Temptation: The Battle Between Your Spirit and Your Snack Drawer

Temptation: The Battle Between Your Spirit and Your Snack Drawer

Ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling social media at 11:47 PM, acting like a raccoon looking for emotional leftovers? We often think temptation is this massive, dramatic event, but the enemy rarely destroys us instantly. Instead, he simply distracts us with small, micro-mini compromises. At some point, we find ourselves treating accountability like a "spiritual customer service" counter where we hide our real messes behind a nicely painted mirage of honesty. Brian and Kersha unpack the real battlefield of temptation—the daily tug-of-war between your spirit and your late-night impulses. From over-the-shoulder math arguments to their supposedly micro-mini goldendoodle tackling a "play-dead" backyard squirrel, this episode is a raw, funny, and deeply practical guide to stopping the cycle of secrecy. It's time to stop answering the enemy's FaceTime calls, quit flirting with what God told you to flee, and discover how true healing beats willpower every single time. 🔥 What You'll Learn * How to distinguish between an active spiritual battle and the normal realities of simply being human * Why the enemy utilizes small, micro-mini distractions rather than launching an instant, total destruction * The danger of treating your accountability group like a "spiritual customer service" counter instead of practicing real honesty * Why temptation heavily thrives in secret isolation and how guilt and shame widen the cracks in your foundation * How to identify your primary vulnerability windows—like being tired, lonely, frustrated, angry, bored, or scrolling late at night * What Jesus’s showdown with Satan in the wilderness teaches us about fighting temptation with unshakeable scripture instead of raw feelings * The primary areas the enemy targets continuously: your true identity, appetite, pride, shortcuts, power, and patience * Why 2 Timothy explicitly instructs us to physically flee youthful lusts rather than standing around to test our own strength * How sharing your hidden burdens reveals that nine times out of ten, others are facing much heavier unseen battles * The fundamental difference between quick willpower fixes and seeking real, localized emotional and spiritual healing 💬 Memorable Quotes * "Temptation itself is not proof you're failing. It's proof you're human." * "The enemy rarely destroys people instantly. Instead, he distracts them." * "Temptation usually shows up when we're tired, lonely, frustrated, angry, bored, or scrolling social media at 11:47 PM." * "You cannot control every temptation, but you can control what gets your attention." * "Some Christians got accountability partners they will never actually tell the truth to. That's spiritual customer service." * "Stop flirting with what God told you to flee." * "Nobody has ever accidentally fallen into prayer." * "The battle between your spirit and your snack drawer." * "Some of y'all rebuke the devil, then immediately answer his FaceTime call five minutes later." * "Nine times out of 10, you'll pick your problems up, walk away, and be like, 'Thank you, God, I only have to deal with this.'" * "Jesus fought temptation with scripture, not feelings." * "The goal isn't perfection overnight, it's to surrender daily." 🛑 Reflect + Apply This week's challenge: * What is the specific late-night distraction or "snack drawer" temptation you keep reaching for to temporarily medicate your pain? * Are you engaging in true, messy honesty with your inner circle, or are you just managing a comfortable mirage of spiritual correctness? * Look at your current boundary lines: are you boldly running away from compromise, or are you standing around trying to prove how strong you are? * Think about a recurring vulnerability—is it driven by a lack of raw willpower, or is there a deeper emotional wound that requires Christ's healing? 📖 Scripture Focus * James 1:14-15 — "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their evil desire and enticed." Understanding how internal desires act as the ultimate trap. * Matthew 26:41 — "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Recognizing our baseline physical limitations. * Hebrews 4:15 — "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses." Finding deep empathy in a Savior who faced the exact same battles. * 2 Timothy 2:22 — "Flee the evil desires of your youth." A call for men and women to actively run away from danger rather than attempting to negotiate with it. * Proverbs 3:5-6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Moving past emotional feelings to anchor our decisions in God's truth. 🙌 Join the Movement Know someone who's fighting a secret battle in isolation? Send this episode to them. Know someone who needs the courage to trade shame for true freedom? This one's for them. Share it and help our community grow. Have a prayer request or need someone to talk it through with? Reach out: www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com [https://www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com] Instagram: @crazyunbelievablefaith Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.

Curious But Not Compromised: Listening Without Losing Your Footing

Ever sat across from someone in a conversation and thought, "Wow, we are living in completely different versions of reality"? In today's hyper-polarized world, it feels like everyday interactions have devolved into high-stakes emotional dodgeball. If you show curiosity, people assume you're weak or compromise-prone; if you stand firm, they assume you're completely close-minded. At some point, you're no longer communicating truth—you're just a defensive talker waiting for your turn to win. Brian and Kersha dive into the crucial balance between maintaining an unshakeable, deeply rooted faith and cultivating a genuinely curious mind. From left-brain vs. right-brain inner power wars and campus-style street tactics to Lone Star ticks and little Cruz’s fixation on Daddy’s "green lines," this episode explores what it really means to engage people the way Jesus did. It's a direct, witty challenge to stop flying off the handle, evaluate the hidden cracks in your spiritual foundation, and learn how to be truly open-minded without being empty-headed. 🔥 What You'll Learn * How to distinguish between operating with a healthily open mind and living with a completely empty head * Why a deeply anchored, rooted faith naturally produces internal peace and curiosity instead of defensive combativeness * The real psychology behind conversational "emotional dodgeball" and why we default to planning comebacks * What Jesus teaches us about entering cultural spaces, asking brilliant questions, and never getting confused * How to level the playing field by stepping back from the "expert" pedestal and asking simple, authentic questions * Why avoiding tough, messy worldviews might actually be an attempt to protect your comfort rather than truth * How to hold two opposing ideas in your mind simultaneously and still retain the ultimate capacity to function * Why a single destabilizing conversation is an immediate sign to address the major cracks in your spiritual foundation * How to navigate highly sensitive topics—from family Thanksgivings to corporate tables—without triggering a defense system * The timeless reality of personal growth: why chronological age marches forward naturally, but true maturity is always an option 💬 Memorable Quotes * "Rooted people don't panic. When you know who you are and whose you are, you don't get defensive." * "Rooted faith produces peace, not panic, curiosity, not combativeness." * "Culture says be open to everything, but faith says test everything." * "You can be open-minded without being empty-headed. And I think in today's society, we get those things confused." * "Curiosity is not a threat to your faith, insecurity is." * "Ask the question, am I listening to understand or just waiting for my turn to win?" * "Jesus was curious but never confused." * "Some conversations aren't discussions, they're emotional dodgeball." * "If one conversation shakes your entire belief system, you may need to revisit the foundation." * "Why do I feel threatened when someone disagrees with me? Is my identity in being right or being Christ-like?" * "We can defend our opinions harder than we can live out our convictions." * "Age can go along. Maturity doesn't always go together." 🛑 Reflect + Apply This week's challenge: * Where are you currently treating an opposing view as a threat to your faith rather than an avenue for Christ-like curiosity? * Look back at your last heated debate: were you genuinely listening to understand, or were you silently drafting a witty comeback? * Are there structural cracks in your foundation causing you to fly off the handle over things that bothered you when you were 12? * Identify one person in your sphere whose lifestyle or beliefs completely baffle you, and commit to asking them a question without judgment. 📖 Scripture Focus * James 1:19 — "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry." The foundational baseline for lowering our emotional defenses and engaging others with active grace. * Proverbs 18:13 — "To answer before listening, that is folly and shame." A clear warning against crafting your conversational response while the other person is still sharing their reality. * Proverbs 3:5-6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Recognizing that truth remains completely unmovable regardless of cultural volume or personal panic. * 1 Thessalonians 5:21 — "But test everything; hold fast what is good." Establishing the scriptural permission to explore, analyze, and process the world around us without compromising our allegiance. * Luke 2:46 — "They found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." A profound look at how a secure Savior models perfect curiosity before ever issuing a correction. 🙌 Join the Movement Know someone who's constantly getting caught up in conversational combat? Send this episode to them. Know someone who needs permission to listen without losing their footing? This one's for them. Share it and help our community grow. Have a prayer request or need someone to talk it through with? Reach out: www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com [https://www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com] Instagram: @crazyunbelievablefaith Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.

Grace: The Miracles of the Unexpected Harvest

Ever feel like you’re staring intently at one specific plot of land waiting for fruit, completely blind to the beautiful harvest God is clearing right next to you? We often manifest the words, whispers, and desires God places on our hearts into rigid definitions built by our limited earthly brains. We draw up physical blueprints, map out geographic moves, or literalize a word when God is actually trying to build a legacy. Brian and Kersha peel back the curtain on a massive behind-the-scenes journey involving an unexpected invitation to Puerto Rico, a moment of airport yoga, and the birth of their brand-new venture, Cornerstone. In this milestone episode, they share how years of foundational preparation, business trials, and faithful obedience finally collided to shatter their literal expectations. It's time to step out of our own legalistic timelines, roll up our sleeves, and witness the unmerited favor of a God who works far beyond our human limits. 🔥 What You'll Learn * How to distinguish between our limited earthly interpretations and the vast, macro timeline of God's design * Why a "God door" will often swing wide open precisely when you feel the most unworthy or unqualified to walk through it * The accidental networking power of "airport yoga" and how a single line encounter can rewrite your business path * Why God use previous business seasons to fertilize your skillset and teach principles required for the next harvest * The prophetic backstory of their new venture, Cornerstone, and how it unexpectedly fulfilled a five-year-old promise * Why authentic spiritual mentorship mimics "iron sharpening iron" by producing necessary friction, sparks, and tension * How to evaluate your inner circle by analyzing if your five closest companions possess the quality of life you admire * Why adapting to batch recording over a rigid weekly system saved their sanity during an emotionally high family season * The danger of a stagnant, consumeristic faith that refuses to get messy or roll up its sleeves inside a community * Why we must leverage modern technologies for the historical kingdom's goods instead of letting them consume our realities 💬 Memorable Quotes * "God puts words or desires on your heart, and we manifest that into something it is not in our earthly brain." * "True mentorship is iron sharpening iron. There are sparks, there's friction, there's tension." * "We are going to just share the miracles and the grace of following through, being obedient." * "God's open doors and he's made it very apparent... the harvest is here." * "We were looking for rocks. We were rock hunting. This is how illiterate we were, apparently." * "Sometimes God gives you something for someone else... it is our obedience to go share that with them." * "All of these things have been through the grace of God for his kingdom, and we have just been soldiers walking out those orders." * "Our earthly brain is like, 'okay, this is going to happen soon,' but our time has zero concept in God's world." * "We have to be willing, as Christians, to go in, be willing to roll our sleeves up and get messy." * "If you can answer yes to all those things, you're in a great spot. If not, maybe look at what doors God has opened." * "Anybody that has ever said twos were terrible, never had a three-year-old." * "I'm just along for the ride, so it's fine." 🛑 Reflect + Apply This week's challenge: * Where have you been interpreting a promise from God too literally because of your own earthly expectations and biases? * Look closely at your inner circle: do your five closest friends challenge your thinking or do they just offer puppy dogs and rainbows? * Are you falling into a passive, consumeristic mindset, or are you genuinely ready to roll up your sleeves and get messy in ministry? * What door has God clearly swung open around your life recently that you have completely ignored because you felt unqualified? 📖 Scripture Focus * Proverbs 27:17 — "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." True kingdom alignment requires growth, intentional accountability, and relational friction. * Ephesians 2:8 — "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Recognizing that their entire narrative is a product of divine favor. * Galatians 6:9 — "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Trusting the hidden plot of land to produce fruit. * Isaiah 55:8-9 — "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." Overcoming the human tendency to look for physical rocks in podunk Missouri. * Proverbs 13:20 — "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." The deep spiritual standard for selecting mentors and protecting your inner gates. 🙌 Join the Movement Know someone who's carrying too much? Send this episode to them. Know someone who needs permission to let go? This one's for them. Share it and help our community grow. Have a prayer request or need someone to talk it through with? Reach out: www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com [https://www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com] Instagram: @crazyunbelievablefaith Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.

1st Anniversary Celebration

Can you believe it’s been a full year? Over the past 52 weeks of navigating crazy, unbelievable faith, Brian and Kersha have realized that while time flies when you're having fun, stepping in front of a camera to be raw, vulnerable, and messy is a journey of its own. From tech glitches with Pilot Jerry to cell phone alarms randomly going off from 2018, this milestone reflection proves that nobody has it completely put together—and that's exactly how God likes it.  Brian and Kersha look back at a year of radical growth, unexpected detours, and the life-changing shift that occurred during their trip to Puerto Rico with John Maxwell. They unpack the deep realities of what it means to stay consistent when you'd rather wave the white flag, reminding us that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the surrendered. It’s a raw celebration of the fact that if God carried you through this past season, He isn't about to abandon you in the next. 🔥 What You'll Learn * The three definitive lessons learned after 52 consecutive weeks of showing up to record a faith podcast * Why the things we expect to be massive hurdles often turn out simple, while the "easy" things stretch us the most * The reality of behind-the-scenes production and the discipline required to build family consistency * Why people universally love the idea of bold faith right up until it demands bold, uncomfortable obedience * How to stop obsessing over a perfect, flawless script and embrace the raw, authentic value of making a mess * The incredible trajectory shift that can happen to your entire life through a single, open-door connection * What it truly looks like to step out of a spouse's shadow to confidently claim your own seat at the table * Why faith is inherently inconvenient and why no one in the history of scripture ever received a comfortable calling * Why your personal weakness will never disqualify you from God's ultimate plan, but your unwillingness will * How to pivot from a culture that screams "follow your heart" to a lifestyle that values spiritual supervision 💬 Memorable Quotes * "Faith is usually inconvenient. Nobody in scripture got a comfortable calling." * "This year we discovered people love bold faith until bold faith requires bold obedience." * "God rarely calls the qualified people. He qualifies the surrendered people." * "God has sustained this podcast longer than most people sustain a New Year's resolution." * "God is faithful. Humans are—Humans are messy. That is for sure." * "Most bad decisions begin with the phrase, 'Watch this.'" * "If God carried you through this year, He's not going to abandon you next year or next season." * "Some of us didn't need another motivational quote this year. We needed repentance and a nap." * "We're not qualified, we're just surrendered." * "Your weakness does not disqualify you. Your unwillingness might." * "Obedience beats feelings." * "Following Jesus is still the wildest adventure on Earth." 🛑 Reflect + Apply This week's challenge: * Reflect on this past year: what is one specific prayer that you completely stopped praying because the breakthrough didn't happen fast enough? * Look closely at your life over the last 12 months—where did fear win, and where did God's grace completely surprise you? * Is your heart running wild without proper supervision? What practical steps can you take today to prioritize obedience over shifting feelings? * What hidden, unexpected field is God clearing for you right now while you are busy looking for fruit in an old harvest? 📖 Scripture Focus * Joshua 1:9 — "Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Not just where you plan, map out, or over-spiritualize, but wherever you actually move. * Genesis 12:1 — "Go from your country... to the land I will show you." A clear reminder that Abraham had to practice bold obedience and step out before receiving geographic clarity. * Matthew 14:29 — "Peter got down out of the boat." Showing the distinct difference between the 11 disciples who chose comfort and the one who chose the wild adventure of water-walking. * Romans 5:8 — "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The ultimate blueprint of love and leadership established by a Savior who was willing to go first before we had it together. * Proverbs 24:16 — "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." A beautiful testament that a year of messy human slip-ups can still be firmly anchored by God's sustaining grace. 🙌 Join the Movement Know someone who needs a reminder of God's year-long faithfulness? Send this episode to them. Know someone who needs permission to stop trying to look perfectly qualified? This one's for them. Share it and help our community grow. Have a prayer request or need someone to talk it through with? Reach out: www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com [https://www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com] Instagram: @crazyunbelievablefaith Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.

The Value of Going First

Ever felt like you’re waiting on a green light from God, but the truth is He’s actually waiting on you? We love the reward and accolades of a breakthrough, but almost nobody volunteers to step out first and risk looking foolish. At some point, staying safe isn't wisdom—it’s just overthinking masquerading as a backup plan while you watch from the sidelines. Brian and Kirsha unpack why going first is the ultimate catalyst for fast growth in your life, your marriage, and your calling. From Abraham's map-less journey to checkout line etiquette and Kirsha’s reality check as a traveling salesman's wife, this episode is a raw look at what it takes to break out of the "bystander effect." It’s time to stop over-spiritualizing your hesitation, drop the awkward turtle defenses, and find out what happens when you finally get out of the boat. 🔥 What You'll Learn * How to distinguish between an intentional season of waiting and simply paralyzing yourself with overthinking * Why fear of judgment and rejection keeps 98% of people safely hidden away in their comfort zones * The secret to moving out of your partner’s shadow to claim a bold, active partnership in your marriage * Why your next big breakthrough is directly tied to your willingness to go first and initiate the connection * How modern distractions like keeping your earbuds in at the checkout line are killing everyday chivalry * The profound relationship between faith and momentum, and why obedience always precedes clarity * What Peter and the 11 silent disciples teach us about the dynamic of stepping onto the water * How the entire layout of the Gospel hinges on Jesus choosing to move toward the cross first * Why playing it safe is an invisible path to slow regret while taking the leap triggers fast growth * How to stop using "let me pray on that" as a religious disguise to keep your life parked in neutral 💬 Memorable Quotes  * "Some of us aren't waiting on God, God's waiting on us to stop overthinking it."  * "I didn't want to be one of the 11 disciples sitting in the boat while my husband's out walking on water."  * "You can't walk on water if you won't get out of the boat."  * "Obedience often comes before clarity."  * "What if the thing you're waiting on is actually waiting on you?"  * "Inaction breeds doubt and fear, but action breeds confidence and courage."  * "We act our way into feeling, we don't feel our way into acting."  * "Sometimes the riskiest thing you can do is to play it safe."  * "Playing it safe is slow regret. Going first equals fast growth."  * "If you're waiting on everything to feel safe, you might be waiting a very long time."  * "If you move today, what might God do tomorrow?"  * "Crazy faith begins where excuses end." 🛑 Reflect + Apply This week's challenge: * Where is God asking you to go first right now, but you keep hesitating or asking for more details? * Are you currently hiding behind the excuse of being an introvert instead of stepping out into your community? * Look at your day-to-day habits: where are you prioritizing comfort and predictability over radical obedience? * What is one specific phone call, email, or apology you can initiate today if you completely cast out the fear of failure? 📖 Scripture Focus * Joshua 1:9 — "Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Not wherever you plan or overthink, but wherever you actually move. * Genesis 12:1 — "Go from your country... to the land I will show you." Abraham teaches us that the destination reveals itself only after the departure. * Matthew 14:29 — "Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water." Proof that experiencing the miraculous requires leaving the safety of the crowd. * Romans 5:8 — "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The foundational blueprint of love is set by a Savior who initiated the rescue first. * James 2:17 — "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." A reminder that true belief cannot remain stationary in a vacant parking lot. 🙌 Join the Movement  Know someone who's stuck in a pattern of hesitation? Send this episode to them. Know someone who needs the courage to take the very first step? This one's for them. Share it and help our community grow. Have a prayer request or need someone to talk it through with? Reach out: www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com [https://www.crazyunbelievablefaith.com] Instagram: @crazyunbelievablefaith Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.