Love God First
How do I live in today’s world as a Christian and not only live but thrive in the gifting, calling and love of God? Join me as we journey together through entire books of the Bible, studying with the understanding that the people in the Bible were real people and had minds and emotions like us. We are going to study their stories to find the truths that apply to our lives today. The key is to meet Jesus and encounter Him so we can be changed by Him more and more into our true selves, not hampered by sin and fear. We will occasionally have guest speakers who will expand on the topics we find in our Bible study together, but most of the time we will go verse by verse, chapter by chapter through a book of the Bible to learn, apply and respond to God. Even the tough topics and verses will be explained and discussed!
Episodes

Friday Nov 01, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
We have transcripts available for the first time on this episode!
In this conversation on Love God First, we explore the theme of waiting through the story of Noah in Genesis 8. We discuss the challenges of waiting, the importance of active waiting, and how to find hope and encouragement during periods of waiting. We will look at the first of four lessons we can learn from Noah's example (yes, this is a two-parter). Ultimately, this episode will encourage listeners to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful, patient, and filled with hope during their waiting times.
Takeaways
Waiting is a common struggle for many people.
Noah's story teaches us about the value of patience.
Active waiting can lead to personal growth and character development.
References:
Laird R. Harris, Gleason L. Archer, & Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Publishers, 1980.
C. Masmondi-Charti and N. Ben Mechlin. "Changes in Olive Tree Height Growth During the First Years of Cultivation." Advances in Horticultural Science. Vol. 22, No. 1, 2008, pp. 8-12.
*The study was completed in 1998 but published in 2008.

Friday Oct 25, 2024
Friday Oct 25, 2024
The account of the flood in Genesis 7 and 8 can trip up many people because they assume it shows God to be a mean and vindictive God. But by taking a closer look (and exercising our biblical worldview), we see a different story revealed about God's character. Join us today as we come back to Genesis and consider what is really shown about God's attributes in the flood story.
Here's that book I mentioned in this episode:
Harris, Laird R., Archer Gleason L., & Waltke, Bruce K. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Publishers, 1980.

Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Oct 18, 2024
We are wrapping up our time in First Timothy and applying what we have learned about loving from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. This episode will bring it all home to our own lives!

Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
We are picking up again on this question of how to love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith from 1 Timothy 1:5. In this second episode we are defining more terms and then looking at the good effects of loving this way and the bad effects if we do not regularly tend our heart, our conscience and our faith.

Friday Oct 04, 2024
Friday Oct 04, 2024
We are journeying far from Genesis on this episode and looking at a verse from First Timothy that addresses what our primary goal as Christians is. You may not be surprised to hear the answer: the primary goal is love. But the deeper question is how do we love the way Paul describes in this passage? Listen to find out!

Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
What can we learn from such a simple act as God closing the door of the ark? There is actually a lot! Join me on this five-minute snippet (ok, so the snippets are actually getting a bit longer) as we consider what the act of closing the door says about God's character and about His involvement in our lives.

Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday Sep 20, 2024
In this five-minute snippet (that is really 7 minutes) we look at how Noah's family boarded the ark. They didn't give in to fearing what others would think of them while obeying God. For us, it can be difficult to do that, especially considering the cutting remarks people make on social media. So let's step back in this short episode and ask ourselves what is truly important as we strive to follow where Jesus leads us!

Friday Sep 13, 2024
Friday Sep 13, 2024
This episode is another five-minute snippet where we take an extra brief look at something from Genesis. In the flood story, Noah's family isn't described much at all. In fact all we know is that they got on the ark. So what can we learn from that?! Find out on this episode!

Friday Sep 06, 2024
Friday Sep 06, 2024
In this six-minute snippet, we talk about one way the story of the flood is relevant to us, and it has to do with the first command the Lord gives Noah in Genesis Chapter 7. God tells Noah to "Enter the ark." Listen to find out how in the world that simple command can be such a comfort and help to each one of us!

Friday Aug 30, 2024
Friday Aug 30, 2024
Walking with God requires surrender, obedience, and courage. Listen to a conversation with Pastor Mary Bursch and myself where we talk about times when the Lord has wanted us to step out in faith in different ministries, how we organize our daily devotion time, and more, in this wrap up to the question: how do we walk with God faithfully over a lifetime.
And for those interested in getting more information about Immersion, a nine-month intensive to grow women's leadership and ministry skills, check out this link: Immersion
There's also an Immersion leadership cohort for men too! Check it out here.

Keep Growing
Modern life is crazy, busy and stressful, and even scary at times. That's why every believer needs their minds constantly renewed and transformed by God through His Word. Nothing else will change a Christian's life more than reading, understanding and applying the words from the Bible! That's why I go through entire books of the Bible verse by verse. So come and study, come learn, actually crack open a Bible and find abundant life in Jesus!