Paying Ridiculous Attention To Jesus

In a world built upon seasons, it can be hard to understand how the death of something can bring the necessary transformation that leads to new life. As we move into the Easter season, what does it take to embrace this unique cycle in our own lives, while also trusting in Jesus to guide the entire process? Join Rick and Becky as they start a two-month adventure focusing on the cycle of death to life we experience as we move through seasons. This week we’ll explore two bold “season” revelations by Jesus and one from the Apostle Paul. 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/ Related Resources: Spiritual Grit: www.mylifetree.com/shop/spiritual-grit/ Growing Spiritual Gri

In the midst of chaotic and busy days, we often don’t become grateful until we are in moments of desperation. How can we start to use the transformational power of gratefulness in our everyday lives? And how can that help us gain spiritual grit? Join Rick in the last episode of our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself. (Hint: It’s not by trying harder to get better.) This week we’ll dive into Luke 17, where an encounter Jesus has with 10 desperate men demonstrates the rewards that come from a grateful heart. 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/ Related Resources: The Jesus-Centered Bible: www.mylifetree.com/jesus-centered-bible-sh

We have all experienced the feeling of being an outsider along with the want to be invited in. What is it that draws us to be an insider? What’s the appeal? And how can becoming an insider have a transformational impact in our lives? Join Rick and Becky as they continue our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). This week we’ll look at Luke 19 and John 4, where Jesus has two different encounters that are tied together by the transformational power of being invited in. 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/ Related Resources: The Jesus-Centered Bible: www.mylifetree.com/jesus-centered-b

Some think the key to happiness lies in going to the right school to get the right degree so they can get the right job. Head first. However, could this way of thinking be backwards? Is finding and living out our core purpose in life what helps us experience the most happiness? Jesus had a clear opinion on the issue, and it started with elevating the heart over the head. Join Rick as he continues our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). This week we’ll look at some Bible-based examples and two different films as we explore the role trust plays in our spiritual transformation. 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.mylif

Brutal honesty tends to get a bad rap, but is it as negative as we make it out to be? In fact, when used properly, could brutal honesty be a transformational portal for growth in our lives? Join Rick and Becky as they continue our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). Turning to the Bible, they’ll discuss the difference between ‘brutal’ and ‘destructive’ honesty by diving into a sampling of encounters where Jesus used honesty to leverage transformation with those affected. 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/ Related Resources: Spiritual Grit: https://www.mylifetree.com/shop/spiritual

We’ve all experienced times where things don’t go as planned, and as a result, we’re left confused, hurting and maybe even angry. When these moments of desperation and pain occur, what does it look like to show vulnerability to Jesus while choosing to trust Him? Join Rick as he continues our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). Turning to the Bible, we’ll dive into Acts 9 and discuss how literally getting knocked off a donkey radically transformed Saul. 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/ Related Resources: Spiritual Grit- https://www.group.com/product/9781470750893-spiritual-grit.d

Whether they bring great delight, or great pain, friendships have a transformational impact on our lives. When we look at our own friendships, what role can they play in deepening our commitment to Jesus? Join Rick and Becky as they continue our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). Turning to the Bible, we’ll dive into Mark 2 and discuss the role friendship took in a paralyzed man’s life. 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/ Related Resources: Spiritual Grit- https://www.group.com/product/9781470750893-spiritual-grit.do Growing Spiritual Grit Devo- https://www.group.com/product/

We eat food every single day, but how often do we pause and think about how essential it is to our well-being? And If you are what you eat, what connections can we make to when Jesus says He wants us to “eat and drink Him?” Join Rick as he continues our two-month pursuit of what it takes to become a “new” version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). Turning to the Bible, we’ll dive into Rick’s favorite chapter, John 6, and discuss the meaning behind a puzzling metaphor from Jesus. 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/ Related Resources: Spiritual Grit- https://www.group.com/product/9781470750893-spiritual-grit.do Growing Spiritual Grit Devo

Whether it be a small rumor or a major misconception – we have faced a wrongful accusation against us. Even when it’s false, we begin to question how we portray ourselves and how the world see’s us. What can we learn from Paul’s method of defending himself, and why is it the very message we need at the start of a new year? Join Rick and guest Becky (the Beckynator) Herrington as they kick of season 4 by discussing what it takes to become a better version of yourself (Hint- It’s not by trying harder to get better). Turning to the Bible, we’ll dive into 2 Corinthians 11 and 12 where Paul chooses to lay his reputation in God’s hands. 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

2019 is here and if you're like many, you’ll wake up tomorrow determined to change your life. You’ll buy a new planner, dust off your bucket list, set career goals, and possibly spend $500 at the local health store to start a new diet. Join us as we say goodbye to 2018 by revisiting one of our favorite episodes of the year. In the program, we’ll introduce the concept of grit—aka the courage, strength, and discipline to do tough things. We'll challenge what culture says about resetting your life and pay ridiculous attention to stories where Jesus reset people. Then, we’ll share from Rick's new book, 'Spiritual Grit.' 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/ Related Resour

What is Advent? Is it in the Bible? How do church traditions during Advent season relate to the calendar full of treats we open every day leading to Christmas? Join us as we continue a month long focus on the heart of advent by revisiting one of our most popular programs from Season 2. During the episode Rick and Becky will look at the traditions of Advent and relate them back to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Then, they’ll ZOOM in on the principles of Advent to help you pay ridiculous attention to Jesus this Christmas season. 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/ Related Resources: Jesus-Centered Advent Challenge (on Instagram)- www.instagram.com/ajesuslife/?hl=en

Trials, pain, and sadness are very real things in this world, often rearing their ugly head during the advent season. As we face the issues brought about by these ‘challenges,’ Jesus makes us a vaguely positive promise that he has ‘overcome the world.’ What does this mean exactly, and how can it bring new hope and light to your Christmas season? Join Rick and Steph as they wrap up a month-long pursuit of the heart of advent by jumping into this ‘mud puddle’ statement found in John 16. Diving in, we’ll examine how Jesus’ promise to have ‘overcome the world’ connects directly with his birth in Bethlehem. 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/ Related Resources: Jesus-

Christmas music on the radio, movies on television, lights on houses, and delicious cookies baking in the oven. These have commonly become the sights, sounds, and smells of this season; but are they distracting us from the true meaning of Advent? Join Rick as he continues a month-long pursuit of the heart of advent by examining how Christmas traditions (the medium) can help, or hinder our celebration of the beauty of Jesus (the message) highlighted during this time. 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/ Related Resources: Jesus-Centered Advent Challenge (on Instagram)- www.instagram.com/ajesuslife/?hl=en Spiritual Grit- https://www.group.com/product/9781470750893-s

Christmas is a supposed to be a season full of peace and good will as we celebrate the savior’s physical arrival into this world. So why instead are we often bombarded with feelings of pressure and extreme stress? We know Advent’s not supposed to be this way, but how do we change it? Join Rick and Steph as they kick off a month-long pursuit of the heart of Advent while seeking to draw near to Jesus. Searching for relief from Christmas stress, we’ll examine three examples of how Jesus responded to people facing stressful situations. 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/ Related: Jesus-Centered Advent Challenge (on Instagram)- https://www.instagram.com/ajesuslife/?hl=

Worship is designed to be a natural outflow of our reverence, adoration and exaltation of God. It’s our expression of mirroring back the truths we undoubtedly know about Jesus while showcasing our pure affection for Him. So why has people’s idea of worship frequently been reduced to singing some songs and listening to someone teach? Join Rick as he wraps up a month-long series on reinventing basic elements of our faith. Focusing on what it means to worship, we’ll slow down and pay attention to Jesus’ closest friendships in the Bible and examine how worship naturally flows as a byproduct of relationships. 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/ Related: Spiritual Grit- w

A sense of humor. It can help make a good situation even better, and a difficult situation bearable. Could it also be a crucial element for a developing relationship with Jesus? Join Rick and very special guest Tommy Woodard (one half of the Skit Guys) as we continue a month long series focusing on examinging the basics of our faith. Taking a few minutes to laugh a little, we’ll slow down and explore God’s purpose for humor, including if it should be a spiritual discipline. 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/ Related: The Skit Guys- https://skitguys.com/ Spiritual Grit- www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-En…nce/dp/1470750899 Friends of God: A Discipleship Experience

Impatience. Restlessness. Feelings of shallowness. Emotional instability. These are just a few of the potentially destructive symptoms of living reactively. There is a known cure however, and it starts with a little bit of silence. Join Rick as he continues a month long series designed to upend expected spiritual norms by reimaging the basics of our faith. Focusing on the healing power of silence, we’ll slow down and pay attention to Matthew 14 where Jesus uses a time of personal retreat to rest and regroup. 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/ Related: Rick’s Guide to Personal Retreats- https://www.mylifetree.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/your-guide-to-a-personal-

Contemporary Christian music is positive, uplifting, and full of songs talking about prayer and purpose. It’s populated by music referencing joy, peace, and God, so there couldn’t possibly be a negative consequence to listening to it… right? Join Rick and Steph as they kick-off a month long series on reinventing the basics of our faith. They’ll start by discussing how the music we listen to, including contemporary Christian music can positively or negatively impact our relationship with Jesus. 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/ Related: (Now Available) Spiritual Grit- www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-En…nce/dp/1470750899 Friends of God: A Discipleship Experience- h

“One way to define spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus.” – Eugene Peterson Join Rick as he pays tribute to Eugene Peterson by revisiting an interview with the beloved pastor and author from our first season. During this very special conversation Rick and Eugene discuss technology, observing the Sabbath, megachurches and even Eugene’s experience at a U2 concert. 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/ Related: (Now Available) Spiritual Grit- www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-En…nce/dp/1470750899 Friends of God: A Discipleship Experience- https://www.group.com/product/1210000307958-friends-of-g

At the end of a novel, it’s helpful to see how a character’s past impacts their present. Moments of narrative foreshadowing are revealed and the ending hopefully makes sense. Is it the same with your own personal story? What does it take to slow down and see the narrative foreshadowing Jesus is using to make you who you are and will become? Join Rick as he continues a special series examining how portions of “The Chronicles of Narnia” series point to truths about Jesus revealed in the Bible. Returning to Aslan’s sacrifice in “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” we’ll discuss the symbolic meaning of the stone table cracking in this story, and how it mirrors the Temple curtain separating after Jesus was crucified. 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 Pig