Say That

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) *Matt's audio is better this episode. We promise it will be fully fixed by next week. We had a stern talk with our audio engineer...who is Matt. Intro and an emergency with a twist. (00:00-11:30) How should Christians think about the economy changing? Like, I know giving is good, but if I want to buy a house someday soon, I probably need to save more than I thought I would need to. (11:47-25:30) I was recently told I was “too negative.” I don’t consider myself a negative person. I would say I am positive sometimes and negative other times and that I try to be realistic. Is it possible to just be a “negative” person? What do I do? (25:33-42:34) How do I deal with people who talk about all religion like it is a cult? I heard someone talking about Scientology recently and someone commented something like “yeah, that’s weird. But they all are.” That kind of offended me, but I didn’t know what to say. (42:40-01:00:55) Closing Song

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Apologies for Matt's audio (the sound quality, not what he says, though maybe that too), intro, and a medieval emergency. (00:00-15:45) I feel like life is extremely unfair. Not necessarily to me, I have had it pretty easy all in all, but in general. This is proving to be a big sticking point when I think about life and God. How do I deal with this? (15:51-27:31) Sometimes my friends talk about believing in “something bigger” or a “higher power”. That is kind of frustrating to me because I think they are trying to say that is the same as my belief in Christ. But I think it is very different because I know what I believe in. Am I wrong to be bothered by that? (27:35-40:12) I normally don’t care much about end times stuff. But I was reading 2 Timothy 3 recently, and it was describing things that sounded pretty similar to today. Can you help me be less freaked out? (40:15-54:57) Closing Song: Micah 6:8 (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Intro and an Christian nightclub emergency. (00:00-16:50) How do I deal with bad leadership? Like, if someone has a good heart but just is not good at organizing things or leading a team. Do I need to just not worry about it and do what I can? (16:57-31:27) What can you do to stay encouraged when you feel stuck? (31:31-43:30) The verse about how “if God is for us, who can be against us?” Kind of confuses me. God isn’t for everything everyone is doing all the time, right? How do I know if He Is “for” me in a situation? (43:34-54:48)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Intro and an emergency about the worst-named holiday of all time. (00:00-17:50) Luke 1:37 says “for no word of God will ever fail.” What does that mean? I get that it’s encouraging, but it seems confusing to me. (17:57-30:51) What is the line between processing and talking about my experience with someone and gossiping or trash talking about them? (30:54-47:03) Do I need to have a good reason for every decision I make? Like if I break up with someone, or leave a job, or move, do I need to have a really good reason for it to be a wise choice? (47:07-1:03:03) Closing Song: Oh The Deep Deep Love of Jesus (Lee Younger)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Intro and a coffee and condescension emergency (00:00-20:00) I feel like I get in a pattern where I expect the worst of a person or situation and then the situation spins into the worst. How do I get out of that pattern? (20:05-30:32) What does 1 Thessalonians 3:3 mean when it says we are “destined for trials”? (30:37-42:44) Two pieces of advice I get from people are “be patient” and “be bold” can I do both of those at the same time? (42:48-55:31) Closing Song: Romans 12:15 (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Intro and a Big League Emergency (00:00-19:00) How do I deal with my family when they are driving me crazy? I want to maintain relationships, but I feel like drama is taking up too much of my time right now. (19:14-33:41) I am getting discouraged about prayer. I don’t feel like anything is happening. And I don’t really feel anything. What can I do? (33:44-47:54) When someone is spouting nonsense in real life or online in the name of Christianity, is there any responsibility to point out that they are wrong? I know it won’t change their mind, but what about people who are hearing them? (47:57-1:00:25) Closing Song: You Tell Me (Front Toward Enemy)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) When I have two options before me, I often think of it in terms of picking the “right” one. Is there a right decision? If God is looking out for me, what would making the “wrong” decision even mean? (17:41-28:41) There are a lot of examples of churches and leaders doing a really bad job with scandals. How should a church or organization deal with a failing? What would a good response be? (28:43-41:31) What does Jesus mean in Matthew 7 when he talks about the wide and narrow gates? I feel like those verses get used to talk about hard work or not being “worldly”. (41:35-54:51) Closing Song: You've Made Up Your Mind (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I started thinking about it when I saw this on my Facebook and I started feeling confused. “Imagine what would happen if the single pursuit of Christians is not the lights, smoke machines, LED panels, charismatic preachers and thumping music but the presence of God during services.” What are your thoughts about this idea of God's presence? (13:35-29:44)  How can I ask God to help me be a more optimistic person? Is that even something I should want? (29:50-45:01) Is it good to take time away from things to “focus on God”? It sounds good, but shouldn’t we be focusing on God as part of our lives? (45:07-1:00:04) Closing Song: His Beloved (Lee Younger)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Have I not really forgiven someone if I still feel angry about the situation? (14:21-28:16) A lot of the Bible, especially the OT talks about the strength of the Lord and calling on his mighty name, etc. it seems like most of the people I see claiming to do that are on something weird. What does it mean to do that in a real way? (28:20-40:41) I get very frustrated sometimes and I feel like it really costs me a lot of happiness. How does God want me to deal with this? (40:48-52:55) Closing Song: The Same As Me (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I feel like I hear a lot of married people talk about how marriage is “so hard” in a way that is almost cliche. How do I know if a relationship is hard because relationships are hard, or because it is a bad fit? (18:21-34:07) How do I strike a balance of showing someone respect while being clear I am not following their advice? (34:11-48:11) So in Luke 14 - the parable of the banquet - I feel like I mostly hear people talk about the end where the poor get invited which is great obviously. But who are the friends who make the excuses? What is up with that part of the story? (48:15-58:48) Closing Song: Come You Who Are Thirsty (Southern Harmonic)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) It's an all-emergency episode including: An app that lets you chat with Jesus, an archbishop who will personally keep the poor out of heaven, a lesson in prayer - Texas style, and of course...church crimes! Closing Song: 1 Peter 3:15 (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I think I have depression, but I am also pregnant. I’m so sad and tired all the time. I know that these things don’t last forever, so do you have any words of wisdom or encouragement for this season? Thank you. (15:48-30:11) What’s the difference between being “the servant of all” and being a people pleaser with no boundaries? (30:14-49:04) The Bible says “do not fear” a lot. Which is great. But, how? How do I actually have less fear? (49:08-1:01:49) Closing Song: I Know I've Been Changed (Deacons Division ft. Jeff Bryant)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Someone recently suggested I set an alarm on my phone to remind myself to pray several times a day. That seems like it could become a superstition really quick. “Oh no, I missed the 2:00 prayer, God is gonna get me!” Is this something that can be good? (17:53-33:08) What is the loving way to act toward my friends who are “deconstructing” or questioning their faith. I really don’t think they would appreciate me trying to convince them Christianity is actually fine. (33:15-46:24) I don’t feel like I know if I am doing well spiritually or not. There’s not like a way to measure it, so how do I know? (46:37-59:24) Closing Song: As I Am (Lee Younger)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I have heard people talk about “praying for protection.” What does that mean? It seems a little “claim your blessing” to me. (16:55-30:35) How do you be an encouragement to someone who doesn’t seem to want to be encouraged. Like, they are in the wallowing phase, but I still want to be supportive. (30:38-44:39) I know we are not supposed to judge. But does that just mean big stuff, or am I not allowed to get annoyed at people being rude in public or disagree with their taste in movies and stuff like that? (44:43-1:00:16) Closing Song: Cast My Cares (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) Have things gotten weirder in the last few years? Like everything always been this crazy and we’re just noticing it more now, or are things actually weirder? (17:46-28:54) Feminism-  there is a lot shared about feminism at the moment. I wonder if views can go to extreme around this topic, where do you draw the line on the sliding scale of views? (29:04-48:17) I was reading the parable of the sower in Mark 4 recently. It seems kind of unfair that whether or not the seed grows is beyond anyone’s control. The soil is either rocky or shallow or not. Am I missing the point? (48:22-1:00:52) Closing Song: Greater Is He (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) It’s been a while since I have prayed. It feels weird to try to like, get back in the habit. How do I do that?  (14:42-28:00) In Luke 10, Jesus tells the disciples “whoever rejects you rejects me”. What does this mean for us today. I reject a lot of the stuff said by Christian leaders. I don’t think that means I am rejecting Jesus. (28:04-40:52) I know that negative emotions can’t lead me to change. But I do have negative feelings that are part of me wanting to change, so what do I do with them while I am working on things? (40:58-57:51) Passage on prayer by Frederick Buechner that Jed mentioned: https://www.frederickbuechner.com/quote-of-the-day/2016/4/25/prayer Closing Song: Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Eric Peters)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) What is the difference between “walking in faith” and just not thinking through decisions? (20:18-32:46) Why is there / has there been sigma in the Church around mental health? I know on paper  it isn’t different taking medication for mental health than physical health, but somehow the feelings around it don’t line up as a Christian- why the shame/ guilt around this?  Feelings of ‘failure ‘ etc? (32:51-48:27) 1.3) How do I be a good friend to people who are younger than me? I am not a mentor or anything, but there are younger people in my church that I want to be a positive person for. (48:30-1:01:56) Closing Song: Psalm 147:3 (The Poolhouse Guru)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) 1 and 2 Timothy mention having a “sincere faith.” What makes faith sincere or insincere? (15:25-23:53) When I was younger, apologetics was this big thing. Like “how will you respond when a non-believer says XYZ?” I am trying to not see my faith that way because the debate thing seems dumb. How do I let go of that idea? (23:56-42:08) Where do you guys go when you need inspiration? How do you let some inspire you in a healthy way? (42:12-55:25) Closing Song: No He Wasn't (Lins Honeyman)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) I have heard some people talking recently about how pride is bad. That got me thinking- is being proud wrong. If so, what is wrong with it? (20:22-37:17) There was a recent controversy with the Baptists making a proclamation about women not being able to be pastors. It seems wrong to me but I guess some people say “well, that’s what the Bible says”. Does the Bible say that definitively? (37:21-58:58) We check in with the latest baseball themed marketing campaign from the He Gets Us people. (59:07-1:05:04) Closing Song: The One (Jed Brewer)

Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous) For…reasons, I have been thinking about whether or not it is okay to be kind of happy when someone dies. Is it, or is that just really wrong? (18:00-30:16) I hear people talk about how going through hard things makes you stronger in that area of life. But I just feel like I am beat up in those areas. How does it make you stronger to go through something hard? (30:21-43:19) From ill-advised TikToks to fast food meltdowns, we do a quick round up of ways Christians are being weird on the internet lately. (43:26-01:01:24) Closing Song: Changing Me (Lee Younger)