The Jewish blessing was: "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi." The beauty of that image is that you would be following so closely to your teacher and leader that his dust would be upon you.

Jesus was a rabbi.

The word "Christian" is used no more than three times in the New Testament, while the word "disciple" is used over 260 times.

Jesus said, "Follow me."

How closely are we following Him?

• Cross Church Norman, Oklahoma
• John Mark Comer - Practicing the Way

Jamie Johnson's story could have ended much differently. After a tragic accident in his teenage years, Jamie spiraled. He began the walk down a dark road. Avoidance of pain and guilt sent him to turn to drugs, alcohol, and the things that would lead to severe criminal behavior. Even with bright moments along the way, such as becoming a college baseball player, getting married, and having a family, Jamie could not shake the bonds of addiction. Forsaking his family, his lifestyle took an even darker turn with highly addictive methamphetamines. Not only would he use the drug, but he also began manufacturing.

Time was running out. Eventually, everything caught up with him, and he faced the sobering reality of the gavel slamming to begin a lengthy prison sentence.

Ironically, Jamie says the day he went to prison was glorious. It was the day that he fully surrendered his life to Jesus.

To know the road ahead, we must ask those coming back. In this compelling interview, Jamie bears his soul about the road he has traveled so that we may learn from it.

This is a story of redemption.

https://www.prisonfellowship.org/

Jamie Johnson on Facebook

https://www.whbcok.org/

https://www.crosschurchnorman.com/

Tom Williams has been married for 47 years to his wife, Annette. In January of 2022, he faced the unthinkable as his wife had three massive strokes in a short time. Things looked bleak. Miraculously, a hopeless situation began a slow turn towards healing and progress. Tom walks us through the dark months of possibly losing his wife to bringing her home for recovery. It is a story of love, faith, and selflessness.

It is a story of determination.

How do you make it through shocking life events like this? Tom tells us to "Keep Looking Up."

Additionally, Tom has a deep love for Bible Prophecy. Are we in the final four years of this age? He shares his heart about where we might be in the timeline of events. While he will not predict dates, he challenges us to be spiritually and physically prepared for imminent events.

YouTube Devotional w/Tom Williams

The Final Four Years

Matthew 24

Joel 2:31

Joel 3:1-2

Hosea 6

www.crosschurchnorman.com

Dustin Kitchel is a husband, father, church leader, and football coach. He is also the identical twin brother of Life & Leadership's host, Daniel Kitchel.

This wide-ranging and unscripted conversation is full of laughs and compelling stories. Dustin and Daniel walk us through the times of their lives when they were fatherless and the impact this still has on them. There are good and bad stories throughout, but through it all, they embraced it. God used it to make them who they are today.

Forgiveness makes all the difference.

www.danielkitchel.com

www.crosschurchnorman.com

https://www.facebook.com/dustin.kitchel

In his mid-twenties, Daniel Kitchel found himself in his first full-time church leadership role. Things went well for a short time and then quickly spiraled out of control.

On the surface, everything appeared to be right. The church grew quickly. People were baptized, and the Gospel was preached. But, underneath, Daniel's personal life was not matching what was going on publicly.

It would only be a matter of time before everything collapsed.

This is a story of loss, lies, pain, and suffering. It is also a story of God's love and incredible redemption.

www.danielkitchel.com

www.crosschurchnorman.com

Elaine Kochanowicz is the mother of six children, a wife, a published author, and a podcaster. With her unique sense of humor, contagious laugh, and words of joy, she desires for moms to celebrate the wins and not take themselves too seriously.

Elaine wants you to know that God is proud of you even when you have an inappropriate typo on the label maker or your husband is chasing your child down the street in his underwear as you drive away. As she has learned; sometimes eating fast food, drinking a supersized soda, and listening to rap music in your car alone is a proper form of taking care of yourself.

This conversation is sure to make you smile and give you some much-needed laughs.

Full Show Transcript

Emaginemom Podcast

Book: Mom of Six Dies Laughing

Facebook

Email Elaine Kochanowicz

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

Email Daniel Kitchel

The Cross Church

The gift of rest was never intended to be earned after hard work. I have spent a big part of my life believing I only deserved rest if I worked hard. Gifts are no longer gifts if they must be earned. We should work from our rest. This is the better way to live.

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

To Hell with the Hustle

www.danielkitchel.com

www.crosschurchnorman.com

It is common for the hurt of the past to haunt us. Often we hold onto things that are holding us back. God wants us to be free from our past failures. With stunning authenticity, Heather Bowen shares her story of redemption that will keep you on the edge of your seat and hungering for the love of God to do the same for you.

Forgiven & Set Free

Hope Pregnancy Center

Email: heatherjbowen@gmail.com

Facebook - Heather Bowen

The Cross Church

Email: pastorkitchel@gmail.com