THIS IS THE LIFE PODCAST

More Than Enough Grace

Have you ever had days that seem to begin with a heaviness you can’t quite explain.

It may not be one big thing at all. Sometimes it’s just the weight of several little things that settled on your heart and mind over time.
Maybe it’s a burden for your family, or maybe it’s simply a tiredness that no amount of sleep can help.

There are mornings when your feet hit the floor, and before the day has even fully begun, your mind is already trying to solve...

GUIDED BY HIS WHISPER

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

There’s something special about the quiet after the silence.

It’s that moment when your heart has settled down, your thoughts quit racing, and you can just feel the Lord nearby. Sometimes it comes early in the morning, sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching the sunlight ease its way across the trees and fields. The worl...

From the Rugged Cross to the Empty Tomb

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8
There’s something sacred about the days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It’s a quiet kind of holy—the kind that whispers deep into your soul, reminding you of both the weight of the cross and the wonder of the resurrection.
MUSIC Composed By: Mike Outland

UNLESS GOD GOES WITH ME
Exodus 33:15 reminds us that true direction, peace, and purpose are found only in God’s presence. When Moses declared, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence,” he acknowledged a powerful truth: progress without God is empty. This verse speaks to every believer who desires to walk in obedience rather than self-reliance. It teaches that success, movement, and even good intentions mean nothing if God is not leading the way. Exodus 33:15 calls us to pause, seek God’s presence, and refuse to move forward unless He goes with us. In a world...

WHAT ABOUT TODAY

James 4:13-15
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Psalm 118:24
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

For me there is something sacred about a new day from the view of the front porch.

Before the day gets busy, before the phone rings, before the demands of life begin to pull at our thoughts, there is that quiet moment when the world seems to hold its breath for just a few moments.
The morning air feels fresh, the birds begin their songs of Praise, and the first rays of sunlight start to shine thro...

COULD IT BE THE ANGELS
There are moments in life that leave us quietly wondering exactly what has happened.

Maybe A stranger stops when you’re stranded on the road at just the right time.
Or it’s a kind word that comes when your heart seems like it’s breaking.
It’s like Help appears in a way that feels too perfectly timed to call it a coincidence.
In those moments, we can’t help but pause and ask, Was Angels closer than I realized?

Scripture gives us reason to hold that thoug...

The Cry of Your Heart

Psalm 34:6
“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

In this chapter, David does not speak as a king, or as a mighty warrior.
Instead, he speaks simply as “this poor man.” It is a reminder that before God, our greatest strength is often found in our weakest moments.

The word “poor” in Psalm 34:6 comes from the Hebrew word “ani.”
It carries the mean...

Beyond The Silence

There are times in our walk with God when the words simply will not come. Our hearts may be full, our minds may feel tired, and our prayers may seem unfinished. We sit quietly before the Lord, unsure of what to say, yet deeply aware that we need His presence more than ever.

In those moments, the silence can feel uncomfortable at first. We are so used to filling our prayers with words, requests, and thoughts that quietness can seem like we are not praying the right way.
Yet the Lord often...

WHEN WORDS WON’T DO

Romans 8:26
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

There are moments in life when our hearts seem full, yet the words are gone.
We sit quietly before the Lord, wanting to pray, wanting to say something meaningful, but the thoughts seem tangled and the words simply refuse to come.
Our minds feel overwhelmed, and our hearts carry more than we can express at the...

Psalm 55:22
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

There are moments in life when the weight of things becomes more than we can carry. Responsibilities pile up. Worries seem to haunt in the back of our minds. Some Decisions linger longer than we expected.
And before long, we find ourselves carrying burdens that God never intended for us to hold alone.

The Psalmist gives us a simple invitation: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD.”

The word cast means to throw or...

Trusting In God’s Plan

Psalm 37:5
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

As the week comes to a close, it’s a good time to take inventory of all we have come through this week.
We think about the prayers we prayed, the struggles we faced, the people we tried to help, and the moments when we simply tried to walk faithfully with the Lord.

But the beauty of the Christian life is that it was never meant to make it through...

When Christ gave up the ghost on the cross.
It is written that the veil in the temple tore from the top to the bottom.
And this was a powerful symbol that we now have accessed directly to God.
But we must understand that this morning.
That that access only comes through his son Jesus Christ.

God's will, his direction, his wisdom, his power, and so much more.
It's all available to everyone who approaches him, through faith, in his son Jesus.

A Life That Matters

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

In a world that constantly measures success by comparison, it can be easy to feel like we are failing to meet the expectations of others.
Someone always seems to have more, accomplish more, or be recognized more. But the Bible reminds us that a life that...

The Freedom of Forgiveness

Scripture

Colossians 3:12-13
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.


Forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts God has given to us.
Yet for many people, it is also one of the hardest things to truly embrace and understand.
We often understand forgiveness as a command, but...

Rebuilding What Is Broken

Nehemiah 2:17 – “Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.”

The Picture of This Broken Wall

When Nehemiah looked upon the city of Jerusalem, he saw ruins where strength used to stand. The walls were down, the gates were burned, and the people were living in shame.
The city without walls was vulnerable to every enemy, it was...

Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

There is something powerful about the way God designed relationships. None of us were meant to walk this journey alone. Just as iron tools were sharpened in Bible times by rubbing them against another piece of iron, our lives are strengthened, refined, and sharpened through the influence of others.

Iron sharpening iron is not always a quiet or effortless process. When metal meets metal, there is friction. Sparks may fly. But the purpose is not harm—it is improvement. The result is a shar...

THIS IS THE LIFE PODCAST
Discover the power of commitment through Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Learn how dedicating your efforts to God leads to success, purpose, and divine guidance in your life. Explore biblical insights on trust, faith, and perseverance.

Music composed by Mike Outland

Strength In The Stillness

Isaiah 30:15
“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”

Life has a way of filling every moment with noise.
Responsibilities, worries, schedules, can make us feel like we are always running toward the next thing.
Even when we slow down physically, our minds can still be racing with concerns about tomorrow.

Yet God often reminds us of something very different from the pace of t...

Growing In The New Life

Colossians 2:6–7
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Spring reminds us that life has returned. The buds appear on the trees, the grass turns green, and flowers begin to bloom again. It is one of the most beautiful reminders in creation that God is a God of new beginnings.
But spring also teaches us something else.
New life is only the be...

The Promise of Spring

2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Every year, spring quietly reminds us of one of God’s most beautiful promises—the promise of new life.
All through the winter months the trees stand bare, the ground seems lifeless, and the cold winds make everything feel still and dormant. It can almost appear as if life has disappeared. But dormant does not mean things are dead.
Beneath the surface, something is happening that our...

I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID

Psalm 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

We often face situations we do not fully understand, times where the future seems unclear, and there are circumstances that try to stir up fear in our hearts. In those moments, David’s words here in Psalm 27 remind us of a truth: and that is that our confidence is not found in circumstances, it’s found in the Lord Himself.

Intro Music By...

THE WAY GOD PROVIDES
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “The Lord will provide.” It’s often said with hopeful assurance in moments of uncertainty—when the bills are piling up, when the job offer hasn’t come, when the path ahead looks foggy at best. But what does it truly mean when we say, “God will provide”? And how can we trust in that promise when the evidence around us seems scarce?

Philippians 4:19 is one of the most comforting verses in Scripture: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

He’s Been There All Along

There are often places in our lives that mean more than they seem at the time.
For me, it’s an old cedar tree nestled down in the rocks behind our home.
It’s stood there longer than I have been alive.
Its roots are wrapped tight around the rocky hillside.
When I was younger, I would sit against that tree and just talk. I talked about dreams. I talked about fears. I talked about things I didn’t even understand yet.
At the time, I thought I was ju...

Stronger Than Before

James 1:2–4
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

There is a different kind of strength that only comes after a struggle.

Not the kind of strength that boasts or draws attention, but the quiet kind.
The kind that has been tested, stretched, and refined and pressurized.
James tells us to “count it all joy” when we face va...

This Is The Life

Psalm 90:14

“O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

There is something sacred about a quiet porch in the early morning.
I realize that everyone may not have a front porch, but it is a very scared place for my wife and I.

Before the noise begins. Before responsibilities start to press in.
Before the world starts demanding my attention. It is in those gentle moments — where the cool morning meets the day, that the heart often hears...

After The Storm

Mark 4:39–40
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

There is something about the silence after a storm. A time to exhale and observe what has happened.

One moment the wind is howling or the waves are crashing.
The next moment everything is calm.
In Mark chapter four, Jesus stepped into the chaos...

Steady In The Storm

This time of the year, people begin to think about and talk about “The Storm Season”. Just like storms in our area are very unpredictable, the storms of our lives can be as well.

Isaiah gives us a promise that feels almost impossible in turbulent times: perfect peace. Not partial peace. Not temporary relief. Perfect peace.

Isaiah 26:3
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Storms have a way of revealing what we are anchored to.

In...

Ready For What’s Coming

Ecclesiastes 3:1
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

We are all aware that Life moves in seasons. Some are bright and full of promise. Others feel like long winters where nothing seems to grow.
But Scripture reminds us that every season carries a purpose. Nothing is random in the Hands of God.

Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Unexpected Favor

Psalm 106:46
“He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.”

There are moments in life when we feel like we have being held captive to circumstances we did not choose.
Doors close without explanation and Opportunities seem to fade for no apparent reason .
We may even wonder if we have somehow stepped outside of God’s will.
But Psalm 106:46 gives us a powerful and comforting reminder that even in the midst of the captive mindset, God can cause favor to rise up in unexpected places.
<...

The Potter Knows

Jeremiah 18:2-4
2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

It’s so important to know that our lives are not random moments spinning without a purpose.
These verses remind us...

Keep Moving Forward

Philippians 3:13–14
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There is something powerful and important about the word press.
It implies resistance and It suggests something that takes effort.
It seems to acknowledge that moving forward is not always easy.
Yet Paul said, “This one thing I do.” Not ten things...

Getting To The Root

Matthew 7:17-18
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every fruit starts in the root.

If You walk into an orchard and see that the apples are all bad, you don’t blame the apples, You look at the tree.
The fruit simply reveals what is really going on beneath the surface.
Yet in our spiritual lives, we often sp...

Acceptance by God is settled through Christ. It is not fragile. It does not rise and fall with opinions or circumstances. It is rooted in a relationship through the Blood of Jesus Christ.
That truth alone can steady your heart that perhaps has grown tired from trying to always measure up to others expectations.

Many believers quietly struggle with this.
We say we trust God, yet we still measure ourselves by the reactions of others. Their praise, their silence, their agreement, their disapproval.

Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Your Response Matters

James 1:19 — “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

Each Sunday morning some of us gather for prayer before the days Worship service begins.
In those moments we often ask the Lord for something simple but very powerful: that He would help us see with Spiritual eyesight, hear with Spiritual ears tuned toward Truth, and respond wisely to whatever the day brings.
That prayer lines us up with the instruction in James which is to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and sl...

Learning To Fly

Learning to fly is not about trying to escape life, it is about rising above the challenges of life.
Long before a bird ever leaves the nest, it learns to trust the strength it was given and the air that will carry it once it Learns to fly.
In much the same way, our walk with God is a daily lesson in trust. Not once. Not occasionally. But moment by moment.

Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Song: “LEARNING TO FLY” written and composed by: Eddie B. Woodard

God’s Plan For You – Deliverance

Our key verse in this week has been:
1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

This reveals the enemy’s intentions, but the very next verse reveals the believer’s response and God’s direction.

1 Peter 5:9 — “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

What we see is God never points out a threat without also giving us a strategy.
His...

The Enemy’s Plan For You – Pt. 4: Destruction

Scripture warns us that the enemy never stops at simple doubt or discouragement. His path, if left unchecked, always moves toward destruction. Jesus made this plain in
John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

That is not just some poetic type saying, it is a spiritual reality.
The enemy’s goal is not merely to make life difficult; it is to tear d...

The Enemy’s Plan For You – PT. 3: Depression

In this series we’ve looked at how the enemy often works in stages, first doubt, which if left unchecked will lead to discouragement.
If those seeds are left unattended, they can grow heavier, sometimes settling into what the Bible refers to as Spiritual heaviness or becoming “Dismayed”, or to become depressed.

Our verse for this series remains:
1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
But in the context of this subject, God enc...