"I Think She Just Coughed Up A Lung!"

100:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000We'll be right back.200:00:02,000 --> 00:00:06,000Don't get down when you're seeing the worst.300:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,000Cause the last will be the first.400:00:09,000 --> 00:00:11,000What a day I'm telling you.500:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,000All things will be new.600:00:14,000 --> 00:00:17,000Living up in a down world.700:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,000Yeah we're living, yeah we're living.800:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,000Living up in a down world.900:00:23,000 --> 00:00:25,000Oh!1000:00:25,000 --> 00:00:29,000This is Jimmy and Annette and we are super excited to be with you today.1100:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,000And we've got Mr. Chevy sitting in his usual place.1200:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,000By the way, what kind of dog is Mr. Chevy?1300:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,000Why do you not remember that?1400:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,000Have a Shawn.1500:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,000I don't understand why you can't remember that.1600:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,000Have a Shawn. I'll try to remember that.1700:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,000Have a Shawn.1800:00:46,000 --> 00:00:50,000Have a Shawn, which is Havanese and Bichon.1900:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,000And he is totally...2000:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,000He is so chilled, he's laying.2100:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,000His eyes are half way closed.2200:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,000He's unbelievable.2300:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,000And it's because mama's rubbing his stomach right now.2400:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,000I know.2500:01:01,000 --> 00:01:02,000Chest and belly.2600:01:02,000 --> 00:01:04,000He's tired. He was so excited.2700:01:04,000 --> 00:01:05,000He has had a hard day.2800:01:05,000 --> 00:01:09,000When he saw this chair come over to your desk, he's like, okay, this is it.2900:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,000This must be Monday.3000:01:11,000 --> 00:01:14,000And then you dilly-daddled a while because you were doing some stuff.3100:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,000I was doing laundry.3200:01:16,000 --> 00:01:17,000You were taking care.3300:01:17,000 --> 00:01:18,000Thank you by the way for doing that.3400:01:18,000 --> 00:01:19,000You're welcome.3500:01:19,000 --> 00:01:23,000I'm just saying it's really amazing what you do around here.3600:01:23,000 --> 00:01:24,000Thank you.3700:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,000Nothing would get done if I didn't do anything.3800:01:27,000 --> 00:01:29,000Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.3900:01:29,000 --> 00:01:30,000That's going to leave a mark.4000:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,000I know.4100:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,000Anyway, Mr. Chevy is chilled out, but he's happy to be here because he was as4200:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,000excited about doing the show as we are.4300:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,000And we are excited that you are here listening.4400:01:39,000 --> 00:01:44,000Thank you for trusting us with time, which is one of the most valuable assets we4500:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,000all have.4600:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,000And today is our first day at sabbatical.4700:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,000This is a huge day.4800:01:50,000 --> 00:01:51,000Oh my gosh.4900:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,000It's already been a busy day though.5000:01:53,000 --> 00:01:55,000We didn't get to rest because we had a lot to do.5100:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,000And we'll explain a little bit about sabbatical because not everybody5200:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,000understands what that is.5300:01:59,000 --> 00:02:02,000Some people think, hell, wow, so you get an extended vacation.5400:02:02,000 --> 00:02:03,000Good for you guys.5500:02:03,000 --> 00:02:04,000No.5600:02:04,000 --> 00:02:08,000Vacations mean you're working so hard because you're doing so much that when5700:02:08,000 --> 00:02:09,000you get back you need a vacation.5800:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,000You need a vacation.5900:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,000We're not doing that.6000:02:11,000 --> 00:02:12,000No.6100:02:12,000 --> 00:02:13,000No, we're resting.6200:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,000And it's based out of scripture in the book of, well, I mean, like in the Old6300:02:16,000 --> 00:02:20,000Testament there's two references to where God told the Israelites, the6400:02:20,000 --> 00:02:25,000Hebrews, that every seven years they're to cease from their work and cease6500:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,000from their labors.6600:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,000And they're to let the land rest, which is kind of strange.6700:02:29,000 --> 00:02:33,000We're not used to that kind of terminology, to let the land rest.6800:02:33,000 --> 00:02:36,000But that's code for you have to rest.6900:02:36,000 --> 00:02:40,000And you have to trust me for your provision and trust me that everything,7000:02:40,000 --> 00:02:44,000that as you take your hands off of things, I've got it under control.7100:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,000Right.7200:02:45,000 --> 00:02:46,000Yeah.7300:02:46,000 --> 00:02:50,000And I think for me the last two weeks have been pure, I mean, I have worked...7400:02:50,000 --> 00:02:51,000Not just you.7500:02:51,000 --> 00:02:54,000Me and Mr. Chevy have been busy too.7600:02:54,000 --> 00:02:55,000Right.7700:02:55,000 --> 00:02:56,000Yeah.7800:02:56,000 --> 00:02:57,000Okay.7900:02:57,000 --> 00:02:58,000Anyway, this is about me.8000:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,000I was so busy trying to get everything done for our board and elders and8100:03:01,000 --> 00:03:06,000staff and making sure everything was in alignment so that we could go.8200:03:06,000 --> 00:03:11,000And by the time yesterday came, I was so exhausted after church.8300:03:11,000 --> 00:03:12,000I know.8400:03:12,000 --> 00:03:13,000I know.8500:03:13,000 --> 00:03:14,000It was crazy.8600:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,000I was asleep early last night.8700:03:16,000 --> 00:03:17,000We were wiped out.8800:03:17,000 --> 00:03:18,000I need this now.8900:03:18,000 --> 00:03:19,000Okay.9000:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,000I know it's about you, but it's about me too and Mr. Chevy.9100:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,000I know.9200:03:22,000 --> 00:03:23,000You just mainly...9300:03:23,000 --> 00:03:24,000Good for you.9400:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,000Okay.9500:03:25,000 --> 00:03:26,000You're looking at me funny.9600:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,000I'm saying be careful.9700:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,000I know.9800:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,000You have to get someone to preach for you.9900:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,000There's just a lot I have to do, but it's okay.10000:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,000Okay.10100:03:34,000 --> 00:03:35,000So you've got the administrative piece.10200:03:35,000 --> 00:03:36,000Yes.10300:03:36,000 --> 00:03:40,000I've got the people and logistical operations piece in terms of the10400:03:40,000 --> 00:03:44,000messages, getting our staff ready, getting all of our guys prepared to10500:03:44,000 --> 00:03:48,000step up into my place for eight...10600:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000Solid weeks.10700:03:49,000 --> 00:03:50,000Eight weeks.10800:03:50,000 --> 00:03:51,000That's a long time.10900:03:51,000 --> 00:03:52,000We have never done anything like this.11000:03:52,000 --> 00:03:56,000Thirty-eight years I've been in ministry full-time in one11100:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,000capacity or another.11200:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,000Twenty-eight years for you.11300:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,000The whole time we were in Abilene, we didn't take actual vacations.11400:04:03,000 --> 00:04:07,000We would take a day or two after we went to a ministry trip.11500:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,000Right.11600:04:08,000 --> 00:04:09,000We never just took off.11700:04:09,000 --> 00:04:10,000Yeah, we'd go to a conference.11800:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,000We'd go to whatever was related to what we were doing, and then we'd11900:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,000tag a couple of days on and say, that's our vacation.12000:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,000It wasn't a vacation.12100:04:17,000 --> 00:04:18,000It was work.12200:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,000No, because after you go to a conference, you should take a couple12300:04:20,000 --> 00:04:21,000of days to rest.12400:04:21,000 --> 00:04:22,000You're so tested.12500:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,000Not add more, and that's what we did.12600:04:24,000 --> 00:04:27,000We were young and dumb, so we had to learn some more.12700:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,000Exactly, and still kind of are in a way.12800:04:28,000 --> 00:04:29,000We still had to learn some more.12900:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,000Maybe not the young part.13000:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,000Well, right, but we had to learn some hard lessons about taking care13100:04:33,000 --> 00:04:34,000of ourselves.13200:04:34,000 --> 00:04:35,000Yes.13300:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,000And I mean, our hearts to go for the long haul.13400:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,000I have so many friends.13500:04:39,000 --> 00:04:40,000Well, we love what we do.13600:04:40,000 --> 00:04:41,000That's it.13700:04:41,000 --> 00:04:45,000And I have so many friends in ministry that are not doing it anymore.13800:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,000They, for whatever reason.13900:04:47,000 --> 00:04:48,000They've brought out.14000:04:48,000 --> 00:04:49,000They've brought out.14100:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,000I mean, burnout is a real deal thing.14200:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,000It really is.14300:04:52,000 --> 00:04:53,000Yes.14400:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,000And most guys and gals who start in ministry don't end there.14500:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,000Right.14600:04:57,000 --> 00:04:58,000They end up doing something else.14700:04:58,000 --> 00:04:59,000Right.14800:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,000It does take a toll on you after a while, and most people, I don't ever14900:05:02,000 --> 00:05:07,000expect people to understand the weight that we carry and the spiritual15000:05:07,000 --> 00:05:08,000warfare that we deal with.15100:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,000Because if you've never been in our shoes, you'll never know.15200:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,000You'll never know.15300:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,000Just like I wouldn't pretend to be in somebody else's shoes because15400:05:14,000 --> 00:05:18,000they're running in their lane and I can't even imagine what it would be15500:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,000like to put their shoes on and run in that race.15600:05:20,000 --> 00:05:21,000Right.15700:05:21,000 --> 00:05:25,000So I don't expect people to understand, but there's a weight that we carry.15800:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,000I mean, COVID did a number on pastors and ministers.15900:05:27,000 --> 00:05:28,000But you know what was hard?16000:05:28,000 --> 00:05:34,000Today we went to lunch in Kerrville, had a really nice lunch at the Rails.16100:05:34,000 --> 00:05:35,000Amazing lunch.16200:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,000And we rocked keto today.16300:05:36,000 --> 00:05:37,000We did.16400:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,000We started our keto back because we thought, hey, why not?16500:05:39,000 --> 00:05:40,000Reboot.16600:05:40,000 --> 00:05:41,000Reboot is a good time to do it.16700:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,000Maybe we'll come back half the person we were.16800:05:43,000 --> 00:05:44,000Just kidding.16900:05:44,000 --> 00:05:46,000I don't know about half, but I'm definitely wanting to lose about 12 to 15.17000:05:46,000 --> 00:05:47,000Yeah, me too.17100:05:47,000 --> 00:05:48,000Yeah.17200:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,000So anyway, we went to the Rails and ate lunch.17300:05:51,000 --> 00:05:52,000And that was wonderful.17400:05:52,000 --> 00:05:53,000Great place in Kerrville, Texas.17500:05:53,000 --> 00:05:59,000Wonderful, and then we had to go to Walmart for a little while just to spend time buying.17600:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,000That's how we did our first day of Sabbath.17700:06:01,000 --> 00:06:02,000Show cards, yes.17800:06:02,000 --> 00:06:07,000And that was, it was a lot of, it was, you know, to try to rest today.17900:06:07,000 --> 00:06:11,000We couldn't because there was so much we needed to do that started today.18000:06:11,000 --> 00:06:12,000Right.18100:06:12,000 --> 00:06:18,000But you know, it was hard because we got in the car and I wanted to ask you a question.18200:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,000About church.18300:06:19,000 --> 00:06:20,000And I realized it was about church.18400:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,000About work.18500:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,000And so we sat there and said nothing.18600:06:23,000 --> 00:06:27,000I thought, wow, this is an interesting conversation.18700:06:27,000 --> 00:06:28,000Day one of six.18800:06:28,000 --> 00:06:32,000Because our whole life revolves around the people of our church.18900:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,000It does.19000:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,000And we have a lot of work being done at our church.19100:06:35,000 --> 00:06:39,000And it's probably all going to be complete when we get back.19200:06:39,000 --> 00:06:40,000Construction.19300:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,000But I had all these things I wanted to talk to you about.19400:06:42,000 --> 00:06:45,000And I had to stop and say, oh, I can't talk to you about church.19500:06:45,000 --> 00:06:51,000It's because in terms of you and I getting married, we've done this together for 28 years.19600:06:51,000 --> 00:06:52,000Yes.19700:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,000And so all we, our whole life has revolved around ministry, the church.19800:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,000Our churches we served.19900:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,000So it's hard to come home and just leave it and turn it off.20000:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,000It's not like you work somewhere else and I work somewhere else.20100:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,000We work together in this, which is a massive blessing.20200:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,000Most people don't get to work together.20300:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,000We're going to have to come up with some new conversation.20400:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,000We are.20500:07:13,000 --> 00:07:14,000I know.20600:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,000We have to be tomorrow maybe.20700:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,000Well, actually we did good though.20800:07:18,000 --> 00:07:19,000We didn't go there.20900:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,000Well, I started to.21000:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,000You caught yourself.21100:07:21,000 --> 00:07:22,000And I caught myself.21200:07:22,000 --> 00:07:23,000I was really proud of you.21300:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,000I can't ask you this because it has to do with church.21400:07:25,000 --> 00:07:28,000And then we just sat there while you were driving.21500:07:28,000 --> 00:07:29,000It was awkward.21600:07:29,000 --> 00:07:30,000It was weird.21700:07:30,000 --> 00:07:31,000Because I was sleepy after eating.21800:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,000And also I went off sugar today.21900:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,000We're going to have withdrawals for a little while.22000:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,000Yeah, I hit the sugar wall today.22100:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,000That's all that was.22200:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,000I wasn't checking out on you or anything.22300:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,000I literally felt like I was going to go to sleep while I was driving.22400:07:44,000 --> 00:07:45,000That's not good.22500:07:45,000 --> 00:07:46,000I know.22600:07:46,000 --> 00:07:50,000I wouldn't, but I'm just saying I was really sluggish and sleepy.22700:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,000Well, we went to Walmart to get new SIM cards.22800:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,000Because we changed our phone numbers.22900:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,000Yeah, it's a big deal.23000:07:56,000 --> 00:07:57,000It is.23100:07:57,000 --> 00:07:58,000How many years have we had those?23200:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,000Ever since we moved to Nashville?23300:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,0002012.23400:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000The first time.23500:08:01,000 --> 00:08:02,000Yes.23600:08:02,000 --> 00:08:03,000So 2012.23700:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,000We've had the same phone numbers in Nashville.23800:08:05,000 --> 00:08:06,000For 11 years.23900:08:06,000 --> 00:08:10,000And you've said since we moved back to Texas, we should get a local phone number, you know,24000:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,000an 830 area code.24100:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,000I feel like we're more permanent here.24200:08:14,000 --> 00:08:15,000Oh, we are totally.24300:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,000And that, you know, it doesn't mean everybody has to do that for wherever they live.24400:08:18,000 --> 00:08:25,000But I felt like as pastors, we needed to have a permanent 830 number, which is our area24500:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,000code here and not a 615.24600:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,000Plus, I was getting all these sales calls constantly from Nashville.24700:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,000Oh, me too.24800:08:31,000 --> 00:08:32,000From Tennessee.24900:08:32,000 --> 00:08:33,000Our political ads.25000:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,000So now is a good time.25100:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,000But we only gave our phone number to our family.25200:08:37,000 --> 00:08:38,000Right.25300:08:38,000 --> 00:08:41,000And did you give it to Pastor Eddie like you were supposed to?25400:08:41,000 --> 00:08:42,000No, I did not.25500:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,000Okay, you better do that.25600:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,000I'll do that.25700:08:44,000 --> 00:08:45,000Because if there was an emergency today.25800:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,000Oh, there's not an emergency.25900:08:46,000 --> 00:08:47,000But you don't know.26000:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,000Anyway, I will get that number to Pastor Eddie.26100:08:48,000 --> 00:08:50,000We don't have any contact with church.26200:08:50,000 --> 00:08:53,000We love Pastor Eddie Freeman and his wife, Jessica.26300:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000You need to stop and do it right now.26400:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,000I'm not pausing the broadcast.26500:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,000I'm not pausing the podcast.26600:08:58,000 --> 00:08:59,000I know, but I am.26700:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000I'll do it this evening when we get done.26800:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,000Please do that.26900:09:02,000 --> 00:09:03,000So anyway.27000:09:03,000 --> 00:09:04,000You're disturbing Chevy with your tension.27100:09:04,000 --> 00:09:05,000I know.27200:09:05,000 --> 00:09:09,000But there's things that we had to do that had to get done today.27300:09:09,000 --> 00:09:10,000Right.27400:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,000So really tomorrow, I think, actually starts our Sabbath.27500:09:13,000 --> 00:09:14,000Or sabbatical.27600:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,000Because today is typically our Sabbath.27700:09:16,000 --> 00:09:17,000Yeah.27800:09:17,000 --> 00:09:21,000But there was things we had to do today that you can't do on a Sunday.27900:09:21,000 --> 00:09:22,000True.28000:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,000And this is very much a reboot for us.28100:09:23,000 --> 00:09:27,000I mean, what Sabbath is, you cease your work so you don't.28200:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,000When you work together, that's really hard because we constantly think about it.28300:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,000So we went out with our daughter, Faith, and her new husband, Brandon,28400:09:33,000 --> 00:09:37,000had a wonderful time with them yesterday for lunch.28500:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,000However, we had to lay down the ground rules.28600:09:39,000 --> 00:09:44,000You cannot, when we get back together, you can't talk to us about church.28700:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,000Because Faith works at the church too.28800:09:46,000 --> 00:09:47,000She's on staff.28900:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,000This is going to be a difficult task.29000:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,000She has all of our digital things, everything digital Faith does,29100:09:51,000 --> 00:09:57,000all the graphics, all the video pieces, the video elements, websites, everything.29200:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,000All things digital.29300:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,000And she does a phenomenal job.29400:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,000However, she can't talk to us about it.29500:10:02,000 --> 00:10:06,000It's going to be awkward because her life is immersed in ministry.29600:10:06,000 --> 00:10:10,000Even our conversation always is around what's going on at the church.29700:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,000Hey, you need to tweak this on the website.29800:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,000Hey, we found a spelling error on the website.29900:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,000Yes.30000:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,000Hey, I mean, it's nuts.30100:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,000It's always something.30200:10:18,000 --> 00:10:19,000I need a slide.30300:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000I need this.30400:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,000So it's going to be a challenge.30500:10:21,000 --> 00:10:22,000Hey, I need a podcast.30600:10:22,000 --> 00:10:23,000I need a cover art.30700:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,000And you said, no.30800:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000And so I'm going to re- I'll morph one.30900:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,000You're going to do them yourself.31000:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,000I'll morph one.31100:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,000You're going to do them yourself.31200:10:29,000 --> 00:10:30,000Anyway, so that's our life.31300:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,000We've been in this thing so long together.31400:10:32,000 --> 00:10:33,00028 years, you and I.31500:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,00030 total, but 28 in ministry.31600:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,000Me, for me, it's 38 years.31700:10:38,000 --> 00:10:42,000So I have to say something and be very clear about this.31800:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,000We're not taking a sabbatical.31900:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,000We're receiving a sabbatical.32000:10:46,000 --> 00:10:47,000Right.32100:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,000It's a gift.32200:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,000It's a gift from God.32300:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,000It's a gift from our board of directors who are amazing.32400:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,000And it's a gift from our elders who are also amazing.32500:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,000And our church has been so supportive.32600:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,000And our staff.32700:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,000They have so come around us.32800:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,000They're giddy almost.32900:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,000I can't brag enough.33000:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,000Which scares me.33100:11:04,000 --> 00:11:05,000Why are they so giddy?33200:11:05,000 --> 00:11:06,000Let me say their names.33300:11:06,000 --> 00:11:07,000Wait, wait.33400:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,000Because I love everyone.33500:11:08,000 --> 00:11:09,000Why are they giddy?33600:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,000Don't you find it odd that everybody's so excited that we're leaving?33700:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,000It is kind of when the cat's away, the mouse will play.33800:11:13,000 --> 00:11:14,000Oh, you think that?33900:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,000I'm not worried about this team, but I have to tell you, I love Pastor Jeff.34000:11:18,000 --> 00:11:19,000I am so blessed by him.34100:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,000He's our newest addition to the staff.34200:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000Love Faith, of course.34300:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,000She's our daughter.34400:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,000We have to.34500:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,000And we love her because she's amazing at what she does.34600:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,000Yes, she is.34700:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,000She's gifted.34800:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,000Love Lori.34900:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,000Lori is a, she's a pillar.35000:11:32,000 --> 00:11:33,000She is.35100:11:33,000 --> 00:11:34,000She's like been here forever.35200:11:34,000 --> 00:11:37,000And she's just one of those stable makes you able people.35300:11:37,000 --> 00:11:38,000Stable, yes.35400:11:38,000 --> 00:11:43,000And then we have Pastor Russ Hearn who leads our worship team, all of our production, our35500:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,000online digital pieces.35600:11:44,000 --> 00:11:47,000Which if something happened to him, we wouldn't have the church we have.35700:11:47,000 --> 00:11:48,000That can never go away.35800:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,000We can't.35900:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,000We're in massive trouble.36000:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,000No.36100:11:51,000 --> 00:11:52,000But thank you, Pastor Russ.36200:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,000And his wife, Wendy, also steps up to worship.36300:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,000Wonderful.36400:11:55,000 --> 00:11:56,000Yes.36500:11:56,000 --> 00:12:00,000And Pastor Brian and his wife, Leslie.36600:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,000Brian, Pastor Brian does youth.36700:12:02,000 --> 00:12:03,000Leslie does children.36800:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,000But he's also our online pastor.36900:12:05,000 --> 00:12:12,000And we are incredibly blessed and surrounded by a team that all week long, now they were37000:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,000coming to us writing the, okay, what about this?37100:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,000What about this?37200:12:15,000 --> 00:12:19,000What about, I mean, it got a little bit, even on Sunday morning.37300:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,000I thought, can we really do this?37400:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,000I know it was like, can we actually leave?37500:12:23,000 --> 00:12:27,000Because they were hitting us with a thousand questions, but I'm glad they did.37600:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,000I'm glad they didn't just assume things.37700:12:29,000 --> 00:12:30,000Don't forget Tommy.37800:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,000Oh, we love Tommy Watson and his wife, Patty.37900:12:32,000 --> 00:12:33,000They're amazing.38000:12:33,000 --> 00:12:36,000Which she's stepping in because Lori's going on vacation.38100:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,000That's right.38200:12:37,000 --> 00:12:38,000Yeah, she's going to Alaska.38300:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,000Yes.38400:12:39,000 --> 00:12:40,000Of all places.38500:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,000And so it's, well, her daughters live there.38600:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,000I know.38700:12:43,000 --> 00:12:44,000Her daughters there.38800:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,000I know.38900:12:45,000 --> 00:12:46,000But Patty is volunteering to step up.39000:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,000And of course we'll have to do something nice for her.39100:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,000So if it sounds like we're name dropping, we are.39200:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,000It's because we love these people.39300:12:51,000 --> 00:12:52,000We do.39400:12:52,000 --> 00:12:56,000And we want them to know how much we are honored to serve with them.39500:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,000Absolutely.39600:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,000We're a team, but more than that, we're a family.39700:13:00,000 --> 00:13:01,000So they've got it.39800:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,000So I had, there were several people who hit me up over the weekend.39900:13:04,000 --> 00:13:05,000Hey, I need this from you.40000:13:05,000 --> 00:13:06,000I need this.40100:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,000And I said, I've already turned over the reins.40200:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,000And you just gave it right to everybody else.40300:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,000Talked to Pastor Russ, talked to Pastor Jeff.40400:13:12,000 --> 00:13:17,000And I have to tell you, I thought I'd be afraid of letting go of that, but actually it's the opposite.40500:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,000I was actually.40600:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,000Feel free?40700:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,000Oh, unbelievably free.40800:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,000So what are we going to do when we get back?40900:13:23,000 --> 00:13:24,000I don't know.41000:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,000I think that they've got this.41100:13:26,000 --> 00:13:27,000You know what I mean?41200:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,000They may not need us.41300:13:28,000 --> 00:13:31,000Well, no, your job is a little different.41400:13:31,000 --> 00:13:32,000Right.41500:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,000They need you.41600:13:33,000 --> 00:13:38,000Well, you know, anyway, at the end of the day, this is such a God thing.41700:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,000Yes.41800:13:39,000 --> 00:13:45,000And in 38 years, so I was really, so just so you know who you're listening, I was very resistant to this.41900:13:45,000 --> 00:13:46,000Exactly.42000:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,000It came up last year and it sounded like a good idea a year ago.42100:13:49,000 --> 00:13:53,000I even planned many little, many vacations.42200:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,000Sounded great a year ago, right?42300:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,000So we had all these plans.42400:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,000You worked on plans.42500:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,000I worked on plans.42600:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,000Yeah, we're going to let's do this.42700:14:01,000 --> 00:14:02,000And then what?42800:14:02,000 --> 00:14:04,000How many weeks out about a month out?42900:14:04,000 --> 00:14:05,000No, no, no, no, no.43000:14:05,000 --> 00:14:10,000We finally, because we couldn't get anybody to commit to preach.43100:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,000It was not until March, Jimmy, because that was when.43200:14:13,000 --> 00:14:18,000We sent out a request to our friends and they got busy and forgotten, didn't think about it again.43300:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,000And so we were like, we don't want anybody to cover.43400:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,000So in February or March, we're like, I guess we're not doing this.43500:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,000Yeah.43600:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,000So we, but we didn't really tell anybody that.43700:14:25,000 --> 00:14:26,000Remember?43800:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,000We didn't talk about it.43900:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000No, it was just you and I.44000:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,000So the summer creeps up on us.44100:14:30,000 --> 00:14:38,000My relational pastor from Gateway Church out of Southlake, Pastor Eddie, he's still assuming it's all going to happen.44200:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,000I'm kind of wondering if it's going to happen, thinking probably not.44300:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,000And then I remember thinking we can't do this.44400:14:44,000 --> 00:14:47,000Our church is growing, which is a great blessing.44500:14:47,000 --> 00:14:50,000We've got construction, middle of construction, got renovation going on.44600:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,000So it was like, this is the worst time to leave.44700:14:53,000 --> 00:14:57,000And Pastor Eddie says, there's never a good time when it's like having a baby.44800:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,000There's never a good time to do it.44900:14:59,000 --> 00:15:00,000So do it.45000:15:00,000 --> 00:15:07,000And once I bought in, which is about what, two weeks ago, once I stepped over the line, I can't explain this.45100:15:07,000 --> 00:15:16,000I've shared this with several people, but it was like, if you take a slinky member, slinky, you take a slinky and you stretch it as far as it'll go.45200:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,000And then in one second you let go of it.45300:15:19,000 --> 00:15:24,000And the force of that slinky coming all the way back, that's what I felt.45400:15:24,000 --> 00:15:33,000It was like 38 years of ministry without a real clear break landed on my shoulders.45500:15:33,000 --> 00:15:45,000And I woke up on Monday morning, this morning, and I told, I wrote a friend of mine, got some friends, select friends that I'm kind of communicating with.45600:15:45,000 --> 00:15:49,000And I said, I feel like a truck ran over me.45700:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,000I've been hit by a truck.45800:15:51,000 --> 00:15:55,000I could barely get out of bed this morning, which is never happens to me.45900:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,000Well, I didn't for a while.46000:15:56,000 --> 00:15:57,000I really needed to.46100:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,000And I get up and walk.46200:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,000You even said, do not set your alarm.46300:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,000No, I knew we needed.46400:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,000I knew we needed rest.46500:16:05,000 --> 00:16:09,000I went outside, sat on the deck outside, looked up at the mountain.46600:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,000We have a mountain behind us with a big cross.46700:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,000It's not a mountain.46800:16:12,000 --> 00:16:13,000It's a hill.46900:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,000In Texas, that's a mountain.47000:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,000So it's called the hill country.47100:16:17,000 --> 00:16:21,000So it's a hill, but it's a big hill and it has a big cross on it that stays lit up.47200:16:21,000 --> 00:16:27,000And so me and Chevy, we go outside and we set out and we just we watched the sun start to rise.47300:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,000The clouds were stunning.47400:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,000And I just had one of those amazing mornings before the Lord.47500:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,000And I thought this is not just Sabbath.47600:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,000This is sabbatical.47700:16:36,000 --> 00:16:45,000So for those of you don't understand, I mean, it's just one of those things that God gives as a gift to his children to say, I need you to come away with me.47800:16:45,000 --> 00:16:46,000I need you to be quiet.47900:16:46,000 --> 00:16:47,000I need you to be still.48000:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,000I need you to listen and not talk.48100:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,000And so I just spent the whole morning listening to the Lord.48200:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,000It was amazing.48300:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,000Wrote down a lot of stuff.48400:16:56,000 --> 00:16:57,000I did some reading.48500:16:57,000 --> 00:17:05,000I watched some videos from a guy named Pete Craig out of the UK who has a ministry called 24 seven.48600:17:05,000 --> 00:17:19,000He just went on a on a pilgrim's journey from Iona, the island in Scotland, and this spiritual journey is similar to the Santiago Camino, you know, Camino de Santiago in Spain.48700:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,000It's a spiritual journey.48800:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,000He just did a three week journey.48900:17:21,000 --> 00:17:24,000He documented the whole thing, videoed it.49000:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,000And so he does these little video things.49100:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,000So I spent time with that.49200:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,000It's been amazing.49300:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,000Great morning, great day.49400:17:31,000 --> 00:17:33,000And then you and I jumped in the car.49500:17:33,000 --> 00:17:39,000And it's just been a lovely to use our friend Tina Curry's word.49600:17:39,000 --> 00:17:40,000I'm stealing it.49700:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,000A lovely day.49800:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,000It was very.49900:17:43,000 --> 00:17:44,000I'm so happy.50000:17:44,000 --> 00:17:45,000I'm encouraged.50100:17:45,000 --> 00:17:46,000I'm excited.50200:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,000And I actually woke up a little bit early because I was excited.50300:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,000Well, you know, sabbatical.50400:17:51,000 --> 00:17:55,000Well, you you slept in a little bit, but then you little bit were excited about.50500:17:55,000 --> 00:17:58,000I didn't have an alarm, but I still my body clock.50600:17:58,000 --> 00:17:59,000I needed to rest.50700:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,000My body is tired.50800:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,000Yeah, so does Chevy.50900:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,000Obviously, he's completely out in your lap right now.51000:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,000He's he's gone.51100:18:07,000 --> 00:18:09,000So anyway, it's been great.51200:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,000So we start this and this was day one.51300:18:11,000 --> 00:18:16,000And man, I'm just I think it's not going to get real till about day three or four.51400:18:16,000 --> 00:18:19,000Probably when we start going, well, it's going to be in the second week.51500:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,000Oh, really?51600:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,000I think maybe.51700:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000Well, we have family coming in tomorrow.51800:18:23,000 --> 00:18:24,000Oh, we do.51900:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,000We do.52000:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,000Our son, Chris, he's a pastor in Houston.52100:18:28,000 --> 00:18:30,000And he is on a sabbatical.52200:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,000He's a phenomenal pastor.52300:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,000He and our grandson are coming in.52400:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,000So it's going to feel just like we have family in town for a few days.52500:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,000Sweet.52600:18:37,000 --> 00:18:39,000And then next week we'll be by ourselves.52700:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,000Yeah.52800:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,000And I think it's going to hit us then.52900:18:42,000 --> 00:18:46,000Well, I think today there were moments where I went, it's really quiet.53000:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,000I'm used to being on social media.53100:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,000We were in the car.53200:18:49,000 --> 00:18:55,000I'm doing a I wouldn't call it digital detox, but a social media detox is really more accurate53300:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,000because I'm still going to do some things with digital.53400:18:57,000 --> 00:18:58,000I have to.53500:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,000I'm doing part of it and this is part of it.53600:19:00,000 --> 00:19:06,000But yeah, it's a moment where I thought this feels kind of weird, but it feels good.53700:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,000It feels really good.53800:19:08,000 --> 00:19:12,000I'm already, even though we had things to do today, just to kind of lean in and we went53900:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,000shopping for our keto journey.54000:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,000There's a lot to do with that.54100:19:15,000 --> 00:19:19,000But I'm still already in a place of peace.54200:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,000Pastor Eddie said, you're going to be miserable for two weeks.54300:19:22,000 --> 00:19:23,000Wow.54400:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,000You know what?54500:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,000I don't like that.54600:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,000I don't believe that.54700:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,000I'm not miserable.54800:19:27,000 --> 00:19:28,000I'm just being encouraged and excited.54900:19:28,000 --> 00:19:29,000We love our church.55000:19:29,000 --> 00:19:33,000Of course I want to know what's going on, but I'm letting it go.55100:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,000I'm letting it go.55200:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,000Taking my hands off the wheel.55300:19:38,000 --> 00:19:41,000So I've passed all that on to a competent team.55400:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,000So that's our journey so far.55500:19:43,000 --> 00:19:47,000Now we got a wonderful, I've got to pull this up.55600:19:47,000 --> 00:19:48,000Yeah, you do.55700:19:48,000 --> 00:19:52,000I want to read this because it was such a blessing to hear from Megan.55800:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,000Got some great, got some great reviews on the website.55900:19:55,000 --> 00:20:00,000Anyway, folks, if you, it would really encourage us and we love the interaction.56000:20:00,000 --> 00:20:05,000So go to livingupinadownworld.com.56100:20:05,000 --> 00:20:09,000You can leave a review, you can leave comments on the blogs that I post.56200:20:09,000 --> 00:20:13,000You can email us and contact us through that.56300:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,000I always love to get back with folks.56400:20:15,000 --> 00:20:20,000And so I've got to read a couple because I mean just wonderful, wonderful, encouraging words.56500:20:20,000 --> 00:20:23,000So here's one right here.56600:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,000Man, this is powerful.56700:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,000This is huge stuff.56800:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,000Let me read Paul Lopez review.56900:20:27,000 --> 00:20:28,000He left a review.57000:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,000He goes to our church.57100:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,000Amazing family.57200:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,000He and Anita are precious.57300:20:32,000 --> 00:20:36,000He says, I've been binge listening to the podcast over the last few days.57400:20:36,000 --> 00:20:37,000Wow.57500:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,000I've laughed.57600:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,000I've teared up and I've been ministered to.57700:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,000Thank you, Jimmy Annette and Chevy.57800:20:43,000 --> 00:20:49,000We've got to give Mr. Chevy credit for what God has called you to do both as pastors and podcasters.57900:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,000Paul, thank you so much for leaving that review.58000:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,000Beautiful. So sweet.58100:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,000That just means a ton to us.58200:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,000And we're going to post that on our website, by the way.58300:20:57,000 --> 00:20:58,000So you'll see that.58400:20:58,000 --> 00:21:02,000And we've got a lot of new people who've subscribed to our mailing list.58500:21:02,000 --> 00:21:05,000So I've got to add another one today, which is really exciting.58600:21:05,000 --> 00:21:09,000And so if you are listening, maybe for the first or second or third time, and you're like,58700:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,000yeah, I want to get on that.58800:21:11,000 --> 00:21:17,000And what I do is I put out a newsletter about a day before the podcast, just as a reminder to listen and be looking for us.58900:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,000And I put some things in there, pictures, highlights, just various things.59000:21:20,000 --> 00:21:23,000So anyway, I'd love to have you join that.59100:21:23,000 --> 00:21:28,000So you can sign up for that on our website and just let me know.59200:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,000Also, this is from Megan.59300:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,000And this is beautiful.59400:21:31,000 --> 00:21:40,000Well, we've asked people to write in and let us know if there's a topic that is something that they would like for us to discuss.59500:21:40,000 --> 00:21:45,000And Megan wrote us just what this is last week.59600:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,000Oh, I missed one. I missed another review.59700:21:48,000 --> 00:21:50,000So let me read that first. We'll go to Megan's.59800:21:50,000 --> 00:21:53,000OK. Megan's request, because it's beautiful.59900:21:53,000 --> 00:21:55,000And this is amazing. It's from Jesse.60000:21:55,000 --> 00:21:58,000And she says this. I love the interaction.60100:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,000She titled it great people with a great message.60200:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,000Oh, sweet. I know you're awesome, Jesse.60300:22:04,000 --> 00:22:07,000Thank you for listening and being a part of our family.60400:22:07,000 --> 00:22:12,000She says, I love the interaction between two people that love each other and God.60500:22:12,000 --> 00:22:15,000And that is the truth. She nailed it.60600:22:15,000 --> 00:22:22,000I mean, we are 30 years of while we've been married and I am more in love with this girl.60700:22:22,000 --> 00:22:27,000And I call her a girl out of respect because I still see you as that girl that I met.60800:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,000And I went hubba hubba.60900:22:29,000 --> 00:22:30,000Oh my God. OK.61000:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,000At the gym when I saw you.61100:22:31,000 --> 00:22:32,000Let's read the.61200:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,000Anyway, moving right along.61300:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,000It's a great way. She says this. Thank you, Jesse.61400:22:36,000 --> 00:22:41,000It's a great way to hear about life as a Christian from real people.61500:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,000They may not be perfect people. Wait a minute.61600:22:43,000 --> 00:22:47,000No, I'm kidding. Yeah, right. They may not be perfect people, but they're still amazing.61700:22:47,000 --> 00:22:50,000Thank you, Jesse. Beautiful, beautiful review.61800:22:50,000 --> 00:22:55,000We really appreciate a five star review and just appreciate your heart and sharing your heart with us.61900:22:55,000 --> 00:22:59,000And I have to tell you, in terms of being real, that's our heart.62000:22:59,000 --> 00:23:03,000And I've always said from the beginning, we'll never hide our scars.62100:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,000No secrets, no leverage. That's right.62200:23:06,000 --> 00:23:12,000So thank you so much. I want to read Megan's great input here.62300:23:12,000 --> 00:23:19,000Such a good question. I love this. So she says, Hi, I would love to hear y'all's thoughts.62400:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,000You think she's from Texas? From the South?62500:23:21,000 --> 00:23:27,000I'd love to hear y'all's thoughts on working through strained family relationships as a Christian.62600:23:27,000 --> 00:23:30,000That's a tough one. Booyah. Yeah, that's that's heavy.62700:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,000I mean, I feel the weight in my heart.62800:23:33,000 --> 00:23:38,000It's hard. And she says, I know God's path is for us to forgive.62900:23:38,000 --> 00:23:44,000But when relationships are not able to happen because of brokenness,63000:23:44,000 --> 00:23:49,000how do we navigate this whole following God's path?63100:23:49,000 --> 00:23:53,000And she says this, I love this podcast. I got caught up in less than two weeks.63200:23:53,000 --> 00:23:58,000I can't even imagine. Megan, Megan, you're a podcast rock star right there.63300:23:58,000 --> 00:24:03,000Wow. Listen to us and Mr. Chevy wallowing around on mom's lap.63400:24:03,000 --> 00:24:08,000My parents know she says thanks for always being so real. Wow.63500:24:08,000 --> 00:24:12,000And that's our heart. We want to make faith real for the rest of us.63600:24:12,000 --> 00:24:15,000Making faith real for real people because we're real people.63700:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,000So how are you going to answer that question? I was going to ask you that very same question.63800:24:18,000 --> 00:24:21,000No, I'm asking you. Wow. OK, let's just talk about this.63900:24:21,000 --> 00:24:27,000We did. She says, I want to hear your thoughts about working through strained family relationships as a Christian.64000:24:27,000 --> 00:24:36,000That's probably one of the number one questions we get asked probably over the last 30 years of working in ministry.64100:24:36,000 --> 00:24:40,000Almost on a weekly basis because we do an altar call at the end.64200:24:40,000 --> 00:24:44,000It's not just the old school altar call. It's like if you need prayer for any reason, we're here for you.64300:24:44,000 --> 00:24:48,000Just come. We have all of our elders at the front, our staff. We're at the front.64400:24:48,000 --> 00:24:55,000Without fail, most or many weeks, I'll just say many weeks, people come and they ask the same question.64500:24:55,000 --> 00:24:59,000What is some kind of strained relationship, whether it's friendship or family?64600:24:59,000 --> 00:25:02,000More often than not in family, but it's both, no doubt.64700:25:02,000 --> 00:25:10,000In fact, isn't it interesting that the very thing that God created us for from the beginning was to have a relationship with Him?64800:25:10,000 --> 00:25:15,000And doesn't it make sense that that is what is always under attack?64900:25:15,000 --> 00:25:21,000The enemy is always seeking to bring a breach between you and other people that you care about and love65000:25:21,000 --> 00:25:26,000and people that we think would never turn their backs on us. They do.65100:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,000It always hurts from people that we're the closest to.65200:25:29,000 --> 00:25:36,000And Megan, wonderful question. You're actually asking a question that a lot of people have asked.65300:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,000Recently, we were listening to... Oh, you okay, baby?65400:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,000Sorry, I've got something in my throat.65500:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,000You got a tickle in your throat?65600:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,000I do.65700:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,000Do you need something to drink?65800:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,000Yes, I'm going to go get something while you work.65900:25:48,000 --> 00:25:49,000Oh, you're just going to leave me here?66000:25:49,000 --> 00:25:50,000I have to.66100:25:50,000 --> 00:25:54,000I'm by myself. I can say anything I want right now.66200:25:54,000 --> 00:26:02,000Anyway, so Megan, recently Annette and I, we love... there's pastors that we love to listen to.66300:26:02,000 --> 00:26:04,000Glad to recommend those.66400:26:04,000 --> 00:26:05,000You know, they're not for everybody.66500:26:05,000 --> 00:26:10,000You've got to find who speaks into your life, speaks into your heart.66600:26:10,000 --> 00:26:13,000Annette is hacking up a lung in the other room. I hope she's okay. She's good.66700:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,000Okay, here she comes.66800:26:15,000 --> 00:26:23,000But we're glad to recommend maybe ministers, pastors, people who speak life and truth.66900:26:23,000 --> 00:26:30,000And one that's ministered us through the years, over the years, is Pastor Bill Johnson out of Bethel Church in Reading, California.67000:26:30,000 --> 00:26:33,000We've been out there a couple of times. We've had friends on staff there.67100:26:33,000 --> 00:26:39,000But he said something in a message. He lost his wife about a year ago.67200:26:39,000 --> 00:26:44,000And that got my attention. I've always enjoyed him. I always love listening to him.67300:26:44,000 --> 00:26:48,000But there's something about listening to someone who's navigating pain.67400:26:48,000 --> 00:26:52,000And I'm always curious to see how they navigate pain.67500:26:52,000 --> 00:26:58,000And he shared a lot. So he got up actually the Sunday after his wife passed.67600:26:58,000 --> 00:27:06,000And they've been married decades. And after she passed, he got up. He's 72 years old, so they've been together a long time.67700:27:06,000 --> 00:27:09,000And he shared his heart. And I watched him navigate pain.67800:27:09,000 --> 00:27:18,000But he said something in the context of that sermon that Annette, in fact Annette said, pause, pause. We need to write that down.67900:27:18,000 --> 00:27:26,000And it was this. He said this, I have given up my right to be offended.68000:27:26,000 --> 00:27:28,000That's pretty powerful.68100:27:28,000 --> 00:27:34,000Let the gravity of that sink in for just a minute. I have given up my right to be offended.68200:27:34,000 --> 00:27:36,000At this point, he was talking about God.68300:27:36,000 --> 00:27:44,000God because of his wife passing and his whole ministry is surrounded by healing and believing in the healing miracles of God.68400:27:44,000 --> 00:27:45,000Miraculous.68500:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,000And his dad passed away.68600:27:47,000 --> 00:27:48,000Yeah, from cancer.68700:27:48,000 --> 00:27:51,000Many years ago. And now his wife from an illness.68800:27:51,000 --> 00:27:56,000And so it was very, for him to say that.68900:27:56,000 --> 00:27:57,000It's powerful.69000:27:57,000 --> 00:28:03,000And this was just a few days after her funeral. And boy, talk about an amazing.69100:28:03,000 --> 00:28:05,000I might have cried during that sermon.69200:28:05,000 --> 00:28:06,000Oh, you cried through the whole thing.69300:28:06,000 --> 00:28:11,000I know. Last week's podcast was titled, Big Boys Don't Cry.69400:28:11,000 --> 00:28:12,000You were crying.69500:28:12,000 --> 00:28:13,000But this one does.69600:28:13,000 --> 00:28:14,000That was pretty powerful.69700:28:14,000 --> 00:28:15,000Hit me so hard.69800:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,000Giving up your right to be offended.69900:28:18,000 --> 00:28:23,000And I've heard this before. I remember Michael W. Smith. Many of you all may know who Michael W. Smith is.70000:28:23,000 --> 00:28:25,000He's one of the most prolific songwriters in Nashville.70100:28:25,000 --> 00:28:27,000He interviewed us for a job.70200:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,000He did, yeah. We had a great conversation with Michael.70300:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,000That was an interesting interview by the way.70400:28:31,000 --> 00:28:34,000Great guy. Great guy. We loved our time with him.70500:28:34,000 --> 00:28:35,000Very nice guy.70600:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,000He ended up calling his son-in-law to be the pastor of the church.70700:28:38,000 --> 00:28:39,000He's the pastor of the center of us.70800:28:39,000 --> 00:28:41,000We get it. It's family.70900:28:41,000 --> 00:28:44,000But anyway, he was gracious and we had a wonderful visit with Michael.71000:28:44,000 --> 00:28:51,000But I remember seeing Michael in a movie, a documentary, where he was sitting on the front porch.71100:28:51,000 --> 00:28:54,000He's got a little cabin out on his land there in Franklin, Tennessee.71200:28:54,000 --> 00:29:03,000And he said, I have endeavored that I will never be offended again for the rest of my life.71300:29:03,000 --> 00:29:06,000I remember hearing that. That was like thunder in my soul.71400:29:06,000 --> 00:29:09,000And then I heard Bill say it.71500:29:09,000 --> 00:29:10,000So that's two people.71600:29:10,000 --> 00:29:13,000Yeah, I hear Pastor Bill Johnson say it recently.71700:29:13,000 --> 00:29:19,000But I love the way he said it. He said, I give up my right to be offended.71800:29:19,000 --> 00:29:23,000From a world's perspective and from all the friends that we run with, they'll say,71900:29:23,000 --> 00:29:29,000hey, you should be mad about that. You should be upset. You should be offended about that.72000:29:29,000 --> 00:29:38,000But when you've given up your right to be offended because you're so submitted to the Lordship of Christ, that's powerful.72100:29:38,000 --> 00:29:39,000It really is.72200:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,000How did that hit you when he said it?72300:29:41,000 --> 00:29:46,000It really did hit me hard because I thought, have I ever even thought about that?72400:29:46,000 --> 00:29:54,000Because so many times we get offended by people who say negative things about us or to us or whatever.72500:29:54,000 --> 00:30:00,000And we immediately, I mean, our first reaction is, oh my gosh, why do they say something like that?72600:30:00,000 --> 00:30:07,000And we take on that offense. And when he said that, it was like, wow.72700:30:07,000 --> 00:30:14,000Why are we even allowing offense to take root in our heart?72800:30:14,000 --> 00:30:21,000That is profound. And I'm thinking in terms of what Megan talked about in terms of family.72900:30:21,000 --> 00:30:22,000And that's harder.73000:30:22,000 --> 00:30:29,000That can be even harder because they're close and in a good way and sometimes a hard way, you're stuck with family.73100:30:29,000 --> 00:30:40,000Blood is blood, right? Or marriage and the bonds of matrimony bring families together and not always the best situations, obviously.73200:30:40,000 --> 00:30:44,000And so there are times when there's massive disruption.73300:30:44,000 --> 00:30:49,000I always and I truly believe this, that the enemy is to blame.73400:30:49,000 --> 00:30:50,000Right.73500:30:50,000 --> 00:30:52,000And he's seeking to destroy the family.73600:30:52,000 --> 00:30:55,000Look what he's doing in the world in this culture.73700:30:55,000 --> 00:31:03,000In John chapter 10, remember that verse, John 10, 10 says the thief comes only except to steal, kill and destroy.73800:31:03,000 --> 00:31:08,000Jesus flips the script and says, but I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.73900:31:08,000 --> 00:31:15,000The enemy is there to destroy and what he's looking to destroy is not looking to take away your money, take away your security.74000:31:15,000 --> 00:31:18,000That's all very ancillary in life.74100:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,000That's just extra stuff. Those are the accoutrements of life.74200:31:21,000 --> 00:31:24,000He's here to destroy relationships.74300:31:24,000 --> 00:31:25,000And your peace.74400:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,000Well, through that.74500:31:27,000 --> 00:31:28,000Through that, yes.74600:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,000But the primary target is relationships.74700:31:30,000 --> 00:31:31,000Exactly.74800:31:31,000 --> 00:31:33,000Because that was why we were created.74900:31:33,000 --> 00:31:39,000We were created to be in relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and the heavenly host.75000:31:39,000 --> 00:31:43,000And then we're created to be in relationship with one another.75100:31:43,000 --> 00:31:48,000So that is the biggest breach there can possibly be.75200:31:48,000 --> 00:31:49,000Cain and Abel.75300:31:49,000 --> 00:31:50,000Right.75400:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,000Think about it.75500:31:51,000 --> 00:31:52,000Exactly.75600:31:52,000 --> 00:31:54,000One brother killing another brother.75700:31:54,000 --> 00:31:55,000Yes.75800:31:55,000 --> 00:31:56,000I mean, it started.75900:31:56,000 --> 00:32:01,000And so every, I mean, it's been from the beginning, the breach in relationship.76000:32:01,000 --> 00:32:10,000But someone has to stand up and say, I'm not going to allow this offense to continue to take root.76100:32:10,000 --> 00:32:13,000I'm going to live how Jesus wants me to.76200:32:13,000 --> 00:32:19,000And then when that offense, when it comes into your mind, you just have to get it out of your mind.76300:32:19,000 --> 00:32:20,000You have to think of other things.76400:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,000And you have to think.76500:32:22,000 --> 00:32:28,000For me, I always think about the brokenness of the other person.76600:32:28,000 --> 00:32:37,000That the reason why there's an offense on their part that cannot get ratified is because they're broken.76700:32:37,000 --> 00:32:38,000There's some brokenness.76800:32:38,000 --> 00:32:40,000There's something that they don't.76900:32:40,000 --> 00:32:41,000No doubt.77000:32:41,000 --> 00:32:44,000That they can't.77100:32:44,000 --> 00:32:47,000Sometimes you can't even explain what it is.77200:32:47,000 --> 00:32:49,000It could be something from your childhood.77300:32:49,000 --> 00:32:52,000It can be something from something that happened years ago.77400:32:52,000 --> 00:32:59,000But you've got to be able to look at that person and say, I'm not going to be upset at that person because it's deeper than that.77500:32:59,000 --> 00:33:02,000There's something else there.77600:33:02,000 --> 00:33:03,000Nailed it.77700:33:03,000 --> 00:33:04,000You know what I'm saying?77800:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,000Absolutely, Annette.77900:33:06,000 --> 00:33:10,000I love this idea of seeing people in 3D.78000:33:10,000 --> 00:33:18,000And what it means is by looking at them from every angle, you know, when you just look at somebody who's standing in front of you upset,78100:33:18,000 --> 00:33:25,000or they've written you an email or a horrible text or whatever, that's not seeing them in 3D.78200:33:25,000 --> 00:33:27,000That's just seeing them in one dimensionally.78300:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,000You're just seeing what's there in front of you.78400:33:29,000 --> 00:33:35,000But when you begin to look in 3D, the idea there is that you step around to the side and you see what's going on.78500:33:35,000 --> 00:33:38,000You step around from behind and realize there's a past here.78600:33:38,000 --> 00:33:40,000There's a history here.78700:33:40,000 --> 00:33:49,000And a lot of times, as a pastor, I take a lot of shots and hits because when you're a public figure, you get a target on your back.78800:33:49,000 --> 00:33:50,000Exactly.78900:33:50,000 --> 00:33:53,000And also when you're preaching the truth and the gospel, you're targeted.79000:33:53,000 --> 00:33:57,000So I've had to learn how to navigate pain.79100:33:57,000 --> 00:34:01,000I've had to learn how to navigate people coming against me, lying.79200:34:01,000 --> 00:34:03,000But it still hurts.79300:34:03,000 --> 00:34:04,000Oh, it hurts deeply because I'm a heart leader.79400:34:04,000 --> 00:34:06,000That's what's so hard is we hurt so much.79500:34:06,000 --> 00:34:09,000We do. It's brutal.79600:34:09,000 --> 00:34:12,000And there's things that happen to us when we take a hit like that.79700:34:12,000 --> 00:34:14,000We want to validate ourselves.79800:34:14,000 --> 00:34:20,000If we're not careful in our immaturity, we'll run around and gather a bunch of people who love us to make us feel good.79900:34:20,000 --> 00:34:22,000Pat me on the back. Tell me I'm okay.80000:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,000That's not the answer.80100:34:24,000 --> 00:34:25,000That's a low level.80200:34:25,000 --> 00:34:31,000And not that we don't need people telling us we're good, but that is a low level of maturity.80300:34:31,000 --> 00:34:38,000The more mature you get, the more you're able to begin to have thick skin and shake things off and say, you know what?80400:34:38,000 --> 00:34:42,000I'm not going to allow this offense to penetrate me.80500:34:42,000 --> 00:34:46,000I'm going to become impermeable because I died.80600:34:46,000 --> 00:34:50,000My life is now hidden in Christ, Colossians chapter 3.80700:34:50,000 --> 00:34:52,000I am hidden.80800:34:52,000 --> 00:34:56,000And then in Galatians 2.20, I know I've been crucified with Christ.80900:34:56,000 --> 00:35:00,000I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.81000:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,000And the word in means through.81100:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,000I know exactly what you're saying.81200:35:04,000 --> 00:35:11,000In the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.81300:35:11,000 --> 00:35:13,000It's Galatians 2.20.81400:35:13,000 --> 00:35:20,000And so Colossians 3, those first three verses, Galatians 2.20, our life is hidden in Christ.81500:35:20,000 --> 00:35:27,000And it's almost as though, I love the way Pastor Bill said it, I give up my right.81600:35:27,000 --> 00:35:33,000In a very real sense, if we've died and we've been crucified, we have no rights.81700:35:33,000 --> 00:35:35,000A dead man doesn't have rights.81800:35:35,000 --> 00:35:38,000A dead woman doesn't have rights.81900:35:38,000 --> 00:35:41,000That doesn't mean you're not real, that you're not human because we do.82000:35:41,000 --> 00:35:42,000Pain hurts.82100:35:42,000 --> 00:35:46,000In some days, putting it in real language, it sucks to be you.82200:35:46,000 --> 00:35:51,000It's just hard, especially when it's people close to you or family.82300:35:51,000 --> 00:35:58,000However, there is something powerful about an individual who knows who they are in Christ.82400:35:58,000 --> 00:36:01,000Because when you know who you are, you know what to do.82500:36:01,000 --> 00:36:02,000Exactly.82600:36:02,000 --> 00:36:04,000I talked about Stephen.82700:36:04,000 --> 00:36:06,000Man, Stephen was a young man in Christ.82800:36:06,000 --> 00:36:13,000He came along with that first wave in the early chapters of the Book of Acts when the Holy Spirit was poured out in the church.82900:36:13,000 --> 00:36:15,000As we know, it was birthed.83000:36:15,000 --> 00:36:16,000Powerful story of Stephen.83100:36:16,000 --> 00:36:21,000Stephen was hauled in for preaching the gospel.83200:36:21,000 --> 00:36:24,000He was called a blasphemer.83300:36:24,000 --> 00:36:36,000In fact, this group of religious leaders of the Hebrew people actually paid people to lie and bear false witness against him in a court before a group called the Sanhedrin.83400:36:36,000 --> 00:36:37,000This is still happening today.83500:36:37,000 --> 00:36:39,000Oh, this stuff happens all the time.83600:36:39,000 --> 00:36:40,000It happens in families.83700:36:40,000 --> 00:36:49,000They may not be paying somebody, but they gather people to support the lie or validate a lie or an untruth or a half-truth, which is a lie.83800:36:49,000 --> 00:36:51,000That's what happened to Stephen.83900:36:51,000 --> 00:37:02,000It says that as he was before them and they were accusing him, the Bible literally says in Acts chapter 6 that as they looked upon Stephen, he had the face of an angel.84000:37:02,000 --> 00:37:05,000That was really an interesting passage.84100:37:05,000 --> 00:37:09,000It's powerful and yet it spoke loudly to me.84200:37:09,000 --> 00:37:11,000It did some exegesis.84300:37:11,000 --> 00:37:14,000There were many interpretations of that.84400:37:14,000 --> 00:37:15,000What does that mean?84500:37:15,000 --> 00:37:16,000Exactly.84600:37:16,000 --> 00:37:20,000You felt like he was confident in who he was.84700:37:20,000 --> 00:37:23,000Christ-confident, identity-confident.84800:37:23,000 --> 00:37:24,000I know who I am.84900:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,000I know what I'm called to do.85000:37:26,000 --> 00:37:31,000You may be railing against me, falsely accusing me, but I know who I am.85100:37:31,000 --> 00:37:35,000Because I know who I am, I know what to do.85200:37:35,000 --> 00:37:36,000Exactly.85300:37:36,000 --> 00:37:38,000I want to encourage Megan and anybody else listening to this.85400:37:38,000 --> 00:37:42,000Listen, you can't fix the people in your family.85500:37:42,000 --> 00:37:43,000You can't.85600:37:43,000 --> 00:37:45,000When you try, that's called codependence.85700:37:45,000 --> 00:37:48,000But you can pray for the people in your family.85800:37:48,000 --> 00:37:49,000You've got the weapon of warfare.85900:37:49,000 --> 00:38:01,000You pray that God will penetrate their heart, help them see the truth of a situation, whatever it is, because we don't know what it is, and be able to walk in forgiveness once and for all.86000:38:01,000 --> 00:38:08,000Because once we walk into forgiveness, that bondage is broken, that stronghold is broken.86100:38:08,000 --> 00:38:12,000Forgiveness becomes a cage and a jail and a prison of our own making.86200:38:12,000 --> 00:38:17,000And then you, and I love this, you go from...86300:38:17,000 --> 00:38:18,000Contempt?86400:38:18,000 --> 00:38:19,000Contempt.86500:38:19,000 --> 00:38:20,000To compassion.86600:38:20,000 --> 00:38:21,000To compassion.86700:38:21,000 --> 00:38:23,000Oh my gosh.86800:38:23,000 --> 00:38:27,000When I got to that point with my father, it changed our relationship.86900:38:27,000 --> 00:38:28,000Yeah.87000:38:28,000 --> 00:38:29,000Totally.87100:38:29,000 --> 00:38:30,000Yeah.87200:38:30,000 --> 00:38:34,000And because I had so much contempt for him for so long.87300:38:34,000 --> 00:38:38,000And then God just, I don't know what happened.87400:38:38,000 --> 00:38:50,000I just got a revelation that something had to have happened to him when he was young that caused him to be the father, not a great father, not a great role model for me.87500:38:50,000 --> 00:39:05,000But now, looking back, I'm like, oh, I wish I could have at least talked to him to find out when I was younger more about his relationship with his own family and friends when he was growing up.87600:39:05,000 --> 00:39:06,000Yeah.87700:39:05,000 --> 00:39:06,000I don't know.87800:39:06,000 --> 00:39:07,000You began to see him in 3D.87900:39:07,000 --> 00:39:08,000I did.88000:39:08,000 --> 00:39:09,000I saw him in 3D.88100:39:09,000 --> 00:39:11,000I remember when that happened.88200:39:11,000 --> 00:39:12,000It was powerful.88300:39:11,000 --> 00:39:12,000Oh my goodness.88400:39:12,000 --> 00:39:13,000Yes.88500:39:13,000 --> 00:39:14,000By the way, you're beautiful.88600:39:14,000 --> 00:39:15,000Oh, you're so sweet.88700:39:15,000 --> 00:39:19,000When you go spiritual, I'm just like, man, Katie, bar the door.88800:39:19,000 --> 00:39:21,000I'm just trying to live up to you, honey.88900:39:21,000 --> 00:39:24,000I love you so much.89000:39:24,000 --> 00:39:25,000Beautiful.89100:39:25,000 --> 00:39:26,000And you're right.89200:39:26,000 --> 00:39:29,000We move from contempt to compassion.89300:39:29,000 --> 00:39:30,000Compassion.89400:39:30,000 --> 00:39:36,000And we have to forgive even when people don't accept it.89500:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,000And you still have to forgive on your part.89600:39:38,000 --> 00:39:49,000It's like, God, I love what Jesus said at the cross when he was being beaten and flogged.89700:39:49,000 --> 00:39:50,000I can't even imagine.89800:39:49,000 --> 00:39:50,000Stephen said it too.89900:39:50,000 --> 00:39:51,000And Stephen said it too.90000:39:51,000 --> 00:39:58,000Stephen, as they were stoning him, and I say stoning, you may not understand what that is as an American, but it was brutal.90100:39:58,000 --> 00:40:05,000They would take up rocks and they would get in a circle around an individual and they would literally pound them to death.90200:40:05,000 --> 00:40:06,000Yes.90300:40:06,000 --> 00:40:09,000And as that was happening, the Bible says he dropped to his knees.90400:40:09,000 --> 00:40:10,000He said, forgive them.90500:40:10,000 --> 00:40:11,000Yes, they don't know.90600:40:11,000 --> 00:40:12,000Forgive them.90700:40:12,000 --> 00:40:13,000They don't know what they're doing.90800:40:13,000 --> 00:40:14,000I mean, what?90900:40:14,000 --> 00:40:15,000Jesus did the same thing.91000:40:15,000 --> 00:40:18,000And we're supposed to be like Jesus.91100:40:18,000 --> 00:40:20,000That is hard.91200:40:20,000 --> 00:40:22,000That is really hard.91300:40:22,000 --> 00:40:28,000But we've got to get to the point where we're maturing enough in our faith that we have that kind of response.91400:40:28,000 --> 00:40:30,000And, you know, a lot of us aren't there yet.91500:40:30,000 --> 00:40:31,000And it's hard.91600:40:31,000 --> 00:40:33,000So think about what Pastor Bill Johnson said.91700:40:33,000 --> 00:40:36,000He said, I give up my right.91800:40:36,000 --> 00:40:38,000In other words, he surrendered it.91900:40:38,000 --> 00:40:39,000That's how we do it.92000:40:39,000 --> 00:40:42,000We surrender our right to be angry.92100:40:42,000 --> 00:40:45,000We surrender our right to be offended.92200:40:45,000 --> 00:40:46,000Exactly.92300:40:46,000 --> 00:40:49,000And, Megan, if you're hearing this, no, we're not perfect.92400:40:49,000 --> 00:40:50,000Oh, my gosh.92500:40:50,000 --> 00:40:52,000We're still learning and growing in this ourselves.92600:40:52,000 --> 00:40:53,000No doubt.92700:40:53,000 --> 00:40:55,000I think we will always be having to navigate these kinds of things.92800:40:55,000 --> 00:40:59,000Well, if we ever get to the point where we say we know everything.92900:40:59,000 --> 00:41:00,000Not going to happen.93000:41:00,000 --> 00:41:01,000Not on this side.93100:41:01,000 --> 00:41:03,000Not on this side.93200:41:03,000 --> 00:41:06,000Because something took over and it wasn't godly.93300:41:06,000 --> 00:41:08,000Because that's a hard one.93400:41:08,000 --> 00:41:09,000It is very hard.93500:41:09,000 --> 00:41:23,000It took me decades to get to the point to where I could literally forgive my father and walk in, walk out that forgiveness and not just let it fester and hold on to myself.93600:41:23,000 --> 00:41:26,000So giving up our right.93700:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,000And, you know, forgiveness, Megan, I know you know this.93800:41:29,000 --> 00:41:31,000I would say this to anybody.93900:41:31,000 --> 00:41:32,000We know these things.94000:41:32,000 --> 00:41:34,000But forgiveness is not a feeling.94100:41:34,000 --> 00:41:35,000Right.94200:41:35,000 --> 00:41:36,000It's not an emotion.94300:41:36,000 --> 00:41:38,000And it doesn't condone what someone did.94400:41:38,000 --> 00:41:39,000Exactly.94500:41:39,000 --> 00:41:40,000It's a choice.94600:41:40,000 --> 00:41:43,000We make a choice that I'm going to forgive them.94700:41:43,000 --> 00:41:46,000Now, that may not mean that I let them back into my orbit.94800:41:46,000 --> 00:41:47,000Exactly.94900:41:47,000 --> 00:41:50,000Because we have to put up a moat, a boundary around ourselves.95000:41:50,000 --> 00:41:51,000Exactly.95100:41:51,000 --> 00:41:53,000To say, you know what?95200:41:53,000 --> 00:41:56,000What they did, it's just I won't say it's unforgivable.95300:41:56,000 --> 00:42:01,000It's just I can't let them back into that space and into I can't be that vulnerable.95400:42:01,000 --> 00:42:02,000So that's not wrong.95500:42:02,000 --> 00:42:03,000That's a healthy thing.95600:42:03,000 --> 00:42:04,000It's a good thing.95700:42:04,000 --> 00:42:13,000Henry Cloud Boundaries, one of the best books ever written, talks about that is that you do you forgive, you let go, you release.95800:42:13,000 --> 00:42:18,000Or as Pastor Bill says, you surrender your right to hold on to that.95900:42:18,000 --> 00:42:24,000And yet, not but, yet, you still have to build boundaries around you.96000:42:24,000 --> 00:42:31,000And just another thing, just a thought, love is so powerful.96100:42:31,000 --> 00:42:37,000Love goes beyond the hurt, goes beyond the wounds, goes beyond the hits.96200:42:37,000 --> 00:42:46,000And it sees past it so that you can see the wounded person they are, the wounded child that they are.96300:42:46,000 --> 00:42:48,000Because it was probably something.96400:42:48,000 --> 00:43:02,000I've learned this as a pastor through 38 years, nearly four decades of doing this, that 99 out of 100 times when I've taken a hit from another individual, it wasn't about me.96500:43:02,000 --> 00:43:03,000That's right.96600:43:03,000 --> 00:43:04,000It was on my watch.96700:43:04,000 --> 00:43:09,000I might have been a trigger, but it wasn't about me.96800:43:09,000 --> 00:43:12,000And I've learned not to take these things personally.96900:43:12,000 --> 00:43:14,000Now, let me back up.97000:43:14,000 --> 00:43:15,000I'm learning.97100:43:15,000 --> 00:43:16,000There you go.97200:43:16,000 --> 00:43:21,000And I think this, if I ever get to the point where it doesn't hurt me or bother me, I need to quit the ministry.97300:43:21,000 --> 00:43:22,000Exactly.97400:43:22,000 --> 00:43:26,000I need to go do something else because I need my heart to be open.97500:43:26,000 --> 00:43:34,000And it's okay that it's got a lot of scars and cuts and bruises because it's worth it to love people deeply.97600:43:34,000 --> 00:43:44,000Jesus, I love the scripture, it says that Jesus didn't give himself to man because he knew what was in man.97700:43:44,000 --> 00:43:47,000And yet he was one of the greatest lovers of all time.97800:43:47,000 --> 00:43:49,000Yet he didn't give himself.97900:43:49,000 --> 00:43:59,000There's a tension or a balance in that where we love people deeply, but we also have boundaries and we understand the rules of the game, so to speak.98000:43:59,000 --> 00:44:00,000Exactly.98100:44:00,000 --> 00:44:13,000And so, Megan, our heart goes out to you because anytime we hear about family relationships and strained family relationships, and here we are followers of Jesus, what's really harder for me sometimes, honestly,98200:44:13,000 --> 00:44:28,000I'm a follower of Jesus who loves God with all my heart, but there may be another person on the other side of the fence who's a follower of Jesus, loves the Lord with all their heart, and yet we don't seem to be able to connect, reconcile, or work it out.98300:44:28,000 --> 00:44:29,000That's hard.98400:44:29,000 --> 00:44:30,000It is hard.98500:44:30,000 --> 00:44:43,000I think that will be a mystery that goes in the mystery box of why two followers of Jesus who love him intently can't seem to work through the brokenness and the strain.98600:44:43,000 --> 00:44:45,000That'll be in the mystery box.98700:44:45,000 --> 00:44:47,000There's always mystery.98800:44:47,000 --> 00:44:48,000Always.98900:44:48,000 --> 00:44:52,000If you can't embrace mystery, you're going to have a hard time as a follower of Jesus.99000:44:52,000 --> 00:44:53,000That is true.99100:44:53,000 --> 00:44:55,000Any closing words on that?99200:44:55,000 --> 00:44:56,000No, I just…99300:44:56,000 --> 00:45:00,000My heart goes out to Megan and anyone else who's suffering from these kinds of things.99400:45:00,000 --> 00:45:01,000Because she's not the first one who's brought that up.99500:45:01,000 --> 00:45:02,000No, not at all.99600:45:02,000 --> 00:45:03,000Not at all.99700:45:03,000 --> 00:45:11,000And we've touched on this a little bit in the past, but it's really fresh for her, and I felt like it was time for us to bring it up.99800:45:11,000 --> 00:45:12,000Yeah, I agree.99900:45:12,000 --> 00:45:13,000I agree.100000:45:13,000 --> 00:45:14,000It's heavy.100100:45:14,000 --> 00:45:15,000It's a heavy weight to bear.100200:45:15,000 --> 00:45:19,000But God, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, right?100300:45:19,000 --> 00:45:20,000Humpty Dumpty…100400:45:20,000 --> 00:45:22,000You're not going to hear that for eight weeks.100500:45:22,000 --> 00:45:28,000Had a great fall, all the king's horses, all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again, but God can.100600:45:28,000 --> 00:45:30,000God can and God does.100700:45:30,000 --> 00:45:33,000So Megan, our heart goes out to you.100800:45:33,000 --> 00:45:34,000We're going to breathe a prayer for you.100900:45:34,000 --> 00:45:41,000And anyone else who's listening today says, oh gosh, if Megan only knew what I was going through.101000:45:41,000 --> 00:45:46,000I mean, just a lot of people are hurting in that arena, and so our hearts go out.101100:45:46,000 --> 00:45:48,000And we get it.101200:45:48,000 --> 00:45:49,000We understand.101300:45:49,000 --> 00:45:50,000We do.101400:45:50,000 --> 00:45:51,000We really do.101500:45:51,000 --> 00:45:53,000And God wants to heal those wounded hearts.101600:45:53,000 --> 00:45:58,000That's why He died for us, is to heal those wounded hearts.101700:45:58,000 --> 00:45:59,000Yeah.101800:45:59,000 --> 00:46:04,000So Megan, He hears your cries.101900:46:04,000 --> 00:46:07,000He hears all of your pain.102000:46:07,000 --> 00:46:08,000He knows all your pain.102100:46:08,000 --> 00:46:09,000Absolutely.102200:46:09,000 --> 00:46:10,000He sees it.102300:46:10,000 --> 00:46:11,000Absolutely.102400:46:11,000 --> 00:46:12,000And He's there.102500:46:12,000 --> 00:46:13,000Just turn to Him.102600:46:13,000 --> 00:46:17,000Every time you feel something, just turn to Him and say, here I go again.102700:46:17,000 --> 00:46:18,000Here I am again.102800:46:18,000 --> 00:46:19,000I'm back.102900:46:19,000 --> 00:46:20,000It's okay.103000:46:20,000 --> 00:46:21,000He's a good God.103100:46:21,000 --> 00:46:22,000He really is a good God.103200:46:22,000 --> 00:46:23,000He really is.103300:46:23,000 --> 00:46:24,000Can I pray for Megan?103400:46:24,000 --> 00:46:25,000Yeah, let's do that.103500:46:25,000 --> 00:46:26,000Let's just take a moment and do that.103600:46:26,000 --> 00:46:29,200And those of you that are listening, even though you're going to be listening, not in103700:46:29,200 --> 00:46:32,000real time, and I think prayers are retroactive.103800:46:32,000 --> 00:46:33,000It doesn't matter.103900:46:33,000 --> 00:46:34,000It's the heart.104000:46:34,000 --> 00:46:40,000So join us in praying for Megan and others who are listening to the broadcast who are104100:46:40,000 --> 00:46:43,000hurting and struggling with these strained relationships.104200:46:43,000 --> 00:46:45,000So I'll keep it short.104300:46:45,000 --> 00:46:52,840We bring Megan and others before you who are suffering through strained family relationships.104400:46:52,840 --> 00:46:57,000They're painful and they don't always have a clear resolution.104500:46:57,000 --> 00:47:03,280We always don't get the apology we wanted or the reconciliation that we feel like would104600:47:03,280 --> 00:47:04,280be right.104700:47:04,280 --> 00:47:05,280We don't always get it.104800:47:05,280 --> 00:47:08,800We don't always get the answers of even why it happened.104900:47:08,800 --> 00:47:11,200And so Lord, we lean into trust.105000:47:11,200 --> 00:47:16,480We lean into open in our hearts and like Pastor Bill, such a profound word.105100:47:16,480 --> 00:47:19,800I give up my right to be offended.105200:47:19,800 --> 00:47:23,360Lord, may we step into that posture in that place.105300:47:23,360 --> 00:47:29,280And so for Megan and others who are listening right now, wherever they are and whenever105400:47:29,280 --> 00:47:35,360they listen to this, whether it's tomorrow or 15 weeks from now or a year from now, if105500:47:35,360 --> 00:47:41,360they hear this, they can join in this prayer for themselves that your grace is enough.105600:47:41,360 --> 00:47:49,680It's sufficient and that your love, father, we are all of us called, loved and kept by105700:47:49,680 --> 00:47:51,680you in Jesus name.105800:47:51,680 --> 00:47:52,680Amen.105900:47:52,680 --> 00:47:53,680Amen.106000:47:53,680 --> 00:47:54,680We love you Megan.106100:47:54,680 --> 00:47:55,680God bless you.106200:47:55,680 --> 00:47:58,240Meg, I want to share some things with some great.106300:47:58,240 --> 00:48:04,680We had a great week by the way on, on fountain and boostograms and encouragement and notes.106400:48:04,680 --> 00:48:05,960So I want to share some of these.106500:48:05,960 --> 00:48:10,360I'm just going to start from the top, uh, sending in Satoshi's, which by the way, if106600:48:10,360 --> 00:48:16,160you listen on any of the podcast platforms that are podcasting 2.0, like castamatic and106700:48:16,160 --> 00:48:20,520fountain, you can actually earn Satoshi's while you're listening and you can bless those106800:48:20,520 --> 00:48:24,320forward and value for value is what we call that.106900:48:24,320 --> 00:48:29,760So appreciate Adam Curry and Tina for teaching us about the power of value for value.107000:48:29,760 --> 00:48:32,440By the way, we've not talked about Adam and Tina.107100:48:32,440 --> 00:48:36,960We need to talk about their amazing podcast, which used to be bi-weekly.107200:48:36,960 --> 00:48:38,240They did weekly.107300:48:38,240 --> 00:48:39,400Now they do it every week.107400:48:39,400 --> 00:48:45,120Martha came, she texted me yesterday or the day before and said, Oh my gosh, I've listening107500:48:45,120 --> 00:48:48,160to curry and the keeper and I can't quit laughing.107600:48:48,160 --> 00:48:49,160Oh, beautiful.107700:48:49,160 --> 00:48:50,160Good.107800:48:50,160 --> 00:48:51,840Cause you're probably crying with ours.107900:48:51,840 --> 00:48:52,840You're laughing with her.108000:48:52,840 --> 00:48:53,840No, I'm just kidding.108100:48:53,840 --> 00:48:59,440Um, and I sent that text to, to, uh, Adam and Tina and they were just very blessed to108200:48:59,440 --> 00:49:02,720know that, that, uh, someone else is listening.108300:49:02,720 --> 00:49:03,720Beautiful.108400:49:03,720 --> 00:49:07,280So curry and the keepers would love for you to check these guys out.108500:49:07,280 --> 00:49:12,640Adam also has a great podcast where they do media deconstruction and kind of what's current,108600:49:12,640 --> 00:49:15,840what's happening in real time called no agenda.108700:49:15,840 --> 00:49:16,840So you can check that out.108800:49:16,840 --> 00:49:22,320He and John Dvorak do an amazing job pulling things apart, getting to the truth.108900:49:22,320 --> 00:49:23,760They're not bashing people.109000:49:23,760 --> 00:49:26,400They're dealing with systems that are broken.109100:49:26,400 --> 00:49:33,560And so that's another very educational media is definitely, oh my gosh, media, culture,109200:49:33,560 --> 00:49:34,560government.109300:49:34,560 --> 00:49:36,880Don't get me started all broken.109400:49:36,880 --> 00:49:39,680And that's why we're living up in a down world.109500:49:39,680 --> 00:49:42,240We are choosing to live up in that.109600:49:42,240 --> 00:49:43,240So some boostograms.109700:49:43,240 --> 00:49:46,440Let me share you some, share with some good things are going on.109800:49:46,440 --> 00:49:48,560So sharing sats with us.109900:49:48,560 --> 00:49:51,720Satoshi's is a sir by his grace.110000:49:51,720 --> 00:49:52,720Love this guy.110100:49:52,720 --> 00:49:53,720Is that Brian?110200:49:53,720 --> 00:49:56,160No, no, no Brian with an eye.110300:49:56,160 --> 00:49:57,160Yes.110400:49:57,160 --> 00:49:58,160Okay.110500:49:58,160 --> 00:50:00,000I was being quiet on our Satoshi deal.110600:50:00,000 --> 00:50:01,000Yeah.110700:50:01,000 --> 00:50:02,000Better check on him.110800:50:02,000 --> 00:50:03,000I know.110900:50:03,000 --> 00:50:04,000Nice.111000:50:04,000 --> 00:50:05,000I love Brian.111100:50:05,000 --> 00:50:06,000And I, Brian and I hadn't heard from you recently.111200:50:06,000 --> 00:50:07,000Sir, by his grace.111300:50:07,000 --> 00:50:09,040Listen to he says, let's go, bro.111400:50:09,040 --> 00:50:12,320I love my kind of guy.111500:50:12,320 --> 00:50:13,880He says this quote, I am the Lord.111600:50:13,880 --> 00:50:14,880I've spoken.111700:50:14,880 --> 00:50:15,880It shall come to pass.111800:50:15,880 --> 00:50:16,880I will do it.111900:50:16,880 --> 00:50:17,880I will not go back.112000:50:17,880 --> 00:50:18,880I will not spare.112100:50:18,880 --> 00:50:22,520I will not relent according to your ways and your deeds.112200:50:22,520 --> 00:50:23,520You will be judged.112300:50:23,520 --> 00:50:27,400There's a Lord Ezekiel two for some heavy duty.112400:50:27,400 --> 00:50:28,400That's intense.112500:50:28,400 --> 00:50:30,640And then he says blessed by the Pruitts.112600:50:30,640 --> 00:50:33,000That is so cool.112700:50:33,000 --> 00:50:34,000Thanks sir.112800:50:34,000 --> 00:50:35,000By his grace.112900:50:35,000 --> 00:50:36,000We love you, man.113000:50:36,000 --> 00:50:37,000Absurdian.113100:50:37,000 --> 00:50:38,000I love this girl.113200:50:38,000 --> 00:50:43,000She's very artsy, very, very into digital art, has some incredible work that she does.113300:50:43,000 --> 00:50:44,880And she just wrote such a sweet time.113400:50:44,880 --> 00:50:45,880Such a sweet thing.113500:50:45,880 --> 00:50:48,080She sent 40,000 sats to us.113600:50:48,080 --> 00:50:49,080That's beautiful.113700:50:49,080 --> 00:50:50,080Thank you so much.113800:50:50,080 --> 00:50:53,080And she said, worthy title episode and true.113900:50:53,080 --> 00:50:54,080I'm a big boys.114000:50:54,080 --> 00:50:55,080Don't cry.114100:50:55,080 --> 00:50:56,080But that's what he does.114200:50:56,080 --> 00:50:57,080Yeah, you do.114300:50:57,080 --> 00:50:58,080So thank you.114400:50:58,080 --> 00:51:01,680Thank you so much for blessing us with that and just showing the value for what we're114500:51:01,680 --> 00:51:02,680doing.114600:51:02,680 --> 00:51:03,680I love this name.114700:51:03,680 --> 00:51:04,760This is one of my favorite names.114800:51:04,760 --> 00:51:05,760I love sushi.114900:51:05,760 --> 00:51:08,160Oh, by the way, I do too.115000:51:08,160 --> 00:51:10,320I love sushi.115100:51:10,320 --> 00:51:14,920And they say this, your weekly episodes always encourage and uplift me and get Mondays off115200:51:14,920 --> 00:51:17,760to the on the right foot.115300:51:17,760 --> 00:51:20,160Thank you for your faithfulness and thank you.115400:51:20,160 --> 00:51:21,160Sent 10,000 sats.115500:51:21,160 --> 00:51:22,680Isn't that beautiful?115600:51:22,680 --> 00:51:23,680Thank you.115700:51:23,680 --> 00:51:24,680I love sushi.115800:51:24,680 --> 00:51:25,680I love your name.115900:51:25,680 --> 00:51:26,680That's amazing.116000:51:26,680 --> 00:51:27,680And I do love sushi too.116100:51:27,680 --> 00:51:34,840And RG BTC just wrote boost with a ton of zeros, ton of O's, a hundred sats.116200:51:34,840 --> 00:51:35,840Thank you for that.116300:51:35,840 --> 00:51:40,920In fact, several actually, another one and said, God bless you and Bridge Church.116400:51:40,920 --> 00:51:42,640Do you mean that?116500:51:42,640 --> 00:51:43,640Thank you.116600:51:43,640 --> 00:51:44,640Thank you.116700:51:44,640 --> 00:51:45,640Thank you.116800:51:45,640 --> 00:51:47,760Surbise grace again.116900:51:47,760 --> 00:51:49,040Just keeps getting better.117000:51:49,040 --> 00:51:50,840Loved how biblical show 23 was.117100:51:50,840 --> 00:51:51,880This is going back.117200:51:51,880 --> 00:51:53,520We're on show 25, by the way.117300:51:53,520 --> 00:51:56,120I didn't even say what episode we're on.117400:51:56,120 --> 00:51:57,600And here we are.117500:51:57,600 --> 00:52:00,640Adam Curry, man, dude, you're such a blessing.117600:52:00,640 --> 00:52:05,560We're going back here to our dashboard, but such a blessing how you just continue to send117700:52:05,560 --> 00:52:08,000your love and send your encouragement.117800:52:08,000 --> 00:52:09,000And we are thankful.117900:52:09,000 --> 00:52:11,640I'm going to pull up the fountain app because I love the fountain app.118000:52:11,640 --> 00:52:12,640You can comment.118100:52:12,640 --> 00:52:14,320They're called Booster grams.118200:52:14,320 --> 00:52:18,280Not only do you show value, but you actually write a comment of encouragement.118300:52:18,280 --> 00:52:20,960And we got several in here and just want to share a couple of them.118400:52:20,960 --> 00:52:26,400I won't go too deep with this, but it's just beautiful when people share with us.118500:52:26,400 --> 00:52:29,400Adam Curry, 77,777.118600:52:29,400 --> 00:52:32,120There's seven numbers.118700:52:32,120 --> 00:52:33,120I love that.118800:52:33,120 --> 00:52:34,320Man, I did not upload.118900:52:34,320 --> 00:52:39,800He sent me a great file for a striper boost and I didn't get a chance to upload it because119000:52:39,800 --> 00:52:40,800I've been so busy.119100:52:40,800 --> 00:52:43,560Well, you're getting a new I know I'm getting it.119200:52:43,560 --> 00:52:44,560Oh, I'm so excited.119300:52:44,560 --> 00:52:45,560I'm nerding out.119400:52:45,560 --> 00:52:48,160So we're going to have a lot of I'm getting a road caster.119500:52:48,160 --> 00:52:50,560We're going to have a lot of so pump sound effects.119600:52:50,560 --> 00:52:51,560Yeah.119700:52:51,560 --> 00:52:52,560He's going to send me all kinds of stuff.119800:52:52,560 --> 00:52:53,560I'm curious as to how you're going to use those.119900:52:53,560 --> 00:52:55,480Anyway, he wrote this striper jingle incoming.120000:52:55,480 --> 00:52:56,480He sent it to me.120100:52:56,480 --> 00:52:57,480My bad.120200:52:57,480 --> 00:53:01,000So I have to say to hell with the devil.120300:53:01,000 --> 00:53:02,000Remember that song by striper?120400:53:02,000 --> 00:53:03,000Oh my God.120500:53:03,000 --> 00:53:05,200There's a whole album to hell with the devil.120600:53:05,200 --> 00:53:08,720What eighties nineties.120700:53:08,720 --> 00:53:13,320I'm thinking nineties, but anyway, looking forward to our next bro date.120800:53:13,320 --> 00:53:14,320Me too.120900:53:14,320 --> 00:53:17,120Adam Curry, dude, it's on.121000:53:17,120 --> 00:53:20,640We've gone back to keto, so I'm feeling the needs for some serious beef.121100:53:20,640 --> 00:53:22,320His daughter's here for a couple of weeks.121200:53:22,320 --> 00:53:23,320Yeah.121300:53:23,320 --> 00:53:28,640Her boyfriend, they came over from Rotterdam in the Netherlands and hanging out and get121400:53:28,640 --> 00:53:31,320some sun in Texas and having a good time.121500:53:31,320 --> 00:53:35,120So anyway, I love Adam Curry and so thankful.121600:53:35,120 --> 00:53:39,560And again, there's these others already shared these so much love.121700:53:39,560 --> 00:53:41,680So you and Tina still walking the hills.121800:53:41,680 --> 00:53:43,440Yeah, we're going back tomorrow.121900:53:43,440 --> 00:53:44,440No way.122000:53:44,440 --> 00:53:50,040I had to take a break today because I've had some back issues and, uh, but I'm ready122100:53:50,040 --> 00:53:51,040to go tomorrow.122200:53:51,040 --> 00:53:52,040Guys are going to find it out.122300:53:52,040 --> 00:53:54,880I know it's, I know you all have a great time catching up as well.122400:53:54,880 --> 00:53:57,320So Hey family, we love all of you guys.122500:53:57,320 --> 00:53:59,680You are such a blessing to us.122600:53:59,680 --> 00:54:04,680We love doing this and we will be doing this all throughout our sabbatical.122700:54:04,680 --> 00:54:06,360We don't consider this work.122800:54:06,360 --> 00:54:07,360We consider this love.122900:54:07,360 --> 00:54:09,880And so thank you for listening.123000:54:09,880 --> 00:54:10,880Share with your friends.123100:54:10,880 --> 00:54:11,880Let people know going social.123200:54:11,880 --> 00:54:14,920Hey, check out living up in a down world.123300:54:14,920 --> 00:54:16,960These guys are nuts and Chevy's crazy.123400:54:16,960 --> 00:54:17,960We're nuts.123500:54:17,960 --> 00:54:18,960We kind of are.123600:54:18,960 --> 00:54:19,960Hey, we love you guys.123700:54:19,960 --> 00:54:20,960Have a great week.123800:54:20,960 --> 00:54:21,960We'll talk to you next week.123900:54:21,960 --> 00:54:42,960Bye.