Voices In My Head (the Official Podcast Of Rick Lee James)

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 344: CityServe co-founder and chairman, Dave Donaldson      Web Site: https://cityservebook.com/ In 2014, a staggering 46.5 million Americans* did not have enough food in the home, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors. CityServe International co-founders Dave Donaldson, and Wendell Vinson believe that’s tragic in one of the most prosperous nations in the world.   Both men are on a mission to revolutionize and mobilize local churches, businesses, and governments to become agents of transformation in their communities. While they recognize food as one area of desperate need, they acknowledge that many people face unmet spiritual, mental, and social needs.   In the book, CityServe: Your Guide to Church-Based Compassion , Donaldson and Vinson have compiled the models, principles, and strategies used by organizations and leaders across the country to equip the local church and everyday reader to better serve their communities.   Dave Donaldson is the is co-

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 343: Grace Anna Sings with Grace Anna and Angela Ray Rodgers When she was born, doctors said Grace Anna Rodgers would likely be blind, and that her crushing scoliosis could impair her lung function. She was born with a rare form of dwarfism (Conradi Hunermann Syndrome), which causes spinal curvature, cataracts, poor hearing, and sparse hair.  Despite their dire predictions about her ability to hear, Grace has been singing since she was 16 months old. In 2013, she became a YouTube sensation for her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The video has been seen by millions of people around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLdjwpfcC8w Now, at nine years old, Grace Anna hopes people will see her beyond her physical differences and also see her feisty personality, her love for singing, and her contagious happiness for life.   Before she could speak, she was singing “Amazing Grace”and hasn’t stopped since (rare for someone with hearing limitations). Despite the c

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 342: Randall Goodgame and the New Slugs and Bugs Show  Slugs & Bugs creates music and stories full of faith and silliness for the whole family to delight in and sing for years to come. They believe Slugs & Bugs kids would find it natural to remember Jesus in their homework, in their friendships, and one day, in the parenting of their grandchildren. Slugs & Bugs began with the premise that songs are one of God’s powerful tools for building strong relationships. When songs inspire laughter or deep spiritual thought, they can transform a routine car ride into a sweet family experience. Over time, that kind of influence can profoundly impact the culture of a family. Slugs and Bugs have a brand new have a brand new TV show which encourages families to sing together, laugh together, and think deeply together about the meaning of life and the nature of God. Randall Goodgame is the heart and soul behind the Slugs and Bugs and he’s here with us today tell us all the l

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 341: David Weissman's Journey From The Trump Troll To Peacemaker   Can a person change? How does a person change? Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." With that in mind, if you change the way you think, can you change your life? My guest today on Voices In My Head is blogger and activist David Weissman. David is a person of the Jewish faith. He is also writer for The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/ David was born in New York and served in the US Army for 13 years, with two deployments to Afghanistan. He is a former Republican has now joined the Democratic party and is doing his best to fight for the rights of others. That isn’t interesting part of the story however. We all know Republicans, and we all know Democrats and chances are that they are our good friends and family, even if we aren’t all on the same page together. What is so fascinating about David’s story wasn’t just a

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 340: Finding Hope and Healing After Devastating Loss with Guest Kim Peacock   Kim Peacock is the author of Victorious Heart, which details her handling of grief over the loss of her 17-year-old daughter.  It also provides insightful advice for those seeking to support and help those who grieve.  She has raised six children, residing with her second husband in a log house in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.  Several years ago, they relocated from the desert of Southern California.  She is the CFO of Peacock Engineering, a cemetery construction company that specializes in cemetery improvement and expansion.  Through her blog, Wild Victorious Heart, and her book and speaking Kim acts as a grief mentor to others in need. Her blended family includes a step-daughter, a daughter with her current husband, and three adopted children.  She also has several grandchildren.  For more information, consult:  www.wildvictoriousheart.com. Buy The Book Victorious Heart:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 339: The Pivot with Andrew Osenga   Andrew Osenga Andrew Osenga is a 20-year music industry veteran. From artist to producer, major label A&R to studio session player, he’s contributed in almost every area of the music business.  Andrew also hosts a really amazing podcast called "The Pivot". It’ a show about people who’ve made a change and how they deal with transitions. Andrew is an extremely gifted host. His guests come on to talk about the pivots they’ve made in their careers, but inevitably the Andrews visits with his guests touch on the subjects of family, health, and God. By the time each episode ends, you’ve heard some of the best stories on the internet. Today, we’re turning the tables a bit on Andrew and allowing him to be the one to share his own personal Pivot story. Andrew Osenga’s Web Site: http://www.andrewosenga.com/ The Pivot Podcast: http://www.andrewosenga.com/podcast   As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Ho

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 338: Platinum Faith with Bethany Jett   Platinum – A gorgeous metal with amazing qualities inspires faith UNDERSTAND YOUR WORTH AND LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS FOR YOU  Do you every feel less than–less important or less valuable than others on social media, at work, or even in your own friend circles? Would you like to know with confident assurance just how precious, loved, and valuable you are to God and believe that God has a purpose-filled plan for your life? In Platinum Faith, best-selling authors and  inspirational speakers Michelle Medlock Adams and Bethany Jett examine twelve unique properties of the precious metal platinum–including valuable, rare, unreactive, and highly useful–to show us how to embrace our true worth and cultivate a deeper faith in God. Combining honest and relatable stories with inspirational insights, they unpack each of these properties and the spiritual and practical applications for your life, helping you to: Realize your impor

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 337: Around The Mic 2 with Brothers McClurg Old Bear Records beloved band, Brothers McClurg has made a career on stripping things down to the raw and the simple. From the musical approach of the album, to the direct way that they share matters of faith and God in their lyrics,   "Around the Mic Two"achieves taking the complicated matters of our lives and comforts us, the listener, through songs; songs that are adorned with the theme of God's unfailing love and His promise to always be with us.   Over the last few years, Brothers McClurg has drawn inspiration to write the songs featured on "Around the Mic Two" and have fully embraced their live, stripped down sound laden with some of the most beautiful harmonies and dynamic solo guitar work in Modern Folk and Gospel Music. Each of the songs featured on "Around the Mic Two" were performed live and tuned up during their 2018 tours, which includes a cover song by their grandfather, Pappy McClurg and the original McClurg Famil

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 336: An Extraordinary True Story with Missy Sipes   Missy's Grandfather is pictured on the left.    This week I am joined by one of my oldest and best friends, Missy Sipes. She and her husband Brandon are amazing people but that isn't why she is on the show today. She has an amazing true story to tell about her grandparents, and it truly is amazing. It has everything: tragedy, a love story, a WWII prison camp escape, death, resurrection and generations of lives changed. You just have to hear it to know what I mean. The story is especially about what God can do with the faithfulness of a 16 year old girl who said yes to Jesus decades ago.   Missy and Brandon Sipes     As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder For Booking Inquiries  Click Here or contact Gary Stripling By Phone: 904.745.9151 By Email: gary@th

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 335: Simple Hymns - Songs of Redemption On August 30th, Venture3Media (V3M) launched its Simple Hymns series with the release of the album Simple Hymns: Songs of Redemption. The project features such well-known worship leaders as Pat Barrett (Housefires), Chris McClarney (Jesus Culture), Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer), Dan Koch, Anthony Skinner, Aaron Keyes and more. This 10-hymn album is available at iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play and more digital and streaming outlets globally. Here today to talk to us more about the Simple Hymns series is Steve Nicolle, President and CEO of Venture3 Media The first of several new recordings in the Simple Hymns series to release over the next year, Songs of Redemption combines classic Hymns with a fresh interpretation, some with additional lyrics, as well as new songs that have been written and recorded in a hymn-like style and focusing on the Majesty and Greatness of God.   “Simple Hymns is a response to those tha

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 334: Mary Demuth and We Too: How The Church Can Respond Redemptively To The Sexual Abuse Crisis Rocked by high-profile sexual misconduct allegations, the evangelical church’s shortcomings in responding to and protecting the victims of sexual abuse within their walls were largely thrust into the limelight in 2018. My guest today on Voices In my Head is Mary DeMuth. Mary is an advocate, a survivor of sexual abuse, and a popular evangelical author who helps church leaders identify and enact biblically infused responses in order to truly welcome and care for those who’ve survived abuse—and are leaving the church in droves. Her new book We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis published by Harvest House Publishers, released Aug. 13, 2019. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Mary's Web Site: https://www.marydemuth.com/ We Too Resources https://www.wetoo.org/ https://www.wetoo.org/pastors/ Mary's Podcast:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/r

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 333: Sing 2019 Special with Fernando Ortega, Sandra McCracken, and Many, Many More...   Sing! Is A Conference for Pastors, Leaders and Musicians on Encouraging and Reforming Congregational Worship These conversations were recorded live at the 2019 conference with these amazing guests: Fernando Ortega     Sandra McCracken     Matt Papa   David Zimmer     Fred Heumann   Joshua Macleod and Instruments of Joy     Stephen J Nichols   Weston Skaggs     As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder For Booking Inquiries  Click Here or contact Gary Stripling By Phone: 904.745.9151 By Email: gary@themanagementagency.com Management General Office Hours: Monday – 11Am – 5PM Tuesday – 11Am – 5PM Wednesday – Office closed Thursday – 11Am – 5PM Friday – 11AM – 5PM Saturday – 11AM – 5PM

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 332: Jennifer M. Greenberg - Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse: How Faith Brought One Woman From Victim to Survivor     —“Isn’t it tragic that in a world so beautiful and diverse, a defining feature we all have in common is pain?” Jennifer M. Greenberg knows pain all too well, having suffered psychological, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of her church-going father. At the age of 15, as she contemplated suicide with a razor to her arm, she heard the voice of God say to her, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” From that moment on, she knew she had a father in heaven who loved her. She knew she had a purpose in life on this earth.   In her new book, Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse: How Faith Brought One Woman From Victim to Survivor (The Good Book Company, Aug. 20, 2019), Greenberg shares how her faith brought her through the darkest of situations, time and time again, and how faith can enable survivors of all walks to navigate issues of guil

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 331: Signs of Life with Stephanie Lobdell     Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope Out Of Ordinary Loss Every day we lose a little bit of something. Career plans wither. Friendships crumble. Our zeal for Jesus wanes. Whether it’s the demise of ideals and expectations, belief in the church, a previously healthy relationship, or our image of ourselves: we all experiences losses.  So does the God of the resurrection have anything to say to our hurts? Was Christ’s resurrection a once-and-done thing, or is there hope for healing and restoration now?  In Signs of Life, pastor and writer Stephanie Lobdell leads readers into the grand story of God’s saving action and resurrection power. Punctuated with stories of biblical figures such as Sarah, Naaman, Saul, and Anna—who faced ordinary deaths and also God’s reviving power —Signs of Life claims Jesus’ resurrection matters now. In candid and artful prose, Lobdell shares stories of her own depression, loss of confidence, and disillusion

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 330: Ben DeLong - There's A God In My Closet: Encountering The Love Who Embraces Our Skeletons   There's a God in My Closet Encountering the Love Who Embraces Our Skeletons Author Ben DeLong Forward: Brad Jersak   Many have been taught to see God as a terrifying agent of wrath who spews anger at any sign of imperfection. At the same time, they’ve been taught that they are inherently flawed and devoid of goodness. Where does that leave us? For Ben DeLong, it left him hiding his skeletons from the monster he believed God to be. This proved to be a perfect recipe for anxiety, depression, and insecurity. But what if God accepts our skeletons? What if he actually embraces them in love? How would that change our outlook? For Ben, it changed everything. This book is about his journey to find what was always true: we are eternally embraced by God, skeletons and all, and he is never letting go   Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1532658710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 329: Nikki Lerner and Multicultural Worship Ministry   Nikki Lerner is an artist, teacher, speaker, author and culture coach helping others engage with one another relationally and across culture lines.  Her passion is to see people come to an understanding of one another through music and conversation and learn to remain human with each other.  Nikki has been a driving force behind the Multicutural Worship Leaders Network and The MWLN’s 2019 Leadership Conference, One, happens this October 10th and 11th at Bridgeway Community Church Owings Mills, Maryland.   Nikki Lerner's Official Website: http://www.nikkilerner.com MWLN One Conference 2019: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/one-the-multicultural-worship-leaders-network-2019-conference-tickets-56253282081 As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder  

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 328: A Third Way To Talk About Abortion - ProGrace CEO Angie Weszely According to Lifeway Research, 36% of women who get abortions are regular church attenders. Only 7% talk to anyone at their church before making that decision. Increasingly, Christians and churches are becoming silent in the abortion conversation. Many leaders have say this is because they wrestle with how to communicate God’s heart on this issue. The political dialogue frames the issue in a way that makes us feel we must choose between advocating for either the woman OR the child. But when we align with this either/or mentality, it actually limits our positive influence in our culture. Instead, we can start believing God to give us a creative solution based on His wisdom and provision - and His love for BOTH the woman and the child. My Guest Today on Voices In My Head is Angie Weszely. Angie Weszely is CEO Pro-Grace a faith-based nonprofit creating a third option in the abortion debate by equipping Chr

 Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 327: William Willimon - Accidental Preacher Dr. William Willimon is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. He is an internationally renowned preacher and widely read author noted for his humor, his insight into the Christian faith, and his theological commitment. His many books have sold over a million copies. His latest book, a memoir titled Accidental Preacher, releases on July 17th, 2019. In Accidental Preacher, Dr. Willimon recounts memorable moments from his rich and full preaching life, with his signature wit and humor. Accidental Preacher portrays the adventure of a life caught up in the purposes of a God who calls unlikely people to engage in work greater than themselves. William Willimon, welcome back to Voices In My Head.   Buy The Book "Accidental Preacher" by William H. Willimon Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802876447/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=178

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 326: Lyz Lenz - God Land In the wake of the 2016 election, Lyz Lenz watched as her country and her marriage were torn apart by the competing forces of faith and politics. A mother of two, a Christian, and a lifelong resident of middle America, Lenz was bewildered by the pain and loss around her—the empty churches and the broken hearts. What was happening to faith in the heartland? From drugstores in Sydney, Iowa, to skeet shooting in rural Illinois, to the mega churches of Minneapolis, Lenz set out to discover the changing forces of faith and tradition in God's country. Part journalism, part memoir, God Land is a journey into the heart of a deeply divided America. Lenz visits places of worship across the heartland and speaks to the everyday people who often struggle to keep their churches afloat and to cope in a land of instability. Through a thoughtful interrogation of the effects of faith and religion on our lives, our relationships, and our country, God Land investigate

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 325: The Jewish View of Creation This episode of Voices In My Head dives into the Creation/Evolution debate from a different perspective than most evangelicals endeavor, the Jewish Perspective.  So many of our debates and insecurities about things like creation and evolution could be ended if we simply consulted the Jewish faith to help us understand the book that was originally theirs.  This is an episode much from the Jewish perspective of the conversation using the scholarship of one of the greatest Old Testament scholars of our time, Walther Brueggeman, and a Jewish Rabbi who wrote the text still in use today for young Jewish people in their confirmation,  Roland Bertram Gittelsohn.     As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.        About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder