The God Who Seeks

The God Who Seeks

What if the greatest obstacle between you and God isn't your past—but your belief that you've gone too far? In this episode of Crusade With Me!, we explore two powerful passages of Scripture that reveal the very heart of God. In First Timothy 1:12–17, the Apostle Paul calls himself the "foremost of sinners," yet boldly proclaims the immeasurable grace of Christ. Then, in Gospel of Luke 1–10, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, reminding us that God is not waiting for the lost to find Him—He is actively seeking them. Together, these readings paint a beautiful picture of a God whose mercy is greater than our failures and whose joy is found in restoring what was lost. In this episode, we'll explore: * What these Scriptures meant to their original hearers. * What they reveal about the character of God. * How religion can distort our understanding of grace. * How Jesus fulfills God's mission to seek and save the lost. * Why the Cross is the ultimate expression of God's relentless love. * How the Holy Spirit transforms forgiven sinners into people who reflect Christ's heart. * And finally, in The Build, we'll discover how these truths shape the way we think, the way we treat others, and the way we participate in God's mission of seeking the lost. No matter where you've been, no matter what you've done, this episode is a reminder that your story is never beyond the reach of God's grace. Because the Good Shepherd is still searching. And heaven still rejoices every time one lost soul is found.

Connecting Dots

The older I get, the less certain I become about many things. Twenty years ago, I thought I had most of life's answers figured out. Today, I realize that certainty is often easier than wisdom, and arrogance is far easier than humility. In this episode, I share why Crusade With Me! exists in the first place. This podcast was never created because I believed I had all the answers. It was created because I need the questions. Together, we'll explore what it means to "connect the dots" in life. Sometimes we connect dots that have no business being connected. Other times, we fail to see the connections that are right in front of us. Our habits, relationships, health, faith, attention, and decisions are all intertwined in ways we often overlook. As I reflect on our recent comeback episodes, I've come to recognize a common thread running through them all: the pursuit of wisdom. Not information. Not opinions. Wisdom. The wisdom that comes from God. If we want to become healthier, stronger, mentally sharper, spiritually deeper, and more faithful in our daily lives, we need more than knowledge. We need Divine Wisdom to help us understand which dots matter and which ones don't. This isn't an episode about having answers. It's an episode about seeking them. So, grab a cup of coffee and join me as we explore the questions that shape our lives, the patterns we often miss, and the wisdom that can only be found by walking with God. Because information fills the mind. But Divine Wisdom transforms the soul.

No More Excuses

Most people don't reject God because they hate him. They reject Him because they're busy. Busy building careers. Busy chasing dreams. Busy paying bills. Busy scrolling phones. Busy entertaining themselves. And before long, the important gets crowded out by the urgent. Jesus tells the story about that. Luke3:13-18 John tells us what happens when we let God's love shape our lives. I John 14:16-24 Together these readings challenge us to examine where our priorities truly are.

“From Scoundrel to Shepherd: The 1975 Turning Point — A Conversation with Pastor Mike Hesterman”

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Crusade With Me! Dave sits down with a lifelong friend — Pastor Mike Hesterman — to revisit a 30‑year friendship and a 50‑year faith journey. Pastor Mike opens up about his early life as a self‑described scoundrel, his years of rebellion, his time in the Army during a racially tense and dangerous season, and the night in 1975 when he was forced to confront the question: “If I died tonight… where would I go?” What follows is a raw, honest, and moving conversation about: * Growing up between two strong traditions — Lutheran and Mennonite * Wrestling with infant baptism, adult baptism, and what Scripture actually says * The dangers of drugs, deception, and dabbling in darkness * The moment in Germany that changed everything * How identity, rebellion, and human nature haven’t changed in 6,000 years * Why being made in the image of God still matters today * The struggle to mature spiritually — and why some truths only hit us decades later This episode is rich with wisdom, humility, humor, and the kind of honesty only two old friends can share. A must‑listen for anyone wrestling with faith, identity, or the long road of transformation.

What Are You Looking At?

In a world fighting for your attention, Jesus asks a deeper question: What are you really looking at? In Episode 157, we explore how focus shapes formation — and how the things we continually behold begin to shape who we become. Drawing from Matthew 6:22–33 and Romans 5:1–10, this episode dives into: * Why attention is a spiritual battleground * How divided allegiance fuels anxiety * The subtle masters we serve without realizing it * Why peace isn’t the absence of trouble — it’s the presence of the right focus * How God loved you before you ever got better You’ll walk away with clarity, conviction, and a practical daily challenge to re-center your heart on the Kingdom. If you’ve been overwhelmed, distracted, or pulled in too many directions… this episode is your reset. Seek first. Look up. Live with intention. Welcome back to the crusade.