Kids and a Calling

Pressure, setbacks, and conflict can feel like proof something is wrong, but what if they’re actually proof God is building something that will last? In this episode, we wrestle with a hard question: if God loves us, why does He allow conflict?Then we finish strong in Proverbs 29–31 with practical biblical wisdom on self-control, humility, moderation, and the quiet power of consistency. We also clear up common confusion around Proverbs 31 by treating it as poetry and a picture of godly character, not a perfection checklist. If you care about spiritual growth, youth ministry, Christian living, and building a faith that survives storms, this one is for you. Subscribe, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review with the verse or takeaway that hit you most.

In this episode, we discuss Pastor Jonathan’s message “Umbrellas.” We get practical about the “umbrellas” we hold up without realizing it. Control, comfort, fear, disappointment, and unmet expectations can filter out God’s presence even while He’s moving. Emotional self-protection can look like wisdom, until it hardens our hearts and keeps us from healing. WThen discuss the wisdom of Proverbs 26–28.If you want a challenge, it’s this: name your umbrella and put it down. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review that tells us what line stuck with you.

 We break down Pastor Jared’s Easter message “The Victory You Didn’t See Coming,” starting with a mistake that felt painful in the moment and ending with a reminder that God can turn what you regret into something that strengthens you.Then we open Proverbs 22–25 and get practical about Christian living: choosing a good reputation over riches, building character instead of chasing status, learning self-control, watching how temptation works, practicing wise boundaries, and treating people with empathy when they are carrying a heavy heart. These are small, daily decisions that shape a faith journey over time.Listen, share this with a friend who needs hope, and then subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the show.

We’ve all been there: we love God, we want the promise, we even believe He’s leading us but we still freeze because we can’t see the full plan. We talk about why our world trains us to check every box before we commit, and why the spiritual life doesn’t work that way. We also dig into the idea of process before promise, how spiritual growth happens in the waiting, and why unanswered prayers can be God protecting a bigger purpose. If you’re wrestling with timing, fear, or the unknown “how,” you’ll find language for what you’re feeling and a path forward.Then we shift into our Proverbs series with Proverbs 19, Proverbs 20, and Proverbs 21, pulling out biblical wisdom you can use right now.

Getting spiritually “full” sounds like a win until you realize it can make you picky. When we lose our hunger for God, we start choosing preference over sustenance. That can show up as selective worship, tuning out sermons we think we already know, or only praying when life feels urgent.We talk through why hunger is actually a gift. We get practical about what to do when your hunger feels dim: pray for it, fast, and stay active. Serving, showing up, and sharing your faith can reignite desire because activity creates hunger. Then dive back into Proverbs for more wisdom. If this challenges you, share it with a friend, subscribe for next week, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 

What happens when you’re praying for direction and it feels like God is “typing” but never hitting send? In this episode, we unpack Pastor Jared’s message from the A Simple Question series on “Do I have purpose?” Then we shift into a Proverbs Bible study (Proverbs 13–15) and pull out practical, everyday wisdom around topics like controlling the tongue, choosing gentle answers, taking correction without pride, fearing the Lord, and dealing with jealousy before it spreads. If you want Christian encouragement, biblical wisdom, and practical steps for finding your purpose, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s in the waiting season, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

The “Am I enough?” question can hit like a wave right when God opens a door you prayed for. We talk through why that insecurity is not just about confidence, but about qualification, belonging, and the pressure to prove yourself. When we stop trying to earn our place and start trusting the One who called us, the whole equation changes: God doesn’t demand perfection before obedience, and He doesn’t send us out without supplying what we need.In this episode, we get honest about the nagging fear of not measuring up and why real confidence comes from trusting the God who calls us. We also dig into Proverbs 10–12 and look at how wisdom shows up through integrity, discipline, and words that give life.

Success can look amazing on paper while quietly hollowing out your future. We start with a simple question, and it turns into a gut-check: what have we normalized that is not actually healthy, and what “wins” are we chasing that God never asked us to chase?We process Pastor Jared’s message “Am I successful?” and talk about how self-made metrics keep moving the goalpost, and why comparing your walk to someone else can stunt your spiritual growth. From there, we dive into Proverbs 7, Proverbs 8, and Proverbs 9 and trace the contrast between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Both invite. Both sound persuasive. But one leads to life and clarity, and the other sells “secret” pleasure that ends in death. We also offer a practical filter for daily decisions: stop hunting loopholes with “Is this a heaven or hell issue?” and start asking “Is this wise or unwise?” If you want Christian discipleship that meets real life choices, this one is for you.Subscribe, share this with a friend who feels the pressure to perform, and leave a review with the biggest “scoreboard” you’re ready to stop living for.

We explore what it means to be wanted by God, not just loved, and why that difference ends the scramble for human validation. Then we turn to Proverbs 4–6 for guardrails that keep our hearts steady, our steps straight, and our words clean.• Jesus chooses the flawed before they change• Wanted vs loved• Validation traps •  Unconditional love and identity rooted in Christ• Proverbs: wisdom that guards the heart• Two paths: growing light or blinding darkness• Sin’s honey, double-edged swords, false beliefs• Unity over discord; tie wisdom around your neck

A missed school zone and flashing blue lights turn into more than a traffic story. They become a wake-up call: consequences don’t wait for our awareness. From there we tackle the deeper question that drives so much of our stress, comparison, and striving—am I loved? Then we open Proverbs 1–3 and get practical. So, if you’re tired of performing, unsure about your direction, or feeling the pull of compromise, this conversation gives you a next step you can actually take today.And make sure you tune in next week for another episode as we keep walking through Proverbs together.

What happens when life feels unstable and your instinct is to grab control instead of trust? This episode centers on the difference between feeling safe and being secure, why fear often disguises itself as control or scrambling, and how misplaced trust quietly reshapes identity, relationships, and decisions. We also tackle temptation, not as a random failure, but as something deeply connected to patterns, environments, and preparation.In this episode, we cover:How fear shifts trust from God to circumstancesWhy scrambling, people-pleasing, and control are warning signsWhat real security looks like when life isn’t calmWhy temptation is usually predictable, not suddenThe difference between resisting temptation and starving it earlyHow conviction leads back to God while condemnation pushes you away

A lot of people claim the label “Christian,” but far fewer talk about the everyday reality of actually walking with God. In this episode, we close that gap by discussing what Scripture means by "growing and abounding," why being born of water and Spirit is the starting line (not the finish), and how real faith shows up in daily choices, not just beliefs. We get honest about temptation too. If you’re tired of surface-level faith and want a walk with God that actually reshapes your desires, habits, and direction, this conversation meets you there and points you forward.In this episode, we talk about:Walking with God as daily surrender and alignmentBeing born of water and Spirit as the beginning of transformationHow real change shows up in new desires and new directionBelief vs. a biblical worldview lived out through obedienceTemptation defined as an invitationCommon myths about temptationThe real sources of temptationHow culture feeds lust, pride, and self-rulePractical guardrails: awareness, habits, counsel, and boundaries

What if the enemy doesn’t have to destroy your life, just your identity?In this episode, we discuss Pastor Jared’s new series with an honest conversation about how knowing who you are in Christ changes everything. We talk about the daily battle between flesh and spirit, how lies and self-condemnation can block your calling, and why personal growth is the foundation for real church growth.You’ll hear practical tools like building rhythms of prayer and fasting, learning to “pray first” before reacting, and replacing anxious "am I" thoughts with steady "I am" thoughts. Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen. And make sure you’re following us on Instagram for updates and content. Like a bag. 😎

Season 2 is coming soon. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.