Man In The Pew

For men who seek to follow Jesus in all of life - at work, at home, at church, and at play

God and Hamilton: How Art Reveals Spiritual Themes MITP047

God and Hamilton: How Art Reveals Spiritual Themes MITP047

By

Have you seen the musical Hamiton? It’s been a greatly popular musical in recent years. Rosie O’Donnell even went so far as to call it “medicine that I need for my soul. It is vital to me; it feels like going to church.”

Kevin Cloud, pastor of Midwest Fellowship in Overland Park, has written a profound book that explores the life of Hamilton, the musical and biblical themes and how they help us see and live out the gospel.

This conversation includes important insights for believers on how we can look for redemptive themes and allow art to start important conversations with our friends, family and communities.

Listen here:

You can also buy the book here on Amazon: (affiliate link)

Kevin Cloud is the pastor of Midwest Fellowship in Overland Park, Kansas. Kevin blogs at Godandhamilton.com and Godinterest.com. Kevin and his wife, Allison, live in Kansas City with their four boys, Sam, Ben, Andrew, and Levi.

Follow Kevin on social media:

Twitter: Twitter.com/kevincloudKC

Instagram: Instagram.com/kevincloudKC

How to Pray More Effectively with Phil Mershon MITP046

How to Pray More Effectively with Phil Mershon MITP046

By

Ever feel like you don’t have enough time to pray? When you do have time do you know how to pray more effectively?

Ever wonder if God is listening?

In this episode, Phil Mershon explores some of these issues and makes a big announcement about Man in the Pew.

ABOUT THIS SHOW:

    • Why don’t we pray more effectively?
    • Big announcement about Man in the Pew
    • Challenge activity

HOW TO PRAY MORE EFFECTIVELY

In James 5:15-18 says the following in teaching us to pray more effectively:

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Here are some observations:

#1: God answers prayers and forgives our sins.

#2: We are called to confess our sins

#3: Jesus is praying for us even now.

What keeps us from praying effectively?

#1: We’re busy.

#2: We don’t believe God is really going to answer our prayers.

Ray Edwards talks about his struggles with praying for difficult things in this episode.

A great book to help you pray differently is Pray With Your Eyes Open by Richard Pratt.

Join the 7-Minute Prayer Challenge

Day #1: 7-Second Stare Challenge: Stare into a partner’s eyes for 7 seconds straight. Talk about it. Why is it so hard to focus for only 7 seconds?

Day #2: 7 Minutes of Silence: Get somewhere quiet where you know you won’t be disturbed. Be still for 7 minutes. Every time a thought enters your mind write it down. Try not to follow that thought but return to a place of stillness. After 7 minutes notice how many different things you were thinking about.

Day #3: 7 Minutes of Praise: 

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed. Revelation 15:3-4

Song: Praise to the Lord the Almighty

Day #4: 7 Minutes of Confession

These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:2

Song: We Confess by Glenn Peckiam

Day #5: 7 Minutes of Renewal

Trust in the Lord and do good;
   dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
   trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
   your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:3-6 (NIV)

Song: My Life is an Offering

Day #6: 7 Minutes of Intercession

Spend time praying for those God puts on your heart. This could include the following:

  • Immediate family.
  • Co-workers
  • Friends and neighbors
  • Your pastor and church
  • Issues in your city
  • Your country’s leaders
  • Missionaries
  • Current events

Day #7: 7 Minutes of Thanksgiving

Spend time in thanksgiving. Come up with at least 7 things you are thankful for. Write a note of thanks to someone and mail it to them.

Song: Jesus, Thank You (Sovereign Grace)

What do you think?

I’d love to know what you find difficult in prayer.

How to Recover After You’ve Hit Rock Bottom with Angus Nelson MITP044

How to Recover After You’ve Hit Rock Bottom with Angus Nelson MITP044

By

What is the path to recovery after you’ve hit rock bottom?

What do you do after you self-destruct? Will God still accept you? Is there a reason to be hopeful?

Angus Nelson ruined his first marriage and wallowed in the pit of despair for three years. He had to resign from his ministry positions. People asked behind his back what he was going to destroy next.

It seemed pointless to keep trying.

Then he discovered God’s undeserved grace. He realized that the gospel changes you forever and it happens every day.

It can change you too.

ABOUT THIS SHOW:

  • Under how Angus went from a highly successful ministry to the pit of despair
  • Learn the 8 tips Angus shares for recovering from rock bottom
  • Get inspired to embrace your next crisis with the question, “What does this make possible?”

HOW TO RECOVER FROM ROCK BOTTOM

#1: Ask yourself “What does this make possible?”

Every tragedy can lead to a silver lining. Instead of focusing on the tragedy or pain, ask yourself what this makes possible and pursue that.

#2: You no longer have to be afraid. You’re already hit rock bottom and survived.

Since you’ve endured some of the worst of what life could offer, you have a resilience that few others have. Trust God and say “bring it on.”

John Eldridge inWild at Heart says every man asks this question, “Am I really a man? Have I got what it takes when it counts?”

#3: Admit that you need others

If you want to have good friends, you must become a good friend.

#4: Be committed to personal growth.

Become very selective about what you read, hear, and watch. Avoid those things that become a distraction. Feed upon those things

“If you hang out with chickens, you become a chicken. If you hang out with eagles, you’ll become an eagle.”

“I want to be the dumbest person in every room and have determined to be a lifelong learner.”

#5: Take on a victorious mindset.

Crisis is meant to build us up. You have Chris in you who is greater than He who is in the world.

Colossians 1:27: “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

#6: Embrace pain as part of the path to growth

We mix up pain and pleasure all the time. Working out and reading can seem painful in the short-term, but they lead to growth. Watching movies or porn can seem easy in the short run, but they are easy and won’t lead to growth. They actually lead to destruction.

#7: Forgive yourself and those around you.

#8: Remember the importance of your heart.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,
   and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
   Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. –PSALM 40:1-3 (ESV)

QUOTES:

Matthew 11:28-30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

OTHER HELPFUL EPISODES:

Warren Peterson: http://maninthepew.com/success-suicide-significance-warren-peterson/

Scott Beebe: http://maninthepew.com/create-vision-story-scott-beebe-mitp041/ 

RESOURCES:

Wild at Heart by John Eldridge

You Have What It Takes by John Eldridge

Love’s Compass by Angus Nelson

Angus Nelson site

ABOUT ANGUS:

Angus Nelson lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and three children. His desire to develop others has led him to travel to five continents and twelve countries, a life that has been anything but boring. He’s served as youth leader, worship leader, counselor, speaker, and now, writer. In addition, he’s been a waiter, ski resort ticket checker, carpenter, telemarketer, and landscaper. He’s hosed chili vats, stuffed wood chips in bags, sold health club memberships, told off Jean-Claude Van Damme, and even helped Bruce Willis call his bookie once. As a motivational speaker, Angus has ranked in the top 5% of Monster.com’s “Make It Count” high school program and is currently available for college, corporate, and conference speaking events.