Abundant Life Podcast

#19: So You Want to be Great?

Spoiler Alert: Jesus doesn’t measure greatness and significance with the same measures we tend to use. In this episode, Glenn and Matt are joined by Casie to discuss what greatness looks like for disciples of Jesus.

#18: It’s Holiday Hot Topic Season

Getting together with family and friends during the holiday season is meant to be joyful, but unfortunately, it often brings conflict. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt discuss how disciples of Jesus can approach conflict in a manner that will grow relationships rather than break them.
LINKS
Book: Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves (Amazon)
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#17: Is Pro-Life Enough?

Decades into the Pro-Life movement, the church has faced successes and failures. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by Mindy to discuss what’s next for the Pro-Life Movement and how me might get involved.

#16: Social Media is Tough

Social media is here to stay. Establishing healthy behaviors in our engagement with it is key as we pursue discipleship to Jesus. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by Pastor Casie to consider social media’s impact on our lives and what habits might help us engage it in a healthy way.

#15: Parenting When You’re Not Perfect

Parenting is difficult and rewarding all at the same time. It is one of the greatest God-given assignments that we partner in. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by Matt’s parents, Doug and Lisa, to share stories and tips from decades of parenting.

#14: Matt Cherry Exposed!

In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt have a raw and personal conversation about Matt’s path to his pastoral calling, the relevance of his immaturities, and the strengths that motivate him.

#13: A Transformed Life

One interaction with Jesus can change a person forever. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by Mike Fox to share his story of radical transformation when he encountered Jesus.
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#12: Is that the Real You?

In a world filled with personas and fakes, Jesus calls every part of us, public and private, to be like him. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by Mindy to discuss the depth, challenge, and purpose of integrity.
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#11: Your Words Left a Mark

Words either build people up or tear them down. The way we speak has a real impact on those with whom we interact. In this episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by a gifted encourager, Gloria Johnson, to discuss the power of and need for encouragement. 
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#10: When Kids Come Hard

Sometimes the things we dream of don’t go as planned. This can be especially true regarding pregnancy. In this heavy but hopeful episode, Glenn and Pastor Matt are joined by their wives, Solveig and Olivia, to vulnerably tell the stories of the pregnancy challenges they’ve endured. 
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#9: I Don’t Get This Disciple Thing

When Jesus gave his followers the Great Commission, his instruction was to make disciples. In this episode, Cindy Nelson joins Glenn and Pastor Matt as we discuss the historical context of discipleship and what discipleship can look like for us in the 21st century.
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#8: Community, Life Groups, and All Things Fellowship

The early church found great value in their fellowship together. In this episode, Mindy joins Glenn and Pastor Matt to discuss the importance of fellowship and how to do fellowship well in the 21st century.
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#7: Let’s Have an Uncomfortable Conversation About Enemies

Jesus often gave his disciples challenging and countercultural instructions. In this episode, Mindy joins Glenn and Pastor Matt to discuss one of Jesus’ most difficult commandments — love your enemies.
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#6: Exploring the Bible

In this episode, Pastor Mike joins Glenn and Matt to discuss practical tips for reading, studying, and applying scripture to our lives. Additionally, we discuss stories of the early days of Victory Church, when studying scripture with community was instrumental in the founding and growth of the church.
LINKS
Website: Blue Letter Bible  Book: Living By the Book by Howard Hendricks
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#5: Do Idols Still Exist?

John Calvin famously wrote that “Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” In this episode, Pastor Casie joins Matt and Glenn as we discuss modern idolatry and the cure for our inclination to focus our attraction on the things of this world rather than God.
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#4: Faith After High School Graduation

Research suggests that high school students struggle to discover faith that will survive their transition into the next phase of life. In this episode, we reflect on how we can help our kids have a greater opportunity to find a faith that will last. Additionally, we discuss the role that mentors, friends, and extended family play in the faith students develop.
LINKS
Book: Resilient by Valerie Bell (Awana.org) (Amazon)
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#3: What in the World Is Oikonomia and Why Should I Care?

In this episode, Glenn introduces us to the concept of oikonomia; God’s way of doing things. With Pastor Casie as our guest, we explore God's oikonomia for us and how it impacts every aspect of our lives as well as those we interact with.
LINKS
Book: Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray (iBooks) Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray (Amazon)
 

#2: Let’s Get Practical About Prayer

Prayer is one of the great practices of relationship to Jesus, yet many have found prayer difficult to grow in and engage. In this episode, Mindy Knochenmus joins the conversation as we discuss how practical experiences help us grow in prayer, the things that deter us from prayer, and how we begin a life of prayer.
LINKS
App: Lectio 365 (Apple) | Lectio 365 (Android)
App: Echo (Apple) | Echo (Android)
Book: Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge

#1: What is Sabbath and Why Do We Need It?

In the pilot episode of The Abundant Life podcast, Pastor Casie Bangasser, Glenn Bader and Matt Cherry to discuss the practice of sabbath. In this candid discussion, they dive into their personal history with sabbath, The biblical context of sabbath, and the nuances of applying sabbath to life in the 21st century.
 
Recommended Resources:
Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
 
Podcast: (Apple) Rule of Life (Spotify) Rule of Life