The Kingdom Is For Everyone

Today we’re beginning a brand-new series on Christ-centered stress management. And I want to say right out of the gate—this is not going to be another shallow “just pray more and calm down” conversation.Because many sincere believers love Jesus deeply and still live with crushing anxiety, emotional exhaustion, burnout, nervous system overload, and constant inner pressure.And honestly, modern culture is discipling us into stress.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today we’re diving into a question that is one of the most important in all of theology:“Does God Use Violence?”Scriptures seems to support this idea, but what does Jesus inform these stories and beliefs?⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today we’re diving into a question that always stirs the pot:“If love is nonviolent… how does it actually protect?”Because let’s be honest—this sounds beautiful in theory……but what happens when it gets real?Let’s walk through it together.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jesus says in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”Not peacekeepers.Peacekeepers avoid conflict.Peacemakers step into it.Peacemakers don’t ignore tension.They transform it. Let's Unpack This!Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode we arrive at the question everyone eventually asks: “Okay… but what about real life?”What about protecting your family?What about evil?What about self-defense?Let’s go there honestly.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If we’re honest, many of us have a little bit of the instinct in us to want to call down a little bit of fire from heaven.That voice that says:“God, just deal with them.”“God, shut them down.”“God, show them who’s right.”That desire for divine backup… divine force… divine fire.But what if that instinct is exactly what Jesus came to confront?Let’s look at the story.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For our episode todaywe arrive at the center of the Christian faith. The Cross.Because if there is any place where we should clearly see what God is like… It’s here.But the question is: What exactly is the cross revealing?Is it revealing a God who needs violence in order to forgive?Or is it revealing a God who absorbs violence in order to heal?Let’s take a deeper look.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Why does the Bible sometimes look so violent?Why are there wars? Why are there stories where God appears to command destruction? Why are there moments where divine judgment seems severe? If Jesus reveals the Father, what do we do with those passages?That’s what we’re unpacking today.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This series is not about ignoring the hard passages of Scripture. It’s not about pretending the Bible doesn’t contain violence. And it’s certainly not about softening the radical call of Jesus. This series is about something much deeper. It’s about asking one question that every Christian eventually has to wrestle with: What is God actually like?Let's unpack this!Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Living from union means:You obey because you trust.You love because you’re secure.You serve because you’re full.Not because you’re afraid of losing God.That takes courage.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It’s one thing to talk about Christ in you.It’s another thing to talk about Christ in the people you love.But what about the people you struggle with?What about the people who vote differently? Believe differently? Live differently? Offend you? Trigger you?Oppose you?What about the people you quietly categorize as “other”?What happens when Christ shows up in them?Let’s go there.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The early church spoke about transformation as awakening.Modern contemplatives like Thomas Merton called it the difference between the false self and the true self.Today, we’re going to unpack that — and discover how the Christ-Self within us gently dismantles the false one.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

According to the New Testament, transformation doesn’t begin with becoming something new —It begins with waking up to what has already been given.You are not on a spiritual ladder trying to climb higher.You are already standing in union — learning how to live from it.Let’s unpack that.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not even sin.Let me say that slowly: Sin can blind you, confuse you, torment you — but it cannot separate you.Sin doesn’t break union.It breaks awareness.Let's dig in!Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jesus didn’t come just to be near us. He came to bring humanity and divinity together in an inseparable union.And Paul says, “Now it’s revealed.”That revelation is not just theology. It’s transformation.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join us on a recap of 2025 and hear some of the upcoming opportunities that are in front of us. Thank you so much for being a listener and supporter of all we do here. The best is yet to come! Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join us for the final episode of 2025!In this special on-location conversation from Managua, Nicaragua, I sit down with my dear friend Bishop Carlos Garcia. Together we dive into the heartbeat of the Kingdom of God—what it looks like in real communities, how family shapes formation, the gift of spiritual fathering, and so much more.This episode carries the warmth, wisdom, and fire of our time in Nicaragua. Get ready to receive!Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Some of us were taught that the Gospel is “offensive” because it tells people how bad they are.But here’s the real scandal: The Gospel isn’t offensive because it condemns. It’s offensive because it includes.It disrupts our boundaries. It welcomes the wrong people.It tears down the fences we built to keep ourselves “special” and others “out.”The early church was crucified, not for being exclusive —But for being far too inclusive for the world to handle.Let’s talk about it.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We are deep into our series The Gospel We Missed, and today we’re going to zoom way out — beyond personal sin, beyond heaven and hell, beyond individual salvation — and look at the Gospel the way the early church and the apostles preached it.Because here’s the truth:If your Gospel is only about your personal afterlife,then it’s not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The early church didn’t just preach salvation from something — they preached salvation for all things.Let’s stretch our imagination and rediscover just how cosmic this Good News really is.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Because let’s be honest: Most of us inherited a version of the Gospel shaped more by Western legalism, medieval fear, and Reformation-era debates than by the faith of the early church.So what did the earliest followers of Jesus — those closest to the source — actually proclaim?The answer might surprise you.It might even liberate you.Let’s dive in.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For a lot of us, repentance was a transaction.A religious bargaining tool.We were told: “You sinned. God’s angry. Say sorry — and mean it — and maybe He’ll forgive you.”Repentance was framed as an emotional negotiation with a short-tempered God. But what if repentance was never about appeasing God — but about awakening to God?Let’s dig in.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Most of us were given a “deal-based” gospel:God is holy and angry. You are sinful and guilty. Jesus pays your bill. If you accept the deal, you’re safe.That’s a transaction.That’s an exchange.That’s a conditional agreement between two parties.But the Gospel — the one Paul preached, the early church protected, and Jesus embodied — was never a transaction.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For many of us, the Gospel we were handed sounds like this:“You’re a sinner. God is holy and angry. Jesus takes your punishment. If you believe the right things, you get to go to heaven when you die.”That sounds familiar.But here’s the real question:Is that the Gospel the early church preached?Because the Gospel didn’t begin in the 1500s with Martin Luther.It didn’t begin with penal substitution.It didn’t begin with the Sinner’s Prayer or the altar call.The Gospel began with Christ — and the early church preached something far more cosmic, relational, and restorative than many of us have heard.Let’s recover it together.⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How do we live with hope when the headlines scream death, violence, assassination, and cancel culture? 🤯This message dives into the tension we all feel: the chaos of the world vs. the confidence of the gospel. We’ll explore why the good news of Jesus still outshines every outrage, every culture war, and every “urgent” debate—and why keeping Christ at the center is the most radical thing we can do.👉 If you’ve ever wondered how to process current events without losing your faith, your peace, or your voice, this one is for you.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Most of us were taught to live for God — striving, performing, trying to please a distant deity. But what if the gospel invites us to live from God — from within the eternal dance of Father, Son, and Spirit?In this episode, we explore what it means to live from the divine communion that already includes us. The Trinity isn’t a doctrine to memorize; it’s the atmosphere of our existence. This is where prayer becomes participation, work becomes worship, and love becomes the rhythm of our being.We’ll talk about union, belonging, and the daily practice of divine flow — not as something we chase, but something we awaken to.You’re not trying to get into God. You’re already home.👉 Listen now and discover how living from Trinity transforms the way you see yourself, others, and the world around you.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join us, the Hester's, as we share a completely unscripted (two part) conversation with our dear friends Pastors Johnny & Rachel Ova. We take time to have a conversation around candid questions like: What was the major turning point in your marriage? How have you navigated the journey of keeping intimacy—emotional and physical—alive in your marriage? And much more!Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠

Join us, the Hester's, as we share a completely unscripted conversation with our dear friends Pastors Johnny & Rachel Ova. We take time to have a conversation around candid questions like: What was the silliest argument you ever had as a couple? How do you balance public ministry with private family boundaries and much more! Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠

Let’s be honest — even if we believe we’re in Christ, sometimes we still fear we can fall out.So today’s episode is your reminder — and maybe even your permission slip — to rest in this:Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.Let’s dive into the heart of that good news.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠

This episode picks up where the last two left off.In Episode 146, we said: Union is the starting line — you don’t begin separated from God.In Episode 147, we said: Christ is in you — not as a metaphor, but as your lived reality.So today we ask the next question:If that’s true… how do we grow? How do we change?Here’s the answer: You don’t grow into union — you grow in awareness of it. You’re not becoming someone new — you’re becoming who you already are.Let’s unpack that together.⁠⁠⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠

Uf you joined us last episode — Union Is the Starting Line — we unpacked the radical truth that you don’t start separate from God and work your way into closeness. You start in union.Today we take that one step deeper.Because union isn’t just about proximity — it’s about  indwelling. Paul didn’t just say, “You are in Christ.”He also said, “Christ is in you.”And that isn’t poetic language. It’s a spiritual revolution.Let’s talk about what it really means.⁠⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠

If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing God, working your way toward Him, or struggling to earn your place in His presence — this episode is for you.Because here’s the truth:You’re not running toward union. You’re running from it, or waking up to it. But you never lost it.⁠⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠

We often think of the Incarnation as something that happened once—a singular, miraculous moment 2,000 years ago. God put on flesh, walked among us, died, rose, ascended... and now, He’s “somewhere else” until further notice.But what if the Incarnation wasn’t meant to be an exception……but the unveiling of what’s always been true?What if God didn’t just become human once—but revealed through Jesus that the divine has always been committed to embodiment?That’s what we’re talking about today.⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God

What if the Gospel isn’t just a way out — but a way in?What if it’s not merely about going to heaven……but about heaven coming here?What if it’s not an exclusive escape plan……but an all-inclusive restoration project?Yeah. That’s what we’re diving into today.⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God

Over these last episodes, we’ve been exploring what it means to say that all ground is holy ground. That there is no sacred-secular divide. That heaven and earth are not distant realms but overlapping realities. That creation itself is saturated with the presence of God.And today, we’re going to reflect on how we carry this awareness forward — how we live as if Holy Ground is truly everywhere.⁠Hester Ministries⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠The Rorschach God

Join Dr. Hester and special guest Bishop Jamie Englehart as they conclude a two-part conversation about discovering the presence of God in the most unexpected voices and places. ⁠Hester Ministries ⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠The Rorschach God

Join Dr. Hester and special guest Bishop Jamie Englehart as they have a two-part conversation about discovering the presence of God in the most unexpected voices and places. Hester Ministeries Present Truth Academy The Rorschach God

We live in a distracted world. Algorithms fight for our eyeballs, and notifications keep our minds skipping like stones across the surface of everything—but rarely sinking into the depths of anything.And yet Weil says: The practice of deep attention—of focused, reverent presence—is not just helpful. It’s sacred. It’s prayer.Hester MinistriesPresent Truth Academy The Rorschach God

Sir Isaac Newton once said, "In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.” And Newton’s point is this: you don’t need a telescope to see God. Sometimes all it takes is the willingness to pay attention. God has stitched His creativity not just into galaxies—but into us. Into your thumb. Into your nervous system. Into your breath.That means Holy Ground isn’t just “out there”—it’s right here. On your own hands.Hester MinistriesPresent Truth AcademyThe Rorschach God

In this episode of The Kingdom Is For Everyone, Matthew Hester reflects on a surprising quote from physicist Stephen Hawking and explores the harmony between faith and science. What if the mysteries of the universe are not contradictions to our faith but invitations into deeper wonder? Discover how the cosmos can be a cathedral and why Holy Ground truly is everywhere—even in the language of science.www.HesterMinistries.orgwww.PresentTruthAcademy.orgThe Rorschach God

“I don’t make songs for free, I make ’em for freedom. Don’t believe in kings, believe in the Kingdom.”— Chance the RapperChance isn’t talking about monetary cost — he’s talking about purpose. His art isn’t for applause, or even payment, but for something deeper: liberation. This is the sound of someone who recognizes that the gifts we’ve been given — whether it’s music, writing, or leadership — aren’t just meant to entertain; they’re meant to liberate.www.HesterMinistries.orgwww.PresentTruthAcademy.orgwww.HesterBook.com

God is mystery. Holy, other, ungraspable. And as Barry Taylor suggests, we often try to give shape to that mystery. We wrap it in theology. In doctrines. In denominations. In our best guesses and worst fears.And to be fair—sometimes that’s necessary. We’re wired for meaning. We’re storytellers. But the problem isn’t that we shape our understanding of God—it’s how and why we do it.Do we shape God to reveal Him?Or do we shape Him to control Him?www.HesterMinistries.orgwww.PresentTruthAcademy.orgThe Rorschach God

Boundaries aren’t about control — they’re about protection.Like guardrails on a mountain road. They don’t rob your freedom; they keep you alive to actually reach your destination.If we don't have any theological guardrails, then "truth" becomes whatever I feel at the moment — and that's not a road to God. That’s a road to confusion.Hester MinistriesPresent Truth AcademyThe Rorschach God (Book)

If Jesus showed up today in your church, your city, your feed… would we recognize Him? Or would we be too busy trying to judge what He’s doing and who He’s doing it with?Let’s talk about it.Hester MinistriesThe Rorschach GodPresent Truth Academy

In today's episode we celebrate the event that quite literally changed everything. It was on this day about 2,000 years ago that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, the son of David was spewed out of the belly of the tomb as a sign after the pattern of Jonah.www.hesterministries.orgwww.hesterbook.comwww.presenttruthacademy.org

Silent Saturday is the day between the crucifixion and the resurrection, but it was anything but silent! At surface level the wind had been knocked out of the disciples and their fear drove them into hiding. Everything appeared to be at a stand still...the man who healed the sick, loved the sinner, and challenged the established religious norm was gone. Even though the world was paralyzed above ground, revival was happening under the surface!Hester MinistriesThe Rorschach GodPresent Truth Academy

This is part on of our Holy Week focus for 2025!Jesus wasn't defending us from His violent Dad! Through the self-sacrificial image of Christ, we see God purely for Who He has always been...totally free of all the misconceptions that fallen humanity had assigned to His nature and attributed to His character. Good Friday is good for many reasons, but getting to finally behold God clearly has to be one of the best "good" things that happened.www.hesterbook.comwww.HesterMinistries.orgThe Patristics Study

The Patristics, also known as the Church Fathers, occupy a pivotal place in the history of Christianity. These early theologians, pastors, and defenders of the faith laid the theological and ecclesiastical foundations that continue to shape Christian doctrine and practice today. Spanning roughly the first eight centuries of the church, their contributions offer a bridge between the apostolic era of the New Testament and the later structures of organized Christianity. Understanding their lives, works, and historical context is essential to appreciating the development of Christian thought and the enduring legacy of the early church.Hester MinistriesPresent Truth AcademyThe Rorschach God

Truth is a Person and His name is Jesus (John 14:6); Father God is Truth (Numbers 23:19); the Holy Spirit is Truth (John 16:12-14); and as believers, we are people of the Truth (John 18:37; 1 John 5:20). Notice the progression? God is triune and we bare the image of Trinity. It's a pattern worth looking into!www.hesterministries.org www.hesterbook.comwww.PresentTruthAcademy.org

In this episode we take a look at what it looks like to explore the love of God as an individual as well as knowing the unknowable together. We need each other to truly comprehend the love of God!Hester MinistriesThe Rorschach GodPresent Truth Academy

Adam was merely a shadow of what was to come, but Christ is the true image of God and the blueprint for our lives. To live in Christ is to live as a new creation, no longer bound by the limitations of Adam but free in the fullness of divine sonship.www.hesterministries.orgwww.hesterbook.comwww.presenttruthacademy.org