Paying Ridiculous Attention To Jesus

Sometimes Jesus’ teachings seem straightforward. Possibly difficult to execute, but straightforward. Love your enemies. Love God and love others. Ask in faith. Other times, Jesus creates a big “mud puddle”—a question or statement that causes people to wonder, speculate, or debate. Join Rick and special guest Carl Medearis (author of the new book 42 Seconds) as they jump into a “mud puddle” statement from John 10, a passage where Jesus discusses who he’ll bring into his flock. Wallowing in the puddle, Rick and Carl will discuss what it means to listen to the voice of Jesus and share their experiences interacting with “sheep from another sheepfold.” 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/p

Imagine that you’re stuck. You've hit a rut or a roadblock and you’re not sure how to move forward. Could the answer you’re looking for come by asking a simple two-word question? Join Rick and guest host Stephanie Hillberry as they conclude a 4-week series on growing spiritual grit by discussing the freedom that can be found in asking "Why Not?" Turning to the Bible, they’ll slow way down and pay attention to the story of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 14, examining how Peter asks "Why Not" before he steps onto water, and how we can follow his bold lead. 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-G

What do you stand for? It’s a question that cuts to your identity, and displays the true story of your heart. The answer often becomes clearer as you develop spiritual grit. Join Rick as and his very special guest host as they continue a month-long sampling of the newly released book, ‘Spiritual Grit’. They'll discuss how someone's character, not accomplishments, forms the building blocks of what they stand for. Slowing down, they’ll pay close attention Jesus’ actions in Matthew 20, examining how he responds to a unique request made by the mother of James and John. 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.co

It's natural for us to be our own biggest critics, scrutinizing ourselves more than we scrutinize others. This tendency isn't all bad, and can even be helpful at times. But at what point does our ongoing internal conversation turn into a trap, locking us into an untrue identity? Join Rick as he continues a month-long sampling of the newly released book, Spiritual Grit, by examining the impact a person’s internal narrative has on their identity. Digging into the Bible, we’ll slow down and pay attention to how Jesus brings freedom by changing the internal narrative of the paralyzed man found in Matthew 9. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: (Now Available) Spiritual Grit- https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-Endurance-Character-Confidence/dp/1470750899 Spiritual Grit Video with Rick Lawrence- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKVRa0cXoWM The Unreasonable Jesus by Thomas Christianson- www.mylifetree.com/shop/the-unreasonable-jesus/ NEW Jesus-Centered Practical Guides- www.mylif

It’s often frowned upon in parenting, but celebrated in the world of entrepreneurs. It’s necessary in extreme sports, but can be dangerous in relationships. It’s RISK and it’s one of the main ways Jesus develops grit in us. Join Rick and special guest Stephanie Hillberry as they celebrate the release of the new book, Spiritual Grit, by discussing what it means to risk in a culture often obsessed with safety. Slowing down and paying ridiculous attention Jesus, we’ll dive into the story of the Canaanite woman found in Matthew 15, examining how Jesus rewards the great risks she takes, and how you can adopt her spirit with some risks of your own. 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-m

Life storms are raging and your strength is quickly diminishing. But as a Christian, you know it’s going to be okay because all things work together for good… right? Join Rick as he closes out a month-long series exploring Biblical beliefs that may not be true by focusing on the idea that all things work together for good, an idea commonly borrowed from Romans 8:23-30. During the program, Rick will introduce the Stockdale Paradox, a methodology of embracing the brutal reality of situations while balancing it with a prevailing 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, 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 Launch Group- www.facebook.com/groups/151219602…3760752032385%20 - {Pr

When it comes to sin, is there a clear line in the sand that helps define what it is and isn't? Or is it a gray area where we make our own judgment calls? Join Rick and his special guest Becky (aka the Beckynator) as they continue a month-long series exploring common Biblical beliefs that may not be true by examining sin, what it really is, and what Jesus wants us to do about it. Digging deeper, Rick and Becky will slow down and pay attention to how Jesus approaches people’s sin, including a promise to fulfill the law found in Matthew 15:17. 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 Launch Group- www.facebook.com/groups/151219602…3760752032385%2

As followers of Jesus, we frequently want to be used by God to accomplish his will on earth. But what if this desire is fundamentally contrary to the heart of Jesus? Join us as we continue a month-long series exploring common beliefs about Jesus that may not be true, including challenging the idea that we should be “used” by Jesus. Turning to the Bible, we’ll dive into John 15, a passage where Jesus defines the type of relationship he wants with us. 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 Launch Group- www.facebook.com/groups/151219602…3760752032385%20 - {Pre-order} Spiritual Grit- www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-En…ce/dp/1470750899/ - The

During tough times, when all your limits are being pushed, it's nice to take comfort in the verse that says Jesus will never give you more than you can handle. Except there's just one problem: even though we hear that saying all the time, that verse doesn't exist. So why do we keep saying it? Join us as we kick off a month-long series exploring common beliefs about Jesus we often profess even if they’re not true. Starting off, Rick and special guest, author and producer Stephanie Hillberry, tackle the idea that “Jesus will never give us more than we can handle.” Searching for Jesus’ heart, Rick and Steph slow down and focus on Biblical examples where Jesus demonstrates a dependent connection to the Father during overwhelming circumstances. 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 connec

We call ourselves “followers” of Jesus, but how do you follow when you’re having a hard time seeing where the path is leading? Or…what if you can’t see the path at all? Join Rick and author Mikal Keefer as they discuss what it means to understand God’s will and examine why people, even those close to Jesus, can have a difficult time with it. Turning to the Bible, Rick examines two parables Jesus uses to help us understand how to find and follow God’s will. 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 Unreasonable Jesus by Thomas Christianson- www.mylifetree.com/shop/the-unreasonable-jesus/ - {Pre-order} Spiritual Grit- www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-En…ce

We know that rash decisions made in our own strength lead to trouble. But the alternative--timid prayers that tiptoe around each and every step--is not much better. So how do we make decisions about what's right and wrong? How do we walk the line between our own common sense and Jesus' divine guidance? Join Rick and dear friend of the show Becky (aka the Beckynator) as they dive into a discussion about right and wrong. Turning to the Bible, they slow down and pay ridiculous attention to Luke 12, a passage where Jesus challenges weak decision-making and presents a compelling alternative. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: - The Unreasonable Jesus by

Just about everyone likes Jesus. Christians adore him. Muslims respect him. Even Jews think he has interesting things to say. If only Jesus didn’t have a habit of being completely unreasonable. Join Rick and special guest Thomas Christianson (author of the new book The Unreasonable Jesus) as they focus on “mud puddle moments:” passages in the Bible where Jesus says or does something that seems shockingly unreasonable. Continuing a focus on developing grit and core spiritual strengths, Rick and Thomas will also discuss practical ideas to live out these unreasonable requests instead of just passing them over. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related- Th

It’s often said that too much of a good thing can be bad. It’s true of ice cream and sunshine, but does it also apply to reading the Bible? Join Rick as he welcomes author Mikal Keefer to discuss common misconceptions about reading the Bible, including a surprising revelation about yearlong Bible reading plans. This episode continues our series on core spiritual strengths by examining the practice of reading the Bible from an obvious yet often unconsidered perspective. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: - {Pre-order} Spiritual Grit- https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-Endurance-Character-Confidence/dp/1470750899/ - {Available Now} NEW Jesus-Cen

Imagine you’re facing hardship and you call out to Jesus. There’s an answer, but maybe it’s not quite what you envisioned or desired. Now what? Join Rick and special guest (and dear friend of the show) Becky Hodges as they examine what it looks like to have a genuine belief in the goodness of Jesus’ heart, particularly when facing dark circumstances. Diving into the Bible, they'll slow down and pay ridiculous attention to Mark 5:1-20 when a miracle performed by Jesus for a demon-possessed man meets an unexpected response. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: {Pre-order} Spiritual Grit- https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-Endurance-Character-Confid

If prayer is just conversation with Jesus...why do we talk so funny when we do it? For instance, why do we speak in a softer voice than normal, and close our eyes? Why do we adopt strange prayer-ish sayings we don’t use anywhere else? Does Jesus hear us better this way...or have we just picked up weird customs along the way? Join Rick as he continues a month-long look at core spiritual strengths by focusing on prayer. During the podcast, Rick welcomes author Mikal Keefer and discusses what a deep, playful, and intimate prayer life looks like. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related Resources {Pre-order} NEW Jesus-Centered Practical Guides- https://www.m

Lament, which stems from pain, mourning, and loss, is often viewed in a negative light. But what if we told you that lamenting is actually a core spiritual strength? Join us as we kick-off a month-long series on core spiritual practices by focusing on lament and paying ridiculous attention to how Jesus forms grit in people through lamenting. Personalizing this practice, Rick and Becky tell their own stories of past and on-going times of lament, sharing examples of how (and how not) to grieve well. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related (Pre-order) Jesus-Centered Practical Guides- https://www.mylifetree.com/?s=practical+guides&post_type=product&tags=1

Empathy is usually seen as a positive thing...so why didn't Jesus use it to set people free? Join Rick and Becky as they wrap up a month-long focus on resetting your life by examining the difference between empathy and compassion and why they shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Turning to the Bible, they’ll explore Lazarus' death and resurrection (John 11) through a new lens, paying ridiculous attention to how Jesus displays compassion to Martha and Mary, but shies away from empathy. 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- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: {Pre-order} Spiritual Grit- https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-Endurance-Character-Confidence/dp/1470750899/ Jesus-Centered Bi

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Join Rick and Becky as they discuss what it looks like to pursue a life of self-differentiation, which is staying true to yourself particularly when surrounded by forces trying to make you a different person than who Jesus says you are. Turning to the Bible, they’ll slow down and pay ridiculous attention to examples where Jesus displayed self-differentiation, including an encounter with Pharisees found in Matthew 15. Join Here- http://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: • {Pre-order} Spiritual Grit- https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-Endurance-Character-Confidence/dp/1470750899/ • Bible Reading Plans- https://www.mylifetree.com/six-free-bible-reading-plans-to-try/ • Jesus-Centered Bible- https://www.mylifetree.com/jesus-centered-bible-shop-page/ • 2018 Jesus-Centered Digital Planner Download- https://www.mylifetree.com/shop/jesus-centered-planner-2018-di

Wouldn’t it be nice if the difficult things we faced in life really turned out to be easy? Unfortunately, living a Jesus-centered life isn't a free pass from difficulty. In fact, following Jesus often leads us into challenge and sacrifice. Join Rick and Becky as they dive into the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19), focusing on how Jesus asks him to do something seemingly impossible. Continuing a month-long theme on developing grit, Rick and Becky share examples from their own lives about what it looks like to lean into…and sometimes away from, the hard things Jesus asks of us. 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 Now- https://www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related Articles and Resources {Pre-