We are told that our purpose is to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus on earth. Today, I am chatting with a guy who has taken that calling to heart…even though he has neither hands nor feet. No, you did not read that wrong! Nick Vujicic was born disabled, but rather than letting that define or ruin his life, he praises God every day for the incredible speaking platform he has been given as a result. Nick wants nothing more than to use his story and the truth of Scripture to plant seeds of faith in the ears of whoever will hear. You cannot help but be inspired to act by a guy like Nick, and I think he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nick is a bestselling author and motivational speaker who has shared his story and the gospel with 8 million people in 68 countries. Hundreds of thousands of people across the globe have come to saving faith through his testimony, and God continues to open doors for Nick in hard to reach communities. It is so evident that God has done amazing things through Nick, and he remains faithful that God will continue to move, despite any physical or even mental limitations.
You are not going to want to miss out on Nick’s story! He is living out what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and he will tell you just how easy it is to become a part of that mission too.
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Text “LWL” 66866
A daily movement practice is absolutely essential for our health and wellness, but one threat to our functional movement is injury. If you’ve been an athlete for any length of time, or if you are starting out by yourself, you might be familiar with the aches and pains that come when we push our physical limits. What if I told you that it didn’t have to be this way? You can absolutely accomplish any fitness goal you want, injury free. I have an expert on the subject with me today, and he is going to show you not only how it is possible, but why we need to focus on moving well.
My guest, Dr. Freeborn Mondello, is no stranger to pushing physical limits. He is a former mountain biker and wrestler, and now he is running Ironman and Ultra Marathons. Freeborn is motivated by his fitness competitions, but his focus is always on treating his body right. This is because Freeborn is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and he believes in a painkiller-free approach to strengthening our muscles. Freeborn teaches his clients techniques and exercises that will build strength and alleviate pain naturally. His cutting-edge needling techniques are often used by professional athletes, and it is changing the way anyone can use their muscles. Today, Freeborn is going to describe his fitness philosophy and give us all some places to begin as we think about preventing injury and growing strong.
Our society needs to move more, but it is more important that we move well. Luckily, Freeborn is here to get us going!
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Reach out on social media
@RunFreePT
Most of the time, we hear stories of success and rapid fame out of the music industry. It’s rare to hear the behind-the-scenes perspective of how that artist got there and the sacrifices they had to make for a worthy cause. Today, I am speaking with a young up-and-coming artist that you need to know about. Joel Vaughn is on the rise, but his path to the music industry was anything but straightforward or easy. He’s going to give you the inside scoop on what it takes to sign to a label, produce a record, and then deal with the ebb and flow of fame and recognition.
Joel started out by leading worship in just about every church in the Texas panhandle. While he enjoyed it and was clearly good at leading worship, Joel couldn’t deny the doors that were opening up in the music industry. Taking a leap of faith, Joel moved his family to Nashville to record music. In 2016, everything was coming up roses. He had a hit song appear on Dude Perfect, and all signs pointed to another strong year after landing a record deal. However, just because you land a record deal doesn’t mean everything lands perfectly.
Listen this week as Joel shares the sacrifices, side jobs, and struggles that Joel faced as he made the transition to music. If you ever wanted to know how musicians make ends meet, Joel will clue you in. Above it all, Joel keeps his eyes on the mission—to make great music that will lead people to Jesus. Along the way, he will have to wrestle his pride, take a few hard knocks, and realize that everyone making Christian music is working together towards the same goal. It’s really an inspiring story from an artist you will want to support.
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Instagram and Twitter: @joelvaughnmusic
The level of influence you can achieve at the top of the government mountain can shape nations. God wants to bring his government to earth, and we know he is using gifted individuals to do that. Today, I am speaking with Dr. Reuben Egolf, Chairman of the United States Global Leadership Council. If anyone embodies what it means to be a Kingdom Statesman, it’s Reuben. He is incredibly skilled at establishing relationships with influential people and then maintaining peace during difficult negotiations. Reuben operates with such skill and expertise that I personally admire so much. In this episode, Reuben will share his considerable experience atop the government mountain
For the USGLC and Dr. Reuben Egolf, the solution to a nation’s problems is always more important than any profit they might make in the process. The work the USGLC is doing in developing nations is providing freedom and sustainable solutions that will carry a nation towards prosperity for generations. Reuben and his team work with high-level officials to institute lasting change. All of this is in an effort to be the hands and feet of the Kingdom on earth today. This episode will be of particular interest to anyone who feels called to the government mountain. Reuben has wisdom and experience to share that might just change your life!
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Last week we talked about how to “go” to your city. We’re city takers, remember, so how are we taking our city? By the art of giving. And what are we giving? We are giving love. In this continuing study on Luke 10, we are going to learn today how to give to our city.
Luke 10 is filled with practical acts that we can do for our cities, in love. It’s also a good time for me to remind you to go back and listen to an earlier episode of Are You Real Linked, where I had guests George and Sarah Williams of City Light Church in Toledo, OH on the show. They have completely given their lives for the sake of going to their city.
There are 6 categories of “Go”:
Reconciliation
Deliverance
Miracles
Faith
Your Calling or Destiny
Healing
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Jesus talked in parables. He gave us practical steps that are parallel to what he mentioned in the parable. Maybe he really wants us to put everything on the altar and be willing to sacrifice it for him.
This “go” mindset forms in the spiritual and then extends into the natural.
We have to have a kingdom mindset and be linked in the spirit and then we link with others to do good works so that others can be drawn to the spirit as well.
Your true calling is found where your passions and your gifts collide. It’s a great feeling to know what God has called you to, but what happens during the period of time where it’s not quite time to quit your day job? How can we reconcile this deep, spiritual knowledge with practical wisdom? Here to talk about calling, theology, passions, and ordinary acts of obedience are Chris Date. By day, Chris is a software designer. His true passion is writing about and teaching on theology, specifically the concept of Hell and conditional immortality. If that sounds a bit heavy, hang in there. Chris has a lot of important ideas to share you do not want to miss.
Chris Date is an Evangelical author whose work has been published in the New York Times and National Geographic, among many others. When he’s not designing software, Chris can be found studying for his Masters at seminary or spending time with his wife and four sons. Theology truly is his passion, and, Lord Willing, he is going to become a teacher and writer on the subject full-time. In the meantime, Chris is staying faithful to God by providing for his family with his software design job.
In today’s episode, we get a little deep into some of the tougher topics of apologetics and the afterlife. What is so great about Chris is that he explains everything in a manner that is simple to understand. Above all else, he is bound by the authority of Scripture as God’s Word, so you know what he is saying is sound. If you are interested in taking a deep dive into some powerful Scripture today, Chris is the man for you!
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Entrepreneurs have a lot on their shoulders. Between the demands on their business and their home life, it can seem like there is not enough time or energy to go around. That is a lie! You can have a balance between your business life and the rest of your life. I am going to give you 4 guiding principles that will help you get there. Business success is within your reach, and what you do outside of business is just as important as what you do within it.
In order to remain balanced, you have to stay grounded. Your life at home can be that grounding place for you. If you have a successful business but an unfulfilling home life, you might find success a little too bitter. Your family can support you and come alongside you in business. There is no need to sacrifice them. Your mastermind group can also help you stay grounded. With their unique insights and support, you cannot help but be successful. Above all else, you need to stay grounded in your own innate abilities. I will explain how you can use positive affirmations to keep your head where it needs to be.
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In order to be a statesman on the government mountain, you must represent God’s Kingdom on earth with your sheer force of character. Last week, I shared that there were 7 Attributes of a Kingdom Statesman, and upstanding character is the very first. Without an upstanding character, you can never hope to reach the heights of the Government Mountain. Luckily, anyone has the power to succeed in character development. God has given us guidelines in the Scriptures that will help us get there.
I have a guest with me today that has been my own advisor and spiritual leader as I have sought to develop my character. Dr. Tina Hay is quite literally the Soul Doctor. She is using her God-given gifts and talents to transform souls. Today, Dr. Tina will explain how our character develops from a strength in our souls, and what we need to nurture it. God has made us powerful—powerful enough for self-governance. Dr. Tina will demonstrate the kinds of thoughts and actions that can reinforce your character. We can take feedback and turn it into strength. We can change our mindset about our bad habits.
When we do develop and strengthen our character, we can then teach and strengthen those leaders already in power. Dr. Tina has a vision for each of the individuals she serves. She desires more than anything to bring wholeness back to those who are in leadership. After all, in order to establish the Kingdom above you, you have to establish the Kingdom within you and around you first.
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Links:
Soul Detox
We are called to go into a city to transform it by the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s a high calling, but how are we expected to go? Are we to charge with the force of an army, go when we feel like it, or go alone? We’ve been walking through Luke 10 to understand what it means to be a modern-day apostle, and we return to Luke 10:3 today to better understand what Jesus meant when he commanded us to go.
Here at Are You Real: Linked, we believe that this year the harvest is plentiful! It is time to ask yourself a few challenging questions. What is God asking you to do? Where is he asking you to go? Whatever the answer, know that God has placed a wall of protection around you! As long as you go in his will, he will not lead you astray.
More in this episode:
• Make sure to go back and listen to last week’s episode!
• Let’s focus on the word, “Go.”
• A quick grammar lesson about active and passive verbs.
• Get into the context for the Greek word hypago.
• A look at the Old Testament gives us a better understanding of Jesus’ command.
• What happens when we look back rather than running forward.
• God protects us from fear.
• When we Go, God keeps us safe.
• We are sheep being led by our loving shepherd.
Valentine’s Day is here, and with this day comes a mix of expectations, emotions, and a good deal of pressure. Husbands and wives tend to put a lot of weight on one day to reaffirm their marriage, but in the end the day-to-day intentional choices you make with your spouse will be the thing that turns your marriage from ordinary to extraordinary. I’m here with my wife, Kasey, and together in the spirit of the holiday, we are interviewing another husband and wife duo, Tony and Alisa Dilorenzo. Tony and Alisa are what you might call “Valentine’s Day Specialists.” Together, they are creating invaluable resources for husbands and wives who are looking to build up their marriage.
One Extraordinary Marriage is a podcast that Kasey and I already love and appreciate as we invest in our marriage. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we wanted to know how Tony and Alisa celebrate the holiday, as well as hear some of their tips for making the other 364 days of the year just as loving at February 14th. I know you will love hearing the story of how the Dilorenzos got together! Even though the pair is in the “marriage” business,” they will share with you the areas they still work intentionally to build up their relationship. We will talk about how to have the best sex of your marriage, work through emotional intimacy, and have a little fun with your relationship!
Yes, marriage is hard work. Sometimes it’s awkward. Tony and Alisa know that your hard work will pay off in a rewarding, beautiful, Godly marriage. Learn from one another and listen to what your spouse needs. That might be the greatest Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever given.
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When it comes to fitness, age is just a number. That is the mentality that Katecha Cook brings to every workout, training program or fitness class. Katecha is 44 and is still running marathons, competing in bodybuilding challenges, and keeping up with the young CrossFitters just fine. Beyond the gym, Katecha is a business instructor, a Master of Business Administration, and is working towards a Doctorate degree. Nothing is stopping Katecha.
It’s that time of year when we tend to give up on our fitness goals. Katecha is here to remind our Are You Real: Fit community that your fitness goals are a mindset. She will share all the ways she has made her health her priority, even in the midst of difficult seasons. She will be your goal-setting coach as we try to tackle some of the biggest problems people have with a consistent gym routine. After all, consistency is key!
You are never too old to accomplish a fitness goal. Whether it’s the race you haven’t finished yet or the weekly walk across the block you’ve been meaning to get to, you can begin today. The only thing stopping you from wellness is you!
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Resources:
Katecha Cook on Facebook
Train 4 Life Fitness on Facebook
Instagram @MamaBeast1206 @806SwoleSisters
When it comes to making music, there is so much happening behind the scenes that the general population has no idea about. Behind Christian music production are faithful, talented people producing, writing, and mentoring the artists we see on the stage. It is my goal to bring to you every perspective on creativity, from the people in the front to those behind the booth. Chris Clayton is an acclaimed songwriter, artists, and producer based out of Nashville. His perspective on the music industry, mentoring artists, and the music community at large simply cannot be missed.
Chris has always bloomed wherever the Lord has planted him. Growing up in the church as a PK (Pastor’s Kid,) Chris was exposed to the powerful force that is an interpersonal ministry. He still enjoys putting on his pastor hat every now and then, but God has gifted him with a passion for music, and he intends to use it. Chris has done just about every job in the industry. He has recorded incredible music, written beautiful worship songs, and now his interest lies in developing new artists from the production booth. Today, he is going to give us a unique perspective on the production versus the recording industry.
What makes Chris’ story and perspective so unique is that he never quite set out to launch into the music industry. Instead, he followed where God opened doors. People called on him to lead worship. Artists asked for him to write songs. Ultimately, everything Chris does is to support and nurture the music community to spread its nets wide. He encourages anyone with an interest or a passion to jump in and help wherever they can! Together, artists are stronger, and God’s message can be spread far and wide.
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Links:
Instagram and Twitter @sixarrowsmusic
Church House on iTunes, Spotify
Connect with me @DietzOfficial
What does it mean to stand at the top of the government mountain? Am I talking about a literal mountain or something else entirely? The people have spoken; I have listened, and now we are going to get a 10,000-foot view of the 7 Mountains. Each represents an area of our society and culture where leaders rise and influence the world we live in. I’m talking about our Religion, Arts and Entertainment, Business, Media, Education, Family, and, of course, Government. For good or for bad, the leaders at the top of these mountains have such an influence over our daily lives.
I believe that we can bring the Kingdom of God to fruition on this earth by spreading God’s truth into these spheres of influence. Yes, we can change the entire world by transforming the 7 Mountains. More than any of the other areas of influence, the Government Mountain carries a high level of attention and power that cannot be denied. When we are smart with how we leverage our influence with God, we can win favor with those already at the top of the Government Mountain.
God is bringing his Kingdom here on earth. I want you to understand how to use your talents and gifts atop the Mountain to make that happen. God is moving! Be a part of the movement.
The seven mount strategy.
Resources:
Website: Lance Wallnau
Sometimes, the next step we need to take to achieve our dreams becomes clear, but it’s not so much as a step as it is a leap. Taking those big leaps of faith takes a lot of confidence, but what happens when you start losing confidence in yourself and what God has in store for your life? Small steps after a huge leap can go a long way towards building confidence, and that is why I have my cousin Natalie Schlabs on the show today.
I’ve known Natalie for almost her entire life, and it’s been an incredible one so far. She’s a singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, TN with talents and gifts in so many different avenues of creativity. Natalie is an incredible cook, a loving friend and wife, and an incredible musician. Despite all of these gifts, Natalie, like many of us, struggled to build up her confidence when she took a leap of faith and first moved to Nashville. Though she was confident it was the right move to make, Natalie was met with many challenges once she arrived.
The Nashville music scene is filled to bursting with incredible musicians. Natalie shares why it is so easy to play the comparison game, and how that rattled her confidence in writing music. Her story is filled with small, easy steps that you can take to start living our your calling. To all the young people out there feeling afraid to take a leap of faith, I think Natalie’s story is going to resonate with you. We have much to learn from her faithfulness in spite of fear!
Along with Natalie’s interview, you will learn how to get involved with Are You Real’s first Online E-course! It’s in beta mode right now, though we have some cool ways that the first 15-20 people can gain access to as we test it out. If you are looking to find your purpose and get launched onto a new path, you need to hear how to get in on this offer!
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Links:
Natalie Online
@NatalieSchlabs
God has called us to conduct our business with excellence. Does that mean he demands perfection? Absolutely not! Today, I want to show you how easy it is to shift your mindset and apply easy principles towards excellence. I know how difficult it can be to do everything with excellence when you are just starting out. You are understaffed or underfunded. You have tons of ideas and inspiration but haven’t acted on them yet.
If this sounds like you, then you are in the perfect place to use my 7 Secrets to Business Success. Yes, these are the same secrets outlined in my book, but I believe in them so much that I wanted to share them with you today. If you are looking for practical wisdom that will transform your business, look no further than today’s episode.
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Jacob Breeden is an innovative and creative artist, “a maker of things and a storyteller.” He’s a working builder, sculptor, painter, and entrepreneur. He has over 15 years’ experience in the world of art and holds a BFA in Sculpture from the University of North Texas. Jacob spent his early career as the Education Director of the Amarillo Museum of Art and as the Exhibitions Builder at the Discovery Center.
Jacob is currently the CEO of Process Art House and a founder and operations manager of Modern Creator. He’s a founding member and artist’s liaison of The Collective Heritage Lab and a founder and acting COO of Applied Comprehensive Therapies, LLC. He has won numerous awards and sold works of art to collectors all over the world. He has been commissioned to do work for hospitals, banks, and children’s centers, and he’s developed and installed large-scale projects in Nevada, Texas, and the UK. Jacob is more than an artist; he’s a modern creator.
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Government is everywhere! Whether we are thinking about how nations are ruled or the Kingdom itself, ruling and creating order is a part of God’s design for the earth. We want to release God’s governance on earth, and to do that we must be ready to act and to lead. Get ready to get real about government with me today. I am Dub Alexander, and this is the show where I use my experience and gifts in advising some of the most powerful people in the world to show you how you can begin to bring God’s Kingdom here.
In the inaugural episode, I want you to understand why it is important to think about and discuss the concept of government. After that, I will explain the 7 Characteristics of a Statesman. Once you understand how we are called to interact with governing bodies, we can begin the hard, but worthy work of bringing God’s Kingdom on earth. I have an info-packed episode for you today, and within you will hear truth to empower and inspire you to act right away.
I’m so glad you are taking this journey with me. I am ready to see the Kingdom of God established in our midst. Are you?
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Church, we are called to take the cities. If you are a little confused about what that looks like in modern times, never fear. Together, we are going to take apart scripture from Luke 10 to see what Jesus meant about how we are to love our neighbors and serve the Kingdom together. In the paradoxical way that God sometimes takes, we know that to take the city, you have to give to your city. That is why I am excited to have Sarah and George Williams from Toledo as our first interview today.
George and Sarah launched the City Light Church in Toledo because they knew God was calling them to love their neighbors. The couple are taking the city through the art of giving. What started as fresh bread and front porch meals in their low income neighborhood has become a congregation experiencing the Holy Spirit in miraculous ways. It all started because of a simple act of obedience and a heart to love the lost.
Today, you will learn from George and Sarah’s example about what it means to generously serve an entire city. If that feels like too big of a challenge, remember who gives you the strength to carry out such a weighty command! When we pray and ask for God’s heart for his people, our churches cannot be stopped.
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