Be The Storm with Dr John Eckhardt

Why Wait For Heaven Episode 32 In this powerful episode of Be the Storm, host John Eckhardt welcomes special guest Rik Collins to the studio in snowy Lisbon, Maine for a conversation that challenges traditional Christian thinking. What if Jesus didn't come primarily so we could go to heaven? What if the goal was never just a future destination… but a present relationship? Through Tuesday worship gatherings, personal encounters with the Lord, and fresh revelation, Rik began sensing God whisper something unexpected: "I did not come so that you could go to heaven." That statement launched a deeper exploration of Scripture and Kingdom truth. They unpack how much of modern Christianity has emphasized eternal reward while unintentionally minimizing daily communion. From Jesus appointing the twelve "that they might be with Him" (Mark 3:14) to God walking with Adam and Eve in the garden in Genesis, the heartbeat of God has always been relationship. Heaven is real. Eternal life is promised. But the invitation starts now. #BeTheStorm #JohnEckhardt #RikCollins #ChristianPodcast #KingdomNow #RelationshipNotReligion #WalkWithGod #Emmanuel #AbideInChrist #FaithRenewal #SpiritualGrowth #JoyInTheLord #BiblicalTruth #ChristianLiving #KingdomMindset

Why Life Sucks Part 6 Episode 31 Why does life feel stuck sometimes? In Part 6 of the "Why Life Sucks" series, John Eckhardt and Skip Simons confront a hard truth: we don't grow by avoiding discomfort — we grow by walking through it. Too often we spend our energy praying for rescue instead of pressing into resurrection power. We want the miracle check in the mail. The unexpected deliverance. The quick escape route. But God's higher plan isn't always rescue — it's resurrection. Drawing from Psalm 23, they revisit the image of the valley of the shadow of death. Skip shares a powerful illustration: pride and fear build a six-lane superhighway around the valley. It looks faster. It looks easier. But it only brings you back to the beginning. Progress is not going around the valley. Progress is going through it. #BeTheStorm #JohnEckhardt #ChristianPodcast #WhyLifeSucks #OvercomingFear #ResurrectionPower #FaithOverFear #Psalm23 #Philippians310 #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLeadership #KingdomLiving #HopeInChrist #WalkThroughTheValley #BreakTheCycle  

Why Life Sucks Part 5 Episode 30 Why does life sometimes feel harder than it should be? In this powerful episode of Be the Storm, John Eckhardt and Skip Simons tackle Reason #5 in their ongoing series "Why Life Sucks" — unrecognized pride. Sometimes frustration is more than bad luck. As Dr. Eckhardt shares, "Frustration is God's crowbar." It may be the force prying us out of faulty thinking and misplaced confidence. Scripture tells us plainly that God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud — and that resistance isn't personal rejection. It's divine opposition to the pride we cloak ourselves in. #BeTheStorm #JohnEckhardt #ChristianPodcast #WhyLifeSucks #PrideAndHumility #SpiritualGrowth #Repentance #GraceOfGod #ChristianLeadership #FaithWalk #BiblicalTruth #Psalm23 #KingdomLiving #HeartChange #GodResistsTheProud #WalkInHumility

Why Life Sucks Part 4 Epispode 29 Is it possible to have a relationship with God… but not enjoy fellowship with Him? In this bold and practical episode of Be the Storm, John Eckhardt and Skip tackle Reason #17 in their ongoing series "Why Life Sucks" — the failure to differentiate between relationship and fellowship with God. Many believers live secure in their salvation but struggle with distance, dryness, or frustration in their daily walk. Why? Because relationship is established through Jesus Christ — but fellowship is cultivated through daily communion, humility, repentance, and listening. Using the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, they unpack a powerful truth: The son never stopped being a son — but he stepped out of fellowship. Sin does not break your relationship with God. But it absolutely disrupts your fellowship. #BeTheStorm #JohnEckhardt #ChristianPodcast #RelationshipWithGod #FellowshipWithGod #Repentance #GraceOfGod #ProdigalSon #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeaching #FaithWalk #IntimacyWithGod #KingdomLiving #BiblicalTruth #DailyDevotion #AbideInChrist

What Happens When the Holy Spirit Interrupts Your schedule? Episode 28 In this powerful episode of Be the Storm, John Eckhardt sits down with worship leader Jackie Baker for a raw and deeply challenging conversation about honoring the move of God over protecting ministry structure. Are we so committed to our order of service, time constraints, guest appearances, and polished excellence that we miss the very thing we're praying for — the manifest presence of God? Drawing from Romans 12:1–2, they discuss transformation, renewal of the mind, and the mystery of encountering God face-to-face. They reflect on the administration of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12–14 and how biblical order was never meant to suppress the Spirit — but to remove hindrances so His flow could bring life change. Jackie transparently shares a humbling moment early in his worship ministry when he sang right past a powerful move of God because he was more committed to the setlist than the Spirit. The result? A sobering lesson that the anointing matters more than the agenda. They explore: • How celebrity culture can subtly replace reverence • Why "pretty" has replaced "power" in modern church culture • What it means to be spiritually dependent instead of performance-driven • Why sometimes the most spiritual thing you can say is, "I don't know what to do right now." The conversation also references the bold worship of David before the Ark in 2 Samuel 6 — a moment where dignity was abandoned for devotion — and contrasts it with the barrenness of criticism. The central challenge is clear: Will we preserve our brand? Or will we protect the anointing? Because when the Spirit of the Lord begins to move, everything else becomes secondary. If we truly want transformation, revival, healing, deliverance, and life change, we must create room for Him to interrupt us. #BeTheStorm #JohnEckhardt #JackieBaker #HolySpirit #WorshipLeadership #Anointing #MoveOfGod #ChurchLeadership #SpiritLed #ChristianPodcast #RevivalCulture #PresenceOfGod #FiveFoldMinistry #KingdomLeadership #ChristianGrowth #LetTheSpiritMove  

The True Nature Worship      Episode 27                                                                                                       In this powerful episode of Be the Storm, Dr. John Eckhart sits down with worship leader Jackie Baker for a deep and thought-provoking conversation about the true nature of worship, anointing, giftedness, and the fear of the Lord. What is the real role of a worship leader? Is it performance, personality, and excellence — or is it facilitating an encounter with God? Together, they explore biblical examples from 1 Samuel, examining the qualifications of David as a skillful musician "and the Lord was with him." They also unpack lessons from the lives of Moses, Balaam, and Paul, highlighting the difference between operating in gifting and walking in genuine intimacy with God. Is modern worship emotional manipulation — or is it meant to engage the whole soul in authentic spiritual encounter? What happens when celebrity Christianity replaces humility? And how does the fear of the Lord guard us from pride and self-promotion? This episode challenges ministers, worship leaders, pastors, and believers alike to examine their motivations. Are we drawing people to ourselves — or handing them off to Jesus? This is not a surface-level conversation. This is a call to depth. A call to humility. A call to encounter. Because worship is not about stealing the show. It's about creating a garden where God can meet His people. And sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do… is get out of the way.  #BeTheStorm #JohnEckhart #JackieBaker #ChristianPodcast #WorshipLeader #Anointing #FearOfTheLord #ChristianLeadership #CharismaticChristianity #SpiritFilled #WorshipMinistry #ChurchLeadership #BiblicalTruth #EncounterGod #ChristianGrowth #KingdomMindset

Episode 26 In this episode of Be the Storm, Dr. John Eckhardt is joined by Skip Simonds and Abby Navarra to explore what it truly means to live out Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5—turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, and choosing healing over division. Through honest stories from Abby's experiences in both Christian and secular environments, they unpack how humility, patient listening, and genuine love open more hearts than arguments ever could. This conversation will encourage you to value people over winning debates, trust the Holy Spirit with the results, and love like Jesus—one interaction at a time.  

Episode 25 In this uplifting episode of Be the Storm, Dr. John Eckhardt, Skip Simonds, and Abby Navarra dive into one of the most overlooked spiritual disciplines—the gift of listening. Together, they unpack how truly hearing someone communicates value, builds trust, and opens hearts in ways debate never can. Abby shares real-life stories that highlight why slowing down, asking good questions, and resisting the urge to "fix" people creates space for the Holy Spirit to work. This conversation will remind you that listening isn't weakness—it's love in action, and it can transform relationships one moment at a time.

Episode 24 In this powerful continuation of the Orphans and Sons series, Dr. John Eckhardt and Skip Simonds unpack what it really means to move from knowing about God as Father to actually experiencing Him as Abba—Papa God. They show how the Holy Spirit relentlessly works within us to dismantle orphan thinking, renew our minds, and reshape our identity from fearful servants into confident sons and daughters. Through clear biblical insights and practical examples, this episode highlights the significant differences between striving orphans and secure sons: earning versus receiving, insecurity versus partnership, shame versus growth. You'll be challenged to let the Holy Spirit renovate your heart, release old religious mindsets, and embrace the freedom, confidence, and closeness that come with being fully adopted into God's family.  

Episode 23 In the first episode of this 2 part series, Dr. John Eckhart and Skip Simonds dive into the powerful contrast between an orphan spirit and true sonship in the Kingdom of God. Drawing from Romans 12 and the picture of renewing—or "remodeling"—our minds, they unpack how many believers still think like spiritual orphans, striving for approval, living under shame, and relating to God more as a harsh judge than a loving Father. Through honest conversation and practical examples, they show how salvation is a family affair: we are adopted, wanted, and deeply loved—and liked—by our Father. This episode will encourage you to tear down old lies, receive your identity as a son or daughter, and live from acceptance instead of constantly chasing it.

Episode 22 In this heart-stirring episode of Be the Storm, Dr. John Eckhardt and Skip Simonds tackle a question many believers quietly wrestle with: "I know God loves me—but does He actually like me?" They unpack the difference between God's covenant love (agape) and His affectionate, friendly love (phileo), showing from Scripture that God doesn't just tolerate us—He delights in us. Through honest conversation and biblical insight, they confront shame, self-loathing, and the lie that God is always disappointed, and point listeners to the truth that in Christ, the Father enjoys our presence and welcomes our prayers. This episode is a warm invitation to open your heart, receive God's affection, and start living like someone who is truly loved and liked by Him.

Why Life Sucks, Part 3 In this final part of the 3-Part Series Be The Storm, Dr. John Eckhardt and Skip Simonds tackle one of the most overlooked reasons life feels empty and frustrating: not truly knowing God as your Father. They unpack the fear, pain, and misconceptions that keep so many believers from embracing the one relationship that brings identity, healing, provision, and stability. Through scripture, real talk, and the story of the prodigal son, they reveal how receiving God as Father unlocks prayer, purpose, and the fullness of what it means to live as a child of God. If you've ever struggled with father wounds, fear, or feeling unworthy, this conversation will encourage you to take one simple step: invite God to father you. Everything changes from there. Remember—don't fear the storm. Be the storm.

Why Life Sucks Part 2 Episode 20 In Part 2 of this 3-Part Series of Be The Storm, Dr. John Eckhardt and Skip dive into one of the biggest reasons life can feel overwhelming—an understanding deficit. You can have wisdom and knowledge, but without understanding, nothing in your life gets established the way God intended. Proverbs 24 reminds us that wisdom builds, knowledge fills, but understanding is what makes it strong and lasting. Through real-life stories, honest humor, and decades of ministry experience, they unpack why seeking counsel, slowing down, and listening with humility can spare us from unnecessary scars. This episode will challenge you to grow deeper, think clearly, and invite God to shape your decisions with true understanding. Be encouraged—and remember: don't fear the storm. Be the storm.  

Be The Storm – "Why Life Sucks, Part 1" In Part 1 of this 3-Part Series of Be The Storm, Dr. John Eckhardt and his guest Skip Simonds dive into one of the hidden reasons life feels stuck — the "teaspoon mentality." You can't expect big harvests while sowing small seeds, holding back out of fear instead of stepping forward with courage. Together they unpack how generosity, identity, and mindset shape our breakthroughs, and why shifting from surviving to giving can transform your entire life. Tune in, be encouraged, and remember — the storm isn't something to fear, it's something to become.                      

Be The Storm Justin Rizzo - Radical Creatives part 2 Episode 18  More from Justin as he opens up the wells of the deep.  Hope you are ready to drink from a proverbial 'fire hose' because it continues to come fast and furious. 

Be The Storm Justin Rizzo - Radical Creatives part 1 Episode 17  Justin shares info and insights that will rock you to the core. Two 'stand-alone' sessions in the BattleCry studio will find affirming and capacity-building.

Be The Storm Skip Simonds - Selfless Leaders Episode 16 Get ready to have your understanding of leadership tossed into the trash can. Kingdom leadership awaits those who are prepared to die (and stay that way).  

Be The Storm  Mike Rizzo - Treasure Episode 15 In this conversation with Mike Rizzo, we discuss how to live a treasured life. Adventure, celebration and suffering work hand in hand (in hand) to produce a life worth living.

Be The Storm Skip Simonds - Hope vs fear Episode 14 Life not going your way?  You don't have a faith problem… You have a hope problem. Without hope, your faith has nothing to work with.  

Be The Storm Eric Gilmour - Sonship Episode 13 So little to do with obedience and submission.  Rather, for those brave enough to pursue "sonship", the sweet reward is acceptance, empowerment, and purpose. Don't let past rejections or abuse hold you back.  

In this bonus series, Dr Eckhardt takes us on a Deep dive exploration of apostles and their kingdom purpose. Advancing, building, establishing.

In this bonus series, Dr Eckhardt takes us on a Deep dive exploration of apostles and their kingdom purpose. Advancing, building, establishing.

In this bonus series, Dr Eckhardt takes us on a Deep dive exploration of apostles and their kingdom purpose. Advancing, building, establishing.

In this bonus series, Dr Eckhardt takes us on a Deep dive exploration of apostles and their kingdom purpose. Advancing, building, establishing.

In this bonus series, Dr Eckhardt takes us on a Deep dive exploration of apostles and their kingdom purpose. Advancing, building, establishing.              

Episode 3 Heart Garden with Andrea and Marcus Smith Prosperity is part of the Gospel message…but can not be separated from authentic spiritual growth.  Join us as Dr John discusses the growing need for a greater focus on soul-care with Andrea and Marcus Smith, healing specialists with Heart Garden Ministries.  A healthy inner-life is essential for a balanced and victorious life in Christ.

Episode 2 Spiritual Mapping Teams for Times of Crisis Listen in as Dr John interviews Rich and Linda Brink, revealing prayer strategies for regional shifts in culture. The Kingdom is advancing as believers rise up and lay hold of the gates of their regions. The Heaven's are shifting and influencing culture. An inspiring conversation highlighting our need to connect and work together.

Episode 1 In this 1st episode Dr Eckhardt sets the tone for future "Be the Storm" shows. Challenging the status quo, poking a finger in the eye of fear, and answering questions that religion is afraid to ask.