Burden and Blessing Podcast

Review - Trust in You by Lauren Daigle

In this episode Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Neal Radichel discuss and
review  Lauren Daigle's new song, "Trust in You."  They will also offer a
framework that listeners can use to analyze music they listen to at
home.  It's called the ABC's.  Is it Appropriate? Is it Biblical? and Does
it Direct us to Christ?  Listen to their evaluation of this song which
is popular on Christian Radio today.

CPR - God and Suffering (Skeptic Series)

In this special episode of Conservative Pastor Response Pastors Mark Tiefel and
Nathanael Mayhew discuss the topic of God and suffering from a skeptic's perspective.  They deal with the following questions: "Why is their evil in the world?" - Because of sin and the fall recorded in Genesis 3; "How can a God who is loving allow bad things to happen?" - Because God is also just and our sin brings God's judgment against our sin.  God justice was served in Christ at the cross; "Why would God even allow for the possibility of sin?" - Because God wanted us to love Him freely because of all that He has done for us; "Why doesn't God just eliminate all evil?" - Because God desires the salvation of all people, and He wants us to repent and to trust in Him for salvation.  We pray that this discussion is beneficial for you and in your witnessing to others. 

Word of the Week: RECONCILIATION

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Neal Radichel explains the Biblical word Reconciliation.  This word describes a change in a relationship.  We have been separated from God because of our sin.  Christ reconciles sinners to God by His sacrifice of sin.  See Daniel 9:24; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:19-21; Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.  Because of Christ's live and death for sinners, our debt has been paid and we are at peace with God.  Thanks be to our Savior.  Listen and grow in your knowledge of this important Biblical word.

Bible Study - The Gospel of John

In this Bible Study episode, Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew
take us into the Gospel of John.  John's Gospel is different than the other three Gospels.  He emphasizes that Jesus is true God and records miracles and words of Jesus that reinforce that truth.  John points out that Jesus was God, but that He came in the flesh to give His life as the sacrifice needed to redeem sinners.  Jesus is "The Word," "the Lamb," and "the Messiah" and more.  He is also the Great "I AM" of the Old Testament, Jehovah Himself.  Jesus says He is the I AM, Yahweh.  John points to these I AM statements of Jesus throughout His Gospel to show that Jesus was Yahweh.  The Jews recognized what Jesus was saying and wanted to kill Him because He had blasphemed by calling Himself God.  John also makes a connection between Jesus and Life.  Jesus is Life (John 14:6), and the Life that Jesus brings to the world through His death and resurrection is received by us through faith. 

Word of the Week: MILLENNIUM

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel discusses the word Millennium.  This word is not found in the Bible, but 1000 years is.  In this study we go into the correct and incorrect understanding of the 1000 years of Revelation 20.  Is the millennium a literal period of time or is it figurative?  The context of Revelation points to a figurative understanding.  Jesus reinforces this interpretation in John 12:31-33.  In addition Revelation speaks of the "first resurrection" and the "second death."  This does not refer to two physical resurrections, but a spiritual resurrection, or conversion, which delivers from eternal death as Jesus says in John 5:24-29.  Finally, Jesus says in John 18:36-37 that His kingdom is not of this world.  We point people to that Kingdom, the only one that matters.

Review - The Defense Never Rests by Craig Parton

In this episode Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and
review Craig Parton's book, "The Defense Never Rests."  This book is
apologetic in nature, meaning that it is a defense of the Christian
faith.  In this book Parton discusses the importance of the Biblical teachings of the Law and the Gospel, the need to emphasize God's teaching of sin, and the importance of the true teaching of the Sacraments.  He says that while these teachings are lost in modern evangelicalism, they are found and clearly taught in true Lutheranism.  This is a valuable read for any Christian who is looking for the truth of God's Word.

Word of the Week: CONFESSION

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel takes us into the Bible to define the Biblical word Confession.  This word literally means to "speak the same thing."  Consider the use of the word "confession" in the following passages: Romans 10:10, 1 Timothy 6:12-13, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 10:23-25, Leviticus 16:21, Psalm 32:5, 1 John 1:8-9t.  God calls us to confess our faith with others who speak the same thing.  We are also to confess our sins before God and one another, and receive the Lord's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  Listen and grow in your knowledge of this important Biblical word

CPR - The Doctrine of Inspiration (Part 2)

In this episode of Conservative Pastor Response Pastors Neal Radichel and
Nathanael Mayhew go back to discuss the doctrine of inspiration.  In this episode they build on the internal evidence for inspiration by discussing the external evidence for the inspiration of the Bible.  They will talk about how prophecy, the unity of Scripture, answers to the big questions of life and the historical accuracy of Scripture give evidence for divine inspiration.  In addition, the Bible changes the lives of those who are brought to faith, and it has been supernaturally preserved throughout history.  While this will not convert anyone, it does give evidence to the obviously unique and supernatural charactaristics of the Bible.  Thanks be to God!

Word of the Week: CHASTISEMENT

n our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel, goes back to the Bible
to
define the important Biblical word Chastisement.  This word describes God's love for sinners in disciplining them when they do wrong.  One of the purposes of God's Word is to discipline us.  God desires to lead us to repentance over our sins.  Ultimately, God has placed His judgment or discipline for our sin upon Jesus at the cross that we might be declared not guilty by God.  Yes, God is love, and His love is even demonstrated in the discipline we receive from Him.  Listen and grow in your knowledge of this
important Biblical word.

Bible Study - Ecclesiastes

In this Bible Study episode, Pastors Neal Radichel and Nathanael Mayhew
take us into the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.  For many people this is a very confusing book, but in this study they discuss the how to dig into this valuable book and how to properly understand it.  They talk about Hebrew poetry and how it is used in this book.  The main purpose of this book is to show that any life that is lived apart from God is worthless, no matter what that person might achieve.  It is only through our relationship with God and the salvation He has won for us in Christ that we find purpose in this life, as well as in the life to come.