Say That

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Whenever I stop doing something, not even quitting necessarily, I get this guilt like I am doing something wrong. How do I get over that? (22:35-31:50) We check in on televangelists Kenneth Copeland and Jesse Duplantis. It goes about as well as expected. (31:52-37:42) I feel like my brain always goes to the worst possible scenario. It’s exhausting. How do I get better at not doing that? (37:46-50:45) Closing Song: Greater Is He (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) What do you guys make of the whole “revival” thing in Kentucky? (21:31-32:16) Submitted for the approval of the midnight society...a disgraced megachurch pastor sitting by a fire pit spouting nonsense. (32:23-40:59) Mark 11:24 Jesus says, “whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” I know the “name it, claim it” stuff isn’t how God works…so what does that mean? (41:03-52:14) Closing Song: Shepherd (Lee Younger)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Sometimes, when people are talking about something they did wrong, part of explanation is “that’s not who I really am.” It feels very Christian to say that, but also if we’re all sinful…it kind of is, right? Is that an actual explanation? (18:50-34:56) How do you know when someone is overspiritualizing something? I hear people talk very churchy or write stuff online and they way they put seems like…a lot for what they are talking about. But is that just me being judgmental? (35:08-50:12)  So John 12:47-48 says “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.” What does that mean - Jesus doesn’t judge me, but God does? Aren’t they the same? (50:15-59:20) Closing Song: Micah 6:8 (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) People were talking about how the Grammy’s and Super Bowl halftime show were “satanic.” Are people being serious with that? Why are people so weird about this stuff? (14:10-31:11) Bonus thematic relevant emergency! (31:16-42:05) https://relevantmagazine.com/current/buzzworthy/priest-who-temporarily-died-says-he-went-to-hell-and-they-play-rihannas-music-to-torture-people/ How would you define woke ? Is it a term as a Christian we should be associated with? I’ve heard different definitions and even some have suggested quite dark origins of the phrase so I’m really unsure whether it’s something I should use or relate to? Thanks! (42:10-57:34) Closing Song: Don't Chas Shadows (Lee Younger)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)  I’m just getting to the point in my life where I make enough money to have savings. How do I know how to balance saving with giving? (19:24-37:01) The Bible says “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” The idea of “believing God” struck me. Is that different from believing in God? How do I do it more? (37:04-50:02) I have heard people talk about what “Guarding your heart” doesn’t mean (purity culture, watching secular movies, etc). But what does it actually mean? (50:05-1:01:13) Closing Song: You Have Better (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)  How do I know Im doing something wise? How do I really know when I have found wisdom to apply to my life? (17:41-32:22) Can you guys recommend some books about theology for someone who is new to it? (32:26-48:41) When something awful is in the news, on social media, etc. I sometimes want to just not think about it anymore. Is that okay? Like, I know these things are serious and facing the truth of things is important, but it feels like a lot sometimes. (48:45-1:03:09) Closing Song: A Mighty Fortress (Pete Lawson)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask Once again, the emergencies are coming faster than we can deal with them. Billboards, job postings, the worst venue for an altar call, a new low in Christian parody songs, and more! Closing Song: Amazing Grace (Glenn Kaiser)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com bridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I have been thinking about the idea of “bearing fruit”. It seems like it’s just a Christiany way to say “be busy and accomplish a lot”. Am I missing something? (15:47-30:28) A famous pastor recently said online that the most important thing a Christian can do is read the whole Bible repeatedly. Honestly, I get a little tired of the Bible sometimes. Is that okay? (30:32-48:21) Romans 2:5 says that because of stubborn you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath. That sounds bad. What can I do about that? (48:24-59:09) Closing Song: 2 Corinthians 3:17 (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask Is "being intentional" really an important thing? Or is it another Christian cliche? (18:43-32:54) I know we are not supposed to judge other people’s salvation. But there are also clearly people who claim the title of “Christian” who don’t line up with the teachings of Jesus at all. What are we supposed to do with that? (32:57-46:31) Sometimes in the gospels, when Jesus heals someone, He tells them to tell people- like their village or the temple officials. Other times He tells them to keep it a secret. I can’t see a pattern in why it is one or the other. What is going on here? (46:36-57:38) Closing Song: No One Like You (Lee Younger)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask People say the new year is a good time for a fresh start. That sounds good to me, but I don’t really know how to do it. (17:13-31:17) 2022 was a rough year, and it took a lot of me. How do I actually make 2023 better? (31:21-41:21) How can I healthily manage stress? Just reminding myself “God’s got this” has not really lead to much peace. (41:26-56:31) Closing Song: I Am New (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) We take a look at a megachurch Christmas program that brings together the Grinch and Thriller, the most misguided LinkedIn message of the year and all the other wackiness that Christian culture had to offer in 2022.   Closing Song: Always, Always, Always (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I did something that would hurt my partner if they found out, And I don’t know how they would react. I feel guilty not telling them. What should I do? (18:58-38:04) People talk a lot about not taking Christmas seriously enough. I get that it isn’t about commercialization, but how “serious” am I supposed to be being here? (38:07-54:56) There was so much talk about the “Proverbs 31 woman” in purity culture stuff. It’s hard to look at that chapter without all that stuff on it. What does it really mean? (54:59-1:06:42) Closing Song: O Holy Night (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) This week, Matt read an article about "Secular Calvinists" and, since he has to know that's a thing, now so do you! (00:10-17:45) I don’t know how I feel about Christmas. Growing up it wasn’t my favorite time and it hasn’t gotten better. I see that there could be a lot of positive stuff about the holiday, but I can’t seem to connect to it. Is there a way to reset my Christmas feelings? (18:01-33:06) How do you support and love someone who is going through a hard time but is clearly not ready to make any big changes? I love them and they aren’t like being hostile to me, they just aren’t done with whatever phase they are in yet. (33:10-45:39) In 1 John 3:1- it says “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”  Does that still apply when Christianity has been the biggest world religion for 2,000 years? (45:42-55:10) Closing Song: What Child Is This? (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) When someone reappears after a scandal and there is a backlash, it seems like people talk about how there is “unforgiveness” or “lack of grace because people are mad. If someone behaved in a way that hurt someone else- can I even forgive them. Am I under some requirement to forgive public figures because I am Christian? (21:53-39:08) What responsibility do I have to call out prejudice when I see it. If I see someone I know post something online, can I just block them, or should send a message to point out there error first? It feels like people are getting comfortable throwing stuff out there lately. (39:12-54:43) Special bonus emergency!  A truly bonkers Christmas service: https://twitter.com/reachjulieroys/status/1599068764674265089?s=20&t=EAP6VjnFQvHtBZuB0WWBJw (54:49-1:04:34) Closing Song: I Heard The Bells (Lee Younger)

This week we take an emergency look at a business seeking to rent out the perfect Christian boyfriend. And, in a rare instance, come up with an improvement! As a spouse in such a situation, how can you support the partner that has lost interest in sex? I am discouraged, but I don’t want to pressure them either. (21:08-40:08)   I have different political views than my parents. I know that, they know that. It’s whatever. The part that drives me crazy is not them disagreeing with me or thinking I’m wrong, it’s when they imply or flat out say that I only believe what I do because I was brainwashed or that “I’ll figure it out when I’m older”. I don’t know why, but that really bothers me and I don’t know how to say anything or if I even should. Help? (40:42-57:45)   I was reading the part of the gospels with John the Baptist recently. I don’t really know what I’m supposed to take from it. I get that he prepared the way for Jesus and was important. But I don’t know what I am supposed to do with any of this? (57:48-1

Buy our friend Spike's book of amazing cartoons! Let's all give thanks for an all emergency episode! We come up with a new, groundbreaking technique for dealing with opinionated relatives at Thanksgiving. Then we take a tour of Christian insanity- Pastors challenging comedians to boxing matches and getting served lawsuits in the pulpit, a Christian college is suspicious of evil secular music genre...bluegrass, a video game where you play as Jesus that is even crazier than it sounds. And more! Closing Song: Take My Life and Let It Be (Lee Younger) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

I recently read a description of elements of a cult. It included things like “a leader who is not to be questioned” and “everything is part of the plan” and “the people in this group are all you need.” I know not every church is cult-like, but that sounds like a lot of churches. How do I know if a church or group can be trusted not to be like this? (19:48-34:24) Is there a difference between judging someone and wanting them to do better? (34:28-44:56) Recent…celebrity craziness had me thinking about whether I can still enjoy someone’s music if I know they believe awful things. Does that apply to Christian stuff even more so? If someone ends up involved in scandal, or leaving the faith, how do we treat their work? (45:00-01:01:48) Closing Song: No He Wasn't (ft Lins Honeyman) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

1.1) I feel like it’s really  shallow but I’m finding I’m not physically attracted to my spouse anymore. (16:18-34:21) 1.2) I used to be really passionate about faith and expressive in worship. Over the last few years it’s like the fire has diminished. I struggle to pray and worship but deep down the faith is still there. What should I do? (34:24-52:46) 1.3) I was reading the parable of the bags of gold in Matthew 25. Making good ROI isn’t really how I think of Jesus wanting me to live out my faith usually. What does this parable mean? (52:50-1:06:07) Closing Song: You've Made Up Your Mind (Jed Brewer) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

Christian puns may have gone too far! And some Halloween PSAs. (00:00-19:00) Hebrews 4:1 says to be careful not to “be found to have fallen short”. But Romans pretty famously says all have fallen short and it doesn’t matter. What does this mean? (19:18-33:26) I always feel like I am letting someone down. When I was little it was my parents. Sometimes it has been God. But sometimes I don’t even know who, just someone out there. How do I deal with that? (33:35-50:31) How do I know if a part of my life is bearing fruit? Some things take time, and some things don’t always look amazing, but does that mean they’re not bearing fruit? (50:36-1:05:51) Closing Song: It Is Well (Pete and Tasha Lawson) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

We look at a church's...stadium tour...tickets for which cost up to over $1000. That's definitely an emergency! (00:00-19:45) How do you know when a situation (not a relationship, but like a job or school thing) being rough means it’s time to make a change versus when it’s time to push through? (19:50-34:27) 2 Thessalonians 4:10 “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” Gets brought up a lot to justify political stuff. I feel like it’s not a very Jesusy sentiment. What does it mean? (34:27-50:00) I was recently talking with a friend and they mentioned “see you at the pole”, I joked about how it was so weird that it was a Christian fad to do something pretty much the opposite of what Jesus taught about prayer. He had never realized it was weird. He agreed once it was pointed out. I didn’t know how to have that conversation. How do you talk to someone about crazy Christian stuff from their past, not your own? (50:06-1:01:51) Closing Song: 2 Corinthians 3:17 (The Poolhouse Guru) Ask A Question: saythatpo