152 SNS: Repentance Is... What?

Welcome to a Coffee-side Chat

So, let me ask, what is your first reaction to the word repentance? I mean, did you just cringe a little bit? I don’t know about you, but I find that, too often, this word is one of the big, bad, negative words in the Christian vocabulary. When it is one of its most positive words.

To see this will mean that we need to look at this through the same lens of what it means to be a Christian. Which is a following of Christ that involves a relationship leading to studentship leading to a life lived from what is learned. All three altogether, not one or the other. But all are intrinsically linked and in balance with each other.

Scriptures Referenced:

2 Corinthians 7:10 ~ Godly sorrow brings repentance, leading to salvation.

Luke 3:8 ~ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Acts 26:20 ~ Repent and turn to God and repentance is shown true by what you do.

Luke 24:47 ~ Repentance leads to the forgiving of sins.

Acts 3:19 ~ Sins are wiped out, forgiven, when we turn to God, that is repent.

Mark 1:4; 4:12; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 8:22; and even Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:14: all share repentance comes before forgiveness.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

150 SNS: When God Seems Distant

Welcome to a Coffee-side Chat

In this episode, we will do this by delving into the common experience of feeling that God has withdrawn from us as Christians. Many of us have encountered this feeling where he seems so distant, though there was a time when we felt so close to him. What’s up with that?

In looking into this, I came up with two suggestions. I know there may be more, and please leave others in the comments section for me.

Scripture Reference:

Romans 8:11 ~ God makes his home in us.

Hebrews 13:5 ~ God promises he will never leave or forsake us.

Psalm 22 ~ King David feeling that God was distant.

Psalm 44 ~ Son of Korah, the Psalmist, feels God is distant.

1 Kings 19 ~ Elijah feels God is distant.

Matthew 27:46 ~ Jesus feels God the Father is distant. Isaiah 59:2 ~ Our sin hides God from us.

Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-11; Mark 6:7-12 ~ Jesus "letting go of the disciple's hands" and sending them out two by two.

Matthew 10 ~ A third mention of Jesus "letting go of the disciple's hands."

Other interesting videos on this.

1. Reformed Theological Seminary https://youtu.be/Gcb6hM0TzCU?si=AMJq_Bgjsx9xjRUN

2. Capturing Christianity: https://youtu.be/PMrsFqBZgWI?si=A4EL-0J-uGdkNQVP

3. HTBB Church https://youtu.be/ZJfaIVulEgI?si=th-t9M5cXbtZU1lO

4. Tim Keller https://youtu.be/4Gj3x8C5umk?si=Stbb-5XHJkIq9M_d

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

149 SNS: The Best and the Worst Parts of A Christian Life

Welcome to A Coffe-side Chat

In this episode, we are going to look at the best and worst parts of Christian life. And we are going to do this while looking through the lens of what it means to be a Christian, which is a following of Jesus that involves a relationship leading to studentship leading to living a life based on everything learned. Indeed, it is only as we look through this lens that we can see these parts as being fully the best and fully the worst.

Let’s start with the best part. I like to start on the positive side of things. Don’t you? Oh, and before beginning, I may not mention them while we chat, but all Scriptures referenced will be listed in the description area of this podcast. Do take a moment and let me know if there are others I could have referenced. Thank you.

Scriptures Referenced:

John 3:16ff ~ Jesus only came because God loved. With no love, Jesus would not have come.

1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:17, 18; John 14:27; Ephesians 3:17-19; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ~ what love does in us, for us, and through us.

John 13: 34,35 ~ How others know we are followers of Jesus.

John 15 ~ how we stay connected (abide in) with God.

Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The 2 greatest commandments and they are the basis for all other commands.

John 13:34; Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:12, 17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Peter 4:8; 2 John 1:5; 1 John 3:23; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 3:8 ~ Ten times love one another is listed.

1 John 4:8, 20, 21 ~ No love = no know God.

Romans 14:22-23 ~ Sin is what is not from faith.

James 2:19 ~ even demons believe God is the One True God and tremble.

James 2:8-19; 1 Corinthians 13 ~ Tieing love to faith.

Mark 7:15, 20-23 ~ Jesus telling us where sin comes from, within us. J

ames 1:14-15 ~ as we are tempted by our own evil desires.

1 John 2:1,2 ~ If we sin, Jesus is our advocate with God the Father.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

148 SNS Jesus Is... Who?

Welcome to a Coffee-side Chat

In this episode, we are going to talk about the question: Who is Jesus? I know. In a fairly short video, are we going to explore this question fully? Yeah, no. But we are going to talk about a framework you can use while pursuing your relationship with him while learning who he is.

So, what comes to mind when you hear the question, who is Jesus? You might be saying, “He is God.” Yes, but is that all we know about who he is? What else can you think of? “Lord and Savior?” Yes. What else? “Son of God, Our redeemer?” Yes, what else? “He died on the cross and was raised for our sins?” Yes, that is what he did, but who is he? “You going to keep asking that question or get on with the chat?”

Alright, I’ll move on. But the reason I ask is that, well….

Scripture references:

John 1:1-18 ~ Jesus is God, the Word of God through his being the One and Only God

John 15:13,14 ~ He is our friend.

Hebrews 2:9-18 ~ He is our brother.

Acts 17:7, Revelation 1:5 ~ He is our King.

Hebrews 3:1 ~ Our High Priest and intercessor.

2 Timothy 4:1, Acts 10:42, John 9:39 ~ Our Judge.

John 16:12,13 ~ Jesus not overwhelming us with information.

John 1 - whole book. I find this book to be the best for learning who Jesus is.

Other Resources:

A.W. Tozer’s books The Attributes of God, vols. 1 and 2 Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

147 SNS: What Is Prayer?

Welcome to A Coffee-side Chat

In this episode, we are going to consider the questions: what is prayer, and why is it so important? Many have talked about prayer, going into depth on the hows and whys of it all.

So… what can a man, even one standing in these hallowed halls while chatting over a cup of coffee, contribute to the insights of such heavy hitters as these and other thoughtful scholars? I don’t know, but what better place to kick around an idea than at a kitchen counter over coffee?

Resources for Payer:

Dallas Willard’s book: Hearing God,

Andrew Murray’s: The School of Prayer

Resources for getting to know God:

A.W. Tozer: The Attributes of God vol.1 & 2

Matthew 6:9ff ~ The Lord’s Prayer Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

146 SNS: What is Christianity?

In this episode, we are going to consider the question, what is Christianity? Or to phrase it another way, what does it mean to be a Christian?

I mean, the goal here is to view every topic discussed through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. We should probably discuss what it means to be a Christian. Right?

Scripture:

It is a Relationship:

Revelation 3:20 ~ I stand at the door and knock, if anyone opens the door, I will come in. I will dine with him and he with me. (The relationship begins. Doesn’t say, learn from me or do these things for me and I will dine [spend time] with you. Just open the door).

Ephesians 5:1 ~ we are called beloved children.

1 John 4:7-21 ~ Those who do not love (love is always relational) do not even know God. (So the relationship must first be established before all else).

Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The greatest commands are to love. (Relationship is a must.)

Involves Studentship (Discipleship):

Matthew 11:29 ~ Take my yoke upon you and LEARN from me. (The relationship means to be learning.) Matthew 28:19 ~ Tells us to go make Disciples, not converts. We are to be teachers and trainers; this implies the studentship that is part of the relationship. Yes, this is a very brief look at the Great Commission, and I do not mean to remove any other aspect from it. But I am simply highlighting the studentship aspect that is integral to it.

John 15:15 ~ Jesus calls us friends because we know (have learned) what he has taught and made known to us.

Involves Doing, the Religion aspect:

James 2:17 ~ Faith without works is dead. It is not faith at all. A loving relationship that does nothing is not a loving relationship at all.

James 1:27 ~ Religion is a way of life, not mere church-time worship.

John 15:10 ~ Doing results from abiding in love (actively pursuing a relationship with God). If you abide, you keep the commands. Interesting that the command then given (v.12) is to love each other as he loves us.

Examples of studentship and doing religion without a relationship:

John 5:39 ~ Pharisees and Scribes pore over scriptures and miss out on Jesus.

Luke 11:42; Matthew 23:23 ~ Doing religious things but neglecting what is really important.

1 Corinthians 13 ~ This chapter shows the true value of trying to study and do things without love. Without a relationship to Jesus, they are worthless.

James 2:14-25 ~ Can you love without doing? ~ No.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologist: Mike Winger

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. Follow the link below to our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, , scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

142 SNS: It Has Begun Changed I'll Be

This is a spoken-word piece. A possible conversation from a long, long, long time ago. Can you guess who is speaking? Let me know.

Have a great day.

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140 SNS: Psalm 72: Of God and Blessing Others

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that once again, the Psalms have turned what I have thought about asking for God’s blessing on its head? Here, the psalmist asks God to bless the king so that others may also become blessed. Also, this gives a whole new perspective to something that two other psalms say. For instance, in Psalm 1….

Let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

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139 SNS: Psalm 71: Of Troubles and Being of Good Cheer

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that, once again, I have been pleasantly surprised to find in the Psalms a most excellent example of a teaching of Jesus? One from Jesus and one from James. Jesus teaches that while having troubles, we should be of good cheer (John 16:33). And the one from James is that trials should be considered pure joy as they help produce spiritual maturity and complete our faith, (James 1:2). Where do I find this here? Well….

Let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book: https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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138 SNS: Psalm 70: Pain, Sorrow, and Worship?

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that I never considered pain and sorrow to be a part of a worship service before? Yet, here, the psalmist is very honest about his pain, sorrow, and despair, and still, this Psalm is contained in the prayer book of the Bible. Now, let’s keep perspective, the pain and sorrow are not being celebrated but the Psalmist’s response to them is a profound act of faith and worship. Now, well….

Let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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137: Psalm 69: Praising God When Things Look Hopeless

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that this Psalm contains so much that wants to be spoken about; that it has been difficult deciding what to talk about? For instance, there is the topic of Christians encountering despair and how to deal with it. There is also the topic of just how gritty and realistic Scripture can be in portraying hard times and difficult emotions. So much to talk about and so little time. Well, to choose just one topic, the one thing that stood out a little more than the others is the praise flowing to God even when things look hopeless. Isn't that intriguing?

Ahhh, let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode: https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/098

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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136 SNS: Psalm 68: What Did I Just Hear?

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that while context is king, tone may well be the Secretary of State? It is amazing how the tone used when we hear or read something colors how we listen to it. For instance, the word “Hello.” Depending on the tone, it can be very warm and welcoming, or cold and even almost rude. The same is true of how we read the Bible. Isn’t that intriguing? The Bible can sound very warm, welcoming, and compassionate, or it can sound aloof, cold, and holier than thou. Which is a bit ironic, but….

Ahhh, let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

Amazon.com

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135 SNS: Psalm 67: The Profoundness of Blessings

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say, concerning this Psalm, that the thing that impressed me most in this concise poem is that the Psalmist covers so much ground? This is perhaps the shortest Psalm we have ever done, but it is absolutely full of information. It is all about blessings—God’s blessing his people and the Psalmist celebrating that blessing. Yet, instead of quickly passing over this psalm and relegating it to a simple psalm about God’s blessings, let’s take a moment to steep in what is actually being said. When we do this, we find that it reveals something profoundly profound about those blessings.

Ahhh, let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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134 SNS: Psalm 66: Praising God for What?

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that of all the things I was expecting to find in a Psalm of praise, the psalmist praises God for something that wasn't even on the radar? It caught me entirely by surprise. Though, it does make perfect sense. He is praising God for refining his faith through a process similar to that which refines silver. Silver has to have the impurities burned out of it in order to be pure, and that fire is very hot. Another way this could be said is that he is praising God for disciplining him and helping him grow in his faith. And yes, doing so through the fiery ordeals of his current situation and pain. I know, right? Yet, this does align with what is said of this discipline in the New Testament. That is simply mind-blowing. Now look....

Ahhh, let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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133 SNS: Psalm 65: Praise and Quietness?

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that what struck me most in this psalm is that praise for God need not always be loud or super energetic in tone? That there can be a quiet and peaceful certainty in our honoring God. Yes, a positive and calm assurance is what I see here. For starters….

Ahhh, let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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132 SNS: Psalm 64: But Sovereign God

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I just say that I have found three profoundly beautiful words of encouragement in this psalm? They are, “But Sovereign God.” Three little words that say so much. Indeed, when life is out of hand, the pain faced is real, and the attitude of those causing the pain is, at best, callous, then these words are very encouraging indeed. Ahhh, let’s first watch this psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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128 SNS: Psalm 60: Being Cheerful in Trials

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I say that all who think Christianity is all roses and lollipops, you know, the thinking that “God only wants you to be happy, healthy, wealthy, and prosperous if you just have enough faith,” probably aren’t exactly right? All you have to do is read a psalm or two to know this isn’t so. Take this psalm, for instance, which is Psalm 60; we find something much more profound than happy, healthy, or wealthy happening…. Ahhh, let’s first hear the psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

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127 SNS: Psalm 59: An Unexpected Twist

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I say that the Bible is full of beautiful twists and turns? For example, here in Psalm 59, we start with the Psalmist asking God to save him from fierce and strong enemies. Then, he builds his case against them to the point where he compares them to wild dogs that prowl about the city at night. He next praises God because God will give him triumph over his enemies; a joyful triumph is what he calls it. So far, so good. Nothing unexpected yet, right? But what he says next is, and it is beautiful. He says…. Ahhh, let’s first hear the psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it. To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

Amazon.com

Follow me on:

Gab
Twitter

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126 SNS: Psalm 58: To Hear What Is Being Said, Context Is King

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I say that it is quite effortless to take passages from the Bible out of context? Which destroys the message and meaning the passage contains. We can then get hung up on a word or phrase rather than hearing what is actually being said. For instance, in this psalm, things said need not be seen as harsh for... Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then if you want to hear more, follow the link below, and we’ll chat about it.

To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

Amazon.com

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124 SNS: Psalm 56: A Long Day's Journey Into Trust

To help you hear the prayerfulness of the Psalms, here is a Monday Morning Psalm just for you.

Can I say that I find comfort in hearing of another person’s long journey into trust? I don’t know about you, but I only too well identify with the journey the psalmist shares with us here. It is one, which starts with head knowledge – knowing where he needs to be in his faith, knowing where he wants to be in it, and it ends with this knowledge becoming an essential part of his life. The “a-ha” moment, if you will.

Now, this video is a reading of this psalm. To hear our discussion of this psalm, follow this link to the podcast episode:

Narrated by: Charles Yerkes.

To learn more about this book:

Click here to learn more about our book.

It is available as a paperback and as an e-book. It can be found wherever fine books are sold.

For your convenience, a link is provided below.

Follow it to collect this book right away.

Amazon.com

Follow me on:

Gab
Twitter

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