Sometimes life brings the unexpected and we find ourselves off script.  In other moments, opportunities arise that require us to deliberately choose to go off script. In today’s very special episode, I want to celebrate and honor my sister Marilyn.  A year ago, Marilyn was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).  Last Monday, Marilyn’s earthly journey ended as her heavenly homecoming began.  She was prepared for her ultimate off script moment because of her relationship with Jesus. This past week, I have been reflecting on the beautiful grace of Marilyn.  In her most challenging days, she remained courageous, positive, and kept on putting others first before herself.  In 2015, Marilyn and I spent a week serving together in Haiti.  Even as I was grieving, I recalled one single, defining moment of Marilyn in Haiti that brought a huge smile to my heart.  I pray it challenges and encourages you as well.

Redemption's Table with Robert Barge

OFF SCRIPT

Firmly planted in midair.  That’s an adequate description of what the world is going through right now.  And it is also a realistic expectation of what following Jesus really looks like. This week’s simple podcast explores that theme.  We hope it is an encouragement to you in this difficult season.  We have an album recommendation (Andrew Peterson’s “Light For the Lost Boy”), an upside down quote to reset your perspective, a mesmerizing adventure movie to check out (Amazon Prime’s “The Aeronauts”), and an encounter with Jesus in the gospel of Luke.  “Redemption’s Table” has been set for you.  Thanks for joining us.

FIRMLY PLANTED IN MIDAIR

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Jay Payleitner Open up any Bible and you’ll find an incredible book of wisdom fairly close to the center called Proverbs.  Proverbs has 31 chapters, hundreds of proverbs, but only one prayer.  One of the most incredible, counterintuitive prayers you’ll ever read.  And that one prayer is the subject of a brand new book, “The Prayer of Agur,” by today’s table guest, Jay Payleitner. At the heart of Agur’s prayer is this unusual request – “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”  Wow!  That’s a little different than a lot of the prayers you hear nowadays.  And that’s just the beginning of surprises Jay introduces on the way towards discovering where the sweet spot of life can be found.  I hope you’ll check out this little gem of a book for yourself. https://jaypayleitner.com/books/the-prayer-of-agur/

THE SWEET SPOT OF LIFE

A Conversation With Special Guests:  Hunter Harris and Chase Myers One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage.  To lose a baby is a heartbreak many have suffered. In ways I can never understand, it must be especially poignant for a young mother.  The topic is hardly ever talked about. In the last two years, I know two young couples who have walked this valley.  I asked the fathers from each couple if they would be willing to share at “the Table” and both have graciously agreed.  I welcome two men I admire – Hunter Harris and Chase Myers.  And if you know of anyone who has recently gone through miscarriage, this may be one episode you might want to pass along.

MISCARRIAGE FROM A FATHER’S PERSPECTIVE

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Kyle Searcy I was sitting at my prayer table two weeks ago when God planted an idea in my spirit: “Go redeem the ground.  Pray on sites where racial sin has taken place.” Last Tuesday morning, the prompting became a little more specific.  God nudged, “Go to Court Square Fountain today and pray.”  I committed to go after lunch.  This beautiful fountain flows in the heart of downtown Montgomery, Alabama on the very site where, over 160 years ago, thousands upon thousands of lives were sold into slavery. Three hours AFTER God nudged, I received an email announcing a last minute Pastor’s Press Conference to be held in less than two hours at – where else?  Court Square Fountain.  It was there that I met Today’s Special Table Guest, Bishop Kyle Searcy.  Kyle serves as Pastor of Fresh Anointing House of Worship.  As soon as we met, I felt impressed to invite Kyle to the podcast. He graciously accepted and here we are.Montgomery has been a pivotal city in our nation’s history, from Civil War to Civil Rights.  Kyle believes it has been given a justice and righteousness mantle to lead in our nation’s future.  I embrace that belief with him.  Join in the listening and lamenting, then go to those around you to listen and lament and pray.  We are on the verge of a long awaited revival.

FROM UNHOLY GROUND TO KINGDOM COME

Today’s experimental podcast is told in random bits and pieces.  I have never felt led to craft a mosaic story until now.  I’m not even sure there is a category for this. Except, this is the manner in which my mind works and in which I find myself attempting to communicate these days.  Mosaics are made from broken pieces to form pictures and patterns that communicate.  To call this episode verbal art is probably too much of a stretch, but the world is on pause right now and we all have a lot of stuff swirling around us. At the same time, we all have been granted a unique gift to slow down and perceive life at the speed of God. This is my story of a few of the fragments of my 2020 spring.  You’ll hear parts of my journey I’ve never shared before, as well as my favorite coffee mug, a sonnet that struck me deep, my dysfunctional personality, some dialogue from a favorite movie, and a song.  All of this pointing to a single truth – God is always speaking to us. Only those who listen hear.  And it could be His next word for you will be heard in the kaleidoscopic sound of mosaic.

CREATING MOSAICS IN A HURRICANE

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Logan Creasy “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” – Psalm 130:1,5  Can anybody relate?  Anybody else out there feel like waiting on God has become your permanent vocation and you’re already tenured?  (We see those hands!) It is great to have my good friend Logan Creasy at the table this week.    Logan and his wife Melody know firsthand the long and sometimes arduous journey of adoption. Be encouraged as we explore waiting on God, worship, and the coming together of a family, just like the one God is putting together right this very minute.  Toward the end, Logan breaks out his guitar for the world premiere of his song  “Death Is a Liar.”  So grab a Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale, pour it over 4 scoops of Blue Bell Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and get ready to thank us later.  We saved you a seat.

ADOPTION AND THE WILD, WILD WAIT OF GOD

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Michael Crane If you have followed sports at all in the last 25 years, you have witnessed the magic of today’s special podcast guest.  In less than 10 years in the business, Michael Crane became the most sought after quick-cut, highlight package editor in the wide, wide world of sports.  From ESPN to CBS to the NCAA tournament to the French Open to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece where he helped NBC win an Emmy for the coverage – Michael had just about done it all. Cut to the 2007 Masters in Augusta, Georgia.  Michael was in town to work the biggest golf event of his life – and on the Monday morning of Masters week before reporting for duty, Michael decided to rob a bank.  Yep, you read that right.  And that’s where his redemption story takes off.  Grab a club sandwich and some chips and listen to a comeback story where God is driving a life back above par.  We saved you a seat in the golf cart. https://www.facebook.com/officialmichaelcrane/

A HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE OF GRACE

A Conversation With Special Guest:  S.P. Rowe Our souls need to worship God the same way our bodies need food and rest.  This is always so, but perhaps now we are more acutely aware of this need.  Worship in a time of crisis can heal our thoughts and restore our spirits. I always marvel at those who are gifted in helping us find connection with God through music and praise, who take themselves so completely out of the frame. all we see is God.  Today’s podcast guest Stephen Peter Rowe (S.P. for short) has that gift.  Stephen serves Vineyard 61 Church in Balham and Battersea, England, a little south of London. So cut yourself a slice of banoffee pie and join us.  Not only will you get a firsthand account from the other side of the world; you get to hear Stephen’s new song, “Cast Your Cares.”  Your soul will thank you when we’re through.

CAST YOUR CARES

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Jimmy Amisial We’ve all heard the proverb, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  Today’s Special Guest Jimmy Amisial takes that saying to a whole ‘nother level.  Jimmy is from Haiti and his story brims with danger and inspiration.  He faced adversity growing up in a country labeled third world and then came to the United States for college, only to encounter a malignancy that attacks the very heart of God – American racism.  Yet, all along the way, Jimmy keeps finding amazing, astounding treasures in a place most regard as worthless - the trash. At the moment, Jimmy is in Texas riding out the pandemic pause with the rest of us. He needs to return to Haiti and he also needs to resume his education here in the states.  This is a story God is right in the middle of and I can’t wait to see how God writes the next chapter.  I suggest you get a scoop of Blue Bell Creole Cream Cheese Ice Cream, and join us.  You’ll be glad you did!

FINDING TREASURE IN THE TRASH

Conversations With Special Guests:  Michael Adler and Banneker Hatcherson We are all in the same boat right now.  The world as we knew it hit the pause button.  A new storyline has interrupted this season of our lives.  Everybody has a story to tell.  Some days we’re singing the blues and some days, praise and gratitude pours out.  Most days it’s a medley of both.  I sent out an invitation to a few of my friends to see if any of them had a timely story or fresh perspective to share.  Today we will hear from two who have been to the table before.  Michael Adler was with us in December  (“Step In To the Wondrous”) and Banneker Hatcherson joined us in September (“Letting Jesus Set the Table.”)  Yes, we’re all in the same boat, but it’s a big, big boat with lots and lots of room, and it has a big, big table, and we saved you a seat.

PANDEMIC BLUES AND PRAISES

Conversation and Dinner With Special Guests:  David and Kelly Cochran Welcome to Resurrection Monday and the opening episode of Season #2!  Last week we shared the first half of a two-part conversation with Special Guests David and Kelly Cochran.  Almost two years ago, David and Kelly’s son Max took his own life after struggling off and on with mental health issues for 19 years.  David and Kelly graciously allowed us to re-walk their joyous, yet tumultuous journey with Max, all the way to the place where stones seem final. What you’re about to experience is a reminder we all need to hear, especially in challenging days like these.  Jesus is still risen!  God is still Sovereign!  Jesus can still redeem any and every circumstance surrendered to Him!  And when God rolls a stone, it keeps on a rollin!’ Thank you for joining us and check out www.maximizingmentalhealthinc.com to learn more.

AND THE STONE IS ROLLING STILL

Conversation and Dinner With Special Guests:  David and Kelly Cochran Welcome to our 50th Episode!  Hopefully by now, you feel at home around this weekly table of hope and good news. Since we launched on Resurrection Monday 2019, it has been one entrée of encouragement after another.  That’s a recipe we all could use a little more of as we face this momentary crisis. It is Holy Week.  The last week of Jesus’ earthly life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows that shattered on a Friday we now call “Good.”  When Jesus died on a cross that Friday afternoon, no one could see how any “good” could ever rise from that.  Sometimes our journeys follow similar courses. Today’s table is set with grace.  Before the quarantine, I was honored to share a meal with Special Guests David and Kelly Cochran and share in one of the most sacred conversations I have ever had.  Almost two years ago, David and Kelly’s son Max took his own life after struggling off and on with mental health issues for 19 years. At a time when the world is hurting, we need to especially look after those who’s everyday lives feel as anxious as ours do now.  This is the first of a two-part story that will resume next week on Resurrection Monday. Thank you for joining us.  www.maximizingmentalhealthinc.com

A LONG WALK TO FRIDAY

A Conversation With Special Guests:  John Lankford and Madison Kearns of Five Loaves There are so many layers to this special midweek episode.  Our nation’s medical community is on the frontlines of what very well may be the fight of our lifetime. One creative organization in Birmingham, Alabama has come up with a tangible way for the Magic City to say “thank you” to area healthcare staff.   The CareHealth Initiative coordinates meals for those working tirelessly to turn the tide on this pandemic.  (Fast forward 24 minutes to learn more.) It was an honor to catch a few moments with Five Loaves Founder John Lankford and Five Loaves Director Madison Kerns and discover this incredible organization that, under less stressful times, combines food, art, and conversation to connect an entire community.  May this podcast inspire you to meet tremendous need wherever you are – and if that happens to be Birmingham, go to http://www.urbanavenues.com/carehealth to learn more.  The life you feed today may be the one God uses tomorrow to save someone you love.

A FIRE BUCKET BRIGADE FOR THE MAGIC CITY

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Ross King In 2019, singer-songwriter Ross King released a song with a knockout lyric that dropped fear to its knees – “The Things That I’m Afraid Of.”  Now last year’s fears seem rather tame in light of a worldwide pandemic that threatens us all. It is a joy to welcome Ross once again to the table and to revisit his powerful song. Get ready to be encouraged as we talk about fear, faith, hope, and the future.  Yes, the challenge we face is great, but the Truth behind our momentary circumstances is greater!  Grab yourself a fresh cup of coffee from your kitchen.  We saved you a seat at “Redemption’s Table.”

ROSS KING: WHO THE THINGS THAT I’M AFRAID OF FEAR

Welcome to Redemption’s Table – a fresh ingredient podcast. Every week I will sit down to this table with a Special Guest, share a restaurant meal or cup of coffee or an ice cream cone, and engage in a recorded podcast conversation, on site, with redemption as the main course. You’re invited to join in on this flavorful adventure that will accentuate the reality of redemption in the lives of everyday people like you and me. A reality that, I believe, finds its ultimate expression in Jesus of Nazareth, Who is the “not-so-secret ingredient” to the redemption we all seek.

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Redemption's Table with Robert Barge

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