Free to Be

In the final episode of the 'Free to Be' podcast, hosts Wes and TJ discuss the spiritual discipline of celebration, emphasizing its importance in Christian life as a means to remember, rejoice in, and give thanks for God's blessings and actions in one's life. Throughout the episode, they explore misconceptions about celebration within Christianity, highlighting its distinction from worship while also revealing its interconnectedness. They address the impact of celebration on fostering gratitude, enhancing worship, and reinforcing faith, especially in challenging times. The discussion includes personal anecdotes and biblical references to underline celebration as a critical aspect of spiritual practice that recalibrates focus on God's presence and goodness. The episode concludes with an announcement that 'Free to Be' will be transitioned into a new podcast series titled 'Things My Bible Says,' aiming to delve deeper into practical and spiritual theology for listeners' enrichment. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text TMBS to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Things My Bible Says Commmunity community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

In this enlightening episode of "Free to Be," we delve deep into the concept of guidance as a pivotal spiritual discipline, exploring its transformative impact on our relationship with God and our journey of faith. Wes and TJ engage in a thoughtful discussion on how guidance intertwines with devotional practices, shedding light on its role in personal growth and communal harmony within the body of Christ. Listeners will be encouraged to reflect on the nuanced interplay between individual discernment and collective wisdom, emphasizing the importance of listening, humility, and trust in the process. The conversation covers the significance of surrounding ourselves with faithful individuals, the role of the Holy Spirit in providing confirmation and direction, and the challenges of navigating personal convictions within the context of community. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of divine guidance and its application in both personal and communal contexts. Join us as we explore practical steps to cultivate a more attentive and responsive heart towards God's leading, ensuring our steps are aligned with His will and purpose for our lives. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

This episode explores the concept of the Sabbath from a Christian perspective, discussing its significance beyond a mere day of rest to encompass a rhythm of life centered on God's provision and sustenance. The hosts reflect on their personal journeys of understanding the Sabbath, initially seen as a legalistic obligation, and how their perspectives shifted towards viewing it as an invitation and a gift from God. They delve into the biblical roots of the Sabbath, emphasizing its placement at the beginning of human history in the creation account, and its role as a reminder of God's role as both creator and sustainer. The discussion broadens to address modern challenges of busyness and distraction, proposing the Sabbath as a countercultural practice of focus, remembering, and reliance on God. The episode underlines the importance of living from a place of abundance rather than lack and anticipates further exploration of how Sabbath rest connects with the freedom and rest offered through Christ. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

This episode continues the discussion on Sabbath as a spiritual discipline, focusing on practical aspects of observing Sabbath rest. Wes and TJ will discuss how the practice of Sabbath can transform our weekly rhythms, drawing from Jesus's example of rest and the Hebrew understanding of Sabbath (Shabbat) which means to stop and also to delight. They discuss the struggle of keeping the Sabbath within their faith tradition and the liberation found in experiencing Sabbath in a way that honors its intent without being bound by rigid rules. Through personal stories and theological insights, the episode highlights the Sabbath as an invitation to intimacy with God, emphasizing the importance of letting go of one's own efforts to find rest and delight in the Creator. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

In this episode of "Free to Be," Wes and TJ dive into the spiritual discipline of worship, challenging conventional views and inviting listeners to explore a deeper, more intimate connection with God. We navigate through the teachings of Jesus and Paul to uncover the true essence of worship, beyond the confines of church services and musical expressions. Our discussion illuminates how worship, grounded in the recognition of who God is, can transform our lives into continuous acts of love and reverence. Join us as we redefine worship as a way of life, where every moment becomes an opportunity to respond to God's approachability with regularity and devotion. Through this journey, we aim to inspire our listeners to embrace worship not just as a part of their spiritual routine but as the very heartbeat of their existence. Let's explore together how to live out our faith in spirit and truth, becoming living temples where God's Spirit dwells. Discover the boundless realm of worship in this episode of "Free to Be," where faith meets freedom in the heart of worship. 00:00 Introduction to the Spiritual Discipline of Worship 00:18 Understanding Worship in the Christian Context 01:36 The Role of Worship in Church Services 02:12 The Essence of Worship: Focusing on God 02:51 Exploring Different Forms of Worship 03:56 The Evolution of Worship in the Bible 05:11 Personal Experiences and Reflections on Worship 07:10 The Temple of the Holy Spirit: A New Perspective on Worship 10:40 The Role of Community in Worship 21:16 The Connection Between Worship and Sabbath 22:23 Exploring Creative Forms of Worship 25:27 Conclusion: The Practice of the Presence of God Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

On this episode of the 'Free to Be' podcast, We welcome our friend Eddie Cornejo to the show. In our discussion Eddie shares his transformative journey with God, detailing the evolution of his spiritual practices and the profound impact of direct revelation and scripture on his life.  Initially struggling with pride and a lack of discipline, Eddie's encounter with God led to a complete turnaround, influencing his approach to life, ministry, and his relationship with Scripture. He gets practical and highlights how spending time with God, adopting various spiritual practices such as journaling, and engaging deeply with the Bible have been pivotal to his growth.  The three of us chat about the significance of understanding one's identity in Christ, facing challenges with confidence in light of God's promises, and the importance of building a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father beyond religious obligations.  We hope this conversation inspires and blesses you as much as it did us. And now, without further ado, here we go! Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

In this enlightening episode of "Free to Be," we journey into the heart of confession, a concept often cloaked in misconceptions and burdened by traditional imagery. Yet, through the lens of faith in Christ, we discover confession as a liberating force, far removed from the shadows of guilt and into the light of God's grace. Our discussion reveals the dual nature of confession in the Christian life: the personal act of confessing our sins to God, where we find unconditional forgiveness and cleansing, and the communal practice of confessing to one another, fostering healing and demonstrating the forgiving grace of God through our relationships. Throughout the episode, Wes and TJ challenge traditional views of confession, inviting listeners to see it not as a ritualistic recounting of sins but as an opportunity for growth and transformation. By focusing more on God's forgiveness than on our shortcomings, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with Him and with our community. Join us as we uncover the true essence of confession, breaking free from past constraints and stepping into a future marked by grace, healing, and renewal in Christ. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

This podcast episode delves into the complexities and spiritual significance of service in the Christian faith, particularly within the context of spiritual formation. It begins with a discussion on the importance of being selective about what forms us spiritually as Christians. The conversation then moves to the concept of service, exploring the challenges and misconceptions surrounding it, especially when it's been used improperly by some religious institutions for exploitation. The hosts discuss the biblical perspective on freedom in Christ as opposed to a transactional, works-based approach to faith, emphasizing that true Christian service stems from love and freedom rather than obligation or legalism. They discuss the transformation that service brings to one’s life, confronting sins like arrogance and selfishness. The discussion highlights the values of contentment, community, and the importance of having a servant’s heart as demonstrated by Jesus. The conversation also touches on overcoming the baggage of legalism and understanding service as an expression of the freedom found in Christ, ultimately driving home the point that our identity in Christ enables us to serve others with love and hospitality without expecting anything in return. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

Join Wes and TJ as they delve into the concept of submission within the context of Christian freedom and spirituality. The speakers share their personal struggles and revelations regarding the term 'submission', often seen as conflicting with the idea of freedom. They explore biblical perspectives on submitting to God's will, highlighting the importance of understanding submission as a mutual and voluntary act, rather than one borne out of control or authority. The discussion extends to submitting to others in the Christian community, emphasizing the significance of mutual submission, discerning God's voice, and the transformative power of spiritual disciplines. The conversation aims to redefine submission through the lens of freedom in Christ, encouraging listeners to embrace it as a pathway to growth and deeper relationship with God. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

In this episode, the conversation revolves around Ruth, also known as The Secret Place poet, and her practices of creating intimacy with God. From quiet moments of journaling or reflection in nature to praying aloud or using visual affirmations like a mirror, Ruth delves into her personal practices that help her focus on her relationship with God and bring peace to her days. Her practices are fluid, changing in response to the encouragement and direction of the Holy Spirit. She counters the notion that 'organized' or 'ritualistic' religious practices are less meaningful, and emphasizes their value in teaching obedience and bringing comfort. The discussions also touch on the importance of experiencing God through vocation - acknowledging all work that honors God as spiritual, rather than segmenting our secular and spiritual lives. Get the Secret Place Journal here: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Place-Journal-Ruth-Hodge/dp/B0CT5KF3WP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20TK5ERCLWCC9&keywords=the+secret+place+journal&qid=1706896657&sprefix=the+secret+place+journal%2Caps%2C337&sr=8-1 Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.