Called and Unqualified Podcasts
“Called and Unqualified” is now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms!
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Hey, Friends! We finally have my best friend from college, Autumn, back again to talk about some of our experiences serving in college ministry.
Even though this video is mostly critique, I personally made lifelong friends as a part of this ministry, and I honestly wouldn’t change these experiences for the world. God used this group to grow my relationship with Jesus, make my faith my own, and learn how to serve others as an independent adult.
That being said, looking back, there were a lot of things that did feel “off.” Autumn and I talk about the downfall of college ministries who are falsely idolizing race and teaching Critical Race Theory along with the Gospel. Instead of just the pigment of our skin, we believe that cultural divides are the gap that needs to be bridged and approached with patience. Jesus’ ministry united people of many different cultures and backgrounds, and we are called to do the same. Instead of idolizing “being diverse” in ministry, we need to best focus on our ministry targets and meet our yet-to-believe friends where they are.
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TED Talk- How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky
Hey, Friends!
Today, I’m sharing some of my *mild* experiences with controversy from my university as a Conservative Christian. I’ve been told by other Conservatives to expect difficulty and attacks of my character and intellect from people who are Left-leaning, however, I have also witnessed young Conservatives who use these same nasty tactics against others on the opposite end of the political spectrum. This means that this unfair way of fighting is more a result of human brokenness rather than belonging to a political side.
I’m going to be sharing my experiences with my professors, peers, and responses that humbled and surprised me for the better. I almost lost my job and believe I was marked down unfairly for my beliefs in class, but I was also supported by the most unlikely of friends and professors.
My experiences in this last year of college were mild compared to other Conservatives. Why? I’m not perfect at all, but I believe there were a few things that I tried that had a positive impact on my professors and classmates and made them more open to hearing diversity of thought. Minds are not changed through shaming or division, but they are instead changed by kindness and gentleness. The way we share what we have to say either reinforces or destroys the message that we are trying to convey. Conversation is not accomplished by just one person, but I believe that if we first take the humble place of kindness and love when talking about difficult topics, others will be more likely to listen.
Hey, Friends! Today, we have one of my friends, Nick Brewer, as a guest! Nick loves to study philosophy, theology, and apologetics, and I wasn’t able to tackle this topic on my own. In this episode, Nick shares some of the two philosophical arguments for God’s existence, more about God’s nature, and the balance of God’s love and righteous judgement.
Hey, Friends! There’s so many of us recovering from burnout during the season of life while working from home and feeling the pressure to stay busy. I definitely felt hypocritical recording and finishing this episode with everything else I had going on. I wanted to share some of the things that I found really helpful while recovering from burnout my sophomore year of college. Please remember that it is okay to have emotions, and please remember that we are saved by grace through Jesus, not our works. Please also remember that if these suggestions, don’t work for you, you’re not broken! We all process emotion and heal differently, and these suggestions are some things that personally helped me!
1. Please Rest- this is incredibly helpful to make sure that you have a time to physically and mentally take a break. This may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you are used to constantly working, but resting is being a good steward of your time and energy.
2. Set Boundaries with People and Work and Communicate to Those Around You Realistic Things They Can Do to Help You- If you can, set strict work hours to help you find time to rest, and one of the things that really helped me was signing out of all of my work apps while I was resting. You also may have to set time boundaries with people in your life that are not essential. If this makes you feel guilty, I promise you’re not alone. It’s okay to set aside time when you just don’t reply to people. They will hear back from you eventually. The people around you are also not mind readers, so you may have to communicate to them what they can realistically do to help support you.
3. In Worst Case Scenarios, Cut Back to Basics Until You Can Just Breathe- If you’re feeling really overwhelmed, there may be a temporary season where you have to cut back to as few roles in your life as possible. If you’re working and in school, you may have to just pick one to get under control for a while. This is only meant to be temporary, but your health comes first. You can’t serve people as an empty shell of a human being.
Hey, Friends! Our culture has been telling us to prioritize mental health, but we have also been encouraged to glorify exhaustion. Why does our culture do this? The comparison of social media and the increase of those who have plans after college creates the comparison between us to tempt us to over perform. Unless we’re sleepless and exhausted, we can’t possibly be doing our best, right? This actually is very selfish, because we place our own success, plans, and wants above serving and ministering to others, and in extreme cases, even before our relationship with Jesus. Want to hear from a recovering workaholic? Even though I’m unqualified, I have a few suggestions to share if you too are recovering from idolizing busyness.
Hey, Friends! Have you ever felt like you’re too broken for God to use you? I’m sharing my testimony today about how God can redeem a life, even through brokenness, depression, anxiety, disease, and abuse. God is gracious and amazing, and what if brokenness actually makes God’s power more evident? God is so gracious and so good!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Hey, Friends! Today, we have Birjan Crispin as a guest sharing his personal journey through faith and politics. Birjan was born in Bulgaria before being adopted by a family in Chicago, where he was raised with strong Conservative and Christian values. He is a graduate of Hope College and a member of the Heritage Foundation in their Leadership Academy where he is finishing his thesis on Behavioral Poverty in America. He will be releasing his first written book about his upbringing and biography and giving a TedTalk in Holland, Michigan in April.
Birjan also touches on the intersection between environmentalism and the Biblical view of human relationship with Creation by comparing the current environmentalist approach, mostly supported by the political Left and the more Conservative approach to environmentalism supported by the political Right. Conservatives do care about preserving the environment in which we live, and Christians are concerned with being good stewards of God’s creation. Facts and numbers have been twisted into putting our environmental agenda first and leaving our humanitarian issues to take a back seat, and Birjan helps bring clarity to this reality. Instead of worshipping Creation, we should be worshipping the Creator.
Let’s Celebrate the Blessings of 2020 with some very special guests! 2020 has personally been a year of joy and dreams come true, but only through the grace and blessings from God. Let’s celebrate some Create Worship Inspire milestones with some of our guests from this last year! Thank you all for all of your love and support. You have truly been one of the best blessings from this year.
Hey, Friends! Today, we have a very special guest, Trey Cole from “the Trey Cole Show” joining us today! If this was an episode about the Create Worship Inspire mission statement, this would honestly be it! Trey shares about the role of the church in politics, how Christians are called to act no matter what the results of the election may be, and how we can truly glorify God in politics!
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Check out the Trey Cole Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzzn…
Check out the Trey Cole Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetreycole…
Check out the Trey Cole Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08IsnWe…
Check out the Trey Cole Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-trey-cole-show/id1539366886
Hey, Friends! Ever wonder what it’s really like in Venezuela? My friend Eduardo was gracious enough to share his experiences from his home country, Venezuela, about his journey to the United States, and his response to progressive political views.
Hey, Friends! Today, we have my friend Cody who is super excited to share his Hanukkah traditions, the history of the holiday, and why Christians should also celebrate Hanukkah!
Hey, Friends! Today, we have Lanis, a really good friend of mine who was gracious enough to share his testimony. What if you were given everything you ever prayed for only to find out that it was never what you needed? And, how can God use these experiences to inspire others?
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Link to “Lifehouse’s Everything Skit:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ…
Hey, Friends! Are social justice and justice the same? If there’s a difference, which one should we fight for? But wasn’t Jesus a social justice advocate? Justice is the only way to eliminate oppression and brokenness. But how?
When justice has a preceding adjective, it advocates for people to be treated on a favorable basis. If you are favored more by society, excuses and exceptions can be applied. We can all agree that stealing is wrong, but when take into consideration the motive for stealing, the conviction can become twisted. Twisted convictions rely on unstatic morals. In this context, the underlying moral is that racial-based violence is wrong, but the Black Lives Matter organization is currently being given a stage in our society and culture, so their race-based violence has been justified, and they have hardly suffered the consequences if the tables were turned (such as the KKK, which should never be excused or justified.)
Christians believe that truth and morals are unchangeable, because God is unchanging. God is a God of justice. That means He sees all of His people as equals. Jesus paid the same price for us all, because all people are just as valuable and equal. The Pharisees were very involved in Social Justice by twisting the laws to fit what they wanted to be socially acceptable, but Jesus spoke for true justice. Social justice was the same force that allowed slavery to be justified. If it is socially acceptable, people can be treated differently. Justice condemns the unequal treatment of people, because all people live under the same authority and laws. Justice leads to equality. Social justice has its roots in inequality.
So what do we do? We can have patient and kind conversations with those who want to advocate for social justice. Most social justice advocates are frustrated with violence, pain, and oppression, and we are too, but social justice is not the answer. Fighting back, yelling, or refusing to work together isn’t the answer too. We all need to recognize that we want to fight injustice, so we can realize that we have similar motives to work together.
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PragerU’s “Social Justice Isn’t Justice”- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBX-9…
Hey, Friends! Today, we’re talking about faith, politics, the order for churches to close, and the Black Lives Matter organization in context with what the Bible instructs us to do. Even though we sometimes try to separate them, do our politics influence our faith, or does our faith influence our politics?
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Be sure to check out more from Reid on his YouTube channel!
Playing Romantic Guitar for my Cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pw7ZPiiyw8&t=24s
Good Morning God (Original Song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LdpIRcLyOs
Glorious Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZG_Sp9DCbk
Hey, Friends! Why defend pro-life? It seems like the majority of people that support pro-life have some kind of spiritual foundation, so does that mean that there are no scientific arguments to defend the unborn? It’s actually the opposite! So what are some of the scientific and philosophical arguments to defend life?
When debating or even having a conversation, we have to remember that this is a topic that can become very emotional. We should not shame or guilt those who have already had abortions done, because this does not lead to productive conversations. Instead, we should be empathetic, compassionate, and patient when we explain that we are just advocating for the right for life of all people rather than trying to condemn those who cannot undo past mistakes.
In most abortion debates, the argument is framed around women’s rights, but this isn’t the true focus, which is the main problem. The focus is on the human rights of the fetus. This unborn child has been scientifically proven to have life begin at conception, and he or she is much more than just a “clump of cells.” It’s impossible for two humans to make something that starts out as “non-human” and then suddenly turns into a human. It logically just doesn’t make sense. Fetuses also have their own unique DNA set that differs from both his or her father and mother.
From teacher Scott Klusendorf, most of the arguments for abortion revolve around four main subjects: Size, Level of Development, Environment, and Dependency. Arguments such as: “Because the fetus is small, not fully developed, lives in the uterus, and is not self-sufficient, it is not its own being.” Humans have value regardless of size, and we can use the example of a smaller child and a teenager. Level of development can also be proven to not determine the value of life again, by comparing a younger child to a fully developed adult. Environment also can be argued against. No person’s value is determined based on where they live. For arguments of dependency, all children are dependent until adulthood, but they still have the right to life.
Listen to this episode for more in depth reasoning to represent the right to life of unborn children!
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Link to Scott Klusendorf’s “Pro-Life Presentation”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E00DWvhlGE4
Hey, Friends!
Have you never heard of intersectionality? A lot of people haven’t, but if you have, you’re probably a college student. Intersectionality teaches us to weigh the importance of each view each person has by how many oppressed groups one is placed in. But is this really fair? Why should we be silenced for being considered to be “the majority?” Does this really stop oppression, or does it keep it alive instead. Should we identify with the ways we have been mistreated, or is there maybe a better way?
Hey, Friends! How are we supposed to share our faith with other people, especially with such a big difference such as age? Are you wondering how you can have an engaging conversation with a Gen Z’er about faith? Can this group of people only be reached over social media? If you’re a Millennial or Gen Z’er, have you wondered how you can better connect and share your faith with younger people that are seeking Jesus? In the gospels, we can see Jesus taking the time to get to know people personally and meeting them where they are. This episode explains the differences between each generation of people and how to best approach having a conversation about faith when it comes to understanding each individual’s culture and generational patterns. This is how we can truly meet people where they are.
Hey, Friends! On today’s episode, we’re super blessed to have a very special guest: Tanner from the Vision Project and VP Podcast! We’re FINALLY talking about what it means to lean on God and “give it all to God,” pretty much just learning how to trust and build a deeper relationship. Tanner is much more qualified than myself, and he shares practical steps for Christians of all walks of faiths and experience in how to grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus
Hey, Friends! To say that this last week was crazy would be an understatement. How on earth are we supposed to be happy when it looks like everything is falling apart? Even if you struggle with mental health, there may not always be a way to be happy, but there is always a way to find joy.
There’s been some wild stuff happening in the world, but what’s new? Most of our debates are grounded on truth, but why don’t we ever talk about it, especially in the classroom? Are we really being intolerant if we question what someone believes to be true? What is truth, tolerance, and relativism, and how do they relate to each other? What is Postmodernism, and why is it so dangerous to our society? How do we become Truth Defenders?
“Our money shows what we value, and I value safety.” Hey, Friends! Today, we’re talking about the other side of the “defunding the police” debate, and you may be surprised to hear these views from a higher education student in California. If you would like to respectfully comment with opposing views, I strongly encourage you to watch the whole video, because you may find that we agree on more than you think. So we’re going to look at what would happen if we took some of the funding from the police and applied them to five different areas: healthcare, welfare, substance-abuse rehab, mental health, and education. The implications may not only be surprising, but would also bring police brutality to an all time high.
Hey, Friends! So many of us struggle with feeling anxious or have been diagnosed with anxiety, but when does it cross over into sin? Is anxiety just a feeling, or is it a sin? Today, we’re talking about what sin really is and how we are tempted to idolize anxiety and worry.
Hey, Friends! Is self-love the secret to self-care? Or will it just make us feel worse? Today, we’re going to be talking about how other worldviews such as secularism and New Age religions have impacted mental health teachings and what coping mechanisms emerged as a result. Were we really designed to learn how to love ourselves, or will we feel less anxious by shifting our focus to loving other people?
Hi, Friends! We are living in some really wild times, and some of us may be dealing with some feelings we’ve never felt before or our anxiety may be heightened. Today, I wanted to share some of the few suggestions that have helped me after trying some more common ways to cope, especially in ways that were not contradictory to my faith. You are not broken beyond repair, and these experiences will make you stronger.
“There is no heart on this earth exactly like yours, and that’s just one of the reasons why you exist.” Hi, Friends! We all need a reminder of how much we matter and how much we are worth. Please be sure to share this video with anyone who needs to be reminded that they are loved! It is never too early for someone to hear that they are loved beyond measure.
What is Calvinism and Arminianism? Why do some Christians believe in predestination? How do these theologies impact Christian communities, but also how are they distorted by human nature? I believe that where you stand on these issues is absolutely not essential to salvation, but learning how other people think will help you grow in your understanding and love for them.
Hey, Friends! This episode discusses the problems regarding inclusive language, which is a very hot topic on college campuses. Even though this agenda causes more stress, anxiety, and creates more barriers between people, the people who are damaged the most as a result are actually the people that inclusive language is trying to protect. How? What do we do? Listen for insights from a college student and practical solutions when addressing this issue in the real-world and on campus.
Hey, Friends! This episode is about advice for college students, espeicially Christian college students with questions about secular universities, faith in college, and how much time to spend studying. I also included some advice about how to survive college regarding resting, time management, community, and more! Thank you for listening and your support!
I also wrote and performed a spoken word poem about worry from a college student’s perspective and posted it on the “Create Worship Inspire” YouTube channel, and you can also find it on the Poetry page. Please be sure to leave a review or comment if you can, especially with requests for future episodes, and please share with a friend, especially with another college student!
Hey, Friends! Here is a brand new podcast series written by a college student to talk about faith, politics, mental health, and Jesus! Make sure to leave any suggestions that you have for future episodes! This series is also available in video form on the “Create Worship Inspire” YouTube channel.