Struggling for Purpose

It finally happened. After 12 years I stopped hosting my podcast with Blubrry. Before I get into the reasons why this happened I want to say that I’m not disappointed with what RawVoice offers to podcasters. I think they offer the best overall package one can get. You can get stats, media hosting, and even a website for one price. They also have some of the best support staff in the industry. Blubrry hosting is top-notch and for years they have been on the cutting edge of podcast technology. However, when it’s time to retire a podcast there are very few options. This is the case with nearly every hosting provider. Once you decide to stop hosting your files with a hosting provider, access to your files is gone. Forever. I retired The Wired Homeschool over two years ago. I’ve released a few episodes since the “last episode” because a global health crisis forced many parents to homeschool and they were coming to my site for advice. Leading up to the eventual end of the podcast, I reached out to Blubrry on two or three occasions asking if there was some sort of plan where they would continue to host my files but I wouldn’t be allowed to upload any new files. I thought $3 – $5 a month would be reasonable considering LibSyn offers a $5 hosting plan. I didn’t want to continue paying $12 a month just to host my files. I also didn’t want to go through the process of transferring files to a new host like LibSyn because, well, I’m lazy. After repeatedly hitting walls with Blubrry and because I didn’t want to spend the time systematically moving files to a cheaper host, I decided to move the files to Archive.org. I know, it’s not a real podcast host. I know there may be times the files are unavailable. But after culling my available podcasts by 90%, I decided this was going to be the best option. In fact, out of the original 800+ blog posts and podcasts at The Wired Homeschool, there are now only 27 podcasts and 24 blog posts. Over 95% of my content wasn’t even being seen. 3% of my original content brings in over 90% of the organic traffic to the website. Over three years I reduced the amount of content publicly available to 51 posts. I basically needed a place where I could archive the remaining episodes. I still get affiliate sales that pay for hosting so I’m not losing money but I figure it would be nice to keep more of those affiliate dollars since I had so little content that was still accessible to the public. So there you have it. I stopped hosting with Blubrry because I didn’t want to pay $12 a month to host 30 mp3 files. That’s it. Nothing groundbreaking. Now I need to start looking at the content on this site and start pairing it down too. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

2021 is behind us and a new year is ahead. It’s easy to look back over the past few years and think, “Will this ever end?” I’m sure the Israelites felt that way when they wandered around a desert for 40 years. Jacob and Caleb must have been chomping at the bit to get into their promised land. My Three Words for 2022 Move – This was one of my words in 2019 and I need to revisit it this year. There’s a lot of stiffness in my life—physically, mentally, & professionally. The main focus of this will be on physical movement. I plan to walk 1,200 km this year and play a lot more pickleball. I feel stagnant professionally and need to make a move (I don’t know what that will be yet). Finally, my mindset has been stagnant lately and that needs to change. Strengthen – This word ties into “move” in so many ways. I plan to strengthen my body and mind. I want to strengthen my relationships—with God, family, & friends. One way I’m doing this is to play more pickleball with my wife. I also want to strengthen my position online. I’m not sure what that last statement means yet but I’ll be exploring it in the weeks to come. Renew – Finally, I need a bit of a renewal. I didn’t do much podcasting the last two years for various reasons and throughout 2021 I’ve had the itch to start again. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll restart all of them but I do have plans to restart a least one of them. There it is. My three words for 2022. I’m not sure how things will turn out this year. My three words for 2019 weren’t very successful because I’m terrible at goal-setting and vision-casting but I’m hopeful for this year. I’ll be on the lookout for your three words. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

As I wind down this podcast, I decided to give Pod decks a try. I answer some of the questions found in the “Episode Deck”. You can check out my unboxing and review of Pod decks on my YouTube channel. Check out Paeter Frandsen’s podcast, Christian Geek Central. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

I’m ending Struggling for Purpose once I reach episode 50. Listen to hear why. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

I started thinking about the recent events in Atlanta and it lead me down a bit of a rabbit-trail. I shared some thoughts on Christian nationalism, empathy for those who are hurting, and some general thoughts on the state of the American Church. I also announced the winner of THE RANK GAME giveaway. Here’s Chris Staron’s episode on Christian Nationalism Nick Cho’s recent Instagram post View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick Cho (@nickcho) I picked a winner! This was another really heavy episode but I still have hope. I have hope in Christ and I have hope that, we, the Body of Christ can function as one rather than individual parts. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Chip and Dana Brown noticed a troubling trend: people were spending more and more time interacting with their smartphones than with the people around them. Their solution to this problem was to create a game that was not only simple but stimulated conversation. THE RANK GAME gives friends and families a way to reconnect through the “gamification of conversation.” Developed over several years, it’s truly a game you and your family will want to play over and over. In this interview, Chip and Dana Brown share how their experience working for Disney and HarperCollins set them up for success. They share their design philosophy and how Christian principles were weaved into the game.  Chip and Dana both share interesting stories from their careers, how they met, and lessons from previous jobs that helped them when creating THE RANK GAME. Watch my review of THE RANK GAME and enter the contest to win your own copy! Note: this interview and my review of THE RANK GAME are part of a promotional campaign. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

February is historically a difficult month for me. It’s the middle of winter and the shorter month puts me in a bit of a tailspin when it comes to my podcasting schedule. There are many things that are pulling on me and it’s sometimes very difficult to determine where I should invest my time, talent and treasure. My appearance on The Mango Times: 025 Discover: Walking Three Minute Bible Study “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -Matthew 6:21 “When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”” -Acts 19:21 Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

The last two episodes of the podcast have been heavy. Let’s talk about that… First, I share and respond to a comment from Professor Alan. Alan and I have been each other’s podcasting orbits for a long time. I always appreciate his input. Alan and his daughter Em host the Dorkness to Light podcast which is a spin-off of their main podcast: Relatively Geeky Network. I also read some comments Paeter made when he shared the podcast with his audience. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

In September 2020, a few months after his death, Christianity Today published an article about allegations of sexual misconduct against Ravi Zacharias. Since then, a preliminary investigation has revealed these allegations are true. To talk about this sensitive topic, I’m joined by Paeter Frandsen of Christian Geek Central. We discuss our thoughts on the topic and how lament and restoration should be a part of every Christian’s life. Paeter’s video “Reacting To Corrupt Christian Teachers” Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Mark Charles ran for President of the United States in 2020. His campaign focused on building a common memory among Americans and making our nation one where “We the People” means “All the People”. The Charles-Wallace campaign raised more money than any other independent bid for President and outperformed all other independents at the ballot box. Mark’s book, Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery, outlines the troubled history of the United States and calls Christians to acknowledge and repent of the abuse that was perpetrated on indigenous people in the name of Christ. Signed copies of his book are available on his website. In this interview, Mark talks about his Presidential campaign, the troubled history and myths of American exceptionalism, and how he plans to continue to spread his message of conciliation. You can follow Mark Charles in Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

The white Christ candle stands in the center of the Advent wreath. It represents Christ as the center of our worship and the center of our lives. Today we reflect on the four candles and their meaning. We recognize that without Christ none of the aspects of Advent would be possible. Scripture & Response “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)Christ is our hope. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3 ESV)Christ prepare our hearts. “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8 ESV)Christ is our Joy. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)Christ is Love. Together: Christ is our hope. Christ prepare our hearts. Christ is our joy. Christ is love. Song You can find the other days of Advent here: 1st Sunday, 2nd Sunday, 3rd Sunday, 4th Sunday. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

This week we’re adding a 5th candle in the center of the wreath. It symbolizes Christ and how He is to be at the center of our lives. We will light that one at the Christmas Eve service. The fourth candle this week represents Love. Angels announce the birth of Jesus, our savior, whom God sent because he loved us. It’s sometimes hard to explain love to children. Around this time of the year children tend to see our expression of love for them by what they find under the tree. It takes a while with some children but eventually they learn that the gifts we get them don’t quantify but symbolizes our love. Scripture “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17 NKJV) Song Prayer God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to save us all from our sins. Thank you that He is the gift of love for all mankind and that you give this gift freely. Help us to show your love to others through the rest of the Christmas season and all year long. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Today we celebrate the joy of knowing that Christ came to save us. We share in the joy that both Mary and Joseph must have felt at the birth of their son, a son who would deliver the world from sin and death. What I find so significant about this joy is that it isn’t just an emotion, it’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Sure, happiness is attached to it but when you really take time to consider what Christ’s arrival on earth means for humanity you truly experience an unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:18). What this means for us as Christians is that circumstances and trials cannot take away this joy. We can feel sad, afraid, and even lonely yet at the same time Christ’s joy can abide in our hearts. Scripture “And Mary said, ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.'” (Luke 1:46-50 NET) Song Prayer Father, our hearts are full of joy as we reflect upon the coming of your Son, Jesus. Thank you that what we feel isn’t just an emotion but a fruit of Your Holy Spirit in us. Help us to share this joy with others this Christmas season. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

If you did not grow up with Advent traditions in your church and home, it is still an important time of the year for us as Christians. Here are four reasons to celebrate Advent: Why Should We Observe Advent? Advent helps us to be intentional about focusing on Christ and simplifying our lives at a time when life can be hectic. We can easily be distracted by the excesses in our culture that surround Christmas. Advent gives us time to reflect and ponder why we celebrate Christmas. Advent helps us to search our hearts and dethrone any idols we may have put above Christ. Throughout the year it is easy for us to put things in our lives ahead of Christ. Advent reminds us that God is to be first in our lives. Advent helps us to ponder Christ’s birth. The incarnation is surrounded with mystery and it’s when God stepped out of eternity into time to live among us. Advent gives us the opportunity to consider the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Advent helps us to consider Christ’s second coming. Besides looking back and reflecting on the birth of Jesus we can also look to His eventual return. Advent gives us a time to be expectant of Christ’s return and final victory over sin and death. Scripture “As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'” (Luke 3:4-6 ESV) Song Prayer Father, help us to prepare our hearts for your message of love. May we walk before you with humble hearts and be a voice on earth for your Son until His return. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

2021 will be here soon. I’m thinking about the direction of this podcast and I want to know what you think. Listen to the episode and comment below with your opinion. Also, check out the giveaways I’m hosting: CSB Holy Land Bible Review and Giveaway Christmas Under the Stars ft. Lauren Daigle – Review and Album Giveaway Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

As we enter into the Advent season, I thought I’d put together a few podcasts that reflect my thoughts and communicate the importance of the Advent tradition. You don’t have to celebrate with candles or a wreath but Christmastime is the perfect season to reflect on Christ’s coming to the world and his eventual return. What is Advent? Here’s an excerpt from Christianity.com’s description of Advent: Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent. Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season: O come, O come, Emmanuel,And ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appears.Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. The church now sings [this] song in commemoration of that first coming and in expectation of [Christ’s] second coming. Today is the first day of Advent. It’s the season where we celebrate the coming of Christ. We remember His first coming and anticipate his second. Hope springs eternal as we look to the return of our King. Until then, may you be at peace knowing what God foretold has come to pass and will be completed. Scripture And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Rom 15:12-13 ESV) Israel looked to the writings of the prophets and hoped for a Messiah. Their hope was in Him who would come and ours is in Him who has come. So we light this candle to symbolize our hope in Christ and our expectation of His return. Song Prayer Lord, you are the light of our world. O gracious God of promise, we prepare to worship together as we await the fulfillment of your wondrous plan. Help us to grow as we hear your Word and live in your love. May the light of your love always shine in our hearts. (Source) Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Minister Christopher Perkins is an associate pastor at Redeemed Christian Center in Jackson, TN. I first met Minister Perkins through the Christian Podcasters Association. I recently heard him discussing urban apologetics on his podcast and wanted to have a conversation with him about it from the perspective of someone who lives in white, suburban America.I hope you enjoy this conversation and it spurs you to have similar conversations with Christians who don’t share the same background and experience as yours. Connect with Minister Perkins: The Underground ChurchFacebookTwitterInstagramTiktok Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Things didn’t go as planned for today’s episode. I hope you’ll join me for the next one. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Hey! Remember me? I do still actually have a podcast. In this show, I’m talking about showing my kids how government works, NaPodPoMo, and 3Min Bible Study. #ThisIsNotAPodcast #NaPodPoMo2020 pic.twitter.com/D1npDQfkpp— John Wilkerson (@jwilkers) October 17, 2020 Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

I first learned about Erik Price from his YouTube channel, California Driver, when I was researching driving for Uber. I’ve been following his channel for about 18 months now and recently saw something on a whiteboard in the background. It read, “Pathway to Revelation.” I knew from a few of his other videos that he was a man of faith so I thought it would be interesting to have him on the podcast to talk about his journey. Erik and his brother Bret also run The State Mate, a company that sells state-themed socks. They recently successfully funded a state-themed deck of playing cards on Kickstarter. If you’d like to buy some of the socks Erik sells, use the promo code “UBER30” to receive 30% your purchase. Finally, I have another movie ticket giveaway. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

I’ve been focusing on some different project so this podcast has fallen by the wayside. Plus, I’m not feeling especially creative during this pandemic. I discuss that and more in this podcast. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

In August of 2018, I published a podcast detailing why I might stop using YouVersion. In recent weeks, more and more people have been seeing that post and listening to that podcast so I wanted to release a follow-up. So, click play and find out why I’ve decided to continue using YouVersion. ChurchMag interview with Bobby Gruenewald about YouVersion. Be my friend on YouVersion. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

George Floyd was murdered at the hands of three police officers this week. A lot has been said about the incident and, thankfully, the officer who was leaning on George’s neck was arrested and charged with third-degree murder. Listen in as I process my thoughts on the situation. It’s a return to the top-of-mind format that originally started this podcast. Additional Thoughtful Commentary Rener Gracie and Ryan Tillman Ryan Tillman’s Reaction George Floyd Left a Gospel Legacy in HoustonAs a person of peace, “Big Floyd” opened up ministry opportunities in the Third Ward housing projects. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Paeter Frandsen is the mastermind behind Spirit Blade Productions and the Christian Geek Central. Spirit Blade Productions produces high-quality audio dramas for Christian geeks who are looking for more edgy material but is uncompromising in Biblical truth. Christian Geek Central exists to equip, encourage and inspire Christian geeks of all kinds to live more and more for Christ. It provides resources and a community of Christian geeks that celebrate their hobbies from a Christian perspective. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Jeremy Smith joins me today to discuss mental health and the church. We also discuss how the church can help those struggling with mental illness. during and after the Cornovirus pandemic. About Jeremy Smith Jeremy is the owner of ChurchAndMentalHealth.com and the Co-Occurring Program Coordinator and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at a community mental health center. Jeremy has a history of working as a ministry director for Youth for Christ for 8 years and then working as a mental health and substance use adult counselor in Colorado and Ohio, specifically running an Opioid Residential Treatment Center. Jeremy also co-hosts the ChurchMag Podcast and he’s also a Minecraft master. Books Mentioned Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the ChurchMental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions

Working from home for the past week due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left me creatively drained. I talk about that and more in this podcast episode. You can find up-to-date information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3

In the first podcast in this series, I was dancing around a “taboo” when it comes to podcasting: profit. Since its inception, podcasters have been at odds over whether or not we should profit from our craft. Hopefully, this brief episode clears up my intentions. This podcast is rather short so you may want to check out the latest episodes of Truce Podcast and Modern Christian Men.

Failure to plan has been the biggest hurdle in my podcasting “career”. I’m not sure you can actually call it a career, but, I think you know what I mean. What happens when I fail to plan is that I end up recording an episode of my podcast by myself the morning it needs to be released. If I’m being honest with myself, I expected this to happen and subconsciously planned to record an episode by myself about failing to plan. If hearing me talk about how I’ve failed to plan over the last 15 years interests you, have a listen. You can hear how other podcasters have overcome failure in the Examining Failure series.

Chris Staron hosts Truce Podcast and has written and directed two movies: Bringing Up Bobby and Between the Walls. If you listen to his podcast, you’ve probably also heard him mention his novel, Cradle Robber. Chris has previously appeared on the podcast and since then he’s made great progress using journalistic tools to look inside the Christian church. Although his approach to examining the American Church is unique and insightful, Chris explains how his failure to promote the podcast has stunted its growth. You can hear Chris dissect some sacred Christian cows by listening to Truce.

Today’s guest is Cale Nelson (K4CDN), he is best known for hosting the Ham Radio 360 and Modern Christian Men podcasts. He’s also the head-honcho at AFX Media Group where he and his team provide graphic, video, and audio production services. Today we’ll discuss how he failed to pivot and the affect it had on his podcasting and his spiritual life. It’s quite an interesting story! Follow Cale on Twitter and Instagram and be sure to let him know you heard him on the podcast! Be on the lookout for Our Podcast from Cale and his wife Carla.

Failure is an option. Yes, you read that right. Failure is an option. We often hear the opposite, that failure isn’t an option, and this gives Christians and podcasters (like myself) a skewed view on life, faith, and success. The Bible is full of accounts where “the faithful” failed. While many Christians are familiar with a few of these stories, most don’t embrace them. We forget that books like Lamentations, Job, Jonah, and Ecclesiastes are there for us to meditate on and that God speaks to us through failure. In this podcast, I briefly touch on 7 ways I’ve failed at podcasting: Failure to plan Failure to produce Failure to promote Failure to profit (Listen to this episode for clarification)Failure to pivotFailure to prioritizeFailure to partner In upcoming episodes, I’ll have interviews with other podcasters and we’ll discuss each of these failures. This will be a long, difficult journey. Along the way, I think you and I will learn a lot about why & how we fail. I also hope we’ll also learn how to embrace that failure and carry on despite it. I normally don’t announce my ambitions when it comes to podcasting because I often fail to follow-through. This is a gargantuan effort for me. Until next time, learn to fail.

Since Christmas Day, I have been sharing a book each day on Twitter and Instagram. Many of these books I read last year. Some I’m sharing because I’d like you to know about them and one I plan to start reading on January 1st. You’re getting to read and hear about all twelve books before I share them. So, without further ado, here are the 12 Books of Christmas! 1. Haunted House Flipper Ray is a friendless realtor who stumbles on some supernatural tools, including a sword, that can rid a property of evil spirits. He decides to use them to change his career and finally become a house flipper, but on a grander scale. He plans to flip old haunted mansions that no one else will buy, rid them of their evil spirits, renovate them, and sell them for a hefty profit. Getting them to leave isn’t as easy as he’d hoped and he has some competition from Bill Baldock, who buys up haunted mansions to destroy them and build apartment complexes in their place. Discover a new world within our own with Ray as he tries to learn how to use his new tools against demons, make new friends, and outsmart new enemies. 2. Hornet’s Nest Fear is spreading. On the fringes of Coalition space, M-2s are hunting down and massacring entire colonies of Christians. The Angels, however, are in no condition to respond. Captain Dex D’Felco has been missing for weeks, the Voor twins are incapacitated with a mysterious illness, and rumors about a traitor in their midst threaten to tear the squadron apart from within. At JenKore, Darik Mason thought his new promotion would make everything better, but he soon realizes that he hasn’t yet earned the respect of CEO Kirrone Jenkins, who seems determined to make his life miserable. When Darik learns of a corporate spy attempting to steal inflammatory secrets, he sees an opportunity to prove his boss wrong—and avenge the death of his parents. Full of breathtaking action and pulse-pounding suspense, Hornet’s Nest, the second book in the series, takes the world of Flight of the Angels in exciting new directions, adding greater layers of emotional depth—and some shocking twists. 3. Kill the Spider Are you tired of trying to live for Christ—only to fail time and time again with the same old behaviors? Do you pray for guidance, ask for deliverance, and vow to do better, yet fail to progress? As an author, speaker, pastor, and blogger at Ragamuffin Soul, Carlos has lived much of his spiritual life in the spotlight. But, like any Christian, his faith story has its ups and downs. He spent decades trying to figure out how to be a “better person.” Time and time again, he strived for holiness only to get caught in the web of destructive habits, behaviors, and thought patterns. In Kill the Spider, Carlos shares personal material ranging from hilarious, self-deprecating stories to passion-filled wisdom—to show others it’s not enough to try and “stop sinning.” He teaches that knocking out deep-rooted habits and issues comes by treating the issue, not just the symptoms.  But, the buck stops here. Or, rather, the spider is killed here. With transparency, humor, and vulnerable stories, Carlos offers a breath of fresh air to any believer looking to finally step into the freedom in Christ. So, sit down. Open the book. And grab a shoe. We’re going on a spider hunt. 4. Blessed Broken Given An invitation to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary and imperfect aspects of your life; not as a call to settle for less, but rather as a way to mysteriously participate in God’s power and purpose. Glenn Packiam wants to empower readers to find great joy, purpose, and passion in their daily living. While bread may be one of the most common items on our dinner tables, Jesus chose to take it at the Last Supper and invest deep, wonderful, and transcendent meaning in it. Like the bread that was blessed, broken, and given; readers will see how God uses ordinary experiences to cultivate their mission and their brokenness to bring healing to the world. The ordinary is not the enemy; it is the means by which God accomplishes the miraculous. Through clear biblical teaching and practical steps, Packiam leads the reader into a more purposeful, directed, hopeful future. 5. Denver Moon Earth is dying. Luna is uninhabitable. Mars is our last chance. Once considered humanity’s future home, Mars hasn’t worked out like anybody hoped. Plagued by crime and a terraforming project that’s centuries from completion, Mars is a red hell. Denver Moon, P.I., works the dark underbelly of Mars City. While investigating a series of violent crimes linked to red fever—a Martian disorder that turns its victims into bloodthirsty killers—Denver discovers a cryptic message left by Tatsuo Moon, Mars City co-founder and Denver’s grandfather. The same grandfather who died two decades ago. Twenty-year-old revelations force Denver on a quest for truth, but Tatsuo’s former friend, Cole Hennessy, leader of the Chu

‘Tis the season to take a break from podcasting. Many podcasters, including myself, tend to get a little lazy around this time of the year. In keeping with that tradition, I present to you a brief little podcast that includes content from Truce, by Chris Staron. I interviewed Chris when he started Truce and I’ve become a huge fan of the podcast. He was kind enough to share a segment with the Christian Podcasters Association that members could use in their podcast. I hope you enjoy this It’s Not Christmas Yet Christmas Special.

Last year at this time I was one week away from a shoulder replacement. In this episode, I reflect back on the past year and how I’m doing since the surgery.

After years of podcasting because I “had” to, I’m now podcasting because I “want” to. I’ve relaunched and reimagined my first podcast, Jesus Geek, with a new name: My Week in Geek. Listen as I explain what led me to do this and I share about the Advent season.

Last month Kanye West released his latest album, Jesus is King, to mixed reviews. His new album is controversial among Christians and non-Christians alike. I don’t have any strong opinions about the album itself but I’m fascinated by the impact it has had already. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

I have too many choices. Listen as I process through why I haven’t been podcasting regularly. Also, I never got around to those show notes. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

After listening to Evo Terra‘s podcast, Podcast Pontifications, regularly for a few months, I’ve come to realize that I’ve been “phoning it in” when it comes to this podcast. You deserve better. You deserve excellence. I’m capable of producing better content. Listen to me pontificate about this and more in today’s episode. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Lately, I’ve felt like the small sailboat in the image associated with this blog post. I’m adrift. The water is calm but there is no wind. I’m in a haze and even if I had a paddle to get myself to shore, I can’t see the shore. No matter what direction I head toward it’s the wrong way. News of Christian leaders abandoning their faith has caused me to think about what I believe and the struggles I have with my beliefs about God, who I am in Christ and my role in life. I don’t have any answers but something I recently heard Carlos Whittaker share helped. He shared from 1 Peter 5:10. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Rather than me expounding upon it, here’s what Carlos said, in his own words: I haven’t pulled out of it yet. I still feel adrift but I know that this is only for a little while. Chime in! What do you do when you feel adrift or without purpose? What scriptures or affirmations help you remember that God seeks the best for you despite your circumstances and feelings? Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Why is it that all of the “new” t.v. shows and movies seem to capitalize on 80’s nostalgia? What is driving this trend in media? How does that trend apply to our lives as people struggling to follow Jesus? Listen in as I try to answer these questions and more in the latest episode of Struggling for Purpose. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Truth time: I hardly ever use a physical Bible. Nearly all of my devotional reading and studying is done on my computer, smartphone, or tablet. I use a physical Bible when I occasionally teach at church and pull one out when I don’t want to have a screen in my face. When I use a physical Bible, it is a multi-sensory experience. The scent and texture of the material, combined with the sounds of turning pages and seeing the words help to emboss what I’m reading into my heart and mind. Nearly all of my senses are engaged when I use a physical Bible rather than a virtual one and each Bible that I own provides its own unique experience. Bibles make great gifts as long as you’re giving someone a great Bible. The CSB He Reads Truth Bible is a great Bible. Listen to the podcast to hear all of my thoughts on this study Bible and how I think it will help you study God’s Word. About the He Reads Truth Bible The CSB He Reads Truth Bible includes robust, well-crafted theological extras to draw the reader back to Scripture, increase biblical literacy, and foster a growing affection for God and His Word. Color-coded by genre, each book of the Bible features detailed book introductions, a reading plan with supplemental passages for deeper understanding, and full-color maps, charts, and timelines by the He Reads Truth team. In addition, the CSB He Reads Truth Bible features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization. This Bible invites every man to count himself as part of the He Reads Truth community of “Men in the Word of God every day.” Features include 66 hand-lettered key verses, 17 full-color timelines, 21 maps, 122 charts (including infographics and lists), and 4 illustrations, reading plans for every book of the Bible, a one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, Smyth-sewn binding, two colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note-taking. The CSB He Reads Truth Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others. Giveaway I’ve teamed up with LEV3L Digital to bring you another giveaway. This time, you have a chance to receive a copy of the CSB He Reads Truth Bible. The publisher has asked that I limit this giveaway to U.S. residents only. You will receive a copy of the Bible shipped to you directly from the publisher after the conclusion of the promotion. Please use the widget below to enter the giveaway. CSB HE READS TRUTH BIBLE Disclosure: I received a free copy of the CSB He Reads Truth Bible and a $10 Amazon gift card in exchange for hosting this giveaway and providing an honest review.

I’ve decided to make some changes related to my podcasting. That means this podcast is changing (again) and another has got to go! It’s going to be messy for a little while. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Back to the traditional top-of-mind recording this time. Recorded in my car, I share how I’ve been struggling to podcast lately and compare podcasting to the Eucharist. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

In 2015 when Periscope was the hottest and newest social media platform, I shared how podcasters and entrepreneurs could use the platform to better serve their audience. A number of social media platforms now support live video so I thought I’d revisit this list to provide a refresher that can be used broadly, rather than specifically for one platform. Not all of these points will apply to every podcast but I hope that you get some value from this list and try incorporating live video into your podcast outreach. 7 Ways to Serve Your Audience with Live Offer training and tutorials. Hold a question and answer session. Announce new or exclusive content or products. Give your audience a behind-the-scenes view of what you do. Ask for feedback. Offer bite-sized content that’s easier to consume than long-form articles or videos. Re-purpose previous content for new audience members. Here’s the original video that was streamed live on Periscope. https://youtu.be/_u0f93Aatrw Chime in! What other ways can we use live video to serve our audience? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter using the hashtag #str4p. Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or on your favorite platform.

Steve Cleary is the Executive Producer of The Pilgrim’s Progress, a feature-length, animated film based on John Bunyon’s classic novel. The film was in theaters on April 18th and 20th, 2019, and is now viewable online. Steve started his work in missions in 1989 as a volunteer for The Voice of the Martyrs. He joined the staff in 1990 and soon after had the honor of traveling with VOM founders Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. Being able to spend the last decade of their lives with them became the biggest blessing and honor of Steve’s life. He continues with VOM as a contractor and has traveled with them to hostile and restricted nations around the world, including Cuba, Sudan, Northern Nigeria, borders of North Korea, and most recently Iraq during the ISIS occupation. In 2015, Steve and Robert Fernandez began an animation studio in San Jose, Costa Rica. It was at this time he began to see both the tremendous need and opportunity of making films for the mission field. In January 2017, Steve officially founded and launched the ministry Revelation Media, which is committed to providing quality and culturally engaging media for the global missions community. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Movies have been used for years as a way to reach people with the gospel. However, in some countries, unapproved religious content isn’t permitted. Allegories like The Pilgrim’s Progress can subvert the censors in countries where preaching the Gospel is prohibited and give missionaries tools to share the love of Christ with people who desperately need it. About Pilgrim’s Progress The Pilgrim’s Progress has been translated into over 200 languages, has never been out of print and has sold over 200 million copies – more copies than any Christian book, next to the Bible. Written in 1678 by John Bunyan while in prison for holding religious services, The Pilgrim’s Progress is often cited as the greatest allegory ever written. The 2019 film will be the story’s feature-length theatrical debut, as well as the first computer-animated telling of the timeless tale. Media-driven families can be assured that this centuries-old story can still connect with viewers of all ages. https://youtu.be/04WXlAcOtS0This Easter, Revelation Media is bringing an adapted, animated version of the classic tale to theaters. Starring John Rhys-Davies as Evangelist, this epic story will come to life on the big screen for a limited time only. Genre: drama/ animatedRating: NRRun time: 1:45Studio: Revelation MediaTalent: John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings), Kristyn Getty (In Christ Alone), Ben Price (America’s Got Talent) Theatrical release for 2 days only! April 18 & 20, 2019 Easter weekend! You can buy tickets now at pilgrims.movie to see The Pilgrim’s Progress on Thursday, April 18th at 7 p.m. or Saturday, April 20th at 12:55 p.m. Review I sat down with my family to watch this film not knowing what to expect. Of course, I knew John Rhys-Davies’ performance would be top-notch but I was unfamiliar with the other actors. Additionally, I didn’t really like the animation style. I think I’ve become so used to seeing what Pixar and Disney produce, any other style looks dated or less appealing. I decided to put aside my issues with the animation and focus more on the plot, pace, and performances. The story, of course, is timeless. Revelation Media’s adaptation is approachable and retains much of the original style while still making it appealing to modern audiences. Our church had used a Sunday School curriculum based on the novel so my kids were familiar with the story. At times they pointed out when things differed from the original and I reminded them that this is not intended to be an exact copy of the novel. The pace of the film was just right. One trend in modern filmmaking is to make these epic tales and that often means adding or extending scenes to make the running time longer. I never felt like that happened. The 105 minutes of runtime feels just right and at no point was I looking at my clock wondering when this film would end. As I expected, John Rhys-Davies shined in every scene as Evangelist. I’ve seen him in other small-budget, faith-based films and he never just phones it in. Ben Price’s performance as Christian was good as well. I was unfamiliar with him as an actor and thought he did a great job portraying the story’s lead character. Most of the other performances were ok, there’s nothing that really stands out to me. I think it’s important to keep the purpose of making this film in mind when reviewing it. It’s intended to be an outreach tool for missionaries. The message and method are more important than the medium. The intended audience isn’t American Christians, it’s non-believers in other countries. One of the executive producers of the film, Steve Cleary, worked for The Voice of the Martyrs so he’s familiar with what it takes to reach people in difficult situations. I have an interview scheduled with Steve and I’m looking forward to talking to him about the process of creating The Pilgrim’s Progress. I think Steve and everyone else involved succeeded in creating a film that will reach millions with the Gospel and help lead people into a saving knowledge of Jesus. Making a Christian film is hard. I’d encourage you to support this film in theaters because its purpose is to spread the Gospel. Giveaway THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED As part of the promotion for this film, I am giving away 3 illustrated story books and 3 $25 Fandango e-gift cards, redeemable for The Pilgrim’s Progress. Only U.S. residents are eligible for this giveaway. Each winner will receive a storybook and a gift card. The Pilgrim’s Progress Movie Tickets & Storybook Disclosure: I received a free pair of tickets and an illustrated storybook in exchange for this review and promotion of the film. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative

Since I started podcasting in 2005, I’ve started ten podcasts. Of those ten, I consider three failures. In this episode of Struggling for Purpose, I’ll share why I think those podcasts “failed” and what I learned from those failures. You can read about those failed podcasts on the About Page of this blog. Also, you can find the giveaway I mentioned here. Support the podcast when you buy me a coffee! If you’re listening in a new podcast app, hit that boost button and send me some Satoshis. Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

I reached out to other Christian podcasters and asked them why they podcast. In this episode of Struggling for Purpose you’ll hear from several podcasters and get some insight into the various reasons people choose to podcast. Podcasters in this episode: Keith Heltsley (@retrokeith): Retro Radio Podcast and Quest for Truth Jeremy Smith (@gumbystation): ChurchMag Podcast Paeter Frandsen (@christian_geek): Christian Geek Central Rick Lee James (@rickleejames): Voices in My Head and Thunder Wayne Henderson (@waynehenderson): Media Voice Overs Share your thoughts with me on Twitter using the hashtag #str4p. Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts or on your favorite platform.

My podcasting friend, James Kennison of The Gospel of Kennison, recently released a similar podcast and I thought I’d rip-off his idea because I’m fresh out at this point. I’d like to include you in the next episode, so please send an MP3 or WAV file answering the following question: Why do you podcast? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter using the hashtag #str4p. Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts or on your favorite platform.

My plans to have an interview for this week fell through. In this episode of Struggling for Purpose, I explain why. Share your thoughts with me on Twitter using the hashtag #str4p. Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts or on your favorite platform.