Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast CCEF Podcast: Where Life & Scripture Meet
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| Walking Through Life Transitions & Embracing Change | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:33:51 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the topic of life transitions, sharing personal stories and insights on common struggles, temptations, and opportunities that arise during these changes. They discuss the importance of recognizing God's presence and providence through both big and small changes, and they share some encouragements they've found in Scripture.
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| The Beauty of Adoption into God's Family | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:36:32 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the profound doctrine of adoption into God's family, discussing its theological significance and personal implications. Our hosts reflect on their own experiences and the relational significance of understanding God as a loving Father. They discuss how we often struggle with an orphan mentality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's identity as a beloved child of God. Finally, they highlight the future inheritance that comes with being adopted into God's family. | |||
| Biblical Self-Examination: Involving God & Others | 06 Oct 2025 | 00:40:20 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the importance of self-examination. They explore how self-examination is not merely a self-focused endeavor but a process that involves God and others. The conversation highlights the benefits of self-examination, including personal growth, awareness of one's weaknesses, and the recognition of God's grace. They also address common pitfalls, such as self-shaming and misguided approaches, and emphasize the need to also look for the good as part of the biblical self-examination process. | |||
| How to Grow in Patience | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:32:25 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the multifaceted nature of patience. From personal anecdotes to biblical insights, listen as they delve into why patience is challenging, how it can lead to profound personal growth, and practical ways to develop patience in challenging situations. They discuss how patience shapes our relationships, our understanding of God's timing, and our ability to trust in his plans.
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| Understanding & Cultivating Forgiveness | 01 Sep 2025 | 00:38:24 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the complexity of forgiveness. They address common misconceptions, the true meaning of forgiveness, the challenges we all face, and how to cultivate a forgiving spirit. They also emphasize the importance of understanding forgiveness as Christians, highlighting the balance between justice and mercy.
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| Cultivating Gratitude: A Christian Perspective | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:41:56 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the topic of cultivating gratitude as a Christian. They discuss practical ways to foster gratitude in daily life, the challenges posed by a discontented culture, and the importance of perspective. They emphasize the coexistence of gratitude and sorrow, the transformative power of gratitude, and the need for humility in recognizing God's gifts.
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| Progressive Sanctification: Understanding Our Union with Christ | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:37:47 | |
In this episode, Gunner Gundersen, Darby Strickland, and Esther Liu discuss the process of progressive sanctification. They explore its meaning and implications, and how it plays out in the lives of believers. How does our union and relationship with Christ serve as the foundation for our sanctification? How does growing in our understanding of this help us become more like Jesus? While sanctification can be a messy process, there is hope and encouragement in recognizing that our growth in Christ is a journey, not a destination, and that God is committed to us throughout this process.
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| Finding Faith When God Seems Silent | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:37:08 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty Gunner Gundersen, Esther Liu, and Darby Strickland discuss the often painful experience of feeling that God is silent. They explore the emotional turmoil and spiritual distress that accompanies this silence, particularly during prolonged suffering, and how it can lead to feelings of abandonment and doubt. Gunner, Esther, and Darby talk about how Scripture provides a framework for understanding and processing this experience of silence, and they discuss the commonality of this struggle among Christians. Ultimately, we hope this episode encourages you to trust in God's faithfulness, even when his presence feels distant, and to find solace in the stories of others who have endured similar trials.
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| Navigating the Chaos in a Culture of Busyness | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:36:28 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the pervasive issue of busyness. They explore how busyness can often be a form of suffering, how our misguided desires can exacerbate the experience, and how the Lord's compassion makes a difference. They discuss why it's hard to say no to good things and the costs of busyness, and they highlight the freedom that comes from the reality of God's sovereignty and his presence in our busy world. Mentioned in this episode: Read an important update from CCEF's Board of Trustees here. Related resources:
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| Loneliness: How to Find Connection in a Disconnected World | 19 May 2025 | 00:36:07 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the different ways we can experience loneliness, particularly within church community. They explore the importance of recognizing and addressing these emotions, as well as finding ways to move toward those on the margins. They consider some helpful practices and insights on how to navigate loneliness, such as viewing others as family, taking one step at a time, moving outward, and being honesty before the Lord.
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| Navigating the Complexity of Church Relationships | 05 May 2025 | 00:38:56 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the challenges and expectations that come with church relationships. They discuss the importance of clear communication, understanding different personalities, and the role of vulnerability in fostering meaningful connections. They emphasize how our future hope and the steadfast friendship of Jesus are a source of comfort and strength in navigating these relationships. | |||
| Finding Ways to Engage with the Bible | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:33:21 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the common struggle of engaging with Scripture, especially during difficult seasons. They consider God's patience and gracious intent for our Scripture reading, what it means to engage with the Word even when we don't hunger for it, and creative ways to engage with Scripture, such as through art or memorization. The conversation emphasizes the long-term nature of engaging with the Bible and the significance of community in fostering a deeper connection with God's Word. Related resources:
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| Overcoming Discouragement: The Role of Scripture, Community & Endurance | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:35:10 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss discouragement and its various dimensions. They emphasize the importance of language in articulating discouragement and how honest expression can lead to deeper conversations with God. The conversation also delves into scriptural insights that provide hope and encouragement, highlighting the role of endurance and prayer. | |||
| Anxiety & the Body: Understanding the Physical Aspects of Anxiety | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:41:27 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the interplay between anxiety and the body, discussing personal experiences and insights. They consider the impact of past experiences on anxiety responses, the significance of community, and practical strategies for navigating anxiety in the moment. | |||
| God & Anxiety: Turning to Him for a Deeper Connection | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:33:18 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty share personal experiences of anxiety and consider how it manifests in many different ways. They share insights from Scripture and talk about how anxiety is a continual opportunity for conversation with the Lord. | |||
| Finding Hope in Psalms of Lament | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:29:59 | |
In this episode, CCEF faculty share personal experiences and insights on how psalms of lament provide a framework for expressing sorrow and confusion, emphasizing the importance of honesty in prayer. The conversation explores the difference between lamenting and grumbling, highlighting the relational aspect of lamenting to God, who is compassionate and welcomes us to bring our suffering to him. Related resources:
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| [NEW] Navigating Conflict: Insights from Biblical Counseling | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:30:40 | |
We're excited to be back with a new edition of the podcast! Join Alasdair Groves, Esther Liu, Gunner Gundersen, and Darby Strickland twice a month, on every 1st and 3rd Monday, as they discuss various topics, always seeking to bring the riches of Scripture to bear on the complexities of life. In today's episode, "Navigating Conflict: Insights from Biblical Counseling," CCEF faculty discuss the complexities of conflict, exploring its emotional toll, the normalcy of it a broken world, and how the Lord speaks into and transforms our experience. They conclude with some practical ways we can move toward others and the Lord in the midst of conflict. Related resource: | |||
| Replay: When You Can't Sleep | 01 Jan 2025 | 00:16:30 | |
"We have a God who loves, cares, and knows, and I can rest utterly in the hope that he will be with me, he will walk with me, and he will provide. He will care for every last moment of my day tomorrow as I am exhausted." Do you ever have nights where you can't sleep? Whatever the reason may be, struggling to sleep is a form of suffering. In this rerun of an episode originally released in 2022, Alasdair Groves explores what it looks like to lean on the Lord when we can't sleep, assured that he is near and he cares.
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| Daily Bread: Today's Strength for Anxious People | 15 Dec 2024 | 00:40:33 | |
Would you consider donating to CCEF to help us continue to provide the church with resources that mine the treasures of Scripture for the troubles of life? You can give at ccef.org/donate. Today's episode is a session from our national conference a few years ago on anxiety. This session is by Ed Welch and is titled "Daily Bread: Today's Strength for Anxious People." Ed talks about God's invitation in anxiety to come to him and find strength for today. | |||
| Replay: Seasonal Depression | 01 Dec 2024 | 00:20:02 | |
Today's episode is a rerun of an episode we released a couple years ago titled "Seasonal Depression." We hope it's an encouragement to you as we enter the winter season. | |||
| Created to Do Good Work | 15 Nov 2024 | 00:44:37 | |
Today's episode is a free session from the 2024 National Conference: Rest. The session is by Aaron Sironi and is titled "Created to Do Good Work." It considers the goodness of work and how it relates to rest in the cycle and rhythm of our lives. You can find more audio from our rest conference at ccef.org/2024. | |||
| Replay: Negative Emotions (Part 2) | 01 Nov 2024 | 00:22:41 | |
Today's episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled "Negative Emotions: Part 2." We re-released Part 1 last month, so you can go back and listen to that if you haven't yet. In this episode, we continue to consider how we should think biblically about negative emotions. | |||
| Sample Lecture: Pursue & Know People | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:42:31 | |
Today's episode is an audio lecture from one of our online courses, Helping Relationships, which is taught by Ed Welch. This lecture is titled "Pursue & Know People" and it covers one of the foundational ideas to this course and to all of biblical counseling: that we aim to know people well and pursue them like Jesus. Registration for this course is open through December 3. Register at ccef.org/school. The CCEF School of Biblical Counseling offers 6 courses that make up 2 certificates designed to equip you for biblical counseling. Our students include pastors, elders, ministry leaders, counselors, and any Christian wanting to grow in wise soul care. You can learn more at ccef.org/school. | |||
| Replay: Negative Emotions (Part 1) | 01 Oct 2024 | 00:18:01 | |
Today's episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled "Negative Emotions: Part 1." In it, I consider some common questions: Is it okay for Christians to feel really bad? Is it okay for Christians to get upset and feel terrible, to be angry, or sad, or afraid? How do we rightly view negative emotions? I hope this episode helps you as you engage with your own negative emotions. | |||
| Created to Draw Near: Beyond Devotional Doldrums | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:50:34 | |
Today's episode is a session from our 2020 National Conference: Created to Draw Near. The session is by Mike Emlet and is titled "Beyond Devotional Doldrums: Using Scripture and Prayer to Foster Intimacy with God." Emlet discusses some practices to faithfully and creatively engage in Scripture reading and prayer, which are two means God has provided for believers to regularly draw near to him and strengthen our faith. We're looking forward to our 2024 National Conference: Rest in just a few weeks! There's still time to register for the conference in-person and virtually. Learn more at ccef.org/2024. | |||
| Replay: Rest | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:27:29 | |
This fall we're taking a longer break from the podcast while we work on a new format with more frequent episodes. We're excited to launch that in 2025! In the meantime, we'll be sharing some previously released resources with you. Today's episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled "Rest." We hope you're encouraged by this episode to draw near to the God of rest. Mentioned in this episode: We're thinking a lot about rest as we prepare for our national conference on the topic. We hope you'll join us for the conference this October, whether online or in Chattanooga, TN. You can learn more at ccef.org/2024. | |||
| Trauma: When Death Intrudes by Ed Welch (Bonus Episode) | 19 Jul 2024 | 00:44:47 | |
Enjoy a bonus episode while we're on break over the summer! This episode is a recording of Ed Welch's plenary session from the 2023 National Conference: Trauma. This year's national conference will explore the topic of rest: a foundational way of living out the Christian life that can only be learned from Christ and put into practice amid the challenges of daily life. Learn more and register at ccef.org/2024. To receive a $25 discount on your in-person registration, use the code "podcast" at checkout. This discount is valid through the end of August 2024. Find all the sessions from our 2023 National Conference: Trauma here. | |||
| Answering Your Questions on Emotions | 14 Jun 2024 | 00:58:01 | |
In this last episode of our miniseries on emotions, Alasdair Groves answers 11 questions submitted by our listeners. We hope these answers are edifying to you! You can read a transcript of this episode here. Mentioned in this episode: We're excited to be doing a giveaway of some CCEF-branded items! To enter, visit ccef.org/podcast-giveaway. Winners will be chosen and notified via email on July 5. Are you looking for an answer to a particular question? See timestamps below to jump to that part of the episode.
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| Jesus & Happiness | 01 May 2024 | 00:21:58 | |
Is it okay to be happy? Was Jesus happy? Are you happy? Listen as Alasdair Groves considers these three questions. This is episode 5 in a miniseries on emotions, where we are considering how to understand Jesus's emotions and how that helps us understand our own. Mentioned in this episode: we recently released our latest issue of the Journal of Biblical Counseling, which includes articles on topics such as trauma, the empty nest, faithfulness in marriage, and scrupulosity. Learn more here. Find a transcript of the episode here For more resources on emotions, including blogs, podcasts, videos, and more, click here. | |||
| New Podcast: Introducing the CCEF Blogcast | 22 Apr 2024 | 00:04:49 | |
Today we're excited to share with you a recent project we've been working on. We started a new podcast called the CCEF Blogcast, where CCEF faculty read their own blogs. We hope you enjoy this special episode as Ed Welch reads his blog, "Become a Psalmist." For more content like this, check out the CCEF Blogcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Music: "Created by Design" by Cody Martin | |||
| Jesus & Anger | 01 Apr 2024 | 00:20:17 | |
How can understanding Jesus' emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt: anger, which we see in Scripture is often directed at the things that turn people away from him. "Jesus is angry about anything that pulls his people away from him, that pulls his people away from their home, the place of life, the house of the living God, where he is leading us to dwell forever and ever." Mentioned in this episode: We recently released a new podcast called the CCEF Blogcast! Listen as CCEF authors read their own blogs on a variety of topics. You can find it on your favorite podcast app! This is episode 4 in a miniseries on emotions (listen to episode 1, episode 2, and episode 3). Quick reminder: the final episode of this miniseries will be a response to listener questions. Do you have any questions about emotions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us your question at podcast@ccef.org. Related resources:
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| Jesus & Compassion | 01 Mar 2024 | 00:16:06 | |
How can understanding Jesus' emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt: compassion, an ache on the heart that presses toward action to make things better." God sees our frantic bleating, living like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless. He is a good shepherd, and he has compassion on his sheep, even especially where we struggle to have compassion for others." Mentioned in this podcast: We're excited to announce the 2024 CCEF National Conference on the topic of rest. Learn more and register at ccef.org/nc24. This is episode 3 in a miniseries on emotions (listen to episode 1 here and episode 2 here). Do you have any questions about emotions? You can email us at podcast@ccef.org, and we'll spend the last episode of the miniseries answering some of your questions. Related resources:
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| Jesus & Dread | 01 Feb 2024 | 00:19:17 | |
How can understanding Jesus' emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt, just hours before his crucifixion: dread. How does Jesus' experience of dread encourage us in our own experience of it? Mentioned in this podcast: Head to ccef.org/school to register for Dynamics of Biblical Change, one of our foundational courses, in the March 2024 term. Pricing increases after February 5, so register soon for the discount! This is episode 2 in a miniseries on emotions (listen to episode 1 here). Do you have any questions about emotions? You can email us at podcast@ccef.org, and we'll spend the last episode of the miniseries answering some of your questions. Related resources:
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| Why Can't I Control My Emotions? | 01 Jan 2024 | 00:19:55 | |
"The heart poured out to the Lord is actually a form of trust." Sometimes we find ourselves unable to control our emotions. Often this produces guilt, and we wonder, "What does that say about my faith?" How do we navigate such an experience? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses this experience and what faithful living looks like in this first episode of a miniseries on emotions. Related resources:
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| A Host of Scriptures for Every Hardship | 01 Dec 2023 | 00:28:58 | |
Sometimes Scripture feels dry, distant, or impersonal. How do we apply Scripture in these times? How do we take hold of a cup of cold water when we are most thirsty? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses what it looks like to bring Scripture to bear on our sufferings and struggles, using several examples from his own life. Related resources:
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| Weak Faith | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:21:34 | |
Do you ever feel guilty about how small or weak your faith is? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about weak faith, primarily considering an example from Peter, one of Jesus' own disciples. "It's not about the strength of your faith. It's about the strength of the Savior. It's about the strength of the one who can pull you out of the dark waters and bring you back to the boat. Even the tiniest little bit of faith is God's gift to us anyway." Related resources:
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| Laziness | 01 Oct 2023 | 00:21:54 | |
"We can become blind to the goodness of what God is calling us to, the fact that his call to obedience is a call to the path of life, not the path of death. When our drudgery becomes our view of what's happening here, if we see it as him against us or calling us to something that's not good for us, we've lost some ability to perceive what is true." Why do we struggle to do the things God has given us to do? How do we fight laziness or procrastination and move forward into the hard but rewarding task of the work that God has set before us? Listen as Alasdair Groves shares about his own struggles with laziness and how God can grow us in perseverance in our work."Related resources:
More information about the 2023 CCEF National Conference here: https://www.ccef.org/2023 | |||
| The Physical Comfort of Words | 01 Sep 2023 | 00:14:19 | |
"When you offer normal, mundane, simple, best-you-can-do words of love and encouragement to somebody in their struggles, there is actually a physiological impact you are having on that person. When you offer words of comfort, you are literally changing something about their body." We're excited to launch season 4 with a discussion on how the words we speak to one another can actually have physical effects for good. Related resources:
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| Making Sense of Self-Pity | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:26:07 | |
"It is hard to speak to the Lord about your sufferings and to lament and to honestly go to him and say, 'Lord, this is hurting in my heart, on my soul.' We rarely step into relationship in that way, and it's a struggle. It's a challenge, and it's a good, right, excellent challenge to come to him as the one who really does care." What is self-pity, and how should we view it? How can we turn our self-pity into godly lament that engages honestly with the Lord? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses self-pity and considers what to do when we or others are struggling with it. Related resources:
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| Does Love Always Trust? | 01 May 2023 | 00:23:40 | |
"Only the Lord is deserving of full, utter trust. We have a God we can trust 100% in every situation to be who he says he will be. And that means we can always trust whatever he's up to in another person." What does it mean that "love trusts all things," as 1 Corinthians 13:7 says? How do we show an appropriate level of trust in others, and when are the times we shouldn't? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses what it means that "love always trusts." Related resources:
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| Bonus Episode: Collin Hansen on Tim Keller | 14 Apr 2023 | 00:46:04 | |
Alasdair Groves speaks with Collin Hansen about his new book, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation, and the influences on Tim Keller, which included CCEF and David Powlison. Collin Hansen is the vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Mentioned in the podcast:
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| The Church Is Doing Better than We Think | 01 Apr 2023 | 00:22:40 | |
When we think about the state of the church today, the negatives often come to mind. While there is much to be grieved about and much change that needs to take place, there is much to be encouraged by when you look at how God is working through local churches around the world. Listen as Alasdair Groves considers some of the reasons not to give up on the church. "The church has been through a thousand seasons where it's torn itself apart over the ages. But grace is always the center. God's love is always the center that draws his people back together. Let your eyes look for the ways where truth and hope and love and kindness and fellowship are gifts to you through your brothers and sisters, from Jesus himself." Related resource:
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| Are You Over It? | 01 Mar 2023 | 00:22:34 | |
What does it mean to "get over something"? After enduring a difficult situation, how do we know if we've processed it wisely? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses some steps we can consider as we grieve and heal. | |||
| When You Feel Numb | 01 Feb 2023 | 00:20:35 | |
What do we do when we don't seem to feel much emotion? How can we understand this experience, and what is God's call to us in it? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about the experience of numb emotions. "Each one of us will face different struggles, but for each of us, there's an opportunity to walk toward the Lord and walk toward each other. If you experience a lack of emotion, that in and of itself is always an opportunity to speak to the Lord and to speak to others." Related resources:
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| Redeeming Your Smartphone | 01 Jan 2023 | 00:16:47 | |
Most of us are familiar with the ways our phones can be detrimental to our spiritual lives. But how often do we consider ways they can be of spiritual benefit? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about how smartphones can actually enrich our relationship with God. "My phone was pointing me directly to the glories and the riches and the treasures of God's promises to us, fulfilled so directly and so richly through the Holy Spirit, even in things as simple as what I was doing as I swiped or scrolled or sent a text or did a hundred other things that we do every day." Related resources:
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| When God Is Silent | 01 Dec 2022 | 00:15:04 | |
"Sometimes, we will listen and we will hear silence. We will look around, and we will not see him or what he is up to, and we will not know what to make of our circumstances, but here's what we do know: we walk with the God who preserves his people. The God who stores our tears in a bottle is the God who knows our names and who shapes our names and our circumstances and will always be among us." What do we do when God is silent? How do we have hope when it feels like he is absent? Listen as Alasdair Groves considers God's seeming silence for 400 years of history between the Old and New Testaments, and how even then, God's care is never diminished. Related resources:
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| Don't Lead Your Wife; Serve Her | 01 Nov 2022 | 00:17:40 | |
"One of your greatest goals as a man whom the Lord has called into marriage is to maximize your wife's opportunities to use her gifts within the context of her life and community. You ask, 'How can I help her flourish?' That is serving her; that is leading her." Scripture calls husbands to lead their wives. But what does this look like? How do we know if we're leading our wives well? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about what it looks like to focus on serving our wives rather than focusing on our role as leader. Related resources:
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| When You Can't Sleep | 01 Oct 2022 | 00:16:14 | |
"We have a God who loves, cares, and knows, and I can rest utterly in the hope that he will be with me, he will walk with me, and he will provide. He will care for every last moment of my day tomorrow as I am exhausted." Do you ever have nights where you can't sleep? Whatever the reason may be, struggling to sleep is a form of suffering. Alasdair Groves explores what it looks like to lean on the Lord when we can't sleep, assured that he is near and he cares. Related resources:
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| Grief Is Worship | 01 Sep 2022 | 00:19:29 | |
"We do grieve, but we don't grieve without hope. Our grief is a hopeful grief. The losses we sustain and experience in this life are hope-filled because of Jesus, because we have a hope that transcends death itself. We have a God who is redeeming all of creation."In the first episode of season 3, Alasdair Groves talks about how grief is not something to run from, be ashamed of, or try to get rid of, but grief is an invitation to worship God as the giver of every good gift. Related resources:
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| Bonus Episode: A Counselor's View of Cultural Chaos | 17 Jun 2022 | 00:42:34 | |
Enjoy a bonus episode while we're on break over the summer! This episode is a recording of Alasdair Groves' plenary session from the 2021 National Conference: Modern Problems. This year's National Conference: The Way of Wisdom will explore Old Testament wisdom literature in light of Jesus, the true wisdom of God. Learn more and register at ccef.org/2022. To receive a $25 discount on your in-person registration, use the code "podcast" at checkout. This discount is valid through the end of August 2022. Find all the sessions from our 2021 National Conference: Modern Problems here: https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/modern-problems-2021-national-conference-download/. | |||