Gleaning and Gathering: Recent Episodes
Eric Himelick
I love meaningful conversations, and this is probably what it would sound like if we had a chance to have that chat in my home office. It is my effort to process what I'm thinking out loud (and sometimes with friends.) The Gathering at Victory Acres is a local congregation in Upland, IN meeting at our 114 acre ministry farm. (www.victoryacres.org)
I am a Christian, husband, father, pastor, church planter, community developer, author, and social entrepreneur. I am a mortal on a journey through this beautiful, delightful world God has given us, and I live in wide-eyed, child-like wonder.
It all began with a prayer retreat in October 2005. God has done a lot in these past 19 years, and we believe that He has great things in store for the days ahead.
Do you need a place to reflect and to reconnect with God? How long has it been since you took time to seek God in extended prayer? Maybe you need to think about a time of your own.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
"Work expands to the time allotted to it." Prioritizing and then defining a "box" for your project before you begin (and become emotionally involved) is important to maintaining balance in life.
This is something that I have been gleaning, especially lately. This is a good, old-fashioned episode of me behind the microphone blathering away. If you're having problems with insomnia, I have been told that it may be helpful to listen. It may help put you to sleep.
You're welcome...
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Mode Camp has been a place that has shaped our family over the past decade.
What are the places and people that are shaping the soul of your family? Are you being intentional about the influences that will form your children's philosophy and worldview? It matters more than you may think, and it all goes by very fast.
I challenge you to think about it!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Our time as a family at Mode Camp is one of the highlights of our year as a family over the past nine years. Ten days in late July and early August to slow down, to hear from God, and to spend time with dear friends has been deeply enriching to us.
Here are a few conversations from our time together this past month...
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
This conversation with my friend, Martin Barnard, on the value of enduring friendship was such a joy to prep and record. NOTE: It was recorded in a narrow window of time over zoom, which explains why things are seemingly cut short at the end. However, it is a window into our busy worlds and our friendship.
As someone who has listened and given feedback on GNG since it began, thank you, Martin, for taking time. It is a privilege to call you my friend.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
I'm reading the book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero right now, and I was also reflecting on a podcast episode that I listened to last week talking about some of the same topics.
I want to be a leader who is giving my family and team "the gift of an emotionally healthy me." What about you? How are you showing up for your family and team, and what are you doing to make it better?
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Sharing the details of our trip to AK and life lessons that we have been gleaning along the trail. We celebrated our 25th anniversary with an ice cream cone and a boatload of hard work. While it may not have been most people's idea of a great time, it was perfect for our family, and we are thankful for the opportunity.
If you'd like to learn more about the work of Chena Camp, I encourage you to check out this link: https://www.alaskalizzie.com/chenacamp
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Some reflections from Ecclesiastes 3 on life and living one day at a time.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
There are no friends like old friends. Jarod and I played on a soccer team together in high school (almost 30 years ago.) It was a joy to reconnect with him recently.
He husband, father, and bi-vocational pastor living in Toomsboro, GA.
He has written a book called Battle Plan (available on Kindle.) I encourage you to check it out.
(For Duncan and anyone else who cares: This is the first episode recorded "virtually" so we are still working out the technical part.)
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
On this episode of GNG, another great conversation from my time in TN. This time I discuss Godly manhood and the ministry of Men Arise with David Spivey.
https://godlymanhoodtoday.com/
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
"We don't really change people by shouting at them, not even by shouting loudly."
There was a lot to chew on in this short conversation, but this line of thinking was key. Early Methodism understood this, and they gave us a great example.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
How can we pass along our faith to our children? How can we make disciples who then make disciples?
I enjoyed a great conversation (both on and off mic) with my friend, Darrell Stetler II from Oklahoma City at the recent Interchurch Holiness Convention in Gatlinburg, TN.
I encourage you to listen and to check out his material!
https://www.discipleshipinthehome.com
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Through the years, we have done our best to "do life together" as a family. Kaylynn gives us her perspective on what that looked like.
I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
We've all been there. Your initial plan didn't work out the way that you hoped. What do you do? How do you keep moving forward?
Here are a few thoughts and stories from my experience.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
In Waking the Dead, John Eldredge gives this picture of a community of the heart, "Living in community islike camping together… for a month, in the desert… without tents. All your stuff is scattered out there for everyone to see.”
Growing communities like Columba did at Iona in A.D. 564 is not very glamourous; It is hard, messy work. But growing communities of the heart to shine as lights in this dark world IS the way forward.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Kaylynn is back, and we are discussing this year's NDPx theme: Rootedness from Colossians 2:6-7.
In an age of mobility, we must recover the virtue of "blooming where we are planted." Constancy is key to all the other virtues, and that happens in a place and with a people.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
There are times in our lives as leaders that we don't feel like there is any pathway forward. We feel stuck. The good news is that you can get "unstuck." This episode offers some perspective and life lessons for leaders who are in the battle.
For more information, on NDP you can check out: victoryacres.org
For more information on The Rooted Life Plan, personal retreats, and coaching, visit: himelickfamilyconsulting.com
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
I've always wanted to record a podcast at the beach... at sunrise, and today I did. The audio is terrible, but the view was spectacular.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
A report on "Longing for the Light," the all-night, inter-church prayer movement that happened on February 16 in 33 different locations around the U.S. (and Internationally.)
For more details look at: longingforthelight.org
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Leading "off the map" starts by people being able to trust us "on the map." Are we the kind of resilient leader that people can trust and how can we become a person that is trustworthy?
In this episode, I dig into some of the challenges that I'm facing personally and offer some thoughts on leading in crisis and change.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
More lessons from the life of George Muller, (particularly when God doesn't answer prayer the way we wish He would.) Asking good questions like, "What is happening? What does it mean? And what is God inviting us into?"
More talk about NDP and how we need to develop ministry with and by young people, not just ministry FOR young people.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
I have been reading form The Work of Faith through George Muller edited by Abbie Morrow (originally published in 1899 by The Office of the Revivalist, Cincinnati, OH, Martin Wells Knapp; reprinted in 2005 by Alleghany Publications, Salem OH.) Fascinating read and lots of good stuff gleaned.
Today, Kaylynn and I discuss fundraising philosophy in light of Muller. I have lived in this space for the past 25 years and the things that I share here are meant to be "helpful hints to fellow strugglers." I don't have it all figured out, but this has been a huge area for which I was woefully unprepared as a Christian leader. And it is an area that I hope to be a help to others along the journey.
If you'd like to discuss it further, please let me know.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Kaylynn and I start a wide-ranging conversation that includes an article from Front Porch Republic entitled "A Beautiful Farm." From there we discuss the USDA agricultural policies of the 1970's that have led to our current situation. We discuss the value of "sticking with" a place and a people, and we end up talking about Abraham and faithfulness.
It was fun to record whether you ever listen to it or not, but I hope you'll "glean and gather" with us.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Here are some reflections from I Thess. 4 about Christian ambition and witness. Our ambition should be to:
-
Live a quiet life
-
Mind our own business
-
Work with our hands
So that we will have what we need and not be unnecessarily dependent on others and gain the respect of those who are outside the faith.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Kaylynn's back! It was such a joy to record this episode with my eldest daughter. It was a free flowing conversation about NDP, the need for the church to be engaged in "vocational discipleship," and how we should be developing leaders at every level.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
I am sharing from my life over the past few weeks, planning for "Longing for the Light," a muti-site, interdenominational prayer movement that God has impressed on my heart.
Also talking about leading our families towards God and how we do family devotions.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
In the middle of your busyness are you taking time for rhythms of renewal? In this episode, I am challenging you to seek the face of God and to live in health as you move forward with you plans.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Headmaster Scott Clemens of Heartland Christian has been a personal friend and huge blessing to our family over the past nine years our children have been connected there. I interviewed him him today about education, discipleship, and Heartland's mission of partnering with parents to develop Christ-like leaders.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Have you had the experience of knowing that God put you together with someone? There was a "spark" of connection, and you knew it was more than just common interests.
In this episode, we explore that idea and its connection to Spiritual friendship, or guardians of the soul.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent 2023, and this past week I had a conversation with Karissa about this season. "Jesus is coming, and this time is all about getting ready for His return."
Her eyes lit up, and she began to jump up and down. "Jesus is coming!! When, when?! I want to see Him!!"
Living with hope is to live everyday with that child-like wonder, excitement, and expectation that we see in the lives of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. We aren't "just waiting;" we are living in hope!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
In this wide-ranging conversation with co-host Kaylynn, we talk about all manner of things, but the conversation centers on cultivating a sense of wonder in our children's education and experience. "Why does that happen? How does that work?" If you send them out with wonder, they will find their answers.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
On this Thanksgiving, I am thinking about the past... and our future. I am thinking about the yearly rhythms that for us have become the "sound track" of our life as a family.
Are we just marching to the drumbeat of culture, or are we cultivating a deeper life as a family through the things we celebrate and the traditions that we repeat year after year?
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Hospitality to others starts with having a vibrant family table. While we are still developing, we are thankful for the opportunity we've had to welcome many guests to our family meals together.
Our Chicken and Rice Recipe
5 lbs of chicken legs
2 cups of rice
4 cups of "fluid"
-
water
-
milk
-
cream of chicken soup
-
onion soup mix
Combine in a large pyrex dish (10x13.) Place the rice and fluid on the bottom and the chicken on top. Sprinkle with garlic salt.
Cook covered with foil for 2 hours at 325. Serves 10-12 people.
Super easy, super cheap, super good.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
In this episode I am looking back while looking forward. How did the farm come about? How did NDP begin? And where are we headed next. I share a "history of the future" at Victory Acres.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Sitting down with my daughter, Kaylynn, to discuss the vision of Victory Acres farm was a real treat. I'm excited to see what God is going to continue to do on this former, seven-generation family farm.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Reflections from our lives and some next steps that we are taking.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
This is a recap from my message at the Gathering yesterday on power, weakness, and the tabernacling of God.
(Drawing on Marva Dawn's book, Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God.)
I tried to show that we are in danger of being seduced by the world into following it's pattern of power rather than following the way of Jesus in humility and weakness.
"Just try to imagine that the Pattern is called a 'Lamb.' That alone is a scandal to the natural mind. Who has any desire to be a lamb?" - Soren Kierkegaard
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
In the avalanche of ideas and opportunities, how do we discern where we should focus our limited time and energies? This episode explores some of the principles that I have found helpful in the process.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Sooner or later, you will probably face a transition. This episode explores a personal transition and some observations on how to navigate them.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
Trouble doubles as an opportunity for God's will and wisdom to be revealed. Am I just focusing on the problem at hand, or am I staying open to what opportunities God may be using those problems to uncover.
Just some reflections from life and ministry...
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-himelick/support
"Am I communicating because I like this topic, or am I communicating because I have a clear picture of a life I want to improve?" is the question Ezra Byers asked in a recent Facebook post about writing.
It set me to thinking... Where do I add value to other people's lives? That is the topic of this episode.
Are you living out of a paradigm of blessing or cursing? This week I'm reflecting on Psalms 109 and the communities of blessing in my own life.
If you get lost, is there anyone who will come looking for you? Does anyone "claim" you? Are you a part? Do you "belong?"
These are some questions that I've been chewing on this past week, and it is the topic of this episode of Gleaning and Gathering.
Sitting down with the leadership trainees of this year's NDP summer training program was a lot of fun! We discussed some of the lessons that they are learning through the program and how it is helping them to develop their individual strengths. See what you think!
Learning the discipline of celebrating well is something that I'm still working on, but this past week our NDP team took a day to celebrate.
While most Christians would agree that spiritual friendship is important, many see it as a beautiful luxury for which they don't have time or energy. Seeing spiritual friendship as a spiritual discipline necessary for the development of our spiritual life is not the view that everyone shares.
In this episode I explore the concept ,along with excerpts from Spiritual Friendship, the spiritual classic by Aelred of Rievaulx and ideas from A Resilient Life by Gordon MacDonald. My hope is that it will be an encouragement to you on your journey.
June 19, 2023 Rachelle and I celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. In this episode, we reflect on questions like, "What would you want to tell your 20/21 year old self after 24 years of marriage?" It's a fun, free flowing conversation, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it.
This past week we hosted the Nehemiah Discipleship Program Experience at Victory Acres Farm. 40 young people from 6 different states completed the time of training and discipleship. Our word for the week was "UNITE," and our Scripture engagement passage was Ephesians 4. In a day of division, how are we as Christians to truly unite? That's the topic that I explore in this episode.
There are times as a leader when you're not ok... and that's ok. How do you keep perspective in those moments? God has used Scripture and days of prayer like this past week to help me regain His perspective.
It was fun to set up a "mobile studio" at this year's IHC in Gatlinburg, TN and talk to various friends and family members. My daughter Rebecca Himelick, a student at God's Bible College, and Ethan Hoard, a student at my alma mater, Union Bible College, are featured in this episode.
As leaders, we are surrounded by opportunity, but many of us are struggling to execute the necessary endings to provide the focus needed to get that opportunity to the finish line.
I hope that a piece from my story might help you as you are processing yours.
Seventy-eight years ago on April 9, 1945 Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis at the age of 44, but his life and writings continue to challenge Christians everywhere.
His "experiment" in training church leaders for the German Confessing Church at Finkenwalde intrigues me, and his book The Cost of Discipleship challenges me. Running a farm dedicated to discipleship, hospitality and healing, I personally have much to glean from him, but I think you will find that we all do!
Dr. Stephen Gibson is the President of Evangelistic Faith Missions, Holiness Pilgrim Missions, and on the Board of Shepherd's Global Classroom. He was my first professor at Union Bible College and has been a long time friend and ministry partner.
This episode was recorded while visiting him at his home in Southern Indiana and includes some of his story on the winding road of missions he has travelled as well as the genesis of Shepherd's Global classroom, training materials that are making it possible to provide local theological education to thousands of pastors and church leaders among the global poor.
I enjoyed catching up with my friend and coworker, Keith Schaper this past week for a conversation about life, transition, and his work now in the area of donor relations at Evangelistic Faith Missions. I am thankful for the training that I received from my friend, Zach Clark at Leadership and Development Coaching.
While many leaders feel called to lead, they don't fully understand that part of leading is stewarding the relationships with the people who are giving to make that work possible. Why do people give, and why do they keep giving? We talk about that and much more in this episode.
A discussion about the church's role in charity and helping people to help themselves. How can we help in a way that is truly helpful? How do we help without undermining personal responsibility? How far should we go? How do we keep the safety net from becoming a hammock? How do we preserve the relationship while having hard conversations?
As with most things, there are no easy answers, but these are some thoughts for churches and individuals interested in moving beyond the "benevolence fund" mentality towards developing responsible, relational disciples.
What does it mean for us to be the church, and what is God calling us to as His people to be? Is it enough to just "have church," or is God calling us to more?
I explore the "Ephesians Paradigm" (thank you Dr. Stephen Gibson) and my own experiences in making a case for the church being more than just a "dispenser of religious goods and services."
I believe that the church is intended to be the Body of Christ - the continuing manifestation of Christ in the world, and that it is intended to reveal to a broken, watching world the "manifold wisdom of God."
If that is true, then there is much to discuss and even more to do. What is the wisdom of God as it relates to agriculture, childcare, public safety, food, and 100 other issues of "real life?" Do we believe that the wisdom of God speaks to these things? Do we see this as part of the work of the church, or is all of that just "secular?" These are some of the issues explored in this episode.
Rebecca, our second daughter, turned 20 this past week. It got me to thinking about the changing seasons of parenting. This is my encouragement and admonition to young parents is, "Keep your eye on the ball! You have a narrow window of opportunity."
Just sharing from my experiences these past few days, including my time at Asbury University.
What kind of a person are you becoming? The battle is won or lost in the day to day choices. Every choice is a vote for who you want to become.
A "rule of life" has been a helpful tool for Christians throughout the ages in becoming more disciplined and Christ-like. In this episode, I share some of my daily rhythm and "rule of life." Being rather than just doing is also a theme.
Sit down and write out 50 things that you really desire. As we delight ourselves in God, He promises to give us the desires of our heart. Why? Because the things that we want as we delight in Him, are the things that He wants for us.
George Muller wrote in his autobiography, "The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is... to make my soul happy in the Lord."
Duty is not enough; we must find DELIGHT in Him. This truth has been something that I'm still learning, but I hope it is a help to you as well.
George Patton was a great leader, but leaders with that model of leadership struggle in today's leadership culture.
In this episode of the podcast, I explore that idea and share some of my favorite books in the "new" model of leaders as team builders.
Here's that list in case you didn't catch it in the podcast:
The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey
Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal
The Five Disfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fisher-Wright
Multipliers by Liz Wisweman
Joy, Inc. by Richard Sheridan
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork by John Maxwell
What if I had 6 months left to live? How would I live it? What would I do or stop doing? I spent time reflecting on Psalms 39 this week and these are a few of my thoughts and the list of things I would do or stop doing. Food for thought...
Kaylynn shares her philosophy of education, and we discuss great questions like "What is the difference between education and indoctrination?"
Great stuff to start season 2 of Gleaning and Gathering!
"There are certain people who enable us to be as we have never been before," Ed Farrell wrote. God has used people and the lessons, language, and paradigms they have opened to me to shape me in profound ways, and I am grateful.
My Grandpa, Verlin Himelick, was one of the wisest men I ever met. His love for God and his family is a heritage that I treasure. This episode cover photo is a picture of him and his young bride, Cora Mae, shortly after arriving back from the horrors of World War II as a Marine in the South Pacific. This Christmas Eve brings back memories of that last Christmas we spent together with him 17 years ago. I miss him...
Who are some of those special people for you? And have you shared your appreciation with them?
I believe that Christian hospitality is one of the greatest underutilized tools for evangelism and discipleship. It can also be incredibly challenging. Here are a few stories, thoughts and reflections from my life. While I have a lot to learn, our lives have been greatly enriched by "making room" for others along our journey. Developing Victory Acres Farm as a place of hospitality and healing over the past 17 years has been a passion. We have housed over 50 long term guests, hosted over 70 agricultural apprentices and interns, and provided nearly 900 camper-nights of housing just this year! We've learned a lot through that process, but we'd love to hear about your journey as well!
I love having conversations with all of my children! Sitting down with Kaylynn this week to record this podcast was a highlight. We were interrupted several times. We recorded in the midst of a busy Himelick house (so you'll hear that.) It's a bit cut up because we restarted the conversation multiple times, but it's real and it's here. Enjoy!
Local pastoral leadership is missing from so many places today, and there are a lot of reasons for that. These are some thoughts on church planting and developing local, Biblical leadership who will shepherd God's people.
I believe that God has many different expressions of the Body of Christ. While there is a place for the "Walmart" church, many contexts just need a "Dollar General" church.
"A fish doesn't know he's wet," someone has said. Cultural identity is the "water" we are all swimming in. It can be healthy or it can be incredibly toxic. This podcast explores some of my thoughts and experiences on the subject.
I'd love to hear your version of "the birdhouse!"
"We live under the discipline of uncertainty," Gordon MacDonald writes in A Resilient Life. As Christians, we are living in hope. What does that look like? In the middle of a broken, frustrated world, how do we continue to have hope? The answer is found in the person of Jesus.
There are many tools and techniques that I have found helpful as a leader, and I want to share some of my favorites with you in this episode.
Special thanks to Michael Hyatt and Company and Zach Clark of Leadership and Development Coaching who have had a huge impact on my life over the past ten years. I am a different leader today because of their training and influence. While this is not a giant infomercial, I have found their tools and training helpful, and you might as well.
Some of these are just things that I have found work for me; I want to share a piece of that journey with you.
Leaders are readers. "I never let my schooling get in the way of my education," Mark Twain quipped, and the same is true for me. I have been blessed by numerous literary "mentors" who have opened my eyes and expanded my world. Here are five of mine. What are some of yours?
This past weekend we hosted the Victory Acres Board and celebrated our 17th growing season at Victory Acres. We took time to recount some of the "God moments" in our history and to reflect on Matthew 7:7-11.
The paradigm of "church as Christian witness" is not as common as it should be. I'm still learning what it looks like. In this episode I'm sharing from, The Gospel: How the Church portrays the Beauty of Christ by Ray Ortland (from the IX Marks, Building Healthy Churches series) and my own experience about what God is teaching us in regards to "being church" rather than just "having church."
On the 21st Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks I believe that we need to be reminded of the bigger picture. Psalm 65 does that. "Though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet." This is still our Father's World! If there is ever a day that we need to be reminded of this reality, it is now. God is still in control.
God's message to me this past week is one that I wanted to share with you. While there are many roads and truths in the Christian life, there is one central pathway. Ephesians 5:1-2 shows us that way.
At 23 years of marriage and 25 years since starting in Indianapolis, I am waxing nostalgic, but I'm also thinking about those who are coming behind me on life's trail.
Here are a few thoughts from David's life applied to some of the things that we are experiencing. What do you think are the opportunities in "Communities of Necessity?" How could you see us learning today from what David experienced here?
My reflections from a funeral and how "helping people" is not a one way street. Thinking about Psalm 68:6 and Isaiah 24 and 25. Bottom line? God wins!
Some experiences this past week got me to thinking about shepherding the hearts of those we are leading. I also share from the writings of George Mueller on the topic of rejoicing in adversity from Psalms 63.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://victorygathering.org/2020/05/20/educated-for-life/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://victorygathering.org/2020/02/27/communism-in-a-bowl-of-ice-cream/
Setting Goals that are "subject to smash." Some thoughts on setting goals while still remembering that we serve a Sovereign God who may choose to overrule our plans.
With my tongue firmly in my cheek, this piece will show you what is really important... in reverse.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://victorygathering.org/2020/07/28/how-to-not-plant-a-church/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://victorygathering.org/2020/11/24/building-in-an-age-of-deconstruction/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://victorygathering.org/2021/09/02/loving-our-neighbor/
Today is the winter solstice, and I was reading my journal from 2020. We all go through dark times, and 2020 was dark for all of us. But in the middle of it all, I found the light of God's grace in my entry from August 18, 2020. It reminded me (and I wanted to share it with you) that no what you may be going through, God's grace is still more than enough.
This is my first effort at finding my voice and creating a podcast. I recorded it in February, shared it with my oldest daughter, and based on her feedback, I never posted it. (If you listen to it, you'll probably figure out why I really should listen to my children more.) In any event, I hope you find something I share helpful.