Beyond Sunday
Beyond Sunday
God, Will You Rescue Me?
In this final episode of the Where’s God? series, the Beyond Sunday team reflects on God’s rescue in the midst of overwhelm, drawing from the image of Rahab’s scarlet rope as a symbol of hope. Through honest stories, Isaiah 43, and a call to real community, they remind us that even when life feels like too much, God’s presence and power are already reaching out to pull us through.
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Thanks for listening!
Hello and welcome to Beyond Sunday, the podcast where we explore the message series of King of Kings Church and dive a little bit deeper into what we're taking Beyond Sunday. My name is Dena Newsome and I have some great guests today Always amazing. Go ahead, introduce yourself, guys.
Speaker 2:You go first. I was gonna, but I went like this, so you went first. Okay, well, I'll go first, yeah.
Speaker 3:I'm Zach Zender and I'm Peter Bay. I'm the teaching, the teaching pastor, one of them, or the one for King of Kings campuses.
Speaker 2:And I'm Peter Bay and I am the campus director at our Northwest Omaha campus Crushed it.
Speaker 1:Can you guys do that, the whole podcast, yeah.
Speaker 3:I could. I could talk as Peter For our loyal listeners.
Speaker 1:They will tell that you guys are saying the wrong names. They've switched places. But I wonder how long you could keep it up.
Speaker 3:Oh, I could do this all day.
Speaker 2:And, as Peter Bay I'd like to say, I'm still waiting to buy a teacher a milkshake this month. That's right. Which out of context, that feels weird to say.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So maybe listen to a couple of weeks back on the Beyond Sunday podcast. Well, I was going to explain that, peter?
Speaker 3:You had mentioned that by May 30th, if a teacher sees Peter at a place where they sell chocolate shakes or any kind of milkshake, was it that's correct, zach, that you would purchase one for them?
Speaker 2:That is correct, zach, but I did limit it to just one teacher.
Speaker 3:Per family. I said I wasn't going to buy the whole family. Yeah, got it, got it.
Speaker 1:But if multiple teachers show up at the same time, that was fair game Absolutely.
Speaker 3:Or if there's two teachers in a family. I guess we could get them both, or you could. I don't know, zach, would you be willing to double down on that also, and you would offer milkshakes if anyone sees you, but you'll buy for the whole family, yeah as Zach Zender, author of the Red Letter Challenge, I will purchase a milkshake for the entire family If you catch me at a place where they sell milkshakes till May 30th.
Speaker 2:Thanks Zach. No, if they catch. I think if if they catch Zach at a milkshake place, he'd do that.
Speaker 1:Great.
Speaker 3:Just imagine someone new to this. They're like what is going on, or maybe it seems normal. They just don't know our voices.
Speaker 1:They probably have turned it off by now yeah, good point. So this week I'm not sure if you guys know it's not like National Milkshake Week, it is National Try a Fruit and Vegetable Day that happens this week. So my question for you is what is your favorite fruit or vegetable and why?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I've got, I will answer that, but then I've got a follow-up question for you both, so this, if we got you earlier. This is Peter. You didn't know it, but it's me so the king of all the fruit and this is close, I've talked about this a lot with people close to me Pineapple. I think pineapple is the king of all fruit. I do think, though, when a mango is in season, it can be the best of the fruit, but when it's out of season, it plummets. Vegetables asparagus.
Speaker 2:I'm more of a fruit guy than a vegetable guy and I would say that the fruit that I love the most is a kiwi, with or without hair. You know, if I could get it without hair, I'd take it. Yeah, I would take that. But I've also found that if you just slice it, it's really not that big of a deal, and I think there's like healthy stuff in the hair skin area?
Speaker 3:Is there healthy stuff in everyone's hair?
Speaker 2:I don't think so. That's a whole, nother podcast One fruit though that like is kind of interesting in our home lately is the guava. Do you guys like guava?
Speaker 3:I don't think I've ever seen a guava.
Speaker 2:I'm not a big guava fan, Okay but Allison's been buying a lot of them and they stink Like they smell bad and so they smell in my opinion and the other two boys agree like body odor and so a lot of times lately I've just seen I think it's my oldest son, nathan, the guava which usually sits in the fruit bowl on the island in the kitchen. I've seen it just outside multiple times just sitting there because Outdoors yeah, because Nathan moves it outdoors because he can't scents are a big deal for him.
Speaker 1:Like it smells like, even it's a Like. It smells like it stinks, even before it's opened or yeah, it just stinks I guess I've never had him around that long.
Speaker 2:So anyway, just kind of.
Speaker 3:Would you take a bite of the kiwi without cutting it up, just like a hairy bite on your?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I would do that. Yeah, okay, and vegetable.
Speaker 1:What's your?
Speaker 2:favorite vegetable. Great, yeah, vegetable, favorite vegetable. Gosh, what do I like? I don't like a lot of vegetables, if I'm honest with you, but I'd probably go asparagus or Brussels sprouts, but I want bacon, honey syrup, like something sweet with it, cereal you know what I mean? Chocolate syrup.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what are we going for here?
Speaker 2:A good, Brussels sprouts are, yeah, really good. Okay, what do you got, dina?
Speaker 1:I'm a strawberry girl, I like strawberries and there are not a lot of fruits that I like. So, strawberries are just my go-to Veggies. There's many more veggies I like. I like a lot of veggies, but I think broccoli is probably my favorite, and when I was a kid I hated broccoli.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But now it's so good. What was I thinking? My mom knew better for so many years.
Speaker 2:Well, it's a great spiritual lesson of how we can change in life. You know who we once were isn't who we're going to be tomorrow.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and Strawberry Girl sounds like a song from like the 70s. Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 2:Okay, so here's a follow-up question. Yeah, what's?
Speaker 3:your question so this is something I like and, for all you listeners, I want you to consider this as well. If there is a food that you could eliminate from your life, that means you never have to eat it again. I know what you're thinking. I'm gonna don't I get to pick what I want to eat or not eat. Okay, this is fictional, so like you could choose to never eat this food again, but in doing so, you lose one of the top days of your life, and by and not like my kid's graduation day, no, it's just like like a healthy day. So would you be willing to lose a healthy day to never have to eat something again, and if so, what is that food for you?
Speaker 1:Mushrooms.
Speaker 3:There we go, we're in the game is is on Mushrooms. Why that?
Speaker 1:Oh, the smell, the texture, the taste. I can't stand them. There's nothing about them that I like.
Speaker 2:You know, Dina, I'm going to agree with you, I'm not a mushroom guy either. Wow, and I think I know what you're going to say, pete.
Speaker 3:I've got several. You could probably name a few. Go ahead.
Speaker 2:I think you're going to go any crockpot dish.
Speaker 3:That wasn't the first thing on my mind, but I agree, I would give a week of my life to avoid a roast in a crockpot with carrots and potatoes.
Speaker 1:Just thinking about it and that one bay leaf yeah it just ticks me off.
Speaker 2:I will say this for myself there's a few that I like, but I think soups are very overrated and I get really frustrated when someone makes me drink my meal. Wow.
Speaker 3:Most times.
Speaker 2:If you're going to give me a chili, that's okay. I like a lobster bisque. You know a good clam chowder, so there's several that I like, but I don't think soup was meant to be the main staple of a meal.
Speaker 3:That's quite the hot.
Speaker 1:take my daughter firmly believes that soup is not a meal, it's hands down. One of my daughters at her home hosts Soup Sundays where everyone can come to her house.
Speaker 3:Out of spite.
Speaker 1:They will make soups and you can come and eat the soup and just hang out. That's Soup Sunday. My other daughter protests that that is not good enough because soup is not a meal.
Speaker 3:Kenna protests.
Speaker 2:Your other daughter is amazing.
Speaker 3:I knew Kenna would be the protester, because Jordan has kids, I think.
Speaker 2:Kenna is on to something here and again. I know there's a lot of people that like soups and that's a hot take. That's just my opinion and I'm fine with having my opinion and I'm fine with you having your opinion out there. If you like a lot of soup, cool, go for it, you can have mine.
Speaker 3:Wow. So you don't think people should drink their meal, unless they run into you at a place where they sell milkshakes and Zach will buy one for the whole family. Drink your meal on him until May 30th.
Speaker 1:That's not really a meal, that's just a dessert, more of a dessert.
Speaker 3:Yeah, dessert meal.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for coming to Food and Jesus sponsored by King of Kings. We'll be putting our cookbook out soon.
Speaker 3:Let's get to the Jesus.
Speaker 1:That's the next book.
Speaker 3:Yeah, Food and Jesus. A Red Letter Cookbook.
Speaker 2:Red Letter Eating.
Speaker 1:Okay so in our message series. We wrapped up our Where's God series this week, week five, Where's God? God Will you Rescue Me, and Pastor Greg kind of walked us through the last week of this. I've really enjoyed this series. I don't know about you guys. It's asked some challenging questions and, I think, made me reconcile with some things in my head. But what are you taking beyond Sunday from this message? God will you rescue me?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think one thing that stood out for me was that imagery um of that Rahab and the. That's what? Was it scarlet rope?
Speaker 1:or did she tie something?
Speaker 3:yeah right, scarlet rope, the hope yeah yeah, uh, that imagery of that tied into the blood of of Christ and uh, yeah, that rope of of Tikva. Uh, yeah, that rope of of Tikva, uh, the word for hope that that stood out for me and was a great image of like Jesus, pulling me out of my challenges, but not not yanking me and dislocating my shoulder. But it's a gentle, except what he endured was not gentle at all. So, yeah, I thought that was powerful.
Speaker 2:I took away that he's probably going to get some brownie points with his mother-in-law.
Speaker 2:If you heard the message. He really hyped her up and kudos to Greg. That's just a really smart move as a preacher to elevate your mother-in-law. I can learn from that, and so that's one takeaway, and probably the second takeaway is just kind of an overall. Like he will, he has, he is, he will rescue me, that this is the God that we serve. It's not a God of fleeting hope or like I might. No, he will. It may not be like he said, how I want him to, but it'll be how I need. They are, but that feeling of overwhelmed.
Speaker 1:I just liked the consistent reassurance, through several of the points that he made, that we may feel overwhelmed but we know that God's got us. That was really my biggest takeaway. Speaking of that, can you guys share a time that you felt overwhelmed? How did you deal with it? What maybe helped you get through it? A struggle that you had where you felt like you're not treading water it's getting a little high.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I go through these seasons it probably hits me three or so times a year where I look at my schedule and the next six weeks are just brutal schedule and the next six weeks are just brutal, um, and I get overwhelmed and I think, um, like I'm going to, I'm really going to hate these next six weeks and, um, honestly, for those it's.
Speaker 3:It's kind of this thing of like you, just you you start going through these weeks and you get one major thing done at a time and you realize I'm still alive, and and then by the end of it, um, it's, yeah, it's at the end of it, I have a tendency to be like, oh, I survived and it went great, and look back and, um, I'm, I'm definitely grateful and thankful when it's done, but I think, uh, I have. The harder part for me is looking for when I'm looking forward on those really just pressing into God, to be like I know you're already there, you've already conquered these six weeks are in your hands and to go in without fear. My tendency is to get anxious about it and that doesn't help with the feeling of overwhelm-ment, overwhelm-ness, overwhelming, yeah.
Speaker 1:The overwhelming feeling.
Speaker 2:There you go. Just rephrase it there you go. Yeah, for me, I think I was going through what I felt like was really overwhelming, let's call it, maybe in November, december, january was a season for me and it just felt like there was a lot of things colliding. And you know there was because of how the year went in 2024, I was forced, in my red letter side of things, that I needed to write a manuscript for a whole new book in 60 days, which is super daunting, overwhelming. On top of that there was a medical uncertainty in our family. On top of that there was another family issue that was sensitive, that wasn't resolved, and on top of that there was King of Kings launching a third campus, fremont that I was kind of becoming the point person for and it was exciting, but there wasn't real answers on how that would look. And all of those things were happening kind of at the same time, and I think to what Peter just said. When I looked at all of that in one you know, fell swoop, oh my gosh, that can be crushing Practically, when I took things day by day and built out a list of stuff to do and at the same time, had two healthy rhythms that I didn't always do healthy, by the way, but the two healthy rhythms would be for me to actually just physically work out and listen to scripture or worship song is one, and then two would be actually talking about it with someone else, because sometimes the things that I was carrying I didn't need to carry and someone else could help with that and that actually lightens the load.
Speaker 2:So, anyway, that was a really, really overwhelming season that at the front of it I was like I just feel like these next couple months are going to be a slog and I didn't know if I'd make it through. So anyway, yeah, here I am. It's May, so I did make it through in case you know are you still working out?
Speaker 2:Yeah, wow, I mean not this moment, but you might deserve a milkshake or some broccoli.
Speaker 3:Are you a teacher?
Speaker 2:No, I'm not a teacher. I mean, I'm a teaching pastor. It is in his job title.
Speaker 1:That doesn't count. I mean, I'm a teaching pastor. Yeah, it is in his job title that doesn't count.
Speaker 2:How about you?
Speaker 1:I think the times when I feel very overwhelmed I am not typically somebody that gets stressed out that easily I feel like I can handle a lot, and not always in my life, but right now but the times I get overwhelmed are when my personal life has a lot, and then my work life does too, and that's when I'm like, ooh, I don't know what to tackle first, or there's not enough hours in the day.
Speaker 1:I feel like as long as it's one or the other, I'm okay, balancing it because I can give up a little of my personal time to get the extra work done, or I can, you know, schedule my work around the personal obligations or whatever needs more time. But it's when they both kind of are flaring up that then I feel overwhelmed and my go-to is finding somebody that just I can talk to and unload about it too. My best friend lives in Colorado and we call each other when we're like driving or late at night or walking our dogs and just kind of unload. And sometimes she calls me and unloads her life, and sometimes I call her and unload my life and then I just feel much better, I can float again.
Speaker 2:Yeah, having that person that you can talk with is so huge in the midst of it, cause they're there to kind of be that voice of reason for you. And I think that sometimes when we get overwhelmed, we carry it ourselves too much, and that's, that's the danger. And if I could just close the loop on what I just said, what's kind of neat about what all of those things were kind of hanging in the balance for me and overwhelming and like I had work to do, so like in the 60 days, like I didn't actually set my alarm but I, my body, was just waking up super early, like at four, 35 o'clock, and I just start writing for like two months straight. It was like that and that's not normal for me. So I don't know if that was God or if that was just like my body just saying, hey, get up and go. So like that was my big piece of it.
Speaker 2:And then, like in a period of three days, like three of those four things, like the manuscript was written, the medical uncertainty became certain in a in a good way for us. The family situation had a really good answer in that moment and then a little bit later the Fremont team would start getting built and it's like God doesn't always answer all the things in our favor, but in that particular case, like he did all those things, like we got through it and like he was faithful, it happened on his time through hard work, through other people, through whatever. But it is really challenging to be going through all this stuff and having to feel like you got to hold onto it yourself.
Speaker 1:It's nice to share that burden, but we're yoked to the King, so that is an easy out there if we turn to Him in that. So, Greg, Pastor, Greg talked about Isaiah 43 in this. I'm just curious how that book speaks to you, if there's a piece of that that you guys like more or that speaks to you more. Just all of Isaiah. He didn't reference all of it. It's a piece of that that you guys like more or that speaks to you more. Just all of Isaiah. He didn't reference all of it. It's a long chapter, but what speaks to you from Isaiah 43?
Speaker 3:Yeah, from Isaiah 43 as well, as it reminds me of other times, like Job this comes up a lot, but God's sovereignty, lot, but God's sovereignty and like in Job is um, when Job questions God and God is like timeout, like I've I've created the mountains, I've I've tamed the beasts, I've like in in all these things that God um has the power to do.
Speaker 3:And then in Isaiah 43, it's like all the things that he has done and what he, how he provides for us and goes before us and wins our battles, that sovereignty of like God uses things that we don't even understand to his good and for us to just be able to live in trust that he's got. This he has already overcome and because of that, I don't have to be the best in my area, I don't have to be the flawless speaker, presenter, I don't have to um parent perfectly, he's covered for me for eternity, and so I get to seek after him and and do my best and when I fail, as I do, um, it's it's not the end, because the battle's been won. So that that reminder in Isaiah 43 is like he's gone before the battle's won, even if you're in the midst of defeat.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think there's so much in that Isaiah 43 of stuff he's done and how big he is and how mighty he is.
Speaker 2:But the stuff that I think parallels really well in that chapter for me is the parts that talk about I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name. You are mine, do not fear, do not be afraid, for I am with you. So I think that combination of the sovereignty and control of God and yet I'm his, he's mine, so it's that perfect like kind of balance of knowing this great, big, powerful, mighty God is also my God and he loves me and he's redeemed me, like that guy's with me. Like that's pretty radical to think about that I don't need to be facing these things on my own and my own finite power and wisdom, these things on my own and my own finite power and wisdom I've got the infinite power and infinite wisdom of god that knows my name and loves me yeah yeah, I could walk around with that more often, that image it's a beautiful thing to like know that god knows and loves me personally that yahweh.
Speaker 3:That Yahweh active God within my life today, and then that I mean the scripture that says approach the throne of grace with confidence. To approach God like my papa and, even though he's the ruler of the universe, to enter his court and not be afraid that he's going to murder me because I came in unwelcome, but to approach him and just be like I'm hurting, I'm overwhelmed, I can't do this and he can take it. So to know this gives me confidence to actually do that, to find him approachable.
Speaker 2:It should be impossible to be overwhelmed if we actually had those thoughts running through our minds all day and every day. It should be, but obviously we're in a broken world and we forget that and we get caught up in things and start thinking of ourselves too highly and start missing out on remembering that God is big and mighty, and yet still here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, my image that I love from Isaiah is where it talks about the waters will come and they won't wash over you, you know, and it's just the mental picture of tiny me and my big God holding me up when the water's coming. Because, again, that to me is like the image of overwhelming. The flood's coming. You're looking at your schedule and it's so busy, or you know these things are uncertain and that water's heading your way and you don't know what to do. But God's got it. You're not going to be washed away with it because he's there with you. That's the one I love out of that.
Speaker 1:So what do you think it is? We talk about the isolation that we feel when we're overwhelmed. We talk about turning to someone or letting unload or feeling like we're in community. What do you think it is about community that is essential at these times and that's been something that, as we've gone through this series, it's been brought up in some way, shape or form every week finding some sort of solace when we have pain, when we have loss, when we're in grief, when we aren't hearing God, like being in community. What is it about community that you think is essential at these times?
Speaker 2:We were designed for it, we were wired for it. So when we don't have it like something should feel off right. I think the first 10 English words we have I'd have to check back and see how many Hebrew words it actually is of God speaking to mankind is it is not good for the man to be alone. It's just not good to be alone. God designed us and wired us for community and for connection with others, and that's the way it's been from the beginning. And I think, specifically when it comes with overwhelm, it is really great to have someone to just speak with and to share what's going on and, again, for them to be that voice of reason, for them to empathize with you at times or to problem solve at times, depending on what you know, who you're talking to and what they need.
Speaker 2:I think sometimes we miss that, by the way, in community, in community a community is not perfect, right. So sometimes, like my wife's telling me all the things that's going on and she wants me to empathize with her and I want to solve her problems, or vice versa. So it's not perfect, but it's what we're designed for and when it is done and lived out well, it can be a supporting voice that, you know, is super important, that I need to hear that I'm not alone and that some of the things I'm carrying maybe I don't need to be carrying and they can remind me of that truth that we just talked about in Isaiah 43, that can remind me of that truth that we just talked about in Isaiah 43 that, hey, god's big and he loves you and you're important, but you're not that important. So, like chill, I just need to hear that sometimes, you know.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and with that, I think, comes a challenge, because I think that people often will say how they're nervous for the current generation because of the challenges they have, or it's just so different. And I don't totally agree with that, because I am so impressed by Gen Z and Alpha, like these are generations that are getting after it and want to be involved and want to serve and want to minister, and passionately. It's like Zach, you and I are both millennials, right. Yeah, we kind of like we were an issue. Yeah, like our generation man, we fell off.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:We're coming back, millennials, I see you. I see you, but for me, I do see that the current challenges that are a lot harder often involve isolation by the things on our smartphones, by the countless number of streaming apps. You know people saying like, oh, I wish I could just get away. I heard a high school student. I asked her so what are you going to do now that the school year is done? People saying like, oh, I wish I could just get away. I heard a high school student. I asked uh, asked her. So what you're gonna do now that the school year's done? She said I'm just gonna sit in my room and try to finish tiktok and I said what does that mean?
Speaker 3:she said just enjoy it until it's done, and like the thought of that, I think for a lot of people is like amazing, oh, I wouldn't have to deal with anybody and I'll just like scroll on my phone.
Speaker 3:But the reality of that is it's also so utterly meaningless.
Speaker 3:And that's the current challenge that we are facing not just youth, but adults as well, not just youth, but adults as well that I would love to urge people and spur them on to like cap that time in your life, whatever that is.
Speaker 3:Figure out a way to spend less time isolated, whether it's with your phone or streaming services, uh, or whatever that is and and force yourself to engage with the people around you, first and foremost, the people who love you, but then also the people who don't even know you Like put yourself in a public situation with eyes up and a heart ready, and maybe nothing happens.
Speaker 3:But maybe you see someone who's just, you can tell they're down, and if that happens, you don't even have to go talk to them, but pray for them in that moment and put yourself in environments where you actually get that opportunity. And then, holy Spirit, give us the courage that, if we're moved, we're maybe do go talk to that person, just say, hey, can I help you with anything? How are you doing? And at first it'll be awkward, but this is where God created us, for community, and the kingdom of God is all about relationship, and so when we strip ourselves from it for that chance to just finish TikTok, I think we do ourselves a lot of harm, or, at the other side of it, we miss out on a lot of good.
Speaker 1:I'm a big Disney movie fan and one of my favorites is WALL-E. I don't know if you guys have seen WALL-E and if our listeners haven't check it out, but there's a scene WALL-E Earth is uninhabitable and everyone's on this floating spaceship that they've been on for I don't know how many years and they've gotten to the point where everybody's just kind of floating around on these little floating loungers and obsessed with their screens in front of them, to the point that at one point in the movie like two of the little Barka loungers bump into each other and the two people like look up and notice that there's other humans around.
Speaker 1:And that's my favorite part of the whole thing of oh hi, you know, like just that they had gotten so engrossed in their screens and their isolation, that they had forgotten that they had this whole ship of other people around, and I think that is a danger of where a lot of our society finds a lot of their fulfillment from their screens or their phones. So, yeah, how can we just put that down and remember that, hey, there's other people here and we can do things together, and that's sometimes fun, yeah.
Speaker 2:And it is a day like it is a danger, because the more we like don't have eyes up and just kind of do what we want, let's call it, whether it's screens or something, it doesn't have to be screens, it could be something else, but that's very me focused, very self-focused, and that feels good like in the moment, but over the long haul it's not fulfilling and it's pretty, pretty lonely. And real fulfillment comes when you keep those eyes up and you start looking out and seeing there's, there's a purpose for me here and I'm here to help others, and so anyway, yeah, it's very rewarding.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, I mean it's fix your eyes on Christ, and in order to do that, we have to have our eyes up and see the other people who are created in the image of God. I know for me. Well, I wonder for you too. Because, like there are, the tendency is either to like these are both things where we focus on ourself and we're focused on ourselves. We either are like thinking of ourselves like I'm pretty awesome and uh and I, and so then we get into like achiever phase, which is fine, you know. But then the other tendency is like I'm a failure, and but both of those have a high tendency to just really focus on ourself and, weirdly enough, neither of them will lead to anything that will last. And so that that spot in the middle that doesn't mean that you shouldn't achieve and work really hard. I wonder for you to where do you have a tendency to? Are you more optimism or pessimism? Are you more like I'm the man, I'm the woman or I'm a failure? Where do you guys land?
Speaker 1:I'm always optimistic. I don't feel like I walk around, I'm the man, but I'm always You're a woman. Oh, this is well true, but I feel like I'm always like waiting for the best, like I'm not. Oh my gosh, I'm a failure and everything's going to poop.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I think for you, dina, it's because you love to include others in your story. You want that. So that's yeah. You have your eyes probably more fixed in the right area than the wrong.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, and I'm always expecting the best.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Like just in general, not just about myself, but just always expecting this is going to work out. We're going to figure this out. I'm always. I'm not the Debbie Downer.
Speaker 3:That's classical strawberry girl.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I tend to be more optimistic too, and which is good and so. But but where it kind of can play out in an unhealthy way is like cool I'm, I'm, I'm doing all these great things, so why isn't X, y or Z happening in my life? Does that make sense? Yep, so I'm optimistic, I would say, for the most part. There are times where I can get down on myself, but, but the optimism can turn even into negativity when you start listening to the enemy's lies or when you have different plans for maybe what's happening, for what God wants.
Speaker 1:What about you, Peter?
Speaker 3:Oh man, happening for what God wants. What about you, peter? Oh man, I am.
Speaker 2:Yes, we're three for three on Optimus.
Speaker 3:I've got positive sentiment override, for sure, but it's like I have that PSO until I don't, and then, man, I can just be a downer, and it doesn't happen too often and even when it does, I try to fake it so that other people aren't affected by it. Um, but yeah, yeah, and I can think I have the sense to be like. People want to be around me. They like, why wouldn't they? They enjoy me, you know, um, and and that's maybe a conversation for another day but I think in general and it's okay if you are wired to be a realist or you're wired to be an optimist, I mean, part of that is how God made you, and maybe you're just more strategic or analytical and you're like no, everything is crumbling and I can see it, and that's how God made you and you're going to help fix it.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 3:And maybe you're more like me and you're just like we can do this, even when it's like really hard and the realist would be like, no, we can't, we need to pivot. But we need those optimistic people too need to pivot, you know like, but we need those optimistic people too to to spur us on. But either way, uh, where are our eyes fixed? On ourself or on Christ? And I think that's probably the bigger part of it for me.
Speaker 1:So any final takeaways from this God will you rescue me message or the series in general. This is the like I said the last week of our where's God.
Speaker 3:Tikvah. That was a Hebrew yeah, the Hebrew word for hope. We always have hope, NT Wright. In kind of urging people to think about hell differently. He said think of it less of gnashing of teeth and flames and torture and think of it more so a wasteland with no hope, with no fruit of the spirit whatsoever. And that's a really devastating thought because we can connect with that here. We've all felt overwhelmed at some point. We've all felt hopeless. We've all known the person who got the prognosis that looked like their life is over, or who made the mistake, or we've been the person who's made the mistake and felt like my life's over now. I'm hopeless. But God would say no, you always have hope through Christ. And if anyone listening to this doesn't feel that, talk to someone around you. Don't be isolated. And if you know a Christian, talk to someone who's carrying that hope in Christ.
Speaker 2:It's good and I'll double down on that.
Speaker 2:And since Greg got brownie points with his mother-in-law, I'll take some brownie points with my wife, allison, because she was the one, and some people don't know the process of preaching here, so this is beyond Sunday, but there is a before Sunday it might be another podcast name where we talk to Greg and we speak into his message.
Speaker 2:He shares thoughts of what he's going to preach and we'll speak into that, and similarly, when I preach, I'll share my thoughts and they'll speak into that. And when I saw that Greg was going with a rope analogy, it reminded me of the thing that Allison taught me, which was the tikvah. The Hebrew word for hope is rope, but it is a sure, strong something we can hold on, to pull on, yank on. That is bigger than you can think or imagine, and so I think, just in my overwhelm and in this series, where's God, knowing that I can hold on to him, no matter what I'm going through? That's a big reminder for me. So thank you for Greg for putting in the message, and thank you for Allison for putting it before Sunday.
Speaker 3:I also just want to give a shout out to my wife and mother-in-law. Love you guys.
Speaker 1:Well, thank you guys for being here today and we will be back next week with looking at our Memorial Day weekend message. And until then, let's keep— Hold on Do you have a jingle.
Speaker 2:You asked this last time. Do you have a sign-off?
Speaker 3:We did, but this is different.
Speaker 1:A jingle's different. I don't have a jingle. Do you have one? Now, I feel like I'm going to have to come up with one. Did you write one? I did. Do you want to wing it? All right, let's hear it.
Speaker 3:Okay.
Speaker 1:He's just making this up right now. What?
Speaker 3:So it goes like this when you're driving in your car, near or far, thinking about what you just heard on Sunday, listen to this podcast and learn some more. It's not a chore. Jesus loves you.
Speaker 1:The On Sunday.
Speaker 3:Podcast for Humans.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much.
Speaker 2:Wow, that was like a combination of fun and a little scary.
Speaker 3:Like Batman, Jesus loves you.
Speaker 1:I wish that our audience could see his eyes and the eyebrow movement that was happening.
Speaker 3:I didn't even know it was going to go there, it was great. Beyond Sunday.
Speaker 1:Can you come back and repeat that? No, I can't. All right, let's keep living our faith beyond Sunday.
Speaker 2:That's the tagline there you go.
