Practical Faith Academy Podcast

Practical Faith Academy - Season 6, Episode 2 - David Gregory, How God Makes Faith Easy

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith. David Gregory is a New York Times best-selling author of award-winning books. His latest novel is “One of Us,” imagines how Jesus would be received today if he came (originally) now rather than 2,000 years ago. Gregory has written 11 books. In this podcast, Gregory shares his view on how faith can be easy when we realize the truth of Jesus’s statement, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Gregory explains how the Father, Son, and Spirit all offer pathways to easy faith. He also shares insights into his writing and into how the church can address the next generation. Highlights of the podcast:  3:25 Why Gregory thinks it’s important to put faith into practice 6:14 Why faith is easy because of something Jesus told us 10:08 Three factors that make for a life of faith 16:21 Why Gregory wrote his “One of Us” novel with Jesus originally coming to earth today as a Latino from South Texas 21:34 How his novel still mirrors the gospel 23:36 Would Gregory have written this 2024 book differently today given the clamor over immigration? 25:49 How fiction helps make key points difficult to make in nonfiction 28:20 What is the church today missing from the life of Jesus? 33:13 How our “new heart” enables us to be faithful 35:49 What the gospel offers to a new generation 38:32 How to find Gregory’s books and resources David Gregory’s latest book is “One of Us,” available wherever books are sold. You can find all his books, his blog, and his speaking services at his website, FreeWithGod.com. I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk, including my newest free gift, “The Practical Faith Game Plan.” For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. * On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). * On UnisonFamily.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages. I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes, as I mentioned on the podcast. Go to https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com] and click on Instant Content Products at the top of the page. For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site. Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please subscribe to be notified about future podcasts. You can also find dozens of prior podcasts with great guests and topics by searching for Practical Faith Academy.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 6, Episode 1 - Art Wilson, Gangs, Guns & God

Art Wilson is the leader of G.A.N.G. R.E.S.C.U.E., which for 25 years has gone into gang-infested areas and prisons to bring gang members into relationship and eventually to Christ. Wilson and his team operate off the principle that God’s grace can reach everyone and can convert the hardest hearts. The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith. In this podcast, Wilson shares amazing stories of faith and providence from his book, “Gangs, Guns, & God.” He and Cecil discuss how everyone is within reach of God’s grace and marvel at how God multiplies our obedience in miraculous ways. You’ll come away believing more deeply in God’s amazing grace and inspired to take action to help others.  Highlights of the podcast: 3:20  What a seven-day practical faith means to Wilson 5:09  Wilson was not originally sympathetic about gang members, but God called him to minister to them 9:54  Why Wilson felt led to travel from Florida to approach gangs in Chicago 12:00  Wilson started by simply taking gang members to lunch 14:55  Gang members listened because they knew they had holes in their lives 17:22  No one is beyond the reach of God 19:40  What Wilson’s family thought about his dangerous ministry to gangs 23:46  The scriptural theme of the ministry 25:10  The importance of faith in a venture 27:54  How his ministry expanded into prison ministry 33:47  Why the ministry expanded to gangs in Belize 36:39  How God’s mysterious action inspired him to write a second book on the Belize experience 39:19  How God multiples our obedience into amazing providence 42:52  The hardest part of putting faith into practice 46:08  How you can find the book and bring Art to your church or organization to speak Art Wilson is the leader of G.A.N.G. R.E.S.C.U.E., which stands for Gangs Also Need God, and Reach Every Single Child Upon Earth. Wilson’s book is called “Gangs, Guns, & God,” which can be found in many online book seller locations. Wilson and his team are also available for speaking events, where they distribute free books. Wilson invites you to reach out to him directly at 850-865-4957. I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk. For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. * On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026. * On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages. I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes, as I mentioned on the podcast. Go to https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com] and click on Books & Videos at the top of the page. For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site. Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please subscribe to be notified about future podcasts. You can also find dozens of prior podcasts with great guests and topics by searching for Practical Faith Academy.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 24 - Sharon Collins, Becoming His Masterpiece

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith. Sharon Collins combines art and meditations in her devotional book series, Becoming His Masterpiece. Collins has an interesting personal story, as she felt called after retirement to take up both art and authorship. God has used both aspects to lead others while helping Collins grow spiritually herself. In this episode, I’ll ask Collins about both her book writing and spiritual journeys. She has a lot to share about how to slow down and listen for God’s voice in a fast-paced culture. Highlights of the podcast: 2:45 What seven-day practical faith means to Collins 4:17 How God provided as Collins transitioned from retirement into authorship 8:51 Why we always need to say yes to God’s call 12:55 What readers get out of her combination of artwork and meditative writing 16:04 Collins calls herself a slow spiritual learner. How does God teach her? 22:01 What a life lived “upside-down” looks like 27:14 How to find Collins’ website and books Sharon Collins is the author of a series of books under the theme, “Becoming His Masterpiece.”  Her latest and third book in the series is entitled “Becoming His Masterpiece: The Journey Continues.”  Her books can be found wherever books are sold, and her blog can be found at www.BecomingHisMasterpiece.com [http://www.BecomingHisMasterpiece.com].  You can also find her on Facebook (Sharon North Collins) and Instagram (SharonCollins923). I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk. For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. * On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026. * On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages. I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes, as I mentioned on the podcast. Go to https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com] and click on Books & Videos at the top of the page. For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site. Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please subscribe to be notified about future podcasts. You can also find dozens of prior podcasts with great guests and topics by searching for Practical Faith Academy.

Practical Faith Academy - Season5, Episode 23 - Jessica DeYoung, What Obedience Looks Like

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith. Jessica DeYoung is a podcaster who helps Christian women be seen and heard. Her major theme is putting faith into practice, living what we’ve been taught. She’s also a blogger and is working on her first book. In this podcast, DeYoung talks about obedience to God and what it looks like in daily situation and in uncharted territory. She speaks of the freeing nature of obedience, letting the Holy Spirit direct you, and applying our lived perspectives to our individual faith journeys. You’ll find DeYoung’s perspective and faith stories inspiring and motivational. Highlights of the podcast: 3:00 What seven-day practical faith means to DeYoung 5:02 What it feels like to have the Holy Spirit flowing through you 7:44 Her podcast focuses on honesty and trust. Why that’s important. 10:47 What daily obedience looks like 14:42 What obedience looks like in seasons of uncertainty 17:39 How can someone begin recognizing what God is doing in their current season? 23:16 Her podcast is called “Perspectives into Practice”. What this means in everyday life. 26:03 What did “letting go of stuff” look like for DeYoung? 30:27 DeYoung’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith. 34:29 How to find DeYoung’s podcast and other materials   Jessica DeYoung is a podcaster who is expanding her ministry into more offerings. Her podcast, blog, and other resources can be found at https://www.PerspectivesIntoPractice.com [https://www.PerspectivesIntoPractice.com]. Her primary focus is on Christian women, especially unseen and unheard women. DeYoung emphasizes putting faith into practice and brings “nobody” guests to her podcast so they can share and be heard. DeYoung also created Made Whole, a ministry devoted to helping women grow in faith and walk closely with God in real-life seasons. I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk. For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. * On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). Backstage Pass also chronicles my writing journey as I work on two new books during 2026. * On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages. I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes, as I mentioned on the podcast. Go to https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com] and click on Books & Videos at the top of the page. For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonFamily.com [https://www.UnisonFamily.com]. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site. Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please subscribe to be notified about future podcasts. You can also find dozens of prior podcasts with great guests and topics by searching for Practical Faith Academy.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 22. Allen C. Paul, Creating With The Creator

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith. Allen C. Paul is a jazz pianist who believes in the power of creativity within each of us. He performs in both Christian and secular settings. Paul also hosts the God And Gigs podcast. In this podcast, Paul not only discusses deploying our creativity through whatever gifts God has given us, but he delves into the tension of living Christian values in a secular world. He encourages Christian creatives who fall into measuring their success in the world’s way rather than by God’s will. In the midst of this, Paul recommends daily routines allowing us to focus on God and patiently wait for outcomes. Highlights of the podcast:  3:10 What seven-day practical faith means to Paul 4:13  Paul explains his musical talent and career 5:53  Does everyone have creativity they can use? 9:05  Are Christian creatives only limited to creating Christian content? 13:09  What are the headwinds Christian creatives have to deal with? 17:03  On the quandary of creative self-promotion (glorifying self) vs. glorifying God 20:45  Paul’s message to Christian creatives who feel they’re not successful enough 27:31  How do you handle it when your work environment asks you to do something against your Christian values? 34:01  The hardest part about putting faith into practice 36:10  Paul’s best tip for putting faith into practice 38:42  How to find Paul’s podcast, book, and coaching.    Allen C. Paul’s books and other resources are located at GodAndGigs.com. GodAndGigs360 is his community app for coaching and encouragement of creatives. His podcast, God and Gigs, can be found on any podcast app. I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk. For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com]) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com [https://www.UnisonParenting.com]). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form. * On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry). * On UnisonParenting.com, I offer the Unison Parenting newsletter. I’m joined by parenting experts to provide useful tips and thoughts for parenting children of all ages. I also offer Instant Content curriculum to small groups and adult Sunday School classes, as I mentioned on the podcast. Go to https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com [https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com] and click on Instant Content Products at the top of the page. For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com [https://www.UnisonParenting.com]. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site. Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please subscribe to be notified about future podcasts. You can also find dozens of prior podcasts with great guests and topics by searching for Practical Faith Academy.