Say That

My partner started going to therapy. They really like it so far. Some of things they say their therapist told them and exercises they gave them seem…weird to me. Is this a conversation I can have with them? How? (16:02-27:37)   I’m getting really discouraged by how just openly mean I see a lot of Christians being. On tv, on social media, in real life- being homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic. It really bothers me people who act like that ascribe to the same beliefs that I do. How do I think about this? (27:42-44:07)   James 4:3 says “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” I feel like that verse gets used to bash people for wanting stuff. But doesn’t Jesus talk about how God gives like a good father, and gives even when we don’t know what to ask for? What does this verse mean? (44:11-  )   Closing Song: We Will Rise (Lee Younger) Ask A Question:  saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

I’ve been discussing faith matters with a friend, who's really getting deeper in the faith right now, and that's awesome.Some of their sources seem a bit wonky, What's a good way to navigate this? (17:10-34:34) Can spiritual things be stored or felt through physical things, or songs? Like the way you feel when you enter a room where people have been praying, or for example if an instrumental song has been recorded with occult connotations. Or are connotations only what we ascribe to them? (34:37-54:56) I’ve made a lot of positive changes, but I feel like some people- my family especially- still only sees me as the old me. That’s really frustrating and I don’t know what I can do. (55:00-1:05:28) Closing Song: Love Lifted Me (The Bridge Loud) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

The guys are all traveling this week, so here is an episode of the radio show we do specifically for folks behind bars. It's a fun half hour of music and encouragement. We hope you enjoy it! We will be back next week with your questions and the usual wackiness. Ask A Question; saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask

I have a question about Matthew 10:39. What does it mean to “lose your life”? Like, what am I supposed to be giving up? (24:46-39:07)   I feel like decisions at my church are all made by committee. But not like, a defined committee, just kind of waiting for group consensus. This seems really inefficient to me. Am I wrong to not like this? Can I bring it up and try to fix it? (39:11-49:11)   I am going to a new church. I really like it. It is very welcoming and accepting, which is different than the church I grew up in. I am nervous to talk to my family about it. They aren’t like super-conservative, but I’m worried they will feel like I am rejecting something about them. Does that make sense? How do I prepare for that conversation? (49:15-1:02:45) Closing Song: Come Thou Fount (Southern Harmonic) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

My partner and I are moving and will be looking for a new church. I have only ever gone to one denomination in my life. I want to use this as an opportunity to explore what’s out there. What’s the best way to go about it? (22:14-39:24)   I hear people talk about how they “discovered their gifts”. I don’t know what that means really. How do you discover something you’re good at? What makes something a “gift”? (39:27-53:38)   I know being humble is good. But there are times (like at work) when I need to advocate for myself and talk up my competence and accomplishments. Is there a time and place for not-humility? (53:42-1:07:25) Closing Song: You Have Better (Jed Brewer) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

I know nobody perfectly lives out what they say, but what is the line between imperfect person and hypocrite? (17:11-31:55) When someone (ie. Family) has hurt me, I put a lot of thought into trying to figure out why they acted the way they did. But I often find the answers don’t satisfy me, because they still did the hurtful thing. Is it useful to try to figure out the “whys”, or better to just focus on the “whats”? (32:01-44:26) In Romans 9:1, it says “my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit”. How does our conscience relate to the Holy Spirit? (44:32-56:32) Closing Song: All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name (Glenn Kaiser) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)    

I’ve heard you guys say “no is a powerful word”. But I was taught to try to be helpful to people and be open to opportunities. How does “no” fit into that? (22:03-39:19) With the SBC abuse scandal joining the Hillsong one and all the others, is there anything to learn from this? What can an individual do to help stop this from happening in the future? (39:24-55:32) God doesn’t have needs because He is perfect, right? So why does He care if we worship Him? (55:37-1:06:26) Closing Song: Be Thou My Vision (Deacons Division) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

What can I do in my thinking so that I don’t get resentful of people in my life? (22:06-28:53) I recently joined a board at my church. I don't really feel like I know how it works or if I am contributing. (28:57-44:56) How do I acknowledge the mistakes I have made without slipping into letting my mistakes define me? (44:49-55:41) Closing Song: I Need Thee Every Hour (Lee Younger) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

Alternate Titles: "Southern Baptist Apocalypse" and " 300 Cubits, Make It Work!" How do I follow Jesus’ command in Matthew 18:21 without allowing myself to be subject to other people’s abuse again and again. (23:58-39:48) 1 John 3:8 sounds quite harsh. And  lays the groundwork for legalistic tendencies, so how do I relate to it? What's the context? (39:52-52:59) How do I not lose hope when it seems like everything really keeps getting worse? (53:06-1:05:18) Closing Song: 7 Times 70 (Jed Brewer) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)  

I kind of find God's promises frustrating because I don't always understand them and I know some don't apply to me. How should I think about them? (17:25-30:01) How can I make my faith less academic? (30:06-46:58) What is the limit on showing grace for other people? Having infinite "undeserved favor" seems unhealthy in some situations. (47:01-58:19) Closing Song: Deuteronomy 31:6 (The Poolhouse Guru) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

We take a look at a church's 150 rules! Which leads to discussions of (among other things): Cheerwine Holy War religious demons Kenny G summoning Satan The sin of hide and seek Then we answer a question about what place the megachurch has and should have in the future in the light of recent scandals and long term issues. (Begins at 36:46) Closing Song: Oh How He Loves Me Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask

I took on some new responsibilities at work and picked them up quickly. But that made me nervous that I might get overconfident and mess up. What's the right balance? (21:12-33:15) Getting through the pandemic mostly unscathed has given me a kind of guilt. How do I deal with that? (33:19-44:40) James 1:13 says God doesn't tempt anyone. But I alway learned He lets us be tempted to test us. Which is it? (44:43-55:42) Closing Song: Always, Always, Always (Jed Brewer) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

I recently lost someone dear to me, and I feel like I'm not grieving. What's going on? (24:37-37:08) When looking for a therapist what are the pros and cons of a Christian counselor? (37:13-49:32) People online are debating "modesty" again. Is that even in the Bible? Do I have to care? (49:37-1:04:41) Closing Song: Be Thou My Vision Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

It's a post-Easter emergency roundup! This week: A horrifying gigantic plush Jesus, Biblical podcasters, we uncover a very Gospel Coalition hazing ritual, and we discuss the God figure hidden in plain sight in a Disney classic. Closing Song: Greater Is He (Jed Brewer) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

How do I reflect on mistakes I have made in my past without getting stuck in guilt? (16:24-29:36) How do I know when God is telling me to be patient versus times when I am just scared to take a next step? (29:40-41:20) I am a recovering people pleaser and it caused a lot of problems in my life. How do I be a servant without being a people pleaser? (41:26-55:57) Closing Song: Break Of Day (Lee Younger) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)  

I feel like everyone expects my significant other and I to get engaged soon, but I am having doubts. What do I do? (16:02- 28:33) In Luke 7, Jesus raises a widow's son. But what about all the people whose loved ones He didn't do that for? What is this story supposed to tell us? (28:27-40:04) There are areas of my life where I am not really even trying to improve right now. Is that okay? (40:07-52:58) Closing Song: Take My Life and Let It Be (Lee Younger) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (anonymous)

Should I validate someone's feelings if they are throwing themselves a pity party? (18:56-31:42) My partner and I are having a baby. How do we tell our relatives "this is not about you"? (31:52-44:00) What do you guys make of the recent Christianity Today scandal? (44:03-1:00:04) Closing Song: Psalm 24:1 (The Poolhouse Guru) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

What's the difference between sharing something that helped you with someone else and toxic positivity? (18:52-30:25) I made a lot of progress in an area of my life. Is it weird or wrong that I just feel exhausted at the idea of having to put effort into the next thing I want to improve? (30:28-43:29) I have been thinking about the apocalypse a lot lately because...well, you know. How are we supposed to think about or deal with that idea? (43:32-56:00) Closing Song: No He Wasn't (The Bridge Loud ft Lins Honeyman) Ask A Quiestion: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

Someone accused my church of not being "biblically-based". What does that even mean? (15:50-31:38) How do I navigate "eating the meat and spitting out the bones" with Christian stuff? (31:48-47:18) How can I deal with well-meaning but nosy family members? (47:22-1:05:12) Closing Song: Micah 6:8 (The Poolhouse Guru) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

How do I tell the difference between processing bad news well and being in denial? (16:36-28:28) What does Philippians 2:14 "do all things without arguing or complaining" actually mean for us? (28:36-48:08) I hear people talk about an epiphany or a spiritual awakening. Is there a way to prepare for one of those? (48:12-1:03:22) Closing Song: Never Alone (Pete and Tasha Lawson) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (anonymous)