Jason Clark's Blog, page 10

DUBB ALEXANDER / The Kingdom

Dubb Alexander The Kingdom

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube

“The Kingdom is the heart and the authority of God, from heaven, on earth, through us.” Rethinking Kingdom in the context of union, understanding the nature of the King, the penal substitutionary atonement heresy, a restorative understanding of the prophetic, how to receive or judge a prophetic word, holding on to what is good, dominion as opposed to domination, in this conversation Dubb Alexander gives insight into Jesus words, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…God’s kingdom is within.

QUOTES

“God has heavenly solutions for every earthly problem.”

“If Jesus said that the Father is just like Him, how does that affect your theology?”

“You can either agree with the entirety of scripture or you can agree with Jesus, but you cannot agree with them both because they do not agree with each other.”

For more on Dubb Alexander
Website: www.schoolofkingdom.com

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Sarah. They have two daughters, Caroline & Kate. Together, they serve as lead pastors for River Church Charlotte. Derek also co-hosts the Rethinking God with Tacos podcast and loves to connect on all the socials. Derek believes “Love everyone the most” sums up what it means to be a follower of Jesus. www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… SHAWN HARNISH / UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

by A Family Story | February 16, 2023 | Faith, Intimacy, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, Sin, The Fathers Love, Writing | 0 Comments

Pastoring a community, faith and living in mystery, putting unconditional love before understanding, kindness that leads to repentance, the nature of trust, punishment hell, Bible College, the Age of Certainty, and timeless reconciling love – in this conversation, Shawn Harnish shares about his 25-plus years of pastoring in one area and the transforming discovery of the finished work of the cross. Add to that, 25-plus years of friendship with Jason and a mutual love of the Buffalo Bills, and you got a profound and fun conversation – Go Bills!

Read More CHERITH FEE NORDLING / A PERMANENTLY HUMAN GOSPEL

by A Family Story | April 11, 2023 | Faith, God Is Not In Control, Intimacy, Miracles, Prone To Love, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“The reason you can’t take your own human life seriously is because you’ve never taken my (Christ’s) life seriously.” The incarnation, Jesus as fully human, Jesus and His divinity, grace, cruciform love, leaving Gnosticism, resurrection fearlessness, freedom, and salvation as a human story; in this conversation, Cherith shares a beautiful gospel in which we are discovering how to enter into the life of Jesus!

Read More LEAVING (& FINDING) JESUS WITH DEREK TURNER & JASON CLARK

by A Family Story | July 14, 2021 | Interview, Intimacy, Life, Popular, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 2 Comments

God’s sovereignty revealed by Jesus through cruciform, self-giving love, the nature of trust, intimacy, and union, and the transforming truth that there is no shadow of turning with God, in this podcast the guys explore Jason’s upcoming book, Leaving (& Finding) Jesus. This conversation juxtaposes an inclusive, reconciling, self-giving, unconditional view of God’s love against an excluding, hierarchal, punishment-focused, conditional view of God’s love.

Read More BRUXY CAVEY / LOVING GOD BY LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR

by A Family Story | May 7, 2021 | Interview, Intimacy, Life, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 2 Comments

Bruxy Cavey, author, and pastor of The Meeting House, dives into relational faith, loving God through loving our neighbor, repenting with a hopeful future focus, how doubt is connected to our faith, how we are not people of the book (bible) we are people of the person (Jesus), and three perspectives on hell concluding with the fact that the New Testament church never leveraged hell to get people to make a decision to for Jesus.

The post DUBB ALEXANDER / The Kingdom appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on January 16, 2024 23:08

Recalculating

Back before GPS, in the days when, as a lost traveler, I had to stop and ask directions from some old-timer—always an old-timer—upon hearing my desired destination, he’d shake his head as though I was willfully lost and say, “Son, you can’t get there from here.”

Sure, you can, fella, I’d think. If I’m here and I need to get there, then there’s no other way to get there, than from here. So, unless we’re having an existential conversation in the parking lot of a Piggly Wiggly, I’m certain I can get there from here if you’d be so kind as to give me directions.

For decades, I only employed that phrase to cleverly expound on its contradiction. Then, one late night several years ago, I navigated for my brother, Joel, as we traveled from Charlotte to Lexington for a conference. By navigated, I mean, I listened to Siri communicate directions and then repeated after her.

Siri: “Turn left,”

“Turn left,” I said, looking up from my phone and pointing.

“Joel! Left! There!”

“I can’t turn left, bro. Look!” Joel responded as we passed our hotel, and I immediately recognized the problem. A freshly cemented three-foot-high concrete wall had been installed in the median between the left turn and our destination. We couldn’t turn left.

As we drove past and Siri jabbered, “Recalculating,” I heard myself saying that rascal phrase, “You can’t get there from here.”

Then, with epiphanous enthusiasm, “Oh? Oh! It’s about the road you’re traveling!”

* * *

For most of my life, the story of The Rich Young Ruler has been preached by well-intentioned What am I still lacking preachers. It’s the message of separation where humanity is outside of God, and the preacher spends most of his message trying to measure the distance between us.

The What am I still lacking message is a self-righteous religious attempt to earn something Jesus already gave.

And like the Rich Young Ruler, we often walk away grieving as we continue to strive down that frustrating road of lack where God is distant and eternal life is just out of reach; always, well, later…

“Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 1

That’s what Jesus told His disciples about the transactional road the Rich Young Ruler traveled.

When they heard it, they “…were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’”

Exactly!

Who can be saved is a good question and similar to What am I still lacking?

Both questions recognize the futile nature of a transactional approach to God. Both recognize a concrete median cutting us off from experiencing eternal life here and now.

Jesus responded, “With people, this is impossible…you might as well be a camel and your destination the eye of a needle…but with God, all things are possible.”

In other words, Greater Love was saying, “Go sell everything you have and follow me.”

Those were Jesus’ words to the eternal life-seeking Rich Young Ruler.

Everything? The young fella thought, overwhelmed—and for good reason.

Everything included the ideological and theological certainties upon which he’d built his entire existence. Jesus had just deconstructed his understanding to its very foundation and exposed the young man’s certainties as a three-foot concrete median cutting him off from experiencing eternal life.

It’s impossible to reach my destination on the road I’m traveling, the young fella realized, and he left grieving. But he did not leave empty-handed nor alone. Jesus sent him on his way with a GPS.

Every day after his encounter with Jesus, the young fella could hear Siri jabbering like a Holy Spirit within him.

“Recalculating! Son, you can’t get there from here! You’re gonna have to leave your transactional approach to a relationship with God and reject that ego that thinks righteousness can be achieved.”

“Recalculating! Brother, you can’t get there from here. I invite you to redefine and rediscover all your ologies in the reconciling truth of a Love that never leaves or forsakes us.”

“Recalculating! Buddy, you can’t get there from here. Leave your systematic earning systems, lay down your religious obsession with hierarchy, put away your right to punish, give up every dualistic certainty, sell all you have, pick up your cross—my Greater Love heart for the least of these—and awaken to our friendship.

Son, follow me.” 2

It was an instruction. But also an invitation to experience aiṓnios, “the unique quality of God’s life at work in us; an experience of union with God that is…simultaneously outside of time, inside of time, and beyond time.” 3

It was an invitation to eternal life in the ever-present now.

And Jesus’ invitation wasn’t given with a time limit. And that’s worth noting. The young man wasn’t Cinderella, and Jesus was no fairy Godmother.

There is no when the clock strikes twelve addenda on eternal life. Just that rascal Holy Spirit GPS, an eternal invitation to a friendship that recalculates everything. Just that old-timer in a Piggly Wiggly parking lot saying, “Son, or daughter, you can’t get there from here,” so that one day, we might experience an epiphanous moment in which we can repent and discover…

“Oh? Oh! It’s about the road we’re traveling!”

1 Matthew 19:16-29

2 Luke 29:23

3 Aiónios – https://biblehub.com/greek/166.htm

This article is excerpted from my book, Leaving and Finding Jesus
Order Now At AMAZON.COM

ORDER NOW!

Jason Clark is a bestselling storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their three children, Madeleine, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… Forward By Randall Worley

by Jason Clark | November 6, 2023 | Articles, Books, Faith, God Is Not In Control, Intimacy, Leaving and Finding Jesus, Popular, Prayer, The Fathers Love, Worship | 0 Comments

The way Jason approaches the question of control reminds me of the poem by Emily Dickinson titled “Tell All The Truth, But Tell It Slant.” Dickinson says that “we should tell the truth —the whole truth—but tell it indirectly, in a circuitous and round-the-houses fashion. The truth,” she says, “is too bright and dazzling for us to be able to cope with it in one go. We have to be overwhelmed by it.”

Read More MATTHEW HESTER / GOD WAS PLEASED TO REVEAL HIS SON IN ME

by A Family Story | March 17, 2021 | Faith, Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

Mystery, faith, salvation and awaking to Christ’s likeness within us, adoption and sonship, being in the family, discovering the Word in scripture, and living from union, we discuss this and more with Matthew Hester in a passionate conversation around the love of God. Matthew is an author, pastor of Dominion Church (Greer SC), and founder of Hester Ministries and Present Truth Academy.

The post Recalculating appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on January 09, 2024 12:11

FRIENDSHIP WITH DEREK & JASON

Friendship with Derek & Jason

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What, you too? I thought I was the only one.” C.S Lewis

From Romans Road to The Emmaus Road, Derek and Jason celebrate and revisit 2023 while dreaming dream into 2024. Two friends tell stories, reminisce, and wonder at the goodness of God. From reformation, restoration, reconciliation, righteousness, peace, and joy to community, kindness, and transformation, the guys share some of the ways they have been rethinking, particularly around a deeper understanding of friendship—friendship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and friendship with each other. Eventually, as always, the guys talked about Love, the heights, depths, lengths, and widths.

QUOTES

“It could be fun is how I’m entering this year.” Jason Clark

“What would Love do?” Derek Turner

“Love is the wisest friend; it is the Holy Spirit’s voice.” Jason Clark

“When you begin to rethink the goodness of God (as Jesus revealed it), you can relax and love people well.” Derek Turner

“More el pastor in 2024.” Derek Turner

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Sarah. They have two daughters, Caroline & Kate. Together, they serve as lead pastors for River Church Charlotte. Derek also co-hosts the Rethinking God with Tacos podcast and loves to connect on all the socials. Derek believes “Love everyone the most” sums up what it means to be a follower of Jesus. www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… JOHN BLASE / ARE YOU LETTING GOD LOVE YOU TODAY?

by A Family Story | July 6, 2023 | Faith, Intimacy, Marriage, Parenting, Popular, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“Are You Letting God Love You Today?” Abundant life, the goodness and the GODness of God, loss, suffering, and trust, grieving and grace, and more grace, healing, embracing the heights and depths of the human story, becoming like Jesus, poetry and faith, in this podcast, John Blasé and the guys have a vulnerable conversation about life and trust and the GODness of God. John shares about his friendships with Brennan Manning and Eugene Peterson and the impact they both had on him and our world today.

Read More ROBIN & STEVE SMIT / FREE TO GIVE

by A Family Story | October 24, 2023 | Faith, Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love, Writing | 0 Comments

In this podcast, Steve and Robin Smit share about the publishing company. TWS, and a new book, “Free To Give.” In a world where the act of giving is often burdened by expectations and legalistic constraints, “Free to Give” emerges as a guiding light of grace and liberation. If you’ve ever been shackled by the weight of ritualistic and obligatory giving or the oppressive thoughts of giving to meet performance standards, this book is your path to freedom.

Read More THOMAS JAY OORD / OPEN & RELATIONAL THEOLOGY

by A Family Story | March 29, 2022 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, God Is Not In Control, Hell, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three, Sin, The Fathers Love | 2 Comments

Thomas Jay Oord shares about open relational theology; how it connects with the way we live and matches our deepest intuitions. The guys talked about a relational God who is genuinely loving, looks like Jesus, and walks through each day with us, impacting and impacted by our friendship.

Thomas describes an uncontrolling, loving God, that harmonizes with scripture. In this podcast, he dives into the subjects of hell, prayer, and evangelism all through the lens of open relational theology.

Read More PETE SCHELLER / DANCING WITH WISDOM

by A Family Story | May 24, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Friends, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“For too long the image and understanding of God, the One Jesus called “Abba”, has been hidden from view or distorted beyond recognition. The unspoken cry of sons and daughters all over the world is ‘Give us our Dad back!’”

A renewed mind, western wisdom vs. God’s wisdom, theology in relational terms, and above all, a Father who doesn’t just love us, He really likes us; in this conversation, Pete Scheller shares from his new book, Dancing with Wisdom. The guys dive deep into the Father nature of God and laugh along the way.

The post DUBB ALEXANDER / The Kingdom appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on January 08, 2024 13:22

MATT SPINKS / ECSTATIC JOY!

Matt Spinks Ecstatic Joy!

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube

For many, the message of Jesus Christ has not been associated with the overwhelming joy of living. The world is often filled with so much discouragement, depression, and striving just to be happy. In this conversation, Matt talks about his book “High on God,” which presents an authentic solution in a radical approach to Jesus! The guys discuss an ecstatic joy discovered at His Cross that brings a sense of satisfaction and completeness, so we are actually able to live & love confidently.

Church community, righteousness, peace, and joy, our mystical union, the presence of God, encounter, bliss, measureless favor, and a happy God; in this podcast, the fellas get down to the serious business of joy.

QUOTES

“In the Western Church, in some ways, we are afraid of spirituality.”

“Cessationism isn’t based on an experience it’s based on something you haven’t experienced yet.”

“God is happy. He is not against pleasure; He is the author of pleasure.”

“Our view of Jesus is still too small.”

For more on Matt Spinks
Website: www.thefirehouseprojects.com

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner Follower of Jesus, in love with @sarahjturner, father to @caro.turn & @kaaatters, owner of Milo, pastor @rivercharlotte. Amazed by Grace www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… JONATHAN FOSTER / indigo: the color of grief

by A Family Story | November 1, 2023 | Dreaming, Faith, God Is Not In Control, Intimacy, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“Exquisitely etched, in a luring cadence, a daughter lost, a family fractured, fractioned, all in the lower case, not shouting at us, but hard to read. I had to stop and regain my composure. What is this terrible beauty? Not a theology but something softer, more delicate, unprotected, exposed. What is this? A moving poem, certainly, but also a prayer, a wounded word, a broken hallelujah, where a random hug, a hand held through the night, a shoulder touched, are the only amelioration, the only God worthy of our time, the only God there may be, the only way to keep the future open.” John Caputo

In this conversation, the guys discuss Jonathan’s new book, indigo: the color of grief. This conversation invites the love of God into our loss, disappointment, and fragile trust.

Read More THOMAS JAY OORD & KEITH GILES / DECONSTRUCTING HELL

by A Family Story | March 1, 2023 | Faith, Intimacy, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, Sin, The Fathers Love, Writing | 1 Comment

Perhaps no modern church dogma has been more destructive to the mission of Jesus, created more atheists, or generated more religious trauma than that of eternal conscious torment (ECT).

In this podcast, the guys talk with Thomas Jay Oord and Keith Giles about their collaboration on Chad Bahl’s book, Deconstructing Hell. The book brings together experts in their fields to take the reader on a historical, philosophical, and theological journey to deconstruct this harmful doctrine, and the podcast highlights Oord and Gile’s contribution.

The guys dive into the “logic of love” and offer compelling pathways to reconstruct a biblical perspective on the nature of God and our understanding of hell.

Read More LOGAN BARONE / THE MYSTERY IN YOU

by A Family Story | May 31, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Intimacy, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“Did Christ accomplish a potentiality, or did Christ accomplish a reality?”

Grace beyond theory, the road of union, discovering Christ in us and embedded in humanity, inclusion, the incarnation, experiencing God, and stories about church life and the journey of faith while searching for community; in this conversation with Logan Barone, the guys discuss the message of his book, The Mystery In You.

Read More CATHERINE TOON / MARKED BY LOVE

by A Family Story | August 2, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Intimacy, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“Love is not only a powerful emotion, but a person.” Experiential knowing, discovering our identity, helping people encounter love, connection, union, intimacy with God, the value of our humanity, the mystery of maleness and femaleness represented in the Godhead; in this conversation, Catherine and the guys explore the perfection of God’s love both male and female and invite the listener to know Gods personal love for themselves.

Read More WHEN LOVE COMES TO TOWN / with DEREK TURNER

by A Family Story | April 2, 2021 | Faith, Intimacy, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

He came and he walked beside us, He said, “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you; you are not alone, you belong.” When we discover this love, we are transformed and we begin to love like He does. On Palm Sunday Derek speaks about the cross and how we are invited to live surrendered and sure in love. He talks about laying down our loves, loving our enemies, and seeing the kingdom come.

Read More BRIAN MCLAREN / FAITH AFTER DOUBT

by A Family Story | June 9, 2021 | Faith, Interview, Leadership, Life, Popular, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two | 5 Comments

“Christian faith, for me, is no longer a static location but a great spiritual journey…what matters most…is not where we are but where we’re going.” This podcast is a gentle invitation to discover a way of faith defined by love. Brian and Jason discuss navigating rejection, stepping away from literalism, and inerrancy in our approach to scripture and faith, and their personal journey of trusting that God is better than our best thoughts about Him.

The post Recalculating appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 20, 2023 08:23

MATT SPINKS / JOY

Matt Spinks Joy

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube

For many, the message of Jesus Christ has not been associated with the overwhelming joy of living. The world is often filled with so much discouragement, depression, and striving just to be happy. In this conversation, Matt talks about his book “High on God,” which presents an authentic solution in a radical approach to Jesus! The guys discuss an ecstatic joy discovered at His Cross that brings a sense of satisfaction and completeness, so we are actually able to live & love confidently.

Church community, righteousness, peace, and joy, our mystical union, the presence of God, encounter, bliss, measureless favor, and a happy God; in this podcast, the fellas get down to the serious business of joy.

QUOTES

“In the Western Church, in some ways, we are afraid of spirituality.”

“Cessationism isn’t based on an experience it’s based on something you haven’t experienced yet.”

“God is happy. He is not against pleasure; He is the author of pleasure.”

“Our view of Jesus is still too small.”

For more on Matt Spinks
Website: www.thefirehouseprojects.com

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner Follower of Jesus, in love with @sarahjturner, father to @caro.turn & @kaaatters, owner of Milo, pastor @rivercharlotte. Amazed by Grace www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… NAEEM FAZAL / REIMAGINING GOD

by A Family Story | June 30, 2021 | Interview, Intimacy, Life, Prayer, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 5 Comments

Naeem Fazal, founding pastor of Mosaic Church, and author of Ex-Muslim, talks about deconstruction or reimaging God. Naeem talks about the importance of being able to recognize God outside of our personal context, how to view sin, how to approach scripture, and a beautiful gospel that’s not just about a Jesus who saves but about a Jesus who is restoring humanity and all creation.

Read More THOMAS JAY OORD / OPEN & RELATIONAL THEOLOGY

by A Family Story | March 29, 2022 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, God Is Not In Control, Hell, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three, Sin, The Fathers Love | 2 Comments

Thomas Jay Oord shares about open relational theology; how it connects with the way we live and matches our deepest intuitions. The guys talked about a relational God who is genuinely loving, looks like Jesus, and walks through each day with us, impacting and impacted by our friendship.

Thomas describes an uncontrolling, loving God, that harmonizes with scripture. In this podcast, he dives into the subjects of hell, prayer, and evangelism all through the lens of open relational theology.

Read More WINN COLLIER / WE BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER

by A Family Story | August 4, 2022 | Faith, Interview, Leadership, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three | 0 Comments

The thread through all Winn Collier’s work is delight in the God who exists as the blazing center of everything that is good, beautiful, and true; and you feel that in this conversation. In this podcast, Winn and Jason talk about God’s hope and heart for all creation to know we belong to one another. The guys dive into wholeness, cruciform love, and what it means to be fully human.

Then Winn talks about his friendship with Eugene Peterson, writer of The Message Translation. Winn shares about the biography he recently released on Eugene’s incredible life, A Burning In My Bones, and on their shared heart for pastors and the church!

Read More JASON GRIMSLEY / CROSS STITCHED

by A Family Story | November 30, 2022 | Faith, Interview, Life, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three | 0 Comments

“Whether I’m high or low, in heaven or hell, nothing can ever separate me from God’s love.” Jason dives into a memoir he helped his friend, baseball legend, Jason Grimsley, write. They guys talk about Jason’s wild and unbelievable life. This conversation is part storytelling, part revelation, and all testimony of the love of God.

Jason shares about several hardships he’s faced, including a botched suicide attempt and the near destruction of his marriage. The guys shared insights and wisdom for the highs and lows of life. And all along the way, they highlighted the message of the book. Cross Stitched displays the very real and present love of God and the abundant life He offers us when we surrender to Him.

Read More MIKE ZENKER / UNDERSTANDING FORGIVENESS

by A Family Story | August 23, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, Sin, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“Forgiveness is an event and a process… Forgiveness came to me…” Christ, within you the hope of glory, the journey of union, discovering our identity, speaking to light within people, no us and them, no hierarchy in love, embracing mystery and asking questions, hope, forgiveness, authentic restoration, and the eternal nature of reconciliation, in this podcast the guys talk about their rethinking journey in the context of pastoring, and Mike shares his powerful story of healing and the journey of forgiveness and a hope that won’t disappoint.

Read More SHEILA GREGOIRE / THE GREAT SEX RESCUE

by A Family Story | June 13, 2021 | Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Marraige, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two | 2 Comments

Intimacy within marriage, the connection between intimacy and mutuality, the nature of trust, the definition of sex, addressing transactional vs relational thinking, dismantling obligation, addressing objectification and broken ideologies developed from Eph 5:22, “Wives submit to your husbands…” Sheila Gregoire practically rethinks sex so husbands and wives can experience intimacy, joy, and deeper connection.

The post MATT SPINKS / JOY appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 20, 2023 08:23

PAUL GOLF / THE GOSPEL 101 – INEXPRESSIBLE & GLORIOUS JOY

Paul Golf The Gospel 101 - Inexpressible & Glorious Joy

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube The Trinitarian, mystical, joy-filled, supernatural good news, the mass exodus from the Christian institutional experiment we call ‘church,’ what ‘mission’ looks like for us in the 21st century with a non-toxic gospel, and the supernatural reality of living in union with the Father, Son, and Spirit, in this conversation, Paul and the guys dive into inclusion, evangelism, the creative spirit, the prophetic, the flow of compassion, and the wonder of hope.

QUOTES

“Religious people talk about hell; spiritual people have been there.” Wm Paul Young

“The more we see him, the more we become like Him.”

“At its heart, our faith has a mystical and mysterious axis that can only be experienced and encountered, it can’t be intellectualized. Even though there’s value in intellectual pursuits, it’s always secondary.”

“What happens when we take inclusion seriously?”

“I’m an evangelist at heart. I used to think I was bringing Jesus to people. Now I understand, actually, Jesus is already there…”

“If it’s not inexpressible glorious joy, you have a gospel problem.”

“The power of heaven is not based on control. The government of heaven is not based on law. And the warfare of heaven is not based on violence.”

For more on Paul Golf
Website: www.championsofhope.co.uk

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner Follower of Jesus, in love with @sarahjturner, father to @caro.turn & @kaaatters, owner of Milo, pastor @rivercharlotte. Amazed by Grace www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… SHEILA GREGOIRE / THE GREAT SEX RESCUE

by A Family Story | June 13, 2021 | Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Marraige, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two | 2 Comments

Intimacy within marriage, the connection between intimacy and mutuality, the nature of trust, the definition of sex, addressing transactional vs relational thinking, dismantling obligation, addressing objectification and broken ideologies developed from Eph 5:22, “Wives submit to your husbands…” Sheila Gregoire practically rethinks sex so husbands and wives can experience intimacy, joy, and deeper connection.

Read More ROBIN & STEVE SMIT / FREE TO GIVE

by A Family Story | October 24, 2023 | Faith, Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love, Writing | 0 Comments

In this podcast, Steve and Robin Smit share about the publishing company. TWS, and a new book, “Free To Give.” In a world where the act of giving is often burdened by expectations and legalistic constraints, “Free to Give” emerges as a guiding light of grace and liberation. If you’ve ever been shackled by the weight of ritualistic and obligatory giving or the oppressive thoughts of giving to meet performance standards, this book is your path to freedom.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 13, 2023 07:18

DAVID ARTMAN / THE NECESSITY OF CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM

David Artman The Necessity Of Christian Universalism

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube

“For it logically follows that if God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful, then God must also be all-saving.”

Often dismissed as a modern feel-good theology, Christian universalism is an ancient, orthodox, and biblical theology that was expounded by early Christians and early church fathers. Artman brings much-deserved attention to this wonderful spirituality.

In this conversation, David Artman shares that grace saves alone and goes to all. This inclusive approach to Christianity is variously called universal reconciliation, universal salvation, or perhaps most accurately, Christian universalism. David shares that the inclusive/Christian universalist approach is necessary because it offers the only Christian theology that successfully defends the goodness of God.

For more on David Artman
Website: www.davidartman.net

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner Follower of Jesus, in love with @sarahjturner, father to @caro.turn & @kaaatters, owner of Milo, pastor @rivercharlotte. Amazed by Grace www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… THERE IS NO “US OR THEM” AT THE CROSS

by A Family Story | September 15, 2022 | Faith, Interview, Leadership, Life, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three | 3 Comments

This podcast highlights Jason’s book, Leaving and finding Jesus, where he writes about his deconstructing faith journey. The book is Jason’s Emmaus Road discovery of a love that is reconciling all creation; a journey where he’s awakening to a burning heart while leaving every Jesus who won’t lay His life down for His friends.

Read More RANDALL WORLEY / WHEN THE CHURCH WAS YOUNG

by Jason Clark | August 16, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Interview, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love, Writing | 0 Comments

Theology and methodology, communal learning, asking questions and discussing false narratives, theodicy, rethinking atonement theories, the stages of faith – simplicity, complexity, perplexity, harmony (Brian McLaren), deconstruction, liturgy, the lectionary, spiral dynamics, and first-tier thinking, the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, and letting God tell our story; in this podcast, Randall and the guys talk about a theology of love as revealed through the incarnation.

Read More THE DE/RECONSTRUCTING PARENT WITH SARAH TURNER & KAREN CLARK

by A Family Story | April 21, 2021 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Intimacy, Leadership, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

Sarah Turner and Karen Clark take the hosting reins to share their de/reconstructing faith journey and how, primarily through parenting, they began to rethink who God is and their approach to scripture, church, and ministry.

From Harry Potter and the college years to church life – the good, the bad, and the ugly, they talk about how parenting for connection and living an honest relationship with a loving God, is the most transformative thing we can do in our lives, our kids lives, and in ministry.

Read More SEXY DECONSTRUCTION? WITH DEREK TURNER & JASON CLARK

by A Family Story | January 5, 2022 | Intimacy, Life, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

Matt Chandler, pastor, and writer, recently used the phrase “a sexy fad” when describing the deconstruction movement. Derek and Jason highlight his statement to dive into the nature of their own de/ and reconstruction. This podcast dives into sin, grace, reconciliation, and God’s love for all His kids, the church deep and wide. Ultimately, the guys kick off season three embracing Rom 8:38-29 That nothing… “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Read More RYAN PENA / GOD IS GOOD; JESUS IS THE MODEL

by A Family Story | November 29, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Hell, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Miracles, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love, Worship | 0 Comments

Redefining deliverance, principalities and powers, strongholds and spiritual warfare, revival, intercession, prayer, worship, the prophetic, the fall, and sin, all in the context of union; in this conversation, Ryan and the guys talk about the unchangeable goodness and love of the Father, grace, union, purpose, and connection. The guys discuss how, as we grow sure in love, and as we journey further into grace, we continue to find more expansive language for union.

Read More BRIAN ZAHND / WHEN EVERYTHING’S ON FIRE

by A Family Story | November 17, 2022 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, God Is Not In Control, Hell, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season three, Sin, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“I felt like the Jesus I knew deserved a better Christianity than the Christianity I knew.” In this podcast, Zahnd shares about the Christian faith in alignment with Jesus and the journey he’s taken in discovering this good news! De- and reconstruction, a non-violent, non-retributive God who is reconciling the world to Himself, hermeneutics, hell, and the wonder of church deep and wide, in this conversation, the guys discuss a much richer, wider faith. The guys dive into Brian’s book, “When Everything’s on Fire,” a conversation that invites us to move beyond the crisis of faith toward the journey of reconstruction.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 05, 2023 21:32

I Don’t Know…But God Is Good…As Jesus Revealed Him

Years ago, while visiting my folks at a family reunion, I overheard my mom in the kitchen telling my sister, Aimee, how Thomas was her favorite disciple of Jesus.

I was a little surprised by her choice and thought I’d be clever.

“Mom, I don’t want to be a doubting Thomas, but I’m pretty sure your favorite disciple was the fella with the underwhelming moniker,” I playfully and sarcastically yelled into the kitchen.

My mom came out of the kitchen and gave me a fiery look. One I saw too many times in my youth, a look that releases the awe-inspiring fear of God. “Jason, it’s just horrible we call him that! Think about the Scripture we have because Thomas was bold enough to ask when the others weren’t?”

And just like that, my whole thought about Thomas changed. Thanks, Mom! I am so grateful for your wisdom and understanding!

* * *

Jesus, attempting to prepare His disciples for the coming dark days of His death, tells them, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” 1

And John leans over to Peter and whispers. “Hey, Pete?”

“What?” Peter responds in a whisper yell. Peter was a horrible whisperer.

“Do you know the way to the place Jesus is going?” John asks with sincerity.

Peter furrows his brow, “Of course!”

John raises an eyebrow, “So you have no idea then.”

Peter waves John off brusquely. John is a little concerned, but then he remembers and smiles, “No worries, Thomas will ask Him,” he whispers, and Peter grins.

Then, like clockwork, Thomas asked. And we are all infinitely glad he did.

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 2

“We don’t know.” It was nice Thomas included the other disciples in his ignorance, but because of his question, we all have an answer, and it’s one of our all-time favorites!

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’”

Thomas’ “we don’t know” made room for Jesus to speak to our faith, to highlight the mystery and revelation, “You will know” and “From now on, you do know…” Jesus’ answer is a beautiful invitation to live in the tension of not knowing with a promise of knowing—in the faith of I don’t know…but God is good.

Like always, Jesus is speaking in the infinite, mysterious, trustworthy language of sovereign love.

John and Peter looked at each other after Jesus was finished. They still didn’t understand, but that wasn’t unusual. Jesus was always saying stuff that was not only confusing but also often seriously controversial.

The fact is, most of the time, most of the people listening to Jesus had little to no idea what He was talking about.

One time, Jesus told His followers that they could only experience eternal life if they ate His flesh and drank His blood. A lot of people stopped following Jesus that day. When Jesus asked the twelve disciples if they would leave Him also, Peter famously said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” 3

Interpretation—I don’t know… but God is good, and that’s enough.

Peter, John, Thomas, and many others have revealed that to truly follow Jesus, we must be willing to live in the faith of not knowing and the invitation to know; to “get wisdom. Though it cost all (we) have, get understanding.”

We must embrace the mystery of sovereign love if we are to gain revelation.

In the age of certainty, we are invited to live in the faith of, I don’t know…but God is good…as Jesus revealed Him.

Jesus is the way to where we are going; He is the lens by which to discover wisdom, the key by which to unlock understanding.

I don’t look poorly upon Thomas’ doubt anymore. He was a man of faith willing to live in the tension of the question so he might discover the whole story, the greater revelation. Thomas gave everything up to follow Jesus. Thomas is believed to have shared the gospel of sovereign love, planting churches in Syria, Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), and even into India before dying by a spear, martyred for his profound faith in the way the truth and the life.

1 John 14:4

2 John 14:5-7

3 John 6:68

This article is excerpted from I Don’t Know, But God Is Good, chapter ten of, God Is (Not) In Control: The Whole Story Is Better Than You Think
A Family Story has partnered with TWS (The Writers Society) for the release of this Refreshed Edition.

Available Now At AMAZON.COM

“In God Is (Not) In Control, Jason gives us the liberty to color outside the lines of our many unperceived biases about God. He courageously addresses the “logic of love,” which always leads us on a journey from knowing, to not knowing, to a new knowing…This book is an invitation to those who realize that if we are afraid of the answers, we will never ask the hard questions. I applaud Jason for the courage he’s demonstrated to reintroduce us to a God who is immeasurably good and relentlessly loves us regardless of where we are on our journey.”

—Dr. Randall Worley
Author of Brush Strokes of Grace, Wandering and Wondering, & A Manifesto for Spiritual Searchers

ORDER NOW!

Jason Clark is a bestselling storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their three children, Madeleine, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… Forward By Randall Worley

by Jason Clark | November 6, 2023 | Articles, Books, Faith, God Is Not In Control, Intimacy, Leaving and Finding Jesus, Popular, Prayer, The Fathers Love, Worship | 0 Comments

The way Jason approaches the question of control reminds me of the poem by Emily Dickinson titled “Tell All The Truth, But Tell It Slant.” Dickinson says that “we should tell the truth —the whole truth—but tell it indirectly, in a circuitous and round-the-houses fashion. The truth,” she says, “is too bright and dazzling for us to be able to cope with it in one go. We have to be overwhelmed by it.”

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 05, 2023 21:31

RYAN PENA / GOD IS GOOD; JESUS IS THE MODEL

Ryan Pena God Is Good; Jesus Is The Model

iTunes Spotify Google YouTube

Redefining deliverance, principalities and powers, strongholds and spiritual warfare, revival, intercession, prayer, worship, the prophetic, the fall, and sin, all in the context of union; in this conversation, Ryan and the guys talk about the unchangeable goodness and love of the Father, grace, union, purpose, and connection.

The guys discuss how, as we grow sure in love, and as we journey further into grace, we continue to find more expansive language for union.

QUOTES

God speaking to Ryan as the Author and finisher of his faith, inviting him to rethink— “I am supposed to be the author of your faith, but there have been pages written in your heart that I didn’t author; things that you believe that I don’t believe…”

“Deliverance isn’t a battle with demons it’s a shifting of agreement.”“Spiritual warfare is all about truth and lies.”

“We confuse dominion with domination…dominion is governing solutions…”

“If you’re not preaching hard about the finished work and the righteousness of God, then you’ve watered down the gospel.”

“God is good; Jesus is the model.”

For more on Ryan Pena
Website: www.theryanpena.com

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe!
Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner Follower of Jesus, in love with @sarahjturner, father to @caro.turn & @kaaatters, owner of Milo, pastor @rivercharlotte. Amazed by Grace www.rivercharlotte.com

Follow Follow Follow Jason Clark is a relational theologian — a storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God. He has authored several books, including, Leaving and Finding Jesus, & Prone to Love. He is the lead communicator at A Family Story and co-host of Rethinking God with Tacos PODCAST. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their four children, Madeleine and Joseph, Ethan, and Eva.

Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow JOIN OUR MAILING LIST GIVE TO A FAMILY STORY BUY NOW!

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE… ALLEN ARNOLD / THE EDEN OPTION

by A Family Story | March 30, 2023 | Faith, Intimacy, Leadership, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“The world is accelerating in the wrong direction. It feels like all we’re doing is trying to fix what’s broken. And it isn’t working. We’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and losing heart. Where is God in all this? Well, he’s living a different story. A story he’s inviting us into.” That’s the back cover introduction to Allen’s new book, The Eden Option. In this conversation, the guys dive in and explore a homeward journey, not to the Eden of the past, but a new Eden discovered in Christ. Union, rest, community, creativity, miracles, and hope, in this podcast Allen shares his journey into trust and maturing faith.

Read More SETH DAHL / SPIRIT LED FAMILIES

by A Family Story | April 22, 2023 | Faith, Intimacy, Marriage, Miracles, Parenting, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“I tell parents ‘You become the theology your kids believe” Engaging our kid’s imaginations, learning to recognize God’s voice, and encountering His love, life, joy, and friendship; in this conversation, Seth Dahl shares stories of transformation and gives insight into Spirit-led parenting. The guys talk about a good God and the journey into trust, intimacy, and union in the context of parenting.

Read More RUSTY & ERIN PLEUNE / CREATING A CULTURE OF CONNECTION IN MARRIAGE

by A Family Story | May 10, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Intimacy, Leadership, Life, Marriage, Miracles, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

Hope, healing, intimacy, unconditional love, and acceptance; in this conversation, Rusty and Erin Pleune talk about the intentional steps they took to create a culture of connection in their marriage and how they now help couples do the same. They also dove into their journey of discovering community and deeper faith as they lean into the goodness of God.

Read More ADDISON BEVERE / SAINTS, BECOMING MORE THAN CHRISTIANS

by A Family Story | April 14, 2021 | Faith, Interview, Leadership, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

Identity, union, searching scripture through the lens of Jesus, and holiness discovered through community, Addison brilliantly describes that we are beloved saints.

Read More BRUXY CAVEY / LOVING GOD BY LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR

by A Family Story | May 7, 2021 | Interview, Intimacy, Life, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Two, The Fathers Love | 2 Comments

Bruxy Cavey, author, and pastor of The Meeting House, dives into relational faith, loving God through loving our neighbor, repenting with a hopeful future focus, how doubt is connected to our faith, how we are not people of the book (bible) we are people of the person (Jesus), and three perspectives on hell concluding with the fact that the New Testament church never leveraged hell to get people to make a decision to for Jesus.

Read More CATHERINE TOON / MARKED BY LOVE

by A Family Story | August 2, 2023 | Crisis of Identity, Faith, Intimacy, Relationship, Rethinking God Podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos / Season Four, The Fathers Love | 0 Comments

“Love is not only a powerful emotion, but a person.” Experiential knowing, discovering our identity, helping people encounter love, connection, union, intimacy with God, the value of our humanity, the mystery of maleness and femaleness represented in the Godhead; in this conversation, Catherine and the guys explore the perfection of God’s love both male and female and invite the listener to know Gods personal love for themselves.

The post RYAN PENA / GOD IS GOOD; JESUS IS THE MODEL appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 29, 2023 16:17

A Family Story 2023 / To The Jacks Of All Trades

A Family Story 2023 To The Jacks Of All Trades

Dear Friends,

For the last twenty years or so, when people asked me what I do, I would often respond with, “I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none.”

It started as a self-deprecating way to shift the conversation away from the lack of any Western-approved proof of success, as I had very little.

Karen and I have chosen the long game—connection and family—and so I can say with great joy, we are rich in love. But that’s not what folks are typically asking about, and it rarely pays the mortgage.

“I am a jack of all trades—singer/songwriter, contractor, filmmaker, pastor, writer, waiter—master of none—house painter, worship leader, salesman, speaker, chimney sweep, podcaster” I’d say, picking whatever it was that currently paid the bills…”

Nearly ten years ago, on another resounding “Yes” from our Father, Karen and I once again jumped. But at that point, faith wasn’t a blind leap, it was a well-packed parachute.

Faith—raised as a pioneer, I once leveraged the word for bold, sexy, independent leaps. Today, faith is a wound that takes decades to heal, an old man’s scar.

We launched A Family Story almost ten years ago. A non-profit for the Western mind to wrap her arms around. But, as a jack of all trades, I could never master itinerate.

“Follow me I’d say,” as I reveled in some profoundly beautiful thought, only to lose most while pioneering the switchback. But not all. Some have said, “We’re with you, heart and soul” And, oh, how we’ve felt it. We are eternally grateful. We are rich in love…

Karen grew to dislike when I’d answer, “and master of none.” She knew it was more than a self-deprecating attempt at changing the subject. I could paper my office with rejection letters. I’m not allowed to use the word “cusp” in my house as we’ve lived on the edge of it since our first date.

Today, faith is the sneaking suspicion that life has always been the long game of love…

A couple of years ago, while procrastinating on my back deck where I occasionally write my thoughts down, I came across a meme and read the full phrase for the first time.

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

What? I thought as the whole story illuminated my soul. Deep within me, I sensed my heavenly Father’s laughter—as though He plays the long game. We are rich in love.

I ran inside to find my wife and read the whole story. She grinned like she does when she’s right. It’s stunning…

A Family Story This Year

In 2023 we continued to grow in friendship with Derek and Sarah Turner and have been blown away by the beautiful community that is growing around our podcast, Rethinking God with Tacos. By year’s end, we will have released nearly 50 podcasts with some of the most incredible people on the planet.

Karen is still connected with DreamCenter but has recently become one of the children’s pastors at River Church where Derek and Sarah lead. We love our new church family.

In the last year, I have released Leaving and Finding Jesus and also a refreshed edition of God Is (Not) In Control; The Whole Story Is Better Than You Think. I also wrote a chapter with new friends for, Free To Give—a book on giving in the revelation of grace.

My brother, Joel, and I have been writing a book series for tweens titled, I Changed The World. David and Miriam were released earlier this year. We hope to release a third, Adam, by year’s end.

Speaking of Joel, we, along with friend, Tricia Halsey, started a film company a couple of years ago. This company’s vision aligns with our non-profit—we create content that empowers connection within the family. We just signed a production deal with Angel Studios for a television series titled, A Family Story.

As we look back on this year and turn our focus to tomorrow, I am encouraged and thankful.

Today, faith is a quiet confidence that love is the long game.

To The Jacks Of All Trades

Once upon a time, I would have told you we were on the cusp of an awakening—but I don’t use that word anymore. I believe we are in the midst of a LOVE AWAKENING. We are growing sure in the long game, we are discovering Jesus’ prayer that we would be one, that we would know union, wholeness, Sozo, a reconciling love. We are not on the cusp but amid a 2000-year-old restoration project!

In 2024 I am praying for the Jacks Of All Trades—thankful for the pursuit of mastery, and grateful no one arrives. I am praying for Ofttimes Better —for the breakdowns and breakthroughs.

We are invited to join in The Whole Story, the restoration of all things. I am praying grace and wonder over you wherever you are on your faith journey.

And we want to thank you for your trust.

We want to thank you for believing with us—whether it’s prayers, encouragement, friendship, or finances, we are grateful for your generosity!

How Can You Partner With A Family Story?

If you have been impacted through the ministry of A FAMILY STORY, I ask you to consider partnering with us financially.

GIVE

Website and online magazine/podcast expenses.Content development (for podcasts, books, films, teaching material)Coaching/encouraging. Jason is daily connecting with folks over the phone or online to encourage and share the restoring, transforming long game of love.Writing, editing, and travel.

PRAY

Pray for wisdom, favor, and grace in how to continue to pioneer. Pray and in the area of film and writing opportunities, we are still pushing into this area of influence.Pray for continued grace over writing opportunities.

Thank you so much for supporting us over the years. It means a great deal to our family. We love you all!
Jason and Karen Clark

A Family Story is a 501c3
All gifts are Tax Deductible.

Give To A Family Story Join Our Mailing List For Those Who Like Stats:

Website Stats for 2023
By the end of the year, we will have over 25,000 visitors and over 50,000 views (articles, podcasts pages, videos)

Podcast Numbers for 2023
We will have over 160,000 downloads/YouTube views by year’s end.
Last year, we had almost 70,000.
The total downloads/views since we launched in 2020 is over 350,000.

Social Media
Rethinking God with Tacos Facebook Group
Launched in Sept it’s grown to over 900 members

Rethinking God with Tacos Instagram
Launched in Nov it’s grown to over 200 followers

Reviews For 2023

Our Most-Read Articles For 2023 Thru Today

The Most Accepted Heresy On The Planet

Why Evangelize?

Outwitted

Karen Wouldn’t Say, Obey

Hell and the Older Brother

Give To A Family Story Join Our Mailing List

Jason & Karen Clark lead A Family Story ministries. Their mission is to encourage sons and daughters to grow sure in the love of an always-good heavenly Father. They live in North Carolina with their three children. Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow

The post A Family Story 2023 / To The Jacks Of All Trades appeared first on A Family Story.

View more on Jason Clark's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 28, 2023 11:18