FriDudes - Getting Real. Pursuing Truth.

• Yes!  You are in!  Noe works his way to the play of the day and he talks about the dangers of the prosperity gospel.  Why do you get sick?  Tough times?  Here you go...
• Thank you Pastor Noe Garcia, you can find more of that play of the day at the NPHX podcast, entitled "Faith in the Storm" published on the 2nd of March 2024
• For the avid listeners, you know this.  Yet even the most avid listener needs reminders.  It is why we best keep going to the Word and memorize certain verses for certain situations.  Don't need to know all of it.  Best equip yourself with key pieces of armor along with the sword aka The Word.  Eph 6: 10-18
• Jesus makes it clear, you follow Him, you will have tough times.  You will have storms.  Matt 7:  24-27
• Not a follower of Jesus and still having tough times?  Rom 3:23
• We live on a broken planet.  This life is a test.  You will get experiences of heaven and hell.  Then you will choose where you want to go for eternity.  I view it that simply.  Your choice.  God gives us a choice.  
• While we are on this broken planet, we also have a choice.  Some choose Hope, some don't.  Some choose not to be anxious about anything, Phil 4: 6-7.  Some of us have to work at it harder.  Some of us choose to be content in all circumstances.  Not happy, big difference.  Content that we know there is a purpose for our pain.  Content knowing there is an amazing promise in Rom 8:28.  
• Confession, I don't like pain.  Yet the strongest people that I know have gone through the most pain.  Put that in your comfort pipe and smoke it and ponder for awhile.  You want to be weak or strong?
• Confession, 20 years of business ups and downs.  Pain on striving to keep up with bills.  Owing, paying taxes.  You can get the rest of that dirt in the summer of 2020 in this podcast series. At times, I question whether I should put a pause on all this?  I turned down an offer to be an elder for my church because of this.  Why do I struggle with this when it comes so easy to you?  I'm not sure, why do you struggle with ______________?  Rom 3:23.  
• So if you are a newer listener, please know I'm not perfect.  Don't even pretend to be.  I need this.  If/when this stops you'll know why...it will most likely either be that or death.  
• For now, I keep going.  Keep praying.  I fall down yet keep getting up to run, to finish the race.  Acts 20:24, 2 Tim 4:7, Gal 6:9.  
• I'll humbly ask for prayers there.  How can we best pray for you?  Let us know at the 'Contact Us' page at FriDudes.com
• Now, go, love God with all your heart, soul and mind.  Next, love others.  Everything else you are trying to do correctly, hangs on those two.  Matt 22: 36-40

• Yes!  You are in!  Casey, CK is back!  The Jogging Jesus!  No, he's not Jesus, just looks like we may think Jesus looks like and loves Jesus more than most people that I know.  And this message is definitely Deeper into Truth.  Audio is a bit challenging in the beginning yet please stick with it.  An amazing ending of Hope...
• If you would like to see Casey for yourself...here is the actual video, yet you will feed Facebook to view...only option at this time...oh and a special thank you to Creative Love Church for giving our dear Brother Casey an opportunity to speak.  Quite amazing that a boy from Thief River Falls, MN, that could hardly read ends up becoming an engineer and now delivers this message without a PhD in Theology.  Anything is truly possible with God.
• https://www.facebook.com/creativelovechurch/videos/deeper-into-truth/695444576059077/

Yes!  You are in!  You busy?!  Odds are that you are.  Here you go, your play of the day...

Mic drop!  Thank you Dr. Lorrits!  Back in the Play of the Day.  After an amazing run of interviews, and more of those on the way, thank you for all your positive feedback.  More of those interviews and case studies are on the horizon.  You can hear more of that message on the Bryan Lorrits podcast.  That message is entitled, "The Discipleship Ride - 2 Timothy 2" published on the 19th of February 2024.

Several key things jumped out at me.  FriDudes is in the discipling business.  Yes, we are still in the Hope and Encouragement business.  Yes, we get real and pursue Truth.  We also have a crazy goal of 1 million disciples.  Sure, we have a ways to go yet we are multiplying.  Jesus started with a small group.  How about you?  

I'm with Dr. Lorrrits' father.  I've been part of mega churches for over 20 years.  My greatest growth has come from small groups.  I still attend larger churches.  I also will attend smaller churches.  I average once per week in a bigger church.  Yet, I average 3-4 times per week in small groups.  Dr. Lorrits says 8 peeps.  Awesome!  Yet I have also had some of my best experiences with groups of 2-3.  A cool promise with small groups of 2-3.  Matt 18:20.  Check it.  

A pastor that has spoken to an arena of 80,000+ plus and he says give me 8 hungry dudes at 5:30AM!  The FriDudes and other early morning Dudes will get that one.  Why so early?!  Because it is really hard for you to be so 'busy' that early.  The only excuse most of you can give is you want to sleep in more.  Trust me, we run groups at lunch time, later in the afternoon and evenings.  Early mornings are very hard for most to find an excuse for why not to go.

Relationships.  Very hard to build relationships in a large group with one speaker.  Very hard to really get to know someone.  8 people, easier.  2-3 much, much easier.  

Why do this at all?  Let me go back to some of my favorite rhetorical questions.  Do we need more love or hate in this world?  More hope or hopelessness?  The Bible, the Owner's Manual for Life is full of Hope and Love.  It says love is the greatest of all.  Can you imagine if everyone practiced that?  That is why we create disciples.  Well, that and it is exactly what Jesus told us to do.  If you truly love Jesus, you will want to be discipled and make disciples.  Check Matt 28: 19-20

Back to the song of the day, Lauren Daigle, this song raises my mood, I hope it does for you too, if you dig, add it, buy it, here is a little taste...

Yes, you are in!  You either have been lost or you know someone that is.  In a funk.  Spinning wheels and flat out stuck.  I've seen part of Gen Z paralyzed.  I've seen part of Gen Z absolutely thriving.  Why?  Brothers and sisters, meet Z, my brother from another mother.

Thank you Z!  Thank you Spirit Filled Church, Indio, CA, for being that good tree producing good fruit!  Thank you for hosting Overflowshowers.org.  Loving on many and sharing more Hope and Matt 25:40.  Special shout out to Pastor Jose, Linda, Mike C, Z, Remmy and you all.  Extra special thanks to Z bringing it and shining some Light, Matt 5:!6.

So back to you.  Will you share what works?  This episode with someone that needs some Hope.  And if you are on the receiving end of this, we all can get down.  Just read David in the Psalms, holy roller coaster.  You are not alone.  You are simply loved.  Big pharma just wants to give you a pill or someone wants to sell you something.  Temporary hits and temporary relief.  Hey, sometimes we need medicine.  Yet how many of us go to the ultimate source.  That's what Z did.  That's what Gerald did.  That's what Brother James did.  That's what Kenny did.  You see a theme here?  Real case studies. Real results.  Share what works.  Build up and encourage others, 1 Thes 5:11.  Oh and if you have the guts to share your testimony, let us know at FriDudes.com

Yes!  You are in!  I love stories of beating monsters.  As I've wrestled with a few.  Odds are so have you.  Brothers and sisters meet Kenny, my brother from another mother, fellow MonDude making his debut on FriDudes and talking about his path to stronger and sobriety, easy to debate God, very hard to argue with His results, here you go...

Thank you Kenny!  Epic.  So intriguing to me that one's biggest wrestling match can become a mighty platform of triumph and to help many with their wrestling matches.  Rom 8:28 right there.

If you have follow up questions for Kenny or perhaps have your own testimony to share, hit us up at the 'Contact Us' page at FriDudes.com.

Ending on an encouraging song note, this is one of Kenny's favorites.  His words, "Awesome man, I know it's predictable, but this version in particular has been my theme song for a long time, thru the trial and relapses and repentances.  My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God my savior has ransomed me.  And like a flood His mercy reigns.  Unending love, Amazing Grace.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah indeed.  Okay Kenny bro, here you go and I have a feeling someone else needed to hear this as well.  If you dig, this is Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace.  About 10 seconds to respect the rights and the artist.  If you like, please support the music industry and buy and/or subscribe to this song and add it to your daily inspirational playlist.  

• On this dark, frustrating, broken planet, I love bright Lights.  Listener, you are in for a treat!  Meet Gerald.  Was homeless, down and out and one of the most content people that I have ever met in my life!  Why do content?  Well, here you go...
• Thank you again Brother Gerald!  As we often say on this podcast, we are in the Hope and Encouragement business.  Getting Real.  Pursuing Truth.  Case in point, 1 Thes 5:11.  Avid listener, you know my favorite rhetorical questions.  Does this world need more Hope or hopelessness?  More Love or hate?  Jesus says Love is greatest of all.  Jesus speaks very highly of the poor and that for those that can to take care of them Matt 25:40.  So those that slam on Jesus, that is what you slam on.  And I know, some of you have been burned by hypocrites.  Many people that call themselves Christians aren't or they are not doing a very good job at the loving part...see Matt 22:36-40.  
• Cathy, Jade, Gerald, Jose, Linda, Matthew, Mike C, Z, Remmy, Gilbert, Gary, Jackie, Ryan, Kaite, Lori, Matthew, Patty and so many more that I could name.  The countless donors behind Overflowshowers.org, Spirit Filled Church Indio, Victory in Christ Church Indio, Templo Hermosa Coachella, Red Door La Quinta, Southwest Church Indian Wells, Martha's Kitchen Indio, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Our Lady of Gualdalupe Palm Springs, Ramona Tire Palm Desert, Dr. Vines, Nurse Peggy...and I'm just scratching the surface of Faithful servants and businesses striving to share Jesus and Hope and Love in the Coachella Valley of California.  
• As for you, if you complain about homelessness or California, speaking from personal experience that most likely means that is where God wants you to serve.  Too far?  Ok, how about then at least pick one of those organizations mentioned and donate.  Put your resources in motion that God has blessed you with to help address what concerns you the most.
• I love you.  God loves you way more. Just listen to Gerald.  He feels loved and shines Love...meanwhile others sit in their giant homes and contemplate their lives and wrestle depression.  Ironic indeed.  
• Ending on a song note, My Tribe by Blessing Offor, Gerald, Spirit Filled, Southwest and all those mentioned above our part of my tribe, your tribe too, if you so choose...give Blessing Offor some love, buy it, subscribe it, get KLove to play it!  

Yes!  You are in!  Hello new one!  And welcome back versed one.  If you would like to see less homeless, less drugs/addiction on the streets, then you need to meet and or support Pastor Joe and Spirit Filled, share what works, here you go...

Yes!  You are in!  Hello new one!  Welcome back faithful one.  If you ever scratch your head about California and if you are hoping for some encouraging news, well, you are in the correct place, here you go, your play of the day...

• Yes!  You are in!  Hello new one.  And hey old one, you are back.  As we get real and pursue Truth.  Let's face it.  Truth isn't always popular.  In fact, quite the contrary.  Your Play of the Day, here you go...

Everyone has holes in their theology.  I agree.  How dare you says you?  Here is your play of the day...let us know what you think at FriDudes.com, here you go...

Special thanks to Young Buck Matt and G-EZ

Rick Warren vs. Todd White.  Lorrits vs. Keller.  Chan vs. Michael.  Osteen vs. Ricky Jenkins.  My church vs. yours.  Versed ones.  We do this.  Which simply shows we do have holes in our theology.

• Yes!  You are in.  As I often say, this broken, flawed planet can chew you up and spit you out.  My wife went to the hospital right before Christmas.  Here is the recap...here you go...
• You are going into a storm, in a storm or coming out of the storm. 

• Yes!  You are in!  The doctor is back in the house.  Dr. Lorrits that is, here is your play of the day to put into "Perspective", here you go...
• Thank you Dr. Lorrits.  You can hear more on that one at the "Bryan Lorrits Podcast", that one is from "What Do I Do When It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas", published on the 18th of December 2023
• If you are an avid listener, then you know we are big on Perspective.  Huge!  If you are new and dig, simply drill down on the 250+ episodes.  We are constantly striving to see and hear things clearly.  For this broken planet will get you down, very fast.  Despite unfairness, how do we stay in the Hope and Encouragement business?  You must tune in.  
• If you wanted to master a game or a job, what would the wise do?  You would study and observe those that are successful.  The world will tell you that success is how many followers you have or dollars in the bank.  Doesn't mean jack if you are miserable.  We know plenty of famous and rich people that are divorced, miserable and/or overdosed/dead.  
• What about the person that is content?  Despite hardship?  What about the person that shines Light in darkness?  Who is grateful?  As some of you heard in the previous episode, Adam would pay you $10 million dollars for half of what some of you have.  He has the money too.  
• Confession, as some of you heard before, I would love to say I'm content all the time.  I'm not.  I catch myself in moments and I repent and turn it back to God.  Yet I have a signal.  It doesn't take me long to realize I need to change my mind/heart.  A key problem is many of you don't have that signal or signal strength.
• So let me share a vision that I had in church yesterday,  You let me know what you think at FriDudes.com?  Avid listeners know my video game analogy.  If you know how to play the game, if you have the Owner's Manual, read/study it, you'll do well.  Especially if you start getting involved with study groups dedicated to best practices.  

• Yes!  You are in!  This play of the day is unique.  We don't always go to the preachers.  Here is an intriguing conversation between an atheist and a believer, here you go...
• Very intriguing!  Thank you Adam Carolla, the controversial atheist...well perhaps agnostic that isn't afraid to have Christians, Jews, Muslims, others on his program.  You may not agree with him.  Yet you can't accuse him of censoring.  In fact, ironically, it has been the censoring and control of the left that has pushed him toward believing or at least envying believers and faith in a God.
• Next, kudos to Neil McDonough.  You may need to web search to recognize him.  When you see him, you'll probably say, oh yeah, that guy.  Now, I definitely want to check out this movie called The Shift...and I will.  Props to you Neil for speaking up.  Most of Hollywood wants to cancel you...yet that has Rom 8:28, created a new opportunity.  Studios like Angel and the Robertsons are pumping out great movies and content.  This year alone I saw Jesus Revolution and The Stand...amazingly well done and brought tears to my eyes.  
• If you would like to hear more of that Neil McDonough interview, check out the Adam Carolla podcast, "Rob Schneider, Intimacy Coordinators and Movie Accents" published on the 13 of December 2023.  And yes, Neil is on that one, roughly about the last hour of that podcast.
• So some of you are asking, why do you listen to an atheist/agnostic?  Let alone promoting?  Call me a hopeless romantic, I believe in people.  Yes, they are flawed.   Adam is flawed just like Pastor Rick Warren or the Pope or ____________.  We are all flawed Rom 3:23.  We all need Jesus, Rom 8:1.  Rom 10: 9-10.  That's a fact Jack!
• Okay versed ones, when you read the Bible.  Who is out of line?  Who rises up?  I tell you all the time.  Think of the least likely in your group.  That could be your Paul or Mary Magdalene.  I truly believe Adam could be a Paul (Saul to Paul).  It's interesting to see him shift to Agnostic.  What does Jesus say about a mustard seed fo faith?  Check Matt 17: 20-21
• As for that clip, that is Matt 5:16.  Neil is shining Light big time and Adam is letting him.  
• As for the environment, avid listener knows my comments.  God created this earth.  If you believe in God, we best take care of this earth.  No debate.  Yet keep God our God.  Jesus Christ as our saviour.  The Holy Spirit as our guide.  I hear and see what Adam is saying.  Many make movements their religion.  
• Ending on a prayer note...

Yes!  You are in!  You ever complain about the homeless?  I did...and then God introduced me to a man we call Laguna Dave.  Now, we are making a difference on something we used to complain about.  Complain or solve.  Let's solve.  The Jogging Jesus joins us to learn and best practices.  Here you go...

• How to be happy no matter what?  That's a deep take.  I still wrestle with that.  Even the most versed ones I know, haven't mastered it.  How about you?  If not, here you go...

• Yes!  You are in!  Did you know that gratitude leads to peace?  Feeling anxious, how much do you give thanks?  Simple solutions can lead to amazing results.  Here you go...  
• For those living in the United States, the holiday of Thanksgiving has a simple beauty to it.  Throw politics to the side.  They wrecked plenty of dinner conversations.  Booze and politics, Lord have mercy.
• Living on this broken, at times brutal, planet, odds are that you don't have peace beyond all understanding.  Yet, there is a promise.  You simply need to choose and practice it.  And you are promised peace beyond all understanding.  Sound too good to be true?  I get it.  I'm a natural skeptic.  Yet this natural skeptic is an example.  I can tell you that it truly works.  Yet it isn't one and done.  It is a lifestyle choice.
• First of all, think of your favorite people.  Are they grateful? Or selfish?  Do they tell you thanks?  Or do they complain?  Do they appreciate you or take you for granted?  Do they do/say kind things for you?  You are getting the point.
• Now you.  Let's focus on you.  If we polled those closest to you, what would they say about you?  Which side do you reflect?
• Truth, I can be both.  I was once voted the worst boyfriend in the world, not once but twice by two different women (one my eventual wife).  So I rallied some, how?
• Phil 4: 6-8, if you want to be great.  I believe this is one of the greatest verses for Giving Thanks!
• Whether you believe in God or not, check out this verse and promise...
• Philippians 4:6-8
  New International Version
  6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  
  8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
• Peace beyond all understanding?!  Could we use some more of that?  Of course.  Even an atheist would want that.  Who wants to be around some one bitter and edgy?  Yet here is the key.  Instead of going to __________ your coping mechanism.  I'm going to challenge you to pray.  You may be lifting this verse 100X.  There have been days that I have.  Memorize it.  Then you lift to God what plagues you.  Tell Him what you don't like.  And then, here is the key, look for the good.  Give thanks for what IS worthy.  Keep doing it.  Surround yourselves with like minds/hearts committed to doing the same.  You will experience peace beyond all understanding.  I'm living proof and I know many others that will tell you the same.  When in doubt, try it.  Faith does not exist without doubt. 
• So challenge for your and your loved ones when you gather in November or July.  Any time.  Practice above.  Share where you are grateful.  Share what you appreciate about who sits in front of you.  
• Ending on a gratitude note.  A special thanks to my dear Brother James from Compton and my dear Brother Casey for some of the most interesting episodes we have ever had.  Giving God thanks for you for listening, supporting and sharing 1 Thes 5:11.  Lord knows this world needs more Hope and Love.

• Yes!  You are in!  Let's talk about you.  Have you been asking why lately?  Why are you going through what you are going through?  How do you get the strongest you?  Your play of the day.  Here you go...
• Thank you Pastor Rick of Daily Hope.  We've played similar and definitely getting the pull to post up again.  This world will chew you up and spit you out or eventually swallow you.  Your body.  You soul.  You'll choose where to go.  With whom to surround yourself.  If you would like to hear more of that Play of the Day, Check out Daily Hope, "When You Feel Like Giving Up, Part 3, published on the 9th of November, 2023.
• So you feel like giving up?  Don't.  Also, I understand.  Most of us feel like giving up at some point in our lives.  Yet don't.  Please don't.  You have Purpose.  The tide does go out and it will come back in.  Always.  The sun goes down and comes up.  Need another cliche?  Peaks do not exist without valleys.  Keep hiking.  
• I may not be a licensed therapist yet there is 20+ years on my resume of coaching and encouraging young people and old for that matter.  Shout out to those that have the courage to share that they are not doing well.  To confess when they are struggling and asking for help.  I love you.  I thank you.  That is a huge step for healing: confession.
• Truth, my words can only help some of you so far.  My actions perhaps further.  With God, it is unlimited.  
• For the avid listener, you've also heard me say that depression is as real as cancer.  If you think about taking your life or giving up, then you know you have it.  If you have a hard time getting out of bed and being motivated to live your purpose, then you have it....at least for a season or temporarily.  
• So if you were to tell me you have a throbbing toothache, my words could only carry you so far.  I'd tell you need to go see a dentist.  If you tell me you can't afford one, I'm going to say you need a job with proper insurance.  Some of you tell me that's hard and I'll say not really.  In n Out burger, Walmart, Target, Starbucks are all hiring and they have insurance.  Tough love.  The In n Out burger in La Quinta, CA is hiring starting at $19 per hour plus benefits.  Pride getting in the way?  Yeah, I know that one...unfortunately too well.
• Serving the homeless now via Overflowshower.org, I've learned some important lessons.  It's not about just getting a job.  Other things are holding you back.  Spiritual, mental and addictive issues.  Some of you are not ready yet.  I'm wise enough to recognize that now.  
• So I'll drive you to the dentist.  I'll help you get set up with Cal insurance.  I'll even help you pay for it.  You wouldn't have to pay me back.  Yet, I'm absolutely going to encourage you on the path to being self-sufficient.  And someday, may you do the same for someone else if you aren't already.  
• So some of you need to go to a mental health expert.  Some of you need a medical doctor/PA.  Some of you need a dentist.  For me, I need all those at times and I definitely need to keep going to my accountant.
• So who is holding you lovingly accountable?  Tough, lovingly accountable?  Who knows your darkest secrets?  Who knows what is best for you?  Truly what is best for you?  You need a group that is going to give you 1 Thes 5:11, Pro 27:17.
• Side note, Greg and I started gtsurf.org. We haven't cracked the code yet.
• In the immediate term, if you don't have a small group that is helping you with the above, contact us at FriDudes.com.  

You're still with me?  Thank you.  Tough time in history.  I've been wrestling with to play it.  I kept getting pulled to it.  CK posts up some sad stats on the situation.  I share that I"ve been praying on sharing this heavy play of the day.  CK replies with, "
From the words of a bold pastor who was killed during World War II for speaking up for Jews. 

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act.” 
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Yes!  You are in!  Why is there so much controversy around Israel?  Casey's back and breaks down the Bible from Noah to today and how it all points to one direction.

• Yes!  You are in!  And Casey is back!  The Jogging Jesus.  He isn't Jesus.  He just loves Jesus more than most than we know.  And he's got some serious reflection on what has led up to the current war in Israel/Palestine and a much bigger picture.
• As some of you, you were led here with purpose.  It's time for more eyes and ears to be opened to what is truly going on and will happen.