Slingshots & Swords Podcast

Have you had a chance to check out the documentary "Bye Bye Barry" on Amazon Prime about Barry Sanders yet? We watched it, and we thought it was absolutely amazing! It got us thinking about the similarities between the way Barry played football and the way men of faith lived their lives in the Bible. We'd love for you to join the conversation by tuning into Episode 7 of the Slingshots & Swords Podcast. We truly believe that football is a fun and interesting way to learn more about how to be an "excellent" Christian man. Also, check out our blog article on how to make sure your interests and hobbies like football, don't become idols in life, but instead, valuable Christian learning environments. Faith, Family, Football - How To Balance Them All Connect with us @ pastorbside.com

Electronic music culture encompasses various genres such as trance, techno, drum and bass, house, and dubstep. However, is the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) culture only about the music? In this episode, pastors James and b.Side share their experiences of growing up in the Los Angeles rave scene, which has now transformed into music festivals. They discuss their experiences as DJs, partygoers, and churchgoers. The conversation mainly focuses on the church's impact on the individuals involved in the rave culture and whether it has been positive or negative. Connect with us @ pastorbside.com

There are a lot of definitions and descriptions of what “family” means now. Many people believe that the entertainment industry is partially to blame for all the confusion about an issue that should be simple. In this episode titled, “Hollywood Families,” James and b.Side are looking at the timeline of TV sitcoms to see who’s really to blame. How did we go from shows like The Andy Griffith Show to Modern Family in a single generation? You might be surprised to see what the Bible says about that. Connect with us @ pastorbside.com

It's hard to deny that the world is in a state of turmoil. The cost of living is increasing globally, and natural disasters are causing significant loss of life. There are ongoing wars, rumors of more conflicts, and governments are struggling. In this edition of Slingshots & Swords, we will explore how the Bible predicted these events and how it can guide and empower men to face these challenges. The episode, titled "Bold Predictions," offers practical advice and instructions on how to act decisively in times when the world seems to want men to yield. For more good Bible prophecy teaching resources: The Bible teaching ministry of Amir Tsarfati: https://beholdisrael.org The Bible teaching YouTube Channel of Pastor Barry Stagner: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTruthAboutGodBarryStagner The Bible teaching ministry of David Hocking: https://www.davidhocking.org The Bible Teaching Blog Feed for Olivier Melnick: https://www.newantisemitism.com

Football is officially back, and if you’re a fan, we all heard A LOT about the “value” of NFL football players, especially in relationship to their contracts. We saw quite a few players get paid INSANE amounts of money. We also saw other players complain about their perceived value, while failing to get the long-term contracts they hoped for. In this episode of the Slingshots & Swords podcast, we’re going to talk about how we can grow in our Christian faith, by thinking about how the NFL pays the players that they value. Connect with us @ pastorbside.com

It's no secret that controversy in Hollywood has been exposed for a long time, particularly with the hypocrisy that often emerges. In this episode of the Slingshots & Swords Podcast, we will explore the growing popularity of the LGBTQ+ movement in Hollywood. Additionally, we will discuss helpful and proven tips from scripture about how to approach these socio-political agendas in a Biblical manner. Tune in to discover how Hollywood has been influencing pop culture since the days of 2 Live Crew and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar." Furthermore, we will explore how Christian men can effectively combat these influences in the name of Jesus. Connect with us @ www.pastorbside.com

In this episode of the Slingshots & Swords podcast, we explore how Christian men handle challenges from politics, education, and healthcare affecting families and churches. Is it best to fight or to retreat? We delve into the "California Exodus" phenomenon and compare it to biblical teachings. Pastors James Wright Jr. and b.Side share their personal experiences and offer insights on how God guides and supports believers during uncertain and trying times. Tune in to gain wisdom and encouragement. Connect with us www.pastorbside.com

On this podcast, we're discussing daily life circumstances in our homes, schools, and workplaces, to understand the spiritual implications we face every day in those areas, training our bodies, minds, and hearts to fight the good fight of faith with the weapons of warfare God has provided.

“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Life is so much better when we do it with others! We need others for encouragement, help, and support in all ways: physical, emotional, and spiritual. This may be true, BUT, is it possible that Biblical fellowship gets lost, even though there is such a strong push for “community” inside and outside of the church? That’s what we’re talking about on this episode, to see how we can make sure we’re getting all the good things the LORD has for us in His version of “community.” DJ Havcutz sets the mood with an opening DJ set featuring a lot of classic 90’s Hip-hop beats, from artists like Black Moon, Artifacts, The Pharcyde, & InI. We keep this vibe going, as we curate some of the original music that was sampled, for the background beats, as we converse about the value, the connection, of both community and Biblical fellowship. b.Side takes us home with a soulful, funky, DJ set featuring some classics from the label Naked Music, Masters At Work, and new music from Moulton Records.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Too often we associate serving others simply as a “church-ministry” thing, or even a socially-good thing. However, if we find ourselves serving, or thinking of serving in these ways, what’s our motivation? Why are we doing it? What do we get out of it? Who’s telling us to do this? In this episode, we have a candid conversation about our own personal experience with serving people, from both a ministry perspective; as well as just doing “good works” for others to benefit for personal objectives. Before the conversation, b.Side sets the vibe with a soulful, and jazzy house music DJ set, featuring tracks from JT Donaldson, Ross Couch, & Jam Funk. DJ Havcutz closes the show by highlighting some beats and sounds, from his upbringing in Motown and 90’s Hip-Hop. The beats are fresh. The conversation gets you thinking a bit. Both together, energize the mind and the soul. Take a listen…

A new year always brings change. For us, it's BIG TIME CHANGE! We have a whole new format with a whole lot more music, and the same quality of Good News and Biblical perspective to feed your soul with encouragement. In this episode, we have a nice jazzy instrumental hip hop mix concocted by DJ Havcutz, and a French-influenced house music set by b.Side. In between, we're having an open and honest conversation about Christian music compared to secular music, and our experience with both as pastors with music backgrounds.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…Din Daa Daa, Doe Doe Doe! Ok, so that last part is not in the Bible. But in this last episode for the year, we had to tell our version of the Christmas Story. Get out of your house shoes, and be ready to dance, and celebrate the greatest Gift of all time – Jesus the Christ. Both James aka DJ Havcutz and Brandon aka b.Side collab on the mix for this one, featuring some Funk, Nu-disco, Breakbeat, and an ode to the Turntablists. We can pretty much guarantee that you’ve NEVER heard the Gospel or the Christmas Story told like this…

One of the touchiest, most controversial, and emotionally-fueled issues in the U.S. right now. The 2022 election enabled American citizens to publicly declare their stance on abortion-related issues, especially in California. The chief issue though is, when does life actually begin? Though this subject is usually addressed through the lens of extreme biases, delivered with intense emotion, we’re going to try and take the bias and emotion out of the conversation, and just present the truth...

Take your unsaved friends/family to…fill in the blank. Whatever you filled in, is typical of how the modern church equips us as believers to share our faith. But, have we seen an improvement in church growth or communities thriving in the work of the Gospel? While James aka DJ Havcutz sets the mood with a nice lounge, chill-out, hip-hop vibe, we have a conversation about if these common church practices are what the Bible says to how we actually should share our faith with those of...

When it comes to being a Christian, are we supposed to be “good people,” or are we supposed to be Godly people? What’s the difference, right? We know that the world is filled with “do’s” and “don’ts” that are supposed to define what it means to be “good.” As b.Side drops a nice mix of vibey Nu Disco sounds, the guys look to the scriptures to describe how the fruit of the Spirit differs from the traditions of “church life,” religious practices, and even the world standards.

A lot of people today emphasize that we need to love ourselves, implying that loving ourselves, will help us treat others well. Is that what the Bible teaches? The Bible actually teaches that we’re supposed to “deny ourselves.” This phrase “deny self” has become one of those Christian terms, that often times people don’t really understand what it means. While DJ Havcutz and b.Side try to translate this “Christian lingo,” and explain the Biblical perspective about modern Christian culture,...

We love competition, don’t we? In our culture today, we push competition for everything, not just sports. If we fail in competition, we can learn from mistakes and grow. If we succeed in competition, we often use that success to measure our own excellence, but is any of this Biblical? Competition is such a normal way of life these days in so many ways, that it’s crazy to see how the scriptures address some of these things. Brandon aka B.side plays a French, Tech, Minimal Deep House DJ set...

Some Christians will tell you that social media is trash from the devil, and to stay away. Some Christians will tell you that social media is a mission’s field, filled with people that are ripe for the Gospel. Which is it? If you’ve ever wondered what role social media might play in ministry, in end times prophecy, or how you should handle it in your personal daily life, we go through the scriptures to give an honest presentation of the scriptures, to explain God’s perspective about this...

Is it awkward talking to you kids about certain things? Do you struggle having meaningful conversations with your kids about deep and serious life issues? Are you comfortable talking to your kids about the Bible, and answering questions they might have about it? While Brandon aka b.Side provides a smooth blend of Soulful, Minimal, Deep Tech, and French House for the DJ mix in the background. We provide a pastoral perspective through the scriptures that teach us how to be the best parents we...

Can you sing? Can you dance? Are you an athlete? Can you draw? Do you have savvy business sense? Do you have talent? These are some of the common things we might think of when the word “talent” is brought up. Maybe you think about other talented people. Maybe you consider your own talent or lack of. How about this thought. Is talent merely a God-given thing, or can you develop and improve talent? Brandon aka b.Side provides a smooth and soulful deep house DJ mix for the beats in the back....