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Where is God When Things Don’t Get Better?
This week on Wellness Wednesday, we explored a difficult but important reality: What do we do when things don’t get better? So many people in our digital community are struggling—whether with mental health, relationships, unanswered prayers, or just the weight of life—and they’re looking for real answers. My mission with Wellness Wednesday is to…
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Finding God in Our Grief (Wednesday Check-In)
Every Wednesday, we gather as a community for a special “Wednesday Check-In”—a time where we share, reflect, and grow together taking topics from the TACO Tribe Discord discussions. This past week, we confronted some of the hardest questions we face: Where is God in our suffering? How do we make sense of our grief?…
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How to Trust God in the Face of Relentless Struggles (Psalm 56)
This past few weeks have been tough. Between health concerns, family challenges, stretching my faith, and just the daily grind, it’s been hard to keep going. I’ve felt spiritually drained, emotionally overwhelmed, and physically tired. In those moments, the recurring thought God seems to place in my heart is, “Bless more people.” That’s not…
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The Role of Prayer in Content Creation: Passion & Pivotal Moments (Series Introduction)
What Do You Do Before Creating Content? Imagine you’re getting ready to start a big creator project – new video, art portfolio, new podcast concept, stream-a-thon. You’ve got your equipment set up, software open, references lined up, and a carefully curated playlist in the background to keep your energy up. You even posted on…
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The Difference Between Devotions and Bible Study
There is a huge difference in approach between your personal devotional time and doing a personal Bible study, and knowing that difference is going to change everything about how you connect with God. XtianNinja explains the difference and then gives an example of what it looks like. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/The-Difference-Between-Devotions-and-Bible-Study-e1lak0r I Need Your Support…
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How long do you need to wait between sinning and praying?
What does it mean that we are “Free in Christ”? How free? Does that mean we can do whatever we want? Is there anything we can do to lose that freedom? How long do you have to wait between sinning and praying? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/How-long-do-you-need-to-wait-between-sinning-and-praying-e1l57e9 I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and…
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What Makes Jesus Special?
What does it mean that Jesus had the “fullness of God” and why is that such a big deal to Christians? What does it mean that Jesus is Preeminent? Join in as XtianNinja (Pastor Al) talks through Colossians 1:15-20 and answers those questions. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Jesus-is-e1kc64k I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time…
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Christians: God Is NOT ANGRY at you when you sin!
Sometimes God has the reputation of being angry all the time – and a lot of people who grew up in the church were told that when they do something wrong God is disappointed and will come down on them hard if they don’t behave. Is that true? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Christians-God-Is-NOT-ANGRY-at-you-when-you-sin-e1jogau I Need Your…
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When God Asks the Impossible
Sometimes life throws stuff at us that we just can’t handle. Illness, relationship issues, responsibilities, big needs, cause all of us to shrink back and ask ourselves, “Why would God bring this into my life?”. There are a lot of people who have faced the same situation. What are we to do? Podcast Version:…
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But What if They’re a Really Good Person?
If you’ve ever asked, “Do good people go to heaven?”, give this a watch: XtianNinja talks through the thought process we see in Romans 1-3 and explains why understanding it is critical to understanding what Christians call “salvation”. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/But-What-if-Theyre-a-Really-Good-Person-e1iplfr I split my YouTube channels, so if you’re looking for the fun and…
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Can Anyone Ever Actually Feel “Peace” in this Troubled World?
Everyone in the world wants “peace” – but when we try to make it ourselves it doesn’t seem to work very well or last very long. How does the peace that Jesus promises us in the Bible differ from the peace we keep trying to make for ourselves? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Can-Anyone-Ever-Actually-Feel-Peace-in-this-Troubled-World-e1ikg2v I split my…
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You Shouldn’t Trust Yourself Most of the Time (Daily Devo)
Most of the time we believe the thoughts that bounce around our heads, thinking that our beliefs, opinions, perspectives, and ideas are right and best. Mature people know that’s not true and have realized that we really can’t trust our own hearts and minds. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/You-Shouldnt-Trust-Yourself-Most-of-the-Time-e1ihgn8 I split my YouTube channels, so if…
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You’ve Probably Already Met Jesus – What Did You Do?
Jesus said that if you’ve met poor, sick, imprisoned, or hungry people, then “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40) and how you reacted to those people shows a lot about your heart and your faith. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Youve-Probably-Already-Met-Jesus—What-Did-You-Do—–It-Matters-more-Than-You-Think-e1hngbo I Need…
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“I HATE Easter and I love Christians” Tweet is Ridiculous! Twitch Pastor Reacts
Jo Luehmann tweeted out a pretty intense message declaring her love of Christians, but hatred for the Christian gospel. It just so happened that Logos’ Verse of the Day hit this topic perfectly. So, let’s talk about that through the lens of 1 Corinthians 15:19-20. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/I-HATE-Easter-and-I-love-Christians-Tweet-is-Ridiculous–Twitch-Pastor-Reacts-e1hgbeu I Need Your Support I’m doing…
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Does Everything Really “Work Out For the Good”?
Christians often quote Romans 8:28 (“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” to each other as a way to bring encouragement to someone going through a tough time. So, why then does it come as such cold…
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When Jesus Was Attacked by an Angry Mob! (Passion Week: Tuesday)
The leading men of Jerusalem took turns attacking, arguing, and trying to discredit Jesus, in hopes He would fall for their trap so they could accuse and kill Him. It didn’t work. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Jesus-Faces-an-Angry-Mob–Passion-Week-Tuesday-e1h6t0e I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through…
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Cursing Figs & Flipping Tables: Passion Week Monday
What do a dead fig tree and overturned tables have to do with worship? And what does it mean for us today? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Cursing-Figs–Flipping-Tables-Passion-Week-Monday-e1h3psl I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through support from folks like you – so please consider supporting me on Patreon. There…
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Hypocrites and Caregivers
There is a certain kind of “religious person” that thinks that they are God’s favourite – but are actually the kind of person He despises most! And, there are people serving the most difficult parts of society, who think God doesn’t notice them at all, that are some of His favourites! Which are you?…
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Do you have something that, if broken, would destroy a relationship?
What do you have in your life right now, that if someone broke it, took it, insulted or devalued it, you would cut off that relationship? What habit, tradition, or affiliation do you have that actually causes you to pull away from or even harm people? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Do-you-have-something-that–if-broken–would-destroy-a-relationship-e1ga24s Bringing God’s love to the…
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What REAL Prayer Looks Like
New Video: Sometimes talking to God feels like a shopping list, complaint form, or even a 911 call – but does prayer mean something more? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/What-REAL-Prayer-Looks-Like-e1g75e9 I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through support from folks like you – so please consider supporting me…
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Why I Gave Up Everything to Stream on Twitch (Reflections on my First Year as an Online Missionary)
This week I celebrated my very first “Streamiversary” and reading the parable of the two debtors had me thinking about why God called me away from church work into full-time online missions. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Why-I-Gave-Up-Everything-to-Stream-on-Twitch-Reflections-on-my-First-Year-as-an-Online-Missionary-e1fvdt4 **When God called me to this new frontier of global missions, I knew that it wasn’t just for me…
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Is God Too Busy to Care About You?
We often hear that “God has better things to do” than help unimportant people like us – that He might be at work in the world, but only on the really big stuff. Is that true? Are you a priority to God or not? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Is-God-Too-Busy-to-Care-About-You-e1fji1s **When God called me to this new…
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Why Someone Like You Matters to God
If God is so good and perfect, why would He care for messed up, violent, sinful people like us? What motivates Him to talk to us or to care for us? The answer might surprise you! Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Why-Someone-Like-You-Matters-to-God-e1fcv8i If you’d like to help me stay full-time please consider supporting me on Patreon. Every…
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Fear, Uncertainty, and the War in Ukraine (incl. a note from someone in Ukraine) Devo & Discussion
I have a lot of viewers from Europe so it was only fitting that we would take time to talk about the situation in Ukraine, how to deal with worry, and read a note from someone who actually lives in Ukraine right now. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Fear–Uncertainty–and-the-War-in-Ukraine-incl–a-note-from-someone-in-Ukraine-Devo–Discussion-e1euavr If you’d like to help me stay full-time…
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How to Find Your Life’s Path (Should You Follow Your Heart?) – Psalm 25 Devo & Discussion
New YT Video: You, as you sit there right now are a ball of potential energy – but where should you release that energy? How do you know what to do? Should you trust your instincts? Go with your gut? Follow your feelings? Or is there another way?(Psalm 25 Devotional and Discussion) I really…
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Use This Test To See How You *Really* Feel About God! (and Discover How He Feels About You Too)
Reading Psalm 139 is like taking a Rorschach test. How you react tells you a lot about yourself, your worldview, and your perspective on God. Are you willing to take the test? I really enjoy sharing these daily devotions during my live streams! If you’d like to help me stay full-time please consider becoming…
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When an Agnostic Muslim Asked: “Where Do You Think I’ll Go When I Die”, I Said This…
New Video: An agnostic person, raised Muslim, came into my chat during a live stream and asked “Where do you think I’ll go when I die?”. This was my answer. Hopefully, it helps. This is exactly the kind of moment I hope for as a full-time streamer! If you’d like to help me stay…
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How To Replenish and Protect Your Soul When You Feel Spiritually Dry, Attacked, or Hopeless
New Video: How do you replenish and protect your soul when you’re in a spiritual “dry season” where God feels distant, the Enemy is winning battles, and/or you are struggling to grow in faith and hope? This video might help. I’ve been working really hard to make good and helpful videos lately, so if…
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Watch This When You Feel Angry
New Video: A lot of people have been hurt by someone whose anger is out of control. How can we deal with that anger? Is it ever ok to be angry? Where can we turn for help? This video might help.
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Operation Christmas Child Variety Show Fundraiser with Theseus! VOD
In Dec, Theseus and I put together a super-fun variety show fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child If you like games, jokes, challenges, weird internet stuff, and sharing God’s love with kids – this VOD is for you!
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What Does Jesus Mean When He Says “I Am The Bread of Life?”
New YouTube video to watch when you feel like life is unfair and God isn’t giving you what you need. If God is good and all-powerful, then why doesn’t He just give us what we want? Why does life feel so unfair sometimes – even for people who believe in God? Here’s a new…
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I Forgot To Tell You About So Many YouTube Videos!
I’ve been working so hard on making new and better content lately that I’ve been completely forgetting to post all of my videos to my blog! I’m so sorry to all of the subscribers who have been missing out on my latest videos and I will try to do better. Here’s a list of…
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When You’re Fighting with Someone..
New YouTube Video:People tick us off all the time. What’s the best way to deal with someone who keeps annoying, frustrating, and arguing with us? It’s different than you might think… This video was recorded live during the regular opening devotional I do before each of my streams. I’d love it if you joined…
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Watch This When You Feel Forgotten, Worthless, Guilty, or Inadequate
New YouTube Video: Do you ever feel worthless? Like God and the world are against you? What about nagging feelings of inadequacy or guilt that won’t go away? This devotional on Psalm 139 might help. This video was recorded live during the regular opening devotional I do before each of my streams. I’d love…
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Why Having Authority Over You Matters
When you’re life has gone off the rails, is it possible that it was partly because you decided to go it on your own? Were there authorities and rules that were supposed to keep you in check, that would have saved you, but you worked against because you thought you knew better or were…
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Humble Streaming: Being a Servant to Your Viewers (Devos & Chill Ep. 3 – Phil 1:1-2)
What does it mean to be a “servant of all” when you are a Twitch Streamer, YouTuber, or social media star? What does humility look like as a Christian internet personality? This message is from my Twitch channel’s Devos & Chill series where, on Thursdays, I give a short message before we get into…
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Why Did Jesus Suffer? (Lent 2020)
During the season of Lent is the time when we fast and contemplate the sufferings of Jesus, what they teach us about Him, and what they mean to us. Please open up to Mark 8:27-38: “And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked…
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Your Soul is Starving (Lent 2020)
We’re headed into the Easter season. This week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday as it’s sometimes called, followed by Ash Wednesday, the official start of the season of Lent, something Christians have been observing for hundreds of years, dating back before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Traditionally, this has been…
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Bible Reading, Prayer & Your Crucible
Audio: Text: I’ve been doing something lately that I rarely do. I can’t actually remember when I’ve done this before. I’ve been reading books for myself. I know that sounds weird to say, but usually when I read, study, or watch something, it’s so that I can learn for the sake of my job.…
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Advent Sermon: Jesus as Tabernacle (by Pastor Al) (Carnivore Theology: Ep. 104)
Advent is a special time of year when Christians remember the incarnation of the Son of God at Christmas and prepare our hearts for the time when Jesus will come again. As we’ve done each year, Carnivore Theology is taking a break from our usual schedule of hot topics and interviews to share some…
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The Double Edged Sword – Why God’s Word is So Powerful
Podcast Audio: Over the past couple of weeks we have talked about the importance of making the daily reading of scripture the core part of our lives, and the foundation of our relationship with God. This all started because I wanted to share a way that God has spoken to me through my devotional…
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Special Request: How Do You Devo?
Podcast Audio: How Do You Devo? Devos, Daily Devotionals, Quiet Time, Private Meditation, Time with God, 1-on-1 with Jesus, Daily Prayers — there are lots of names for it and likely as many ways to do it. And I want to know yours! I recently filled my very first prayer journal and got a shiny new…
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Why Should I Love My Enemies?
I gave a talk to a group of AWANA kids this week. It was “Heart Night” (celebrating Valentine’s Day) and I spoke on Love. I used some animated gifs in the powerpoint, which is where all the giggling at the beginning comes from. I linked to a few if you want a giggle too.…
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Wisdom and Foolishness
I’m a HUGE fan of the AWANA program and had the opportunity to speak again last Thursday night. I gave a talk called “Wisdom or Foolishness” to a group of kids aged 5-12 and their leaders (which included some pretty fun pictures!). Here’s the audio: I want to play a game with you that I’m going…
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What’s In A Name?
I’m a HUGE fan of the AWANA program and have been blessed with the opportunity to speak a couple of times. Last night I gave a talk called “What’s In a Name?” to a group of kids aged 5-12 and their leaders. It’s an adaptation of the sermon I gave on Sunday, but I…
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From Shrove Tuesday to Mardi Gras
My nephew was asked to put together a report on Mardi Gras which reminded me of a reflection piece I had written that might be of help to him, and hopefully you too. Throwing the Baby Out With the Bath Water The traditional Christian season of Lent starts on February 13 this year. Christians…
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Waiting & Preparing
I shared this devotional at a Christmas Eve Service last night: Over the past month both our churches have been celebrating the season of Christmas by using Advent candles. They are a wonderful tool to remind us that the story of Christmas doesn’t just surround the baby in the manger, but encompasses the whole…
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"Making Room" ~ The Meaning of Christmas / Life
That’s a cool video. The reason I like it so much is because it expands our understanding of Christmas. It gives meaning to the simple Christmas story we have just seen acted out for us. It takes us far beyond the nativity scene, the baby in the manger, the shepherds and the wise men……
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Jesus, Cold & Wet
I don’t know why this never occurred to me before, but it wasn’t always hot and sunny while Jesus walked the earth. Maybe I’ve seen too many pictures of Jesus standing in a sunbeam or walking along a desert road, but it never really crossed my mind that Jesus would have been cold. I tried to…
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Grafting Dead Branches on a Fruit Salad Tree
I started today confused. How can God love mankind while at the same time have complete hatred for sinners? Aren’t they the same people? And how does ordain the use of sinful people and sinful situations to accomplish His perfect, holy will without He Himself being the cause of the sin. The first place…