God's Plan vs. The American Dream — Part 1 cover art

God's Plan vs. The American Dream — Part 1

God's Plan vs. The American Dream — Part 1

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 In this fiery and thought-provoking episode, Brian and Kersha Owen challenge listeners to examine whether they're truly following Jesus—or following Jesus plus the American Dream. What begins as a discussion about resolutions versus intentions quickly becomes a deep dive into the tension between cultural expectations and God's calling, asking the uncomfortable question: Are you chasing comfort or chasing God?Between stories of buying boats they couldn't afford, the pressure to "keep up with the Joneses," and Brian's confession about building a house that never felt like home, this episode delivers both brutal honesty and biblical truth that Crazy Unbelievable Faith is known for. Brian and Kersha unpack the danger of seeking God's approval on our blueprints rather than surrendering to His plans, the difference between chasing God's calling versus chasing God Himself, and why real faith requires stepping into uncomfortable waters. They challenge listeners to evaluate whether they're storing up earthly treasures or heavenly ones, whether their eyes are fixed 20 feet ahead or fixed above, and whether they're willing to let God stretch them in the areas they're holding onto most tightly.With powerful imagery of light defeating darkness and Peter stepping onto the water, Brian and Kersha remind us that God doesn't call us to comfort—He calls us to faith. This isn't just about rejecting materialism; it's about surrendering our timelines, our money, our comfort zones, and our carefully constructed plans to a God who sees the bigger picture. It's about being counter-cultural in a world that worships success, and choosing to follow Jesus even when it costs us everything we thought we wanted.🔥 What You'll LearnJesus vs. Jesus + The American Dream: The critical distinction between genuine faith and the comfortable Christianity that adds God's blessing to our own plans while keeping control of our comfort, money, and timeline.The Joneses Mindset: Why society's pressure to have the boat, the big house, and the picture-perfect life is a "monopoly mindset" that sets us up for stress, debt, and chasing things that ultimately don't satisfy.Uncomfortable Waters: Why God's calling will always push you into discomfort, and how the absence of being stretched or challenged might be a sign you're following your own plans rather than His will.Chasing God's Calling vs. Chasing God: Brian and Kersha's most profound question—are you hyper-focused on what God wants you to do, or are you longing to be closer to who God is? The distinction changes everything.Earthly Treasures vs. Heavenly Treasures: A fresh look at Matthew 6:19-21 and why placing our security in material things, career success, or societal approval leaves us vulnerable to loss and disappointment.Eyes Fixed Above, Not Ahead: The difference between looking 20 feet in front of you (keeping your gaze on outcomes and goals) versus looking up to God (keeping your gaze on Him and trusting His direction).God's Timeline, Not Yours: Why surrendering to God's timing is one of the hardest parts of faith, and how financial and material pressures can reveal what we're truly holding onto.Light Defeats Darkness: Brian's powerful illustration of how light shining from above can penetrate any darkness, while light reflecting up can only illuminate the ground—and why the direction of our focus matters.The Broader Picture: Why Christians can get so hyper-focused on one piece of God's calling that they miss the fullness of what He's inviting them into, and how stepping back reveals the bigger puzzle.What God Wants to Break Down: The uncomfortable truth that whatever you're clinging to most tightly is exactly what God wants to stretch you on—whether it's a house, a job, a relationship, or your sense of security.💬 Memorable QuotesKersha: "Let's be real. Are we really following Jesus, or are we following Jesus plus the American dream?"Brian: "Are we following Jesus plus the American dream? Is it this overlapping? Like I'll do God's will as long as we're staying comfortable?"Kersha: "Society puts these things on us that you need the boat, you need the nice big house. It's a keeping up with the Joneses mindset. Who's Jones? I don't know. Who are they?"Brian: "We have 13 plus years that's been fed to you to go to school, get good grades, get a good job, and you'll be comfortable. You'll be happy. But we know a lot of people—we have gone through unhappy seasons having walked that path."Brian: "Am I chasing the material things or am I chasing the things that God has put in my life?"Kersha: "Are we chasing earth or are we chasing heaven?"Kersha: "If we're living for God, he's going to call us into uncomfortable waters. He's going to call us into doing uncomfortable things."Kersha: "Are you doing things that aren't making you uncomfortable? And is it really God's will for you?"Kersha: "Or is it: God, bless my plans. Approve of my blueprints. Don't touch my comfort. Don't touch ...
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