Practical Faith Academy Podcast

Practical Faith Academy - Season 6, Episode 3 - Ralph Estep, Jr., How Faith and Finances Affect Each Other

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:20:28 -0500

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Ralph Estep, Jr. is a public accountant turned podcaster who focused on stewardship in multiple realms. His primary theme is giving control of your finances and your life to God, living your journey with wisdom, purpose, and faith.

In this podcast, Estep discusses the intertwining of faith and finances and how one impacts the other. He delves into specific situations, such as marriage or church finances, to show the benefit of mixing God’s wisdom and support with sound financial principles. He emphasizes letting God guide your life and trusting God will provide what you need, not necessarily what you want.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:00 What a seven-day practical faith means to Estep

5:00 How should your faith influence your financial decisions?

8:18 How to merge faith and fear as a couple in a marriage, and what family financial framework should be put in place

11:24 How does financial stewardship impact your spiritual growth?

13:17 Provision follows obedience

19:55 What God desires of us in terms of financial stewardship

21:59 How people can be content, even when digging themselves out of a financial hole

26:37 Advice for people working in church finance

30:16 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

32:47 Estep’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

35:03 How to find Estep’s podcast, financial services, and more

Ralph Estep, Jr. is a podcaster focused on stewardship. His main website, and best starting place, is AskRalph.com. Estep offers three podcasts: The Financially Confident Christian at FinanciallyConfidentChristian.com; Truth Unveiled with Ralph, a scriptural teaching podcast, found at TruthUnveiledWithRalph.com; and The Content Creator’s Accountant on finances and strategy for content creators. Estep offers a free 15-minute discovery call for discussing financial or other problems without judgment.

I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonFamily.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026.
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes, as I mentioned on the podcast. Go to https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and click on Books & Videos at the top of the page.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonFamily.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please subscribe to be notified about future podcasts. You can also find dozens of prior podcasts with great guests and topics by searching for Practical Faith Academy.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 6, Episode 2 - David Gregory, How God Makes Faith Easy

Fri, 22 May 2026 10:13:25 -0500

David Gregory is a New York Times best-selling author of award-winning books. His latest novel is “One of Us,” imagines how Jesus would be received today if he came (originally) now rather than 2,000 years ago. Gregory has written 11 books.

In this podcast, Gregory shares his view on how faith can be easy when we realize the truth of Jesus’s statement, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Gregory explains how the Father, Son, and Spirit all offer pathways to easy faith. He also shares insights into his writing and into how the church can address the next generation.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:25 Why Gregory thinks it’s important to put faith into practice

6:14 Why faith is easy because of something Jesus told us

10:08 Three factors that make for a life of faith

16:21 Why Gregory wrote his “One of Us” novel with Jesus originally coming to earth today as a Latino from South Texas

21:34 How his novel still mirrors the gospel

23:36 Would Gregory have written this 2024 book differently today given the clamor over immigration?

25:49 How fiction helps make key points difficult to make in nonfiction

28:20 What is the church today missing from the life of Jesus?

33:13 How our “new heart” enables us to be faithful

35:49 What the gospel offers to a new generation

38:32 How to find Gregory’s books and resources

David Gregory’s latest book is “One of Us,” available wherever books are sold. You can find all his books, his blog, and his speaking services at his website, FreeWithGod.com.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonFamily.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 6, Episode 1 - Art Wilson, Gangs, Guns & God

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:49:54 -0500

Art Wilson is the leader of G.A.N.G. R.E.S.C.U.E., which for 25 years has gone into gang-infested areas and prisons to bring gang members into relationship and eventually to Christ. Wilson and his team operate off the principle that God’s grace can reach everyone and can convert the hardest hearts.

In this podcast, Wilson shares amazing stories of faith and providence from his book, “Gangs, Guns, & God.” He and Cecil discuss how everyone is within reach of God’s grace and marvel at how God multiplies our obedience in miraculous ways. You’ll come away believing more deeply in God’s amazing grace and inspired to take action to help others.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:20 What a seven-day practical faith means to Wilson

5:09 Wilson was not originally sympathetic about gang members, but God called him to minister to them

9:54 Why Wilson felt led to travel from Florida to approach gangs in Chicago

12:00 Wilson started by simply taking gang members to lunch

14:55 Gang members listened because they knew they had holes in their lives

17:22 No one is beyond the reach of God

19:40 What Wilson’s family thought about his dangerous ministry to gangs

23:46 The scriptural theme of the ministry

25:10 The importance of faith in a venture

27:54 How his ministry expanded into prison ministry

33:47 Why the ministry expanded to gangs in Belize

36:39 How God’s mysterious action inspired him to write a second book on the Belize experience

39:19 How God multiples our obedience into amazing providence

42:52 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

46:08 How you can find the book and bring Art to your church or organization to speak

Art Wilson is the leader of G.A.N.G. R.E.S.C.U.E., which stands for Gangs Also Need God, and Reach Every Single Child Upon Earth. Wilson’s book is called “Gangs, Guns, & God,” which can be found in many online book seller locations. Wilson and his team are also available for speaking events, where they distribute free books. Wilson invites you to reach out to him directly at 850-865-4957.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026.
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 24 - Sharon Collins, Becoming His Masterpiece

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:53:45 -0500

Sharon Collins combines art and meditations in her devotional book series, Becoming His Masterpiece. Collins has an interesting personal story, as she felt called after retirement to take up both art and authorship. God has used both aspects to lead others while helping Collins grow spiritually herself.

In this episode, I’ll ask Collins about both her book writing and spiritual journeys. She has a lot to share about how to slow down and listen for God’s voice in a fast-paced culture.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:45 What seven-day practical faith means to Collins

4:17 How God provided as Collins transitioned from retirement into authorship

8:51 Why we always need to say yes to God’s call

12:55 What readers get out of her combination of artwork and meditative writing

16:04 Collins calls herself a slow spiritual learner. How does God teach her?

22:01 What a life lived “upside-down” looks like

27:14 How to find Collins’ website and books

Sharon Collins is the author of a series of books under the theme, “Becoming His Masterpiece.” Her latest and third book in the series is entitled “Becoming His Masterpiece: The Journey Continues.” Her books can be found wherever books are sold, and her blog can be found at www.BecomingHisMasterpiece.com. You can also find her on Facebook (Sharon North Collins) and Instagram (SharonCollins923).

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026.
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Practical Faith Academy - Season5, Episode 23 - Jessica DeYoung, What Obedience Looks Like

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:56:20 -0500

Jessica DeYoung is a podcaster who helps Christian women be seen and heard. Her major theme is putting faith into practice, living what we’ve been taught. She’s also a blogger and is working on her first book.

In this podcast, DeYoung talks about obedience to God and what it looks like in daily situation and in uncharted territory. She speaks of the freeing nature of obedience, letting the Holy Spirit direct you, and applying our lived perspectives to our individual faith journeys. You’ll find DeYoung’s perspective and faith stories inspiring and motivational.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:00 What seven-day practical faith means to DeYoung

5:02 What it feels like to have the Holy Spirit flowing through you

7:44 Her podcast focuses on honesty and trust. Why that’s important.

10:47 What daily obedience looks like

14:42 What obedience looks like in seasons of uncertainty

17:39 How can someone begin recognizing what God is doing in their current season?

23:16 Her podcast is called “Perspectives into Practice”. What this means in everyday life.

26:03 What did “letting go of stuff” look like for DeYoung?

30:27 DeYoung’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith.

34:29 How to find DeYoung’s podcast and other materials

Jessica DeYoung is a podcaster who is expanding her ministry into more offerings. Her podcast, blog, and other resources can be found at https://www.PerspectivesIntoPractice.com. Her primary focus is on Christian women, especially unseen and unheard women. DeYoung emphasizes putting faith into practice and brings “nobody” guests to her podcast so they can share and be heard. DeYoung also created Made Whole, a ministry devoted to helping women grow in faith and walk closely with God in real-life seasons.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026.
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 22. Allen C. Paul, Creating With The Creator

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:48:18 -0500

Allen C. Paul is a jazz pianist who believes in the power of creativity within each of us. He performs in both Christian and secular settings. Paul also hosts the God And Gigs podcast.

In this podcast, Paul not only discusses deploying our creativity through whatever gifts God has given us, but he delves into the tension of living Christian values in a secular world. He encourages Christian creatives who fall into measuring their success in the world’s way rather than by God’s will. In the midst of this, Paul recommends daily routines allowing us to focus on God and patiently wait for outcomes.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:10 What seven-day practical faith means to Paul

4:13 Paul explains his musical talent and career

5:53 Does everyone have creativity they can use?

9:05 Are Christian creatives only limited to creating Christian content?

13:09 What are the headwinds Christian creatives have to deal with?

17:03 On the quandary of creative self-promotion (glorifying self) vs. glorifying God

20:45 Paul’s message to Christian creatives who feel they’re not successful enough

27:31 How do you handle it when your work environment asks you to do something against your Christian values?

34:01 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

36:10 Paul’s best tip for putting faith into practice

38:42 How to find Paul’s podcast, book, and coaching.

Allen C. Paul’s books and other resources are located at GodAndGigs.com. GodAndGigs360 is his community app for coaching and encouragement of creatives. His podcast, God and Gigs, can be found on any podcast app.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 21 - Marit Welker, Waiting for Your Child to Return

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:04:26 -0500

Marit Welker has overcome a couple of family estrangements, one when she was the child, the other when she was the parent. Welker reaches out to parents who don’t know what to do when their child has ghosted them. Her model is to follow the example of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

In this podcast, Welker talks about the reasons why children break with their parents, the problems with fixing relationships, and her experience in rebuilding broken relationships.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:53 What seven-day practical faith means to Welker

4:23 Why the topic of child estrangement from parents is important

8:53 Why we avoid the hard work of fixing relationships

11:42 Welker recommends parents follow the parable of the father of the prodigal son

18:50 How Welker rebuilt the relationship with her son

20:56 How did humility play a role in restoring relationship?

22:16 How to find Welker’s coaching and podcast

Marit Welker is a Christian speaker and coach focused on rebuilding family relationships after estrangement. You can access her coaching and speaking services at https://MaritWelker.com. As part of her mission, she hosts the “Still Here with Marit Welker” podcast, available on all major podcasting platforms.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season5, Episode 20 - Randy Bishop, A Journey of Becoming

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:28:13 -0500

Randy Bishop went through a mid-life transformation and has developed a model for others to do the same in his new book, “The RE Method: A Framework to Becoming.” Bishop takes a gentle, incremental approach to change, focusing on one thing at a time, and reflecting, reframing, and restoring to become someone new.

In this podcast, Bishop suggests simple, straightforward methods to re-evaluate your life, to re-discover your purpose, and to put your faith into practice. His approach is full of humor, good will, and grace.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:46 What seven-day practical faith means to Bishop

3:47 The focus of his writing

5:28 What has been the biggest transformation he has made into the man he is now

8:46 What a change journey of reflect, reframe, restore looks like

11:38 On reshooting the movie you tell yourself about your life

13:15 How God factors into a transformation journey

14:13 The people he coaches think they’re alone in their experience

17:02 Why he teaches “becoming” rather than “self-improvement” and “fixing yourself”

21:09 A gentle first question for people feeling disconnected from their sense of purpose

22:33 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

25:54 Bishop’s best tip for putting faith into practice

29:41 How to find Bishop’s books and coaching.

Randy E. Bishop’s latest book, “The RE Method: A Framework to Becoming,” is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/RE-Method-Framework-Becoming/dp/B0G72MP4LL. If you’re interested in receiving coaching, you can reach him at Randy@LifeLessonsCoaching.net.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 19 - Ashley Kinkead, Repairing Estranged Relationships

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:14:40 -0500

After 22 years of no contact with her parents, Ashley Kinkead started taking steps to reconcile. She worked on herself, developed her faith, and reached out to repair the relationships. Kinkead tells her story in her new book, “After the Locusts: A Story of Hope for Anyone Estranged or No Contact with a Parent".

In this episode, Kinkead walks us through how no contact led to regular contact, shares her model for reconciliation, and gives her insights on living out her faith, including what she does each day as soon as her feet hit the floor.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:25 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Kinkead

4:30 What it was like for Kinkead to be estranged from her parents for 22 years

7:56 What caused her to reconcile

10:16 What forgiveness looked like in her family’s case

13:32 Her six-step process for building a bridge

17:18 The difference between peacemaking and peacefaking

19:06 Peacemaking involves hard conversations

20:14 How quickly can relationships be restored?

21:32 You have to change before you’re ready to build a bridge

24:05 How parents should approach prodigal children

25:26 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

27:01 Her best tip for maintaining a seven-day practical faith

28:09 How to follow Kinkead and find her book

30:05 A message of hope for anyone in an estranged situation

Ashley Kinkead’s first book, “After the Locusts: A Story of Hope for Anyone Estranged or No Contact with a Parent", is available on Amazon. To learn more about the 12-step program Ashley underwent, please visit RegenerationRecovery.org.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 18 - Oluwole Babatunde, Making Meaning From Life Events

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 21:11:25 -0500

Oluwole Babatunde has survived desperate times. Growing up in Nigeria, he was orphaned after losing his mother at age 7 and his father at age 13. Thanks to parental figures that stepped in, Babatunde eventually made his way to South Carolina, where he became a psychiatrist and now operates his own practice.

In this podcast, Babatunde discusses his journey through extremely difficult childhood and adolescent circumstances, how those experiences changed him, and how he’s sharing how to overcome difficulties in his new book, “Adapt and Advance.”

Highlights of the podcast:

2:55 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Babatunde

5:39 Does Babatunde ever look back and wonder how he went from orphan in Nigeria to psychiatrist in the U.S.?

7:23 How those early experiences shaped Babatunde’s view of faith, pain, and purpose

13:37 How faith and mental health work together to bring healing

19:51 The seven-point model in his book

29:18 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

32:51 How to follow Babatunde and find his new book

Dr. Oluwole Babatunde’s first book, “Adapt and Advance: A Faith-Based Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Trials into Triumphs,” is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers. You can find his monthly videos on YouTube by searching for OluwoleBabatunde1870. You can reach him at Oluwole.Babatunde@Outlook.com.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season5, Episode 17 - Rebecca Gray, Facing Fears with God's Help

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 19:44:56 -0500

Rebecca Gray knows fear. After a car accident, she was left temporarily speechless and paralyzed. She endured continuing health issues as a result of the accident. Eventually, she recovered enough to write her first book, “I Know Your Fears,” a devotional guide for people to face their fears and work through them with God’s help.

In this episode, I ask Gray about her motivation for writing the book, her experiences with fear, and her ideas on practical ways we can address fear in our lives.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:04 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Gray

4:16 Why Gray took on the topic of fear in her devotional book

7:27 What inspired Gray to write a book at this time in her life

8:55 How to truly release our fears and keep fear from returning

12:01 How fear manifests in different emotions and affects our society

15:01 How she encountered serious health issues after a car accident but was healed.

22:21 How she overcame a fear of a specific driving maneuver by fighting through it

24:58 An episode where she was challenged to put her faith into practice

28:03 How to get her new book and a companion book that is coming out soon

You can follow Rebecca on Facebook by finding Rebecca Gray Ministries. Her book “I Know Your Fears” is available on Amazon. You can reach her at RebeccaGrayMinistries@gmail.com.

In the podcast, I mentioned my Amazon author page. Please find it at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cecil-Taylor/author/B0B6TB6P1V for a list of the 15 books I’ve either written or to which I’ve contributed.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 16, Ginny Cruz, Hoping When Hope Is Faint

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:21:49 -0500

Ginny Cruz, Hoping When Hope is Faint.

Ginny Cruz is a pediatric physical therapist and Christian author. As a therapist, she has lent faith and hope while serving families struck by difficult diagnoses. As an author, she shares her knowledge of babies and toddlers in her latest book, “The New Mom’s Guide: Help and Hope for Baby’s First Year.” Her training in physical therapy has revealed that facts and science are helpful but rarely provide the answers we need for life’s toughest situations. God has those answers. Cruz shares both her faith and her knowledge of children in this episode.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:11 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Cruz

5:07 What fuels her beliefs that God uniquely designs each person for purpose and every person can achieve maximum potential

10:26 Where she developed a blend of assuring parents that their child is normal and warning parents when to seek help

16:51 What she’s learned from raising adopted children

21:52 How faith informs and infuses Cruz’s work

27:36 Faith lessons from another of her books, “Mud Holes and Magnolias”

30:48 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

31:41 Her best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith, including a discussion on reading and interpreting the Bible

36:16 How to follow Ginny and find her books

Ginny Cruz’s website is GinnyCruz.com. There, you can access her books, her blog, and her other resources such as speaking plus articles and interviews she has provided on child-rearing issues. She invites you to join her Facebook group called Tummy Time Prayers, where she offers morning scripture and prayer prompts as well as child development tips.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting and family site (https://www.UnisonFamily.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonFamily.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts (including Ginny Cruz) to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes. A complete list of my award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com.

On the family site, please see a special $10 offer for my book, “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice.” I’m cutting out the middleman to undersell the big booksellers.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 15 - Lee and Donna Allen, Forgiveness, Family and Faith

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:45:00 -0500

Lee and Donna Allen, Forgiveness, Faith and Family

Lee and Donna Allen are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their beloved Christmas book, “The Special Guest,” with an anniversary edition release. Lee wrote the words, and Donna illustrated. Lee has gone on to write a new book, “Legend of the Wooden Star.” The Allens join the podcast to share their themes of forgiveness, family, and faith.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:21 The Allens discuss their seven-day practical faith approach and what it has meant in praying for their one-month granddaughter with a heart defect

8:05 The book has a strong theme of forgiveness

13:15 Donna’s view on how illustrations enhance a book

15:40 Examples of what a special guest is

19:30 How to use the book to create lasting memories that span generations

23:08 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

24:48 Their best tips for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

26:40 How to find “The Special Guest” and the new sequel, “Legend of the Wooden Star.”

Lee & Donna Allen’s books, The Special Guest, A Christmas Story and Legend of the Wooden Star, are available everywhere books are sold. Beloved by families for their timeless message of faith, forgiveness, and hope, these stories continue to touch hearts across generations. You can find more about the books, resources, and updates on their website: TheSpecialGuestChristmas.com. You can also follow on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570868086211

Threads: threads.com/@thespecialguestbook

Instagram: instagram.com/thespecialguestbook

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheSpecialGuestBook

On the podcast, I mentioned my speaking ministry. Learn more and download my speaker kit at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/speaking. You can also book me for your event right there on the page. I’m booking now for 2026 events, so let’s talk about it!

I also mentioned three anthology books to which I contributed: Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “Spirit of Christmas,” Grace Publishing’s “Tis the Season,” and Dressed in Love Press’s “From Ruins to Restoration.” Check your favorite booksellers for their availability.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

On the parenting site, please see a special $10 offer for my book, “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice.” I’m cutting out the middleman to undersell the big booksellers. I’ll ship it to you for free within the U.S., plus present you with six free bonus gifts! Either visit my parenting site or go directly to the sale at https://www.CecilTaylorAcademy.com/book.

Practical Faith Academy - Season5 5, Episode 14 - Kirsten Telan, Sprinkling Kindness Like Confetti

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:26:59 -0500

Kirsten Tilan, Sprinkling Kindness Like Confetti

Kirsten Telan is a former teacher who relates well to children, so she has written a book called “A Tale of Two Dogs” about overcoming differences with kindness and understanding. Similarly, Telan writes a blog for adults on spreading kindness called Confetti Effect, with the theme, “Kindness is free. Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.” In this podcast, Telan shares her faith journey and how it has influenced her messaging in her blog and book. She focuses especially on facing fear and getting outside of our comfort zones.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:16 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Telan
5:21 Why Telan’s blog is called “The Confetti Effect” and the life philosophy behind it
8:58 About her children’s book, “A Tale of Two Dogs,” and the qualities it emphasizes
11:36 How the book and its message on the Fruits of the Spirit can apply to the divisions in our society
14:13 Why getting out of your comfort zone is an important lesson for children and adults alike
18:41 What she gained from getting away from her comfort to take an improvisational acting class
21:30 What she learned from demonstrating skin care products on Home
Shopping Network
23:31 The hardest part about putting faith into practice
26:09 Her best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith
30:26 How to follow Kirsten and find her new book

Kirsten writes the Confetti Effect blog and has authored the book, “A Tale of Two Dogs.” You can find her blog and subscribe to her newsletter at KirstenNelsonTelan.com. The book is sold wherever books are sold, including Books a Million, Target, Walmart, Barnes & amp; Noble, andAmazon. You can also read her “Sprinkle of Confetti” family devotional on YouVersion.com or access it through her website.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

- On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus
updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
- On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by
parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes. My latest is “The Misfits of Christmas” Advent video study. Here are Misfits of Christmas links I mentioned in the podcast:
Misfits on the Cecil Taylor online store: https://store.ceciltaylorministries.com/collections/the-
misfits-of-christmas Misfits first lesson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtH7tOLRpPc&t=444s
Misfits trailer video: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible fromthe main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 13 - Amy Joob, Flourishing After Grief

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:43:33 -0500

Amy Joob, Flourishing After Grief

Amy Joob’s ministry has led her to be an author, life coach (particularly for women), empowerment speaker, and prayer warrior. She recently published her third book, “Arise from Grief and Flourish Again,” informed by her wrestling with the passing of two family members and other life trials. On this episode, Joob shares ideas for dealing with grief, how to build resilience, and how to embed the Holy Trinity into your life each day. She’s an energetic advocate for Christ and for people who need encouragement and a listening ear.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:01 Joob’s hidden talent

3:54 What “seven-day practical faith” means to Joob

4:59 Why she selected the theme of “unstuck” for her ministry

8:00 How do you coach someone to have more resilience?

9:36 Why Joob wrote “Arise from Grief and Flourish Again”

13:43 On doing the hard work of grieving before you can flourish again

15:34 Even if the church has hurt you, the church community can also help you

18:57 Do we ever get over grief?

21:38 What else Joob does in her ministry

25:29 How her past has prepared her for ministry

26:56 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

30:34 Her best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

31:26 How to find Joob’s books, speaking, and coaching services

Amy Joob’s books can be found on Amazon by searching for Amy Robnik Joob. Her social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Her website is AmyJoob.com, where you can find her speaking and coaching services.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Misfits on the Cecil Taylor online store: https://store.ceciltaylorministries.com/collections/the-misfits-of-christmas

Misfits first lesson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtH7tOLRpPc&t=444s

Misfits trailer video: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 12 - Pasquale Mingarelli, Connecting to God Through Nature

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:40:40 -0500

Pasquale Mingarelli, Connecting to God Through Nature

Pasquale Mingarelli is a photographer who also serves as an author and speaker. His offering is a free daily devotion combining a nature photograph, a Bible passage, and a couple of paragraphs of devotional text. He also assembled a similar, longer form devotional book called Drawing Near to God. In this podcast, Mingarelli talks about the connection between God and nature, our creative connection to God, and tips for living a seven-day practical faith (and also tips for better photography!).

Highlights of the podcast:

2:48 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Mingarelli

4:37 What led Mingarelli to go deeper into nature to connect with God

11:16 How are we all called to create?

13:55 How he started developing visual devotions

16:17 Mingarelli’s favorite places and subjects to photograph

21:49 His tips for taking photos

24:36 How to connect to Mingarelli’s work

Photographer, author, and speaker Pasquale Mingarelli’s home page is TheCreationSpeaks.com also https://visualverse.thecreationspeaks.com/, which is where you can find his daily devotion. Learn more about the devotional guide he describes on the podcast at https://visualverse.thecreationspeaks.com/about-drawing-near/. Check out his speaking and other offerings on the same site.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Misfits on the Cecil Taylor online store: https://store.ceciltaylorministries.com/collections/the-misfits-of-christmas

Misfits first lesson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtH7tOLRpPc&t=444s

Misfits trailer video: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 11 - Rachel Coggins, Ministering to Soldiers

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:34:40 -0500

Rachel Coggins, Ministering to Soldiers

Rachel Coggins is a retired chaplain, author, and non-profit leader who shares her war zone chaplain stories in the book, “Gateway to Iraq.” In this podcast, Coggins discusses what it’s like to be a military chaplain, how she helped soldiers entering and exiting war zones, and what we can learn from the faith and lives of soldiers. And she shares her own tips for living a daily, practical faith.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:47 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Coggins

4:13 How her husband and her both became military chaplains in different service branches

8:35 How military chaplaincy is different and how the chaplain is integral to a unit and its commander

14:02 Was the emotional toll harder for soldiers entering or exiting the Iraq war zone?

17:52 How Coggins, as a female chaplain, represented both Mom and God to the troops

19:09 What we can learn from the faith journeys of military personnel

24:10 Her favorite part of her book, “Gateway to Iraq”

27:45 Coggins’ view on volunteerism’s role in Christian faith

31:48 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

32:33 Her best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

34:46 How to find Rachel Coggins’ books

Retired chaplain, author, and non-profit leader Rachel Coggins can be found at RachelCoggins.com. Her book, “Gateway to Iraq,” can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Iraq-Rachel-Coggins/dp/1615790594. Her newly released book, “Exploring Turkey's Biblical Heritage,” can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Turkeys-Biblical-Heritage-Inspirational/dp/B0FTY7D8DR.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages.

Misfits on the Cecil Taylor online store: https://store.ceciltaylorministries.com/collections/the-misfits-of-christmas

Misfits first lesson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtH7tOLRpPc&t=444s

Misfits trailer video: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 10 - Jake Doberenz, Smashing Idols

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:53:21 -0500

Jake Doberenz, Smashing Idols

Jake Doberenz is a writer, speaker, and podcast producer who just wants people to focus on Jesus—not all the other stuff. He hosts Christianity Without Compromise, a show that points back to a Jesus-centric faith. Jake writes both Christian non-fiction and middle grade fiction, combining thoughtful theology with creative storytelling. He holds two degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:04 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Doberenz

4:26 How Doberenz describes his path forward in today’s society called “The Third Way”

7:35 Jake’s own journey in his beliefs to putting Jesus at the center of a faith system

8:56 What Doberenz is expressing with his podcast title, “Christianity without Compromise.”

10:13 What modern idols need smashing?

15:48 Why Christians try to fix what they perceive God isn’t fixing

19:00 The appropriate role of political action in being a follower of Jesus

25:44 The role of humility in building harmony and unity

29:26 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

30:44 His best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

32:51 How to follow Jake Doberenz

Podcaster and author Jake Doberenz can be found at JakeDoberenz.Substack.com. His Substack and his Friday newsletter are both entitled, “Smashing Idols.” His Tuesday podcast is called “Christianity without Compromise." You can also search for books by Jake Doberenz.

Misfits on the Cecil Taylor online store: https://store.ceciltaylorministries.com/collections/the-misfits-of-christmas

Misfits first lesson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtH7tOLRpPc&t=444s

Misfits trailer video: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or the parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. Different newsletters are offered on each site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 9 - Tanya Prince, Discerning Identity and Purpose

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:06:47 -0500

Tanya Prince, Discerning Identity and Purpose

Tanya Prince wrote the reflective journal, “Designed for Purpose: Discovering God’s Daily Direction.” On this podcast, she shares her own journey that started with divorce and career redirection but led her to accepting her identity and skills and placing them in proper perspective as she walks with God.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:28 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Prince

3:46 How Prince’s life turned sour but led to renewed faith

9:17 How to differentiate who you are from what you do

11:44 How to turn crisis into purpose

14:10 Purpose is like a river that can carry you to different places in life

16:35 The role of experience in shaping purpose

18:28 About her journal on understanding your purpose and God’s direction

20:51 Why does an individual need faith-based coaching?

22:43 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

26:50 Prince’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

28:21 How to find Prince’s reflective journal and her coaching offer

Author and coach Tanya Prince can be found at GreenVineCoaching.com. Her reflective journal is called “Designed for Purpose: Discovering God’s Daily Direction.” It’s available wherever books are sold online. She coaches individuals one-on-one to help them discover their God-designed identity and purpose.

Misfits on the Cecil Taylor online store: https://store.ceciltaylorministries.com/collections/the-misfits-of-christmas

Misfits first lesson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtH7tOLRpPc&t=444s

Misfits trailer video: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or the parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. Different newsletters are offered on each site.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 8 - Chip Waggoner, Wrestling With A Miracle

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:45:54 -0500

Chip Waggoner, Wrestling With A Miracle

Chip Waggoner is best known in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area for his decades of service as traffic reporter on Fox 4's Good Day morning show. Now Waggoner, with his family, has written the book "M.I.P. (Miracle in Progress)," the story of raising a child whose "normal" is not like ours. But it's not a health journal as much as it is a faith journey – trusting God in extreme circumstances, realizing that God’s possibilities are more than we imagine, learning to follow God through each phase, and using those experiences to be lights in the world.

In this episode of the Practical Faith Academy podcast, Waggoner sits down with an old friend, Cecil Taylor, to discuss the book and what he learned that can help us live a seven-day practical faith.

Highlights of the podcast:

5:11 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Waggoner

7:43 What compelled Waggoner to write an honest, vulnerable book about both successes and failures as a parent of a child with unique physical challenges

11:17 Some details about his son Benjamin’s health situation

14:29 How he and his family wrestled with the idea of “What is normal?”

19:49 How Satan disrupts us, and how we can regain God’s light shining through us

24:26 The problem with judging others

27:48 How to identify the people you should trust in a crisis

30:27 The importance of having a community that walks alongside you

32:43 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

35:39 How to find Chip’s book options and upcoming appearances

Author Chip Waggoner can be found at www.ChipWaggoner.com. You can order the book as a paper copy, an ebook, or as an audiobook. Also, Chip will be conducting book signings and other events; those are shown on the site as well.

For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site or the parenting site. Simply scroll down either home page to find the registration form.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 7 - Brandon Booth, From Theology to Trust

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:25:43 -0500

Brandon Booth, From Theology to Trust

Brandon Booth is the president of Signpost Inn Ministries and hosts the Signpost Inn podcast. Like Cecil, his focus is on living a practical, daily faith, with a focus on attending to Jesus’s loving presence. Booth sees people struggle because they know facts about God but aren’t able to experience him as real. This mirrors his own journey, so Booth shares ideas on how to move from knowing about God to truly knowing God.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:40 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Brandon

6:12 We’re all hungry for more than what we see in life

9:30 The difference between knowing God and knowing about God

11:58 Prayer is a fancy word for conversation

15:29 How we can transform guilt and anxiety over not engaging with God into faith

20:42 How do we surrender to God’s love?

21:53 A rollercoaster analogy for fully engaging with God

25:41 How Brandon came to understand that God is real

29:11 How Satan overplays his hand with us

31:57 How to find his Signpost Inn ministry

As the president of Signpost Inn Ministries and host of the Signpost Inn podcast, Brandon Booth’s goal is to invite people into deeper relationship with Jesus as they reach a crossroads in life – and we’re always at a crossroads. One of Booth’s offerings is spiritual direction, which is one-on-one counseling that focuses your attention on Jesus’s presence. You can find everything he does by searching for Signpost Inn or visiting SignpostInn.org.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Sign up for his two monthly newsletters at CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Ministry Connections updates you on the ministry and gives practical faith tips. Backstage Pass takes you behind the scenes of the ministry and Cecil’s life. To thank you for registering, you’ll receive a free gift as well that rotates from time to time. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

+++++ SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! +++++

Cecil’s new book, “Unison Parenting”, is on sale for just $10 plus free shipping at https://www.ceciltayloracademy.com/link.php?id=3&h=19480d6cdc. In addition, you’ll receive more than $200 in free bonuses when you buy the book directly from Cecil! This offer is 60% off the price you would pay at the big bookseller sites. Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

The Unison Parenting newsletter is a useful resource for parents of children of all ages. Author and pastor Kim Meyers shares her parenting perspective; pediatric therapist and author Ginny Cruz offers “Diaper Days” advice; and Tawny Kinslow writes about parent-child relationships. Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.UnisonParenting.com#newsletter-registration.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” is about Christian parenting. Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for Best Nonfiction.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” is about deepening faith. Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today.

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” is about vibrant living. Cecil affirms the scriptural truths that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. Then he shows how your life is transformed when you embed these truths into your daily faith and your soul.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 6 - Dawn Stephens, The Potter's Vessel

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 07:58:37 -0500

Dawn Stephens, The Potters Vessel

Dawn Stephens is the principal of Central Christian Academy in Portsmouth, VA, and the award-winning author of the “Little Pot” book series, which teaches children – and adults – about the Fruits of the Spirit and how the potter (God) can grow those fruits in our pot. Those are key themes of this episode’s discussion.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:05 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Stephens

4:51 What the imagery of the pot means and how it relates to purpose

10:09 Seven steps to develop the Fruits of the Spirit within us

14:31 We don’t HAVE the Fruits of the Spirit; we GIVE the Fruits to others. We’re created to serve and pour into others.

18:03 Which fruit is the hardest for people to grow?

21:46 On God’s cycle of filling us and emptying us

26:52 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

28:16 Her best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith.

30:01 How to keep in touch with Stephens’s work and access her free materials.

Author Dawn Stephens can be found at DawnStephensBooks.com, where she offers a free guide to the seven steps to growing the Fruits of the Spirit, as she discussed on the podcast. You can also check out her four-part Little Pot book series, as well as other books she has written.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s free monthly newsletters on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. You’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and two monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connection.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content. Scroll to the bottom of the Show Notes to learn about his Instant Content portfolio of books and small group video studies.

+++++ SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! +++++

Does your family have issues with parenting in unison? Find out by taking the new Parental Unity Questionnaire from Cecil Taylor Ministries. This self-assessment will allow you to determine whether you have issues and how you can improve, plus Cecil shares three tips on parenting in unison. Follow this link for the questionnaire: https://www.unisonparenting.com/request-parental-unity-questionnaire.

Cecil and three collaborators have launched the brand new Unison Parenting newsletter. Author and pastor Kim Meyers shares her parenting perspective; pediatric therapist and author Ginny Cruz offers “Diaper Days” advice; and Tawny Kinslow writes about parent-child relationships. Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.UnisonParenting.com#newsletter-registration.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 5 - Larry O'Nan, Intentional Living and Giving

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:08:09 -0500

Larry O'Nan, Intentional Living and Giving

Larry O’Nan is the author of “Intentional Living and Giving,” a holistic look at the many ways in which we are stewards of God’s gifts. O’Nan’s view is that we don’t really own anything; we are simply caretakers of God’s possessions. O’Nan will get you thinking differently about your approach to each day, to your own abundance, and to your relationship with God.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:14 What does seven-day practical faith mean to O’Nan

4:22 Misconceptions about stewardship – it’s not really about money

10:14 What it looks like to transition from “getting from God” to “stewarding for God”

13:03 How his wife’s passing caused him to re-think stewardship within his life

14:38 His book’s keyword is in the title: “Intentional”

16:00 The steps to living and giving intentionally

20:28 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

22:40 How to follow O’Nan and find his book

++++ SEE BELOW FOR A CONTEST GIVEAWAY OF A FREE BOOK! ++++

Larry O’Nan is the author of “Intentional Living and Giving: Discovering Purpose, Igniting Abundance, and Thriving as a Steward of God’s Blessing.” While his book is widely available on major booksellers and faith-based sites, you can receive a signed copy of his book at https://larryonan.com/. On that site, O’Nan also blogs and podcasts and offers small group studies of the book. His Facebook page is “Intentional Living and Giving.”

+++++ HERE’S THE CONTEST INFO! +++++

To celebrate winning the Regal Summit award for her book “Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy With Christ”, podcast guest Cathy Colver Garland (S5 E2) is giving away her book to one lucky listener. To enter the contest, please do the following:

Follow Cecil on Facebook by visiting https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries and clicking Follow.
Follow Cathy on Instagram by visiting https://www.instagram.com/gracefullgarlands/ and clicking Follow, OR by visiting https://www.threads.com/@gracefullgarlands and clicking Follow.
Leave a comment about this podcast episode with Larry O’Nan. If you can’t see how to leave a comment on your format, then you can leave one by clicking on the episode at https://ceciltaylorministries.podbean.com/

Three steps, but all easy-peasy, accomplished in a minute or so.

+++++

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 4 - Kim Sorrelle, What Love Is and Isn't

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:33:38 -0500

Kim Sorrelle, What Love Is and Isn't

Kim Sorrelle is the author of the book, “Love Is: A Yearlong Experiment of Living Out 1 Corinthians 13 Love.” Sorrelle is the executive director of Rays of Hope International, with a focus on helping the underprivileged in Africa and the Caribbean.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:10 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Sorrelle

4:04 Her vision is to change the world through the power of love. This is how it looks.

8:01 Love is messy when it’s misunderstood.

9:40 The most difficult instructions in 1 Corinthians 13 are the “Don’ts”.

11:23 The role of boundaries in love.

15:21 How boasting interferes with love and causes polarization in our society.

18:48 We should focus on commonalities and appreciate differences.

20:11 Our focus should be on changing hearts, not minds.

23:24 On boldly living out our faith.

24:57 Sorrelle’s best tip for living and maintaining a seven-day practical faith.

27:12 How to find "Love Is" and keep in touch with Sorrelle’s work.

Author Kim Sorrelle can be found at KimSorrelle.com, where she offers a free, 14-day “Love Challenge,” based on the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthian 13. Her YouTube channel is “Kim Sorrelle.”

+++++ SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! +++++

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 3 - David Taylor, A Faith Pilgrim's Journey

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 16:23:58 -0500

David Taylor, A Faith Pilgrim's Journey

David Taylor is a Christian from the Dallas-Fort Worth area who undertook a seven-day Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain this spring. David experienced both difficulties and blessings on this famous spiritual walk. He shares his journey and his observations on how the Camino maps to our seven-day practical faith on this episode of the Practical Faith Academy.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:26 What does seven-day practical faith mean to David

3:43 About the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage

6:28 How he trained for the pilgrimage walk

8:44 How David’s walk changed with a new attitude on Day 3 after two difficult days

12:00 How the pilgrimage mirrored our surrender to Jesus

13:50 How self-doubts can wreck us, and how David dramatically triumphed over those doubts in a lasting way during the Camino

16:46 How the Camino’s lessons apply to our daily faith

David Taylor is a practicing Christian who wanted to enhance his faith journey by traveling the Camino de Santiago in Spain. He originally shared his observations on Facebook and now expands on those observations in this podcast.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Cecil wants to give you a sample of his writing with a free mini-book gift, “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of social media posting. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box, and he’ll send you a soft copy of the mini-book to your email inbox. You’ll also receive his two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

+++++ SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! +++++

In June, Cecil and three collaborators are launching the Unison Parenting newsletter. Author and pastor Kim Meyers shares her parenting perspective; pediatric therapist and author Ginny Cruz offers “Diaper Days” advice; and Tawny Kinslow writes about parent-child relationships. Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.UnisonParenting.com#newsletter-registration.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 2 - Cathy Colver Garland, Intimacy With God

Fri, 23 May 2025 10:05:52 -0500

Cathy Colver Garland, Intimacy With God

Cathy Colver Garland is the co-author, along with her father Randy Colver, of “Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ.” On today’s podcast, Garland describes the heart of the book, how God’s continual revealing of himself grows our relationship and leads to further revelations. Garland has a way of taking deep theological thoughts and translating them into practice. This episode will make you think and reflect on your own faith journey.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:37 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Garland

6:25 Garland describes her faith deconstruction journey, asking questions about faith starting as a 13-year-old

10:05 Garland discusses her relationship with her father, with whom she co-wrote “Revelationship,” as well as her mother’s influence

11:41 The revealing ways of God are not obvious because we’re not trained to see them

13:44 A discussion on detecting God and examples of the means of revelation

18:28 On the joy of finding God and how God reveals himself to fill a lack within us

22:26 Why God reveals himself gradually

24:09 God is the antidote to what ails us because of omnipresence

27:57 Intimacy with God is intimidating, but God desires intimacy, and we see this in the Adam and Eve story

31:41 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

32:44 Garland’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

35:08 How to follow Garland and find her book

Cathy Colver Garland is a consultant and co-author of “Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ.” You can learn more about her work and ministry at https://www.Revelationship.net. Along with the book, Garland offers a study guide and a companion online course called “Reset,” a 7-week, Spirit-led journey to be reformed, reshaped, restored, and realigned to a truer, purer form... especially in light of divine truth. It’s ideal for those longing for a sacred pause and a deeper realignment with God. Explore it here: revelationship.net/reset

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

****** Cecil’s new book, “Unison Parenting”, is on sale for *** just $10 plus free shipping *** at https://www.UnisonParenting.com. In addition, you’ll receive more than $200 in free bonuses when you buy the book directly from Cecil! This offer is 60% off the price you would pay at the big bookseller sites. Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice,” Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for nonfiction.

- In “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone,” Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 1 - Amy Chastain, Enduring Together: Strength for the Weary Caregiver

Mon, 12 May 2025 11:25:03 -0500

Amy Chastain, Enduring Together: Strength For the Weary Caregiver

Amy Chastain has been a caregiver for fifteen years. Her experience and God’s nudging led her to write the book, “Enduring Together: Strength for the Weary Caregiver.” Chastain’s ministry is taking care of those who are taking care of others. In this podcast, Chastain explores the details of caregiving combined with sharing faith perspectives on the act of caring for others.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:41 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Chastain

5:04 How being a long-time caregiver has impacted her faith journey

7:06 What does Chastain wish that others knew about caregiving?

8:48 How friends and family can support caregivers

11:29 Chastain discusses the concept of discerning vs. deciding, as well as how to discern the right helpers to trust.

16:51 How people can prepare themselves for caregiving

21:50 Advice for caregivers needing self-care

23:24 What does God do to help our self-care?

25:01 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

27:16 Chastain’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

28:35 How to follow Chastain and find her book

Amy Chastain is the author of “Enduring Together: Strength for the Weary Caregiver.” It is based on a season of difficulty in her own life. Her approach is Christian, showing people how to shift perspectives to look at caregiving situations as the Lord would look at them. Her book is available from her website and on all major bookseller sites. You can find her blogs and her caring-for-caregivers ministry at AmyChastain.com. She’s also on Instagram and Facebook as “Amy Chastain Author.”

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

>>>>> SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! <<<<<

Cecil’s new book, “Unison Parenting”, is on sale for just $10 plus free shipping at https://www.UnisonParenting.com. In addition, you’ll receive more than $200 in free bonuses when you buy the book directly from Cecil! This offer is 60% off the price you would pay at the big bookseller sites. Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 24 - Ana Megrelishvili, From Poverty to Prosperity to Faithful Service

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 16:08:00 -0500

Ana Megrelishvili, From Poverty to Prosperity to Faithful Service

Ana Megrelishvili lives in Atlanta and is the founder of Christian Professionals Network Worldwide. She has an incredible life story and faith journey to share. Ana began life in a nearly homeless situation with her atheist family in the streets of Russia. She later relocated to the United States for a college education and a successful professional career, with wealth acquisition on her mind. But finding that goal empty once achieved, Ana became a Christian with a passion for serving those who are homeless, as she nearly was.

A theme you’ll hear on this podcast is “relational poverty.” Ana believes that a lack of relationship and community is the #1 factor in homelessness. It’s a situation that we Christians can do something about.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:41 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Ana?

3:46 Ana shares her origin story, growing up atheist (“Every single one of the Ten Commandments was broken in my family”) and nearly homeless in Russia, and how she came to the United States, where she has prospered and become a Christian.

11:01 Ana explains how relational poverty almost made her family homeless, and how relational support rescued them.

14:54 How the lack of church community contributes to relational poverty, which also has an economic impact on the country.

20:06 About the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide organization and how its mentoring program helps the homeless.

24:56 How her own faith has changed while serving others.

27:57 The hardest part about putting faith into practice.

32:03 Her best tip to develop and maintain a seven-day practical faith.

36:41 How people can get involved in the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide by starting a local chapter

Ana Megrelishvili is the founder of Christian Professionals Network Worldwide and the author of the book, “Finding Courage to Change.” She holds a Bachelors degree from Berea College and a MBA from the University of Kentucky. She seeks to expand the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide with new chapters dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships through a common faith, values, and service. You can learn more at https://CPNworldwide.com.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 23 - Gretchen Huesmann, What Teachers Teach Us About Faith

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:32:52 -0500

Gretvhen Huesmann, What Teachers Teach Us About Faith

What do teachers teach us about faith? Gretchen Huesmann is a veteran teacher and pastor’s wife who is supporting fellow teachers with her new devotional book, “It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher.” Huesmann gives us insights into the modern classroom, the role of parents, and how we can support our valuable teachers in this episode of the Practical Faith Academy. And she also shares her own story, how she has discerned God’s will and built a seven-day practical faith herself.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:56 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Huesmann.

4:39 What Huesmann wants to convey to teachers through It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher.

6:46 Why this title, It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher?

11:44 How parents can support teachers.

17:41 What should teachers’ attitudes be toward holding the sacred trust of teaching the next generation?

19:58 What teachers teach the rest of us about living our faith

23:26 How can a teacher (or any of us outside the church) show their faith to others?

28:12 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

29:42 Huesmann’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

31:28 How to follow Huesmann and find her book

Gretchen Huesmann is a longtime teacher who recently released her book “It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators,” published by Ironstream Media and found on major bookseller sites. Her website is GretchenHuesmann.com. You can find her author page on Facebook as “Gretchen Huesmann Speaker – Writer – Teacher.” She also is on Instagram and X.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 22, Karen Dittman, Wellbeing in All Circumstances

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:35:33 -0500

Karen Dittman, Wellbeing in All Circumstances

Enduring family difficulties and tragedies, Karen Dittman relied on scripture and prayer to learn the secret of finding wellbeing in all circumstances. The result is a book she co-authored with her husband, Michael, entitled “Thriving Grace,” to achieve lasting change in the shadow of God’s grace. Dittman shares her learnings on this episode of the Practical Faith Academy podcast.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:32 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Dittman

4:03 Dittman shares her family’s back story and the incredible trauma they have been through, which informed her book.

7:37 How did she find peace and rest in the middle of trauma and trials?

11:24 How living her book’s principles helped Dittman transmit the ideas to readers

13:51 Dittman explains one of her key concepts, The Grace Cycle, and how changing from the inside out leads to true transformation.

19:27 Dittman shows how different kinds of wellness interact within us

21:07 Tips to weave wellness concepts into our lives

24:01 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

25:18 Dittman’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

26:41 How to follow Dittman and find her book

Karen Dittman is a mother, grandmother, and author who co-wrote with her husband, “Thriving Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective.” The book and its Bible study companion are available through her website, KarenADittman.com, and major booksellers. See her website for this quiz, “How Fast Is Your Hamster Wheel Spinning?” At its end, Dittman shares practical ideas to incorporate into your life and options for how she can support you.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s two free monthly newsletters on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. When you do, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and two monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connection. Currently the free gift is “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of online posting.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 21 - Constance Hastings, Answering Jesus's Challenges

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:08:02 -0500

Constance Hastings, Answering Jesus's Challenges

Constance Hastings is a church deacon and mental health counselor who was raised outside of a church environment, so she understands both the outsider and the insider perspectives on faith. Hastings’ book, “The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away” shows how Jesus encountered trouble but also caused trouble throughout his life, and how his life, death, and resurrection still cause trouble today.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:18 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Hastings

3:27 Her origin story as a Christian outsider in a non-religious family and how Christian school gave her a start on faith

6:33 On her current role as a church deacon who works in mental health

7:46 Her understanding of the prodigal experience

9:53 Since her book is entitled, “The Trouble with Jesus,” what does Hastings want people to know about Jesus?

11:45 Hastings explains the book’s subtitle regarding considerations before we walk away from Jesus, mapping it to the story of the Rich Young Ruler

15:33 How she addresses both non-believers and believers in her book

17:46 How Hastings sees Jesus challenging believers, such as in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and how Jesus challenged her views on race

23:26 How Jesus challenges us in this day and time

27:58 How faith exists in tension with fear, and how we can gain strength in hard times

31:17 What is the hardest part about putting faith into practice?

32:29 How to follow Hastings and find her book

Constance Hastings is an author, church deacon, and mental health counselor who wrote “The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away.” Her weekly blog is a companion to the book and can be accessed at ConstanceHastings.com. Constance recommends purchasing the book from a local bookstore in order to introduce the book to other people while it sits on the shelf.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book and eWorkbook available now; book study Leader Guide and first video study available later in 2025), Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family.

- In “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide), Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “The Next Thing” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide) supplies a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 20 - Courtney Dailey, God-Powered Service in Hurricane Relief

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:07:10 -0500

Courtney Dailey, God-Powered Service in Hurricane Relief

Courtney Dailey is an east Tennessee author who, along with her husband and many others, answered the call to serve when Hurricane Helene blew through her region last year. In addition to getting her own hands dirty, Dailey has been posting Facebook videos of the progress, sharing “God Stories” of how prayer and faith have brought people together to serve those whose lives were upended by the hurricane. Her first video has received five million views.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:54 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Courtney? She also shares how she and her husband launched the reconstruction project for their friend Jerry.

11:20 What strikes Courtney about sacrifice being part of the faith experience of the relief effort.

14:43 How service unites us across the Great Cultural Divide we’re experiencing right now.

16:49 What is the scope of the relief effort she and her church and helpers have undertaken?

19:50 One of Courtney’s favorite God Stories of how a Kentucky church miraculously came through with exactly what the relief effort needed, when they needed it.

24:06 Courtney shares project progress online, but what people really want are the God Stories and the awareness of God’s presence.

28:35 How Courtney has been equipped by God for the organizational tasks she has taken on.

32:19 What lesson she has taken away that we can all apply to our faith journeys

36:31 Her best tip to develop and maintain a seven-day practical faith

38:17 What can people do to help this effort and help the people of eastern Tennessee. NOTE: Courtney asks specifically for sheds. These may or may not still be needed at the time you listen.

Courtney Dailey is a novelist who is also writing a book based on the hurricane relief experiences in eastern Tennessee. You can learn more about the East Tennessee Flood Recovery effort by visiting the Author Courtney Dailey Facebook page or her church’s page at https://www.jesusiscentral.com/. Click on the box reading “East Tennessee Flood Recovery” to donate to the Flood Relief Fund via Central Community Christian Church in Johnson City, TN. The link to help the Kentucky church mentioned in the podcast is https://www.givelify.com/donate/meades-branch-freewill-baptist-church-louisa-ky-2j7wy5MTQ5OTI5Nw==

Learn more about Courtney’s award-winning writing at AuthorCourtneyDailey.com.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “Live Like You’re Loved” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide) affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. You’ll learn how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 19 - Jan White, Combining Faith and Vocation

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:55:58 -0500

Jan White, Combining Faith and Vocation

Jan White is a small-town newspaper columnist who struck it big when she compiled a selection of her religion columns into a book during Covid. The book was a smashing success at a time when people were looking for hope. White still writes for the Andalusia, Alabama Star-News. She has also won an award for her column on forgiveness as opposed to hatred. In this podcast, White shares her views on following Jesus and how her work as a columnist intertwines with her faith.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:45 What inspired Jan to publish a compilation of her newspaper columns

5:22 Jesus made the complex simple. Do we do the same in our faith, or are we too complex?

6:40 To her, seven-day practical faith means a faith that addresses all circumstances.

8:06 Examples of columns she has written, such as about the cross at Ground Zero.

10:55 Favorite stories from the book

11:45 Jan wrote an award-winning column on how forgiveness unlocks hatred. She explains her reasoning.

14:28 How she sees her job as being an essential part of putting faith into practice.

16:43 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

21:01 Her best tip to develop and maintain a seven-day practical faith

21:54 How to find Jan’s books and her future authoring plans

Jan White is the author of “Everyday Faith for Daily Life,” a collection of her newspaper religion columns over 25 years. She has won a newspaper writing award for “Forgiveness: The Key to Unlocking Hatred.” White writes for the Andalusia, Alabama Star-News and the Enterprise, Alabama Southeast Sun. Her website is janwhitewriter.com.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 18 - Kathy White, Attending to Faith and Mental Health

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:33:27 -0500

Kathy White, Attending to Faith and Mental Health

Kathy White is a Niceville, Florida licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. She is a Christian and brings her faith background into her therapy sessions. As a result, she sees and expresses the ways that both faith and good mental health can work together to help people.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:08 How “seven-day practical faith” can be interpreted as loving actions

4:23 People should be open to counseling and the healing and change it can provide.

5:58 How Kathy came to faith

7:56 How being a Christian changes her approach to counseling

10:33 Impacts of narcissism on others

13:16 How God inspired her to write a novel centered on therapy experiences

14:38 The supreme importance of a therapist diagnosing people who aren’t in the room but are affecting the patient

16:37 Suggested approach for Christians seeking therapy

19:03 The hardest part about putting faith into practice is confronting fear.

21:45 Her best tip for putting faith into practice: Structure.

23:47 Information about her first book, “The Therapist,” and the marriage advice book she’s writing now.

Kathy White is a Christian therapist whose practice in Niceville, Florida is called Carpenter House and can be found at CarpenterHouse.net. She has written a novel-like book based on her experiences, “The Therapist: Short Stories about Parenting, Narcissists, Combat, Abuse and Marriage,” written under the name Kathlyn C. White. You can find more information about the book at TheTherapist.biz.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. You’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and the newsletter itself will enrich you with practical faith tips, tips for your church, updates on Cecil Taylor Ministries, a devotional, and more. It’s the best way to stay in touch with Cecil!

Cecil writes for Chicken Soup for the Soul, Guideposts, and Inspiration Ministry at https;//inspiration.org.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- NEW: In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book and eWorkbook available now; book study Leader Guide and first video study available in early 2025), Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. The goal is to help the child become a mature adult who makes good decisions.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 17 - Lori Hatcher, Distributing Encouragement and Faith Advice

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 20:27:40 -0500

Lori Hatcher, Distributing Encouragement and Faith Advice

Lori Hatcher is a noted author, speaker, and writing coach, all while working her day job as a dental hygienist. In all her roles, she is an encourager, which she terms as bringing life to those who need a boost. Hatcher has a number of great ideas for putting faith into practice, which she shares during this podcast. Take a listen to get a fresh start in your faith journey during 2025.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:44 To Lori, practical faith is based on Romans 12:1-2.

4:27 How Lori and her husband David approach each day through prayer.

6:23 Why it’s important to Lori to be an encourager.

8:01 How the lives of she and her husband were transformed when they committed to daily Bible reading.

9:29 The significance of realizing that prayer is supposed to be a two-way conversation.

12:31 On what she learns newly from the Bible in repeated readings.

16:50 How to live as Christians in our jobs and daily endeavors.

20:32 The hardest part about putting faith into practice.

23:05 Her best tip for putting faith into practice.

24:55 About her latest devotional book based on Philippians 4:8.

Lori Hatcher is the author of several devotional books and others to which she has contributed. Her brand-new devotional book is called “Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace,” based on Philippians 4:8. Her previous book, “A Word for Your Day: 66 Devotions to Refresh Your Mind,” visited every book of the Bible to find a meaningful word to pace a related devotion. To learn more about her books, blogs, weekly devotion subscription, speaking availability, and more, please visit LoriHatcher.com.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that was released on Oct. 15, 2024.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy-Episode 16-Lenora Worth, Redemption & Sharing Forgiveness

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:43:16 -0500

Lenora Worth, Redemption and Sharing Forgiveness

Prolific author Lenora Worth shares her thoughts on daily faith practices in this episode. A number of Worth’s books share themes of forgiveness and redemption, which closely match the themes of her faith life as well. As Worth shares her story and her faith tips, you’ll learn more about the difficult topics of forgiveness and redemption and will come away with ideas for how to make them a substantial part of your seven-day practical faith.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:31 Cecil asks about her prolific amount of writing, including 32 books this decade.

4:20 Her definition of a seven-day practical faith

6:17 Who influenced her as she grew up

10:23 Lenora frequently writes Christmas books. Why is Christmas special to her?

12:46 How Lenora puts Christ into Christmas

15:49 Lenora has written fiction books that include themes of returning home, forgiveness, and redemption. She gives her advice for people returning home this Christmas to difficult situations.

18:44 How meaningful the Bible verse “Be still and know” is to her

20:34 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

22:28 Info on Lenora’s latest books and how people can follow her

25:55 How she interweaves faith into her fiction

Lenora Worth is an American Christian Fiction Writers honor roll member. She has authored 115 books and currently writes inspirational fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired and sweet romance for Tule Publishing. She also writes for Kensington Books. You can find her books on major online booksellers as well as at https://www.lenoraworth.com/lenoras-library.html.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that was released on Oct. 15, 2024.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 15 - Christine Trimpe, From Casual Christian to Joy seeker

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:14:27 -0500

Christine Trimpe, From Casual Christian to Joy Seeker

Christine Trimpe underwent a dramatic change in her life at age 48. Raised in the church but a self-identified “casual Christian” as an adult, Trimpe reached a point in her life when she was ready to give everything to God, from her obesity to her spiritual heart. In the ten years since, Trimpe has transformed into a passionate Christian who has lost 100 pounds and now helps others with both their faith and weight loss goals. Trimpe describes herself as a joy seeker, looking for joy daily in all circumstances, buoyed by scripture study that guides her life.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:17 Her definition of a seven-day practical faith

3:57 How Christine went from being a casual Christian to a passionate Christian

6:17 How she embarked on a health and healing journey

8:24 Transformation came from daily Bible study

9:26 How to bury joy into every fiber of your being, with Psalm 4:7 as a core passage

12:27 The background of how her book “Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke” came to be written

15:30 Christine is a joy seeker. Why does she pursue joy in particular?

17:49 What she does as a certified Christian health and wellness coach.

20:57 How people can experience lasting change in their lives

23:57 Advice for integrating faith into your health journey

25:29 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

27:08 How people can learn more about Christine’s books, coaching, and the SugarFreed program

Christine Trimpe is the author of the award-winning book “Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke,” an Advent study. Her latest book is “SugarFreed: Stop Losing the Weight Loss Battle, Start Gaining the Victory.” Her coaching, her books, and more are available at ChristineTrimpe.com, and her books are also available on Amazon and other online booksellers.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that was released on Oct. 15, 2024.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 14 - Bruce and Deb Potts, Changing Self to Change Life and Marriage

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:03:26 -0500

Bruce and Deb Potts, Changing Self to Change Life and Marriage

Deb and Bruce Potts have served as marriage mentors in their church for a dozen years, using techniques they’ve learned during 48 years of marriage. The Potts also endured a trying health crisis that overlapped with the pandemic, which stretched and renewed their faith. Their wisdom about marriage and about life shines in this podcast that focuses on changing yourself to help your marriage and to equip you to deal with life’s difficulties.

Highlights of the podcast: (:31 start) (+1:01 delta)

1:55 (ORIG 0:54) Their definitions of a seven-day practical faith

4:57 (ORIG 3:56) The role that faith plays in their marriage

7:23 (ORIG 6:22) On Christ being in the center of their marriage

9:01 (ORIG 8:00) Three key principles they share with couples.

11:33 (ORIG 10:32) How reactions to family of origin affect marriage and parenting

14:36 (ORIG 13:35) Bruce talks about his medical crisis requiring two brain surgeries during the Covid pandemic, how his faith helped him during that time, and how the crisis changed his approach to life.

19:55 (ORIG 18:54) Deb’s experience during Bruce’s hospital stay in isolation and how faith and community pulled her through.

23:49 (ORIG 22:48) Why and how they wrote a novel, “Love on Life Support,” about Bruce’s crisis within the Covid crisis.

28:37 (ORIG 27:36) The hardest part for them about putting faith into practice.

31:03 (ORIG 30:02) Their best tips for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith.

32:02 (ORIG 31:01) How people can learn more about their work in marriage mentoring

You can learn more about what the Potts offer at DebPotts.com and by searching for MarriageMentorMoments on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Also check out their award-winning book, “Love on Life Support," which can be accessed from their website or from Amazon.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that was released on Oct. 15.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book and eWorkbook available now; book study Leader Guide and first video study available in early 2025). Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. The goal is to help the child become a mature adult who makes good decisions.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “The Next Thing” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “The Next Thing” supplies a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “Live Like You’re Loved” affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. You’ll learn how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 13 - Tracy Crump, Healing and Hope

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:59:19 -0500

Tracy Crump, Healing and Hope

Tracy Crump is a former nurse who became a writer and editor. She draws upon her experiences in nursing and in caregiving to bring a message of healing, hope, and encouragement to others. Crump talks on this podcast about how she transitioned from nurse to writer, how she continues to take care of caregivers, and her thoughts on putting faith into practice based on the Great Commission.

Highlights of the podcast:

1:47 Her definition of a seven-day practical faith

3:23 How surprised she is that she became an author

6:32 The differences in serving people as a nurse and as an author

9:19 Healing may come physically but can always come spiritually.

10:11 Tracy tells a moving story that did not appear in her book about the faith of a burn patient who wanted to glorify God with his healing.

15:08 Does Tracy start writing from scripture and bring in a real world scenario, or start from the real world scenario and find accompanying scripture?

18:29 The importance of encouraging others. Her focus is on caregivers.

20:42 The hardest part about putting faith into practice.

23:12 Tracy’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith.

24:23 Techniques for talking to unbelievers about faith.

25:39 How people can learn more about her work.

Tracy Crump is a writer and editor who has written books, devotions in publications such as Chicken Soup for the Soul and Guideposts, and blogs on caregiving and more. Learn more at https://tracycrump.com/ about her book, “Health, Healing and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness.” You can also sign up for her caregivers’ newsletter and her Write Life newsletter to writers.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that was released on Oct. 15.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 12 - Barbara Ann Holmes, Creating Spaces for God

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:52:09 -0500

Barbara Ann Holmes, Creating Spaces For God

Barbara Ann Holmes is an interior designer who uses Biblical principles to help clients design their spaces. Barbara Ann believes every good design begins on the foundation of God our Creator and the study of His designs and desires for our homes. In this fascinating podcast, Barbara Ann discusses how she relies on the Bible and on the Holy Spirit to guide her and her clients in her profession.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:07 How a seven-day practical faith is like music.

4:03 She started her interior design business by pursuing a worldly path.

7:30 How she repurposed her business to use Christian principles in design.

9:22 How Barbara Ann combines a Biblical foundation with design concepts.

11:39 She uses Biblical models, including the seven days of creation, as a model for guiding customers through their house design.

13:31 Serving others through both the product and the relationship.

15:29 The Biblical model of Tabitha’s house as an example for designing a home that serves others.

18:39 People use her ideas on partnering with God in their own creative pursuits, even if they don’t consider themselves creative.

20:15 Design Magnified is her online program allowing a wide range of people to tap into their creativity.

22:10 The hardest part about putting faith into practice – remembering!

23:47 Barbara Ann’s best tip for living and maintaining a seven-day practical faith.

24:59 What’s going on with her business and speaking.

You can learn more about Barbara Ann Holmes and her Christian interior design business at https://lintelsandlallies.com. Be sure to click on “About” to watch the funny film clip that led to the business name!

She invites you to follow her business at https://www.facebook.com/LINTELSandLALLIES and personally on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/barbara.a.holmes.

Consider joining Barbara Ann’s online learning and sharing program, Design Magnified, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/designmagnified. It’s a free program with 12 videos on how to perform interior design from a Biblical perspective, and it’s a community to share your ideas.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please stop down to register for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. You’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and the newsletter itself will enrich you with practical faith tips, tips for your church, updates on Cecil Taylor Ministries, a devotional, and more. It’s the best way to stay in touch with Cecil!

You can learn more about Cecil and what he offers at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com, at https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w . His parenting advice can be found at https://www.instagram.com/cecil.taylor.ministries and https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that was released on Oct. 15.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “Live Like You’re Loved” affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. You’ll learn how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 11 - Jack Hager, Personal Responsibility

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:10:08 -0500

Jack Hager, Personal Responsibility

Jack Hager is a former convict who found Jesus while incarcerated, simply by reading the Bible and letting the Holy Spirit work on him. He emerged ready to serve God, becoming a pastor. Over his career, Hager’s service has included work for Family Life Ministries, partly as a radio host; toured widely as a youth summer camp speaker; and served in prison ministry. Hager’s theme is personal responsibility and accountability that he learned the hard way.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:22 Seven-Day practical faith is a redundant term.

4:22 Jack’s journey of landing in prison and finding Christ there

11:19 Jack’s moment of conversion, completely based on reading the Bible

15:21 The difference Jesus has made in his life

18:23 Concern over Biblical illiteracy

19:36 Why “It’s not my fault” is an obscenity

23:56 Why it’s important to Jack to be involved in youth ministry

28:28 His message to young people about practical faith

31:15 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Highlights of the podcast: (REJIG TIMINGS)

0:36 Seven-Day practical faith is a redundant term.

2:36 Jack’s journey of landing in prison and finding Christ there (-:37)

9:33 ORIGINAL / 8:56 Jack’s moment of conversion, completely based on reading the Bible

13:35 ORIGINAL / 12:58 The difference Jesus has made in his life (-1:16)

16:37 ORIGINAL / 15:21 Concern over Biblical illiteracy

17:50 ORIGINAL / 16:34 Why “It’s not my fault” is an obscenity (-2:34)

22:10 ORIGINAL / 19:36 Why it’s important to Jack to be involved in youth ministry (-4:00)

26:42 ORIGINAL / 22:42 His message to young people about practical faith (-4:46)

29:29 ORIGINAL / 24:43 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 10 - Defae Weaver, Instrument of Peace

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:07:49 -0500

Dwfae Weaver, Instrument of Peace

Defae Weaver is Cecil’s longtime friend and sister in Christ. She works as a Congregational Care Manager at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. Cecil and Defae discuss what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. As you’ll note from the podcast, Defae is truly an instrument of peace in the world.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:34 What does a seven-day practical faith mean to Defae?

3:31 How Defae came to faith, starting with her grandparents’ influence and continuing with summer camps.

6:51 Defae’s spiritual mothers and fathers.

9:50 The peaks and valleys of being a Christian.

10:57 How her favorite prayer phrase, for “God to be in all the details,” was born out of regular prayer with other moms.

12:36 How Defae attains peace in her life and how she communicates that God is with you.

17:09 How Defae communicates peace to those in need through her work as a congregational care manager.

20:08 The hardest part of putting faith into practice.

23:43 Defae’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith.

25:16 Defae prays for Cecil Taylor Ministries and the people impacted by it.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15.

Cecil has a new, free video lesson for small groups, churches, and individual learners, entitled “The With-God Journey: A Powerful Re-Imagining of Holy Relationship.” By registering for the video lesson and monthly newsletter at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/Request-With-God-Journey, you’ll gain access to the video lesson (streaming, download, or DVD versions), a leader guide, and a sermon guide. It’s a great way to try out Cecil’s Instant Content or just fill a gap in your small group programming.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 9 - Mark Trieglaff, From Hopelessness to Hope

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:21:42 -0500

Mark Trieglaff, From Hopelessness to Hope

It’s not often that the podcast serves as a testimonial time, but the story of Mark Trieglaff justifies the format. Trieglaff walks through a life shaken by his parents’ divorce, his descent into addiction, his abandoned suicide attempt, his acceptance of Jesus, living a Christ-directed life, and his encounter with three terrible tragedies in a row, using his faith to get him through them. Along the way, you’ll learn the core elements of a seven-day practical faith and how they provided a foundation of hope that would not be shaken in the worst of times.

Highlights of the podcast:

1:04 When Mark discovered his family wasn’t what he thought it was

2:55 How he sought stress relief during his parents’ divorce

4:47 How Mark reached a point of hopelessness that led to a suicidal event

8:02 A co-worker at a zoo led Mark to Christ

11:16 Even after salvation, Mark was lost on how to proceed as a Christian but finally developed his faith

15:10 Mark experienced a quick succession of three family tragedies but leaned on hope instead of hopelessness

20:16 Mark spoke of hope at his daughter’s funeral

22:46 The third tragedy: losing his wife

25:36 How Mark’s wife Joy became an organ donor

27:35 Scripture that has sustained Mark in tragic times: John 16:33, Romans 8:28, Revelation 21:4-5

30:23 Mark’s reaction to being approached about turning his story into a book and a movie

32:56 Mark’s profession in disability enablement and how he puts his faith into practice

During the podcast, Trieglaff references several organizations with which he’s involved or recommends:

https://joniandfriends.org/ - Christian disability ministry
https://www.agapeukraine.com/en/about-us/ - Agape Ukraine is the location for a future building to address the needs of disabled Ukranian soldiers.
https://giftofhope.org/ - Organ donation website
https://www.eversightvision.org/ - Eye bank featuring cornea donation

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. You can learn more about Cecil and what he offers at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com, at https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries , https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor/ , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w .

SPEAKER ALERT! You can hear Cecil speak at a free seminar on Sept. 15 at 4:00 p.m. at Creekwood United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas. The seminar is entitled “Proactive and Reactive Parenting,” based on his new book, “Unison Parenting.” Childcare is provided, and a book signing and an ice cream social will follow. More speaking events are being scheduled, such as in San Antonio, Texas, so please check this space with every podcast or check CecilTaylorMinistries.com.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15.

By registering for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and available in Sep. 2024 at booksellers online and in stores; workbook available in Sep. 2024; first video study available in early 2025).

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 8 - Linda Evans Shepherd, Relationship Between Prayer and Faith

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:35:04 -0500

Linda Evans Shepherd, Relationship Between Prayer and Faith

Linda Evans Shepherd is an acclaimed author, speaker, and ministry leader. Shepherd has written almost 40 books, including the best-selling Praying Through Every Emotion and When You Don’t Know What to Pray. She has extensive speaking background at significant Christian events. Shepherd is the founder and CEO of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the creator of the P.O.W.E.R. Speaker Certification Program. Among other organizations and ministries, she is the head of Leading Hearts Magazine.

Highlights of the podcast:

0:51 Why we should pray

2:41 What key themes people should take into their prayer life

4:34 How Linda prayed to release her fear over wildfires approaching her home

7:20 A model for how to fully give your fears to God

9:50 Why we should pray for small stuff

12:19 Linda’s prayer capability grew during a time of tragedy and stress

15:27 A vision of walking with Jesus and how our trials are “miracle seeds”

17:31 The miraculous story of how her daughter came out of a year-long coma

20:30 Her go-to prayer

21:04 A seven-day practical faith is living each moment of every day in conversation with God

22:55 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

23:45 Her best tip for living and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

26:33 Cecil and Linda discuss how the Spirit can speak to us in the night, revealing wisdom

You can learn more about and benefit from Linda Evans Shepherd and her ministries in the following ways:

Receive a blessing as Linda prays over you in video and in print by visiting MyPrayerGift.com.
Find Linda’s books and prayer articles at GotToPray.com.
Linda also has a YouTube show called The Prayer Investigator.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15.

By registering for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book available now; six-week video study and guides available in June 2024). Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 7 - Judson Stone, Building Relationships

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:34:38 -0500

Judson Stone, Building Relationships

Judson Stone is a retired pastor who has also served as a corporate chaplain in charge of corporate giving. He has served on several community boards and in volunteer activities, and he is currently involved in prison ministry in Florida. Stone recently released his book, “A Modest but Crucial Hero” about his ancestor, George Stone, a young man who passed away in Oman in the late 1800s while serving as a missionary.

Highlights of the podcast:

1:07 What a seven-day practical faith means to Judson

2:38 How his life changed after accepting Christ

7:36 Why he says “Everyone’s story is worth knowing”

11:05 Opening up people’s lives through sincere interest in them

12:13 Why Judson decided to write “A Modest but Crucial Hero” about his missionary ancestor, George Stone

15:06 How long it took to research and develop the book

16:26 The spiritual influencers on Judson’s life

20:15 Importance of relationships in Christian faith

22:08 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

23:41 Judson’s tips for living a seven-day practical faith

28:14 How to find Judson’s books

You can learn more about ”A Modest but Crucial Hero” by Judson I. Stone by searching on Amazon.com or by visiting www.JudsonIStone.com. Stone has also written “A Last Chapter of the Greatest Generation”, which can be found on BookBaby.com and on Amazon.

By registering for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and available in Sep. 2024 at booksellers online and in stores; video studies and workbook available in Sep. 2024).

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 6 - Patti Smith, Overcoming Fear

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:35:11 -0500

Patti Smith, Overcoming Fear

Patti Smith, publisher of GO! Magazine, joins the podcast to talk about dealing with fear in our practical faith walks. This topic is one that Smith struggles with herself, but through faith and courage, she has been able to overcome fear to respond to God’s calls throughout her life. The genesis of GO! Magazine, a Christian magazine based in Florida, is a prime example.

Highlights of the podcast:

3:16 What a seven-day practical faith means to Patti

5:01 How Patti overcame fear when launching GO! Magazine

9:47 How overcoming fear affects Jesus followers daily

15:13 Why does God want us to “fear not?”

17:51 Inspiring stories from GO! Magazine

20:36 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

22:24 Patti is still working on mastering fear herself

23:38 Patti’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

25:44 More on GO! Magazine and how to participate in it

You can learn more about Patti’s GO! Magazine at https://gochristianmagazine.com/.

Readers can peruse every issue for free by clicking on the Local Magazine tab and selecting the digital edition.
Writers are encouraged to submit their ideas at GOMagazine2819@gmail.com.

By registering for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 5 - Keon Lindsey, Bringing the Bible into Practical Faith

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0500

Keon Lindsey, Bringing the Bible into Practical Faith

Practical Faith Academy, Season 4 of Cecil Taylor Ministries podcasts, presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

This episode with guest Keon Lindsey focuses on his view of how the Bible is relevant to our daily lives and to our seven-day practical faith journey. Lindsey has authored two Christian books; he is a project management professional and a former Navy pilot.

Cecil asks Lindsey about his motivation for writing, his heart for new Christians, how the Bible informs our daily walk, the centrality of the church and spiritual disciplines to a full spiritual life, and more.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:44 What is a seven-day practical faith?

5:41 Our plans vs. God’s plans

8:29 Basic foundation of faith

10:20 How the Bible is relevant to our daily lives

11:55 The problem for people who are spiritual but don’t attend church

15:59 God wants to walk with us today

18:05 Best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

You can learn more about Lindsey’s ministry at https://www.keonlindsey.com/ where you can review his books, blog, and interviews with fellow authors.

By registering as a free subscriber on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time. You’ll also receive his free monthly newsletter.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book available now; six-week video study and guides available in June 2024). This book has won Finalist status in the International Book Awards (Christian Inspirational), The Bookfest Spring 2024 award (second place, Christianity), 2024 Oasis award (second place, Nonfiction), and 2024 Living Water award (third place, Nonfiction).

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). This book has won the 2024 international Christian Indie Award (third place, Christian Living) and the 2023 Living Water award (second place, Nonfiction).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). This book has won the 2023 Oasis award (first place, Nonfiction).

- NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and available in Sep. 2024 at booksellers online and in stores; video studies and workbook available in Sep. 2024).

Practical Faith Academy – Episode 4 – Joyce Zook, the Practical Christian Woman

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:33:14 -0500

Joyce Zook, The Practical Christian Woman

This episode introduces you to Joyce Zook, a life and wife coach focused on a practical approach to marriage, to life, and to faith. She has a lot to say about applying faith and Biblical principles in life situations.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:09 What a seven-day practical faith means to Joyce

6:08 How Joyce brought her husband to God

8:00 The role of faith in a marriage

11:32 She provides practical ideas with a background of scriptures and focuses on next steps

14:25 The role of self-care in being an effective Christian on a daily basis

18:41 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

23:39 Joyce’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

24:53 More on Joyce’s ministry

You can learn more about Joyce’s ministry at https://www.joycezook.com/. Joyce has two new offerings coming up:

- Any day now, she will introduce “7 Days to Marriage Success,” a series of short videos and more.

- In August, Joyce is reviving her “12 Keys to Marriage Success” live coaching class, which will meet weekly deep into the fall. Participants will also receive study guides, videos, and more.

By registering for Cecil’s free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time.

For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “The Next Thing” supplies a four-part model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises. This book has won the 2024 international Christian Indie Award (third place, Christian Living) and the 2023 Living Water award (second place, Nonfiction).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “Live Like You’re Loved” affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. I show how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life. This book has won the 2023 Oasis award (first place, Nonfiction).

- NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and available in Sep. 2024 at booksellers online and in stores; video studies and workbook available in Sep. 2024).

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 3 - Gordon Holmes, the Viral Rideshare Servant

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 09:08:56 -0500

Gordon Holmes, The Viral Rideshare Servant

This episode focuses on how an everyday person went viral for picking up a TV personality, and how the event allowed him to share his faith here. Gordon Holmes is known as “My Guy,” a driver who offers a wide range of services. When he gave a ride to Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame, and Mike posted about it on Facebook, Gordon’s life changed immediately. Cecil contacted Gordon to share his thoughts on this podcast for putting faith into practice.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:57 How Gordon met TV personality Mike Rowe

4:24 Reaction to Mike’s post and ensuing fallout

8:55 How Gordon almost didn’t accept Mike’s ride

10:30 The pursuit of money interfered with Gordon’s life

12:59 What does a seven-day practical faith mean to Gordon?

15:21 On experiencing depression

17:48 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

20:45 How Gordon loves people by helping them

25:48 Gordon’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

If you want to hire “My Guy” Gordon Holmes or otherwise contact him, text him at 214-803-3980. Don’t call him; he won’t answer!

By registering as a free subscriber on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time. You’ll also receive his free monthly newsletter.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 2 - Season Bowers, the Joy Bringer

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 23:13:56 -0500

Season Bowers, The Joy Bringer

This episode is about joy, and guest Season Bowers is the Joy Bringer. Her book is called “The Joy Bringer Challenge.” Bowers is a pastor, radio host, author, speaker; her daily Joy Bringer radio feature is heard on radio stations across the country.

Cecil asks Bowers about the importance of joy in our seven-day practical faith, the importance of the present in living with the Holy Spirit, the difficulties of putting faith into practice, her own personal testimony, and more.

Highlights of the podcast:

1:14 What is a seven-day practical faith?

3:56 What amazes God

5:55 Season’s definition of joy

12:10 Joy is for you

14:40 Four components of the Joy Bringer Challenge

17:24 Her transition from acting to ministry

23:53 Cecil and Season talk about God’s preparation and creative power

27:33 Core values of the Joy Bringer Challenge

30:04 Best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

You can learn more about Bowers’s ministry at https://www.seasonbowers.com/ where you can find her Joy Bringer podcast among other items. Her book, “The Joy Bringer Challenge”, is available on all major online bookseller sites.

By registering as a free subscriber on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time. You’ll also receive his free monthly newsletter.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 1 - Lyvita Brooks, the Intentional Planner

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:13:29 -0500

Lyvita Brooks, The Intentional Planner

Practical Faith Academy, Season 4 of Cecil Taylor Monthly Podcasts, presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

In this episode, Lyvita Brooks joins the podcast. Brooks is the host of the Hanging Out with Jesus podcast, author of nine books, and the founder of The Me Project Academy. Brooks urges podcast listeners to act with intentionality, prepare a plan, and then implement that plan in order to live a seven-day practical faith.

Cecil asks Brooks questions about her faith development, her faith journey through a divorce, and how she has kept a solid faith through her life struggles.

You can learn more about Lyvita’s ministry at LyvitaBrooks.com.

You can learn more about Cecil at http://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com, at https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries , https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor/ , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w .

By registering as a free subscriber on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free devotional guide, “30 Minutes Over 30 Days.” You’ll also receive his free monthly newsletter.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book available now; six-week video study and guides available in Apr. 2024).

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com; video studies and workbook available in Aug. 2024)

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #1 - Prophecy

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:32:09 -0500

In his season 3 podcast series, Cecil Taylor identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of his mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme.

This month’s episode is the finale on the #1 theme, Prophecy. Nearly 100 times, Jesus speaks prophetically, either predicting the future or taking on the role of prophet warning Israel of wayward ways and the consequences.

In the first part of the podcast, Cecil walks through some of the verses related to prophecy, breaking them into four major categories. In the much shorter second part, Cecil recaps the series and shares further insights about the themes.

Scripture read in Cecil’s analysis during the podcast is found at: Luke 9:22; John 2:18-21; Mark 14:27-30; John 16:16-22; Mark 11:1-6; Luke 11:29-32; Luke 11:47-51; Matthew 23:27-28; Matthew 24:1-3; Matthew 24:27-31; Matthew 24:36-44; John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 16:7-11; Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 13:13-15; Mark 14:48-49; Isaiah 53:7-12.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book available now; six-week video study and guides available in Apr. 2024).

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available late Mar. 2024)

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - 2 - Jesus' Identity

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:00:49 -0500

This month’s episode is on the #2 theme, Jesus’s Identity. More than 60 times, Jesus identified or proclaimed who he is, either by direct statements, indirect statements, or by acknowledging what others said about him. It’s a question that is asked throughout the Gospels and is integral to our faith: who is Jesus?

In the first half of the podcast, Cecil walks through the vaguest references Jesus makes, through indirect and direct statements, up to proclamations that drew the ire of the religious authorities of the day. In the second half, Cecil shares portions of a longer interview with a Rabbi expert in Judaism and familiar with Christian scripture.

Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski is an Orthodox Hasidic Rabbi, affectionately known in his community as the Koblentzer Rebbe. He previously served synagogues in Virginia and upstate New York, and currently serves as an associate Rabbi in a synagogue in upstate New York. His main ministry work is multifaith chaplaincy. He is the first Jewish chaplain to serve full-time in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, serving as Chaplaincy Program Director in a state prison in Pennsylvania. He also works as a Jewish chaplain in a state mental hospital in upstate New York and has a traveling wedding ministry and is available as a public speaker. He resides in upstate New York with his wife and 7 children. His wife is also a chaplain and motivational speaker.

Scripture read in Cecil’s analysis in the first half of the podcast is found at: John 4: 25-26; Matthew 16:13-17; John 6:46; John 5:39-40; John 3:34-36; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 19:28-29; Matthew 25:31; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30; Luke 18:8; Matthew 8:20; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:9-10; John 5:19-23; John 6:40; John 8:51-59; Mark 14:60-64.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (available Jan. 2024)

Upcoming books and video studies now in progress:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (available Mar. 2024; now available for pre-sale)

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #3 - Trust and Obey God and Jesus

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 12:04:46 -0500

This month’s episode is on the #3 theme, Trust and Obey God through Jesus Christ. More than 60 times, Jesus described the atmosphere of love and trust that can be established between God and humans, and urged us to find the faith to be obedient to God’s will and God’s commands.

On this podcast, Cecil explores samples of what Jesus said about trust and obedience, breaking it down into the four sub-topics: To love and trust God through Jesus Christ; to obey God’s will; Jesus bemoans humans’ lack of faith; Jesus assures his followers that in obeying, they will lose their fear and achieve peace of mind.

Lynn Austin is the interview guest in the second half of the podcast. Austin has written 32 books. Eight have won Christy awards for Christian fiction, and Austin was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2013. Her new novel, All My Secrets, becomes available on Feb. 6, 2024. You can learn more about Lynn and her work at LynnAustin.org.

Scripture read in Cecil’s analysis in the first half of the podcast is found at: Matthew 22: 36-40; John 15: 4-7; Matthew 7: 7-11; Matthew 11: 28-30; Matthew 12: 46-50; Matthew 7: 24-27; Luke 9: 57-62; Matthew 17: 14-20; Matthew 14: 25-31; Mark 8: 14-21; Matthew 6: 25-34; Luke 12: 32-34; Matthew 8: 23-27.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

Upcoming books and video studies now in progress:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (available Jan. 2024)

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (available Mar. 2024)

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #4 - The New Creation

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:26:37 -0500

This month’s episode is on the #4 theme, The New Creation. More than 60 times, Jesus described The New Creation that he brought to earth, usually known as the kingdom of God. But Jesus is partly the “new thing,” as well.

On this podcast, Cecil explores samples of what Jesus said about The New Creation, breaking it down into the four sub-topics: proclamations that The New has come; explanations of The New Creation; statements indicating that Jesus himself is the path to The New Creation; and conviction of the Pharisees and any Jewish traditions that stray from the kingdom.

Dr. Len Wilson is the interview guest in the second half of the podcast. His latest book, Telos: The Hope of Heaven, co-authored with Leonard Sweet, articulates the false narratives we have about the kingdom and defines what the kingdom truly is and how we can participate in it. Cecil and Len also refer to his prior book, Greater Things: The Work of the New Creation.

To learn more about Len and to follow his work, please visit https://www.inviteresources.com/ and https://lenwilson.substack.com/ .

Scripture read in Cecil’s analysis in the first half of the podcast is found at: Luke 5: 36-39; Luke 17: 20-21; Matthew 5: 3-12; Matthew 18: 1-5; Mark 4: 26-32; Matthew 13: 44-50; John 8: 12; John 15: 5; John 6: 48-50; John 8: 23-24; Matthew 23: 13, 23-26.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

Upcoming books and video studies now in progress:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (available Jan. 2024)

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (available Apr. 2024)

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - 5 - Repentance and Forgiveness

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:50:47 -0500

This month’s episode is on the #5 theme, Repentance and Forgiveness. It’s a serendipitous follow-up to last month’s #6 theme of Love, Mercy and Service to Others, as there is a connection between forgiveness and mercy.

On this podcast, Cecil reviews some of what Jesus said about repentance and forgiveness, breaking it down into the four sub-topics: description of sin to reject, God forgives, call to repentance, and God provides freedom from sin.

David Inman joins Cecil on the podcast. As an amateur Bible scholar, David has been studying the role of forgiveness in salvation, including connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament on this topic. David and Cecil discuss what David calls “The Forgiveness Imperative.”

Scripture read in Cecil’s analysis in the first half of the podcast is found at: Matthew 7: 21-23, Matthew 5: 27-30, Mark 3: 28-29, John 16: 8-9, Luke 15: 1-7, Luke 15: 20-24, Luke 7: 36-50, Luke 23: 32-34, Matthew 4: 17, Luke 5: 30-32, Luke 13: 1-4, Matthew 11: 20-22, John 8: 34-36, Matthew 6: 12, 14-15.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

Upcoming books and video studies now in progress:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (available Dec. 2023)

- “Unison Parenting: Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (available Apr. 2024)

The Top 11Themes of Jesus - 6 - Love, Mercy and Service

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 13:53:33 -0500

This month’s episode is on the #6 theme, Love, Mercy, and Service to Others. You might think this is the #1 theme, but by volume, it’s only #6. However, few themes are as impactful as the things Jesus said on these topics.

For example, his analysis of the greatest commandments and the Golden Rule are part of this episode.

Kay Hall joins Cecil on this podcast to discuss the mercy and redemption she received, and how she passes this mercy along in her service through KayHallMinistries.com. You can access her video and purchase her book through her web site. The book is entitled, Beyond the Hidden Veil of Shame: One Woman’s Postabortion Journey to a Settled and Peaceful Heart. The movie, based on the book, is entitled Casting Stones, and is available on YouTube.

Scripture read in this podcast is found at: Mark 12: 28-34; Matthew 12: 7; Matthew 7: 9-12; Luke 6: 27-36.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

Upcoming books and video studies now in progress:

- “Unison Parenting: 9 Ways to Navigate Christian Parenthood with One Voice”.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom”

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - 7 Miracles (Part 1)

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:48:51 -0500

In his season 3 podcast series, Cecil Taylor identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of His mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme.

This month’s episode is a two-parter on the #7 theme, Miracles. In the first part, Cecil is joined by guest Ammie Bouwman of For His Glory Ministry to discuss physical or medical healing. In the second part, the topic turns to spiritual healing, with Ammie again joining Cecil as a guest.

In the first section of both podcasts, Cecil discusses the theme and shares samples of Jesus' sayings from scripture that are related to his miracles. In the second half of both podcasts, Cecil interviews reverend, author and speaker Ammie Bouwman, herself a recipient of a verified miracle.

On the podcast, Cecil mentions a free one-week video lesson you can download or stream. It’s located at https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/resources-live-the-life-given .

Scripture read in this podcast is found at: Matthew 8: 30-32, Mark 1: 23-26 Mark 7: 32-35, Luke 5: 12-13, John 5: 5-9, Mark 3: 1-5, John 2: 6-8, John 9: 6-7, Luke 13: 10-13, John 6: 11-13.

To receive Cecil’s free one-week video lesson that you can download or stream, please visit https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/resources-live-the-life-given .

You can learn more about Ammie at https://www.facebook.com/ammiebouwman and at https://ammiebouwmman.com .

You can learn more about Cecil at http://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com , at
https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w .

Cecil’s books and video studies are:
- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).
- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

Cecil's upcoming books and video studies now in progress:
- “Unison Parenting: 9 Ways to Navigate Christian Parenthood with One Voice”.
- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom”

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - 7 Miracles (Part 2)

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:40:42 -0500

In his season 3 podcast series, Cecil Taylor identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of His mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme.

This episode is the second of two parts on the #7 theme, Miracles. After discussing physical or medical healing in part 1, Cecil takes up the topic of spiritual healing in part 2. Once again, Ammie Bouwman joins Cecil as a guest to converse about spiritual healing, the role of faith in miracles, and how to keep our faith when miracles do not occur, among other topics.

The format is that in the first section of both podcasts, Cecil discusses the theme and shares samples of Jesus' sayings from scripture that are related to his miracles. In the second half of both podcasts, Cecil interviews reverend, author and speaker Ammie Bouwman, herself a recipient of a verified miracle.

Scripture read in this podcast is found at: Mark 10: 46-52, Matthew 8: 5-13, Matthew 9: 27-30, Mark 5: 22-42, Matthew 15: 21-28, Matthew 13: 54-58, Luke 17: 11-19.

To receive Cecil’s free one-week video lesson that you can download or stream, please visit https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/resources-live-the-life-given .

You can learn more about Ammie at https://www.facebook.com/ammiebouwman and at https://ammiebouwmman.com .

You can learn more about Cecil at http://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com , at
https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w .

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #8 Spiritual Over Material

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:56:00 -0500

Materialism. Reliance on temporary things. Seeking the praise of humans. These are the values that Jesus warned us to guard against. Making God the most important thing - that's what Jesus advocated. I explore the Gospel scripture about these topics in this episode of The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #8, Focus on the Spiritual, not the Material. I'm joined in the back half of the podcast by author John Rabins, who learned valuable lessons the hard way about emphasizing the spiritual over the material. John lost his home, his possessions, a rental home, and historical buildings on his property during a 2013 forest fire in Colorado. John says the fire was the ultimate decluttering tool! Starting over from scratch, John learned seven lessons about the spiritual vs. the worldly, and he shared those in his book, "Defined by Fire: Seven Life-Changing Lessons from Devastating Tragedy." John speaks in the podcast about the tumult and result of the fire, what it was like to rebuild his life, and what God revealed to him in the midst of his confusion and despair. In the first half of the episode, I'll share classic scripture from the Sermon on the Mount regarding this heart-and-mind battle between the spiritual and the material. Jesus also addresses this topic quite a bit when upbraiding the Pharisees in Jerusalem prior to his arrest and crucifixion; there are a couple of key passages included in the analysis, along with two famous parables. Refocus yourself on the spiritual and on the ways of God by listening to this podcast. You can navigate to all outlets from CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content, or search Apple, Spotify, or Podbean for "Cecil Taylor Monthly Podcasts."

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #9, Jesus Will Judge Humans

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 11:27:48 -0500

In this new podcast series, Cecil identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of His mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme. This episode covers Theme #9, Jesus Will Judge Humans. Jesus described how God had given Him the power of judgment, and He would follow His Father's will in order to execute the task. Those Jesus accepts will enter into heaven, while those He rejects will be tossed into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. In the first section of the podcast, Cecil discusses the theme and shares samples of Jesus' sayings from scripture, including sub-topics of the theme such as judgment methodology, description of rewards and punishments, and admonishments that we should not judge others. In the second half, Cecil is joined by author and speaker Jennifer Chamberlain to discuss what judgment means, how it will take place, and ramifications for eternal life. Jennifer is the author of Christianity Unraveled: Unpacking the Essentials of Salvation, among other books. In this episode, Cecil mentions a link to his resource page to download a free one-week video lesson, "Live the Life that is Given." Here is the link: https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/resources-live-the-life-given

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - #10, Eternal Life

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:13:02 -0500

In this new podcast series, Cecil identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of His mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme. This episode covers Theme #10, Believers Will Be Rewarded with Eternal Life. Jesus assured us that those who believe in Him as their savior will be given eternal life. Not only that, but Jesus grants us this eternal life immediately; it's a quality of life that we can live on earth! In the first section of the podcast, Cecil discusses the theme and shares samples of Jesus' sayings from scripture, including sub-topics of the theme such as the sacrifice required to follow him, and the rewards of doing so. In the second section, Cecil is joined by author and chaplain Victoria Chapin for an intriguing discussion of this concept of how eternal life can be achieved here on earth. Victoria is the author of UNdaunted: A Prayer Journal, and her forthcoming book is This Happened...So the Signs, Wonders, and Miracles of God Can Be Seen. You can learn more about Victoria's ministry at https://DoLife2TheFull.com. Her UNdaunted book is found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/UNdaunted-Prayer-Journal-Victoria-Chapin/dp/1954658001.

The Top 11 Themes of Jesus: (11) Evil Exists in the World

Tue, 09 May 2023 10:25:13 -0500

In this new podcast series, Cecil identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of His mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme. This episode covers Theme #11, Evil Exists in the World. Jesus told us who Satan is and described his influence. Jesus also talked about the evil inherent in people. He identified having good hearts and evil hearts, and what fruit each produces. He warned about people who try to lead others astray with their teaching and prophecies. In the first section of the podcast, Cecil discusses the theme and shares samples of Jesus' sayings from scripture. In the second section, Cecil is joined by Minister Charlotte Jewell Mays, an ordained evangelist who has written a book on fighting Satan to reclaim her lost adult children after they were trapped in addiction, with one winding up imprisoned. Her book, "Live In The Victory: God’s Victorious Battle Plans for Parents of Prodigals," helps families in similar situations. You can learn more about Charlotte's ministry at https://jesussentmeministries.org/. Her book is found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Live-Victory-Workbook-Victorious-Prodigals/dp/1955309418/ Speaking of addictions, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the work of Boca Recovery Center in Boca Raton, Florida. Nearly a quarter of American adults in 2020 had a form of mental illness, with mood and anxiety disorders being some of the most common. Depression and addiction commonly co-occur, and each condition can complicate the other. The Boca Recovery Center has created a free comprehensive guide to depression and addiction, including available resources. Please take a look: https://bocarecoverycenter.com/addiction/depression/

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Sermon on the Mount, Part 3

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 11:28:47 -0500

Jesus' teachings collide with the world's view in three peak chapters of New Testament thought, Matthew 5, 6, and 7, collectively called The Sermon on the Mount.

In Part 3, Cecil presents two teachings: The Golden Rule and the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. Each, in their own way, is a summary. The Golden Rule summarizes the teachings of the Law and the Prophets. The Wise and Foolish Builders summarizes how Jesus wants us to respond to his teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.

With this episode, Cecil not only concludes the Sermon on the Mount, but the entire Himalayas of the New Testament season.

IMAGE: Lhotse, the Himalayan mountain with three peaks next door to Everest, reminds me of the Sermon on the Mount's three chapters. Less than two miles away from Mt. Everest, Lhotse's highest peak is the fourth highest in the world.

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Sermon on the Mount, Part 2

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:26:14 -0500

Jesus' teachings collide with the world's view in three peak chapters of New Testament thought, Matthew 5, 6, and 7, collectively called The Sermon on the Mount.

In Part 2, Cecil explores two teachings that actually have a lot in common: The Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6: 9-13) and Jesus' admonitions against worry (Matt. 6: 25-34). Both focus on simplifying our thoughts, fears, and wishes while focusing on right living today.

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Sermon on the Mount, Part 1

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 18:40:10 -0500

Jesus' teachings collide with the world's view in three peak chapters of New Testament thought, Matthew 5, 6, and 7, collectively called The Sermon on the Mount.

In a three-part series, Cecil starts by exploring the highlight of Matthew 5: the Beatitudes, the opening of the Sermon on the Mount. As in many sermons of the day, Jesus starts with a sequence of paradoxical statements, saying you are blessed when you are at the bottom and blessed when you seem weak compared to what the world prizes as strength.

Cecil starts with some background on the Sermon on the Mount before covering the Beatitudes.

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Philippians, Part 2

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:14:58 -0500

This podcast covers what is, for me personally, one of the most meaningful sections of the Bible. The Apostle Paul shares with his dear friends at Philippi some of the key lessons he has learned in his faith walk with Jesus.

There are three parts to cover in this section of Philippians 4: 4-13:

How to deal with anxiety, uncertainty, and negative events.
How to focus your mind in the midst of chaos and temptation.
How to deal with the live that we are given, whether it is a life of prosperity or a life of poverty – and by that, I do not necessarily mean the measure of our wealth.

IMAGE: Cho Oyu. Since Philippians is an easy letter to understand because it is so relatable to us today, it reminds me of the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. Just 12 miles west of Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, Cho Oyu is known as one of the easier mountains to climb, despite its peak of nearly 27,000 feet.

If you have your Bible handy, please follow along with the text at Philippians 4: 4-13.

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Philippians, Part 1

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:07:10 -0500

There are rare times when high theology and practical faith intersect perfectly in a passage of scripture. That is the case with the passage in this month's Season 2, Episode 6 podcast episode of "The Himalayas of the New Testament." IMAGE: Cho Oyu. Since Philippians is an easy letter to understand because it is so relatable to us today, it reminds me of the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. Just 12 miles west of Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, Cho Oyu is known as one of the easier mountains to climb, despite its peak of nearly 27,000 feet. In this episode, I look at Paul's quotation of an early church hymn that has highlighted some of the most argued principles of the early Christian faith. Surrounding that quote are two very practical pieces of advice to the church at Philippi in the midst of its squabbling. It might be useful to follow along in your Bible as I examine Philippians 2: 1-18.

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Ephesians (part 2)

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 23:12:08 -0500

Cecil Taylor continues his review of Ephesians by looking primarily at the last three chapters. Some of Paul's most famous, most important, and most controversial passages occur in these sections. Cecil picks out and discusses the following themes:

The Body of Christ
Addressing Evil
Mutual Submissive Relationship Model

If you haven't listened to the first Ephesians podcast, it's recommended, at minimum, to listen to the first ten minutes of it to learn the overview and history of Ephesians.

IMAGE: Ama Dablam, which means "Mother's Necklace." This beautiful Himalayan mountain near Mount Everest is used because Ephesians has been called "The Queen of the Epistles."

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Ephesians (part 1)

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:05:24 -0500

Ephesians stands out from Paul's other letters as the most impersonal toward its recipients and the most theological. If there is one overall theme to Ephesians, it is on the unity that is achieved through Christ - certainly a message we need to hear today! Paul extrapolates from that unity how we are supposed to extend that unity into the church, into our homes and into our relationships. Cecil covers three themes in the October podcast, which is focused on the first half (three of six chapters) of Ephesians:

The work of the Holy Trinity
Unified by Christ
God's wisdom

IMAGE: Ama Dablam, which means "Mother's Necklace." This beautiful Himalayan mountain near Mount Everest is used because Ephesians has been called "The Queen of the Epistles."

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Romans 12

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 17:18:27 -0500

IMAGE: K2

As Romans 8 is the Mount Everest of the New Testament, Romans 12 stands as K2. Just as we think of the world's two tallest mountains together, though they are separated by distance, so Romans 8 and 12 go together although they are separated by three chapters. Romans 12 serves as the response to the revelation in Romans 8 of how the Holy Trinity reaches out to us, offering love, mercy and salvation.

Cecil identifies and walks through six main thoughts in Romans 12:

Worship is what you do every day.
Don’t shape yourself on the outside to fit into the world, but shape yourself on the inside to become brand new in Christ’s ways
We are joined together as the body of Christ
Be who you were made to be
Love, hope, pray, honor, give, do good, suffer patiently and serve the Lord
Live in relationship with everyone so you can turn them to good

The Himalayas of the New Testament: Romans 8

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:21:33 -0500

Arguably the greatest chapter written by the Apostle Paul, Romans 8 contains some of the highest thoughts of the New Testament.

IMAGE: Mt. Everest.

Labeling Romans 8 as the Mt. Everest of the New Testament, Cecil takes a novel, cross-denominational approach to this controversial chapter: He "zooms out" to look at the chapter in light of Paul's lament in Romans 7 that he is unable to obey the law of Moses and is therefore subject to sin and death. According to Cecil, the Romans 8 response describes the Holy Trinity striving to bring us closer to God, providing us love, instruction and saving power that overcomes sin and death.

Along the way, Cecil builds the following table showing the action of each person of the Trinity:

V1-4:

Father - Sent Son as a sin offering.

Son - Sacrificed himself for us so we can follow the law's true intentions.

Spirit - Sets us free from sin and death.

V5-8:

Spirit - Directs and empowers us to live according to God's ways. Grants life and peace through a Spirit-controlled mind.

V9-11:

Father - Gives life to your mortal bodies (through his Spirit). A new life now, a resurrected life later.

Son - Grants a living spirit because of righteousness.

Spirit - Lives in you, so that you belong to Christ.

V12-17:

Father - Adopts us as children. Makes us co-heirs with Christ.

Spirit - Leads us so we can be sons of God. Grants a spirit of Sonship. Testifies to us that we are God's children.

V18-21:

Father - Will liberate creation from destruction and lead it to renewal

V22-25:

Father - Will redeem our bodies so we can live with him.

Spirit - Gives us a first installment of living with God.

V26-27:

Father - Listens to the Spirit praying for us.

Spirit - Helps us in our human weakness. Helps us in prayer by translating our innermost feelings for God.

V28-30:

Father - Works for good in all things and all circumstances. Planned for our salvation and glorification from the beginning.

V31-39:

Father - Offered Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. Justifies us with his grace.

Son - Refuses to judge or condemn, but intercedes for us instead. Loves us with an inescapable, ever-present love.

The Himalayas of the New Testament: John 1

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 11:17:50 -0500

In this podcast series, Cecil examines the highest thoughts (the Himalayas) of the New Testament. John 1 contains what Cecil calls the Executive Summary, which lays out many of the concepts and terms you read throughout the Gospel of John. These include the following terms:

Word, Life, Light, Darkness, Witness, Testify, Believe, True, Truth, Grace, Glory, Flesh, Fullness

Cecil analyzes the reasons the Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John, as he not only shared an intimate disciple's view of Jesus, but also addressed heresies going on in the church at the time of his writing.

IMAGE: Annapurna, 10th tallest mountain in the world. Its south face, pictured here, is considered the most difficult and dangerous mountain to climb, as nearly 40% of climbers perish in the attempt. For this podcast, it symbolizes how difficult it is to read the Gospel of John without insight, such as is gained from the Executive Summary of John.

Image by Akhil Stha. Shared under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 International license.

Fruits of the Spirit: Goodness

Tue, 10 May 2022 15:26:12 -0500

Goodness is goodness, right? Well, no. There is negative goodness and positive goodness. Negative goodness is when we are content in staying away from trouble and considering it good (for example, not murdering, stealing, committing adultery). Positive goodness is what Jesus calls us to be and do: Bringing light into the world, going beyond negative goodness to do good deeds for others, proactively serving His kingdom. In this podcast, Cecil Taylor shows how, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus amplifies the "Don't" commandments to take us to new levels of obedience and goodness.

Fruits of the Spirit: Kindness

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:45:27 -0500

During the last few weeks, we have seen the world flood Ukranians with kindness. What we're seeing actually follows a three-step model for kindness that I call the Three A's of Kindness. Listen to this podcast to understand a method to more frequently and intentionally be kind to others.

Fruits of the Spirit: Gentleness

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 11:02:55 -0500

Gentleness doesn't seem to be valued in the world. Aggression is valued. Yet the Bible calls us to gentleness. Getting instant results is valued. Yet gentle Jesus enters Jerusalem, riding on a donkey.

In this episode, Cecil discusses the disparity between the world's values and Christian values, highlights the Biblical call to gentleness, and shares three practical faith ideas on how to employ gentleness with persistence, encouragement and balance.

Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 15:50:42 -0500

Joy is a paradox, because it is different from happiness. You can feel joyful even when things are going wrong. In this Joy podcast, Cecil concludes that Joy stems from the presence of God in our lives and holds up Jesus’ mother Mary as an example of Joy. He also suggests two models for feeling more joyful, based on the 8 Pillars from The Book of Joy, as well as the model Paul suggests in Philippians 4.

Fruits of the Spirit: Peace

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 11:38:39 -0500

Inner peace is our goal, but our peace is disrupted by three factors: worry, guilt and anger. Cecil discusses these factors and their common denominator of fear, and how we can replace fear with peace. Cecil shares Bible verses that teach us about the unexplainable peace that God offers us in every circumstance of life.

Fruits of the Spirit: Love

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:36:11 -0500

If it was easy to love, Jesus probably wouldn't have emphasized it so much! Love can be difficult and messy. People can be unlovable. Cecil explores how we can love others better, starting with the biblical basis for love, and expanding on these three principles for loving others:

Love is a choice, not a feeling.
Honor others.
Love God, and let God love others through you.

Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:28:19 -0500

God is faithful to us, but are we faithful to God and to others? Cecil Taylor suggests three ideas for us to become more faithful: Say and show our faithfulness; make sacrificial choices; and take an active interest. Then Cecil delves into one of the cherished stories of the Bible to show how the characters exhibit these methods of faithfulness.

Fruits of the Spirit: Patience

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:43:20 -0500

Why is patience possibly the hardest fruit of the Spirit to consistently implement in our lives? Cecil Taylor says it's because we don't properly manage expectations, discussing how we can become patient in the way we think and talk. But it doesn't mean that we should never become impatient. Cecil points to God as the role model for when and how to be patient and to be impatient.

Fruits of the Spirit: Self-Control

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:15:34 -0500

This is the first of a series on the Fruits of the Spirit. Cecil describes the Battle Lines of Self-Control, Guidelines of Self-Control, and Power Lines of Self-Control. Battle Lines explain our battle to control ourselves. Guidelines give us ideas on how to achieve Self-Control. Power Lines are the ways in which the Holy Trinity helps us as we struggle with Self-Control.

Trusting the Perfect Father

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 21:50:06 -0500

Some people struggle with the idea of God being their father, and a perfect one at that. Cecil describes the characteristics of a perfect father and shows how God checks every box. Cecil also tells why we should trust that God is the perfect father and what He can do as our father.

How Positive Goodness Overcomes Racial Injustice

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 19:58:45 -0500

Negative goodness is a "do no harm" approach that leads to inaction and prevents change. Positive goodness is a "do unto others" approach that is pro-active and leads to change. Cecil describes how to apply Jesus' Sermon on the Mount message of positive goodness to the issue of racial justice, all in the name of obediently fulfilling Jesus' vision of how we are to treat others and bring God's kingdom on earth.

Biblical Call to Justice, Applied to 2020

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 17:36:34 -0500

Cecil examines the Bible's definition of justice and advice on how to implement justice. He concludes that we have failed to follow the Bible, creating a crisis of the spirit that leads to the crises of today.

Content:

Biblical definitions of justice and righteousness
The key element of justice
The Bible's explanation of how to implement justice
How these passages apply to our situation in the U.S. in June 2020.