Best Cotrh Podcasts (2025)

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Sequence | Cultivated Earth 35:28

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25d ago35:28

35:28

Two halves of the same coin. Light and dark. Day and night. The husband and the wife. Scripture contains the idea of two parts being unified when they come together, two parts equating to one. The same is true when we consider our being. Mankind is less than a whole when separated from God. Genesis 1 says that God’s creation exists as the heavens a…

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Sequence | Bigger, Better 33:36

1M ago33:36

33:36

As a young boy growing up in artsy little Homer, Alaska I too caught the bug and wondered about my ability to make it as an artist. At the ripe old age of nine I drew a pencil sketch of the Space Shuttle Discovery in the upright position and attached to its external tanks. My sketch was approximately 30 inches tall and was of such high caliber, it …

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Sequence | The Catalyst of Creation 38:52

1M ago38:52

38:52

When Maranatha and I got married we decided to narrow the scope of what was important on our wedding day. We were going to have a beautiful wedding, but we were determined not to blow the bank account. In the process of making those decisions, I had the bright idea to make our wedding cake. My future wife and my immediate family gave me THE LOOK. Y…

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Before the Beginning | The Audacity of Belief 41:57

2M ago41:57

41:57

Physicist Stephen Hawking once said, “If we discover the theory of everything, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason, for then we would know the mind of God.” Yet Hawking himself rejected the idea of a Creator. In this message we take on that question head on: Is it reasonable to believe in God? We look directly at Hawking’s arguments an…

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Before the Beginning | The Only True Good 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

A few years back, while working in our backyard at ABI, I built a swing for Maranatha under our porch and started clearing out weeds and debris. We laid down fabric, hauled mulch, and turned the space into something new. As I carried the bags down the hill, one of my kids looked at me and said, “Dad, I’m stronger than you.” For a moment I thought a…

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Before the Beginning | One Grand Story 42:12

2M ago42:12

42:12

How many times have you attempted to capture the expansive view of the Kenai Mountains, opposite Homer across Kachemak Bay, only to be disappointed by the result? Photos just don't seem to convey the grandeur, especially when condensed down to a six inch phone screen. "This picture doesn't really do it justice, but TRUST me, the mountains and the o…

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2025 Global Missions Conference | Global Missions Sunday 57:37

2M ago57:37

57:37

On Saturday, October 18, we launch into one of my favorite weekends of the year, our annual Global Missions Conference. This is your opportunity to connect in new ways to God's story both near home and across the globe. This weekend God wants to speak to you--to ignite something new. Whether you've been involved in missions for decades or you've ju…

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2025 Covenant Sunday 44:48

3M ago44:48

44:48

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Letters to Homer | The Internal Superstructure of the Independent Christian Man 52:16

3M ago52:16

52:16

To the Men of Church on the Rock, I want to speak to you this Sunday. This is a message I have not shared. I would ask that you would come prayerfully, humbly, and prepared to take action. Do not be like the one who looks in the mirror and then walks away unchanged. I am praying for our time together, Pastor Dr. Aaron Weisser…

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Letters to Homer | One God, One Kingdom 46:01

3M ago46:01

46:01

Over the past several years I have been on a personal mission. Maranatha and I got married in our early thirties which meant that we were combining the lives of two self-sufficient adults. Our wedding registry didn’t include the typical newlywed items. Many of those items we already had, like pots and pans. Last year I noticed that our sauce pan wa…

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The Final Word | Maranatha 36:53

3M ago36:53

36:53

I remember it like it was yesterday! For months my parents had been talking about a vacation. They’d heard about Destin, FL and were making plans for our family to go. We'd looked over the brochures, picked the best place to go, and booked the trip. My dad came home the evening before our 7½-hour drive with a rented minivan. I thought we were livin…

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The Final Word | Babylon Falls 42:36

4M ago42:36

42:36

As we walk further into the chapters of Revelation, it can be easy to get trapped in the weeds of imagery and imagination. Dragons, beasts, harlots, and everything else tend to distract us from the true purpose of the book, though it was never intended to. From the beginning of the book, the Holy Spirit is revealing to God’s servants (us) the Lord …

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The Final Word | The Nature of the Beast 39:10

4M ago39:10

39:10

When I was single and living in Columbia I had a buddy named Jimmy. Jimmy was a punk teenage kid that showed up to our church. He had been kicked out of his home and at first when you heard his story you’d be very angry at his prior caregivers. He appeared to be a very sweet and innocent kid who also had intellectual disabilities. His demeanor was …

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The Final Word | It's Going Down 39:54

4M ago39:54

39:54

Have you ever walked into a place and felt the heeby jeebies? You couldn’t put your finger on it exactly but something about the space kinda creeped you out or filled you with a sense of dread? Confession; abandoned underground tunnels kinda do that for me. Especially when they include giant balls of clustered daddy longlegs overhead. Eek. I’m gett…

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The Final Word | As It Is In Heaven 27:33

4M ago27:33

27:33

At our church in SC I lead a men’s house church. It was full of young men who had recently decided to follow Jesus. Every week we sat around a table and discussed life and what Jesus was doing. In that group was a young man named Dustin. He was from sticks and even to my trained southern ear, he spoke “uniquely”. He was rough around the edges, no f…

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The Final Word | Seven Churches 37:48

5M ago37:48

37:48

I want my kids to do well. I want them to see how growth now leads to a reward later. Some bad habits die only painfully. But there is a promise of something good, something better, something more permanent. And I realize this is always a hard sell for kids, but “I PROMISE that you will be glad you pressed through the pain and pursued the good.” In…

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The Final Word | Five Intentions 41:26

5M ago41:26

41:26

Earlier this summer we held our annual planning meeting for the coming year. In that meeting we lay out our teaching schedule and discuss what we’ll study as a church. We also have a pattern at COTRH to teach through the Bible sequentially, and laid out our return to Genesis. At the thought of skipping over the last text in Scripture, I insisted th…

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Love and Light | Recreating Eden 45:52

5M ago45:52

45:52

You’ve heard me talk about God dealing with my hard heart toward my younger sister. The hypocrisy and unforgiveness that I held onto in my relationship with her was a burden. He refused to leave unaddressed. I remember the relentless onslaught of people in my life, sermons and teachings I listened to, and the Scriptures He brought to my attention. …

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Love and Light | Light 41:39

5M ago41:39

41:39

I don’t know what is happening to me but it is getting more and more difficult to hold it together during weddings. My son Damon got married last week and I was doing pretty good until I saw my son see his bride in white for the first time. All of the joyous celebration of love touches something deep in my heart and triggers of wave of gratitude fo…

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Christ: The Unveiled Mystery | Christ In You 41:54

6M ago41:54

41:54

Eight kids in and I still have never succeeded convincing a young child of mine of their future love of naps. A good nap seems to be the bane of childhood existence. Even once they resolve that it is definitely happening and there will be no negotiation, they want to express their displeasure in some form. Then I tell each one the truth; some day y…

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Christ: The Unveiled Mystery | Live in the Reality of Christ 37:48

6M ago37:48

37:48

I have heard on many occasions that at some point I will miss the phase of childrearing that I am currently lamenting. I can say that I have not missed changing diapers, nor do I anticipate missing it. In a couple days my oldest hits double digits. It’s hard to believe and I do have the sense that how I interact with my older kids is changing. They…

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PeopleChurchProblems | A Core Reality 44:59

6M ago44:59

44:59

This week our family took a little trip down the Diamond Creek trail. When I arrived home from work, the car was loaded and ready to go. Once on the beach, we gathered up some wood to start a fire. Jenny handed me a lighter, a bottle of lighter fluid and a bunch of old newspapers to make my job easier. She then spread out some blankets to make our …

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PeopleChurchProblems | The Excellent Way of Love 39:26

7M ago39:26

39:26

The concept of love changes over the course of life. At an early age, love is represented by various entities. Disney portrays one sense where love leads us to a place of “happily ever after.” Our parents' marriages, whether for good or bad, teach us the ins and outs of what a loving relationship is or is not supposed to be. As we age, our experien…

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PeopleChurchProblems | The Spiritual Gifts 40:34

7M ago40:34

40:34

It is our routine every Tuesday to gather as a leadership team and eat pizza with chicken salad, celebrate what God is doing, and talk about what is ahead. Although this is primarily a staff meeting, our elders and board members are always welcome to attend. A while back, my uncle Kerry, one of our elders, dropped in to attend our little powwow. He…

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PeopleChurchProblems | The Prisons We Live In 34:37

7M ago34:37

34:37

I’ve been to prison… …and there is a difference between prison and jail. Jail is a place where you wait to be moved to your final destination. Prison is where you go to stay, to be confined…where you go to rot. I was recently reminded of a trip I took to San Francisco. While there I visited Alcatraz and I distinctly remember refusing to stand insid…

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PeopleChurchProblems | A Sacred Call 42:47

8M ago42:47

42:47

You know that moment when your brilliant idea suddenly reveals itself to be... not so brilliant? Mine came on our first vacation as a family. We were camping in Estes Park, down to our last few dollars before payday. When the kids wanted candy at the grocery store, I proudly stood firm: "No candy. Put it all back." Father of the Year material, righ…

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PeopleChurchProblems | Stop It 37:43

8M ago37:43

37:43

It gets messy. And complicated. “What about this?” “What about that?” And “Oh wow, didn’t expect that!” Look around, take a poll, everyone seems to agree, the world is broken and is inhabited by broken people. But few agree as to why. According to the Proverbs, “Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean.” You want a clean home? Get rid of the i…

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PeopleChurchProblems | The Odd Elements of Unity 41:44

8M ago41:44

41:44

You know what it's like to go to a new church as an adult not knowing what to expect. There are so many variables to consider especially if you're exploring or new to faith. What will they talk about, who will be there, will they ask anything of me, how much will I have to donate, will there be snakes on stage…etc. Coming to church as an outsider i…

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Praise the King | He Is Alive 33:29

8M ago33:29

33:29

Isn’t it interesting that we sing “O come O come….. Emmanuel?” Do you remember what Emmanuel means? It is a title given to God that means “God with us.” In other words, He is the God who is with us. And to the God who is with us, we sing “O come O come.” To the God who is already with us, please come CLOSER! Please engage! Please get involved in al…

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Praise the King | Praise the King 40:01

9M ago40:01

40:01

Before Maranatha and I were dating, our friend group liked to attend Christian concerts. One evening, we went to see Jake Hamilton, and after standing next to me and hearing me belt out every song, she told me that I have a good voice—but I can’t carry a tune. That was news to me. My wife is talented and gifted musically, and many of you have exper…

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What Now? | The Mirror 41:49

9M ago41:49

41:49

It’s human nature. We judge others by their actions yet we want to be judged by our intentions. You need to DO well. I need to MEAN well. “I didn’t mean it that way.” “I was planning to do that… I just forgot.” “I know I did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.” This week we’re going to crack open the book of James. Here’s a preview: Faith is more …

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What Now? | Triangle of Reconciliation 37:20

9M ago37:20

37:20

You know that moment as a parent, where you walk into the room without your kids noticing and you catch them in a moment of weakness. Hitting, biting, scratching, shoving, and on and on. All kids are sinners, even the pastor’s kids… For a moment they thought they could get away with it, but this time there's no opportunity for defense, no need for …

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What Now? | Earnestly Contend 42:59

9M ago42:59

42:59

Ever had someone say somewhat dismissively “Well, you’re on your own.” In other words, I can’t join you where you are going. Or, I won’t join you. Sometimes this means I can’t support you in what you’re about to do. Like when someone says to me, “I’m trying to stop drinking coffee.” Well, you’re on your own. There is another more complex situation …

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I Walked With God | By Way of Reminder 38:27

10M ago38:27

38:27

The memory of his booming voice still rings loud and clear in my mind. During my single digit years while living in Homer, I remember Ray Arno closing out many an evening service with the Eliza Hewitt hymn refrain: When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory! As an eight-y…

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I Walked With God | Generational Transformation 38:16

10M ago38:16

38:16

Spring is in the air; can you feel it? Typically, I know Spring is around the corner because conversations about Little League begin. I played baseball as a kid and have fond memories of it. For the past five years I have coached T-ball, starting with our oldest at the age of 5. I calculate that I have three more years of coaching until our younges…

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I Walked With God | When You Suffer 41:10

10M ago41:10

41:10

I wrestled in high school. It was my main sport. However, I went to high school overseas where wrestling was not a competitive sport at the high school level. As a result, our entire season was spent preparing for one tournament that put us up against all the American military schools scattered throughout Southeast Asia. Our wrestling coach was ver…

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I Walked With God | Slathered In Grace 38:44

10M ago38:44

38:44

Isn’t it funny how certain people who dislike something are confronted about their choice by others who love the same thing. I often am confronted about my disdain for mayonnaise, especially by my parents. I eat salads dry, and admittedly not that often. But anytime I do, it never fails that I hear the remark, you’d like that better with dressing. …

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I Walked With God | To Those Who Are Chosen 43:24

10M ago43:24

43:24

Imagine being a complete and utter failure. But not just by some arbitrary standard. Imagine simultaneously failing every commitment you made to yourself and every commitment you made to others. Now imagine that someone had rudely predicted you would fail your own commitments and you forcefully assured otherwise. “I will not fail. I cannot fail. I …

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Timeless Truth | The Ceremony of Eschatology 46:23

11M ago46:23

46:23

I remember the moment I laid eyes on the woman with her hair put up under an ascot cap. We were both in a bar called The Whig in downtown Columbia, S.C. Our church used social events like this to draw in people who would not grace the doorway of a church building. We were there with separate groups who attended the same church. As I was introduced …

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Timeless Truth | God's Perspective of Time 43:37

11M ago43:37

43:37

While living with my parents, sometime in early teens, we attended one of the oldest churches in the south. We'd dress in our Sunday finest, traverse the winding country roads, and find “our pew.” After a few stares from my parents, a pinch or two under the thigh, and some monotone words from the pulpit, we were free. The church would empty and we’…

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Timeless Truth | As In Heaven 36:05

11M ago36:05

36:05

For Thanksgivings in Homer I have been labeled the Mac n Cheese guy, according to my family. I have become the authority on noodles, spices, and cheese. Rightfully so, although I make it a little different than Pauline, my grandmother, it’s pretty delicious. For a few hours on Thursday morning I spend my time at the stove stirring a pot of delightf…

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Joy | For Christ, With Christ 41:59

11M ago41:59

41:59

Does anyone know what the bicyclist hand motions actually mean? I feel like blinkers are commonly understood and fairly self-explanatory; left side, left turn, right side, right turn. But despite my many years of experience on the road, I still don’t know what the left arm, straight out at the shoulder, bent 90 degrees at the elbow and hanging down…

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Joy | Then Live As Christ 36:54

12M ago36:54

36:54

If you’re over the age of 30, you’ve probably done the limbo. Or at least tried. The once party favorite has slowly faded from public life but I remember a time when the Limbo ruled social events of all kinds. Yes, I did it too. Honestly, even the recollection of what was required of my back muscles to get under that crossbar makes me hurt today. A…

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Joy | To Live is Christ 39:46

12M ago39:46

39:46

When life gives you lemons… I guess you're supposed to slice those lemons, squeeze those lemons, filter out the seeds, add water and plenty of sugar, mix in a pitcher with some ice, pour it into a glass and DRINK LEMONADE! It is a very practical bit of advice about turning something bad into something good, even something delightfully refreshing. T…

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Riches | Armored in Christ 44:16

12M ago44:16

44:16

Spring 1999. I was walking down the hall of my parents ranch home, past the collage of pictures on the wall and a feeling of dread fell over me. My plans for the coming year had fallen through. I would graduate high school in a couple of months, with no real plan for the next chapter of my life. Everyone I knew seemed to have it together, plans for…

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Riches | Marriage 47:26

1y ago47:26

47:26

It was November and I was in the Philippines enjoying the beginning of the cool season and the end of the rainy season. In Manila, cool temps are in the high 70’s and low 80’s and November is when the monsoon rains subside and the season turns toward the dry and cool part of the year. On that day the temps were tolerable but scattered rain showers …

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Riches | Experiencing Christ's Reign 40:48

1y ago40:48

40:48

It's the dead of night. The wind is still and Jesus is bowed on the ground. The silence can be cut with a knife as the trees of the garden stand still. His tears have covered the ground beneath Him, tinged red by the blood they contain. As he stands, his knees feel feeble from the exertion poured out seeking His Father. He moves towards the discipl…

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Riches | What Has God Done? 45:14

1y ago45:14

45:14

During my initial foray into the home construction realm, I had the pleasure of being invited to the open house of a very nice home that I helped to build over the course of a few months. To my 18-year-old eyes, this particular home was dressed to impress. The highlight of my tour through the home was the “home theater” room. Yes. A whole room of t…

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You Are Free | The Two Strategies For a Good Life 42:08

1y ago42:08

42:08

My dad loves fishing! In the south, fishing looks a little bit different than here in Alaska. Back home, fishing is grabbing a cooler, a bucket of crickets, a lawn chair, and rod and hanging out on the edge of a pond back in the woods. My dad was and still is a little more serious, waking up in the wee hours of the morning and putting the bass boat…

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You Are Free | The Four Frames 43:22

1y ago43:22

43:22

I have a very distinct memory related to my life as a young blonde Alaskan of German-Norwegian descent amidst a literal sea of dark-skinned, black-haired Filipinos. Growing up overseas in the city of Manila forced a superficial but sharp contrast of appearances that triggered an existential question in my young brain: “Why am I like me and not like…