Jimmy’s Table Podcast

I believe the world is changing. And the world I grew up in from the 1980's isn't going to be the world I die in. The global "world order" is being shaken. In today's podcast, I take a look at apocalyptic passages in the Bible, and how they challenge us to think about living our lives in a world that's changing.

In this podcast, I explore my journey through dark times, what it's like to experience joy in the midst of suffering, and ultimately, what it means to have your joy made full.

With every election season, someone famous will inevitably say, "If so and so gets elected, I'm going to move to another country." In this podcast, I explore the angst behind these sentiments, and what the longings of our hearts concerning the outcome of elections ultimately teaches us...

We live in a world that suffers from a deficit of joy. As a result, we make a lot of really bad decisions to try and fill up in what we lack. In this podcast, I look at the joy that is ultimately available for everyone....

When life is good, we take all the credit. But when life sucks, we blame others. In this podcast, I look at why we instinctively formulate conspiracy theories against powerful people in smoke filled rooms, to explain why we can't have nice things...

Would Jesus vote for Republicans, or Democrats? Trump, or Biden? As I ponder our polarized political system, in today's podcast, I wonder... would Jesus even vote at all?

As tempting as it is to view the war between Israel and Gaza in black and white "good vs evil" type thinking, the issues are far more complex than that. In today's podcast, I attempt to look at both sides of the conflict in light of its greater historical context, as well as what I believe how some of the final words of Jesus Christ on the cross should shape our hearts and minds, as we try to understand this war as Christians.

According to pastor J.D. Greear, the church has become a "religious show." An irony, that many noticed, was lost on him as he preached from a giant platform with cameras and massive TV screens surrounding him. In today's podcast, I want to talk about the recent sermon clip that went viral, and what the church can learn from it...

Are aliens real? Have UFO's visited us? And what should we think of the testimony of Airforce Major David Grusch and his testimony before a house oversight committee stating that the U.S. Military has been in possession of UFO's since the 1930's? And what implications does the existence of aliens have for our faith as Christians?

Among political conservatives, "owning the libs" might be a favorite activity. But it's not exactly a Christian behavior. In this podcast, I examine the toxic "own the libs" DNA that exists among the political right, and propose a bold alternative to this mentality...

Can you experience God? Some would claim that if God exists, it would be impossible to experience Him. Yet many others would claim to have experienced the Divine. In this podcast, I talk about the different ways I believe we can experience God, and what the greatest experience we can have of God actually looks like...

"And Alexander wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer." So, what do you do with your life when you've accomplished everything there is to accomplish? Especially when you desire to do nothing but engage in world conquest? What's the next chapter of your life look like? In this podcast, I talk about this existential crisis....

Many of us know what it is like to suffer loss and to experience tragedy. But what about when the misfortunes of Job are suddenly reversed, and a lot of goodness suddenly comes your way? In this podcast, I talk about my recent experience with the goodness of God...

Is the "Asbury Revival" a genuine move of the Spirit of God? The revival in Kentucky is receiving some sharp criticism from the left and the right. In this podcast, I want to challenge the way we think about revival and moves of the Spirit of God-- especially with the rigid frameworks we bring to the table for interpreting such things.

I believe we often find ourselves "stuck in a rut," not only because we've stopped growing, but because we no longer live a life that allows for "the gift of surprise." In my latest podcast, I talk about our "Groundhog Day" like existence, our need for personal growth, and why we should occasionally poke a sleeping bear. Listen!

Social media influencer and YouTube star "Mr. Beast" recently paid for 1,000 blind people to receive surgery that restored their vision, and made a video about it. Some see this as "exploitation," yet others see it as nothing but someone doing good. In this podcast, I look at the criticism and defense of "performative charity."

Do you have a "best friend"? Increasingly in our culture, research shows a lot of people don't. More and more, people find themselves without meaningful friendships, both in quantity and quality. This is especially true among men. In this podcast, I explore the shift in our culture regarding friendship, and what we can do to better cultivate friendships in our lives.

I believe the long lost art of letter writing can better inform us of the type of lives we are to live. It requires a degree of openness, transparency, vulnerability, and the willingness to disclose specifics about our lives. Looking at 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, I see how the long lost art of letter writing informed the ministry of the apostle Paul, and why we should all be willing to become "living epistles," so that the story of Christ and the gospel might be better shared with others...

What is "Gaslighting?" Coined from the 1944 movie "Gaslight," this abusive social and psychological phenomena causes individuals to doubt their memory, perception of reality, and to gradually lose their sense of sanity. In today's podcast, I have a discussion with a victim of gaslighting, Christiaan Funkhouser, who shares his story, discusses "Gaslight" movie, and how we can identify and combat gaslighting when it appears in our lives...

There's been an "exodus" from the church in the past few decades. Abuse, hypocrisy, hatred, political problems, and many other issues have caused a lot of people to leave the church and to no longer darken her doors. In today's podcast, I explore this topic in light of the saying "The church is a whore-- but she is my mother," and how that can better inform our faith, and our dealings with the church...

It's said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but in truth— you can. With people making a lot of New Year's Resolutions at this time of year, I thought it might be fun to look at how dog training might be relevant for our personal lives...

Christmas falls on a Sunday this year. Should churches gather for worship, or close so families can celebrate the holiday at home? In this podcast, I decide to weigh in with the correct opinion on this controversial issue...

A lot of churches are popular for their highly produced "worship experiences" on Sunday mornings. But how many are popular for their potlucks? In this podcast, I talk about the importance of a church that walks out Acts 2:42, and regularly shares a common meal together and breaks bread as an expression of their worship together as a community...

What if our purpose in life has less to do with what we think we are called “to do" by God, and more about the type of person we are becoming? In this podcast, I explore this question. So if you feel God's called you to some sort of ministry or occupation, you'll want to listen to this...

Online dating apps are transforming and ruining the dating scene in our society. In this podcast, I share my personal online dating war stories, how online dating can be destructive, and provide helpful tips for success at dating online.

What's it like being "single again" at 40? Like NFL superstar quarterback Tom Brady, I too found myself recently divorced and single again at 40. In this podcast, I talk about the unique challenges and blessings associated with being single again...

Ted Talks, preachers, pundits, and people on social media. There are many people with competing voices trying to get their message out. In this podcast, I look at the life and ministry of John the Baptist, and make the case for why something more than just another talking head is needed...

What does it mean to be a man? Are men different from women, and if so, how? And is masculinity toxic? In this podcast, I have a discussion about what a man is, and how Jesus and John Wayne factor into this discussion...

Going through a divorce was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Yet in spite of the grief that overcame me and the darkness that surrounded me, I was able to find joy, and to live again. In this podcast I talk about my journey, my struggles, and how I fought for my life, not only so I could live, but thrive...

In this podcast, I challenge the tired cliché that says "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship." I believe this sentiment to intellectually shallow, pseudo-spiritual, and a dangerous half truth. Christianity is a relationship, but it's also a religion, and we should not be afraid to label it as such...

Churches have become increasingly divided over politics. Trump and Biden supporters no longer feel they can worship Jesus together. In this podcast, I talk about how our theology ought to challenge our increasingly politically polarized world...

Are you an actual Christian, or simply a "cultural Christian?" Living in a nation with millions of other Christians, it might be easy to think you are a follower of Jesus, but in truth, you might not be. In this podcast, I explore 7 different issues that might serve as a signal that you are only a cultural Christian, and not actually following Jesus...

In responding to the popular "quiet quitting" trend in our culture, some people are also talking about the "quiet firing" phenomenon common in corporate America. In today's podcast, I talk about the jerk bosses that engage in this practice, why they do it, and why it's as bad as quiet quitting...

"Quiet quitting" is a a popular topic trending on places like LinkedIn and TikTok lately. It's a movement where people strive to create healthy "work life" boundaries, and say "no" to things like overtime, special projects, and going "above and beyond" their job description. In this podcast, I talk about this trend, and why I believe it's not only a bad philosophy of work, but a bad way to live your life...

Is President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program in keeping with the ways of Jesus? And, is it even actually needed? My straight forward answer is "no," and this podcast, I provide 3 reasons why I don't support this program...

Far from being a kill joy that wants to rob us of fun with a bunch of "THOU SHALT NOT" commandments, I believe the teachings of Jesus are grounded in "THOU SHALT LOVE," and are designed to lead us to an abundant life in a land flowing with milk and honey. In today's podcast...

I went to Bible College and seminary, but I never went into "the ministry." Lately, I've had a lot of people ask me why. In this podcast, I sit down to talk about my sense of calling to ministry, what that looks like in the New Testament, how it differs from how the church views ministry today, and what that ultimately meant for me as I answered God's call on my life...

Alex Jones is a crazy conspiracy theorist who was found guilty of defamation regarding things he said about the Sandy Hook school shooting. Yet for all his conspiracy theories, I believe Alex Jones is an object lesson that can teach us about the importance of loving truth...

A $1 billion lottery, a preacher getting robbed of $1 million in jewelry, the United States being in a recession, and Elon Musk are all cultural hot topics that I want to talk about in this podcast.

"Hockey is a young man's game" I have often told myself. Recently though, I recognized this as a lie, and a self-imposed limitation I had placed on myself. In truth, while playing hockey again at 40 comes with obvious risks, it's a risk that can be managed...

Why is President Joe Biden so strongly disliked by Americans and the Democrat Party, even though he received a record number of votes less than 2 years ago? In this podcast, I explore how our broken voting philosophies keep giving us politicians we so strongly dislike.

Recently the Supreme Court overturned the previously recognized right of a woman to have an abortion. And a lot of people are upset, but as it turns out, not as upset as one would expect. In this podcast, I look at the practical ramifications of this case, and why it ultimately doesn't really matter all that much (and why we know this to be the case).

I think we all have a yearning for a place to call our "forever home." Whether or not we get what we long for is another matter altogether. In this podcast, I talk about my journey, suddenly having to find a new place to live, and identifying with the Biblical patriarch Abraham, whose heart 's desire caused him to live the rest of his life out of a tent...

I've never gone on a solo vacation, and I've never been on a cruise. Recently, I decided to do both a solo vacation and a cruise! In this podcast I talk about my experiences on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas, and my subsequent battle with COVID-19.

"We don't have a gun problem, we have a heart problem." But is that actually the case? In light of the recent mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo, I question this common idea. I believe we ultimately have more than an a heart problem. We also have a gun problem...

What will hell be like? The idea of hell is something most people find objectionable. After all, how could a good and loving God send people to hell? Didn't Jesus pay the price for our sins and forgive us? In this podcast, I ask hard questions about hell, and attempt to provide a fresh insight into what hell is, and what it is not.

Recently on the way back home from the coffee shop just a couple miles from my house, I got lost. Twice. Each time I went down the right road, but in the wrong direction. As I reflected upon the experience, I felt this moment begin to speak to me. In this podcast, I wrestle with how this might speak to me, and perhaps how it could speak to you...

"I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Josh Harris represented the height of "purity culture" in the Evangelical church. Its teachings, and some of its more extreme practices, have largely died. But with its death, what can the church look to say that speaks to the deepest longings of our hearts about human sexuality? In this podcast, I look to move beyond purity culture...

Do you believe in soulmates? Has the universe or God predestined you to be with just one special person? In this podcast, I explore the idea of a soulmate in our culture, and look at how the gift of marriage is better than the soulmate mythology...

Christianity has become really good at reducing the mystery of faith to magical formulas of mathematical exactitude. But, in trying to make everything so certain, we might just be destroying the faith we claim to ultimately believe in and preach. In this podcast, I talk about how we need a faith that's a little less certain...