The Clear & Present Faith Podcast

People living their faith in the every day

recent posts

  • Light is Meant to be Seen

    Living our faith every day can be challenging. This world, at times, tries to tell us that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves, that we should “go along in order to get along.” Society tells us that hard truths should not be shared out of respect for another person’s safety.

    Here’s the thing: we are instructed to be light…

    You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

    …and light was not meant to be hidden. Light is meant to reveal, energize, and cleanse. What are some of the consequences of hiding our light?

    1. Putting our light under a basket will eventually burn it out – I remember learning about the importance of oxygen for combustion in middle school science. To illustrate this, the teacher lit a candle and put a glass beaker over it. Eventually, the flame exhausted the available oxygen and burned out. If we hide our lights, we eventually unlearn how to shine. This impacts us spiritually and, as a result….
    2. God will not be glorified – In some cases, you may be the best (or only) influence on another person for the good of God’s kingdom. When people see our good works, it might give them pause to say “Something is different about him. I wonder what it is. Maybe I should ask?” And it is up to us to be prepared to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15).

    We are instructed to be light, and light was not meant to be hidden. I pray you will have many opportunities to shine your light this week.

  • Bringing Balance to Healing (S1E10)

    Episode 10 is live! 10 episodes! Thank you to everyone who has tuned in. And, especially thank you for your patience as this episode was delayed by a week. We’ll be resuming our biweekly release schedule now (next episode is already edited, assembled, and scheduled to publish on 7/28!).

    Medicine and healing take on many different forms. And while some approaches focus on managing the current state – the symptoms, the reactions, etc. – other focus on bringing balance to help the body maintain health naturally. Chiropractic care certainly falls into the latter category.

    Micah Richeson is a chiropractor who runs a successful practice in Wesley Chapel, FL. In the first half of this discussion, Micah talks about what its like to be in the “family business,” the benefits of chiropractic care, and lessons learned as an entrepreneur managing his own business. I hope you’re having a great day and here’s the first part of my discussion with Micah Richeson.

    You can find a list of the platforms on which we’re live on The Podcast webpage. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Micah Richeson.

  • Love Your Enemy

    It seems to be the goal of some people to get even. “You did wrong to me, so I’ll do wrong to you.” Perhaps it even goes a step further and the goal is no longer to get even but to one up the other person. “You made me look bad in front of a peer, so I’ll make you look bad in front of our boss.” Enemies are to be demeaned and defeated.

    Now, let’s contrast that notion with what we see in John 13…

    Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Him. Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was going back to God. So He got up from supper, laid aside His outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him. (v. 2-5)

    When I write these blog posts, I try not to spend a lot of time talking about what the Bible does not say as I find what it does say to be much more powerful. However, in this instance, I think it is worth noting what this passage does not say. Verse 5 does not read that Jesus “…began to wash His disciples’ feet…except for Judas for Judas was about to betray Him.” We can see from the rest of the context in John 13 that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him (see v. 21-28). Judas would be the one to lead a band of soldiers to arrest Jesus (John 18:2-3). And, yet, He washed Judas’ feet just as He did all of the other disciples present. He didn’t differentiate Judas as His enemy.

    Is this the approach we take? Do we follow the instructions we see in the Bible…

    • You have heard it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven… (Matthew 5:43-45a)
    • But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)
    • If you enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

    This isn’t easy. When someone wrongs us or those we love, it can be difficult to behave as Jesus did with Judas. Yet, it is part of our role to be peacemakers so that the world will see we are children of God (Matthew 5:9).

  • Freedom

    This past weekend there were big celebrations all over the United States as we celebrated the 250th anniversary (or the semiquincentennial for those of you who really like the details) of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers sought freedom from a number of things that we won’t go into here since this is not a history blog. Suffice it to say, they recognized both the importance and necessity of freedom in their lives.

    We still struggle to find freedom today. Jesus tells us in John 8:34, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” It doesn’t matter where you live, Satan is constantly trying to defeat us, and “…people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.” (2 Peter 2:19). In the last 30 days, the blog has seen readers in the United States, China, Canada, South Africa, The Philippines, The Netherlands, and The United Kingdom. Wherever you are, sin will trap you and entangle you (Proverbs 5:22).

    There is, however, hope. And that hope is the grace of God and the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In John 8:31-32, speaking to the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Following Christ leads to a freedom from sin and death:

    Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

    So, as we focus on the idea of freedom, let’s remember what true freedom actually is and where it will lead us in eternity. Praying you all have a great week, walking in freedom.

    A brief note about the next episode of the podcast:

    To everyone who’s been listening to the podcast, I greatly appreciate your support. The next episode will drop on Tuesday, July 14 with Dr. Micah Richeson as he talks about his work as a chiropractor and entrepreneur, God’s amazing design of the human body, and his overseas chiropractic missions. The regular, biweekly release schedule will resume at that point. We’ll “talk” soon!

  • The Pursuit of Happiness

    In just a few days, the United States will celebrate our Independence Day. That day 250 years ago, delegates from the colonies gathered in Philadelphia in what is now known as Independence Hall, drafted, and signed a document designed to separate us from the rule of England. Among other things, they wrote:

    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…

    It’s the pursuit of happiness that I want to talk about a little today. It seems to me that this turn of phrase in our Declaration of Independence is one of the catalysts (if not the catalyst) for the creation of “The American Dream.” People in this country want it. People from outside of this country come here for it. They search for it often in possessions (houses, cars) and position. And when they can’t achieve it, they are discontent, discouraged, and disheartened. 

    Happiness does not come from such things. There is only one true, lasting source of happiness:

    Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

    Our joy comes from God. It will naturally be part of the fruit we bear as His children (Galatians 5:22-23). It provides us with strength and security (Nehemiah 8:10). We can feel better physically and mentally because of it (Proverbs 17:22). And it will be accompanied by peace and hope (Romans 15:13).

    So, certainly pursue happiness – the happiness that comes from serving God. I leave you today with the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

    Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

  • God and the Galapagos (S1E9)

    In the second half of my conversation with Todd Chandler, he tells us about an amazing trip he took to the Galapagos Islands. Even though it is a central tenet of Darwin’s development of the theory of evolution, there is much to learn about God’s creation from this trip.

    You can find a list of the platforms on which we’re live on The Podcast webpage. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Todd Chandler.

  • God’s Word Compels

    Studying God’s Word is so important. We spent a couple of episodes of the podcast on a discussion about how God speaks to us through the Bible. Making Bible reading and study a part of our daily lives is so important. And it requires us to dedicate time, energy, and something much more important to it…

    In Ezra 7:10, we read “Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statues and ordinances in Israel.”

    Ezra’s approach wasn’t:

    • “Maybe I’ll do it…”
    • “I’ll check off a box as I get up this morning…”
    • ”I’ll squeeze it in here before I go to bed…”

    Ezra determined (other translations say “devoted” or “prepared”) to study God’s law. There was intention behind it. There was purpose behind it. And that led to two things:

    1. Ezra was compelled to obey God’s law – There are many reasons why this is important. In this particular case, I’m drawn to the words of 1 John 2:3-4: This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commands. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. If we truly know who God (the all-power, all-knowing, all-present Creator of the universe) is, we will be driven to obey Him.
    2. Ezra was compelled to teach God’s law – For me, the passage we have commonly come to call the Great Commission stands out when I think about this: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20). Everyone that we meet is an opportunity to share the gospel. Some will follow, some will start to, and some will deny Him, perhaps even shun you for your belief. Regardless of the final outcome – we teach.

    May we all determine in our hearts to study God’s Word, to follow Him, and to take His message to others.

  • Taking Action

    We see numerous examples in scripture of God calling on people to do His work. Just to name a few:

    • While Moses was tending sheep, God called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-12)
    • While Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites, God called him to lead Israel against their oppressors (Judges 6:11-24)
    • While Peter and Andrew were fishing in the sea of Galilee, Jesus called upon them to follow Him; shortly after, He called James and John as they were mending their own fishing nets (Matthew 4:18-22)
    • While Matthew was sitting in his tax collector booth, Jesus called him to be a disciple (Mark 12:13-14)

    Different walks of life, one common theme – all of these individuals were called to God’s work while they were doing something else. What they were doing wasn’t necessarily spiritual in nature – they were going about their everyday lives engaging in activities related to their profession or their sustenance. None of them were necessarily looking for the opportunity to be a tool in God’s plan. Yet, they all became impactful for God and for the people they served on His behalf. Put another way…

    God doesn’t call on couch potatoes.

    How often do we wait around to begin serving God the way He wants us to? One of my early blog posts was on the idea of Perfection vs Progress. The perfect circumstances aren’t going to come. Sometimes, serving God means going out and just doing the things you would normally do and doors will open.

    A couple of years ago, my work was hosting an evening event that conflicted with the midweek Bible study offered at the local congregation I attend. I told the director in charge of that department that I could stay until 7:00, then I would need to leave so I wouldn’t be late. It just meant I was going to miss the meal portion of the evening. That message didn’t filter down to a member of the staff in her department who came by my office a couple of days before the event because he saw I was on the attendee list and hadn’t selected a meal option. I explained I had spoken to the director and I was going to need to leave before dinner to “make it to church.” That simple conversation has opened the door for numerous spiritual conversations in the last two years. I wasn’t doing anything extravagant – I was just going about my life. And God put an opportunity in front of me.

    And when those opportunities arise, remember our role is to plant and water – God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). I pray you will have many opportunities to serve God this week as you go about your day.

  • God and Science (S1E8)

    Some argue that scientific explanations for natural phenomena — the Big Bang or evolution — render God unnecessary. God’s role as the creator of the universe is called into question, and there are many who assume that pursuing careers in science create an inherent challenge for Christians.

    My guest today is Todd Chandler. Todd is a biology professor at a small, private liberal arts college. I really enjoyed the conversation we had about how science doesn’t operate in opposition to God. In this first part of the interview, we talk about the journey that led to Todd’s love of biology, how modern science was built by people trying to better understand God, and how studying science can actually reinforce, not deteriorate, your faith. Part two will be out in a couple of weeks, so make sure to tune back in to hear about an amazing study abroad trip that he led to the Galapagos Islands.

    You can find a list of the platforms on which we’re live on The Podcast webpage. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Todd Chandler.

  • Faith Vs. Fear

    I heard a quote recently that really struck me. I was at a work event where a guest speaker was talking to a group of about 150 teens, working to inspire confidence in them as they prepare for a summer work experience. During the course of his presentation, he said (paraphrased):

    “Faith and fear both require you to believe something you can’t see.”

    Now, for the latter, there are certainly instances where you can see something that strikes fear. If I’m on a hike through the mountains and turn the corner to come face-to-face with a mountain lion – well, the cause of my fear is pretty apparent.

    But how often do we allow fear of an unrealized outcome to keep us from doing what we should do? From being who we should be for God? It could look like a number of things:

    • Fear of the unknown
    • Fear of rejection
    • Fear of not being good enough
    • Fear of failure

    Any of those sound familiar? Fear is just one of many tools that Satan uses to convince us of the lies (he is, after all, he is the “father of lies” – John 8:44) that keep us chained to him and separated from God. 1 Peter 5:8 tell us he is “…prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” He works to intimidate us to the point of paralysis.

    The comfort? “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (2 Timothy 1:7). God provides us an alternative to fear. He provides us the power we need to conquer our fear, knowing He will deliver us (Psalm 34:4) and not forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He provides us with a hope that if we put our faith in Him, the unknown, rejection, and failure won’t matter and He will make us good enough for the work to be done in His kingdom. 

    So, my prayer for you – and, frankly, myself – this week is that you would not live in the fear that holds you back. Instead may you live in the faith that God will carry you through, give you what you need, and bring you home to Him in heaven one eternal day.