In Focus

In Focus

Taking fresh looks at the Bible and some big Christian ideas and how they bring the world into focus, empowering us to live a more eternal kind of life within it.

Episodes

December 1, 2023 23 mins

This episode concludes "The Business at Hand" series by returning to Luke 19 for a final look at two big, important Christian ideas: faithfulness and judgment.

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Luke records our last account of the King's final instructions for the disciples just before his ascension. After recounting many details we've heard previously from Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke makes this distinct and important contribution to the business at hand – the King doesn't intend for us to do this on our own. We must first wait to be filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

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John brings us our third account of the King's business for the disciples between his ascension and his return. Specifically, our business is to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation. The business at hand is to see people being made right with God, right with each other, and right in the world around them.

Contact info: justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

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Mark as Played
November 9, 2023 16 mins

Today's episode brings into focus the business at hand according to the King's commission in Mark - Gospeling.

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justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Mark as Played
November 2, 2023 19 mins

Matthew 28 records the first account of the King's final instructions for his disciples before his ascension. This "Great Commission" is simply this: Make Disciples.

Today's episode is simply an exercise in hearing what Jesus had to say:
1. Everyone is to BE a disciple. And every disciple is to MAKE disciples of everyone else. Even the doubters.
2. Discipleship is a life of OBEYING and ABIDING.
3. Disciple...

Mark as Played

Today's episode is 1 of 5 regarding the business at hand for those of us living between the King's ascension and his return.

Episode Link

justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Mark as Played

Today we look at Mark 4:26–29 and Jesus' vision of life when he is our Savior and King. This vision matches Jesus' own example of ministry, mission, and disciple making. Globally, this passage corresponds with a simple tool known as 4Fields, which brings into focus, clearly and simply, a vision for ministry and mission. This foundational passage and tool provide the framework from which we will build out other disciple-mak...

Mark as Played

This second episode on movements explores 2 pairs of values, 2 pairs of biblical principles important for initiating and sustaining disciple-making and church-planting movements. 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/12895860

Mark as Played
November 17, 2022 11 mins

I'm back! After a much-longer-than-expected hiatus, it's time for a quick look back on what God was doing back in the days of the New Testament to appreciate what (and how) God is moving in the world today. (You can also check out this movement overview video.)

It's great to be back kicking off the first in what is hopefully an inspiring and life-changing series.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/117...

Mark as Played

Today finds us in Daniel 5 discovering a number of poignant takeaways from the examples of Belshazzar (what NOT to do) and Daniel (what to do) as the historical Babylonian empire comes to an end.

Contact email: justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Discovering Jesus (Amazon link)

Today's episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/9566178

Mark as Played

This episode continues our look at how to live faithfully in the intersection of culture, politics, and faith in often less-than-ideal circumstances. Learning from the events of Daniel 4, we learn that, regarding life in Babylon, it's hard to predict exactly how things are going to unfold. What we do along the way, as God's faithful people, is to speak the truth boldly and compassionately in order to help those around us m...

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Today's episode is setup by an epic adventure in missing the point. God has spoken. But a short memory and blinding pride get the best of an evil king, setting us up for one of the most famous stories in the Bible. It has a lot to teach us about living in Babylon and it's pretty enjoyable along the way!

Contact: justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Direct link to this episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episode...

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Today's episode dives into Daniel 2 to see what we might have to learn from Daniel about living faithfully in the intersection of politics, history, and culture. What emerges are some big ideas: Prudence, Discretion, and Dependence.

Here's a direct link to today's episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/9397661

And here's the email if you'd like to request an upcoming topic or passage: justlaughwi...

Mark as Played

Today's episode dives into Daniel 1 in search of wisdom and big ideas by which we might better discern how live faithfully in the intersection of history, politics, religion, and culture. It's certainly not easy, but it's doable.  What emerges is a pair of surprising and challenging ideas: concession and distinction. Both define Daniel in chapter one. Both require tremendous discernment in our own times and places. Enjoy!<...

Mark as Played

Today's episode, the second in the series, is an interview with Justin's long-time friend and inspiration behind the series on Daniel, Mark Thomas.

Contact: justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/9274994

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This episode kicks off a new series on Daniel and Babylon. It takes a look at the expansive role of Babylon in the biblical narrative and imagination from Genesis 10 all the way to Revelation 18. This sets us up to understand and appreciate the value of what we discover in Daniel 1–7. Daniel was faithful even in the midst of the  treacherous political and cultural forces working against him. We must be too. 

justlau...

Mark as Played
April 30, 2021 21 mins

Today we reflect on a famous prophecy from Deuteronomy about the One who will succeed Moses in speaking to the people on behalf of the holy God. 

Episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/8435620

justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Mark as Played
April 15, 2021 9 mins

Today's episode is a brief reflection on a conversation between God and Moses in Exodus 33. It is all about what makes God's people distinct from all of the people around them.

Link to today's episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/806117/episodes/8342709

Contact email: justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Pilot (Justin's new book)

Mark as Played
April 6, 2021 14 mins

Jesus concluded his most famous sermon with some wisdom for those staring at a stormy horizon with the tide rolling in. We're facing a similar situation today and ready for the wisdom that Jesus has to offer us.

justlaughwithjody@gmail.com

Pilot (Justin's new book on Amazon)

Stormy Horizons episode link

Mark as Played
November 10, 2020 24 mins

Today's show kicks off a series on doing the Sermon on the Mount. 

Takeaways in thinking and living and being from Matthew 5:3-11:

  1. Perspective. We have to think and live and speak in light of what God is up to in the world.
  2. Christlikeness. Jesus' way is not the world's way. His is the way of the cross and so is ours as his followers, even as we live in hope and anticipation of resurrection.

Email: justlaughwit...

Mark as Played

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