What do you do when “why” won’t let you go? We open a tender, honest conversation about loss, faith, and the quiet courage it takes to keep moving when answers don’t come. Aaron shares the morning his wife died in a head‑on collision while their 16‑month‑old daughter survived—an unthinkable moment that reshaped his life and his walk with God. Together we wrestle with the hard questions people ask about suffering and a good God, then return to Scripture to find a path forward that’s real, humble, and doable.

We ground our talk in Isaiah 55:8–9, James 1:2–4, and 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, exploring God’s higher ways, the formation of perseverance, and the paradox of strength in weakness. Instead of forcing explanations, we focus on the “what now”—the next right step of faith, the choice to bring raw feelings to the Lord, and the practice of trusting His character when we cannot trace His hand. Along the way, we challenge the reflex to blame God, consider how timing and providence look from a limited human view, and reflect on a childlike trust that doesn’t deny pain but refuses to be defined by it.

If you’re navigating grief, a fractured relationship, or a season that won’t make sense, you’ll find language for your lament and a framework for moving forward: one prayer, one rung, one day at a time. Listen for practical encouragement, biblical insight, and a closing prayer for anyone carrying a heavy load. If this conversation helps you breathe a little deeper, share it with someone who needs hope, subscribe for more real talk about faith and life, and leave a review to help others find the show.

What makes a marriage last? And what does God's relationship with the church teach us about our own marriages? In this heart-to-heart conversation, Aaron and Allen explore "the greatest love affair" – the profound love God has for His church and how it serves as the divine blueprint for our most intimate relationships.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 5, we unpack the challenging standard set before husbands: to love their wives as Christ loved the church. It's a sacrificial, unconditional love that few of us fully grasp. Through personal stories and confessions, we acknowledge our own shortcomings in showing sufficient gratitude and attention in our marriages – even after 40+ years together.

The discussion takes an insightful turn when we examine how relationships require intentional nurturing. Remember the excitement of dating, when you couldn't wait to talk to that special someone? We challenge listeners to approach both their marriage and their relationship with God with that same hunger and passion. Are you still "dating" your spouse after all these years? Are you pursuing God with the same enthusiasm you had as a new believer?

We share wisdom from a couple married 62 years who revealed their simple secret: "Make the other one feel special." The husband still says "thank you" after every meal and "I love you" every night before bed – consistent expressions of gratitude that mirror what our relationship with God should include.

Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, this episode offers profound insights about communication, gratitude, and the transformative power of agape love. Join us for a conversation that will challenge you to examine your relationships through the lens of the greatest love story ever told.

A chance encounter at a funeral visitation changed everything. Standing in line, Allen asked the preacher a question that would haunt him for years: "Was this man a Christian?" The preacher's response was devastating in its simplicity: "Did he show it?"

That exchange forms the emotional core of this soul-searching episode where we confront an uncomfortable truth – if people have to ask whether you're a Christian after you're gone, your life probably didn't reflect Christ as clearly as it should have. Drawing from Matthew 5:13-16, we explore Jesus's powerful metaphors of believers being "salt of the earth" and "light of the world," examining what happens when salt loses its flavor or light gets hidden under a basket.

What kind of legacy are you building? Not the fleeting accolades of worldly success that fade from memory within years, but the eternal impact of a life authentically lived for Christ. We unpack what true belief entails – acceptance of truth, confidence in God's promises, and trust without empirical proof – and how that belief naturally manifests in our daily actions and choices. Like a single flame that can ignite countless others, our faith should spark belief in those around us, continuing long after we're gone.

The most profound question remains: When people walk past your casket someday, will they know without asking that you were a follower of Christ? And if those who knew you in life might question your faith, how will you stand before God on judgment day? This isn't about earning salvation through works, but about living in such a way that your relationship with Christ is unmistakable – not for your glory, but for His. We challenge you to examine your life today: What does it reflect? Who does it point toward? The answer shapes not just your legacy, but your eternity.

When was the last time you had a genuine conversation with God? Not a formal, rehearsed prayer, but an honest dialogue straight from your heart?

Aaron and Alan tackle the often misunderstood practice of prayer, stripping away the misconception that you need perfect words or posture to connect with your Creator. Drawing from Matthew 6:9-13, they explore how The Lord's Prayer serves as a template rather than a script, showing us the components of meaningful prayer while emphasizing that God cares more about our hearts than our eloquence.

The hosts share personal, sometimes emotional experiences that transformed their understanding of prayer—from Alan's unexpected eloquence when he surrendered control during a wedding blessing to Aaron's moment of speechlessness that created space for his wife to step forward in faith. These raw moments reveal how God works through our willingness rather than our words.

One particularly powerful discussion centers on gratitude prayers—those brief moments throughout the day when we simply acknowledge God's presence and provision. "Thank you, Lord, that truck didn't run into me" carries as much weight as a 15-minute formal prayer. This practice transforms our relationship with God from emergency calls during crisis to ongoing conversation with someone we love.

The most challenging aspect of prayer—praying for our "enemies"—receives thoughtful attention as the hosts acknowledge the difficulty of praying sincerely for those who've hurt us, while offering practical steps toward genuine intercession that begins with honest acknowledgment of our struggles.

Whether you're new to prayer or seeking to deepen your existing practice, this episode offers a refreshing perspective that will help you develop a more authentic, continuous dialogue with God. Start your conversation today—He's not expecting perfection, just connection.

Aaron and Allen explore the concept of the Bible as our essential roadmap through life, drawing a compelling parallel between following physical maps and navigating our faith journey. Through a humorous yet poignant story about a scenic drive in Sedona with reluctant in-laws, Allen illustrates how having directions doesn't guarantee a smooth journey—there will still be potholes, dangerous edges, and unexpected challenges. Similarly, while scripture provides our spiritual directions, we must learn to read it properly and apply its wisdom to navigate life successfully.

The hosts dive deep into Jesus's teaching about the narrow gate in Matthew 7, examining what it truly means to follow Christ daily. This isn't about casual belief or church attendance but requires genuine commitment to "deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me." The conversation tackles the practical challenges of self-discipline, resisting worldly temptations, and avoiding the trap of looking back longingly at what we've left behind.

Perhaps most thought-provoking is the question Allen poses: "What do you have to lose by following Christ?" His analysis reveals the win-win nature of authentic faith—whether viewed spiritually or practically, living by biblical principles leads to becoming a better person, positively influencing others, and leaving the world better than you found it.

The episode also touches on how our understanding of scripture evolves throughout our lifetime, with the same passages revealing new insights as we gain experience and spiritual maturity. This is beautifully illustrated through the story of Aaron's 82-year-old father who discovered deeper biblical understanding by hand-copying scripture after decades of study.

Whether you're seeking direction, questioning your path, or looking to deepen your understanding of scripture, this episode offers practical wisdom for using the Bible as your personal guidebook on the journey through the narrow gate. Take the next step on your road today.

Welcome to our first show! We are excited for you to walk the road with us!

Please welcome your hosts, Aaron Degler and Allen Heugatter!

In today's episode, we'll share a little about ourselves and what our show is all about.

We look forward to sharing the road we have traveled to help men navigate their road in a Christian manner.