Dewey Bertolini's Podcast

Time for us to have a vitally important conversation. A discussion about a topic that touches each of our lives in a profoundly personal way. Tonight, courtesy of a leper, of all people, we are going to develop a theology of sickness and disease. Don’t let that word, “theology,” throw you. It’s a compound word, theology is. Theos is the Greek word for God; logos is the Greek term for word. “Theology” refers to words about God. So in this PODCAST, we will have a discussion about sickness and disease, one that includes God. Because trust me, God very much wants to be included in this discussion. And God needs to be included in this discussion. We’ll look together at exactly what happened. Then we’ll make some observations about what happened. And finally, we’ll draw some very important and practical conclusions about how this story impacts our lives, especially when we are sick. PLEASE NOTE: Depending upon your web browser, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to play. HAPPY LISTENING!!!

It's a wonderful little chorus, the wonder of which is found in its repetition: "I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back." In this PODCAST, you will hear about the day that Peter first sang that song. And even though this happened to Peter a-way back then, his story has so much to say to us today regarding our stories. Please note that depending upon your web browser, it may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to play. HAPPY LISTENING.

Does the word, “boundaries,” mean anything to you? As in establishing boundaries, and not feeling guilty about that? If not, it will in just a few brief  minutes.  How about the word, “No”? As in saying “No” to someone, and NOT feeling guilty about that? How about purposefully leaving some things undone, leaving some needs unmet, just because you need a break, and not feeling guilty about that? My goal in this PODCAST is pretty simple and straightforward: To absolve you of guilt. To lift off of your sagging shoulders a weight that far too many of us having been carrying for far too long. You are about to get a glimpse of Jesus -- under enormous strain and a crushing pressure -- that might just surprise you. And when you do, it will be life-changing. Please note that depending upon your web browser, it might take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to begin to play. HAPPY LISTENING!

Today was a day that I will NEVER forget. Nor will our son, Dave. Nor will our family. My son was ordained to the ministry today, in an age-old tradition that dates all the way back to the first days of the Early Church.  We read in Acts 13, "(The church leaders) placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul to show that they had been appointed (by God) to do this work."  Today, church leaders placed their hands on my son. I was given the unspeakable privilege of giving to Dave what is commonly called "the charge," or challenge. A term taken from such Scriptures as 1 Timothy 1:16, "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy..." I offer it here to you because a charge to an ordination candidate is equally a charge to the church he serves, as well as to the Church as a whole. I hope that you will find it inspiring and edifying to your life and your faith. Please note that depending upon your web browser, it may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to play. HAPPY LISTENING!

Welcome to the world of spiritual warfare. A world in which you and I live and -- frankly -- battle each and every day. This one incident in the life and ministry of Jesus raises for us all sorts of practical spiritual questions, questions that we need to answer. Questions that we will answer in this PODCAST. Fair to say that Satan would prefer to remain in the shadows and work behind the scenes, rather than to be brought front and center like we are doing in this study. He does not want to be exposed. He does not want to be understood. Out of sight, out of mind. So if I may be blunt and to the point: Satan does not want you to hear this podcast. Which makes me all the more thankful that you are listening in. PLEASE NOTE: Depending upon your web browser, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play.

REJECTION. I can hardly bring myself to say the word sometimes.  REJECTION: A word loaded with searing memories, deep scars, and jaded emotions. REJECTION: Is there anything more painful? Is there anything more devastating than loving someone who who spurns your love? May I get personal with you for a moment? May I have your permission to ask, Have you ever felt the betrayal of rejection? Have you ever loved someone or someones, only to have him/her/they walk out of your life, perhaps forever? Have you ever loved, only to have your love spurned? Loved with what the poet might call an unrequited love? Trust me: You are not alone. As you will be reminded in this PODCAST. Welcome to a day in the life of Jesus. No Saturday in recorded history ever began so wondrously. And no Saturday in history ever ended so tragically. And no Saturday in recorded history has ever had so much to say to so many of us, including you. And even including others about whom who care so much. Please note that depending upon your web bro

WWJD? That is the question we are attempting to tackle in this PODCAST. If I was tweeting this on my Twitter account, I would use #MindBlowing. Yes, what Jesus did was THAT remarkable. Each week, I follow a predictable pattern when I teach. If you have listened to any of these podcasts, you will readily recognize this pattern. Basically, I read the passage, explain the passage, and apply the passage. This week will be one notable exception. I will indeed read the passage. I will then attempt to explain the passage in as clear and compelling and captivating a way as possible. But as for an application of the passage, I will leave that to you. Because, truth be told, I’m really not sure how to apply the passage.  This is one of those times where I am left with more questions than answers. Important questions to be sure. Questions which, in today’s Evangelical climate, we must consider and must answer. Please note that depending upon your web browser, it may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to play.

The cards were unfairly stacked against her. By anyone’s definition, she was a total loser. This woman was by anyone’s standard the quintessential poster-child of the societal outcast. She lived on the fringes, neglected, or even worse, forgotten by everyone. Forgotten by everyone, that is, but Jesus. This one encounter, between Jesus and this notorious woman, changed her life forever. It might just change yours. You can hear all about it by clicking HERE. Please note that with some web browsers, it might take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to begin to play.

It’s THE question that I get asked more often than any other. And believe me, I get asked all sorts of questions. But in one form or another, I so often get asked some incarnation of the question, Why do you believe that the Bible is true? A perfectly fair question, if you think about it. I mean, the Bible is an ancient book, written from a place and about a place far, far away, and written so long, long ago. It is filled with funny sounding names. Weird stuff (at least what appears weird to us) takes place within its pages. And yet, we are asked to live our lives and to gamble our eternities on the teachings of its ancient texts. So comes the question: Why do you believe that the Bible is true? Ironically, I always find it tremendously challenging to answer that question. NOT because of too little information, but because of TMI -- too much information. It’s like, Where do I begin? It’s like when you walk into a banquet room and walk up to a beautiful, bountiful table overflowing with rich and widely diff

Have an Android Mobile Device? Get the Safe Haven Android App by clicking HERE! It’s called the most beloved verse in all the Bible, no pun intended as it is a verse about God’s love. It’s called the Gospel message in miniature. It’s the most memorized verse in the Bible, and usually the very 1st verse most of us memorized. John 3:16 is all of that, and so much more. But note this: John 3:16 did not come out of a vacuum. It came out of a singularly important conversation that Jesus had with a singularly important individual -- the man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus: a man we need to meet up close and personal. Nicodemus: a man from whom we will learn some startling lessons. In a very real sense, in this PODCAST we will expose a hidden family secret, one that affects every single church represented by you, my precious listeners. So sit back, open your heart, and spend a few minutes with us as we meet the man who came to Jesus at night. PLEASE NOTE: With some browsers, it may take up to 60 seconds for the

It wasn't a pretty picture, the day that Jesus visited the Temple -- His first official trip after the beginning of His ministry to that holiest of all holy places.  But holiness is not what He found there. Not by a long shot. Can I say this reverently? Jesus lost it. He lost it BIG TIME. You can hear all about it by clicking HERE. So here are the 3 questions that we must answer in light of the goings-on high atop the Temple Mount on that unforgettable day: 1. What in the world was going on there that caused Jesus basically to go ballistic?  2. Was Jesus’ reaction to whatever was going on appropriate? Inappropriate? And why?  3. What could this possibly have to do with our lives today? (More than you could possibly imagine!) You’ll discover the answer to all three in this podcast. PLEASE NOTE: Some web browsers may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to play.

Welcome to a Jewish Wedding!  Not just any Jewish wedding. But THE Jewish wedding! The Jewish wedding where Jesus -- for the VERY. FIRST. TIME. -- chooses to reveal Himself as to the person He truly is: Almighty God in a fully human body. What we call the Incarnation. Deity who took on humanity. Now that is quite a statement. But it is an accurate statement. You can hear all about it by clicking HERE. Which taunts us with this intriguing question: Why in the world did Jesus choose that time, in that place, to do that? Why there? Why then? The answer will amaze you. Because the answer includes you. Yes, you. Trust me: You are in for a treat! PLEASE NOTE: With some web browsers, it may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to begin to play.

Welcome to our presentation of a Passover Seder, a celebration observed by-our-many Jewish friends, a festival that has been taking place every year for more than 3000 years.  They have done so ever since that defining moment in the book of Exodus when God commanded His chosen people to commemorate their miraculous deliverance from their 400 years of bondage in Egypt. Tonight we are going to connect so many of the dots that we have talked about these many weeks that we have been together, studying together Jesus in HD. As we noted several weeks ago, Jesus celebrated this holy day every year of His life. And even during this past week, millions of Jewish people the world over gathered in their homes, with their families and friends, to celebrate this festival of Passover. In this podcast, we are about to discover in a way that you will never forget that God wove into the very fabric of the ancient Passover story a far larger and greater story of redemption that encompasses every one of our Jewish friends,

OK, be honest. Does your faith ever falter? Would it help if I admitted that at times, mine has?  The good news, the GREAT news, is that if or when our faith falters, we are not alone. You can hear all about this by clicking HERE. In this podcast, you will meet three remarkable individuals, two of whom battled with their own faltering faith. But here’s the thing: While their faith in Jesus may have at times faltered, Jesus’ faith in them NEVER faltered. And that’s the key. Even when our own faith falters, Jesus’ faith in us will NEVER falter. Now THAT’S something worth celebrating. Please note that with some web browsers, it may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to play.

“I’m not good enough.”  Ever hear those words echoing in your mind? I do. More often than you might think. Certainly more often than I would like to admit. I can tell you from personal experience that those four words are paralyzing. Paralyzing to our Christian walks. Paralyzing to our service to Christ. Paralyzing to our ministry to others. Paralyzing to any expression of joy in our lives. “I’m not good enough.” The devil delights in calling to our minds our past failures. He preys on our personal weaknesses. He is THE master at making us feel insecure or inadequate. Well, we need not feel insecure nor inadequate any longer. Meet Andrew and Peter, blood brothers and the very first disciples of Jesus. As we consider their backstories -- and quite compelling, they are -- you will realize why the words, “I’m not good enough,” NEVER have to vex you again. PLEASE NOTE: With some browsers, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to play.

Welcome to Junior High/Middle School Camp!  I am in Atlanta for training to become a Walk Thru the Bible instructor. So while I am away from my beloved Safe Haven family, I offer to you this bonus podcast, recorded last summer at Hartland Christian Camp.  My goal in this message was to paint a portrait for these precious students of just how much God loves them... AND YOU! To do so, I chose one of the most beloved of all of the parables that Jesus taught. Care to make a guess?  I will dare to make this bold prediction: If you listen in to this podcast, you will come away with a whole new and fresh appreciation for what it truly means to be loved unconditionally.  To be loved by a God who does not love you if... Or love you when... Or love you because... You will hear what it means to be loved by your God who loves you, period. No qualifications. No caveats. No conditions. He just loves you! Which is exactly what it means to be loved unconditionally.  As you can probably tell, I am THRILLED that you ar

If He had been a president, they would have called it Jesus’ Inauguration Day. If He was an earthly king, His Coronation Day. If Jesus was a student, it would be remembered as His Graduation Day or Commencement. Commencement: as in the beginning of something strategically significant. It was all of that, and so much more. One day in the life of Jesus. But oh, what a day. A day after which nothing would ever be the same again. Come share the moment with us as we vicariously participate in this singularly significant day through the eyes of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. PLEASE NOTE: With some browsers, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to play.

It was epic in the extreme. I have no doubt that nature held its breath. Every angel in Heaven craned their necks to get a better view. Every demon cheered their hero on, hoping against hope that finally Jesus would be destroyed, once and for all, even before His earthly ministry began. How did the devil do it? How could he possibly think that he could win? What strategy did he employ in his efforts to topple the King of kings from His throne? Would it surprise you to learn that he employs the exact same strategy today, against us? He does. Like a prowling lion, the Apostle Peter wrote, the devil is determined to defeat us.  In this podcast, you will learn how he attempts it, how he sometimes succeeds, and God’s antidote against it. Though I originally gave this message to my beloved flock at The Safe Haven, my throat was so sore and my voice so scratchy that what you are actually going to hear is virtually the same message as given to the precious high school students this Winter at Hartland Christian Ca

This is a bonus podcast. Normally, each week I upload the latest in our Jesus in High Definition podcast series. But this past weekend, I took a break from my beloved little flock at The Safe Haven, where the Jesus in HD podcast is recorded, in order to speak at a High School Winter Camp in CA. Hartland Christian Camp, to be exact. One of my all-time absolute favorite places on this planet. So in place of a Jesus in HD podcast, I reached back into the archives to a message I gave last summer at a Junior High Summer Camp. A brief word of explanation as to what you will hear... I usually begin a camp on the opening night by handing out to each student a 3x5 card. I then invite them to write down the one question that they would ask God if given the chance. You might be amazed at the questions they would ask. As you will hear in this podcast, I closed my eyes and randomly selected three of the two hundred or so questions that I received. Those three questions were, sadly, typical of most of the questions that

You know what amazes me about the Bible?  Well, lots of things amaze me about the Bible. But this may well be the top of my list: “It is today as it was then.” “It is today as it was then.” I never cease to be amazed at how little has changed in the intervening 2000 years since the Bible was completed. Human nature is as human nature does, and human nature hasn’t changed all that much. Which is why I’ve never bought into the argument that the Bible is an outdated, irrelevant book that has nothing to say to us today. Fact is, the Bible has a ton to say to us today. Case in point: Last week, we looked at the landscape of the Israel of Jesus’ day from a physical/geographical point of view. We discovered then that we have many lessons to learn today from the desert. The wilderness. In this week’s podcast, we will focus the landscape of the Israel of Jesus’ day from a spiritual point of view. Here’s what’s so amazing to me: The Jewish landscape in first century Israel was strikingly, and I might add alarmi