EPISODE #21 - CAN CHRISTIANS BE APART FROM THE CHURCH

EPISODE #21 - CAN CHRISTIANS BE APART FROM THE CHURCH

SUMMARY

Throughout the world, many people claim to be a Christian. This could mean something different for each person. Even people who don't practice Christianity in their life self-identify as such. If we look at Scripture, however, we have a clear understanding of what a Christian is and how our lives are to reflect that identity. In this episode, Rick and Brad will look at how Christians can claim their identity in Christ and see what role the local church plays in a true Christian's life.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Can you be a Christian and not be a part of a church?

  • What are the exceptions to Christians not being involved with a church?

  • What is a local church? What is needed for a church? Where do we get this definition?

  • What is the Universal Church?

  • What is the relationship between the Universal Church and the local church?

  • Is being involved with a church a part of the sanctification process?

  • Does God command His people to be a part of a church?

  • Responding to “I’m still a Christian even though I might not be involved with a local church”.

  • How can we graciously call out those who claim to be Christians?

  • Do we have the right to judge others?

  • Isn’t requiring being a part of a church legalistic?

  • What are some hurdles/excuses for not getting involved with a church?

  • How does the Gospel summarize this episode?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

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EPISODE #20 - THE FAILURE OF FEMINISM

EPISODE #20 - THE FAILURE OF FEMINISM

SUMMARY

Feminism was surely started with good intentions - equal voting, working, pay, and other rights for women - but now that the times are changing we see that the definition - and even the movement - has made some drastic changes. Brad and Rick look at how modern-day feminism has potentially led to more harm than good for women, and how the answers that feminism presents toward issues pertaining to women are far inferior to the truth that Scripture supplies.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • What qualifies someone to talk about certain issues? How can a man talk about feminism?

  • What is feminism? How does feminism play out in our fallen world?

  • What are the different “waves” of feminism?

  • What do Marxism and feminism have in common?

  • How has the fall led to the sin of men domineering over women?

  • How does the misunderstanding/social expectation of feminism play out in our society? What does society say gives women value and worth?

  • What is the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome?

  • Is everyone truly equal?

  • How has motherhood become devalued?

  • How has our culture moved away from God’s design of men and women?

  • Is there freedom in not relying on our own attempts to fix society’s social issues? What do we rely on if we can’t fix culture ourselves?

  • Where do we find our value and identity as Christians?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

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EPISODE #19 - CONFRONTING CONFLICT

EPISODE #19 - CONFRONTING CONFLICT

SUMMARY

Conflict is a part of our lives and is inevitable since the fall of mankind. But conflict can be uncomfortable! Most people even try to outright avoid it. But how do we as Christians embrace conflict and use it to grow in our calling to hold each other accountable and to show the love of Christ? Rick and Brad discuss how why we might avoid conflict, how Scripture calls us to have healthy conflict, and what that healthy conflict expresses to the secular world.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • How can conflict be a good thing? How can it be healthy?

  • What are the problems if there is no conflict at home, at work, or within the Church? What if there is too much?

  • Why is conflict inevitable in our lives? Why can it be frequent in the local church?

  • What is the root of conflict?

  • How can the Church be an example of healthy conflict in our society? How does our identity in Christ make this a possibility?

  • Why are we often afraid to confront others face-to-face when there is an issue?

  • How does healthy conflict lead to unity within the Church?

  • How does unhealthy conflict paint a false picture of Christ to the world?

  • How can we view other believers that we are in conflict with as someone who is on our team?

  • What is our purpose for conflict? To better the Church or for personal gain?

  • What are the ways in which we approach conflict?

  • How do we rest in the Gospel in order to have healthy conflict?

  • What does the way we approach conflict say about what our trust and hope is in?

  • How does not dealing with conflict within the local church hurt you and that community?

  • How does avoiding conflict in the local church show a low view of the church?

  • In the age of the internet, how has inter-relational conflict been affected?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

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EPISODE #18 - WHAT IS REFORMED THEOLOGY?

EPISODE #18 - WHAT IS REFORMED THEOLOGY?

SUMMARY

Our church, Gospel Community Church, is a reformed church. What does that mean? Is that a denomination? Rick and Brad give a brief history of the reformation, look into reformed theology, and focus in on Calvinism (and Calvin's T.U.L.I.P. acronym). If you have heard about reformed theology and wanted to know more, this will be a great place to start! Feel free to email us with any questions you have about this topic.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • What do we mean by “reformed” or “reformation”?

  • Who is Martin Luther and what did he do during the Reformation? Why did the Reformation happen?

  • What are the Five Solas of the Reformation?

  • Who is John Calvin? What is Calvinism?

  • What does T.U.L.I.P. stand for and how does that play into reformed theology?

  • What is the difference between total depravity and utter depravity?

  • Where does Scripture talk about the elect?

  • What theological position gives God the most glory and shows the helplessness of humanity?

  • How can this impact our everyday life?

  • How does reformed theology lead to a high view of the Church and worship?

  • What is the point of prayer if God has predestined his chosen people and knows what will happen?

  • How does reformed theology show the greatness of God’s sovereignty?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

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EPISODE #17 - KARL MARX & MARXISM

EPISODE #17 - KARL MARX & MARXISM

SUMMARY

Karl Marx is a name that has become fairly commonly discussed today and how his ideas can be a solution to many of the problems we see today. Is this true? Do we as a society truly understand Marxism? Do we even understand who Karl Marx was as a person? Rick and Brad break down the ideals of Marxism and discuss who Karl Marx was - even how he didn't live into his own "beliefs" in terms of socioeconomics. Join them as they explore the realities of Marxism.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Who is Karl Marx? How did he live?

  • What is Marxism? How has it been utilized in the world?

  • What process should Christians go through when thinking about different ideologies?

  • What is the fundamental problem that creates the broken systems in our world?

  • How did Jesus react to systemic issues in His own day?

  • How does the human heart break down the socialist-leaning of Marxism? Is working actually bad?

  • Did Karl Marx live out the beliefs of Marxism?

  • Is capitalism better?

  • What is the problem in the world? What is the solution?

  • How do we lovingly expose lies while lovingly living in relationship with others?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

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EPISODE #16 - MENTAL HEALTH (With Dr. Norm Thiesen)

EPISODE #16 - MENTAL HEALTH (With Dr. Norm Thiesen)

SUMMARY

There is a significant focus on mental health these days. Whether it's through self-help books and podcasts or through a counselor, you have definitely heard about the importance of keeping up with your mental health. But what does the Church have to do with mental health? How do we, as saints respond to such a considerable rise in negative mental health in recent years? Rick and Brad sit down with Norm Thiesen from Western Seminary to discuss some of the causes of the uptick in mental health issues recently, and what we, the Church, can do to walk alongside those struggling with poor mental health as well as ways in which the Gospel can shape our lives despite having poor mental health. We hope this episode is encouraging to those struggling with their mental health and spurs the Church on to best live in community with those who are.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Why does it seem that there is a bigger voice about mental health, specifically poor mental health, in recent years? What specific issues are we seeing a rise in?

  • How do social structures play a part in mental health? How is our identity shaped by our society/culture?

  • What is good language we can use to describe mental health?

  • What are ways parents can help their kids when culture emphasizes and is increasing in mental health, often the negative side?

  • How has society changed in terms of the continuity of messages between private and public life?

  • How has COVID-19 contributed to mental health?

  • Is it possible that mental health issues become so common that they become minimized? How do we prevent creating identities around our mental health?

  • How do we balance being sensitive to people’s mental health while not creating victim-mentality with how prominent mental health issues have become?

  • How do the Saints best engage with mental health? What is helpful, what is hurtful? What does the Church have to offer in this conversation?

  • What is the integration model of counseling? How can we ground ourselves in Scripture while also using secular methods in counseling?

  • Where should someone go looking for a counselor?

  • How does Scripture speak to mental health? How can we point to Scripture without being dismissive of someone's poor mental health? Does being a believer mean that we will have positive mental health?

  • How can relationships help in healing?

  • Can pastors play a role in mental health? Can lay members play a role? Where is the line in which we outsource to “professionals”?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

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EPISODE #15 - DEBATE: ESCHATOLOGY (With Craig MacDonald & Ronny Gogan)

EPISODE #15 - DEBATE: ESCHATOLOGY (With Craig MacDonald & Ronny Gogan)

SUMMARY

This one is for our theologian and deep-thinking listeners. As Christians, we think it is important to have conversation around theology. We also find it exciting to have debates over the parts of theology that are non-salvific; that is, the things in our theology that lead to salvation - the beliefs set in stone. In this episode we have a debate between three different views. Rick, Ronny, and Craig all argue their beliefs - a-millennial, post-millennial, and pre-millennial views of eschatology (the theology of the end-times) respectively. Grab a cold beverage, take a seat, and strap in for this one... it's a doozy.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • What is eschatology?

  • Is it bad to debate our Christian beliefs? How do we have healthy discussions and debates?

  • What is a-millennialism?

  • What is post-millennialism?

  • What is pre-millennialism

  • How do the different views shape how one might live?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

EPISODE #14 - ABORTION: PART 1 (With Dr. Keith Balderston)

EPISODE #14 - ABORTION: PART 1 (With Dr. Keith Balderston)

SUMMARY

This is a big topic in societal discourse. You can’t go anywhere without hearing discussions (or arguments) about the topic of abortion. This can cause many Christians to struggle in their relationships with those around them when there seems to be so much at stake in what they believe. How do the Saints respond? Join Rick and Brad as they discuss with Dr. Keith Balderston, a doctor of maternal-fetal medicine, on what abortion is, some misconceptions and arguments about abortion, and how we - as saints - are to live in a culture where abortion seems to be praised.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Is there ever a time that an abortion is okay for a professing Christian? Is abortion sin?

  • What is an abortion? Are there multiple ways that it is defined? What is viability?

  • What are some important things for Christians to know on the topic of abortion?

  • How many abortions are actually due to the safety of the mother or because of incest/rape?

  • What does abortion look like at different stages of pregnancy? What is the timeframe of the surgical abortion that most people are familiar with?

  • Is the language that used around abortion a way of making it sound better than it is?

  • What is a response to the argument “it’s just a clump of cells”?

  • Is plan-b an okay alternative or is it the same as an abortion?

  • How does the argument “my body, my choice” play out? Is there holes in this argument?

  • How do we, as saints, live in and engage with a society that celebrates abortion?

  • Is it bad to wrestle with the reality of the sin of abortion but knowing there are times where it is needed for the health of the mother?

  • Is it more important to convince others of the sin of abortion, or to spread the Gospel to them with the hope that their hearts will be changed?

  • How do we walk alongside women who have had an abortion?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

The Eugene Great Harvest Bakery on Willamette street in south Eugene is one of our church office’s favorite places for a treat. It started back in 1988 with Cloyd and Kathy Robison. Kathy sold the business to Jess and Gordo in 2014 when they moved to Eugene from Utah. Gordo had worked in a bakery while going to college and absolutely loved it.

When he got a real job in his field of study he realized that he still wanted to be back in the bakery. Gordo thinks it’s so much more fun than "real jobs". So he and Jess quit their jobs and bought the bakery. They also loved the area and thought they would be happy raising a family here. 8 years in and they now have 4 kids, and love being part of the community. It brings them great joy baking with whole grain and providing people and families with products that are made with passion.

This fall, Great Harvest will be moving the bakery across the street to 2605 Willamette St., which is the old Skopil dry-cleaners building. There will be an outdoor patio, espresso, and a larger bakery and cafe menu.

The motto of Great Harvest is to "Be loose and have fun, run fast to help customers, bake phenomenal bread, create a strong and exciting bakery, and give generously to others." This motto exemplifies how Jess and Gordo desire to live.

GH love thinking abundantly and giving generously to others. They even offer people free slices and they love sharing with people and giving them more than they expect. Gordo and Jess truly believe that bakeries bring people together. But it's not the bread you break, it is who you break it with that matters.

Great Harvest bakery is unique since they mill their whole grains on-site in their own mill. They guarantee that their bread is the freshest you will get because often the wheat flour used was milled just 24 hours before your purchase. They specialize in whole grains so they have many 100% whole grain breads.

Visit Great Harvest, soon to be in their new location, and let them know you heard about them on the podcast!

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EPISODE #13 - WATERED DOWN GOSPEL: PART 1 (CATHOLICISM & 7th-DAY ADVENTIST)

EPISODE #13 - WATERED DOWN GOSPEL: PART 1 (CATHOLICISM & 7th-DAY ADVENTIST)

SUMMARY

Christianity has many sects. What are the differences between them? Are all of them actually Christians? Rick and Brad look at two “Christian” denominations that tend seem to water down the mercy and grace of the Gospel. In this part, we will discuss how Catholic and 7th-Day Adventist beliefs change the truth of the Gospel in potentially dangerous ways.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • What does it mean for the Gospel to be watered down?

  • What is the Gospel?

  • What has Catholicism and SDA added to the Gospel to water it down?

  • What is the authority of Scripture? What happens when we place authority in the wrong place?

  • What are the Catholic and SDA views on salvation?

  • Are those in the SDA and Catholic church saved?

  • How do we have conversations with those who believe in a watered-down Gospel?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

EPISODE #12 - ALCOHOL: PART 2 (GLADDENING THE HEART)

EPISODE #12 - ALCOHOL: PART 2 (GLADDENING THE HEART)

SUMMARY

In the last episode on alcohol, we looked at how wine was intertwined with the Christological narrative of scripture. In this second part on alcohol, Rick and Brad look at the line we as Christians walk as to enjoy the gift of alcohol without abusing it. We are free to use it to gladden our hearts, but what is too far?

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Where do we start with alcohol as a Christian? How do we let Scripture shape our views on alcohol?

  • Where does Scripture talk about alcohol?

  • Where is the line between gladdening the heart and abusing alcohol?

  • How do we live life by doing everything to glorify God, including drinking alcohol?

  • What does your conscience come into play in drawing a line for alcohol?

  • Was alcohol less alcoholic in Jesus’ time? Does that change anything?

  • Does alcohol hinder our ability to evangelize? Can you hinder evangelism by self-righteously not partaking in alcohol?

  • How can alcohol be a “social lubricant”?

  • How can we be reminded of the Gospel as we partake in the gifts God gives us?

  • How do we keep from causing our brother to stumble? Do we abstain from drinking alcohol?

  • How is beer a part of the history of the church? Where does the Church draw the line of drunkenness throughout history?

  • How do we spite the devil through drinking alcohol?

  • If people struggle with eating disorders, why don’t we get rid of food at parties as we do with alcohol sometimes?

  • What are some reasons alcohol may be seen as taboo in culture?

  • What are the root issues behind seeking pleasure through idols like alcohol?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

ColdFire Brewing is a small craft brewery located at 263 Mill St. here in Eugene. ColdFire is motivated by European brewing traditions and inspired by a Northwest aesthetic with the ingredients it has to offer. Because of this influence, they brew small batches so that they can refine their art as generations of brewers did before them.

ColdFire Brewing was founded in 2015 by Dan and Stephen Hughes, who had homebrewed together since 2001 as a way to obtain “good beer cheap”. Stephen had years of clinical laboratory experience as a scientist for a regional hospital system, which gave him an edge on the microbiology side. He even interned at some other breweries. Dan spent time in healthcare as well, but on the management side of things. They eventually decided they would go into business together, and as a result, ColdFire was born. Every day, they continue to be humbled by the opportunity to share their craft with others.

The name “ColdFire” comes from the process of fermentation itself. Fermentation has been called “cold fire” because, similar to heating raw ingredients to create edible food, fermentation uses microbes to break down raw ingredients and enrich the drink for consumption.

When you visit ColdFire you’ll find food trucks, great beer, and maybe one of the events they hold like open-mic nights, cribbage tournaments, trivia, and small concerts. You can even join their membership program as a way to receive discounts, benefits, and special private member events throughout the year. It is an invitation for fans of ColdFire to get an insider view of their beers and the brewery.

Go on and check out our friends at ColdFire, say hi to Dan and Stephen, and let them know you heard about them on our podcast.

EPISODE #11 - CAN SAINTS CUSS? (With Dr. Kris Kyle)

EPISODE #11 - CAN SAINTS CUSS? (With Dr. Kris Kyle)

SUMMARY

We start off season 2 with our first expert! Kris Kyle is a linguistics professor at the University of Oregon. With his knowledge of language, Rick and Brad pick Kris’ brain on how language has been shaped over time. This all comes from the question about swearing. What makes a word “bad”? What do you think? Can saints cuss?

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Should saints swear? What is swearing/cussing?

  • What is culture? Is there a universal “culture”, or is it based on perception?

  • What are examples of ”bad” words being accepted in different cultures? What are words that we use that are considered bad in other cultures?

  • What is a word?

  • If God created with words, how do we balance the gift and power of words while realizing the malleability of words in society?

  • Where do we draw the line in what we say so that it doesn’t become hurtful? Can swearing help our Christian mission?

  • Can we perfectly go throughout our life speaking without offending anyone?

  • Do watered-down words mean the same as swear words?

  • Besides swearing, how else does our language as Christians affect those around us? Does politically correct language matter?

  • How do we read God’s word into our culture instead of culture guiding our thoughts on language/communication?

  • Can you tear someone down without using “bad” words? Can you tear someone down by using “good” words?

  • Are there generational differences in how swear words were used within the most recent generations?

  • How do we react to others who use different language than we are used to?

  • What is our heart-intention behind the use of language?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Bhumi owner, Mollie DeCost, recently moved to Eugene from Colorado. Her oldest son who is a nurse moved here mid-pandemic due to the medical staffing shortages Oregon was facing and felt called to help. A year later he told Mollie that he loved it and wouldn’t be coming home. Not long after, her middle son told her that he would be relocating to Eugene as well to join his brother.

Mollie’s heart was broken, so she decided that she needed to follow her children. Mollie, her husband, and her 13-year-old, sold their home and their legal support business, and left all of their friends and family behind for a new Oregon adventure.

Mollie decided to start Bhumi because she could no longer handle all the stress and sadness associated with the legal support business. The store is called Bhumi (pronounced “boomie”), which translates to “Earth” in Hindi. It is a refill station, that buys large quantities of eco-friendly options of everyday household and personal care products in bulk which allows customers to refill containers rather than waste the plastic packaging that would occur by purchasing a new single-use container each time. Bhumi also sells eco-friendly options of other common items like bamboo toothbrushes, reusable drinking straws, reusable snack bags, etc. 

There is also a “potting bar” (not an alcohol establishment) where people can buy a plant and pot from the store or bring in their own and pot it in the store. There is soil, rocks, plants, pots, etc. and Mollie will clean up the mess for a small charge. This is helpful for those who have a small space and have no place to store supplies.

Bhumi is also a terracycle drop-off location for multiple hard-to-recycle items. They accept toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, empty deodorant containers, drinking straws, coffee pods/capsules (like Keurig, but any brand), disposable razors, bottle caps (plastic & metal), and children’s drink pouches. Who knew all of that could be recycled!? for a full list, you can visit their website under the recycling tab.

The goal for Bhumi can be summed up nicely by its mission statement: 

To breathe life and awareness back into the planet by advocating for a more conscious way of life that focuses on using and producing less waste.

They hope to accomplish this by helping to eliminate the need for disposables that strain our finite resources and damage our planet while offering a variety of everyday product options that are eco-friendly, sustainable, and fair-trade. Essentially, living as lightly as possible on our shared earth and leaving no trace.

Secondarily, Mollie meets and speaks with many people each day. She spends time educating them on the environmental strain that plastics have on our planet, sometimes the customers educate her and sometimes people just come in wanting someone to talk to. She really enjoys being that person. She sees all of these interactions as an opportunity to reach a greater good. 

Bhumi offers great convenience by supplying a wide variety of refill options so that you don’t have to go to so many places trying to refill things. Mollie’s attitude is great because she doesn’t really want to be set apart in her industry because she doesn’t want to be competitive. She wants everyone to win and to work together to help each other. Being good stewards of the planet that we were all blessed to care for.

So go into Bhumi (in the Meridian building, 18th & Willamette) for your bulk household, personal care, or plant products to reduce waste and care for our earth! Say hi to Mollie and let her know you heard about Bhumi on the podcast.

EPISODE #10 - WHY 'SAINTS IN SOCIETY'?

EPISODE #10 - WHY 'SAINTS IN SOCIETY'?

SUMMARY

To wrap up the first season of ‘Saints in Society’, Rick and Brad discuss the name of our podcast. What is a saint? What is our society? Why take the name of a long sermon series preached at Gospel Community Church? The cap of this season will explain how the name came about and why we think it is so important!

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Why is our podcast called ‘Saints in Society’?

  • What is a saint? What does Scripture say about sainthood?

  • What does it mean to be holy and set apart?

  • If saints are holy, why is sin still an issue? What is sanctification?

  • What is our society/culture/etc.? What does it mean to engage with our society?

  • Should Christians try to change society? Why? How?

  • How do we respond to those who reject the good news we share with them? Remove them from our life?

  • Should we try to convert people to have the same theological/political views as us? Is sharing the Gospel alone enough for the Spirit to change lives?

  • How can we stay connected to our society to live as a saint in?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

  • Saints in Society - GCC Sermon Series

  • Hagiazo - Greek for ‘Saint’

  • The Lords Prayer

  • 1 Corinthians 6:11 - Washed and made Holy in Christ

  • Leviticus 16 - Ritual cleansing/offering to enter the presence of God in the OT

  • “Simul Justus et Peccator” - Martin Luther’s quote about justification

  • Romans 7:7-25 - Paul knows right from wrong, yet still sins

  • Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Romans 5:9 - Past, present, and future reality of salvation

  • Look and Live by Matt Papa - All of us live in the tension between where we are and where we ought to be. We try our best to bully our desires into submission. And we all know, this is exhausting. Are you tired? Stuck? Still fighting the same sin you've been fighting for years? The call in these pages is not to work or to strive, but to lift your eyes. You don't need more willpower. You need a vision of greatness that sweeps you off your feet. You need to see glory.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 - Paul became all things to all people

  • Socratic Method

  • “Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” - Karl Barth (not Spurgeon)

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Five Fourteen Vineyard resides on a south-eastern slope northwest of Eugene and is owned by Tom and Marie Kokkeler. May 14, 2003 was when Tom and Marie went on their first date. Their passion for wine began when they bought vineyard land simply to sell grapes and realized the possibilities. They sold their grapes to King Estate, Sweet Cheeks Winery, Iris Vineyards, and Willamette Valley Vineyards, among others. Starting in 2016 they decided to reserve 10% of their fruit for their own new label.

The first block of the vineyard was established in 1998, with plantings continuing to 2016. With 30 acres of vines, they produce Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. The property has five different soil types, which attribute to the great diversity in the wines. They are a L.I.V.E. certified vineyard which supports environmentally and socially responsible wine growing.

The Kokkelers are honored to have winemaker Drew Voit crafting their wines. Drew has worked with some of the best vineyards in the Willamette Valley and his passion and talent for his craft are second to none. At Five Fourteen, they focus on farming the best fruit possible and let Drew make the wine.

Five Fourteen has a beautiful tasting room on their property, something they didn’t really think we were going to have. The more Tom and Marie went places and the more they experienced, they thought maybe this would be something that they wanted to do. And it kind of took a shape of its own. They even have a membership program - the Five Fourteen Club - with a unique opportunity to be among the first to enjoy new releases and exclusive events.

If you enjoy wine and want to support local, why not give Five Fourteen a try. Let them know you heard about them on the podcast!

EPISODE #9 - STOP BEING WEIRD: PART 3 (HAVE FUN NOT BEING SO SERIOUS)

EPISODE #9 - STOP BEING WEIRD: PART 3 (HAVE FUN NOT BEING SO SERIOUS)

SUMMARY

As Christians, we can often take ourselves very seriously. We see the brokenness in our world and how God has called us to live through Scripture, but does that mean we have to live so seriously? Rick and Brad jump into a discussion on how we can live lives that take root in the Gospel while not taking ourselves so seriously.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • What are ways that Christians may think we should act to seem more Holy?

  • What influences lead Christians to have specific attitudes in an attempt to be accepted?

  • Did Jesus live seriously? What was Jesus’ attitude throughout His life and ministry?

  • What about the Gospel gives us Joy?

  • What does it look like to live a Holy life?

  • Is it possible to go too far in not taking yourself seriously?

  • How can we enjoy the gifts that God has given us?

  • What does it mean to take the Gospel seriously? How do we have Joy while taking it seriously?

  • Are we able to reflect on our relationships with non-Christians and their desire to spend time with us?

  • What are ways that can help us as we interact with non-Christians to not be weird?

  • Who are good examples of people who take the Gospel seriously and not themselves?

  • Are there ways we can use Christian community to see how we may not be taking the Gospel seriously or ourselves too seriously?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

  • Philippians 4:4-7 - Paul rejoices while in prison.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - There’s a season for everything.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 - God gives us freedom to enjoy the toil he has gifted us.

  • The Imperfect Pastor by Zack Eswine - You stand at a crossroads. Jesus stands with you. You were never meant to know everything, fix everything, and be everywhere at once. That's His job, not yours.

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Hirons Pharmacy has been in existence since the early 1930's. Jack Hirons, a local pharmacist, started a business called Pennywise Drug and located it on Broadway in Eugene, and eventually moved to 18th Avenue in the 1960’s.

In 1966, Jack and his wife, Esther, boarded a West Coast Airlines flight out of Eugene that crashed on the way to Portland. In the midst of this tragedy, their son, John Hirons, stepped in to lead Hirons originality and uniqueness. Phyllis married John and gradually took over the buying of much of the everyday and holiday giftware. Phyllis "relocated" to heaven in 2015 but her fingerprint at Hirons is evident today. She loved to volunteer with Young Life and loved Jesus with all her heart. Their son Steve joined the business in 1992 and Hirons has continued to succeed as a Eugene institution! They are glad to be a part of this community and value your efforts to support a locally owned business!

The vision for Hirons is to provide for the prescription needs of customers at a high level of expertise and to also have the most unique stores in Eugene with merchandise that is fun, exciting, and sometimes necessary! They’re different than a typical Walgreens or RiteAid in that they source local products when possible, stock a wide variety of Oregon Duck merchandise, have the best greeting card selection in Eugene, and continue to be the best place to find a last-minute gift (they even won an award many years ago)!

Consider using one of Hirons’ two locations as your pharmacy and be sure to check out their eclectic selection of merchandise. John, now in his 70’s, can still be found working on the sales floor. Say hi to him & Steve when you go visit!

EPISODE #8 - ALCOHOL: PART 1 (CHRISTOLOGY OF WINE)

EPISODE #8 - ALCOHOL: PART 1 (CHRISTOLOGY OF WINE)

SUMMARY

Alcohol is a large part of our culture. It can play a role in celebration and festivities but also can be used for the purposes of intoxication as a way to "escape". But what role does it play in the life of a Christian? Does it have a purpose? Rick and Brad look into Scripture in order to find out how alcohol is not only a gift from God, but also points straight to Jesus.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Was alcohol a gift given by God, existing before the fall, or is it the result of sin?

  • If a gift from God can be used incorrectly, do we accept the gift?

  • Where does the Bible talk about wine? How does it point to Jesus?

  • How does John’s early accounts of Jesus compare to the other Gospels’?

  • Should wine be used for communion?

  • How should we be postured - what should our thoughts be on - as we consume wine/alcohol?

  • How far does our freedom go with alcohol?

  • Are there double standards with the amount of focus we put on alcohol than on other things, such as gluttony?

  • What do we do with drinks with higher alcohol content? Do drinks have more alcohol now than they did in the times of the Bible?

  • How do we worship God through the gifts He gives us?

  • How does Jesus use wine as a symbol for our remembrance of Him?

  • How can we experience God’s goodness?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Dave and Omer are originally from Israel, but grew up traveling around the world. They had spent time in Belgium, Israel, and Boston. One of Omer’s first memories is of receiving a Liège waffle from his kindergarten teacher in Brussels after a full day free of him causing a ruckus. Since their departure from Belgium, they have been obsessing over Liège waffles and how to make them even better.

Dave and Omer had worked in restaurants for a few years, saving up for a long backpacking trip in Latin America. When they ran out of traveling money, Dave flew to England for a job opportunity. After having realized that this job was not for him, Dave and Omer met up in San Francisco. Dave suggested they move up to the Eugene area. After about a month, they fell in love with the place and the community. They knew that Eugene would be the perfect place to open an authentic Liège waffle shop; a family dream for decades.

The original Off The Waffle was opened out of a house in the West Jefferson neighborhood in February of 2009. Word got out extremely fast and the shop eventually got so busy that they had to look for a larger place. So they moved to the incredibly welcoming community of South Eugene in 2010. That is where Omer and Dave were joined by their father and sister, Shimon and Vered. In 2012, they added a shop in Downtown Eugene as their second location.

At the end of the day, Off The Waffle wants to make the best Liège waffles, spread joy, and have fun doing it. They even take time to sponsor and donate to many local non-profits, schools, and other charities. What sets Off The Waffle apart is their killer recipe that took a long time to perfect. They design and manufacture their own waffle machines, use exclusively organic produce and eggs, and take care to source the best quality ingredients possible for the best waffles possible.

EPISODE #7 - LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX: PART 1 (With Ali Reeves)

EPISODE #7 - LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX: PART 1 (With Ali Reeves)

SUMMARY

Sex can be an awkward topic to talk about and dig into at church, which is no wonder why real discussion on the topic rarely seems to happen. With culture having its own views and understanding of sex, how do we use Scripture to figure out what God says that it is? What roles does each person - husband and wife - play in the quality and sanctity of their sex life? Brad, Rick, and Ali are here to have this potentially awkward conversation for the sake of understanding God’s gift of sex.

*Due to the nature of this content, listen with discretion*

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Who is sex for? Why does God give it as a gift? How does sex add to our understanding of the Gospel?

  • How are we to understand more about sex outside of what culture tells us? Does Scripture tell us about sex?

  • How do our stories/past impact our sex life? How do our expectations of sex in marriage affect our marriage relationship?

  • How do we have conversations with our spouse about our expectations and desires for sex? How do we consistently have this conversation?

  • Why do some (often men) desire more physical affection and some (often women) desire more emotional affection? How is this reconciled?

  • What does it mean to die to yourself and your desires to honor your spouse in sex?

  • Is there anything off-limits in the bedroom?

  • What role can praying play before, during, and after sex? Is it weird to pray in the bedroom?

  • If sex is a blessing, are those who are single or cannot have sex missing out on God’s blessing?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT


Owners Derek & Mindy Weber and Charlie Hester truly felt called to do The Washburne. They kept dreaming about how awesome it would be to have specialty coffee in their hometown of Springfield.

They didn’t really have any plans to start a coffee shop but then The cafe kept popping up in their mind. They finally thought to themselves “maybe we should at least try this!” They knew it was a very crazy idea that they were not equipped for and assumed at some point they’d hit a roadblock. However, with every roadblock they hit, the Lord found a solution. Now it’s The Washburne Cafe. They knew they were doing what he called them to do.

The Weber’s and Hester knew this business would be incredibly challenging, but the plan from the beginning was to do all that they could to support our community in more ways than just good food and coffee. They grew up in Springfield and barely set foot downtown. Other people’s opinions of downtown were similar to theirs and they really wanted to be a part of changing people’s minds. The Washburne is meant to be an open door where anyone from all walks of life would feel welcomed and cared for. 

The Washburne owners love to support other businesses in town. A lot of the produce used in their products is from local farms and what they can’t get from farms is sourced as local as possible. They make as many things from scratch as they can and put quality first. The retail shelves in the cafe are also full of products from local makers.

EPISODE #6 - STOP BEING WEIRD: PART 2 (SENSITIVITY & DEFENSIVENESS)

EPISODE #6 - STOP BEING WEIRD: PART 2 (SENSITIVITY & DEFENSIVENESS)

SUMMARY

Returning to their conversation on how Christians can sometimes act weird, Rick and Brad discuss why we can often get offended so easily as well as how we can engage in healthy conversation with those who disagree with us. So much of this comes down to our identity and how we believe others perceive us. Listen in as we continue to grow in our Christian identity without having to be weird in our society.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • How are Christians able to be offended less?

  • What is at the root of our culture being so defensive/offended?

  • How do I have conversations with those we disagree with?

  • Is our goal as Christians to avoid offending others?

  • If we treat everyone without offending them, won’t the world be a better place?

  • If we want the church to be attractive to the world, why wouldn’t we tread lightly on offending others?

  • How do we model conflict to the world?

  • In what ways should Christians be offended?

  • How do we deal with people not liking what we say as we try to make disciples?

  • What false identities do Christians take on that lead to being offended often?

  • Do we have to push down the pain that can come with someone offending us?

  • What freedoms do we have when we talk to others?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

As childhood friends, owners Renee and Jesse stayed in touch, went to beauty school together, and also worked at several salons together. After starting their own families they decided to open their own salon. Their vision is to provide a hip yet comfortable place for clients to come to and experience each of Renee and Jesse’s unique expertise in the craft of hairstyling. 

At Moss Hair Studio, they strive to be a place that would be missed if they were gone. This is achieved by the love and care for their clients as well as the neighboring businesses around them. What sets Moss Hair Studio apart is that its team has been together since the beginning of 2010, all being well-established hairstylists. They also just really love each other and their customers!

Check out Moss Hair Studio and let them know you heard about them on the podcast!

EPISODE #5 - THE STRUGGLE WITH PORNOGRAPHY: PART 2 (WIRED FOR INTIMACY)

EPISODE #5 - THE STRUGGLE WITH PORNOGRAPHY: PART 2 (WIRED FOR INTIMACY)

SUMMARY

Rick and Brad are back with the highly anticipated continued conversation on pornography. This time, the guys talk about what happens chemically in our brain when we try to fill our desire for comfort, intimacy, and love in things of this world; namely pornography. Join us as we continue this conversation that affects so many - the whole community of faith.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • What goes on in our brain when we watch porn or participate in other addictive habits?

  • Why does it seem to get harder to break sin habits the more we do them?

  • What qualifies as porn? Is there a good definition? Does scripture talk about this?

  • How does watching porn change how we view sex? How does it change how we view others?

  • Does it actually hurt anyone to watch porn by yourself? How are others affected?

  • Where else can we find the intimacy that our heart desires?

  • How can community help us find hope in Christ as sinful human beings?

  • Is it okay to be vulnerable with others in our community?

  • What are practical ways to help in. the fight against pornography?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Ron Vickrey started Crux in the early 90’s, one of the first climbing gyms in the USA, and even started with gravel floors. One day while Morgan and Marra Watson were climbing at Crux, the owners asked if they would want to buy it. Even though the Watson’s were unsure due to financial uncertainty at the time, they sensed God was at work. The Watson’s felt encouraged by God to not be afraid and to jump into this venture. That is how Crux came to be where it is today!

Morgan and Marra see Crux as a place for climbers and those wanting to become climbers to have community with others of the same passion. They want to help guide people into a healthy lifestyle through the availability of climbing, healthy food & drinks, and a strong community. They also strive to be a light to their neighborhood.

The clean, family-friendly atmosphere at Crux leads to visitors feeling invited, cared for, and personally known. They truly strive to make outdoor climbing accessible to all who are interested. Go check them out! It is an amazing experience for beginners and experts alike!

EPISODE #4 - THE STRUGGLE WITH PORNOGRAPHY: PART 1 (FREED BY THE GOSPEL)

EPISODE #4 - THE STRUGGLE WITH PORNOGRAPHY: PART 1 (FREED BY THE GOSPEL)

SUMMARY

Brad Libolt and Rick Reeves sit down to discuss the real struggle with pornography that has a hold, not only in our society but also in the church. Watching porn, like all sin, is an attempt to relieve shame, guilt, and loneliness. However, it is not the true solution to those feelings. Join Rick and Brad as they open up about this topic and find how Christ frees us from this addiction.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Why is pornography such a big deal? Has it always been a big deal?

  • How does our society perceive pornography?

  • Pornography is accessible and used by non-Christians, but is it actually watched by those in the church?

  • Is it safe to assume that a woman’s husband is a viewer of pornography and should enter into that conversation?

  • How do we label sin as something less than the true sin to reduce shame?

  • What are the deeper issues that are in our hearts that leads to pornography being used as the solution?

  • Why do we reach for sinful things, like pornography, that lead to deeper guilt, shame, loneliness, etc.?

  • Why does it seem that more men deal with porn addiction?

  • What fears in creating real relationships lead to someone making pseudo-relationships through pornography?

  • What do we do to move forward to tell a spouse, a friend, a pastor about a pornography addiction? How do we react and respond to someone’s pornography confession?

  • What is the Gospel message to those confessing and receiving confession who may feel as if they are not enough for their significant other?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

  • 1 Corinthians 13 - Love assumes the best intentions from our brothers and sister in Christ

  • Matthew 10 - Jesus sends the 12 disciples, telling them to "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves".

  • Pornography Viewership Statistics

  • Tin Man Ministries - Coaching, mentoring, consulting, and offers guidance to those who want to recover the life they've lost and discover the life they desire, by learning to live from the heart.

  • 1 John 1 - We are called to walk in the light

  • If you need to confess to a porn addiction and want help in accountability, contact your pastor or email rickreevesgcc@gmail.com

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Owner Chris Johnson grew up learning about the value of hard work and entrepreneurship from his parents. After a family business that he was a part of closed in 2017, Chris began looking into roasting coffee and figuring out what to do next. He started playing around and discovered how much he enjoyed roasting. Thus began the journey for Pacifik Coffee Roasters.

It has been a slow-growing but exciting adventure for Chris. Being part-Hawaiian, he has many great memories of visiting his family on the island of Oahu. With multiple generations living together and passing down their heritage, it meant a lot to have a place to belong and have a supportive family. Now, with three kids of his own, Chris wants to pass on those values.

At-home coffee should be affordable, easy to make, and still feel like a moment of luxury on a busy day. With every bag of Pacifik Coffee you purchase, you’re supporting and directly impacting a family-owned business in Eugene, Oregon, as well as the farms and communities around the world where the coffee is grown. Pacifik is mostly a wholesaler with the goal of bringing awesome coffee to the community. They have also done fundraisers in the community as well as donating to charities, both locally and globally. 

Chris recognizes that there are a ton of awesome coffee roasters in Eugene and in Oregon. His love for coffee drove him to want to be part of the industry. The beans they buy are fair trade coffee and they work as close to the farms as they can to bring delicious coffee as well as have a better understanding of what is being done at the farm level with growing and the way the staff is being treated. They truly care about the process and the people involved with that process. Pacifik has a passion for the community that they live in, a passion for Christ, for their kids and they want that to be evident in our business. 

Chris is extremely grateful for his customers! Go ahead and support him and his family on this venture by either ordering online or picking some up at Market of Choice.

EPISODE #3 - HURT IN THE CHURCH (RISE & FALL OF MARS HILL)

EPISODE #3 - HURT IN THE CHURCH (RISE & FALL OF MARS HILL)

SUMMARY

In the age of social media, everyone has a chance to be a large voice on a variety of platforms: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts. The list goes on. In "The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill", Mike Cosper looks at how Mark Driscoll used his platform in a way that left a wake of hurt, confusion, and animosity. In this episode, Rick and Brad discuss Cosper's podcast as well as how Scripture has called the church to be, how we can identify health in a church, and what to do in response.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • How should we, as Christians, approach what we hear in “The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill”?

  • What is the church? Have there always been issues?

  • Why is it important to identify what “the Church” is?

  • What are helpful and unhelpful things in the “Mars Hill” podcast? How do we use the information we are given through the Mars Hill story?

  • How does our culture of giving a lot of people a platform to lead (via YouTube, podcasts, social media, etc.) affect us? The local church?

  • How do we gauge the health of our church? How do we respond?

  • How can the local church body protect itself?

  • How do we pursue healing from church hurt?

  • Has there been healthy growth in Acts 29 since Mark Driscoll?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

 

Sun Auto started in 1977 with one store, is now expanded to four stores in the Eugene area. They've been serving in the community for 45 years.

Sun's heart behind their business is helping people with life. They exist to serve their community, not only the customers they interact with on a daily basis but also their employees. They really care about people and love to give back.

The culture at Sun is to always have its ear to the ground with community involvement. During the recent Oregon fires, for example, they made sure they took the opportunity to help by raising money for the community affected. They are also launching a program called "Keys for Hope" this spring, which will give away a car to a family in need.

Mechanics are often given a bad rap for taking advantage of people and Sun understands this.

They are committed to doing the right thing every time and we are dedicated to integrity within that industry. They keep their customers safe and on the road to enable them to live their lives.

EPISODE #2 - STOP BEING WEIRD: PART 1 (FREE TO BE YOURSELF)

EPISODE #2 - STOP BEING WEIRD: PART 1 (FREE TO BE YOURSELF)

SUMMARY

Sometimes when non-Christians look in on Christian circles, they see what can appear to be facades, masks, or "fig leaves"- keeping their secret sins and brokenness hidden. This may lead to the question," why are Christians so weird?". In this episode, Brad and Rick discuss the freedom that comes with confession in this part 1 of how we can "stop being weird" and live out of the freedom we receive in Christ - to truly be known.

 
 

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

  • Howcome non-Christians seem more capable of expressing brokenness than Christians?

  • How do we live in our brokenness as Saints?

  • How does a facade - covering our sin and insecurity - affect our personal health and church health?

  • What happens to relationships with built-up, unconfessed sin?

  • How are relationships affected by confessing? By not?

  • What has God promised to us in our sin?

  • What are excuses that we make in order to coerce ourselves to not confess sin?

  • Are we able to ask others for help in confession?

  • How is a culture of confession started?

  • How do we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, respond to confessions brought to us by others?

  • How do we disarm the enemy of our sin?

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

This week’s featured business is Oregon Axe & Escape the Room Oregon. Escape the Room Oregon was first started back in 2016 by Tim & Jenny Stemmerman when their second son was born with a genetic disease. With a shortened life expectancy, their family realized the importance of prioritizing experiences and memories. They wanted to bring a type of experience to other families that brought them closer in the here and now. After providing this experience to others, they realized they wanted to do more! So, Oregon Axe was open in 2018 providing indoor ax throwing.

Their businesses serve the purpose of providing an easily accessible experience to bring people together but also allow Tim and Jenny an opportunity to live out their faith. Through working with many young adults on staff, they are able to show them respect, work ethic, and what it means to live a life based on your values. They get to show them who Jesus is with their actions in a way that they might not otherwise get to experience.

Oregon Axe has two locations plus a mobile unit and will be adding a location in Tigard and a second mobile unit. With this growth, they are able to continue to bless other organizations that align with their values and further the Kingdom.

In the community, they have led fundraisers for organizations around the community, and love to give back to organizations that really connect with their values. It is also simply a way to provide an awesome place for the community to come and make memories!

What sets them apart is their high standards. Their focus is on making memories and connecting people together, not just a transaction The staff treats all their customers as friends and actually cares that you have fun! The employees at Oregon Axe, called “Axeperts”, are great coaches and encouragers. They will cheer for you and help you succeed. Where else are you going to get people literally cheering for you?

Support our friends over at Oregon Axe and Escape the Room Oregon as a great activity for family, friends, and for increasing communication and teamwork among co-workers. Let them know you heard about them on our podcast and bless them with your business!