Gluttony is a topic most of us don't want to think or talk about, so we don't. But because we don't talk about it, we don't understand it. And because we don't understand it, we may think we are guilty of it during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's feasts.

Jordan and TJ look into Scripture to see if there is a difference between being gluttonous and enjoying a feast during these celebrations.

Mentioned resources:

The Respectable Sin of Gluttony

Chrisitan Joy and Feasting

How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of Old Testament Feasts?

With the discussion on debt over, the team moves to celebrating Christmas in a memorable way on a tight budget. Wesley, Jordan, and TJ have wives and young children, so this is all close to their hearts. They share what they did as kids, and what they plan to do with their children and wives.

According to a recent study, 56% of Americans incurred debt while Christmas shopping last year. Of those, several are still paying those debts off this Christmas. What does this reveal about the way we view giving and receiving gifts?

Wesley, Jordan, and TJ discuss having the freedom to use or not use credit cards (some of us have the freedom, some don't). And they all brag on their wives.

Wesley, Jordan, and TJ continue discussing Santa Claus, but explain why the real Saint Nicholas was an amazing guy who once stood up in a meeting of preachers and punched a guy in the face. Editor's Note: We do not condone violence, but it is a great story.

All three open up about how or if they include Santa but make the focus Jesus. They share the practical steps they follow to lead their families to the Gift in the nativity, not presents under the tree.

Mentioned Resources:

Why Santa Belongs in Your Kids' Christmas

In Defense of Santa Claus: A True Myth

Rethinking Santa

Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Tragic Distraction?

Waiting on Christmas (Advent)

Every Christmas, Christmas parents struggle with the idea of whether or not to include Santa in the festivities. Is it lying to our children? Is it dishonoring to Christ? Wesley, Jordan, TJ (and even Cedra) voice their thoughts and practices on the jolly man in a red suit.

Mentioned Resources:

Why Santa Belongs in Your Kids' Christmas

In Defense of Santa Claus: A True Myth

Rethinking Santa

Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Tragic Distraction?

Truth is universal. And the best stories focus on and illustrate a great truth. That is part of the reason movies about Norse mythology, a teenager bitten by a spider, or a billionaire orphan can, and do, contain gospel truths. Jordan, Canada, and TJ shift their focus from what our love of superhero films reveal about us as humans, to what truths they illustrate about God.

With Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok and DC's Justice League in theatres, we decided to talk about why we love superhero stories. Jordan, Canada, and TJ all enjoy some of the comic book movies, but they also enjoy dissecting them and seeking to find what they reveal about us as human beings.

Thanksgiving is a day for giving gratitude to God for the blessings He has given us. Black Friday is, depending on the perspective, a day to be discontent and grab all the things you can or a day to be a good steward and get the best deals of the year.

In the midst of everything else is an opportunity for you to give Christmas to someone else through Operation Christmas Child. Have you packed your shoebox yet?

We all have that family member who likes to cause "heated discussions" during family get-togethers. You do not have to take the bait. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to show love, serve others, and live out the gospel.

Mentioned Resources:

Navigating Thanksgiving with Grace

Wesley and TJ continue talking to Tom Doyle, the man delivering Orange Letters. He and his team at Uncharted are going to take your letters and share them with persecuted Christians. When he is not risking his life to deliver letters, Tom is the president of Uncharted and writes book. He latest is Standing in the Fire.

The trio discusses the 2017 Orange Letter Campaign, why we are focusing on North Korea, and the impact of our previous campaigns.

Mentioned Resources:

Video of North Korean Christians worshiping in North Korean home

Standing the Fire

Killing Christians

As Engage wraps up another Orange Letter Campaign, Wesley and TJ talk to the man who will be delivering your letters for Christians who have suffered persecution in North Korea, Tom Doyle.

Tom is founder and president of Uncharted and the author of multiple books, the latest be Standing in the Fire.

The trio discusses the 2017 Orange Letter Campaign, why we are focusing on North Korea, and the impact of our previous campaigns.

Mentioned Resources:

Video of North Korean Christians worshiping in North Korean home

Standing the Fire

Killing Christians

Spending a week focusing on Christian persecution can be heavy, especially when the place of that persecution in North Korea. It is a country many have called the Hermit Kingdom because it is so secluded and secretive.

But the gospel is making inroads in that country. Bible are being released, and Engage is sending your letters of encourage and hope. But how are we delivering them, and what should you write? Wesley, Jordan, and TJ discuss that and much more.

Mentioned Resources:

2017 OLC Preview Article

To write your Orange Letter, click here.

Discussing persecution is never easy or light. But it can, and should, be marked with hope. Wesley, Jordan, and TJ share the plans for this years Orange Letter Campaign (OLC), where the letters are going, and why we should all be involved.

Mentioned Resources:

2017 OLC Preview Article

To write your Orange Letter, click here.

Whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween is a great topic for discussion. But these conversations typically neglect the fact that there is another reason October 31 is a day of importance: Reformation Day.

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Church. Wesley, Jordan, and TJ discuss the importance of this historical event and how you can learn more about it.

Suggested Resources:

The God Who Speaks Documentary

(Listen to our interview with director M.D. Perkins here and here.)

Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer

(Read our review here.)

Should Christians celebrate All Hallow's Eve?

Is it wrong to dress us in costumes and eat candy?

Wesley, Jordan, and TJ ask the question and share the views they were raised with the how they view the day as adults with children. Where do you fall on the question?

Mentioned Resources:

The Devil does not have a Day

Got Questions: Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

The Apostles' Creed is the essential beliefs of Christianity boiled down to 12 points. There is much more to Christianity than what is found in the Creed, but there is certainly not less.

Ray Rooney (Ph. D.) joins Wesley and TJ in the studio for the final installation of the Apostles' Creed series. They cover the most controversial text and discuss why this document is so important to modern believers.

Other Resouces:

Apostles Creed Sermon Series

Considering Christ: The Son

Logically Logical: The Trinity

The Apostles' Creed is the essential beliefs of Christianity boiled down to 12 points. There is much more to Christianity than what is found in the Creed, but there is certainly not less.

Ray Rooney (Ph. D.) joins Wesley and TJ in the studio for the third installation of the Apostles' Creed series. This time they finally get into the text of the Creed and some of the controversies surrounding it.

Other Resouces:

Apostles Creed Sermon Series

Considering Christ: The Son

Logically Logical: The Trinity

The Apostles' Creed is the essential beliefs of Christianity boiled down to 12 points. There is much more to Christianity than what is found in the Creed, but there is certainly not less.

Ray Rooney (Ph. D.) joins Wesley and TJ in the studio again to talk more about how we as modern Christians should approach and appreciate this ancient document. They also begin getting into the text of the Creed, albeit not very far into it.

Other Resouces:

Apostles Creed Sermon Series

Considering Christ: The Son

Logically Logical: The Trinity

The Apostles' Creed is an ancient document that only contains 12 points, but it is filled with theologically rich and deep truths. Sadly, few today know about this Creed (or what a creed is) or why they should care about it.

Wesley and TJ are joined by Ray Rooney (Ph.D.), editor of AFA's blog The Stand. The three spend the first episode of the four-part series talking about what the Creed is and how we should approach it.

Other Resources:

Apostles Creed Sermon Series

My God, My Father

Ep. 17 Honoring Christ In Our Disagreement

Ep. 18 How to Disagree in Grace

In the last segment, Wesley and TJ talked with Donald Whitney about family worship. They continue that topic, but this time focusing on the nuts and bolts of it. What elements should be included? How long should it take? What does it look like practically?

There is much more that can, and has, been said about family worship. One of our favorite resources on the topic is Whitney's book, Family Worship. Seriously, go buy and read this book. If you want to know how impactful it can be, read Don's testimony of how it impacted his daughter, even though he never thought it was making a difference in her life.

Other resources:

Anatomy of a Family Devotion

Best Marriage Advice

Who is the Key Player in Discipleship