The Simple Not Shallow Podcast

Hello,

Welcome to the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. My name is Charles, and this is the Coffee Side Chat series. So named because of this amazing cup of coffee sitting on the counter right beside me. We are coming to you from the hallowed halls of Mykitchen University. The kitchen counter is the perfect place to stand, talk, laugh, and learn together while sipping on a cup of beautiful coffee.

Let me ask you a quest...

In this episode, we will do this by delving into the common experience of feeling that God has withdrawn from us as Christians. Many of us have encountered this feeling where he seems so distant, though there was a time when we felt so close to him. What’s up with that?

In looking into this, I came up with two suggestions. I know there may be more, and please leave others in the comments section for me.

Scripture...

In this episode, we are going to look at the best and worst parts of Christian life. And we are going to do this while looking through the lens of what it means to be a Christian, which is a following of Jesus that involves a relationship leading to studentship leading to living a life based on everything learned. Indeed, it is only as we look through this lens that we can see these parts as being fully the best and fully the worst...

In this episode, we are going to talk about the question: Who is Jesus? I know. In a fairly short video, are we going to explore this question fully? Yeah, no. But we are going to talk about a framework you can use while pursuing your relationship with him while learning who he is.

So, what comes to mind when you hear the question, who is Jesus? You might be saying, “He is God.” Yes, but is that all we know about who he is...

In this episode, we are going to consider the questions: what is prayer, and why is it so important? Many have talked about prayer, going into depth on the hows and whys of it all. 

So… what can a man, even one standing in these hallowed halls while chatting over a cup of coffee, contribute to the insights of such heavy hitters as these and other thoughtful scholars? I don’t know, but what better place to kick around an id...

In this episode, we are going to consider the question, what is Christianity? Or to phrase it another way, what does it mean to be a Christian?

I mean, the goal here is to view every topic discussed through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. We should probably discuss what it means to be a Christian. Right? 

Here’s what I have found while looking through the Bible. Christianity is following Jesus. Now, before you say, “Gee,...

I’m Charles, and this is the Simple Not Shallow Podcast.

In this episode, I want to introduce our new series of Podcast episodes. Entitled the Coffee-side Chat series. So named because of this cup of coffee on the counter right beside me. And we’re coming to you from the hallowed halls of Mykitchen University. The kitchen table is the perfect place to sit, talk, laugh, and learn together. While sipping on a cup of beautiful coffee.<...

After our last conversation, it took Old Man Tom a few days to get back by the house. But as old as he is, his memory is tack sharp. Indeed, it was he who reminded me that he had wanted to follow up and share what our last conversation had inspired. 

He started off by saying, “Good morning, Charles. Hey, have you heard the rumor about the butter?”

“The butter? No.”

“Oh, I’m not going to spread it.” Now, I may have grimaced just a litt...

The other day, as I was sweeping off my front porch, Old Man Tom came by and asked me something that caught me slightly off guard. He started simply enough by saying, “Good morning, Charles.” 

 But it is what he said next that caught me off-guard. He said, “Did you know the earth is 70% water?”

“Had no idea.”

“It is. And as importantly, all that is uncarbonated.”

I stared at him for a moment. Then hesitantly asked, “And?”

“Well, technic...

The other day, I was speaking with Old Man Tom. Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him anyway. Nobody really knows why. Personally, I think it’s because he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is a very sage individual, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. 

Anyway, on that particular day, the first thing he said was, “Charles, I’ve had an epiphany about how I clean house.”

“An epiphany about cleaning ...

The other day, a good friend of mine stopped by, Old Man Tom. Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him. Though, I genuinely don't know why that is. Whether that is because he’s a wise old soul or, simply put, he’s just older than dirt. I like to think it’s because he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is very sage, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. 

 Anyway, he came by and said, “Good morning...

The other day, I was speaking with Old Man Tom, a good friend of mine; Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him anyway. Though, I truly don't know why that is. Whether that is because he’s a wise old soul or, simply put, because he is older than dirt. I like to think it’s cause he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is a very sage individual, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. I’m telling ya.

A...

This past week I have had cause to get angry at work. Now, the ins and outs of why are not crucial to our chat. For we all know what it’s like to get mad at work, right? But the anger itself is what is of interest. Because it brought to mind an age-old question; is getting angry a sin? Is it a sign of weak faith? This is what we are going to chat about in this episode.

Now, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes, and this is the first e...

Can I just say that once again, the Psalms have turned what I have thought about asking for God’s blessing on its head? Here, the psalmist asks God to bless the king so that others may also become blessed. Also, this gives a whole new perspective to something that two other psalms say. For instance, in Psalm 1…. Well, tell you what, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s first hear the psalm; then, we can chat. 

Also, before beginn...

Can I just say that, once again, I have been pleasantly surprised to find in the Psalms a most excellent example of a teaching of Jesus? Yes, a teaching of Jesus and one from James. The teaching of Jesus is that of having troubles in this world but to be of good cheer found in John 16:33. And the one from James is that trials should be considered pure joy as they help produce perseverance, which brings about spiritual maturity and ...

Can I just say that I never considered pain and sorrow to be a part of a worship service before? Yet, here, the psalmist is very honest about his pain, sorrow, and despair, and still, this Psalm is contained in the prayer book of the Bible. Now, let’s keep perspective, the pain and sorrow are not being celebrated but the Psalmist’s response to them is a profound act of faith and worship. Now, well…. Tell you what, before delving in...

Can I just say that this Psalm contains so much that wants to be spoken about; that it has been difficult deciding what to talk about? For instance, there is the topic of Christians encountering despair and how to deal with it. There is also the topic of just how gritty and realistic Scripture can be in portraying hard times and difficult emotions. So much to talk about and so little time. So, to choose just one topic, the one thin...

Can I just say that while context is king, tone may well be the Secretary of State? It is amazing how the tone used when we hear or read something colors how we listen to it; if we listen to it. For instance, the word “Hello.” Depending on the tone, it can be very warm and welcoming, or cold and even almost rude. The same is true of how we read the Bible. Isn’t that intriguing? The Bible can sound very warm, welcoming, and compassi...

Can I just say that moving is one of my least favorite things in the world to do? But for the past two weeks, that’s where I have been, moving. But thankfully, that is all behind us now. I apologize that it got in the way of getting this episode to you an episode last week. But we’re back, we’re moving, and here we go with episode 96. Thank you for understanding. Enjoy.

Now, can I just say, concerning this Psalm, that the thing that...