THE HOME OF THE 11:38 PODCAST!

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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.

mooremj@gmail.com

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/

https://www.facebook.com/rudy.rivera.79/

https://twitter.com/the_rudman1

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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...

https://www.doxa-church.com/

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/

https://www.facebook.com/rudy.rivera.79/

https://twitter.com/the_rudman1

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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/

https://www.facebook.com/sarahvega27

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahvega27/

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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

 

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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 Bishop

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 

 

 

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Episode 9: A conversation with Karina Venable about foster parenting, adoption, and carrying on when life feels like death

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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!

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Episode 8: A conversation about obedience, writing, and chronic pain with Shanna Bauer.

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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/

 

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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.

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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.

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Episode 6: A conversation with Russell Dietrich about creativity, learning, and mentorship.

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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

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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?

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Episode 5: A conversation with Katie Robinson about family, gratefulness, spiritual journey, and identity in Christ.

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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

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The 11:38 Podcast Episode 3: Talking about family, fasting, work, and travel with Jenny Wilcoski

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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 Chronicles of Narnia

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Podcasts:

Timothy Keller Sermon Podcast

Jill Briscoe Podcast

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The 11:38 Podcast: Episode 2 Talking life, family, and losing loved ones with Mark Hagen

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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.

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The 11:38 Podcast: Episode 1 Talking life, death, cancer, friendship and ministry with John Drage

John in 1994

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!

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