Ep 61 | We're Back!!

Why is it so hard to be disciplined? Most of us want to grow, but we end up filling our days with decisions based on our immediate desires or feelings rather than who we want to become.In this episode, Brian and Katie discuss: • 4 common reasons Christians struggle with discipline • What future-you will inherit from current-you • Why structure beats motivation • Why you should start your New Year's resolutions right nowWant to hear the rest of the episode? Use the links below!Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritually-formed/id1878450319?i=1000800223888Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Is4Qw6eSGqdSQgW6f0Dh8?si=bc36aeeaca0c4a27Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZKU6WsJAI

Here's a brief update on what we've been doing and where you can find our new content!We rebranded and relaunched as Spiritually Formed.Find us on: Apple, Spotify, or YoutubeSocial Media: Instagram, TikTok, or FacebookSend us an email: [email protected] up for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/2bdc94e9b17b/lp-subscribe

Brian and Katie have a big announcement to make!Making Hesstory is officially coming to end, but only to make room for what's coming next. They're saying goodbye for now with plans to be back soon with a re-brand and a re-launch.If you want to follow along and see what's coming next, use the following links to connect with us!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: makinghesstory.comFill out our feedback form: Short Feedback SurveyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910

The Bible says in Proverbs 9:10 that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," which is a good thing. But then it describes fear as something that God intends to "cast out" of us in 1 John 4:18. So...are we supposed to fear God, or not?In this episode, Brian and Katie examine a few Greek and Hebrew words found in the Bible that get translated as "fear," and they discuss what this means for our relationship with God and with our kids.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910

Being a disciple of Jesus means more than attending a church service once a week (or whenever it's convenient). Learning and following the ways of Jesus happens in the daily rhythms of life.In this week's episode, Brian and Katie talked about...Raising kids in a home that is centered around Jesus.The difference between active and passive discipleship.The reality that the best way to raise kids who know, love, and follow Jesus is to give them a childhood in which they watched their parents be discipled by Jesus.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910

Most Christians today primarily associate Jesus with being their Savior, and rightfully so. But His original disciples didn't just know Him as the Messiah, they also knew Him as their Rabbi (Teacher).Would we also benefit from thinking about Him this way?In this episode, we explore what it meant in the first century to call someone “Rabbi,” why this role was central to the life of a disciple, and how Jesus’ teaching shaped every part of His followers’ lives. We’ll also talk about what it looks like to follow Jesus as our Teacher today—learning from Him, walking in His ways, and how this can change the way we raise our kids.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

This week, we’re sharing the sermon version of The Economy of the New Creation—a message Brian recently preached at his church (Be Love Company) that covers the same powerful truths we explored in our last two episodes.In a world built on fear, greed, and self-preservation, Jesus invites us into a radically different economy—one marked by trust, generosity, and the pursuit of God’s Kingdom.Drawing from Matthew 6, this message explores what it means to live as a new creation today, how our relationship with money reveals the focus of our hearts, and why true peace isn’t found in having more—but in seeking first the Kingdom and trusting in the faithfulness of God.Whether or not you’ve listened to the previous two episodes, we believe this message will encourage, challenge, and re-center your heart.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Check out our church: https://beloveco.orgOrder our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

What if financial peace isn’t always about having more money, but about where we place our trust?In this episode, we continued walking through Matthew 6 and Jesus’ invitation to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The world trains us to obsess over money, often leading to fear, greed, and self-preservation—but Jesus teaches us to trust, to live generously, and to fix our eyes on something greater.Join us as we explore how true and lasting peace and joy come from anchoring our hope in the goodness and faithfulness of God—and why more money is not always the answer to financial worry.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

In this episode, we begin exploring Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 about righteousness, generosity, and laying up treasure in heaven. Jesus has a way of challenging not just our actions, but our motives—exposing where we place our trust and what we truly treasure.As followers of Christ, we’re ushered into a radically different economy—one in which we’re free to practice radical generosity, and where our security is not found in money, but in the goodness and faithfulness of God.Join us next week for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into the economy of God’s Kingdom and consider how we can bring heaven to earth through generosity.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

Do Christians have to tithe? Short answer: no. But should we? Yes—but probably not for the reason you think...In this episode, we’ll unpack why tithing isn’t a “rule” for Christians under the New Covenant to avoid being cursed by God (as many teach), but why it might still be a wise and helpful practice. Jesus warned how easily money can become the object of our love and trust—and giving regularly can help us fight that. Think of tithing less like a law and more like a rhythm—a way to routinely remind ourselves that God is our provider and worthy of our trust.Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/Send us an email: [email protected]: http://www.makinghesstory.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory