Your time is valuable. Your listening space is limited. So we cut to the chase! (...we get to the point quickly!... if you’ve ever wondered what that means 😉) with raw conversations that grapple with faith, following Jesus in a broken world, and living lives of eternal impact! Some names you’ll recognize, some you won’t. But all of them are on a common journey–striving to follow Jesus and join Him in the work He is doing in and around them. We invite you to join the conversation!
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Amazingly, 75% of "decisions" for Christ don't actually last,* and 33% of regular church attenders show little evidence of being genuinely 'born again.'* Christians. In light of this staggering reality, Step Up To Life's mission is to eliminate temporary decisions and replace them with genuine conversions by presenting the Gospel with greater biblical clarity. Tune in to hear stories from around the globe from ministry leaders, pastors, and individuals who are committed to sticking to Jesus' ...
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079 - Encore Episode - - Mary DeMuth: Parenting Adult Children
25:30
25:30
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As a parent, your role changes drastically after your kids grow up… at least, it should. Too many of us have faced heartache and strained relationships when our children choose difficult--even seemingly wrong--paths. In, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Children with Joy, Mary DeMuth shares a gracious, practical resource for navigat…
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078 - Bruce Bruinsma: Future Funded Ministry, a Retirement Reformation
29:24
29:24
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48 million Christ followers will approach retirement age over the next two decades. Most have no real plan for impact in their retirement years. Unfortunately, too many Christ-followers have embraced the world’s retirement plan: it’s all downhill, then you die, so jam as much leisure as you can into those years. In, The Retirement Reformation Bruce…
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077 - Amber Albee Swenson: Trusting God When Life Hurts
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25:23
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When life hurts, you need more than bubbly inspiration. To get through life’s storms, you need a God who meets you in the blurry confusion of heartache and carries you through to the other side. In her book, You Can Trust God When Life Hurts, Amber Albee Swenson helps you see how you can find faith when things don’t make sense, adopt a hope-filled …
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On this episode Pastor Ed King of Dayspring Ministries and Omaha's Hope Center for Kids joins Lincoln and Nick to talk about how God used Step Up To Life to change his life and how God is now using him to change the lives of kids n North Omaha in the same way nearly 40 years later! Support the Show. www.StepUpToLife.com…
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076 - Encore Episode - - Katie Trent: Tackling Parenting Problems While Baking Sweet Treats
23:53
23:53
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In her latest book, Recipes for a Sweet Child: Creative Bible-based Activities to Help Your Family Thrive, author Katie Trent combines her counseling and ministry expertise with her own parenting experiences to provide you with a creative guide to work past challenging childhood issues in a winsome way. Searching for answers to help turn your child…
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075 - Brant Hansen: The (Young) Men We Need
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The world needs young men to grow up into real men. But with young men receiving so many conflicting messages about what it means to be a man, they find it hard to know what masculinity looks like when men are at their absolute best. Brant Hansen paints a refreshingly specific, compelling picture of what men are designed to be in a world of cultura…
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We were created to work, and our work provides unique meaning and purpose in our lives. Yet today, we are living in a crisis of apathy and ignorance regarding work’s theological and existential nature. David Bahnsen believes our understanding of work and its role in our lives is deeply flawed—we are unmoored from what he calls “created purpose". It…
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073 - Encore Episode - - Matt Bell: Teaching Kids Truth About Finances
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30:18
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Cultivating within kids a heart for generosity and wise habits around earning, saving, investing, and spending money will impact every aspect of their lives—their relationship with Jesus, their future marriage, their ability to make a difference with their lives, and much more. Matt Bell shares stories, motivation, and the guidance you need to help…
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Whether you’re facing the ordinary, daily pressures of squaring away today’s to-do list or an unexpected season of suffering that seems to have no end, sometimes it feels like Jesus’ promise of “overflowing joy” is simply not within reach for your real life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Author and Bible teacher Tara Dew takes us to Jesus’ wo…
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Overcoming the Fear of Sharing the Faith with Cindy Nyberg of MyBridge Radio
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On this episode Cindy Nyberg from MyBridge Radio visits Lincoln and Nick on site in the studio to talk about how she became known as 'the Step Up To Life Lady,' how she works through the fear of sharing her faith, and why Step Up To Life has become 2nd nature to her when sharing the Gospel with the greatest clarity! Support the Show. www.StepUpToLi…
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071 - Encore Episode - - Kathy Koch: Parent Differently
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27:42
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Do you want well-behaved kids? Or, kids with good character? Ideally, both. How do we get there? Too often, parents misguidedly prioritize behavior. Behavior modification does not guarantee g ood character qualities. In her latest book, Parent Differently, Kathy Koch says it’s character that influences decisions. It shows up in our speech, actions …
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070 - Rend Collective’s Chris Llewellyn: Hallelujah Anyway
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18:48
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Taking on the moniker “Purveyors of Good News,” Rend Collective is a band that seeks to be authentic while delivering the Gospel in a simple old-fashioned manner. Amid so much heaviness consuming events of today’s world, Rend Collective is sharing good news as a response to that brokenness. The five-member group identifies as a worship band with no…
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We live in a possession and money obsessed culture where the average American has far more than they need. Yet, many of us feel incredibly insecure, and we grasp tightly to what we have and continue trying to gain more. This impacts both how we think about our God-given resources and our willingness to be generous with what God has given us to stew…
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From Pressure to Privilege: UNO Hockey Players (Nolan Sullivan & Kirby Proctor) share their faith
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On this episode we talk with UNO ACHA Hockey team players Nolan Sullivan and Kirby Proctor about how they came to saving-faith in Christ Jesus, what it's like to share their faith with others, and how Step Up To Life has changed the way they go about sharing the Gospel. Support the Show. www.StepUpToLife.com…
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068 - Brant Hansen: Life Is Hard, God Is Good. Let’s Dance!
25:04
25:04
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Brant Hansen is convinced that, regardless of circumstances, you can have a deep sense of well-being. Not only is it possible, it’s promised to all who follow Jesus. Our guest doesn't claim to follow a success plan. He just keeps simply showing up and taking Jesus very seriously. And by taking Jesus seriously in all of life, Brant has become more j…
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067 - Rick Beckwith: What If It’s All True?
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What if it’s all true? What if the Bible truly is the words of God written down by the hands of men? What if Jesus was more than just a good teacher but actually the Son of God – what might that mean to you and me personally? Rick Beckwith has served with Young Life for more than 40 years. In his new book, What If It’s All True?, our guest explores…
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When JJ Weeks was a teenager, someone recognized he had some serious vocal talent. It was a talent that he learned God could use to share His love and grace through song. Though he never learned to play an instrument, he still formed the JJ Weeks Band in 2001. While today he’s a solo artist, God still has JJ Weeks on mission, singing Gospel truth. …
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Darren Mulligan is a single-minded Irishman who writes rock n’ roll anthems and intimate earthly psalms for messy, broken people. Our guest is the frontman for We Are Messengers, a band whose stated goal is to engage culture in conversation about the goodness of God. It shows up in their songs that address some of the hardest things we feel as huma…
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Respecting the Journey of Sharing the Gospel with Stan Parker
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36:13
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On this episode Stan Parker of My Bridge Radio (https://mybridgeradio.net) joins Lincoln and Nick remotely from his offices in Lincoln NE. to talk about how he came to know Jesus personally while playing football at the University of Nebraska, his first encounter with Step Up To Life as a uniquely powerful Gospel-sharing tool, and his journey into …
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064 - Del Tackett: God’s Call to Engage the World Around Us
22:24
22:24
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Through The Truth Project, Focus on the Family’s Del Tackett helped millions of viewers learn how to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” by looking at life through a Biblical perspective. Now, through The Engagement Project, our guest is ready to help you take the next step –– to engage the world around you. Not in the way we’ve been doin…
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063 - Dan Brenton: Marriage is Worth the Fight
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25:57
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All too often, couples bail from their marriages before they reach the sweet spot. The enemy of your soul loves to steal, kill and destroy, and he will whisper lies to try and tear apart your marriage. As presenters at the Family Life Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference, Pastor Dan Brenton and his wife Julie have been helping couples for nearly…
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What is Genuine Saving-Faith vs. Churchianity? - Pastor Curt Dodd
49:25
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On this episode Pastor Curt Dodd (Westside Church - Omaha, NE.) joins Lincoln and Nick in the studio to talk about how he came to genuine Saving-Faith in an unusual way, what drives his ministry heartbeat, and what he's concerned about as he looks at church leadership over the next 5 years. Support the Show. www.StepUpToLife.com…
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062 - Susie Larson: Wake Up To God’s Goodness
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33:54
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While God does allow suffering, there’s nothing He allows that He doesn’t redeem. That’s a truth author and podcaster Susie Larson had to come to grips with when she processed her emotion over what God had allowed her to face. Disappointment comes naturally when the "good life" lets us down. Discouragement is understandable when we face life's stru…
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061 - Encore Episode - - Michele Cushatt: A Faith That Will Not Fail
30:15
30:15
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Although there are moments of beauty and goodness, more often than not, life is marked by fear, struggle, disappointment, and loss. And we don’t know what to do with it. We try to find hope and security in various people and places–but each proves unworthy of our trust. We need more. Something–or Someone–who won’t fail us when our world falls apart…
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060 - Carol McLeod: Transformed by God’s Word
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Let’s be honest, many of us have a LOT of excuses for not digging into the Word of God. We’re busy. We’re distracted. We don’t feel like it. We don’t understand it. Prolific author, podcaster, and Bible teacher Carol McLeod says, “Enough with the excuses!” Our guest believes the only true path to transformation is actually reading your Bible…even w…
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059 - Sharon Jaynes –– Pray for Your Kids from Head-to-Toe
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Prayer is a parent’s greatest superpower! Our responsibilities as parents can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to prayer. How do we know what to say? How can we truly pray for our kids rather than fall into a spiral of worry? Sharon Jaynes is a Bible teacher to women and a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her unique prayer guide for mo…
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Step Up To Life's African Hub Director Rev. Jefferson Gathu
46:17
46:17
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On this episode SUTL's African Hub Director (Rev. Jefferson Gathu) joins Lincoln & Nick on site in the studio to share how he came to be SUTL's official Champion to Africa leading over 12 nations in sharing the Gospel with greater clarity through the SUTL life tool, how it's impacted the countries it's been shared in, and how 1.5 million copies hav…
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058 - Shaunti Feldhahn - Nix The Negativity
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33:30
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Suspicion. Grumbling. Sarcasm. These are just a few of the ways that negativity rears its ugly head and causes us to do and say things that damage our closest relationships. Whether we think the worst about a decision our spouse made, we refuse to see any good that can come out of an uncomfortable situation, or we let our mouths hurl a playful quip…
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057 - Encore Episode - - Asheritah Ciuciu: One Thing Alone
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25:50
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Growing up in a missionary family in Romania, Asheritah CiuCiu began to have her life transformed as she learned to immerse herself in the Word of God. As a teenager with nothing but time on her hands, Asheritah would often spend hours reading her Bible and singing worship music. After being married and starting a family, free time was no longer a …
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056 - Mary DeMuth: Parenting Adult Children
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As a parent, your role changes drastically after your kids grow up… at least, it should. Too many of us have faced heartache and strained relationships when our children choose difficult--even seemingly wrong--paths. In, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Children with Joy, Mary DeMuth shares a gracious, practical resource for navigat…
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History of 'Step Up To Life' with Nancy Murdoch (wife of our late founder E. Murdoch)
44:52
44:52
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On this episode of the Step Up To Life Podcast, we talk with the wife of our late founder (Nancy Murdoch) about why her husband (Elmer 'Doc') began sharing a 5-Step approach to explaining the Biblical Gospel, and how he could have never foreseen that a single sermon he gave in 1957 would one day be translated into over 80 different languages and tr…
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Do you want well-behaved kids? Or, kids with good character? Ideally, both. How do we get there? Too often, parents misguidedly prioritize behavior. Behavior modification does not guarantee good character qualities. In her latest book, Parent Differently, Kathy Koch says it’s character that influences decisions. It shows up in our speech, actions, …
…
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054 - Encore Episode -- Greg Smalley: Why Are All the Lights On?
32:59
32:59
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So much of the trouble we can find in marriage points back to not communicating our expectations. In his 30+ years of marriage, Greg Smalley has learned from that mistake more than a few times.
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053 - Sarah Molitor –– Well Said: Why Our Words Matter
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Words matter. Our words matter. In her new book, Well Said*, mom of seven and popular blogger Sarah Molitor explains why those words matter so much. Sarah shares how to make the most of our words and why doing so can change our lives. Through her own personal life stories, Sarah offers practical tips that are grounded in Biblical truth and convey G…
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The Gospel & Forgiveness Mindy Peterson ('Fresh Start') & Sharon Harris ('Hearts Set Free')
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On this episode of the Step Up To Life Podcast, 'Fresh Start' ministry founder Mindy Peterson (www.freshstartforallnations.org) and marriage minister Sharon Harris of 'Hearts Set Free' (www.hsfomaha.org) share with us their how they came to saving-faith in Christ, how the Lord called them into forgiveness and marriage ministries, and why 'Step Up T…
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The world first got acquainted with Colton Dixon during season 11 of American Idol. In the eleven years since his top seven finish, he’s become well known for hit songs like, “More of You”, “Through All of It”, and more recently “Build a Boat”. A big change came to Colton’s life in August of 2020 when he and his wife Annie welcomed twin daughters i…
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The music of CAIN quickly became a mainstay on MyBridge radio when they released their debut single, "Rise Up (Lazarus)". Since then, the trio of pastor’s kids from Hartselle, Alabama –– Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain –– have continued to be used by God through their ministry of music. Madison is the middle sibling of the fa…
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050 - Lisa Anderson: Navigating The Culture as a Christian Single
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For the past 25 years, Focus on the Family has been ministering to singles and young adults through its Boundless ministry. When Lisa Anderson first got involved with Boundless 15 years ago, it was to host their podcast. A couple of years later, she assumed the role of director for the ministry. In her role, Lisa helps today’s millennial and Gen Z …
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Impact beyond an 'Event' with Keith Becker (founder of the Todd Becker Foundation)
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35:21
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Keith Becker (founder of the Todd Becker Foundation) joins us to talk about the tragic event that ignited his passion for youth ministry, what his particular emphasis is when ministering, & why he's chosen to partner with Step Up To Life for the last 7 years to train his interns as they minister in high schools throughout the Midwest. Support the S…
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049 - Jason Young: Don’t Burn Out, Burn Bright
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30:27
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Pastors and ministry leaders are some of the hardest-working people in the world--and they have a high rate of burnout to prove it. Leaders that aren't operating at peak efficiency and, also taking care of themselves, are setting themselves up for a crash. The reality is, that few in ministry feel they have the time to take a sabbatical or tend to …
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048 - Katie Trent: Tackling Parenting Problems While Baking Sweet Treats
23:42
23:42
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In her latest book, Recipes for a Sweet Child: Creative Bible-based Activities to Help Your Family Thrive, author Katie Trent combines her counseling and ministry expertise with her own parenting experiences to provide you with a creative guide to work past challenging childhood issues in a winsome way. Searching for answers to help turn your child…
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Meredith Andrews has been writing music and leading worship for nearly two decades. Known for songs like “Draw Me Nearer” and “Open Up The Heavens”, Meredith has served alongside the Vertical Church Band and, more recently, with her home church, The Belonging Co. in Nashville. Meredith opens up about marriage, and how it’s not always easy, about tu…
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Sharing the Gospel Clearly & Patiently with Pastors Roy Helu Jr. & Justin Larsen
39:09
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On this episode of the Step Up To Life Podcast, Pastors Roy Helu Jr. & Justin Larsen of CityLight Bennington Church join us to share how they came to Saving-Faith in Christ, what they believe is the unique advantage of sharing the Gospel with the 5 Steps, how they've seen it impact people in real life, and why they recommend it. Support the Show. w…
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046 - Susie Larson: Closer Than Your Next Breath
40:47
40:47
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Though we believe in our minds that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present, sometimes we don't feel his closeness. How can we walk boldly in our faith, expecting Him to draw near to us as we draw near to Him? In, Closer Than Your Next Breath, bestselling author, speaker, and radio host Susie Larson helps readers experience God's trustwor…
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045 - Michele Cushatt: A Faith That Will Not Fail
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30:06
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Although there are moments of beauty and goodness, more often than not, life is marked by fear, struggle, disappointment, and loss. And we don’t know what to do with it. We try to find hope and security in various people and places–but each proves unworthy of our trust. We need more. Something–or Someone–who won’t fail us when our world falls apart…
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Origin & Impact of 'Step Up To Life' with Justin Kofoed & Pastor Curtis Isaacson
31:23
31:23
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On this episode Executive Director (Lincoln Murdoch) shares how Step Up To Life came to be, why it emphasizes Jesus' Message and method of inviting people to 'follow/believe' in Jesus, as well as how it has impacted people on an individual level (Justin Kofoed), as well as a ministerial level (Pastors Nick Bank & Curtis Isaacson). Support the Show.…
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The question isn’t whether you’ll face the hardest thing. It’s what to do when it’s staring you in the face. Dr. Lee Warren, a neurosurgeon from Nebraska, knows personally that trauma will reconfigure your life. After the tragic loss of his 19-year-old son, he knew he needed a plan and path back to a new season of hope, faith, peace—and even happin…
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Many of us long for the abundant life Jesus promised, but instead we feel stagnant and frustrated in our faith. More of us cultivate our view of God from our family of origin than from the pages of the Bible—and a faulty view of God will always be a barrier to a satisfying spiritual life. Bryan Clark has served in pastoral ministry in Nebraska for …
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042 - Maralee Bradley: Life Groups Change Lives
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It’s one thing to go to church. But, there are steps we can take to really get plugged in and find the kind of “community” we really crave…even if we don’t realize we crave it. Maralee Bradley of Lincoln, NE is a busy mom of eight children and has every excuse in the book to not commit to a life group (or small group) at her church. But, she and he…
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041 - Alex McFarland: Tough Questions Kids Ask
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If Alex McFarland could offer you any advice as a parent, it would be to teach Biblical truth to your children. Not only teach it, but model it. Live it out. Make it a priority. He is convinced that even if your kids stray for a while, the likelihood is high that they'll return to the faith they were taught if it was authentically lived out with gr…
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