Paying Ridiculous Attention To Jesus

Join Rick for the 4th episode of the new series PRESENT CONCERNS—we’ll explore the challenges we’re facing in this strangest of seasons, discovering how Jesus leaned into similar issues. In this episode we’ll dive into—“Foolishness.” If you do something foolish it’s sort-of like saying you did something “silly,” right? But Solomon reminds us: “A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.” From a biblical/Kingdom of God perspective, foolishness is not only not-silly, it’s way more destructive and dangerous than we treat it… Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is now available! Head over to jesuscentereddaily.com to download a 10-day sampler of the devotion, or to order it for yourself or as a gift. Or head straight to Amazon to order it: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Centered-Daily-Touch-Smell-Taste/dp/1470759608/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus-Centered+Daily&qid=1599794429&sr=8-1 Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in w

Join Rick and Becky for the 3rd episode of the new series PRESENT CONCERNS—we’ll be exploring the issues and challenges we’re facing in this strangest of seasons, connecting them directly to how Jesus dealt with similar issues. In this episode we’ll dive into—“The Future.” Almost all Americans (83%) say that worrying about the future is a major source of stress in their life right now. So what is Jesus’ relationship with the future, and how do we deal with our desperate need to know what the future will bring? Find the rest you crave as you enter the chaotic unknown… Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is now available! Head over to jesuscentereddaily.com to download a 10-day sampler of the devotion, or to order it for yourself or as a gift. Or head straight to Amazon to order it: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Centered-Daily-Touch-Smell-Taste/dp/1470759608/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus-Centered+Daily&qid=1599794429&sr=8-1 Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go

Join Rick for the 2nd episode of the new series PRESENT CONCERNS—we’ll be exploring the issues and challenges we’re facing in this strangest of seasons, connecting them directly to how Jesus dealt with similar issues. In this episode we’ll explore—“FEAR.” It’s our everyday fears, not the spectacular supernatural fears of Halloween or horror movies, that are most compelling and most relevant to our relationship with Jesus. Joining us for this series will be none other than the Becky-nator! Becky Herrington, the longtime former cohost of this podcast. Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is now available! Head over to jesuscentereddaily.com to download a 10-day sampler of the devotion, or to order it for yourself or as a gift. Or head straight to Amazon to order it: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Centered-Daily-Touch-Smell-Taste/dp/1470759608/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus-Centered+Daily&qid=1599794429&sr=8-1 Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jes

Join Rick for the 1st episode of the new series PRESENT CONCERNS—we’ll be exploring the issues and challenges that make up the wallpaper of our life today, connecting them directly back to how Jesus dealt with similar issues. In this kickoff episode we’ll explore—“Division.” It’s perhaps the word that best defines the last year, as Covid restrictions and fears, racial unrest and protests, and political extremism have churned us emotionally and spiritually. Joining us for this series will be none other than the Becky-nator! Becky Herrington, the longtime former cohost of this podcast. Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is releasing as this episode is posted. Head over to jesuscentereddaily.com to download a 10-day sampler of the devotion, or to order it for yourself or as a gift. Or head straight to Amazon to order it: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Centered-Daily-Touch-Smell-Taste/dp/1470759608/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus-Centered+Daily&qid=1599794429&sr=8-1 Have you joined the P

Join Rick for the 12th and final episode of the series IN HIS IMAGE. The tough, marginal, and challenging conditions that produce rare wine from stressed vines also produce martyrs and saints and “beautiful messes” like you and me. Paul tells us we are “struck down, but not destroyed... so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” Jesus will form in us a new capacity for loving others in the “marginal climate” of our soul. In our weakness, He is making us strong. We are plunked down into challenging, weakness-revealing situations because the leverage we experience prompts growth… But that’s not the only way we grow—we need care and tending as well… Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is just a little over a week from its release day. But you can get your copy before it’s released by joining the official Launch Team for the book. It’s easy—just click on the link below and sign up. As member of the team, you’ll get your copy before it releases to the public. Plus you'll g

Join Rick for the 11th episode of the series IN HIS IMAGE. When you hear the cares and concerns of others, do you enter into their reality, or do you keep your distance (however subtly)? When a conniving Pharisee asks Jesus about the “most important” commandment, Jesus tells him what he already knows—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart…”—but then adds a second “equally important” commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Here we explore what it means to treat our neighbor’s concerns and struggles and pain is if they were our concerns and struggles and pain. Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is just a few weeks from its release day. But you can get your copy before it’s released by joining the official Launch Team for the book. It’s easy—just click on the link below and sign up. As member of the team, you’ll get your copy before it releases to the public. Plus you'll get $5 off and FREE shipping! It’d be an honor to have you on the team… https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5RXXLW

Join Rick for the 10th episode of the series IN HIS IMAGE. We all long to be noticed and enjoyed and appreciated for who we really are—to be pursued by a Lover who will sacrifice to be with us. Today we explore the way Jesus moves toward us in our life, captured best by the word “Pursuit.” And though we long for His pursuit, we are also frightened by it… In much the same way a squirrel freezes when we move toward it. Here’s how to un-freeze—to move toward Him and He moves toward us… Rick’s new daily devotional, the Jesus-Centered Daily, is just a few weeks from its release day. But you can get your copy before it’s released by joining the official Launch Team for the book. It’s easy—just click on the link below and sign up. As member of the team, you’ll get your copy before it releases to the public. Plus you'll get $5 off and FREE shipping! It’d be an honor to have you on the team… https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5RXXLWV?contact_eid=e789e7b9-e1c3-4522-8a3c-116ff4005ba2&emaccount=lifetree&_bta_tid=23790197425

Join Rick for the ninth episode of the series IN HIS IMAGE. Today author Jeff White is on the podcast to talk about “Authenticity.” His new “Story Bible for Adults” called Eyewitness is just out—Jeff’s challenge was to tell the stories of the Bible from a raw, first-person perspective. There’s much in the Bible that might be called “not suitable for children,” so Rick and Jeff explore together what authenticity really is, why we crave it so much, and how Jesus set the standard for it… Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Visit the Jesus-Centered Daily Web Site for a FREE Downloaded Sample https://www.jesuscentereddaily.com Join Rick’s Email

Join Rick as he dives into the eighth episode of the series IN HIS IMAGE. Today we’ll be exploring an overlooked-but-crucial aspect of how Jesus lived His life—the word is “Presence.” Jesus lived in “a state of active, open attention on the present,” which is how the editors of Psychology Today describe “mindfulness,” a New-Agey word that is actually rooted in how Jesus engaged His environment and exercised influence in His relationships. He knew how to live in the present moment, fully there—and we can learn to live the same way… Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Visit the Jesus-Centered Daily Web Site for a FREE Downloaded Sample https:

Join Rick as he dives into the seventh episode of the series IN HIS IMAGE. Today we’ll be exploring why “Relaxed” is theologian Dallas Willard’s favorite one-word description of Jesus. When we “live and breathe and move” from a relaxed place in our life, we are fully living our dependent relationship with Jesus. Discover the source of a relaxed soul, and how to drink deeply from that source. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Join Rick’s Email List: ricklawrence.com/stay-connected/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@ricklawrence.com Free Resources: As we continue to navigate these next few weeks of COVID-19 and the changes it brings to our d

Join Rick as he dives into the sixth episode of a new series IN HIS IMAGE. Today we’ll be exploring why Work is a core expression of Jesus’ heart, and why he honors effort but not earning. Work is the transformational expression of His redemptive love, and is therefore central to who we are. But we don’t always work from a place of rest, which is what Jesus modeled. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Join Rick’s Email List: ricklawrence.com/stay-connected/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@ricklawrence.com Free Resources: As we continue to navigate these next few weeks of COVID-19 and the changes it brings to our daily lives, we’d like to c

Join Rick as he dives into the fifth episode of a new series IN HIS IMAGE. Today we’ll be exploring how Trust is central to the Kingdom of God, and is at the core of Jesus’ “operating system.” A proverb reminds us: We gain trust in drops, but we lose it in buckets. Why is this proverb true? Why is it so hard to build trust and so easy to lose it? Can we ever develop an unshakeable trust in anyone or anything, or will it always be fragile? And how can my trust in Jesus and others translate to a relaxed way of living? Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Join Rick’s Email List: ricklawrence.com/stay-connected/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@r

Join Rick as he dives into the fourth episode of a new series called IN HIS IMAGE. Jesus said a lot of hard things—things that sound impossible, actually. But none harder than this: “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matthew 5:43-45). What does this really mean? We’ll explore this impossible relational standard, reflected in Jesus and never more necessary than this moment in history… Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Join Rick’s Email Lis

In this episode we’ll dive into one of the “Big Three”… In 1 Corinthians 13:13 Paul says: “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” We think of these words as verbs and nouns, but they’re also characteristics that describe Jesus’ “operating system.” Let’s explore one of the “slightly less greatest” of the Big Three—Hope… What is dangerous about this word? What does Jesus mean by it? And when Paul says hope is one of the three things that will “last forever,” what does he mean? Join Rick for the third episode in a new series called IN HIS IMAGE—together, we’ll explore the height and breadth and depth of hope… Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group.

Yes, like sheep, we are a needy people. But we don’t really want to live under the shadow of desperate circumstances as a prerequisite for our intimate dependence on Jesus. It’s hard to live that way. But there is an “alternative fuel source” that those who are living a dependent life with Jesus have discovered. It’s the same fuel that propelled Jesus in His relationship with His Father and the Spirit. It’s called… passion. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus—to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks of new resources, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Join Rick’s Email List: ricklawrence.com/stay-connected/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@ricklawrence.com Free Resources: As we continue to navigate these next few weeks of COVID-19

During our Pandemic Apocalypse, we’ve competed in the “decathlon” of emotional workouts. Uncertainty, fear, and disorientation are powerful, and a steady stream of bad news is like getting emotionally water-boarded. We feel more needy than ever, and therefore more vulnerable than ever… Jesus wants us to find Home in Him, a relationship that invites our vulnerability, and gives us a safe place to be needy… Join Rick as he launches a new series called IN HIS IMAGE—together, explore why Jesus loved neediness so much, and how and why He made Himself vulnerable to need… Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus--to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@ricklawrence.com Join Rick’s Email

To win in a game of Simon Says, we have to radically obey what we’re told. And we’re living in one big challenging game of Simon Says in our culture right now… The tension that exists as we’re “opening up” is real and widespread, because our obedience to “Simon”—government leaders and scientists—is in tension with our determination to choose what we think is right and good. Jesus also had a complicated relationship with obedience. He lived His life “under obedience,” but was purposefully disobedient. Join Rick as he explores why Jesus obeyed, or didn’t—and what we can learn from His example. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus--to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@rickla

Ever had a friend recommend something, so you try it, and then you realized... you hate it? How can something be “truly good” if not everyone agrees that it is truly good? John Krasinski’s online pandemic show Some Good News brought us a weekly dose of “good”—but how does his good compare to the way Jesus defines good? Join Rick as he explores how Jesus determines what is good and what is not, and why. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus--to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Rick’s New Email Address: rick@ricklawrence.com Free Resources: As we continue to navigate these next few weeks of COVID-19 and the changes it brings to our daily lives, we’d like to come alongside you with downloadable fr

We're washed over by waves of grief, fear, and uncertainty in our world right now. As followers of Jesus, we know that racism is contrary in every way to the heart of Jesus. And yet, it persists like the “weeds scattered in secret by the thief” in Jesus’ Parable of the Wheat and Weeds. Join Rick as he explores Jesus’ shrewd and redemptive response to racism, and what we can learn and practice as a result. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus--to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Free Resources: As we continue to navigate these next few weeks of COVID-19 and the changes it brings to our daily lives, we’d like to come alongside you with downloadable freebies to help provide you with new activities,

Although God is self-sufficient in every way, he decides to create more. The “heavens and the earth.” You and me (and look what trouble He invited when He did that). What is the purpose of more when you are already enough? Join Rick as he continues a series exploring the foundational truths connected to Jesus and his mission in our lives. Let’s focus in on two “more encounters” with Jesus and pay close attention to His attitude toward “more,” and why that matters in the middle of our pandemic life right now... Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all-in with Jesus--to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on Him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Free Resources: As we continue to navigate these next few weeks of COVID-19 and the changes it brings to our daily