Amber Albee Swenson, co-host of the "Behind the Series" episodes on this podcasts, shares an announcement regarding podcast programming.

What happens if something gets in between you and the promise of heaven? At first glance, the Bible's answer may sound contradictory. But as Pastor Mike digs into the apostle Peter's letter that he wrote to friends who were being persecuted, we see why we can turn our fear into peace. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions: 1. Anxiety and Depression: Where Is the Bible's Comfort?2. Am I Supposed to Pray Boldly or Humbly? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29,...

Sometimes we feel stuck in our relationship with God. There's pain, suffering, frustration in our lives. Maybe we're just lukewarm about our faith. So how do we get closer to God? Pastor Mike says to start with writing a eulogy—about God. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Does God choose everyone but knows which ones will reject him? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of Grace With Mike Novotny" started broadcasting on the many FM and AM stations of...

Sometimes we feel stuck in our relationship with God. There's pain, suffering, frustration in our lives. Maybe we're just lukewarm about our faith. So how do we get closer to God? Pastor Mike says to start with writing a eulogy—about God. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Question: How Do Christians Handle Life in a World That's Hostile? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of Grace With Mike Novotny" started broadcasting on the many FM and AM stations of the...

Paul’s famous words about love come not in the context of a wedding celebration but in the context of a church family who did not appreciate their God-given differences. This message pushes God’s diverse people toward humility, appreciation, and love--the glue that holds the body of Christ together. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. How Do You Know That God Is Real?2. Do Demons Still Haunt People Today? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of Grace...

Paul’s famous words about love come not in the context of a wedding celebration but in the context of a church family who did not appreciate their God-given differences. This message pushes God’s diverse people toward humility, appreciation, and love--the glue that holds the body of Christ together. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. Am I Allowed to Work on Sundays?2. How Much Money Should I Give the Church? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of...

Feeling “less than” is one of the devil’s best tricks. We notice what we’re not, what we can’t do, what’s uncomfortable, what’s out of our skill set. But Paul saves us from envy and discouragement by reminding us all that God didn’t design every part of the body to do everything. By his design you can’t do this or that. Let go of the guilt. Give up the competition. Embrace your importance in his grand design. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. Am I Allowed to Work on Sundays? 2. How Much...

Feeling “less than” is one of the devil’s best tricks. We notice what we’re not, what we can’t do, what’s uncomfortable, what’s out of our skill set. But Paul saves us from envy and discouragement by reminding us all that God didn’t design every part of the body to do everything. By his design you can’t do this or that. Let go of the guilt. Give up the competition. Embrace your importance in his grand design. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. Can I Get Kicked Out of Heaven? 2. Is It...

Scripture and experience teach us that people are different. Like different parts of the body, God intentionally decided to make each of us different from everyone else. That truth has the potential to make us better and stronger . . . or, if we ignore it, to make us frustrated at everyone who is not our mirror image. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. How Should Christians Balance Science and Faith?2. When the Israelites were in the desert and God sent snakes, God said to look at the...

Scripture and experience teach us that people are different. Like different parts of the body, God intentionally decided to make each of us different from everyone else. That truth has the potential to make us better and stronger . . . or, if we ignore it, to make us frustrated at everyone who is not our mirror image. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. Was Jesus tempted too?2. Why Aren't Miracles Big Anymore? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of...

As Paul begins his discussion of the “body of Christ,” he reminds us of the big picture. Baptism. Spirit. Spiritual thirst quenched by the gospel. What the church has in common is exponentially bigger than our differences. He does the same in Ephesians chapter 4, repeating the unity we have in Jesus—one Lord, one faith, one hope, one God. Therefore, before we talk about our uniqueness, we celebrate our unity in Jesus, no matter what our diverse wiring, quirks, or personalities. Part 2 of...

As Paul begins his discussion of the “body of Christ,” he reminds us of the big picture. Baptism. Spirit. Spiritual thirst quenched by the gospel. What the church has in common is exponentially bigger than our differences. He does the same in Ephesians chapter 4, repeating the unity we have in Jesus—one Lord, one faith, one hope, one God. Therefore, before we talk about our uniqueness, we celebrate our unity in Jesus, no matter what our diverse wiring, quirks, or personalities. Part 1 of...

There's always another awful headline, another hypocrite, another problem we want to fix in our broken world. If only it were as easy as plucking out the bad people from the good. But we know it's not that simple. It's for these moments of frustration that Jesus told this particular story of the weeds and the wheat to give us hope. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:- How do you keep doing right in the eyes of God when those around you are not living biblically? - Why Wait Until Marriage to...

There's always another awful headline, another hypocrite, another problem we want to fix in our broken world. If only it were as easy as plucking out the bad people from the good. But we know it's not that simple. It's for these moments of frustration that Jesus told this particular story of the weeds and the wheat to give us hope. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:- How should Christians deal with marijuana? - How Do We Really Know People Are in Heaven? ** Program note: This is the radio...

It's going to cost us to follow Jesus. He was upfront about us needing to give up the things we treasure. But, Jesus also said, joyfully giving up the things we have is possible when we find a superior treasure. Through two short parables Jesus told, Pastor Mike helps us see what this treasure is. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Is Jesus Actually God? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of Grace With Mike Novotny" started broadcasting on the many...

It's going to cost us to follow Jesus. He was upfront about us needing to give up the things we treasure. But, Jesus also said, joyfully giving up the things we have is possible when we find a superior treasure. Through two short parables Jesus told, Pastor Mike helps us see what this treasure is. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Why Do We Take Communion? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time of Grace With Mike Novotny" started broadcasting on the...

We live in a culture that often says bigger is better, as we easily dismiss the small and mundane as too insignificant to be powerful. But believing this common trope can be spiritually dangerous. Pastor Mike walks us through two of the smallest stories Jesus ever told that give us a really big message for the average moments of our spiritual lives. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Is Porn OK for Married Couples? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29, "Time...

We live in a culture that often says bigger is better, as we easily dismiss the small and mundane as too insignificant to be powerful. But believing this common trope can be spiritually dangerous. Pastor Mike walks us through two of the smallest stories Jesus ever told that give us a really big message for the average moments of our spiritual lives. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Is Believing in God Just a Safe Bet? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April 29,...

God’s Word doesn't always seem to work in our lives. We share it, read it, and hear it, but it doesn’t seem to change us spiritually. That's because the Word of God, Jesus said, is like a seed—it's packed with potential, but it is also small and vulnerable. How vulnerable? Pastor Mike identifies these everyday threats to God's Word that can stop us from growing in our faith. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Is Anger a Sin? ** Program note: This is the radio edit of our program! On April...

God’s Word doesn't always seem to work in our lives. We share it, read it, and hear it, but it doesn’t seem to change us spiritually. That's because the Word of God, Jesus said, is like a seed—it's packed with potential, but it is also small and vulnerable. How vulnerable? Pastor Mike identifies these everyday threats to God's Word that can stop us from growing in our faith. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Question: How do you lovingly correct someone who is making mistakes? ** Program note: This...

Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson give us a preview of the next TV message series, "Jesus' Growth Plan for Me." While discussing Jesus' parables, which this series is based on, they also tell of the "mustard seed moments" that changed both Mike's and Amber's lives (both involve their moms), what Amber has in common with Dwight Shrute, and that one time Amber tried calling out Jesus—only for Jesus to mic drop her. Get your copy of “Rewrite Your Story: A Guide to the Life-Changing Parables of...

Shame is the unshakable feeling that we don’t belong, tempting us to run away from God and his people. Shame can be tied to something done to us, something we have done, or something we have continued to do. As hard as it is to open up about shame, it's even harder to address in the church. Pastor Mike dares us to cross that line and show what can happen when a Christian community learns to deal with shame. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions:1. What is the nature of blasphemy of the Holy...

Shame is the unshakable feeling that we don’t belong, tempting us to run away from God and his people. Shame can be tied to something done to us, something we have done, or something we have continued to do. As hard as it is to open up about shame, it's even harder to address in the church. Pastor Mike dares us to cross that line and show what can happen when a Christian community learns to deal with shame. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Questions: 1. When Does My New Identity in Christ Start? ...

One in five adults deals with anxiety, caught in a snowballing avalanche of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. As we enter another year of uncertainty and alarming headlines, it seems that, more than ever, people are being overcome by anxiety. There isn't a quick solution. But Pastor Mike says actively doing these four things, with the work of the Holy Spirit, will help you deal with anxiety. Part 2 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Can I Trust My Conscience? ** Program note: This is the radio...

One in five adults deals with anxiety, caught in a snowballing avalanche of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. As we enter another year of uncertainty and alarming headlines, it seems that, more than ever, people are being overcome by anxiety. There isn't a quick solution. But Pastor Mike says actively doing these four things, with the work of the Holy Spirit, will help you deal with anxiety. Part 1 of 2. Today's Tough Question: Do Babies Remain Babies in Heaven? ** Program note: This is the...