Stuff You Should Think About

Ever wonder who is the boss or who has the ball? Today we’re focusing on When Authority Works ... And When it Doesn’t: Including 2 of my True Stories.   I am able to share these true stories in light of the fact these events were over 35 years ago and most all those involved have passed. Yet I have changed the names of those I speak of.

This episode explains why the highest quality of leadership has nothing to do with "Who is the Boss"

Join me as I unpack how Tucker Carlson reshaped the Bible’s Book of Esther to fit his new narrative of pacifism. We’ll explore how he did it, what the text actually says, and how his interpretation contrasts with the true story. I’ll also examine Tucker and President Trump’s shifting positions — including Trump’s needless war of words with the Pope. 

This episode presents a strategic exit plan for the United States that I believe could satisfy President Trump, our European allies, and the majority of Iranian citizens, including diverse factions and tribal communities. To date, I have not heard any politician, commentator, or media outlet, left or right, offer a solution resembling the blueprint I share here. This is why I’m bringing it directly to you. If you find this proposal worth considering, I invite you to share it widely. Forward this episode to government leaders you know whether in the United States, or in your own country. Let’s open the door to a conversation that hasn’t yet been heard.

This episode is about the struggle of waiting, for anyone or anything - meeting participants, doctors, test results etc.  My experience waiting before cancer surgery and all the waiting connected to it was most difficult. Since he admits being TERRIBLE at waiting, The Gospel Coalition's President Mark Vroegop wrote the book in this episode's picture. My own Pastor Jared Bryant suggested I acquire it and I did. I will share exactly how I felt about waiting before and during my battle with cancer and how what I read and experienced is shaping what I believe today.

My exploration of the apparent mystery of leadership and those that have gained historical and current recognition, and why God enables some who don't believe.

In this episode, I take an honest look at fear—not just the fear of cancer, which I’m personally navigating right now, but the fears that show up in everyday life. Together, we’ll explore the physical and emotional reactions that come with cancer and with any fear that tries to take hold, even the ones others might dismiss as “nothing to worry about.” Join me as we unpack what fear does to us, why it feels so powerful, and how we can face it with clarity and courage.

This episode explores the events and emotions that emerge when discovering a person has cancer. I cover how my own discovery and decision to attend a support group overcame my own feelings that I really did not need help. Explore the emotions of hearing the C-word and hearing it from your own doctor. Intro and end song music by Martina McBride with comment contributions from celebrities that fought the fight or are still fighting the fight. 

This episode explores when lies originate, where we think the come from, what impact lies have, and help realizing that thinking about the lies we told last year might inspire us to lie less. And above all, don't claim Christ as your Lord if it is a lie, for lying about it serves no purpose.

This episode contains the insights of Dr. Rev. Ebenezer Oke from Akura, Nigerian. He is still a very close friend of mine that grew from my teaching trips to Nigeria from 2005-2010. Not all, but much of this content is from Ebenezer's 2-part essay he posted on Facebook.  It is about the absence of having real friends, what a real friend is like, and how to become a good friend. It is about how isolation from a few good friends begins to feel like poverty in the human experience. 

This episode was a challenge to produce, and I’ll share the reasons with you. My hope is that it inspires you to respond with spontaneous compassion when you encounter someone in need, and that you discover the blessings such actions bring to your own heart.

This episode is a short story of a couple of great comebacks that are still special to me, ... one from a woman in the Bible, another from Jesus Himself, and one of the best I heard in my lifetime,

This episode explores the differences in understanding the differences between Choice, Will, Willpower, & Freewill 

This short episode explores a new way of thinking about Pro-Life in light of God's Old Testament instructions to kill many nations of people. 

I present this subject upon request that I do. I willingly agreed since this is for those who grew up in a Christian environment, like I did and today still ponder when, and if Christians should abstain from drinking any kind of alcohol or participate in dancing. 

This episode is to help us all understand the history of the word Woke and the many historical contexts it emerged from. Once understanding the multiple meanings and variations of the word Woke, we then can use what the Bible contains in regard to the precepts of Injustice.

Think, Pray, and then if you must, be bold and Poke the Bear. This episode reveals the risk of poking the bear of other Christians or leaders. I share when I was poked in the past, what I learned from it, and how it impacted my life then. I hope that the times I poked the bear of other Christians prior to my podcasts and maybe even during my podcasts will serve as good examples of how and when Christians should do the same, if a worthy outcome has a good chance of prevailing. I end this episode asking you to send a review by text or email.

This episode begins with some history of where the phrase Separation of Church and State originated from that might surprise some folks. After understanding the history of our Bill of Rights, I then challenge the "Church" and their priest or pastors to stick with what the Bible teaches about mixing politics from the pulpit, which the Bible does not say much of anything. Jesus and the apostle Paul did not get into governmental politics and nor should we, at least not from the pulpit. I will reveal in this episode where and how it can be done within the context of Christianity where it would promote unity and not division.

This episode of my former rejection of Trump's leadership began over 23 years ago, never dreaming he would become President. Now that he has become president twice, here is the journey of my mind in regard to him, the details of which I think worth pondering. It might change part of your opinion of him. It might be similar in ways opponents like me once thought, and where supporters of him then and now, might consider. 

This episode explores what hate looks like today in the continuing trend downward in political discourse. I also cover If and when biblically permissible, and how Christians should think about who, or what they hate, and why. This is not about why I hate Brussel Sprouts!!! 

This is about an email from one of my African American friends that questioned Charlie Kirk as being a Christian and his apparent dismissive perspective of my previous podcast entitled "A Tribute to Charlie Kirk

This episode is a tribute to Charlie Kirk who was assassinated a week ago. This tribute includes extensive excerpts that were posted on FB by Peter J. Scaer that so much resembled my own thoughts.  While producing this episode I asked him for his blessing to use much of what he wrote within  2 of his posts as the main focus of this episode, with a few of my own thoughts inserted.  Please accept this podcast as a tribute to Charlie, his wife and family, and to all that gain access to it.  

This is an episode for Christian leaders to become more award of themselves and their management practices and how Jesus explains by parable how much shrewdness is permissible. 

War, huh, yeah - What is it good for? - Absolutely ______________.  Those lyrics are the beginning and throughout Edwin Star's 1970 War protest song called WAR. This episode is to help the Christian fill in the blank.  It is also for Christians to reflect on wars recorded in the Bible, Current Wars in Ukraine, and in Gaza Strip. I attempt to explain how the theory of what is called Just War Theory has developed and changed over centuries and what the collateral damage might look like depending on the Christians current worldview of war.

This Trailer will supply the overall purpose of the show and what to expect in upcoming episodes.