A New House, A Kid's Invitation to Church, and Redeeming Love | The Testimony of Francine Rivers

Episode 11 told of how God used deep questions, a booth at the fair, and Four Spiritual Laws to save Jeff Iorg's s life and soul. In this bonus episode Jeff talks about how planting a church in Oregon changed the trajectory of his life. He also talks about the reasons he's occasionally felt far from God. Most of this episode though is Jeff telling the story of the closest he's ever felt to God—a story centered on his second cancer surgery.

At the end of this episode you'll hear the story of Max Sternberg. Max comes from a Reformed Jewish background, but today is a "blood bought son of God and believer in Jesus!" The story of how that happened is awesome and you don't want to miss it.

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"Living Through Chaos" - a sermon by Jeff

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Jeff Iorg is the president of Gateway Seminary in Los Angeles.  For much of his tenure in this position he was the chaplain for the San Francisco Giants. Before this he was the executive director of the Northwest Baptist Convention. He is also the founding of Pathway Church in Gresham, Oregon. He is also the author of 10 books on church and Christian leadership.

Jeff's life has been devoted to Christian ministry and leadership, but if you were to look at his early childhood you would not have expected it. His first memory is of fleeing Georgia with his mom to get away from his dad. For protection he lived under a false name, something that created an identity crisis for him.  His family never attended church. Then one summer day, everything changed. This is the story of how God used Jeff's deep questions, a booth at the fair, and Four Spiritual Laws to save Jeff's life and soul.

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"Living Through Chaos"

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Episode 10 told the story of how God used a casual lunch and two simple questions from a friend to change Frank Rich's life. In this bonus episode Frank talks about the ways that his changed life has lead to positive improvements in his relationships and how his faith helped him break a 20 year pornography addiction. He also gives language to a common theme in this podcast—"rock tops moments."

At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of Mark Sowersby. Mark found about this podcast and sent us a video to play. His story is one of being abandoned and abused as a child, but it is also a story of incredible healing and forgiveness through Jesus.  "That decision of receiving that mercy of God...has been the benchmark of my life forever."

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Frank Rich was an award winning bodybuilder. He is a successful entrepreneur and the creator of The Super Human Life podcast. To say it in a word, Frank is a builder. 

These days Frank runs a company called Rebuilt Recovery. This company helps men break free from pornography addictions. For most of his life though, Frank focused on building Frank. He constructed a life with a chiseled body, money, women and admiration. It seemed like he had it all, but it all left him lonely, drinking too much, and addicted to pornography.

What changed Frank? What moved him to focus on building others instead of self? He gave his life to Jesus, and in turn, Jesus gave him forgiveness, hope, purpose, freedom, peace and joy. This is the story of how God used a casual lunch and two simple questions from a friend to change Frank's life.

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Episode 9 told the story of how God used a move into a new house, an invitation to church by an eight year old boy, and good preaching to compel Francine Rivers to recognize Jesus as Lord and experience his redeeming love. In this bonus episode Francine talks about beginning her writing career while raising young kids, making the movie based on her book (Redeeming Love), the importance of history, her favorite Christian novel and writers, and what advice she'd give women who have had an abortion or are considering one.

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Francine Rivers is one of her generations most influential Christian authors. Her writing has impacted millions of Christians. Her most famous book, Redeeming Love, has sold over 3,000,000 copies and has been translated into 30 languages; it is considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction.

Before she was a famous Christian author Francine wrote "steamy romance" novels that helped her escape the struggles of life—struggles that included anguish over having had an abortion and a marriage that was on the verge of divorce. This is the story of how God used a move into a new house, an invitation to church by an eight year old boy, and good preaching to compel Francine to recognize Jesus as Lord and experience his redeeming love.

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Episode 8 told the story of how God used a minefield, two prayers made thousands of miles apart, and sermon to convince Jerry Dugan to follow Jesus and how that decision made him the man he wanted someone else to be. In this bonus episode Jerry shares what he'd say to a family in Iraq that he threatened and humiliated when he was a soldier in the Iraq War. He also answer the question of when he felt closest to God by telling a crazy story and talks about why he's a Christian.

At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of Daisy. It is a story of God proving himself faithful and gracious in the midst of childhood trauma. "I believe I went through the things in my life to make me strong enough to face the things ahead of me."

Beyond the Rut Podcast

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To those that know him, it seems like Jerry Dugan has been a Christian forever. Today he's a godly dad and husband, serves his church in a variety of ways, aims to glorify God in the way he does his day job, and produces a successful Christian podcast. His podcast is called Beyond the Rut and it shares "encouraging stories and practical tools to pull you out of your rut and into a life worth living."

Back in 2003 though, Jerry was in a rut. This was true figuratively, and in some ways, literally (if you count a bulldozed lanes in an Iraqi minefield). He was a cocky agnostic soldier that wanted to be more successful than other people in his cousins. What changed that was a relationship with Jesus. This is the story of how God used a minefield, two prayers made thousands of miles apart, and sermon to convince Jerry to follow Jesus and how that decision made him the man he wanted someone else to be.

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Episode 6 told the story of how God used a broken truck window, a sharp turn in the road near a cliff, and a tract to help Dave Ebert find his value and how that discovery changed the why behind the things he does. In this bonus episode Dave talks about his theology of comedy, the power of comedy to unite, and what improv can teach us about leadership. Dave also shares his three favorite Christian comedians.

At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of Tracy Crump. In it she talks about the dangers of feeling good enough for eternity and how realizing that everyone needing a savior meant she needed a savior. "The Bible says 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,' and oh, yeah, 'all' means me."

Gifts for Glory Podcast

Well Versed Comedy

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Dave Ebert has spent his life entertaining others. He is a former professional wrestler and radio host. He currently produces two podcasts and is part of an improv team called Well Versed Comedy that does shows all around Chicago.

The reason Dave entertains is vastly different today than it used to be. In the past he entertained to hide himself, mitigate depression, and feel his own value. Today he entertains for the glory of God and the good of others. What changed? He decided to truly follow Jesus. This is the story of how God used a broken truck window, a sharp turn in the road near a cliff, and a tract to help Dave find his value and how that discovery changed the why behind the things he does.

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