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 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 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!
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
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.