Daniel Darling's Blog, page 10

The Way Home: Scotty Smith and Russ Masterson on pastoring in this season

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Scotty Smith, pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and Russ Masterson, pastor of Christ the Redeemer Church of Marietta, Georgia. We talk about the pressures and burdens on pastors in this season. We also discuss how pastors can find hope and comfort and strength in the Lord and their new book “Searching for Grace: A Weary Leader, a Wise Mentor, and Seven Healing Conversations for a Parched Soul.”

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

In the CSB Men of Character Bible, renowned Bible teacher Dr. Gene Getz guides men through Scripture by exploring the lives of men of character found throughout the Bible. During the month of May, get 40% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Use promo code WAYHOME21 to register today for NRB 2021.

Show Notes

Scotty Smith Biography: Scotty Smith is the founding pastor and pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, which he pastored for 26 years. He presently serves as teacher in residence of West End Community Church. He also serves as adjunct faculty for Covenant Seminary, Westminster Theological Society (Philadelphia), Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando), and Western Seminary (Portland). Scotty has authored ten books, including Unveiled Hope (with Michael Card) and Everyday Prayers. Scotty’s blog, Heavenward, can be found on The Gospel Coalition website. Among his hobbies, Scotty enjoys photography, fishing, cooking, and exercise. Scotty and his wife of 48 years, Darlene, live in Franklin, Tennessee.

Website: www.thegospelcoalition.org
Book: Searching for Grace: A Weary Leader, a Wise Mentor, and Seven Healing Conversations for a Parched Soul
Facebook: @ByGraceAlone777
Twitter: @ScottyWardSmith

Russ Masterson Biography: Russ Masterson is the founding and senior pastor of Christ the Redeemer Church of Marietta. Russ served as a student pastor and a college and singles pastor before founding Redeemer Marietta. By God’s goodness, the church has grown from three families to more than 350 people in seven years. Russ holds degrees from the University of Georgia and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of three books: a memoir, 40 Days without Food; a novel, Adao’s Dance; and his newest release, coauthored with Pastor Scotty Smith, Searching for Grace. The past ten years of Russ’s life have been filled with weekly study and teaching of God’s one-way love for us in Jesus—grace without any conditions, which frees, heals, and empowers growth in grace. Russ lives in Marietta, Georgia, with his wife, three daughters, and a joyful labradoodle named Brother.

Website: www.russmasterson.cc
Book: Searching for Grace: A Weary Leader, a Wise Mentor, and Seven Healing Conversations for a Parched Soul
Facebook: @RussTMasterson
Twitter: @RussMasterson
Instagram: @russ_masterson

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

The Way Home: Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra on being Gospel Bound

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Collin Hansen, Executive Editor at The Gospel Coalition, and his colleague Sara Eekhoff Zylstra, a journalist who now writes for The Gospel Coalition. I wanted to have them on to talk about their brand new book “Gospel Bound.” We talk about the Christian’s tendency to be cynical in this age, reading the news in a digital age, and more.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

In the CSB Men of Character Bible, renowned Bible teacher Dr. Gene Getz guides men through Scripture by exploring the lives of men of character found throughout the Bible. During the month of May, get 40% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Use promo code WAYHOME21 to register today for NRB 2021.

Show Notes

Collin Hansen Biography: Collin Hansen serves as vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition. He has written and contributed to many books, most recently Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age, and hosts the Gospelbound podcast. He earned an MDiv at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an undergraduate degree in journalism and history from Northwestern University. He edited Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor and The New City Catechism Devotional, among other books. He and his wife belong to Redeemer Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and he serves on the advisory board of Beeson Divinity School.

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra Biography: Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra is senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the coauthor of Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age. Before that, she wrote for Christianity Today, homeschooled her children, freelanced for a local daily paper, and taught at Trinity Christian College. She earned a BA in English and communication from Dordt University and an MSJ from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives with her husband and two sons in the suburbs of Chicago, where they are active members of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church.

Website: www.thegospelcoalition.org
Book: Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age
Facebook: @hansen.collin
Twitter: @collinhansen; @sarahezylstra

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

The Way Home: Rebecca McLaughlin on Teens and Apologetics

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Rebecca McLaughlin, author of several books including “10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity” and “The Secular Creed.” If you have a teen in your life, Rebecca has a lot of wisdom and advise for you as you engage in difficult conversations about Christianity with your teen.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

In the CSB Men of Character Bible, renowned Bible teacher Dr. Gene Getz guides men through Scripture by exploring the lives of men of character found throughout the Bible. During the month of May, get 40% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Use promo code WAYHOME21 to register today for NRB 2021.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Rebecca McLaughlin holds a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature from Cambridge University and a degree in theological and pastoral studies from Oak Hill Theological College in London. She is the author of “Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion” (Crossway, 2019)–named Book of the Year 2020 by Christianity Today–“10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity” (Crossway, 2021), “The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims (TGC, 2021), and “Is Christmas Unbelievable? 4 Questions Everyone Should Ask About the World’s Most Famous Story” (TGBC, 2021).

Website: www.rebeccamclaughlin.org
Instagram: @ rebecc_mclaugh
Twitter: @RebeccMcLaugh
Book:  10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

The Way Home: Brett McCracken on wisdom in a digital age

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Brett McCracken, senior editor and director of communications at The Gospel Coalition. He is really discerning when it comes to understanding culture—whether it’s art or movies or music. In this episode, we talk about his new book “The Wisdom Pyramid” and how we as Christians sort through the information we are inundated with today.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

In the CSB Men of Character Bible, renowned Bible teacher Dr. Gene Getz guides men through Scripture by exploring the lives of men of character found throughout the Bible. During the month of May, get 40% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Brett McCracken is the author of The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World (Crossway, 2021), Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community (Crossway, 2017), Hipster Christianity: When Church & Cool Collide (Baker, 2010), and Gray Matters: Navigating the Space Between Legalism & Liberty (Baker, 2013). He has written for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN.com, Christianity Today, and many other publications. A graduate of Wheaton College and UCLA (M.A. in Cinema & Media Studies), Brett lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Kira and two sons, Chet and Ira. He is an elder at Southlands Church Santa Ana.

Website: www.brettmccracken.com
Facebook:  @brett.mccracken
LinkedIn:  Brett McCracken
Instagram: @bwmccracken
Twitter: @brettmccracken
Book:  The Wisdom Pyramid

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by the CSB Men of Character Bible.

The Way Home: Vaneetha Risner on suffering

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Vaneetha Risner, author of “Walking Through Fire” and “The Scars that have Shaped Me.” She has an amazing story of how all of her suffering has helped her deal with the suffering that she has had to endure. If you’re suffering right now or walking with someone through suffering, this conversation will bring you encouragement and hope.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The CSB Commentary Series helps you understand each biblical book’s theology, it’s place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and it’s importance for the church today. During the month of April, get 30% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Listen to The Compelled Podcast at compelledpodcast.com.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Vaneetha Rendall Risner is passionate about helping others find hope and joy in the midst of suffering. Her story includes contracting polio as a child, losing an infant son unexpectedly, developing post-polio syndrome, and going through an unwanted divorce, all of which have forced her to deal with issues of loss. She and her husband Joel live in Raleigh, North Carolina and have four daughters between them. Vaneetha holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Stanford and is hoping to use them someday!

Website: www.vaneetha.com
Facebook: @vaneetharisner
Instagram: @vaneetharisner
Twitter: @vaneetharisner
Books: Walking through Fire and The Scars that have Shaped Me

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The Way Home: Melissa Fuller on women in ministry and studying the Bible

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Melissa Fuller, the content director for Love God Greatly, an international women’s ministry aimed at equipping women around the world with Bible study resources. She has and infectious love for God’s word and helping women fall in love with Scripture and with Jesus, and on this episode we talk about women in ministry, teaching women, theological education, and studying the Bible in the twenty-first century.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The CSB Commentary Series helps you understand each biblical book’s theology, it’s place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and it’s importance for the church today. During the month of April, get 30% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Listen to The Compelled Podcast at compelledpodcast.com.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Melissa Fuller loves God’s Word and is committed to helping women fall in love with Scripture (and it’s author!). She has a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and served as the general editor of the NET Love God Greatly Bible and the managing editor of the CSB She Reads Truth Bible and the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA, loves running and hiking and is currently pursuing her goal of visiting all the National Parks in the US!

Website:  lovegodgreatly.com
Facebook:  @LoveGodGreatly
Instagram:  @lovegodgreatlyofficial
Pinterest:  @LoveGodGreatly
YouTube:  LoveGodGreatly
Book:  Love God Greatly Study Bible

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The Way Home: Sissy Goff on teens and mental health

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Sissy Goff, a licensed Christian therapist who works specifically with young people and teens. She’s written several books to help parents and teens navigate mental health issues and other challenges. She connects the physical and the spiritual, understanding that we are complicated beings. On this episode, Sissy helps parents know how to navigate and help their kids navigate some of the challenges that many teens are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other events of the past year.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The CSB Commentary Series helps you understand each biblical book’s theology, it’s place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and it’s importance for the church today. During the month of April, get 30% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Listen to The Compelled Podcast at compelledpodcast.com.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Dr. Stephen J. Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College, chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, and a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow. He holds a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is host of the podcasts 5 Minutes in Church History and Open Book. He is author of more than twenty books, including Beyond the 95 Theses, a Time for Confidence, and R.C. Sproul: A Life and coeditor of Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life series.

Website: www.raisingboysandgirls.com
Facebook: @SissyGoffAuthor
Instagram:  @sissygoff
Book:  Brave: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The Way Home: Dr. Stephen Nichols on the life of R.C. Sproul

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Dr. Stephen Nichols, President of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, founded by Dr. R.C. Sproul. On this episode, Dr. Nichols talks about the life of R.C. Sproul, how he interacted with him, and why he wanted to write his most recent book “R.C. Sproul: A Life.” Dr. Nichols shares about what we can learn from Dr. Sproul’s faithful life walking with the Lord and teaching—and even shares some funny and interesting stories along the way.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The CSB Commentary Series helps you understand each biblical book’s theology, it’s place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and it’s importance for the church today. During the month of April, get 30% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Listen to The Compelled Podcast at compelledpodcast.com.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Dr. Stephen J. Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College, chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, and a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow. He holds a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is host of the podcasts 5 Minutes in Church History and Open Book. He is author of more than twenty books, including Beyond the 95 Theses, a Time for Confidence, and R.C. Sproul: A Life and coeditor of Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life series.

Website: Reformation Bible College
Facebook: @Ligonier
Twitter: @DrSteveNichols
Podcasts: 5 Minutes in Church History and Open Book
Book: R.C. Sproul: A Life

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

What We Learn from Peter’s Epic Fail

One of the most poignant scenes in the Easter narrative was written by someone who was not there, but who investigated the claims of the Christian movement and was able to paint for readers an agonizing scene of shame and betrayal.

Luke, a medical doctor by trade and commissioned to chronicle the Jesus movement, zooms in on the ashen visage of Simon Peter as he utters his final denial of Jesus. Alone among the gospel writers, Luke captures Jesus’ slightly turned face, his eyes catching one of his most loyal lieutenants in his worst moment.

Simon Peter seemed the least likely to feign ignorance of Jesus. After all, he was the leader who spoke up in defense of Jesus’ claims to be God. He was the one who stayed while many others left in response to Jesus’ difficult teachings. He leaped out of a boat in faith and walked on water with the Lord. Yet here, in a shadowy courtyard just steps from Jesus’ trial, he found himself disavowing the one he’d left everything to follow.

Peter’s epic fall gives us a window into what genuine courage — and the absence of it — looks like.

Read more here

Photo by creditscoregeek.com

The Way Home: Ben Mandrell on leading local churches and Easter

In this episode of the special Easter series in conjunction with my book “The Characters of Easter,” I am joined by my friend Ben Mandrell, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. On this episode, Ben talks about the challenges and opportunities with Christian publishing, his previous role as a pastor for many years, and what it’s like to preach on Easter. He also talks about how Lifeway has helped and resourced churches with digital products during the pandemic.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by CSB Commentary Series and The Compelled Podcast.

The CSB Commentary Series helps you understand each biblical book’s theology, it’s place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and it’s importance for the church today. During the month of April, get 30% off the CSB Commentary Series at Lifeway.com.

Listen to The Compelled Podcast at compelledpodcast.com.

Show Notes

Guest Biography: Ben Mandrell is the President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. He came to Lifeway from his role as lead pastor at Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colorado. A native of Tampico, Illinois, Ben is a 1998 graduate of Anderson (Ind.) University. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Mandrell and his wife, Lynley, have been married 18 years, and they have four children.

Website:  Lifeway.com
Twitter: @BenMandrell
Instagram: @benmandrell
Facebook:  Ben Mandrell

This episode is part of an Easter series of podcasts, to celebrate the release of my book, The Characters of Easter.