The Unexpected Podcast

One of Satan’s greatest tactics is deception. He is working overtime to distort your identity. Knowing your identity in Christ is essential to the Christian walk.  

Some Christians lean strictly on the New Testament, completely disregarding the Old Testament. Others are drawn primarily to the Old Testament but neglect feeding on the promises of the New Testament. The mature Christian sees the significance of the entire Bible.

Some streams of Christianity strongly emphasize the importance of God’s word but neglect the importance of walking in the Spirit. Others emphasize the Holy Spirit’s work but neglect the importance of a solid knowledge of scripture. The mature Christian recognizes the importance of both.

Some activities ruin our attention spans, diminish our physical health, and obstruct our spiritual well-being. Others enhance these aspects of our lives. Let's talk about it.

Lee and Amy discuss love in the context of King Solomon's life, drawing from 1 Kings 11 and other biblical passages.   “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” ‭‭I John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬

Do you embrace a good challenge? Or do you run from it? Let's talk about the benefits of facing challenges with a growth mindset.   “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway   “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” - Frederick Douglass   “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” - Chinese Proverb   “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” - Babe Ruth   “It is never too late to be who you might have been.” - George Eliot

Amy and Lee celebrate their 100th episode as Amy poses hypothetical questions to Lee, such as "What if you could view your life played out on screen? How would you react?"

People respond to truth in various ways. Lee and Amy discuss this idea in the context of adaptability, intelligence, and scripture.   “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Albert Einstein   “Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.” Isaiah 59:14-15 NLT

Nicholas’s existence is not attested by any historical document, so nothing certain is known of his life except that he was probably bishop of Myra in the 4th century. According to tradition, he was born in the ancient Lycian seaport city of Patara, and, when young, traveled to Palestine and Egypt. He became bishop of Myra soon after returning to Lycia. He was imprisoned and likely tortured during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian but was released under the rule of Constantine the Great. He may have attended the first Council of Nicaea (325), where he allegedly struck the heretic Arius in the face. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas

Lee and Amy discuss the value of traditions as well as the importance of being flexible enough to create new ones.

Who were the Pharisees, and why did Jesus rebuke them so harshly? How many of us have Pharisee-like traits? Let's talk about it.   "A Pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself." A.W. Tozer

Most people feel lonely at one time or another. Let's talk about it.   " Loneliness does not come from having no people around you, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you. Loneliness is rarely about empty rooms. It is about carrying words you cannot say and truths you do not feel safe to share. Healing is learning to speak what matters most so you are no longer alone with it. This is the work of letting yourself be seen and known for who you really are." Carl Jung

Lee and Amy discuss powerful truths embedded in Isaiah 55. Key scripture: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

In this episode, Lee and Amy discuss the downside of some current ideologies.

Join Lee and Amy as they explore the keys to a successful and thriving marriage.

What does it mean to bear one another's burdens? Let's talk about it.   "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load." Galatians 6:2

Lee and Amy discuss the increasing use of foul language in our culture, as well as various biblical passages that shed light on the importance of choosing our words wisely.

In this episode, Lee and Amy discuss the benefits of the "live and let live" approach in relationships. Many arguments could be avoided if individuals would refrain from turning everyday preferences into huge issues by one party.

This week, our hosts switched roles and Lee surprised Amy with the question: 'How much is too much?,' delving into ideas about placing too much emphasis on temporary things, as well as the benefits of steady, consistent growth.

Lee and Amy discuss the benefits of a “word in season” as promised in the book of Proverbs.

Lee and Amy discuss the challenges of remaining at peace in the current social climate.

Lee and Amy discuss personal encounters with danger and how God's hand has guided and protected them through many precarious situations.

In this week's episode, Lee and Amy discuss the richness of reading fiction and how stories can reinforce biblical truth and offer guidance in life.  

On this week's episode, Lee and Amy examine how culture has evolved over the last couple of decades. Things once considered "edgy" have become more mainstream, while many conservative ideals are now counter-cultural.

Praise is a recurring theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting its importance in worship, gratitude, and spiritual empowerment. Lee and Amy explore its many dimensions in this week's discussion.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬     “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We made it to episode 80! So, we’re discussing the 1980s and how it was a time of growth and extravagance. Growth is good, but is bigger always better?

Lee and Amy discuss recent declines in the number of young men getting married. What societal changes are driving this trend?

Are our modern ways robbing us of a better quality of life? Let's talk about it.

The phrase "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies" is commonly attributed to the Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith. He used a variation of the phrase, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no fibs", in his 1773 play, "She Stoops to Conquer".   Source

In this episode, Lee poses the question: “What do you do when you’re too fringe for the church but too righteous for the secular world?”

Lee and Amy delve into the topic of darkness, centered around verses from the book of Ephesians. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15, 16

Do you ever get tired of so many aspects of our culture seeming artificial or fake? Let’s talk about it.

Lee and Amy discuss some of the ways God intervenes on behalf of his creation.   “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalms 91:11-12 

Lee and Amy discuss collecting, consumerism, hoarding, and more.

Lee and Amy discuss spiritual hunger and residing in God’s presence. “For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself; and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience, they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their being, their spirit.” - A.W. Tozer

In this episode, we explore the topic of creativity. “Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid of standing still.” - Chinese proverb “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” Marc Chagall

Are you facing disappointment and discouragement in life? Let’s talk about it.   “Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.” Isaiah 51:11 NLT     “Once a Christian gets eaten up with discouragement and unbelief, it takes a great deal to shake him out of it. Those two emotions are the masterstrokes of Satan. So long as the child of God maintains an attitude of praise and trust in the Lord, then he is invincible. Once the devil gets him discouraged, that poor man is really going to take a knocking!” Alan Redpath, British minister and revivalist

In this episode, Lee asks the question: "Should you ask questions or should you just settle for not knowing?" 

In this episode, we cover a hodgepodge of topics ranging from memes, music, culture, and escapism.

There is no universal standard when it comes to musical tastes or preferences. What factors contribute to the music we prefer and the music we’d rather do without?   Let’s talk about it.

God is unchanging. Most Christians would agree with this statement, and yet, many have a different view of God as represented in the Old Testament versus the New Testament. Let's talk about it.

If your life were a movie, what would the audience be screaming for you to do right now?   Let’s talk about it.

What do you do when forgiving others isn’t enough to secure your emotional healing?   Let’s talk about it.

We all have talents and abilities, but it’s important to guard against thinking our own might and power are all we need when trouble comes. In this week’s podcast, we examine the words of Zechariah, the prophet.   “So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

Many organizations, including churches, tend to develop a culture comprised of unspoken practices, rules, and paradigms that are not to be questioned. But God gave us a mind, equipped with the ability to know his word for ourselves and to think through situations. We shouldn’t turn a blind eye to that which contradicts God’s ways.  

Lee and Amy discuss what C.S. Lewis had to say about being engulfed in the news of the day, particularly as stated in the quote below: "It is one of the evils of rapid diffusion of news that the sorrows of all the world come to us every morning. I think each village was meant to feel pity for its own sick and poor whom it can help and I doubt if it is the duty of any private person to fix his mind on ills which he cannot help. (This may even become an escape from the works of charity we really can do to those we know). A great many people do now seem to think that the mere state of being worried is in itself meritorious. I don’t think it is. We must, if it so happens, give our lives for others: but even while we’re doing it, I think we’re meant to enjoy Our Lord and, in Him, our friends, our food, our sleep, our jokes, and the birds song and the frosty sunrise." - C.S. Lewis

The earth belongs to the Lord, but according to Psalm 115:16, God has entrusted humans with its stewardship. What is our responsibility as overseers of earth?

There are often simple, practical solutions to everyday problems. While many of life’s troubles can’t be remedied with simple solutions, Lee and Amy discuss scenarios where solutions are available if applied.  

We tend to read scripture through a Western lens, based on doctrine as it has been presented to us, through our own logical mindset, or some combination of both. On this episode, we explore scriptures that are often overlooked but have a lot to say about God, family, and our interaction with the spirit realm.