This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, David LaManna, Lenny Salgado, Kirsten Salgado, Johnny V., Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

What does it really mean to be a “badass for Jesus” in today’s world? In this episode, we’re keeping it real and talking about the stuff that quietly pulls our hearts away from God—like our phones, comfort, and even our own pride. Let’s be honest: modern idols don’t usually look like golden statues. Most of the time, they’re just the things that eat up our time and attention without us even noticing.We’ll chat about how the Book of James calls out “spiritual adultery” (yep, that’s a thing!), why it’s so easy to get distracted, and how giving your life to Christ is about way more than just showing up on Sundays. Plus, we’ll dive into the book Tortured for Christ and talk about what it means to actually suffer for Jesus—and why, believe it or not, that’s something to be proud of.If you’ve ever wondered if you’re loving the world a little too much, or just want some encouragement to go all-in for Jesus, this episode’s for you. Let’s laugh, get honest, and take some real steps toward living boldly for Christ.

Also, we've included a little bonus feature at the end where the crew discusses Denny's, Waffle House, and Walmart.

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, David LaManna, Lenny Selgado, Johnny V., Ben Cossette, Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Another amazing convo about the Book of James. Johnny kicks us off by sharing a verse about boasting about tomorrow. We often get caught in that trap, forgetting that God opposes the proud, not to mention, God chooses us.

The conversation takes a shift when Judah shares how this relates to Abram and Lot. Abram places his tent facing Sodom and how we can all get caught in that "slow degradation" trap where we see something, we edge closer to it and next thing you know, we are right dab in the middle of it.

The crew then talks about the catatonic state of the world, distracted by shows, doom scrolling and we end up as couch potatoes watching life go by.

David brings us back on the tracks by talking about being good stewards with not only our financial means, but the gifts that God has given to us. Being Do'ers of the Word, not just hearers.

Judah elaborates and shares about knowing people who could crush anyone in Biblical Jeopardy, yet their lives are off the rails.

All in all, whether it be hearing and doing, or knowing and sitting idle, we get our title for this episode, The Great Omission? Information without Application.

So, lets encourage one another to read scripture as well as the importance of being obedient to the Holy Spirits calling to be Jesus' hands n feet in this world.

Too often, we treat faith as a collection of facts, verses, and Sunday sermons—while our daily lives remain unchanged. James calls this out directly, urging us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. We’ll explore how easy it is to fall into the trap of spiritual complacency, where knowing the right thing becomes a substitute for actually living it out.Together, we’ll examine real-life scenarios where “the great omission” happens—when we withhold love, ignore opportunities to serve, or rationalize inaction. This episode invites listeners to reflect on the gap between what we know and what we do, and to consider how true faith is proven by action. Through stories, scripture, and honest conversation, we’ll encourage each other to move beyond passive belief and step boldly into a faith that’s alive, visible, and transformative. Are you ready to close the gap between information and application?

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, David LaManna, Johnny V., Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Join us for our new study on the Book of James, wait a minute, we have a theme going here, the brothers of Jesus.

David kicks us off this week talking about perseverance and endurance in chapter 1 of the Book of James. When followers of Christ go through trials with patient endurance, we can consider it all joy. In the end, you will be perfect and needing nothing.

Judah takes us on a journey by sharing his research on ultra marathons. When one runs 1,000 miles, the importance of taking it one step at a time.

David then shares about trying to take on the world by yourself versus truly surrendering your life over to Jesus Christ. When we are weak, He is strong.

Johnny then elaborates on the importance of the person who is being blessed and then endures testing, we often think of blessings like winning the lottery? The disciples for example were hunted, tortured, betrayed, martyred and they considered it all joy to suffer for the Lord.

The group talks about the importance of "Check Points" throughout your week, instead of relying on your one hour on Sunday to carry you through the week, join a small group, go to church on Wednesday Nights.

So much more is covered and every journey of faith brings us to pivotal moments—those crossroads where we must decide: Do we turn down the easy path of Give Up Canyon, or tackle the climb toward Patient Endurance Peak? In Week 6 of our James 1-5 series, we dig into scripture for wisdom on navigating these tough choices. With real-life stories, biblical encouragement, and practical steps, this episode will inspire you to keep moving forward, even when the trail gets steep.

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, Lenny Salgado, Johnny V., Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Bonus: 1980's Martial Art Movies

Join us for our new study on the Book of James, wait a minute, we have a theme going here, the brothers of Jesus.

James kicks us off again this week by sharing scripture that stood out, "religion that God our Father sees as pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows who are in distress and to not be corrupt by the world". He shares of the Holy Spirit working in and through us and having eyes to see and ears to hear those that are hiding or struggling in the shadows.

Judah then brings up the line just before this verse about taming the tongue and how this overlaps with modern day, taming our thumbs.

Lenny shares an experience prior to the start of Thrive Church where he was struggling looking at himself in the mirror. He had to learn to love himself, before he could love others.

Mike jumps in and shares about not just reading or listening to the Word, but being a "Do'er" of the Word. He shares the importance of being quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Judah then shares how certain people, famous people, famous pastors, have a following of people are quick to slam them when they mess up and forgetting that we are all broken, sinful humans. Instead, approaching things with gentleness and kindness. Again, controlling our tongues and or thumbs.

We wrap up pretty quickly, however for those loyal listeners, there is a solid 10+ minutes of our pre-podcast recording where we are chatting about old 1980's martial arts movies.

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, Lenny Salgado, Johnny V., Ben Cossette, Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Join us for our new study on the Book of James, wait a minute, we have a theme going here, the brothers of Jesus.

James kicks us off by sharing an experience of listening for the voice of God and hearing the message "Value the Shadow People" and the many months asking, seeking and trying to discern the meaning. Memorial Day weekend (ironically) in 2023 the discernment was clear; as he looked out in his backyard and noticed that God had placed so many amazing people in his life, young, old, tattoos, jacked up pasts and that God had surrounded him with his tribe, the shadow people...exactly where he belonged because he himself was a shadow person.

The conversation then heads into the backstage; Gold, Silver, Bronze passes to meet Jesus, and how important it is to spend alone time with Jesus...after all, we pay all this money to meet these famous musicians and celebrities and the backstage pass with Jesus is FREE!!

Such an awesome conversation and no surprise, a Memorial Day story kicks us off and as I type this, it is Memorial Day...God is just THAT GOOD!!

To all the fellow Shadow People, we love you and we encourage you to invite someone to church, to Bible Study or into the fold...cuz statistics show, 88% of people are waiting for the invite and will say yes.

Happy Memorial Day to all and we lift ALL families and ALL brothers and sisters that have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can praise and worship in FREEDOM. To ALL who have served this great country, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts of YOUR SERVICE. God Bless the United States of America.

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, David LaManna, Lenny Salgado, Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Join us for our new study on the Book of James, wait a minute, we have a theme going here, the brothers of Jesus.

David kicks us off by taking us back to the beginning of James and shares what stood out to him about how to become a good follower of Jesus Christ? What questions come to mind? Am I doing the right thing? In Chapter 1, verse 2, "when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it all great joy". David reminds us that tests always serve great purpose, and reads, "when you faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow".

Mike then shares how the above reminds him of the cycles in the Book of Judges and Mike calls them, "Faith Cycles".

We then chat about the "World" telling us we need this or that and we will finally be happy. More, more, more...needing more.

Yet, the Book of James tells us, "when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

Lenny shares how Jesus stands beside us when we go through trials and tribulations and it isn't by our strength that we get through it, it is Jesus Christ!

Mike shares some personal trials he had been through and how he now sees them as blessings.

Judah jumps in and shares how we often grumble and complain, but James tells us to consider it all "great joy". Judah then explains the basics of what an actual test is, it is a reward for completing the test, right?!?! A test helps us make it to the next level. Testing = troubles of any kind.

This is only scratching the surface, but the conversation evolves into the importance of asking God for wisdom no matter what the circumstance. However, to not forget to the read the next few verses which stress the importance of having unwavering faith...hence, where the title came from.

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, David LaManna, Johnny V., Ben Cossette, Mike McHugh, Dan Yeadon, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Join us for our new study on the Book of James, wait a minute, we have a theme going here, brothers of Jesus.

David kicks us off by sharing what stood out to him about Faith without works is dead and this quickly turns to Judah sharing about flying an airplane and which of the two wings is most important? Both, correct? Faith without Works is Dead.

We then talk about how people often think they can stack up good deeds to offset wrongdoings.

Conversation then takes a deep dive into how preparation, study, weight rooms, playbooks and the amount of prep before an NFL team takes the field for gameday.

We spend quite a bit of time on this as it so applicable to life.

Enjoy and we appreciate you listening.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Enjoy and have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved

This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, Lenny Selgado, Johnny V., Ben Cossette, Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.

Edited by: Tim Nicholson

Join us for our new study on the Book of James, wait a minute, we have a theme going here, brothers of Jesus.

Ben kicks us off talking about the humility of James, not mentioning Jesus by name. James then talks a little about James being skeptic and what happened to transform him from skeptic to being a leader of the church.

We then go all over the place, from being a brother of Jesus, what that must have been like, to Bible App Streaks, to praying to God and asking Him for wisdom. It is an awesome episode and hope that you enjoy it.

We encourage you to read James with us and comment on what has been sticking out to you?

Enjoy and have a blessed day.

For more information visit: www.thrive.church

If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/

If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church

This is a presentation of Thrive.Church

©All Rights Reserved