Adventures In Grace

#146 - The Lie Christians Believe That Keeps Us Stuck (and Making Excuses)

In this first episode of Adventures in Grace on EXCUSES, we expose the lie many Christians believe — that God's acceptance is something we must earn. Too often, performance-based Christianity and the orphan mindset keep us stuck in excuses, shame, and striving. But the Bible says in Ephesians 1, Romans 8, and John 8 that God's love and adoption were His plan from the beginning, and the truth sets us free. Discover how to stop making excuses, embrace your identity in Christ, and live from God's unconditional love and grace.

#145 - What is Grace?

We begin our study on Christianese by first looking at the word "Grace". Title: Understanding Grace: Beyond Religious Definitions Summary: This video explores the meaning of "grace," both religiously and non-religiously, and its impact on life. Introduction: Defines grace practically, not religiously [ 00:17 ]. Religious Interpretations: Critiques common religious views of grace [ 05:00 ]. Ancient Greek Meaning: "Charis" means joy, love, kindness, relational favor [ 09:52 ]. Old Testament: Grace is the kind turning of one person to another [ 12:18 ]. New Testament: Grace is relational power from stronger to weaker [ 18:41 ]. Covenant Relationship: David and Mephibosheth illustrate grace as undeserved kindness and restoration [ 14:15 ]. Practical Application: Grace is God's covenant love to restore relationships [ 20:54 ]. Conclusion: See grace in the Bible as God's love and power for relationship [ 25:19 ].

#144 - How Bill and Anabel Got Into Their Fix (Pt 3 of 'Lifetime Guarantee')

We continue our study of Lifetime Guarantee this week by covering Chp 3 of the book: Anabel's Anticipation and Reality: Anabel entered marriage with high hopes, believing she could manage marital challenges as she had other aspects of life, only to face the everyday realities that tested her confidence. Flesh Patterns in Marriage: The narrative delves into how both Anabel and the author's inherent 'flesh' tendencies, or sinful behaviors, impact their relationship, leading to a cycle of expectation and disappointment. Critical Responses and Self-Reflection: The author shares his critical reactions to Anabel's efforts and reflects on how his upbringing and insecurities contribute to these responses. Path to Understanding and Healing: The text serves as a case study in recognizing and addressing 'flesh' dynamics within Christian marriages, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and mutual support for marital harmony.

#143 - Interview with Andrew Coloney of Malcolm Smith Ministries

Today, we interview my friend Andrew Coloney.   Andrew Coloney is the assistant pastor to Bishop Malcolm Smith at Unconditional Love Fellowship in Bandera, Texas.  Andrew discusses his journey into the Trinitarian love of God, how he started listening to Malcolm Smith, and more of his current life as a minister at Uncontional Love Fellowship. You can find more videos of Andrew here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIhXgN6F5s0n3ne_HhejVQ Also, find out more about Malcolm's weekly church service (which you can join on Zoom) here:  https://unconditionallovefellowship.com/sundayservices/   Feel free to reach out to us! Email: me@adventuresingrace.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Adventures_in_Grace  

#142 - Breaking Free: The Power of Righteousness and True Acceptance (Pt 2 of 'Lifetime Guarantee')

Introduction: Warm welcome to listeners and introduction to Episode 142. Brief overview of the episode's focus on understanding righteousness and the concept of acceptance in the Christian life. The Gift of Righteousness: Exploration of the biblical concept of righteousness, highlighting its nature as a gift from God, not earned by human efforts. Discussion on Galatians 3:6-9 and Romans 4:9-13, emphasizing faith as the key to righteousness. Breakdown of what the "flesh" is in comparison. The Trap of Performance-Based Acceptance: Examination of how individuals often seek approval through achievements, leading to a cycle of performance-based acceptance. Bill's personal story illustrating the pressure and inadequacy felt when trapped in performance-based thinking. The Dangers of Covert Rejection: Insights into how covert rejection manifests in daily life and relationships, affecting self-esteem and acceptance. Examples of covert rejection, such as perfectionism, lack of physical affection, and ridicule. Embracing Jesus-Based Acceptance: Contrast between performance-based acceptance and the liberating truth of Jesus-based acceptance. Encouragement for listeners to embrace their identity in Christ, free from the need for external validation. Questions for Further Study: Introduction to reflective questions designed to deepen understanding and personal application of the episode's themes. Invitation for listeners to engage with the questions in their personal study or discussion groups. Conclusion: Recap of the episode's key points, emphasizing the freedom found in understanding and living out biblical righteousness and acceptance. Call to action for listeners to share their insights and experiences, fostering community engagement.