You’re Not Alone :: PODCAST

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So, there’s this guy – we’ll call him Willis – and he has a problem. It’s between him and his wife, Wilma. They’re not getting along well.

And he doesn’t know who to talk to.

Even though he has good friends at work, he’s not telling them. He knows that, at times, his workplace seems like a gossip processing house.

Even though he has a good relationship with his pastor, he won’t talk to him. He doesn’t want to because, frankly, he’s too embarrassed.

He’s afraid to tell his family. If his parents found out, they would immediately take his side, and that would injure their relationship with his wife, Wilma.

Willis feels helpless. And he is helpless. He’s helpless because he’s believing a lie:
A lie that tells him he is alone.

This concept of feeling aloneness is pretty universal.

It’s more than just being alone. It’s more than occasional loneliness. It’s a feeling of aloneness — like you have been abandoned or you are isolated from anyone who can help you.

If you’ve never felt it… well, I don’t know what to say to someone whose never felt it. We all feel it.

This podcast speaks of aloneness, and how Christians should respond to these feelings.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

An Above Average Comic…

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When Laurel and I encountered the empty nest, we resolved to still eat meals at our table and to do things together. One of those things became the crossword puzzle in the newspaper. I know — that sounds pretty boring, right? Stay with me here. As an incentive to complete the crossword, we rewarded ourselves with the Jumble. As an incentive to complete the Jumble, we rewarded ourselves with reading the funnies.

It was then we noticed something. The funnies in the newspaper just weren’t funny.

I had all but given up on laughing at comics, until a few months ago, when Drew Stodart started writing them.

They are great — relatable and comical. 

You can read a few here:
http://averagejoecomics.com

Today, I received my own copy of his first book. It’s great stuff, and would make a great gift for a friend.

I got mine on Amazon!

Discussion Questions on Seven Men & the Secret to Their Greatness: Wilberforce

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Some questions for discussion on Eric Metaxas’ chapter on William Wilberforce.

  1. What do you think of the role William Wilberforce’s wealthy aunt and uncle played in his life? What surprises you about it?
  2. Have you ever heard someone applying the phrase, “…taking things to far…” to one’s faith? The question, “where, exactly, must one draw the line?” is common. How do you answer it?
  3. Wilberforce’s parents were concerned that he would not become the person they hoped he would become. Do you think they were disappointed?

    WHM146809 Portrait of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), 1794 (oil on canvas) by Hickel, Anton (1745-98)
    oil on canvas
    © Wilberforce House, Hull City Museums and Art Galleries, UK
    German, out of copyright

  4. From where did Wilberforce feel his mission came? How would this help him overcome obstacles? Metaxas emphasize this again and again. Why?
  5. Where you surprised to read of the social ills of the late 1700’s in London? What evils might an Eric Metaxas of 200 years from now list?
  6. Metaxas says, “At it’s core, every battle worth fighting is a spiritual battle”. Do you agree with this? Why?
  7. Why do you think that Metaxas feels the most important thing Wilberforce was able to do was to have a personal relationship with God?