." The concept of justice applies to God's moral law, to our civil laws, to our organizational rules, and to our relational boundaries. When justice is served the truth is revealed. The wicked get punished. The innocent go free. Justice begins when we humbly pursue God because He is just.
When it comes to interpersonal conflict, do you exhibit foolish or wise behavior? Whereas foolish behavior trusts in one's own words which can be unconvincing, nonsensical, fearful, and lacking credibility, wise behavior acts oppositely by trusting in the Word of God. This is a must for emerging leaders.
Have you ever experienced a misunderstanding? Each one of us can answer that question with a resounding, "Yes!" Unfortunately, during interpersonal conflict, we tend to take control, become closed, heated, and refuse to think about the other person's interests. In Solomon's fifth of Twelve Words to the Wise, he calls emerging leaders to be understanding.
When you encounter a difficult person and the heat gets turned up, are you known as a person who tells? Do you make stern statements that increase resistance? Do you present your view of the truth much like an attorney trying his case in front of a jury? Do you focus only on your own perspective? Do you pompously use the Bible as a sledgehammer to pound your challenger over the head or even ignore the truth of Scripture altogether, further perpetuating pretense in the conflict?
Do you ever feel simple, or gullible, when dealing with a strong personality during interpersonal conflict? Typically, when our will attempts to occupy the same space at the same time as that of a challenging person, we retort foolishly. We immediately react to the insensitivity of the insult; we speed blindly into the unknown, losing all foresight of the danger that lies ahead; we cease the pursuit of all pertinent information; and we flaunt what little knowledge we have.
Proverbs tells us that during interpersonal conflict, we need to introduce the air of the Holy Spirit in order to separate what is valuable from what is vulnerable. It is this Spirit of Christ Who allows what is valuable, the cream, to rise to the top. Without discretion, our lives, our relationships, and our efforts to manage conflict will all spoil. In essence, how will we allow the cream to rise to the top so that we do not let it all spoil? Wisdom's answer is discretion. From Proverbs, we learn that discretion separates wisdom from foolishness, walk from talk, long term benefits from short term pleasure, and right from wrong.
Where do you go for wise advice? When experiencing interpersonal conflict, we either use or refuse wise counsel. When we refuse it, we ignore the subject altogether or seek counsel from the wrong source. Some of us are so bent on going solo in our decisions that we rarely seek input from others, even overlooking God. Still, others of us carelessly pursue advice from foolish sources.
Whether we are leading our children, our teams, or our employees in the marketplace, discipline is paramount. Discipline means that our job is to get ourselves out of a job. When we make disciples, we know we have achieved success when those being coached are making disciples who are making disciples. Without it, we remain unteachable, untrained, untested, and untransformed.
Proverbs tells us that knowledge deepens our relationships and increases our strength to resolve conflict. Our relationships are deepened through intimacy, knowledge's experiential connection of our innermost beings with the hearts of others through the Spirit of God. Solomon reflected: "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures" (Proverbs 24:3-4). The rooms refer to the inside of a house that is imagery for any collection of relationships assembled to achieve a common goal -- whether the association be in marriage, family, ministry, or the marketplace. Those relationships comprise rare and beautiful treasures in our hearts.
We have two options for dealing with interpersonal conflict: we either (1) protect our pride or (2) learn in our humility. Solomon taught learning as one of the twelve purposes of Proverbs, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning" (Proverbs 1:5). Proverbs offers four insights to learning both for and from conflict. The Thirty Sayings of the Wise begin with four insights to learning. We must pay attention, listen, apply our hearts to learning wisdom, and keep the wisdom in our hearts, ready on our lips.
In June 2010, Zach Bertsch was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, a fatal disease with no cure. Those who choose to receive treatment live an average of 2 1/2 years and 1 in 8 live for 5 years. With two children, Zach and his wife, Jenny, asked God how their suffering could be used to advance His kingdom. They were prompted to raise funds to build an orphanage, school, and church in Haiti. Last fall, Zach sat down with our first live audience at the state-of-the-art Sweetwater Theater to share God's mighty act of redemption. On June 6, 2013, Zach went home to be with the Lord.
After leaving a promising career with Eli Lilly, Brad Stevens became Butler University's Head Basketball Coach in 2007 as the second youngest coach in NCAA Division I Basketball. Stevens won more games in his first three seasons than any other coach in history, eclipsing the previous record by eight victories and earning the title as the youngest coach to reach two Final Fours. Brad Stevens is now the head coach of the Boston Celtics, where it is not merely about winning games; rather, it's about the process of developing men in Christ.
Sometimes, we just click with people we meet. That's how I felt when I was introduced to Tom Ellsworth, Senior Minister of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana. We met when I spoke at a business gathering at Indiana University, and I haven't stopped asking him questions since. This week, Tom stops by to share how God has worked in his life, including growing a church of 80 people to more than 3,000.
Daniel Schmitz, was thrown a curve when pain shot through his arm during a game. The ensuing diagnosis led to him becoming one of the nation's youngest Tommy John surgery recipients.
Judge Wendy Davis is a remarkable woman of faith who exercises the wisdom of Christ both on and off the bench of her courtroom. A Wheaton grad, Wendy's solid biblical foundation has equipped her with discernment for challenging decisions, including a passion to help guide young people toward wise choices before they ever set foot in her Allen Superior Court Criminal Division. You will not want to miss this incredible wife, mother, and community leader whose joy is contagious.
We learn in 1 Peter how to live refined by fire and this week's guest, Matt Crenshaw, is the perfect example. As IUPUI's all-time assist leader and Associate Head Coach, he has an innate ability to relate with student-athletes.
Auburn City Fire Chief Mike VanZile is an experienced firefighter who was unaware of how to fireproof his marriage until he was faced with a life-changing question. You won't want to miss this inspiring story of restoration.
I am so looking forward to this week's interview with my good friend, WPTA 21 Alive Chief Meteorologist Curtis Smith, to revisit his story of restoration and trip to Israel. This endeavor featured broadcasts on live television where Curtis was empowered to read the Bible and share his faith on Ft. Wayne's ABC affiliate. His insights and photographs are priceless.
This week, I have the privilege of sitting down with father Dean and my brother Stuart Kruse to discuss some of our unique experiences working together in a family auction business. I hope you enjoy your time with us, this Labor Day Weekend.
Are you quick or slow to confront another person when conflict arises? Do you try to do so via text, email, or social media? Confront literally means "face to face," so when we attempt to confront apart from locking eyes with another human being, we risk behaving foolishly. This week, we examine what the Bible has to say about wise confrontation. My prayer is that it will help you next time you are led to address a conflict with another person, whether it be a teacher, coach, player, referee, employer, coworker, pastor, family member, or friend. These passages are a must for anyone who takes his or her faith seriously.
I asked my dad and brother, Dean and Stuart Kruse, to join me for another half hour in front of the camera to discuss our different directions since the sale of our company fourteen years ago and how God has impacted each of our lives.
When it comes to experiencing God's will in your life, are you a thermometer or a thermostat? Often we find ourselves wondering if the temperature in our life is from us or from God. We ask ourselves, "Is this desire merely from me or is it from God? How can I know if this is God's will?" The answers come from whether we are a thermometer or a thermostat.
This week, I am so blessed to sit down with my daughter, Kelsey, a sophomore at Huntington University, majoring in Fusion Media. Kelsey asks me to address ten questions about life through the lens of the Bible.
Have you ever been on a teeter totter? When you were the one on the ground, your counterpart was lifted up. That's God's idea of teeter totter love. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10).
This week, my daughter Kelsey joins me to discuss Questions from a Girl's Perspective. Kelsey offers insights to the challenges of a young female attempting to honor God with her choices regarding dating, self-esteem, insecurities, and much more. Please invite the young women in your life to watch as we examine what the Bible has to say on these issues.
How do you view your assets? From cover to cover, the Bible records accounts of godly people who owned much. However problems occurred when stuff would own the person, rather than the person owning the the stuff. Peter wrote: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:10). Whether we have a little or a lot, when we see our time, talent, and treasure as gifts from God to administer His undeserved love, our lives are transformed.
This week, professional indoor and beach volleyball player, Will Robbins, sits down for the first of a three-part series sharing his amazing story of restoration that should become the basis for a full-length feature film. Will's life is a testament that none of us is beyond the reach of God.
This week, professional volleyball player, Will Robbins, shares his battle to guard his heart from Satan's schemes. You will not want to miss Will's vulnerability in describing his past life.
This week, professional volleyball player, Will Robbins, describes the perfect intervention of Christ in his life. Be sure to watch this amazing conclusion to Will Robbin's story of restoration. So many viewers have vented their suspense with Will and me regarding last week's cliffhanger that I joked he should wear a T-shirt with the words, "To be Continued..."
Have you ever sensed the prompting of the Holy Spirit? Did He guide you toward a significant decision? Did He lead you toward a career change or direct you down a new path? This week, I share part one of learning how to discern God's still small voice.
Have you ever made a foolish choice? Twenty years ago, I had made several that carried multiple consequences. This week, I share how God used wisdom to restore my life. He still does the same for me today.
Arni Placencia, five-time Golden Gloves boxing champion, learned to fight inside and outside the ring where his story took a dangerous turn that led to a national television network carrying the news of his manhunt. Relying on his instincts as a fighter, he was on a collision course towards a late night confrontation in a jail cell.
Arni Placencia, five-time Golden Gloves boxing champion, learned to fight inside and outside the ring where his story took a dangerous turn that led to a national television network carrying the news of his manhunt. Relying on his instincts as a fighter, he was on a collision course towards a late night confrontation in a jail cell that led to a journey of survival and restoration inside the State Correctional System.
If you have joined us for the first two parts of Arni Placencia's Fighting Chance, then you understand God's amazing work in Arni's life, leading him through prison where he continually shared his story of restoration. After being set free from the State Correctional System, Arni continued to share his faith, only to discover another prison, the incarceration of withholding forgiveness.
I have the privilege of sitting down with Coach Jody Martinez, Head Coach of the Bethel College Women's Basketball Program in Mishawaka, Indiana where he has led his teams to six national championships. Jody's story begins in the inner city streets of South Bend and leads to the basketball court where he would dominate the competition, eventually signing a professional contract. Basketball was Jody's escape from a home filled with abuse until an uncovered secret sparked a rage that would haunt him until he experienced forgiveness in Christ.
My good friend and basketball great, Kent Benson, joins me to discuss his relationship with Christ and how he applied his faith to the game of basketball. You will remember Kent as Indiana's Mr. Basketball who won an NCAA National Championship at Indiana University in 1976 with the last undefeated season in college basketball at 32-0. Kent graduated from IU and was the overall No. 1 selection in the 1977 NBA draft. One organization recently ranked him as the 22nd best basketball player of all time.
Being selected by Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys in the 1971 NFL draft after a stellar college career and three perfect high school seasons including three state championships was just the beginning of God drawing Bill Griffin to Himself. You won't want to miss the incredible stories, featuring legendary sports figures on and off the field, that God used to restore this giant of a man.
Did your parents ever say, “Do as I say, not as I do?” Our parents knew what was right and yet realized that they would fall short. Aware that we would not only listen to their words, but also watch their behavior, they couched their inevitable disparity in word and deed with “Do as I say, not as I do.” In Christ, we have a Lord and Savior who says “Do as I say, and as I do.” His teachings are perfectly aligned with His heart and life. Consequently, He calls the fully surrendered to be obedient from the inside out (Matthew 5:17-20).
Have you or anyone in your immediate family been divorced? Divorce means “to go separate ways.” A couple cannot divorce unless they have first been married. God designed marriage for the man to leave his family, cleave to his wife, and weave his life with hers (Genesis 2:24). Consequently, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). In spite of the Bible’s clarity on the issue, the divorce rate is higher among the churched than the un- churched. In His third of six examples of inside out righteousness, Jesus taught His disciples to be divorce free. In each example, Jesus followed a three-fold pattern: (1) He addressed an Old Testament command saying, “You have heard that it was said;” (2) He alluded to the Pharisees’ legalistic interpretation; and (3) He clarified the intent, or spirit, of the law, prefacing His fulfillment with, “But I tell you.”
Have you been harmed by another person? Has someone insulted you, taken something from you, or abused your time? In our humanness, our first inclination is to retaliate by harming the offender in the same way that he harmed us. Retaliation means “to repay”—evil for evil. Jesus offered a different way. In His fifth of six examples of inside out righteousness, Jesus taught His disciples to be retaliation free. In each example, Jesus followed a three-fold pattern: (1) He addressed an Old Testament command saying, “You have heard that it was said;” (2) He alluded to the Pharisees’ legalistic interpretation; and (3) He clarified the intent, or spirit, of the law, prefacing His fulfillment with, “But I tell you.”
Do you hate someone? Is there a person or people group that you simply don’t love? It might be someone with a different sexual orientation or religion, someone who is addicted, unsaved, rude, late, or disorganized. It could be someone who is introverted or extroverted, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, irreligious or religious, attractive or unattractive. Most likely, it is someone who has wronged you. In our humanness, we make lists. One of them is a list of those we love (those who love us) and a list of those we hate (our enemies). We want to treat others as they treat us.
Jesus offered a different way. In His final illustration of six examples of inside out righteousness, Jesus taught His disciples to be hate free.
Why do you give? Do you ever do good deeds to be recognized and honored by others? When we give, we often want to let others see our acts of righteousness in order to be rewarded for our efforts. Our names are placed on buildings, printed in church bulletins, and presented in prominent periodicals. Two thousand years ago, people experienced the same temptation. Jesus offered a different way by exposing the motives of the heart.
What, why, and how do you pray? Do you pray solely for your personal comfort and abundance? Do you ever pray in a public restaurant, hoping that people seated near you will see you? Do your nighttime prayers sound like broken records saying the same selfish things in the same selfish ways for the same selfish reasons? What would happen if you prayed for what God prayed?
Why do you fast? During trials or times of weighty decisions, do you leverage fasting as a magic wand with God as your object? Do you fast with the motive that others will see your plight and comfort you? Fasting means literally to abstain from food or drink; however, in the Bible it is accompanied with a humble heart toward God (Psalm 35:13). Fasting is an avenue of surrender to God’s will for our lives.
Where do you go to satisfy your desires? Jesus gave the secret to satisfaction in the greatest speech ever given when he addressed an estimated 20,000 followers along the mountainside outside Capernaum. We call it the Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 5-7) where Jesus laid down the gauntlet for full surrender of one’s heart to God. Outlining the be-do-go of full surrender, in essence, Jesus communicated, “Who you are designed to be determines what you are designed to do which determines where you are designed to go” because God designed life to flow from the heart (Proverbs 4:23).
Where do you go to satisfy your desires? Jesus gave the secret to satisfaction in the greatest speech ever given when he addressed an estimated 20,000 followers along the mountainside outside Capernaum. He taught that we find satisfaction through surrender to Christ who brings us into the kingdom of heaven, His will for our lives.
Do you desire any life apart from God? That’s sin, which leaves a gap between God and us, accompanied by a desire to have it filled (Isaiah 59:2). It’s a vicious cycle. We attempt to satisfy our sinful desires apart from God through unrighteousness and then try to fill the resulting gap with our self-righteousness. Consequently, we are left dissatisfied.
What do you add to your devotion to God to satisfy your desires? The equation usually looks like this: (God + ________ = satisfaction). What do you place in your blank? It might be money, sex outside of God’s design, porn, risk, a rush, a smoke, a toke, a drink, or a line. It might seem as innocent as attention, affection, acceptance, approval, bigness, an attractive spouse, behaving children, or even religion. In any case, the result is a mixed devotion of the heart. The Bible alludes to these mixed devotions as impurities, or idols, because they compete with our full devotion to God. John said that anyone who does evil has not seen God (3 John 11). In His sixth secret to satisfaction through surrender, Jesus taught a better way: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Would a little extra money satisfy any of your desires? Do you want to decrease your liabilities? Perhaps you desire to reduce your mortgage, pay off your car, or eliminate credit card debt. Do you want to increase your assets? Maybe you would like to buy a new car, a new boat, a new house, a new set of golf clubs, a new technological device, or a new piece of jewelry. Money in and of itself is not evil. Owning stuff is not from the devil. The problem occurs when the stuff owns us. Ironically, it isn’t money that we desire, rather it is something deeper.
Who is more content, the person with a million dollars or the person with ten children? You probably guessed the person with ten children, and you are correct. He is more content because he doesn’t want any more. That’s the definition of contentment: being in a state or a situation where you are not wanting anything more or anything different. It literally means “held together.” This is the second of four desires addressed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. He warned His disciples not to seek contentment from money (Matthew 6:22-23).
Do you desire money for the control that it brings? Control literally means “to roll against.” It is the extension of our will over another person or object. We attempt to control others, our own lives, or even God. The desire for control came from man being empowered by God to rule over the earth, and to use that control to humbly serve Him (Genesis 1:28).
Would you like to achieve financial security? How much money would it take for you to have it? Security means that we don’t have to worry. It means that we can trust in one resource to be true all of the time. This desire for security came from God providing man every seed-bearing plant and every fruit-bearing tree (Genesis 1:29).
Have you ever struggled with how you should go to others with the gospel of full surrender to Christ? When a person is caught in his sin, desiring life apart from God, we tend to go to him in one of two extremes: we are either condemning or careless. These are rooted in the two expressions of a proud heart: (1) stone (condemning) or (2) sand (careless).
We approach life with God through one of two gates, traveling one of two roads, leading to one of two destinations. One is religious, traveling from the outside in. The other is relational, traveling from the inside out. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described the two gates, the two roads, and the two destinations (Matthew 7:13-14).
Have you ever entrusted yourself to a mentor who wanted you to be more oriented toward man-made rules than relationships? Rather than base his advice on the teachings of Christ and the counsel of the Bible, he developed his own personal potpourri of teachings. Describing two trees, Jesus addressed this dichotomy in the Sermon on the Mount when He taught His disciples how to go to their teachers and leaders (Matthew 7:15-23).
On what foundation do you make every choice, capture every thought, process every feeling, or offer every prayer? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus painted the picture of a foundation upon which His disciples could build their hearts and lives. Jesus summarized it as building one’s house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-29). He closed the greatest speech ever given with a comparison of two builders—one wise, one foolish; two foundations—one solid, one shifting; and two fates—one eternal, one temporary.
Being selected by Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys in the 1971 NFL draft after a stellar college career and three perfect high school seasons including three state championships was just the beginning of God drawing Bill Griffin to Himself. You won't want to miss the incredible stories, featuring legendary sports figures on and off the field, that God used to restore this giant of a man.
My friend and inspiration to my writing career, Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, joins us this week to discuss his incredible life of writing more than fifty books, including his latest, Jesus in the 9 to 5. Doc is a professor at Taylor University, where he serves as director of the professional writing major. He has also written three thousand newspaper and magazine articles, stage plays, film scripts, and several songs. You won't want to miss his rich insights.
Do you love good service? Maybe you enjoy being served at your favorite restaurant or resort, but have you ever thought about why? The answer will compel you to serve others. Jesus described service that leads to surrender (see Matthew 5:13-16) through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
You won't want to miss Duane DuCharme's vulnerable journey towards restoration from an ambitious, addicted, pursuit for wealth to finding himself at a crossroads toward restoration.
You won't want to miss the conclusion to Duane DuCharme's vulnerable journey towards restoration. In part one, Duane's ambition fueled his addiction for wealth as he built a multimillion dollar empire only to find himself in a valley. In the conclusion, we'll hear how God is using him to share his story with others and bring restoration to those who are battling their own addictions.
This week, professional volleyball player, Will Robbins, returns to share more about his transition from seemingly getting away with a bank robbery to being convicted, both by the Holy Spirit and the judicial system. What an incredible reminder of God's power as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
This week, my longtime friend, Detective Al Glock, stops by to share his most intense moment in time as a member of the Fort Wayne Police Department. You won't want to miss a second of Al's incredible story.
Do you have a fear of being misunderstood? Do you dwell on the negative? Do you maintain a right or wrong, all or nothing mentality? Are you characterized and known by unrealistically high expectations? If you answered, "Yes," to one or more of these questions, then you might be a perfectionist. This week, my daughter, Kelsey, stops by to talk about how we have both struggled with perfectionism and the restoration we have experienced in Christ.
As a woman, do you often feel insecure, falling short of God's design for your life? Have you ever asked yourself, "What characteristic does God value most in shaping me?" At the conclusion of Proverbs, King Solomon offers four ingredients of eternal value.
This week, my longtime friend, Kelly Byrd, stops by to discuss his transition from Senior Pastor of Blackhawk Ministries to what God had next for him. You will find Kelly to be vulnerable, insightful, and transparent. I'm sure he will inspire you.
This week, my good friend Dr. Mark Zolman shares his story of tragedy, restoration, and how God used him to help heal others.
Have you ever struggled to communicate effectively with different temperaments? This week, my daughter, Kelsey Herber, stops by to discuss personalities and biblical insights on how to communicate in order to connect with each other.
This week, my friends, Bruce Emerick and Matt Hicks, stop by to share how they were both compelled to join Jesus in Haiti Ministries, and how their efforts and after the earthquake has impacted them both. You won't want to miss their stories and insights.
Willie Carnale Smith has an amazing story of restoration that includes hard work, accolades, injury, confusion, search, and determination. You will be encouraged by the insights he has gleaned along the way.
On this week's episode I am honored to have Bob Lauter, CEO of Master Spas, and his lovely wife, Sherry. You will be inspired by their incredible journey as God's master plan has guided them from the marketplace to the mission field of Jamaica.
I have known this week's guest for many years, and he is one of the most humble advocates for Christ I have ever encountered. You will be utterly amazed to learn how he has surrendered one particular trial to God to be used for the greater good over several decades.
Some people suffer excruciating pain on this side. Maleah Heck shares her incredible story of restoration and forgiveness for the unspeakable acts committed against her. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic of sexual abuse, discretion is advised.
We are blessed to sit down with the most successful NFL center of all time, Colts Super Bowl Champion and multiple Pro Bowler, Jeff Saturday. As I have grown to know Jeff, I have been inspired by his heart for God, family, friends, and Christ's kingdom. You won't want to miss his journey of faith and how God uses him to bring His restoration to others as a husband, father, and ESPN analyst.
On April 30, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. He continues to overcome life's challenges, breaking physical barriers and defying the odds. Amazing strength. Incredible will to live. A warrior who lives by the motto, "Never give up. Never quit."
How does a man start a company in his VW bus and grow it into a multi-million dollar a year business? He doesn't. God does. This week, we have the unspeakable privilege of sitting down with Chuck Surack, Founder of Sweetwater Sound, Inc. My good friend Chuck takes time to transparently share his journey.
How does a man start a company in his VW bus and grow it into a multi-million business? He doesn't. God does. This week, we have the unspeakable privilege of sitting down with Chuck Surack, Founder of Sweetwater Sound, Inc. My good friend Chuck takes time to transparently share his journey.
This week, we have the privilege of talking with Unity Performing Arts Foundation Founder, Marshall White, and two of his team members, Rebecca Soto and Jordan Applegate, about their gold and silver medals at the World Choir Games in Riga Latvia with the World Champion Voices of Unity Choir. You won't want to miss Jordan's powerful closing song.
In 1951, Chuck Layton and thirty-six soldiers were captured during the Korean War. His actions during a daring escape caused him decades of guilt that lead Chuck in search of a place to belong and pathway to peace.
In 1951, Chuck Layton and thirty-six soldiers were captured during the Korean War. His actions during a daring escape caused him decades of guilt that lead Chuck in search of a place to belong and pathway to peace.
In 1951, Chuck Layton and thirty-six soldiers were captured during the Korean War. His actions during a daring escape caused him decades of guilt that lead Chuck in search of a place to belong and pathway to peace.
Rich Cummins, Executive Vice President Operations for The Rescue Mission, sits down with me at Parkview Field to share his personal story of restoration.
Rich Cummins, Executive Vice President Operations for The Rescue Mission, sits down with me at Parkview Field to share more of his personal story. You will not want to miss his transparency in both his tragedies and triumphs as he shares his road toward restoration.
Identify the area in your life where you are experiencing despair, and ask three questions. First, are you inward focused? Second, are you going through it alone? Third, are you allowing God to use your despair for ministry to others? Your answers are most likely, "Yes," "Yes," and "No." In the first eleven verses of Philippians, Paul introduced a paradigm shift from despair to joy amidst suffering. The theme of his letter helps us answer one of the most life changing questions of all. Is it possible to experience joy, to take pleasure in Christ, even when we suffer?
What chains are holding you back from joy? Typically, the answer is one that deals with our personal discomfort rather than Paul's chains referenced in Philippians. Paul was imprisoned for advancing the kingdom of Christ. Our chains are often a result of advancing our own kingdoms. Paul's paradigm shift links our circumstances with Christ in order to find joy amidst suffering.
Serving is the sweet spot of joy. The apostle Paul said that this joy is discovered at the intersection of serving Christ's interests, our unselfish interests, and the interests of others. Arthur Ash, the great tennis player who gave his life to serving both on and off the court, advocated that joy could only be found in serving others. Just like the heart of the tennis racket is the sweet spot, so the sweet spot of joy resides in the heart of Christ the Servant.
Who comes to mind when you think of humility? Paul gave the example of Christ, who being God, descended from heaven to die on a cross, only to be exalted to the highest place in the heavenly realm (see Philippians 2:5-11). The apostle painted a portrait of Christ's humility in serving the Father (see Philippians 2:5) that was fleshed out in serving others (see Philippians 2:6-8), so that they would serve the Lord (see Philippians 2:9-11).
The apostle Paul said that joy is discovered at the intersection of serving Christ's interests, our unselfish interests, and the interests of others. In order to experience the sweet spot of joy in serving, we must seek the heart of Christ. When we humble ourselves as servants in Christ. He leads us to serve others, who will be drawn to serve Him. This brings incomparable joy as we connect with Christ's light, reflect His light, and direct others to His light.
The Apostle Paul taught that accomplishments become embarrassments when we shoot at the wrong goal (Philippians 3:1-21). Joy comes from believing in Christ, fully surrendering our lives to Him and discovering forgiveness from the penalty of sin and freedom from the power of sin (Philippians 3:1). However, if we think we can earn our way to this salvation by keeping the law, we will be embarrassed at judgment.
Have you ever worried? Are you worrying right now? When we worry, we misalign our hearts (mind, will, emotions, and spirit). When one piece of the heart is out of alignment, the whole thing hurts. Just like a misaligned spine needs adjustment, so our hearts need to be realigned in Christ. Worry is the problem, prayer is the solution; and peace is the result.
When studying Philippians 4:8, I noticed the characteristics listed by Paul were traits of Christ. However, here was the big "Aha!" The opposite of each quality was a pattern of Satan. Each of us must pursue the heart of Christ in order to experience His peace that passes all human understanding by meditating on these transformative principles.
When studying Philippians 4:8, I noticed that the characteristics listed by Paul were traits of Christ. However, here was the big "Aha!" The opposite of each quality was a pattern of Satan. Each of us must pursue the heart of Christ in order to experience His peace that passes all human understanding by meditating on these transformative principles.
This week we ask the question, "What is the secret to contentment?" Two thousand years ago, stoic philosophers referred to contentment as "self-sufficiency," or "to be independent of external circumstances." Contentment literally means "to be held together." Inside each of us is a desire to hold it all together. Paul closed his letter to the church in Philippi describing the secret to attaining this inner peace: trust in the Giver, not the gifts (Philippians 4:10-23).
My dad frequently says that the strongest steel is made in the hottest fire. This week, Jim Kelly, 5-Time Pro Bowler, NFL Hall of Fame inductee, and the only quarterback to lead his team fo four consecutive Super Bowls, joins his wife Jill ti describe their journey through the hottest fire.
My dad frequently says that the strongest steel is made in the hottest fire. This week, Jim Kelly, 5-Time Pro Bowler, NFL Hall of Fame inductee, and the only quarterback to lead his team fo four consecutive Super Bowls, joins his wife Jill ti describe their journey through the hottest fire.
My good friend and Indy Racing League comeback story of the century, Davey Hamilton, sits down to share his incredible career, near-death experience, and returns to the sport he dearly loves.
My good friend and Indy Racing League comeback story of the century, Davey Hamilton, sits down to share his incredible career, near-death experience, and returns to the sport he dearly loves.
My good friend and Indy Racing League comeback story of the century, Davey Hamilton, sits down to share his incredible career, near-death experience, and returns to the sport he dearly loves.
My good friend, Mike Nutter, President of Fort Wayne TinCaps, sits down with me at Parkview Field to share his personal story of restoration. You will not want to miss his vulnerability and transparency, as he discusses both tragedy and triumph in his life.
In the loud world of auctions, my good friend, Jeff Doner, made it his ambition to live a quiet life. This week, my daughter, Kelsey, joins me as we discuss 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, and reflect on the life of one of my best friends.
This week, Tom Felger and Alicia Hill from House of Hope Northeast Indiana will share about their commitment to providing an affordable, family-style environment for teens in conjunction with training and Christ-centered counseling for the entire family through their residential home, a working farm, and Hope Academy. Their incredible work is restoring teens from the struggles in their own lives.
Rarely is Restoration Road smooth. This week, one of my high school basketball coaches, Matt Beerbower, shares his insights through both tragedy and triumph.
I am so looking forward to this week's interview with my good friend, Curtis Smith, to discuss his mission trip to Zambia in partnership with Hear Care Audiology. Curtis' insights, stories, and footage from the bush of Africa are inspiring and challenging. I highly recommend this episode for anyone who feels God's calling to the mission field.
In 1986, Cam Tribolet was on his way home from a night of drinking, when, at a Ft. Wayne, Indiana stoplight, three men tried to carjack him. During the assault, Cam was shot three times in the stomach. One bullet ripped through his aorta, another lodged near his back, and the third tore through his bowels, spewing infection throughout his body. Cam's family was informed that he probably wouldn't survive the night. But he did.
Do you respond to God with good intentions and, yet, do not do what He asks? Do you say, "Yes," then do "No." The Jewish leaders had questioned Jesus' authority (see Matthew 21:23-37). It was most likely Tuesday of Holy Week under one of the Temple porches. Jesus described two sons, each defined by what he says and does.
Have you built a box around the love of God? Do you find yourself wanting to show love only to God's people who are in the box while withholding it from those who are not? Jesus addressed this discrimination, the restriction of God's limitless love in The Parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:25-37).
Have you ever lost something of value? What did you do? What do you think God does when something of value is lost? In the parable about a shepherd's lost sheep, Jesus described God's passion for the lost (see Matthew 18:12-14).
Have you considered how the kingdom of God grows and assimilates in your communion, in your community, and in your culture? Most ministries, including businesses, attempt to start big and eventually, they grow small. They attempt to assimilate in others from the outside-in. Unfortunately, both are examples of pretense, which is the problem. Jesus unpacked two stories that reveal this timeless, yet often overlooked, truth.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, "What does God fish for?" The answer might affect what you wake up searching for each day. In a parable about God's net, Jesus addressed this question (see Matthew 13:47-50).
What rules, regulations, and stipulations do you add to Jesus' message of heart transformation? They probably fall into two categories: do's and don'ts. Two thousand years ago, God's plan for heart transformation had been hijacked by the Pharisees who had added 1,500 rules, regulations, and stipulations to the 613 Old Testament Laws. When challenged about rules, regulations, and stipulations, Jesus answered with a parable.
Can you recall an experience that has hardened your heart toward God? The event seemed to put an obstacle in your inner being that continually hinders the movement of God in a particular area of your life. Jesus addressed this scenario when He shared the story known as The Parable of the Sower (see Matthew 13:1-23; cf. Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-14).
If Christ returned today, would you be prepared? Whether in your physical death or in Jesus' second coming, would you be ready to meet Him? In a world where His arrival is delayed, we have a tendency to be unprepared for His imminent return. Jesus addressed this lack of preparation as foolishness in The Parable of the Ten Virgins (see Matthew 25:1-13).
Do you ever wonder why God allows evil to exist? Do you find yourself telling God that your life would work out better if He would just remove the evil barriers in your way? Whether it is a competitor, a criminal, a nemesis, a cheating spouse, or an enemy who was a former friend, we often find ourselves frustrated over the evil obstacles resident in our lives. In His Parable of the Weeds, Jesus gave insight to this dilemma (see Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).
How is God advancing His kingdom in you and through you? As believers we have a tendency to selfishly take the kingdom of God for granted while we remain in control of our own lives. The result is that His will is not advanced in or through us. We avoid heart transformation and the shaping of Christ in others, which begs the question, "Are we really in Christ?" In the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, Jesus painted a portrait of God's heart regarding the advancement of His kingdom, or the lack of it, in and through His people (see Matthew 21:33-46).
Have you ever asked someone, "What's in it for me?" If we answer honestly, we might begin to realize that we ask God the same question. That's what Peter asked Jesus when they encountered the rich, young, ruler who was unwilling to sell his possessions and be generous to the poor (see Matthew 19:16-22). Jesus answered with the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (see Matthew 20:1-16).
This week my guest, Marisa Hanlon, shares her roller coaster journey through addiction to recovery. Her incredible story is unlike any I have ever heart. If you know of someone who is struggling with an addiction, this is an episode that cannot be missed.
This week my guest, Marisa Hanlon, shares her roller coaster journey through addiction to recovery. Her incredible story is unlike any I have ever heart. If you know of someone who is struggling with an addiction, this is an episode that cannot be missed.
This week my guest, Marisa Hanlon, shares her roller coaster journey through addiction to recovery. Her incredible story is unlike any I have ever heart. If you know of someone who is struggling with an addiction, this is an episode that cannot be missed.
This week my guest, Beth Hombach, shares her journey into the darkness of addiction towards a life of full restoration. Her roller coaster journey is one that cannot be missed. If you know if someone who is struggling with an addiction, share this episode with them!
This week my guest, Beth Hombach, shares her journey into the darkness of addiction towards a life of full restoration. Her roller coaster journey is one that cannot be missed. If you know if someone who is struggling with an addiction, share this episode with them!
This week my guest, Beth Hombach, shares her journey into the darkness of addiction towards a life of full restoration. Her roller coaster journey is one that cannot be missed. If you know if someone who is struggling with an addiction, share this episode with them!
This week, join Kelsey and me as we discuss one of the most pressing challenges with females in our Western culture, body image. The Bible communicates a recurring theme that true beauty comes from the inside.
Is there anything you would like to change about your look? Body image is one of the most pressing challenges with females in our Western culture; however, the Bible communicates a recurring theme that true beauty comes from the inside.
With the DNA of a world traveler, D.J. Williams, born and raised in Hong Kong, has ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East. His global travels has engrossed him in myriad of cultures and provided him with a unique perspective that has fueled his creativity over the course of twenty years in the entertainment and nonprofit sector.
Bob Wearley retired from the US Air Force as a Lt. Colonel after 17 years on active duty, served as Chief Pilot for Howard Hughes' personal aircraft for nine years, and as a Captain for Singapore Airlines and Royal Jordan. His journey has taken him around the globe, meeting legendary celebrities, and experiencing firsthand the eccentric inner workings of the Hughes empire, including his account of the connection between Howard Hughes and Watergate.
Do you ever focus on the negative at the expense of being thankful? The problem lies in the eyes our hearts. Anxiety focuses on the negative, making it the antithesis of thanksgiving, which is a joyful attitude that occurs through prayer when our hearts are fully focused on God in Christ (see Philippians 4:6). Paul encouraged God's people to "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18; cf. Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17).
Is it possible to worship God through competitive sports? Join me and my daughter Lilly as we sit down and address that question, unpacking a biblical vision, mission, and values for athletics.
This week join me, along with Rick and Tina Walters, as they share about their organization, Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner. This incredible couple is helping people who struggle with weight to achieve health wellness through their intense 15-week faith-based fitness program.
Few of us would drive to a destination several hours away without first getting directions from a GPS. However, we rarely develop a strategic plan to reach our desired destination in life. Zig Ziglar said, "Failing to plan is planning to fail."
Ken and Nora Steward share their love story for each other that has transformed into a love story for those in need of hearing. As experts in hearing care, they have been instrumental in their community through HearCare Audiology and HearCare Connection, a nonprofit hearing center providing hearing healthcare to low-income adults and under-served children locally and internationally.
Do you devise ways for those outside Christ to find life with God or to remain separated from Him? We all devise ways to either pull people toward God or to push them away from Him. The determining factor is how we respond to the life-giving inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Have you had the opportunity to forgive someone who has wronged you? Jesus likened withholding forgiveness to a prison (see Matthew 18:21-25). The irony is that the person who will not forgive is the one locked inside the four walls. In order to forgive someone who has wounded us, we must first let go of four prison walls that incarcerate us in the prison of un-forgiveness.
Have you had the opportunity to forgive someone who has wronged you? Jesus likened withholding forgiveness to a prison (see Matthew 18:21-25). The irony is that the person who will not forgive is the one locked inside the four walls. In order to forgive someone who has wounded us, we must first let go of four prison walls that incarcerate us in the prison of un-forgiveness.
Have you ever encountered God, yet continue to pursue life apart from Him? Solomon experienced this at extraordinary levels. His final counsel on the issue is priceless for us because it offers the loving protection of God. "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
In our sinful nature, we risk worshipping other gods by desiring them in our hearts. Idols can take the form of metal, green rectangular paper, a bottle, a tick in the electronic banking system, numbers at the bottom of a spreadsheet, a scoreboard, parchment, a body, a philosophy, or even the rush of the next deal.
Everyone wants to be heard, forgiven, and understood, but the irony is that few want to listen, forgive, love the unlovely, or take time to understand. Recognizing the dilemma of our sinful nature, Jesus summarized His Sermon on the Mount with the main theme in Matthew 7:12.
Do you ever feel weary from sin? Has too much license increased your desire for more and more of your fix of choice in order to feel new again? Are you burned out with trying to keep religious rules, regulations, and stipulations, feeling as though you can never measure up to perfection? Two thousand years ago, Jesus offered the Master Key that unlocks the gate to authentic restoration in Christ found in Matthew 11:28.
When conflict arises, do you respond wisely? Would those closest to you characterize you as an understanding person? The Bible offers us wisdom for managing conflict, including understanding that only our loving God provides: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).
Is your heart in need of restoration? David, a man after God's own heart, penned his prayer of renewal that we can experience today: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139: 23-24)
The foundation of believing in the one true God is recognizing Him as our Designer and Creator. Everything starts with Him. No one advised God on how to create the universe. Not one of us raised a hand and asked God to be created. He chose to bring each individual on this scene of events for a purpose. Every human being offers a unique creative expression of God to our culture.
Have you ever done anything halfheartedly? How did it make you feel in the end? Unfortunately, due to our sinful nature, we often find ourselves in tasks where we do not give our all, even in our pursuit of God. The result is a 360-degree dissatisfaction. We dishonor God, ourselves, and those we attempt to serve in our lackluster fashion. In Jeremiah 29:13, God offers a first step in experiencing restoration of this inner flaw that enables us to pursue Him with all our hearts.
Has someone insulted you or caused you harm? When either occurs, our first inclination is to retaliate or to make threats. However, the apostle Paul offered a different approach, one that was both taught and caught through his experience with his Lord and Savior.
Would those closest to you describe you as greedy or generous? We were designed to be generous with our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. God desires that we use them to serve, faithfully administering divine grace, his undeserved love, in it's various forms. God wants to use our gifts received vertically to serve those horizontally, so that they connect vertically with the grace of the Generous One. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to give the gifts to ourselves.
My very good friend, Sergeant Joe Cox, has experienced an incredible valley in his life, and yet, the God of the universe has carried him and others through that valley. With transparency, Joe shares his story of walking through the shadow of death as he trusts God each day in a career that put him in harms way.
With transparency, Joe continues to share his journey of walking through the shadow of death as he's learned to trust God each day in a career that put him in harm's way. Don't miss the conclusion to the incredible valley Joe has experienced in his life and see how the God of the universe carried him and others through it.
The storms of life often come without warning. One day, everything seems normal and then tragedy strikes. Still, each of us is faced with how we will respond. The Seigel family chose to run to God, even when it was most difficult.
The storms of life often come without warning. One day, everything seems normal and then tragedy strikes. Still, each of us is faces with how we will respond. The Seigel family chose to run to God, even when it was more difficult.
From the streets of Jamaica to the mission field of Indiana, Donovan Coley shares his incredible story of restoration to becoming the CEO of The Rescue Mission. His incredible heart for people will inspire you, regardless of where you are on your journey.
At the eager age of 22 years old, Scott Wise used his entrepreneurial skills to open his first restaurant in Muncie, Indiana, and today has built a restaurant enterprise with 18 locations. While Scott has excelled in business, his story goes much deeper as he shares about his return to faith in the midst of personal adversity.
The familiar voice of Char Binkley encouraged 100,000 listeners each day for many years as she led the ministry of WBCL. Following a Holy Spirit prompting and a passion for the next generation, she founded Remedy Live where she serves on the board. You won't want to miss as she shares her journey with God and those He has brought in her path.
This week, my mentor and Indiana University Business Administration professor Ed Leonard shares about a life well lived in both his successes, as well as his struggles. You will be blessed by a man who has blessed me immensely.
Indiana Wesleyan University's Associate Head Basketball Coach Jeff Clark casts a vision through Philippians 2:1-11 for I Am Third. He has helped guide the Wildcats to four Elite Eight runs in the NAIA National Tournament, as well as a NCCAA National Championship. Ernie Johnson, NBA analyst on TNT says, "Jeff Clark is a great guy of character. If he came to recruit me, I would have four words for him: Where do I sign?"
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus the Master Communicator elaborated on the heart and mannerisms of an effective carrier of His gospel message. He conveyed that we should not go to the world either condemningly or carelessly; rather, we should go connectedly with the Spirit of God in total humility with a heart of clay (see Matthew 7:1-12). Consequently, every encounter with another person is a three-way call. When we are connected with God and connected with others, then they are connected with God. Whereas pride brings static to the line, humility offers a clear connections.
Do you struggle with how to connect your friends and family with the gospel of Christ? Our first step in evangelism is not toward a lost and hurting world, but toward God. This week, we examine our vertical connection with God through unpacking Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son and the acronym CLAY.
This week, we unveil Jesus' model of connecting with others in order to evangelize and disciple, as we dive into His Parable of the Good Samaritan and examine the acronym SALT.
Do you struggle with how to connect others with Christ? After we first connect with God as CLAY in His hands, and then connect with others by being SALT, God uses us to connect them with Him. The secret is LIGHT. Jesus described Himself as the light of the world, teaching when e fully surrender to Him we reflect His light (see John 8:12).
Mike Eikenberry, retired President of PNC Northern Indiana, shares his wealth of experience after 47 years in banking. Not only will my good friend and mentor offer financial wisdom, he will also share his personal journey of faith and the lessons he's learned along the way.
Scott Helmkamp, Director of Leadership Development for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, sharing his amazing story of how God has molded and shaped him to be a multiplier of leaders. You won't want to miss how his leadership principles are impacting, not only others in his career, but also his family.
Are you battling an addiction? Is there sin that has mastery over you? Is it time to yield yourself to God? Dianna Parish Crumpacker has endured a life of addiction and restoration. Her story has inspired others to surrender their own addiction to experience a deeper relationship with Christ. If you are in the battle, or know of someone who is, you won't want to miss this incredible episode.
Dianna Parish Crumpacker has endured a life of addiction and restoration that has inspired others to surrender their own challenges toward a deeper relationship with Christ. Is there any addiction in your life? Is there any sin that has mastery over you? Is it time to yield yourself to God?
God often elevates leaders to high levels of influence at an early age. One of those is my good friend, Brian Bauer, CEO of Lutheran Hospital and the Lutheran Health Network. Brian's journey is filled with servant leaders who have modeled contagious humility that he has assimilated into his life.
Marta Gabre-Tsadick, served as Director in the Office of Ministry for Foreign Affairs before being appointed as the first woman Senator of Ethiopia under the late Emperor Haile Salassie. She shares in her book, Sheltered by the King, how her family was forced to flee the country shortly after the death of the Emperor and Communist take-over. With a heart for people, Marta and her husband, Deme, helped to establish Project Mercy, an organization dedicated to providing emergency relief aid, educational assistance, and relocation help to African refugees.
Beverly Manaus shares her testimony of survival, and how that journey has led her to be a living example of a follower of Christ who has set apart Him as Lord of her life.
Amazing things happen when we set apart Christ as Lord. People will ask us questions about the hope that we have, and when we share our story of faith, the Holy Spirit draws others to God. Beverly Maunus is a living example of a follower of Christ who has set apart Him as Lord of her life. Through the mountains and the valleys, God has used her pain for a purpose, her tests for a testimony, and her mess for a message.
I had the unspeakable privilege encountering this week's guest each week in a Bible study I led at her volleyball club. I had been a friend of her dad Craig for years, so it was a blessing to study the Word with this special young lady and her team.
My good friend and mentor, Steve Longbrake, joins me to share the wisdom he has gleaned through the peaks and valleys of his journey on this side. You will not want to miss his deep and practical insights.
The Apostle Paul likened marriage to the relationship between Christ and the church, teaching that a husband desires respect from his wife, and a wife desires to be loved by her husband (see Ephesians 5:31-33). Paul taught that desires are not for our gratification, nor our elimination, but for our transformation. God's design is that we would experience His desires: holy, sanctified, and fully surrendered to Him (see 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).
The Apostle Paul likened marriage to the relationship between Christ and the church, teaching that a husband desires respect from his wife, and a wife desires to be loved by her husband (see Ephesians 5:31-33). Paul taught that desires are not for our gratification, nor our elimination, but for our transformation. God's design is that we would experience His desires: holy, sanctified, and fully surrendered to Him (see 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).
The Apostle Paul likened marriage to the relationship between Christ and the church, teaching that a husband desires respect from his wife, and a wife desires to be loved by her husband (see Ephesians 5:31-33). Paul taught that desires are not for our gratification, nor our elimination, but for our transformation. God's design is that we would experience His desires: holy, sanctified, and fully surrendered to Him (see 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).
Do you pursue satisfaction of your desires apart from God? The Apostle Paul called this the lust of the flesh, the first of three habits of highly destructive people: "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:15-17 NASB).
Do you ever desire control apart from God? Worldly power is the desire for more control than we were designed by Him to have. The Apostle John called it the lust of the eyes, the second of three habits of highly destructive people: "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17 NASB).
How do you keep score in life? We all select some sort of measurement of success that drives our behavior. It might be money, accolades, assets, degrees, vacations, or even our good works. When we keep score of our success by standards that are diametrically opposed to God's, we focus on measuring our record of achievement by boasting about what we have and what we do.
Have you struggled with influencing your boss? Are you unable to effectively communicate with your spouse? Does the coach of your team seem immovable? In our sinful nature, we have a tendency to respond to conflict with other leaders in three foolish patterns. Solomon shared the solution to this dilemma by offering three secrets to leading leaders.
Hootie & the Blowfish drummer, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld dreamt more of being a professional soccer player than a successful musician. However, with the unsuspected success of the band's 1994 debut release, Cracked Rear View on Atlantic Records, he and his bandmates found themselves traveling the world to support what would become the 16th best-selling album of all time in the United States.
This week, we continue our conversation with Hootie & the Blowfish drummer, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, who won two Grammys while struggling with an addiction that took over his life. Traveling the world to support what would become the 16th best-selling album of all time in the United States, his lines of truth were blurred as he relied heavily on drugs and alcohol to cope with the emptiness growing inside.
John Pistole, an alumni of Anderson University, served as a 26-year veteran of the FBI with extensive national security and counterterrorism experience. During his time, he was an instructor in Organized Crime matters at The FBI Academy, field supervisor of White-Collar Crime and Civil Rights Squad in Indianapolis, placed in charge of the FBI's counterterrorism program, and rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Director in 2004. President Obama later appointed John as the Director of the Transportation Security Administration where he led a 60,000-strong workforce, the security operations of more than 450 airports throughout the United States, and the Federal Air Marshal Service. From the streets of crime in New York to briefing President Bush in the Oval Office regarding national security, to becoming President of Anderson University, John's incredible story is one you won't want to miss.
This week, my good friend, Tom Kelley, sits down to discuss faith, family, friendships, and finances. You won't want to miss as Tom shares fascinating stories from his aviation and automotive businesses, including his Indy racing team and competing in the Reno Air Races. God has continued to intervene in his life, even saving him in the midst of a near-death experience.
In his latest novel, Waking Lazarus, D.J. Williams has written an epic global adventure filled with riveting characters and page-turning twists and turns. It is a brilliant follow up to his previous novel, The Disillusioned, and has garnered the praise of Hollywood's elite, including an Oscar winner. Waking Lazarus is the best fiction I've ever read!
God uses unique individuals to invest in each of our lives. Gregg Bettis has been such a person for me. Since his Damascus Road experience, God has used Gregg to reach tens of thousands with His message of eternal life.
Gregg Bettis has reached tens of thousands with God's message of eternal life. This week, we continue our conversation as Gregg shares how he survived a life-threatening plane crash and climbed the Grand Teton as God continued to use him to invest in others.
God's desire is that we would love Him and keep His commands for generations (see Exodus 20:6). John Kelley is part of a family whose lineage of faith has been multiplied throughout many generations. You won't want to miss John sharing the story of his walk with God, including the miracles he has experienced and how he has applied his relationship with Christ to his career where he has sold more Buick automobiles than any other person in the world.
Brenda Gerber Vincent serves as Vice President of Development for Lifeline Youth & Family Services and Crosswinds Inc, both non-profits serving troubled youth and families inside and outside the court system. Before her role at Lifeline, Brenda served both Governor Pence and First Lady Karen Pence as Deputy Finance Director for the "Mike Pence for Indiana" campaign and as the First Lady's Chief of Staff. Her resume is extensive, including being awarded Indiana's highest civilian honor, the "Sagamore of the Wabash." While her list of achievements have garnered the attention of many, the battles she's faced along the journey will inspire you as she shares openly about the challenges she's faced and an addiction she surrendered to God.
Growing up in consecutive generations of ministers does not always lead to one becoming a vocational pastor. This week, Pastor Paul Craig Paino shares his journey to the pulpit and many inspiring stories on his journey, including his time serving alongside Oral Roberts.
This week, Paul Craig Paino shares his journey through significant challenges and the power of God's healing, along with his current ministry through International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
This week, my guests Marisa Hanlon and Jonathan Brown share their mother and son story beginning with Maria's roller coaster journey through addiction to recovery. Her incredible story of redemption and reconciliation is unlike any I have ever heard. If you know of someone who is struggling with an addiction or know the impact it has on a family, this is an episode that cannot be missed.
Just as those who have worn the uniform to fight for our country embody a different perspective on freedom, so those who put on Christ receive a new perspective on life. Our guest this week has done both. You will not want to miss his incredible journey.
You will not want to miss the conclusion of our conversation with Vietnam War Veteran Dave Dahlrymple, who has not only worn the uniform to fight for our country but has also received a new perspective on his life in Christ.
God places people in our lives who inspire, model, and teach His grace, but each of us decides whether we will listen. Too often, the static temptation attempts to distort the still small voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. This week's guest shares an amazing story of how extended family members never gave up on him, regardless of the choices he made. His reconciliation moment with God led to reconciling the strained relationships in his life because he was finally ready to listen.
Why does God open doors, only to eventually close them? This week, U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman stops by to address that question and share his amazing journey of faith and leadership. You will not want to miss how God has led him every step of the way.
This week, my guests Hannah and Emma Eagleson share their father's story as he battled malignant melanoma until his soul was lifted to Heaven. Rod Eagleson's life will forever be remembered through his daughters and the many others who have been drawn closer to Christ because of His inspiring faith. If you know of someone who has lost a loved one, or is dealing with a life-altering circumstance, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
Have you ever wondered how the books of the Bible tie together? Along with Christ, the Bible is God's specific revelation to His people. Its first five books reveal our Creator's heart of love, redemption, and restoration. This week, my good friend and retired 33-year host of WBCL Radio, Lynne Ford, will help me kick-off our series to discover the major themes woven through each book of the Scriptures.
Would those closest to you describe you as a person of promise? Take Joshua's promise test. Are you following God wholeheartedly in a fully surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you lead courageously? Do you lead wisely? This Sunday, Lynne Ford and I begin our journey through the book Joshua, investigating what it means to become a person of promise who yields to the Holy Spirit breathing life into the hearts others around us.
What kinds of challenges cause you to forget about God? About two months after Moses had died, Joshua led the Israelites to the Jordan River during its spring flood stage needing a miracle to cross it. God has parted the Red Sea for Moses, but would He do the same for Joshua with the Jordan? Rather than part the Jordan before the people entered the water as He had done with the Red Sea, God required the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant to first step into it.
Who comes to mind when you think of the character trait of loyalty? When God looks at your heart, does He see you as faithful? This week, Lynne Ford and I will dive into the Bible's historical books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 & 2 Samuel to discuss these questions and more.
Does God see you as faithful with integrity of heart? Are you listening to His still small voice or rejecting His gentle call? Do you perceive God as owner of everything in heaven and earth and the Giver of wealth? Is your heart fully committed to the Lord? This week, Lynne Ford and I will dive into the historical books of 1 & 2 Kings, as well as 1 & 2 Chronicles, to discuss these questions and more.
Are you discouraged from the consequences of choosing life apart from God? Are you willing to confess to God how you have fallen short? Is the joy of the LORD truly your strength? When times are difficult, do you seek Him? This week, Lynne Ford and I will dive into the historical books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther to discuss these questions and more.
Are you suffering and blaming God? Where do you go with your emotions? In times of intense fear, anger, sorrow, or joy, what becomes the target of your feelings? God is always faithful, but we are not. That's why we need Christ to pursue life with God, bringing us in communion with Him and community with others. Christ never fails. Only He can truly restore our emotions.
Are you trying to pay for your sin against a Holy God? Are you partially surrendering to God, withholding something where you maintain control of your own life? Are you willing to surrender your rigid heart of stone for a soft heart of clay that is malleable in the hands of the Potter? This week, Lynne ford and I will go deeper into discussing these questions as we gain wisdom from the major prophets of the Old Testament.
Are you running toward God or away from Him? Are you yielding to His invitation? Do you ever ask yourself what God requires of you? Are you experiencing God's resistance? This week, Lynne Ford and I will discuss these questions and more as we learn from the minor prophets of the Old Testament.
Do you see yourself as a servant? How important is it to you to reach the lost, those outside a fully-surrendered relationship with Christ? Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to engage with someone who has yet to commit their life to Christ? This week, my daughter Kelsey and I will go deeper into answering these questions as we gain insight from the Gospels and Acts.
Are you experiencing God's three-dimensional peace throughout your life? That's the theme of Paul's letters, a theology of reconciliation of man with God that can be lived out in harmonious relationships (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-21). This week, we go deeper into Christ's three-dimensional peace that provides reconciliation with God, offers a peace within ourselves, and flows into our relationships through the power of the Holy Spirit who draws others to God's peace.
Have you ever considered that you are God's masterpiece? What has He painted on the canvas of your heart? Fully surrendering our lives to Christ brings us joy that empowers us to trust in the Giver. This week, we go deeper into Paul's letters written from prison to the Church.
Have you ever considered enduring pain and agony as joy? Is there an act you have committed that has left you feeling guilty and unworthy of God's grace? This week, we conclude our series by answering these questions and more.
Mitch was standing in the baptism waters with an addict who had surrendered her life to Christ as Savior and Lord because she had heard the wisdom of the Scriptures taught in a relevant way. At that moment he experienced how the Holy Spirit uses God's wisdom to restore each of us. This week, Mitch sits down with his daughter, Kelsey, to discuss our need for God's wisdom as we explore the twelve-fold purpose of Proverbs.
Mitch was standing in the baptism waters with an addict who had surrendered her life to Christ as Savior and Lord because she had heard the wisdom of the Scriptures taught in a relevant way. At that moment he experienced how the Holy Spirit uses God's wisdom to restore each of us. This week, Mitch sits down with his daughter, Kelsey, to discuss our need for God's wisdom as we explore the twelve-fold purpose of Proverbs.
As you assess the most pressing conflict situations in your life, are you caught or taught in the cycle of conflict? In his attempt to lead the people of Israel three thousand years ago, King Solomon faced the inevitable conflict that came with his position. So when God offered Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything from Him, Solomon requested wisdom (see 1 Kings 3:5-15). This week, we'll examine the wisdom God provided Solomon in his first recorded decision, and see how conflict is either positive or negative when two objects attempt to occupy the same space at the same time.
Have you ever played the fool? As people who pursue God's will and way, we want to avoid playing the role of the fool at all cost. A study of Proverbs gives us five stages of foolishness from the Hebrew language. Each of these stages represents a progression or increasing hardness of heart, from gullible to godless. This week, we'll examine the five stages of foolishness.
How do you plan to unlock wisdom in your life? Wisdom represents the idea of God's heart of righteousness combined with street smarts. Wisdom makes our relationship with God "sticky," or consistently applicable, to our tasks and earthly relationships. Thus, it is the sweet spot where the vertical intersects with the horizontal. Whenever a vertical line intersects with a horizontal line, four quadrants appear. Just as the physical heart is comprised of four chambers, so the spiritual heart is comprised of four chambers. This week, we'll go deeper into unlocking the four spiritual chambers.
When it comes to conflict, we want to make the right decisions, say the right words, garner the right power, and do the right thing so that we can get the right result. The problem is that since the first sin, people throughout history have determined for themselves what is right and wrong -- including you and me. Righteousness is translated in the New International Version as "doing what is right" (Proverbs 1:3) in God's sight. Wisdom offers us a righteous grid to process our decisions before we make them. This week, we'll go deeper into unlocking the four spiritual chambers.
What is fair? We often ask this question in dating, marriage, parenting, education, sports, friendships, business partnerships, ministry collaborations, and national alliances. The wisdom literature in Proverbs offers us the answer in a key word embedded in the twelve signs of wisdom. That word is equity (meyshar in Hebrew). This week, we'll go deeper into the four contextual patterns of equity to help us wisely navigate through conflict to community.
How do you apply justice to your relationships when conflict has occurred? The word justice comes from the Latin root word that means "lawful." The concept of justice applies to God's moral law, to our civil laws, to our organized rules, and to our relational boundaries. When justice is served the truth is revealed. The wicked get punished. The innocent go free. Justice begins when we humbly pursue God because He is just. This week, we'll go deeper into the four weights in the measurement bag of justice.
In conflict management, is your behavior wise or foolish? One of the main purposes of Proverbs is to give the reader instruction in wise behavior. Wise behavior takes effective communication and allows it to become powerfully persuasive. It delves into the unseen, bringing wisdom into the hearts of others. This week, we'll go deeper into the traits of wise behavior.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Solomon recorded one of the weightiest sayings in Proverbs to explain how we connect our hearts with God's: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Rather than trusting in our own fallen understanding we trust wholeheartedly in God. This week, we'll go deeper into the habits of understanding.
Two thousand years ago, rabbis asked many questions that engaged the heart in the process of their teaching. In fact, when they engaged with each other in systematic debate, they would typically answer a question with another question, as if to say, "I understand what you are communicating, but what about this deeper truth?" This week, we'll go deeper into the four components of wise communication.
The apostle Paul taught believers to self-sacrificially: "Walk in the way of love" (Ephesians 5:2). When we walk in the way of love, every encounter becomes a divine appointment, and marriage is the most significant.
In your words or deeds, do you lean most often toward truth or grace? Each of us maintains a bent one way or the other, but God designed us to experience both in Him.
Charles Billingsley, nationally-known recording artist, worship leader, author, teacher, and pastor joins me to share what God is teaching him as he transitions from Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virgina to Shadow Mountain Community Church in greater San Diego.
Tom and Carole Heil share their restoration story, which began in brokenness from hurts, habits, and hang ups to being transformed into serving God through helping young people navigate their way to Christ through their ministry at The Landing.
Tom and Carole Heil share their restoration story, which began in brokenness from hurts, habits, and hang ups to being transformed into serving God through helping young people navigate their way to Christ through their ministry at The Landing.
Each of us needs a new soft spiritual heart from God in order to be shaped like Christ (see Ezekiel 36:26). Gran Roberts found himself needing both a new physical and spiritual heart. You will not want to miss his miraculous story and how God used Fight Club to bring restoration.
Each diamond is formed under intense heat and pressure. Our guest, Brenda Jank founder of Run Hard. Rest Well. shares her personal story of restoration and how God has used the intense trials of her son, Josh, to distribute more then 750,000 "red diamonds" in all fifty states and twenty-eight countries to advance the cause of Christ.
Mitch's brother, Stuart Kruse, Senior Pastor of County Line Church shares from his heart the life-changing power of repentance.
Dr. Joe Martin, founder and creator of Real Men Connect, served over 22 years as an award-winning educator, international speaker, author, and educational consultant. However, at the height of his teaching and speaking career, he wasted his wealth, risked his health, ruined his marriage, and disappointed his family. You won't want to miss Dr. Martin's incredible restoration story as he experienced a Road to Damascus encounter that forever changed his life.
Dr. Joe Martin, founder and creator of Real Men Connect, served over 22 years as an award-winning educator, international speaker, author, and educational consultant. However, at the height of his teaching and speaking career, he wasted his wealth, risked his health, ruined his marriage, and disappointed his family. You won't want to miss Dr. Martin's incredible restoration story as he experienced a Road to Damascus encounter that forever changed his life.
Founding pastor of Grace Christian Church, Chris Mosley unpacks passion in athletic competition and ministry. His words are priceless for all of us, especially young athletes.
On this side of life, we navigate the wake of sinful choices, both our own and those committed by others. As a result, we have a tendency to either run toward God or run away from Him. This week's guest attempted to run away from God, only to be shocked by an unanticipated encounter.
God wants to multiply His heart through us and into the next generation. Mark and Colleen are living portraits of how He accomplishes this at home and in the marketplace. As CEO of Lasting Change, Inc., Lifeline Youth and Family Services, and Crosswinds, Mark has been used by God to impact thousands of families throughout the world.
None of us knows how we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death until we are in it. This week, Angela Presley vulnerably shares her journey of losing her seventeen-year-old daughter, Alonna, to a stray bullet during a bonfire and how Christ continues to walk with her through the ministry, Alonna's Song.
Mitch sat in a restaurant booth across from Al Saylor as he shared his incredible experience with God. Mitch knew then, he wanted Al to share it with you.
Linda Znachko is the founder of He Knows My Name ministry and author of the nationally recognized award-winning book, He Knows Your Name: How One Abandoned Baby Inspired Me to say YES to God.
Linda Znachko is the founder of He Knows My Name ministry and author of the nationally recognized award-winning book, He Knows Your Name: How One Abandoned Baby Inspired Me to say YES to God, as seen on the Steve Harvey Show.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus gave the ultimate message on spiritual leaders creating obstacles to kingdom growth. Today, we can still benefit from His incredible insights.
God met this week's guest at her lowest point and gave her a vision for ministry to the inner city of Fort Wayne. She is living proof of His desire for all believers. Don't miss her amazing story of restoration.
Kirk Cousins, NFL franchise quarterback, shares how his faith in God leads him to lead and inspire others.
Tamika Catchings overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to play 15 years for the Indiana Fever where she won a WNBA championship, WNBA Most Valuable Player Award, WNBA Finals MVP Awards, five WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and four Olympic gold medals. She is one of only 9 women to win an Olympic Gold Medal, an NCAA Championship, and a WNBA Championship.