THE HOME OF THE 11:38 PODCAST!
Episode 15: Part 1: A conversation with former Prime Minister of Ethiopia- Tamrat Layne and Mulu Girmay
From former Communist to Christ Follower. From Former Prime Minister to Orphan and Widow Care. A remarkable story of meeting the living Jesus in separate places on the same night and under extremely challenging circumstances.
Mulu and Tamrat are new friends of mine living in the Denver area who have a remarkable story of meeting Jesus. They are both from Ethiopia and currently have a ministry, Life Center Ethiopia, to orphans and widows living in Ethiopia.
Life Center Ethiopia provides food, after-school tutoring and computer training, counseling, a safe place to play, and bible study and prayer. They also provide business training, micro-loans and business consulting, counseling and bible study and prayer for widows.
I would ask you to consider donating to Life Center Ethiopia by either giving monthly or via a one time gift. Giving can be done online at
I mention this new life first for them because as you listen you will hear about their old life. I can tell you I have never met a Prime Minister before. When we first sat down to eat breakfast I sheepishly asked how I ought to address them. I was pleasantly surprised when Tamrat said I could simply call him "brother".
I am struck by both Mulu and Tamrat's poise, grace, humility, and strength while telling of their former life before meeting Jesus. When you meet them now you see new people who are pursuing very different aims from their former pursuits.
In this conversation you will hear a little of their former life before meeting Jesus. When you listen, imagine yourself being used to amass a very large standing army which would then overthrow a standing government. Picture yourself rising up the leadership ladder to second in command of an entire country only to be betrayed and imprisoned. Picture yourself being the one slowly poisoned to death, tortured, and betrayed. Where would you place your hope and sense of accomplishment? Tamrat and Mulu have their new life in Christ Jesus as their identity, their pursuit, their love, and their stability.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
This episode is Part 1 of 2. I am hopeful their story will encourage you to never give up, to follow Jesus regardless of circumstances, and to trust Jesus when the darkness is very dark.
So I hope you are encouraged hearing their story of transformation. It is indeed true that when you encounter the living Jesus you are not the same.
For more information please find Tamrat at his website:
Please follow up with Mulu on their ministry website:
https://www.lifecenterethiopia.org
You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website
https://www.drinkofferings.com
or watch the video version of the conversations on our Youtube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured
Follow Rudy on social
https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/
Episode 14: A conversation with Matt Moore about church in our times, family, and health for followers of Jesus.
Matt called me in 2020 to see how I was doing. He did not know that phone call would greatly bless me as I was at a low point in life and ministry. We have since talked with each other regularly, and we mutually encourage one another to press into Jesus. Everyone needs a friend like Matt.
Matt is a friend of mine living in Austin Texas. He makes his home there where we used to live. Austin is where my wife and I grew up in the faith and learned ministry and it's also the birthplace of our kids. I am proud of Matt and his family for their dedication to gospel living in our old home.
Matt called me in 2020 to see how I was doing. He did not know that phone call would greatly bless me as I was at a low point in life and ministry. We have since talked with each other regularly, and we mutually encourage one another to press into Jesus. Everyone needs a friend like Matt.
In this conversation we cover topics ranging from family to church, the changing times and the timeless tips for following Jesus. We talk about how to get people in your life who will keep encouraging you to stay the course, and we talk about health.
Matt is a local church pastor in Austin, a Coach for both pastors and missionaries, and a local minister/leader in Austin and surrounding area. I recently spent time in their home and just wanted to linger with their family. We talk about that in this conversation...
A word of wisdom from Matt for following Jesus in a healthy way...
Subtract quickly and add slowly.
Those words remind me of wisdom I received from my good friend, Mark Hagen. He told me over two decades ago...you need to...
Subtract to Add
Thanks Mark (Episode 2) for that wisdom, and thanks Matt for living into that healthy choice making!
If you want to get in touch with Matt just email him.
You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website
https://www.drinkofferings.com
or watch the video version on our Youtube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured
Follow Rudy on social
https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/
Episode 13: A conversation with Justin Kim about faith in trying times, the supreme value of Jesus, making tough decisions to make disciples, and following God to different cities.
What you hear and see in Justin is his kindness, humility, and love for the Lord, family, and others. He has sacrificed much along the journey of following the Lord, and he counts all of the losses as blessings in Christ. He is a man of faith and purpose which you hear in our conversation.
Justin is an old and new friend to me. We first met in Seattle at a mutual friend's wedding. (Tom Brown) Justin was officiating the wedding, and I was standing with Tom as a groomsman. Justin and I have kept in touch online and are finally catching up in person.
What you hear and see in Justin is his kindness, humility, and love for the Lord, family, and others. He has sacrificed much along the journey of following the Lord, and he counts all of the losses as blessings in Christ. He is a man of faith and purpose which you hear in our conversation.
Justin and his wife Virginia live in Sammamish Washington where they are raising their family and serving the community. In this conversation you will hear their heart for the family, for intentional discipleship, and for missional living. You will hear how Justin makes decisions in faith, and how he and his wife had made decisions to live more simply for the sake of following Jesus.
Towards the end you'll hear Justin talk about living with a heavenly mindset. Today and always the people of God are called to live such lives. Thanks Justin for being on The 11:38 Podcast! Thanks for sharing your story with me and all of us!
I believe our two families have much overlap in our stories, and I only hope that the Kim family lives our same life without any of the Rivera family's chains. Blessings to the Kim family!
If you want to get in touch with Justin to talk, hear more of his stories, and perhaps even be intentional with your discipleship then reach out to him on social or via email.
https://www.instagram.com/jungstin/
https://www.facebook.com/jungstin
jungstin@gmail.com
If you're looking for a church in the Redmond Washington area...
If you would like to hear sermons Justin has preached in the past then visit the YouTube channel of his sending church, Bethel Grace Church in Irvine CA
https://www.youtube.com/@BethelGraceChurch
You can also listen to the podcast on our ministry website
https://www.drinkofferings.com
or watch the video version on our Youtube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/@The11.38Podcast/featured
Follow Rudy on social
https://www.instagram.com/rudman1/
Episode 12: A conversation with Sarah Vega about having a hard heart, enduring abuse and chronic pain, and being a self defined "biting sheep".
A conversation with Sarah Vega about having a hard heart, being a biting sheep, and trusting in Jesus through chronic pain and abuse.
Sarah is an amazing artist who helped Sticks and Stones Publishing illustrate a second published book in 2021. Her work on the “The Little Clock” can be found on sticksandstonespublishing.com and can be purchased on Amazon.
What is even more amazing is her heart for Jesus, her kids (and all kids), and her family. In this interview you will hear Sarah mention several friends’ names each time saying how much she appreciates them. She is a self described introvert, has a hard heart, and is one of those biting sheep in the flock. Sarah has seen God give and take away, and she wants to see God as her treasure. She also is praying she can discern the Holy Spirit’s voice in her life.
Sarah has much to offer and say about persevering through trials and significant struggles. She endured marital abuse from a previous marriage, ptsd, and now lives with chronic pain, struggles, and other ailments.
Sarah is a dear friend who always lifts up others by pointing us back to Jesus. In her words…she “gospels people well.”
You can find Sarah on social media at
https://www.instagram.com/littlelampbooks/
Episode 11: Talking with Trevor Petty about family, concerns over churches, and rephrasing Psalm 23 for his children
Trevor is a good friend who lives about 30 minutes from me in Greeley Colorado. We cover topics ranging from family, church, bible reading, authoring books, and the changing landscape of Christianity.
Trevor authored a book titled, "Strange Revolution: Exploring the Life of Jesus". He dedicated his book to his son, Lincoln...need we say more?
Trevor is a curious deep thinker who is helpful to me. We took a hike last year where we talked about Psalm 23 and I thought it was cool we ended his podcast with a similar topic.
Trevor is an awesome guy who loves Jesus and is someone I learn from every time we get together.
You can find Trevor online at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trevorispetty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevorispetty/
Book website: https://www.strangerevolution.com
Buy the Book on his Publishing Company site: https://www.wanderhomepublishing.com
Buy the Book on Amazon!: https://amzn.to/3Kqtu4K
Episode 10: Talking with Barry Bishop about laughter, learning from Happy, and the number one trait to possess if you are lost in the wilderness.
Barry is a good friend who lives life full of joy, laughter, and a morbid sense of humor. We cover topics ranging from family, humility, using our God given gifts all the way to the number one trait you want if you are ever lost in the wilderness.
Barry is a dad, husband, teacher, pastor, stand up comedian, author, Texan, and friend. He loves Jesus, his family, and people. He produces online content for people wanting to learn how to read the Bible and how to grow in love with Jesus. He has a sharp mind and quick wit and truly humble.
This podcast is honest and kind...and it's more than his sweet Texas accent. We've spent time in Austin together, Poland together, and now talk on the phone from time to time. I hope you enjoy this interview with Barry Bishop.
Find Barry online at
Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrybishop
Bible Resources: https://sites.google.com/site/barrybishop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrybishop777
Writing Blog: http://unexpectedending.blogspot.com/
Personal Blog: http://barrybishop.blogspot.com/
Episode 9: A conversation with Karina Venable about foster parenting, adoption, and carrying on when life feels like death
Karina and I enjoy a conversation about all sorts of subjects. Karina is a woman of God who I very much appreciate for her wisdom, peace, and kindness. She is an enthusiastic mom, wife, friend, and loving family member. I feel like I rediscovered a little about Karina and her heart for prayer in this podcast.
She is writing for her church from time to time and is open to being contacted on social media. She writes at her blog karinavenable.wordpress.com and would love to hear from you there too!
When we started talking about her and David fostering kids my heart just broke a little. Karina is fierce, strong, persistent, and kind…in my opinion that’s a winning combination!
Something Karina said that I think is amazing and will stick with me…
“Good things grow slowly.”
“Read his word and take him at his word.”
At one point in their fostering journey the pain was so great she didn’t want to wake up. Boy… Karina is someone who knows how to walk with her God!
Episode 8: A conversation about obedience, writing, and chronic pain with Shanna Bauer.
Shanna and I cover lots of ground on how to keep going in obedience when God is speaking to you. She talks about her battle with Lyme disease, how she kept looking for beauty anywhere she could see, and how God has called her to minister to others with her writing. She's a hydro-geoscientist by trade who is using her voice to encourage others, and she is currently writing her first book with a dear friend named Brooke.
Shanna has such a great perspective on life and suffering which I know will truly bless everyone who reads her writing or listens to her talk.
Quotes:
"Obey in the little things. When you obey the little things tend to turn into big things."
"Know that God is with you."
"Look for beauty...listen for whispers."
Show Notes:
Shanna writes with this purpose in mind:
We write to encourage people to find beauty and walk in victory, even in the darkest of nights, cultivating resiliency in healthy community, not isolation, as we navigate through chronic pain.
Follow Shanna and Brooke on social media and through their website. The best way to contact them are in those ways.
Shanna and Brooke's website:
https://www.findingbeautyforlife.com
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/findingbeautyforlife
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/findingbeautyforlife/
Episode 7 Part 2: Victoria and Stephanie Moore telling the miraculous story of Victoria being run over by a truck at the age of 9.
Part 2:
Victoria and her mom Stephanie tell their story of God saving Victoria when her skull was crushed by a truck. She was so little at the time! Victoria sent me a video clip taken soon after the accident and wow the clip is just moving! Have a listen to this remarkable story of salvation which reminds me so much of my Mom and my Dad’s story of near death and salvation. In Part 2 we hear a little more from Victoria’s perspective and we learn more about some of the lingering effects of the accident. We also see a mom’s heart once again come through, the love of God shine, and Victoria’s appreciation for God’s sovereign hand of giving to her. Enjoy!
Episode 7 Part 1: Victoria and Stephanie Moore telling the miraculous story of Victoria being run over by a truck at the age of 9.
Part 1:
Victoria and her mom Stephanie tell their story of God saving Victoria when her skull was crushed by a truck. She was so little at the time! Victoria sent me a video clip taken soon after the accident and wow the clip is just moving! Have a listen to this remarkable story of salvation which reminds me so much of my Mom and my Dad’s story of near death and salvation.
Episode 6: A conversation with Russell Dietrich about creativity, learning, and mentorship.
Russell and I talk about learning, being inquisitive, and art. He’s a young, dynamic, creative leader. You can find him (when you can travel again) in Urbana IL somewhere near the University of Illinois. He’s also active on Twitter @russdie or on Instagram @russdie
I hope you enjoy this episode. It’s good to be back!
Show Notes:
The Ride of a Lifetime Book
https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Lifetime-Lessons-Learned-Company/dp/B07QW2LHN4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=disney+ceo&qid=1586225105&s=books&sr=1-1
Russell’s Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-lovers-podcast/id1335389147
Mystery, Magic, Parenting and Fear
Parenting in the grey of life when black and white seems easier.
There’s probably more in this title than I ought write in this one post. My friend and guest, Katie Robinson, on The 11:38 Podcast, and I were recently chatting after our interview and the topics of heaven, parenting, humility, and fear came up. She said, there’s another blog post…so here goes…
Me:
“Amen! I think and have thought for a long time now that the grey is where life is lived. I think we as younger Christians live in black and white. It’s easier and helpful. Don’t touch the burning stove. Don’t run in the busy street. Parenting is good this way too in my belief with younger kids. But life is difficult with all of its mysteries and so too is parenting with all of the deep waters of the heart. Mystery and magic (as C.S. Lewis) called it is vital to life but for us Christians- life in Christ. Mystery evokes fear (sometimes bad fear) but thus the exhortations of the Scriptures (often and numerous) to “not fear and take heart”!! Just some quick thoughts.
The context was a text conversation about dying, the afterlife, and what we were saying is most of life being mystery. Katie mentioned, and I agree, that her thinking and beliefs have shifted towards the grey from the black and white. Many more things in life might be considered mystery than we might want to admit.
I for one want to admit such mystery…for to me there lies awe. At the intersection of mystery and magic is awe. Awe in the God who knows all things and held Wisdom with him in the beginning. Awe in the God who forms the human heart into essentially the size of our fist and yet contains the deepest of waters as to make full exploration perhaps the truest last frontier of man. I am simply in awe of God…my God…his name is Jesus!
As for parenting…well much can be said and perhaps ought to be said. Not that my words might add some novel approach to one of Societies’ noble tasks, but rather to bless my children, my friends, and honor both my God and my parents. Still in the middle of raising 3 kids in our house and having been blessed to be a father to an adult daughter and now her family (including our grandson) I remember the days of black and white. Those seem like easy days now. And yet each of my kids with their deep watered hearts land me more in the grey of life…and fortunately I’m color blind. :) So I want to trust my God who knows them well. I want to do my part to impart magic into them as I explore the mystery of life with them. I want to entrust each and every one of them to my God who has also become their God and who knows how to bring color to the grey of life.
What do you think of such matters?
Episode 5: A conversation with Katie Robinson about family, gratefulness, spiritual journey, and identity in Christ.
Katie and I catch up on a variety of subjects as she talks about her family, losing a parent, maturing in Christ, and her faith journey which was given to her by her parents and now has grown into something new. She's a great friend, a thoughtful feeler, and has an attitude of gratefulness. If you ever get down to Austin let her know because she would most likely enjoy a great conversation over coffee.
Show notes:
Books Katie references and recommends:
Praying with the Church: Following Jesus Daily, Hourly, Today - Scot Mcknight
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery - Ian Morgan Cron
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy: Exploring Belief Systems through the Lens of the Ancient Christian Faith - Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Midwife for the Souls: Spiritual Care for the Dying - Kathy Kalina
Episode 4: A conversation with Kristin Hagen about going back to school, following God’s calling, and reading the Psalms.
Kristin and I catch up about her reading the Psalms and going back to school after raising her kids. Kristin is a professional health consultant with multiple degrees and accreditations. She is passionate about people living healthy lives for God and I hope we get an opportunity to bring her out to Colorado for some church health consulting. She is a long time dear friend to me and my family, she is wise, and she is kind. I hope you enjoy our conversation. You can find Kristin on her website www.peaceofhealth.org
Show notes:
Christ in the Psalms - Patrick Henry Reardon
Earthen Vessels, Matthew Lee Anderson
Exhaustive Concordance (I use Zondervan's 1984 NIV, but any concordance will do - it just has to match whatever Bible version you using)
Bible Versions I love most: 1984 NIV for readability; ESV for accuracy (and the ESV Sutdy Bible is unparalleled); New King James, Amplified, Message, Tree of Life (Jewish Perspective)
The Gospel According to the Old Testament Series (There are different authors for each book in the series. I enjoyed the one on Ecclesiates, "Recovering Eden" by Jack Eswine
The 11:38 Podcast Episode 3: Talking about family, fasting, work, and travel with Jenny Wilcoski
Jenny and I catch up after a year and talk about business travel as a Christian. She is very well respected in her company and field and has a lot of good practical advice to offer. I've know Jenny, her husband Ed, and family for 11 years now and I'm struck by her kindness and strength of conviction. She is a great listener and friend! Thanks Jenny for catching up and being willing to be on The 11:38 Podcast!
Show notes:
The book she mentions on the spiritual habit of fasting.
Fasting by Jentezen Franklin
The children's book series by C.S. Lewis
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Podcasts:
Jill Briscoe Podcast
The 11:38 Podcast: Episode 2 Talking life, family, and losing loved ones with Mark Hagen
I've known Mark since 1992-93, and we've seen and done some great things together! I recently got a chance to Skype with Mark and the time together went into some very personal and emotional places. I'm honored to bring you our brief talk! I value Mark in my life and admire him for many many reasons. He's a man of the Word, a family man, a. dear friend, and full of wisdom. He's also very kind and funny!
Link to the show notes will be up soon.
The 11:38 Podcast: Episode 1 Talking life, death, cancer, friendship and ministry with John Drage
John in 1994
This is my first episode and I'm glad to bring you one of my mentors and good friends, John Drage. Follow his cancer and life journey at www.johndrage.com I've known John since the summer of 1994, and we've seen and done some great things together! I recently got a chance to sit with John in one of our favorite places the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park Colorado. We caught up on life, ministry, his recent cancer diagnosis, family, and his love for God and the church. I'm honored to bring you our brief talk! I know I'm going to have to get him on the podcast again.
The 11:38 Podcast is a project I have to tell the stories of people I know who are doing great things in life, ministry, family, and business. These are people I know who I believe as Hebrews 11:38 says, "the world was not worthy of them." So I hope this podcast encourages you in your faith and life. My Dad always told me, "go forward in the name of Jesus." I hope you enjoy listening and you do the same!
They Say Hope is the Last Thing to Go
My mother told me those words when she found out she had Stage 4 liver cancer. I thought it was the dumbest thing I’d heard in the long time. First of all, who are they? And…and I thought hearing was the last thing to go. That’s what DOCTORS say. I thought those two thoughts but told my mom, “That’s good Mom. Hold onto hope.” I learned over the course of the next two months that my mom was right!
She knew better than me…her son who is a pastor.
You see nobody hopes for something they already have in full. We hope for something we don’t yet possess. This is true for every Christian. The other thing about hope is that it will never put us to shame. Romans 5:5 tells us that. The old NIV Bible says, “does not disappoint” us. I told my Mom, you won’t open your eyes that side of the grave and wake up and say, “It’s not as good as I thought it would be!” That will never and has never happened for any Christian!! So in those last moments for every Christian, including my Mom, we go from death to life. We go from hoping to possessing in full. We go from sort of knowing to full knowledge. We go from hope to full assurance. And you living for God now…in the here and now… in the end will not cause you to wonder if you wasted your life. You won’t be put to shame as if you’ve been tricked. You will possess all the Lord has in store for all of us…and I for one… plan to have hope be the last thing to go from my life! Thanks Mom for teaching me that lesson with cancer in your liver. I look forward to seeing her again!
Go Forward in the Name of Jesus
My Dad loved saying those words to me when we would talk in the morning. I think it was his way of blessing me and championing me onward in the faith on a daily basis. He didn’t come to faith in Christ until his 40s, but those last few decades he lived for Jesus. He was sick most of my life and struggled through life in a wheelchair, left arm paralyzed, and left leg amputated above the knee. I grew up with a sick dad, but he never seemed to let those ailments keep him down. As he aged, his struggles increased, but again he fought until the end.
I remember the first time I heard him praying for me and our family. He was visiting me at my college apartment in Austin Texas. He went to bed in my room and before he fell asleep he spent time praying for each of his family members by name. His list was long, and his words were many, and he prayed through every member of our family…extended family included. That night left a profound mark on my life. Here was a man with every reason to complain, but instead he prayed. Here was a man who could have only thought of his needs, but he prayed nightly for everyone else.
My Dad went on to live about 13 more years, and I’m sure he prayed daily for me and my family. His family.
So I’ve taken his words and made them my own. We shared a name. We shared a purpose. And now his words are mine…and I offer them to you. I’m confident if you met my Dad, he would tell you, “Go forward in the name of Jesus.”