178 - Be Sweet

[00:00:10] Speaker A: Everybody, thanks for tuning in to the Recovering fundamentalist podcast, episode number 178. We're your host. That's Brian. That's Nathan. I'm JC. Fellas, how we doing today? [00:00:21] Speaker B: I'm doing good. Glad to be here. Got a lot to talk about, but glad to be sitting down with you guys again. [00:00:28] Speaker C: I'm doing fantastic, man. On the right side of the grass. [00:00:32] Speaker A: On the right side of the grass on some days, might be the better to be on the other side. [00:00:37] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:00:37] Speaker A: Well, sorry. [00:00:40] Speaker C: Go get biblical on us, JC. [00:00:42] Speaker B: What? What grass are we talking about? We talking about grass. [00:00:46] Speaker A: Oh, that's what I was talking about. [00:00:48] Speaker B: Oh. [00:00:51] Speaker A: Goodness. That's a different podcast. Anyhow, hey, we got some announcements coming up. In January of 2025, we're going to Israel. And, Nate, you saw Marcus Merritt this week. [00:01:02] Speaker B: Yes, at the SBC convention. I went to the Luther Rice display and actually got to meet the president and got to hang out and talk with Marcus for a while. We talked about old times in Israel, things that happen, memories plus planning what's going on this next year. He's extremely positive that this is going to happen. They actually have a group going this year in September, and everything is moving forward. He feels like it's very safe and a high possibility that this is going to happen. So we're planning on it. We're moving forward in that direction. And you really need to be there. Had so many people talk to me about it, and the question always comes up, do I have to be a lead pastor? No, this is. This is a pastor, or you're the worship pastor. You're the, you know, whatever, student ministry pastor. Uh, you're welcome to come with us. And, uh, this is the best price you're ever going to get to see Israel and experience this. [00:02:00] Speaker A: It is a nine day trip on the ground, ten days total with flying. And we. You're one. Cost covers food and flight and hotel. And I'm telling y'all, the food is incredible, the hotels are great. Best trip. And your preaching will literally change when you see the Bible come to life. And so I just want you to go to recovering fundamentalists.org, click on the RFP or, excuse me. Click on the Israel tab and register today. We're going January of 2025. That's actually not too far off. We're almost done with 2024. That's unbelievable. So we'd love for you to go with us there. Coming up in November, the first weekend in November, the first and second. It's the third annual, for the sake of the gospel conference happening right here in Catoosa county at Hope Church. And we would love for you to be here with us. I'm going to be a great night. Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon. And there's no registration for this. No sign up, no cost. You get your own hotel, sleep in a car, sleep at a hotel. We got all kinds of stuff around here for you to stay in and. But just get here, and we'd love to see you. And I'm fired up, man. I've already heard from a lot of people that are coming in from all over the country for that. It's going to be a great weekend. [00:03:16] Speaker B: As I mentioned, I was at the SBC this weekend, and we had our own impromptu RFP meetup. There were so many people there from Joseph there in Catoosa county, over at Burning Bush. Oh, yeah, yeah. He said, tell you how we had Brett. We had his wife and family. Uh, man, Chad Willem. Brian saw him there, and Chad's a good guy. Yeah. Obviously, Clay was there. We've got. I'm forgetting some people, but what's that? [00:03:49] Speaker A: James Seyfried, dude. [00:03:50] Speaker B: James Seyfried and his family was there. I knew. I knew there's somewhere someone. Michael Thomas went with me, my worship leader. We hung out, and so many other people came up that I didn't know who they were. And talked to me about the podcast. [00:04:02] Speaker A: It's. [00:04:03] Speaker B: It's awesome. I did meet one of the speakers there, came up to me and talked about the podcast. So that was so cool. Got to see Chosen Road. Chosen road was there. They performed in the small church meeting, which was just incredible. So many good things happened there. Had a blast. JC, you were supposed to be there, and. And I was supposed to be working. [00:04:24] Speaker A: The Luther Rice table with Marcus Merritt and actually had a buddy pass away and had to stay in town here, but I couldn't be there. It looked like a big old reunion. [00:04:34] Speaker B: Brian had someone offer to fly him first class, oh, in a private jet, buy him the nicest hotel room in Indianapolis with. With a smorgasbord feast every day, all he could eat. And he turned it down because he just doesn't do large conferences. [00:04:49] Speaker A: Brian calls that Tuesday. [00:04:54] Speaker C: Yeah. You know, the. The SBC, man, I love them. Love serving with them. But this is what I've said to all the guys. You guys make all the decisions. Just give me a plow and a shovel and a rake and just let me be in the field. You make all the decisions, and I'll trust God's leadership. And I'll trust you. So that's. See, I try to practice that. It's called we walk by faith, not by sight. [00:05:19] Speaker B: I think you're allergic to Robert's rules of orders, so. [00:05:23] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah, we used to do that once upon a time. And, you know, the gun don't have to backfire on you too many times when you learn. I don't even know who Roberts was, and I never met him. I don't like his rules. [00:05:37] Speaker A: I heard you were one of the nominations for SBC president. [00:05:41] Speaker C: Oh, wow. That was a huge mistake, wouldn't it? [00:05:46] Speaker B: I think you have to attend before you get nominated. [00:05:49] Speaker A: But true, true. [00:05:49] Speaker B: There were people there saying that they were going to put you on the nomination for next year. So we'll see. [00:05:54] Speaker C: Well, I think. I think I was selected to be the third person in line behind the lease janitor. So if that person doesn't show up in, the next person doesn't show up in, the next person doesn't show up, then they give me a call and I'm a cleanup crew. That's what you call that? I'm clean up. I'm a sanitation engineer. [00:06:13] Speaker A: There he is. What a title. I didn't get to attend, but I did see some videos on Twitter. X. Do y'all call it Twitter or X? What do you call it? [00:06:20] Speaker B: Twitter. [00:06:21] Speaker C: I still call it Twitter. [00:06:22] Speaker A: Yeah. So I've seen some videos on Twitter of guys that were talking, you know, when they walk up to the mic every year. Nate, is it real? Did you go to the business meeting? [00:06:31] Speaker B: Yes, I did. [00:06:32] Speaker A: Is it hard to talk because you're hearing yourself? Because everybody that walks up to that microphone looks like they're, like, having a really tough time with talking and hearing themselves. And they were. [00:06:43] Speaker B: I just. I don't think they've been in a room with 15,000 people and had to talk. They put you on all the large screens, and they're just huge. It's like jumbotrons, and there's 15 of them in the room. And, uh, I think people just get nervous when they start talking. [00:06:58] Speaker A: Well, in a couple of the videos and one that's actually going viral, a buddy of ours that we've had on this podcast, Brian Drake. [00:07:05] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:07:05] Speaker A: About 10ft behind the guy talking, and he knelt down behind him and he gave this, like, weird look. And it is blowing up. And it happened to be at the one moment the guy was making a controversial. I guess I don't. I don't even know what is like. [00:07:20] Speaker B: He was making a motion to basically kick all the reformed and calvinist people out of the convention. [00:07:27] Speaker A: What a perfect timing for him to make a face behind that guy. That is hilarious. I have seen hundreds of people sharing his picture, and I was like, Brian, I texted him this morning. I said, you have become the meme of the SBC 2024 convention. He's like, I didn't really play that one out. [00:07:43] Speaker B: Well, yeah, yeah. I talked to him at the booth. I was working the booth for NC Baptist, and he came by and we had a conversation. He showed that to me. I saw it, but didn't realize it was him because he's kind of off in the background. Blurred out a little bit. But as soon as he said it was him, you could see it. Like, that was awesome. [00:08:02] Speaker A: It's so much. It's. It's funny watching who shows up with those things. I mean, you got guys that are just the world's biggest opportunist. I mean, there's a dude there that just apostleized the guy a couple weeks ago. [00:08:13] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, yeah. [00:08:15] Speaker A: We won't go on. [00:08:16] Speaker B: How do you get one of those apostolizations? [00:08:19] Speaker A: I don't know. [00:08:20] Speaker C: Apparently what you need to do is get a collection of people who don't know the scripture and who are about half stupid, and so they're willing to get up in front of a crowd and put their hands on you and declare you what they cannot declare you to be. [00:08:32] Speaker B: Oh, man. JC, I just realized something. [00:08:36] Speaker A: What happened? [00:08:37] Speaker B: Without tipping our hat, I just want to say we can probably get Brian Edwards to say just about anything on this episode. We can get him to go all the places he's never been willing to go. [00:08:47] Speaker A: Oh, we could. And there's a reason why. And you'll find out in a moment. It could go down scorched earth, and we wouldn't care. [00:08:55] Speaker B: I love it. [00:08:56] Speaker C: I thought that's what I'd always done for this moment. So, in other words, you want me to be myself. There you go. [00:09:05] Speaker A: Yeah, true. That's it right there. Well, we're glad you are here with us today on the recovering fundamentalist episode. Of course, here in the year of 2024, we're doing one episode a month, and so we would love for you to stay tuned. Got a big announcement on the other side of this incredible intro that we want you to stay tuned for. Y'all ready to get the show started? [00:09:23] Speaker B: I'm ready. [00:09:25] Speaker A: Let's go. [00:09:42] Speaker C: The Recovering fundamentalist podcast begins in three these podcasts. [00:09:49] Speaker A: Podcasts that sound like a convention of. [00:09:51] Speaker C: Beans or peas to me. [00:09:52] Speaker A: I'm podcast listen in these recovering fundamentalists, they don't know the Bible either. What are the fundamentals? Inerrancy, virgin birth of Jesus Christ, substitutionary atonement. Amen. Bodily resurrection of Christ, and the authenticity of miracles. High bang two, I am not a recovering fundamentalist. [00:10:12] Speaker C: They're everywhere. They're all over the Internet. [00:10:14] Speaker A: They want to be, what do they call it? [00:10:16] Speaker D: Recovering from fundamentalism. They're everywhere. And I think to myself, well, you were just stupid to begin with, and if there's such a word, you're stupider now. [00:10:24] Speaker C: We ain't recovering from nothing, good neighbor. We're reviving from the Holy Ghost. Somebody shame and rob chime. [00:10:32] Speaker B: Everybody wants to focus on recovering. Oh, you're recovering. Oh, you need help. You need therapy. You're recovering. Let's focus on fundamentalists. We're recovering fundamentalism back from people who have hijacked it. We are biblical family. [00:10:45] Speaker A: We are the fundamentalist man, that'll make a Baptist want to speak in tongues. Right there, boys. [00:10:54] Speaker C: One, I'm going to tell you one thing. We better stay in the old paths. But what are the old paths? I've heard that my whole life, and nobody's ever been able to tell me what the old paths or the old time religion really is, because it's whatever era you overly romanticize in your mind as being when the church was right. [00:11:17] Speaker A: Like it, lump it, pump it, jump it, take it across the street and dump it. We've raised a generation that is ashamed of our forefathers and act like they were somehow done wrong in the way they were brought up and they were damaged and they were scarred because they were raised in a home that had standards and convictions and kept them on the old time way. [00:11:39] Speaker D: You got their number, boys. Y'all thought you started the podcast. You went and started the movement. [00:11:48] Speaker C: Thanks for joining us for the recovering Fundamentalist podcast. Make sure to stay tuned at the end of the show to hear more. [00:11:56] Speaker A: About the RFP sponsors. Now here's your host for the recovering. [00:12:00] Speaker C: Fundamentalist podcast, Nathan Cravat, JC Groves, and Brian Edwards. [00:12:07] Speaker A: Hey, there it is. Thanks for tuning into the recovering fundamentalist podcast. For all of those that skip the banter and start after the incredible intro, welcome to the Recovering Fundamentalist podcast. We are your host, Brian Edwards, Nathan Corvette, and I'm JC Groves. Good to have you here with us today on episode number 178. [00:12:27] Speaker C: 178 episodes. You know, listening to that intro, do you realize how good independent Baptist guys are? For little short clips like that? It's just perfect. [00:12:41] Speaker A: Yeah, there's some interesting clips on there. [00:12:44] Speaker C: That'S for sure, man. If we could have gotten clips from all the statements made at the camp meetings that we were a part of. [00:12:50] Speaker B: No, man. [00:12:51] Speaker C: We could have like a. A podcast half hour intro, and you wouldn't be able to turn it off. It would be. It would be magnetic. You wouldn't be able to disengage. [00:13:02] Speaker B: Yeah, I remember when JC sent us that 1st 24 minutes clip of the IFB, which is where we pulled all the clips from our first intro. And, man, just looking at that, just. That's what really started this whole thing. [00:13:19] Speaker A: What's funny? We made that cowboy Kyle at us 101 in Chattanooga, and we're sitting in his office. He's got ACM awards all over the wall, and he is playing over the loudspeaker that video over and over again, clipping it for our very first intro. DJ's are sticking their head in. Country artists are sticking. What are y'all doing in here? Like, just having church, brother. Just having church. It was hilarious. Well, he's not embarrassed by it. I am, but whatever. [00:13:47] Speaker C: Well, you know, I heard some of the craziest things ever. I remember, uh, we were at a camp meeting in Georgia, and it was a camp meeting that both of you guys, I think, have attended in the past. And, um, since he's going to heaven out of it. Yeah, he was wearing flip flops, you know, they wouldn't accept that. But because he's going to heaven, I won't call him by name, but I'll never forget, you know, a teenage boy sitting in the room, and he and his wife had just had a brand new baby. And he stood up in front of that crowd and he said, I'd rather put a live rattlesnake in the crib with my baby than to put an unplugged television in the house. Unbelievable. [00:14:31] Speaker A: Can't make that crap up. [00:14:33] Speaker C: No, you can't. [00:14:35] Speaker A: Oh, goodness. [00:14:37] Speaker C: Well, it went quiet all of a sudden. I should have. Let me. Let me rewind that. What about this weather? [00:14:44] Speaker A: How about the brains? They're horrible, too. Well, 178 episodes, fellas. I mean, what a journey it has been. We started five years ago. Can y'all believe five years ago this whole entire thing kicked off? I'll never forget that night in the hotel room, gathering there. And it's funny, I ran into a lady this week that said, you know what's really cool? Y'all were the voice that I think of when I think of COVID when I think of lockdowns, when I think of, like, that crazy time in life. I hear y'all's voice, and thanks for not making me. Thanks for helping me not go insane, because I had the RFP there and what a. What a cool journey it's been. [00:15:23] Speaker B: Yeah. I had some conversations this week with people that just shared how much the RFP has made meant to them and how. How much of a difference it made in their lives and the direction that their life went. And every single one of them, I don't think I've ever talked to anybody that said, this has been easy. Every single one has. Has difficult stories about their families and things that they went through. But they just said, you guys need to know. And they wanted me to tell both of you that it made a huge, huge difference in their lives. And things are getting better now. It's. It's amazing when you step out on faith and faith and follow where God's leading you, what. What he does in your life. [00:16:02] Speaker A: That's awesome. [00:16:03] Speaker C: I think it's just encouraging to know that, you know, something we didn't even understand. We. We didn't really understand what it meant to podcast. We. We set out with no big ambitions. Nope. Our goal was just to have a real conversation about what we had lived through, believing that there were other people who had lived through the same thing. And to see that have an impact, you know, that's. That's meaningful. [00:16:29] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree, man. Well, we've had some big moments over the past five years of recording. We're in our fifth year of recording. And I think today is going to prove to be one of those big moments and those big episodes where we get to see all that God has done and all these doing and what he's doing for the future. [00:16:51] Speaker A: Sure. [00:16:52] Speaker C: Amen. [00:16:53] Speaker A: It has been some incredible episodes, thinking back, and we'll reminisce here in a little while, but Brian has been an incredible part of the RFP. And, you know, from sitting at Tennessee Temple University with you, Nathan, writing down on a whiteboard five years ago, just dreams and vision and wanting to help people whose lives have been negatively affected by fundamentalist legalism in the church, and to challenge people who promote tradition over scripture. And just coming up with that and how God put the three of us together, it has been an incredible, incredible thing of God. No doubt about that. And today, we're excited to see how the next chapter of the life of the recovering fundamentalist is going to be playing out just like we were five years ago. We're kind of standing here going, okay, God, what's the next step. And I'm excited as we press forward. We're not going anywhere, but there's some changes that are going to be happening, and we're excited for you to hear today just the heart of Brian Edwards. [00:17:51] Speaker C: Well, you know, it's been an incredible journey. As a matter of fact, I'll never forget when you guys called me, and I think we were on speakerphone and we were having this conversation about. About a podcast. About a podcast that would challenge people who had been negatively affected by fundamentalism. People who were, in an ongoing way, being negatively affected by fundamentalism. And the idea was, let's. Let's start a podcast. Will you be a part of a podcast? I have a confession to make. I had never even listened to a podcast. [00:18:31] Speaker A: I'm not surprised. [00:18:32] Speaker C: Didn't, didn't know. I didn't even know what the orange, the purple icon on my Apple iPhone screen was for. Didn't even know what that was about. So I'd never even listened to a podcast. Didn't know anything about podcasting whatsoever. But you guys gave me that day an incredible invitation to be a part of something. And, you know, just to be honest, I think my expectations were likely fairly low. You know, who's going to listen to us? We don't have a national presence, so how is this even going to go? And, you know, I remember the specific conversation we had when we were saying things like, well, if just a hundred people listen, that will make a difference. If we just make a difference for someone. And so I think my expectations were fairly low because I didn't understand even what podcasting represented. But from the moment we sat down in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and we started recording, it was obvious that there was just a synergy there. And it was. It was a special moment. [00:19:47] Speaker B: Well, Brian, I don't know if, if we've ever even shared this with you, but I do remember that FaceTime call where, uh, we finally got the three of us together, and, uh, we had talked about you being a part of this from the beginning, but then you kind of blew us off because you're so busy. And then when we recorded that intro episode, you called me and you're like, dude, you told me I was going to get. Be a part of this. What's going on? You can't record this without me. And I was like, look, I'll put you on the phone with JC. So I put you guys on the phone where I basically introduced you guys, and it was like, hey, do you know this guy? Were you at this camp meeting? And before long we figured out that you two guys had been in the same places, knew all the same people, had sang at the same events, had just never talked to one another and met each other face to Face. And you guys begin to talk about all of your experiences in the IFB. And JC called me. I think he facetimed me after we got off that call, and he's like, that dude has to be a part of this. He said it was. It was meant to be. [00:20:49] Speaker A: He. [00:20:50] Speaker B: He knows the IFB. He was the IFB. And we need him to be on this, JC. I'll never forget that. [00:20:58] Speaker A: Yep, it sure was. Because we were honestly a little defeated before you came along, because we had this idea, and it was a conversation that we had. We had another guy that was supposed to be on there with us, and he pretty much shot us down at chick fil a and was like, no, I don't think that's what y'all need to do. But we had this desire to do it, and I was like, the right person. It's just gonna happen. And then as soon as you. Man, it was like a breath of fresh air. Breath of fresh air. I was like, got old man wisdom coming on with us now. [00:21:27] Speaker B: That's what we needed. [00:21:29] Speaker A: Yes, we did. [00:21:30] Speaker C: Well, you know, I think JC and I had probably spoken, but you have to remember the one time that JC and I were not just in the same building, but in the same house, eating. He was stuck to the wrong girl at that time. [00:21:44] Speaker A: Right. [00:21:45] Speaker C: And so he didn't notice me, and. [00:21:47] Speaker A: I looked totally different. Had a big old head full of hair, man. [00:21:52] Speaker C: Yeah, that was a long time ago. [00:21:54] Speaker A: Days are behind us, brother. [00:21:56] Speaker C: Yes, sir. Aren't you glad for the prayers God doesn't answer, or the ones he says no to? Thank God for that. [00:22:04] Speaker B: That'd make a good song, Brian. [00:22:06] Speaker C: Would it? [00:22:06] Speaker A: You should write times. [00:22:07] Speaker B: I thank God for unanswered prayers. [00:22:10] Speaker A: He doesn't answer. Just change it a little bit and make it yours. [00:22:13] Speaker C: That would be cool. [00:22:14] Speaker B: I was hoping you got the idea. [00:22:16] Speaker C: You should write it. [00:22:17] Speaker B: I was hoping maybe you'd sing it for us. [00:22:19] Speaker A: Didn't get the hint. [00:22:20] Speaker B: It's been a while since we've had a Garth Brooks reference on this episode. [00:22:23] Speaker C: Is that a garth Brooks song? [00:22:25] Speaker B: Oh, man. [00:22:26] Speaker A: You all remember? [00:22:26] Speaker C: What? We just don't listen to bowlegged guys who can't sing on key. I just never have, so I don't know any of his songs. [00:22:33] Speaker A: Y'all remember the very first episode we did together? Garth was actually mentioned. [00:22:36] Speaker B: Yep. [00:22:38] Speaker C: Really? [00:22:38] Speaker A: Y'all brought me the Garth Brooks album for Christmas, or. [00:22:41] Speaker C: That's right. You are a Garth Brooks fan. [00:22:43] Speaker B: I was. [00:22:44] Speaker C: You're a merciful listener. [00:22:45] Speaker B: Anyway, because your dad threw the. The cassette tapes out of the way. [00:22:49] Speaker A: Because it had Garth on it. [00:22:51] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:22:51] Speaker C: Yep. Well, anyway, when you guys called me, you know, and we started, it was obvious from the very beginning that the conversation was stronger than I realized it would be. And I think if the three of us were honest, it was therapeutic for us. [00:23:08] Speaker B: Yep. [00:23:08] Speaker C: And what we didn't realize is, as we had this therapeutic conversation, it was going to impact other people and that other people were going to resonate with our experience and what we had been through. And then I think it also has to be mentioned, guys, the timing was perfect. [00:23:26] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:23:27] Speaker C: You know, Covid was a dark time, and I never won't want to say anything that would in any way, neglect to recognize the hurt that Covid cost people and people who lost their jobs, people who lost loved ones and friends. But the fact that people were isolated in their homes. And for that season, the RFP, we were available. We were recording every single week. I think the timing increased the listenership. I think as word spread, people were looking for, you know, ways of being engaged while being in their homes. And also, I think Covid lasted for such an extended period of time that people were open to the idea of a new beginning, almost reintroducing themselves. And so I believe all of that played a role in the effectiveness of those early days. And I think, too, we were approaching subjects that no one had ever heard anyone approach out loud. We were saying things that had been said only behind the scenes, had never been said in such an open way. And then I think also we owe the fundamentalist a debt of gratitude because they couldn't stop talking about us. [00:24:47] Speaker B: Yep. [00:24:47] Speaker C: Which made everyone in the audience who was questioning go and listen to this recovering fundamentalist podcast, because, you know, I think there's a lot of people who are in that place of. Of wanting to walk away, but just lacking the courage to do so. And I think we were that voice that encouraged people to be courageous. We walked away. We survived. You can walk away. You can survive. And I think that probably is one of my favorite memories or one of the things that I most greatly appreciate about the recovering fundamentalist podcast. You know, early on, I viewed fundamentalism as so restrictive that it was. It was kind of like an Egypt experience. You're. You're under the authority of another. You really don't have the freedom to live your life. You are under the restrictions of the ones who are in authority. And do you realize God allowed the three of us to have almost a Moses like experience in that we have led so many people out of legalistic bondage and so many people now are living in freedom? I hear from those people frequently, and they are so grateful. And so I'm grateful that we had that opportunity. But I think the time has come for me to step away from the RFP, which it's kind of emotional to say this, you know, we've been recording for so long. It's a part of life. Yeah, it's a part of my routine. You know, we make time for what we value. And time is something I have very little of. And even speaking, you know, life wise, I've really come to think a lot recently about the fact that more of my life is now in the rearview mirror than it is in the windshield. That really changes the way you think about time. But, you know, it's been such a part of my life now for so long that it's hard to know what will it be like without this. But I believe now is the right time. And I don't want to step away without, first of all, thanking Nathan Yu and JCU for letting me be a part of this journey, because it allowed me to use what had been in the closet of my mind in my life and what I had done with, you know, people personally, but never done on a greater level. And that was to share my experience and fundamentalism in a way that would call people to live a biblical life rather than a legalistic life. And you guys invited me into this. It was your idea, it wasn't mine. I would have never thought of a podcast in 1000 years. And you guys invited me into this. And for that, I owe both of you a great debt of gratitude. I'm so thankful that you invited me into the conversation. And then I want to thank those who have been a part of this audience now for so long, for all of the encouragement, for those of you that I've met in person, and you've just expressed in a heartfelt way what my voice and my words have meant to you. That's a great compliment. And I'm so thankful for all of you, for all of the encouraging messages, for the way you have received me in those. Those great moments when maybe what I shared was something from God's word that impacted you. And you've shown me grace in those moments when I may have talked out of my flesh more than out of my spirit. And you've been. You've been gracious to stay with us on this journey and allow me to be a part of your life and a part of your spiritual formation. And I am so grateful for that. And so, as I say, I'm walking away from the RFP in this moment. The truth is, this is such a part of my life that the RFP will walk away with me. I'll never be away from what these last five years represented. And I'm grateful for that. I really, really am. And so it's a moment of God. Thank you for this season, but you've given me the peace now to live into a new season. And thanks to the RFP network, that's the plan. In August, I will be launching a different podcast with two guys that I have a lot of respect for. It'll be a strong, deep theological discussion. And for those of you that would. Would like to hear that, by all means, we would love for you to be a part of that journey, as it will be a limited number of episodes, but we would love for you to be a part of that journey as well. And I'm still a part of the RFP family, and I'll still. I'll still be a fan with. I was going to say with a cheerleading outfit, but that'd be. That'd be hideous. I'll have pom poms. How about that? I'll be cheering from the sidelines. [00:30:08] Speaker A: Well, Brian, you know, you. You definitely said it right. You're walking away from here, but it's following you. I mean, that's what we've talked about for a long time. All five years that we've been recording 178 episodes. Those will be here forever. You know, unless podcasting goes away, we will be the recovering fundamentalist podcast. And it's been a joy to have you on the podcast and just your insight and wisdom. I was thinking back today just over all the episodes that we have talked about, the hundreds of interviews that we've had, the conversations, the tears that have been shed, the jokes, the horrible jokes, the few good jokes, mostly bad jokes. But, you know, just, man, thinking of who we've been able to interview, people that we would have never talked to if it wasn't for this podcast. Places we've been able to go from Vegas to where else? Where? [00:31:02] Speaker C: New York. [00:31:03] Speaker A: New York. [00:31:04] Speaker C: We sat in Jim Sembla's office and watched his secretary bring him a cup. [00:31:08] Speaker A: Of coffee, went to lunch with him and ordered his original. Like, I mean, just the places that we've been allowed to go that God has given us the freedom and to speak into conversations we likewise would have never been able to speak into and have a voice in arenas that we never even would have been allowed into. For that, I'm thankful. And it has been an incredible journey. And we're continuing on and excited about your new podcast. Is it. Is it three. Three Jared halls and a Bible? Is that what it is? [00:31:40] Speaker C: It's actually. It's actually one Jared and. And one. And one fluid pill. [00:31:49] Speaker A: That's. You call that Tuesday again? [00:31:51] Speaker C: I call that breakfast. Well, you know, I mean, the three of us have proven over time, you know, that we have stickability. [00:32:00] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:32:00] Speaker C: I think we've also proven, you know, that we have a certain degree of intelligence, because I'm not really sure how many of our brain cells died during that Nathan Rager interview, but we've maintained enough coherency to be able to continue on. We had conversations with Phil Kidd, and. We've had conversations, man. We had. [00:32:24] Speaker A: There's been a lot that my. [00:32:26] Speaker C: We had that interview, and, you know, just so many people that Ed Young and. And then Bart barber. I mean, we've talked to so many people. And Robbie Gallady, which. It's hard for me to talk about him because I'm jealous of those huge arms. Um, by the way, I started a workout regiment recently, and you guys will be proud of me. I wake up every morning to go, 1234-1234 other hand, 1234 somewhere. I'm getting there. I'm getting there. But, okay. You know, it's just been. It's just been an absolutely incredible experience. [00:33:02] Speaker A: Exactly. [00:33:03] Speaker C: So it was better and bigger and more wonderful than. Than we even imagined, and I'm really excited about the future. [00:33:11] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:33:12] Speaker C: Can I. Can I introduce the surprise? [00:33:14] Speaker A: Please do. [00:33:15] Speaker B: Yeah. Hey, Brian, before you do that, uh, I want to. I want to share something before you get into that. All right? So, uh, so not to get too emotional, but, uh, Brian, you've been a huge friend to me, a huge part of this podcast. Your insights have shared. The insights you've shared have. Have really made a difference in, um. We've had fun giving you a hard time. We've had fun with all the old man jokes, even though you're just a couple years older than me. Uh, we. We've had so much fun with stuff, and this week, I actually saw an advertisement that made me think of you, and I want to share it here on the screen. Can you guys see that? It's a. For those of you who are just listening, it's a timex uh, advertisement on a billboard, and it shows a picture of a watch. And it says, no, just an old school watch. It says, know the time without seeing that you have 1249 unanswered emails. And as soon as I saw that, man, that just. It just cracked me up, because that is. That is Brian edwards. Those of us who have seen the behind the scenes picture of your cell phone, it's. It's amazing. [00:34:23] Speaker C: Let me catch you up on that real quickly. This will be the last time I get to ever mention this on the. [00:34:28] Speaker B: I get a new tick every time you share this, Brian, so please go ahead. [00:34:32] Speaker C: Right now, I have 1447 unread text messages. I have 95 missed calls, by the way, that I haven't responded to, and I have 17,408 emails. And just so you know, recently, I took a few hours and cleaned out as many emails as I could because they notified me that my storage was full. [00:34:55] Speaker A: So if you're dying, do not text or email or. Brian, that's what he's saying. [00:35:02] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. [00:35:03] Speaker A: But as for that, as. [00:35:07] Speaker B: As I think about the past five years, recording this episode, this podcast, and all the episodes, I think about the songs. You sang so many episodes, for a while, you would sing a song on every episode. I really miss that. And I think you need to sing something before this episode is over. All, as JC said, all the dad jokes or the bad jokes, however you want to say that. But one of the things that really stood out to me was the truth bombs that you have dropped. Uh, one of the biggest ones was on our intro, the one that. The newer one that we shared today, where you said, the old paths, the old time religion. It's whatever era you overly romanticize in your mind as being when the church was right, man. That's something that will stick with me and something that I'll. That brought up a lot of thoughts and ideas. I actually even. I haven't shared it yet, but I preached a sermon on the old paths at our, uh, for the sake of the gospel conference last year here in Asheville. So that's something that really stood with me. The interview with your dad is still, I think, one of the most powerful episodes and probably my favorite episode, where you just sat down with your dad and JC and I agreed to just let you do that because it was so much more intimate and honest. Uh, that made a huge difference. The God and country episode, you said so many things in that. I was relistening to that this week, and you've helped shape my views of that because I'm incredibly patriotic, and it was a powerful moment for me to realize I didn't have to let go of that, to not try to mix that with. With gospel. So, um, that was huge. The KJV episodes, you shared so many things in that. That, yeah, Mark Ward was there, and, yeah, he said some incredible things. But, you know, I honestly think some of the things you shared in that were incredibly powerful and was there. But for four episodes, man, we sang some songs, matter of fact, hours sitting. [00:37:03] Speaker A: On a stage at sometimes, but you. [00:37:06] Speaker B: Were asleep for 4 hours of it, so you can only count five. So. But that was. That was huge. One of the most impactful episodes for me was the episode we recorded with your daughter Kelsey, Chris McLarney. I mean, Kelsey said some more powerful things in that than Chris did. And I remember how proud you were as a dad to be able to record that was good her in that moment. The alcohol episodes, we did two of those and shots. Yes, you dropped some truth bombs in that. Obviously, probably the most mind blowing episode was sitting down in the office with Jim Cymbala in New York City at Brooklyn Tabernacle church. And just sharing that. From that to the veggietales references you've had from the memories, your powerful sermon at the, for the sake of the gospel conference in Danville, Virginia, the theological power of the cross. Man, that sermon was just a milestone for me. And I remember standing there just weeping as we all sang the old rugged cross together, as you close that sermon out, going to Israel with you, JC, you and I praying in the garden of Gethsemane, and we actually didn't know someone was taking a picture of us in that moment. We have that picture, and all of those things go together just to make some incredible memories. And our friendship has grown deeper and deeper over the years. And I'm excited for what. Uh, your next podcast is going to be here on the RFP network, and, uh, I'm going to try not to give that away. And I asked you not to share too many details because I think that's going to be incredible. And I don't want anybody to steal your ideas between the next few months, but looking forward to that. And I just want to say thank you to you for your investment in our audience, in me personally, and where we have come from and where we're going. Man, I love you, and I'm excited about what's next. [00:39:15] Speaker C: Man, I love you, too. Thank you for taking all that time to. To recap and to remember. That's. I feel I feel honored and humbled in this moment. You know, when I made that statement, you know, that old time religion represents whatever era of time you overly romanticize as being when the church was right. You know, when I had that epiphany, it was actually the result of someone much greater and wiser than me. Have you guys ever read the old Keswick revival books? Yes, the old Keswick revival sermons. You know, I love guy h. King and Graham Scroggy and FB Meyer and, and, and a lot of those guys. I was reading a book on the Keswick revival. And so we're talking about, well, I won't call the date, or I'll get that wrong, and somebody will always be faithful to correct me. It was a long, long time ago. It was before even I was born. And I was reading the sermon, and the content of the sermon was, we need to get back to the old time religion. We need to get back to the old time we. And as I read that sermon, I realized he was describing something to them. That those who proposed a return to the old time religion was much different than what they were proposing. [00:40:48] Speaker B: Yep. [00:40:48] Speaker C: Now, the two were not in alignment, which means the one thing both groups had in, in common was an over romanticization. That's hard to say of another time or another era. And I think that was. That was kind of a light bulb on moment for me. [00:41:11] Speaker B: It's amazing how many of those moments happen when you're reading. [00:41:15] Speaker C: It's pretty incredible, isn't it? [00:41:16] Speaker B: Studying and diving deep. [00:41:18] Speaker C: Yep. It really is. [00:41:20] Speaker B: So, Brian, I paused you earlier. Uh, let's. Let's talk about some of the next steps. [00:41:26] Speaker C: Yeah. So, you know, the RFP is going to be in great hands, not only with both of you guys, but there is somebody, as I'm exiting stage right, who is stepping onto the stage from stage left. Uh, this. This guy happens to be a great friend of mine, a man that I have a great deal of confidence in. And, you know, I find myself celebrating what he's going to bring to the conversation. You know, a little new wine, a little fresh oil. [00:42:03] Speaker A: This. [00:42:03] Speaker B: This blowing off the veneered. [00:42:06] Speaker C: Oh, yeah. This guy has so much experience in fundamentalism. And when, you know, his journey, who he was, where he was, the group of people that he associated with, which represented even, wow, the fringe of the IFB at times, you know, the strongest of voices, a very exclusive group of people. And he was a part of that, that fringe, part of the independent, fundamental movement. And yet, to see how God has radically transformed his life, his way of thinking, his way of living, his way of preaching, the way that has influenced the church that he pastors and the people that he's leading. I mean, this guy deserves a spot on this podcast. And I think all of you who are in the RFP fam, you already know him, but you are going to love what he brings to the conversation. I love my personal conversations with him, and I know they've been life changing for me. And I know his conversations with you are going to be life changing as well. I'm. I'm super excited to introduce the third host of the RFP, Doctor Tony Hudson, mister a great one, Matt Dudley. [00:43:25] Speaker B: Whoops. Matt Dudley. [00:43:27] Speaker D: Yeah, man, I just been sitting here on the other end, chomp at the bits to talk, so. [00:43:33] Speaker A: Well, now you can. [00:43:34] Speaker D: Now I'm unmuted. [00:43:37] Speaker B: Uh oh. [00:43:37] Speaker D: Guys, I'm. I'm honored to be on here with you. And you're reminiscing about the RFP. Of course, I started listening in 2020 as well during the COVID shutdown. Did not know any of you at all, had never even heard of you, and. And it was such a breath of fresh air for me. And then, of course, we became fast friends. We met Nate first over sushi as I was traveling through Chattanooga. And then Brian and JC. I guess we met in Vegas, didn't we? [00:44:10] Speaker A: Did. [00:44:11] Speaker C: Yeah, we did. And by the way, having sushi with Nathan means he thinks just as much of you as he does Andrew Slooter. [00:44:18] Speaker A: That is true. [00:44:20] Speaker D: Hey, did Sluter buy? [00:44:22] Speaker B: He has bought, and I've bought his, too. We've had it multiple times now. [00:44:26] Speaker C: Oh, so he doesn't think as much of view. [00:44:29] Speaker D: He didn't even buy mine. I'm out of here. [00:44:31] Speaker C: That one time. [00:44:32] Speaker B: Now I. [00:44:33] Speaker D: Now I know why you're leaving, Brian. [00:44:36] Speaker C: Hey, when we were in Chattanooga, on the first recording, Nathan builds up this restaurant like Nathan always does. [00:44:43] Speaker B: They've heard this story. We don't need to hear this again. [00:44:46] Speaker C: We sit down in the booth and the waitress happens to mention that we need to hurry up in order because the grill shutting down. Me being the paranoid, odd individual that I am. [00:45:00] Speaker B: Old geezer. [00:45:01] Speaker A: What? [00:45:02] Speaker C: I said, no, I'm just odd. I'm just curious. So we. We were at the table, and I said, guys, when a waitress says something like that, do you ever worry that the kitchen's going to do something to your food? And both of them's like, no, not at all. I get my grilled chicken sandwich, Matt, and my paranoia won't let me just bite it. So I start disassembling it. And when I lift up the tomatoes, there lays a dead roach in my sandwich. So be glad for your sushi, man. Celebrate for free. [00:45:31] Speaker A: And I ate his. [00:45:34] Speaker B: Just took the roach off. [00:45:37] Speaker A: Yeah, we did meet you in Vegas. That was a fun time there it was. [00:45:42] Speaker D: Just became fast friends and have enjoyed it ever since. And then, of course, we've talked about that. We've kind of hinted around at this before, and the timing just never felt right. I think we all wanted to, you know, collaborate and do something, but this time around, it just. It just felt right. And I hate that Brian's leaving, because I. I was looking forward to. I've been saving up a lot of old man jokes, and I just don't know what I'm going to do with them now. [00:46:13] Speaker B: Well, we can still share that. [00:46:14] Speaker D: The old guy now, right? [00:46:16] Speaker B: Oh, my goodness. [00:46:17] Speaker A: Oh, he is. [00:46:18] Speaker B: I'm not going to be the oldest. How old are you, Dudley? [00:46:20] Speaker D: You are. How old are you? I asked you 48. [00:46:23] Speaker B: I'm turning 49 this year. [00:46:24] Speaker D: I'm 44. [00:46:26] Speaker A: I'm 42. [00:46:27] Speaker B: I would like to announce my ramble from the RFP. [00:46:34] Speaker D: We just call. We just do it. [00:46:36] Speaker A: Just call. [00:46:36] Speaker D: Whatever Brian's podcast is. We'll call it the geriatric RFP. You and. And JC. And I'll take this for the. For the millennials. [00:46:43] Speaker A: That's hilarious. [00:46:44] Speaker C: Matt, you need to do a whole episode talking about all of your difficult years in ministry. [00:46:50] Speaker D: Oh, I've had a few. Yeah, I've had a few. [00:46:55] Speaker C: Your age. I look like Nathan Cravat. [00:47:00] Speaker B: Well, just because Brian's not going to be on the episode doesn't mean we can't tell old man jokes about him. That just means he's not here to defend himself. And since I'm going to be the old man, you can bet you can believe I'm going to be talking about how old Brian is just myself. [00:47:17] Speaker A: I don't think those will ever go away. [00:47:19] Speaker B: No. No, they won't. [00:47:20] Speaker C: Yeah, it's. It's. I've been called everything old related on this podcast. What I've always said behind the scenes, if either one of these guys looked any better, it would really bother me. [00:47:34] Speaker A: What I love, though, is, like, the people that call you appall now are pappy now. [00:47:38] Speaker D: Yes. [00:47:40] Speaker B: Dudley's the one that started that, right? Yes. It's only fitting that the guy who came up with that term replace you, Brian. [00:47:49] Speaker A: Okay. Just like growing up. I got the blame for it. Thanks. [00:47:54] Speaker C: Yep, you did. JC, I apologize. [00:47:56] Speaker A: All right. [00:47:57] Speaker D: Hey, I told you this in. In person. I think I told you when I preached out there, but I call you. It's an. It's a term of endearment. [00:48:04] Speaker A: Exactly. [00:48:05] Speaker D: Because you bear such wisdom, frankly, for your age, that you do seem older than you are, bro, I'm not going to lie you. If I had to guess you, just listening to you talk, I'd guess you about, I don't know, 73. What do you think? [00:48:21] Speaker A: Oh, we were close. [00:48:23] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:48:25] Speaker B: Brian takes back all those nice things he said. [00:48:28] Speaker C: Yeah, I really gave you a good introduction and then started, well, you're making me believe in reincarnation, because I swear Balaam's ass is still speaking. [00:48:43] Speaker D: He always calls me that. [00:48:47] Speaker A: Oh, goodness, that's awesome. Well, good to have you on, bro. [00:48:52] Speaker D: I'm glad to be here. [00:48:54] Speaker A: It's exciting. The best is yet to come. [00:48:56] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:48:56] Speaker A: And we're excited to. To continue to press forward and go into new areas now that three young men can go to. Wow. [00:49:07] Speaker D: So, Brian, it's like we're moving out of the old testament into the new. [00:49:10] Speaker B: Yes. This is testament. [00:49:13] Speaker A: 400 years of silence here. [00:49:15] Speaker B: The new covenant. I love. [00:49:17] Speaker C: You know. You know, Matt, if you live your life in a cul de sac, you never go anywhere. You guys keep hitting this cul de sac and just riding in a circle. [00:49:27] Speaker D: I'm still laughing at it. So it's. [00:49:31] Speaker A: I want to go back to the cul de sac. I miss those days. [00:49:36] Speaker B: Those are the good old days. [00:49:38] Speaker A: Nathan, you're about to say something. [00:49:40] Speaker B: Yeah. So, Brian, as. As you are exiting stage right, which I take that to mean that you're. You're too conservative for this show, and now we need to bring someone more liberal on the show. As you're exiting stage right, I would love for you to share with our listeners kind of some parting words. And I think you and I have had some conversations that you really have a heart for our listeners. And I would just love for you to share something that could really define your moments on the RFP. [00:50:18] Speaker C: So, you know, in thinking about what I would want to share with this audience of people who have made this journey with us, who have trusted us to speak into their lives, think about how substantial that is. Guys, we have an opportunity to speak into other people's lives. What an incredible responsibility. So if I. If I were going to believe what you would refer to as parting words or an encouragement, it would be this. I think the one thing that I've realized over the course of this five years, in hearing from the people who listen to the podcast, in hearing from the people who oppose the podcast. In hearing from people who have left fundamentalism, guys, I am deeply concerned about how many people carry with them just a weight of bitterness, how many people cannot get beyond that. For example, do you realize, I mean, we have a few million downloads now, and I shared with the RFP audience one of the most intimate details of my life regarding the worst of experiences in my life, when we did the abuse episode. And even then, there were people who weren't satisfied. [00:51:45] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:51:46] Speaker C: When we've interviewed pastors and other individuals, you know, for example, we had the conversation with Ken Scott. People were literally asking the question, why didn't we attack him when the sin was his father's? It wasn't his sin. When we interviewed recently, you know, the former president of Hiles, people are not satisfied with the intensity of the heat. And I just want to say to the audience, bitterness is no way to live, and you will never truly leave fundamentalism as long as you harbor fundamentalism in your heart. Because I've learned it's a lot easier to rid yourself of the standards of fundamentalism than it is to rid yourself of the heart of legalism. [00:52:39] Speaker B: Wow. [00:52:39] Speaker C: And the heart of fundamentalism. And there's so many of you, and I'm deeply concerned for you because your life is controlled and dictated by this weight of bitterness that you're carrying. I'm reminded of Ahithophel, you know, we often don't hear his story, but Ahithophel, in two Samuel, chapter 17, verses one through four, he speaks these incredibly personal words. He's asking for permission from Absalom to choose 12,000 men to rise up and to strike David down. Ahithophel makes this very personal because he wanted to be the one to strike David down. He didn't want any of those 12,000 military men to have that privilege. He wanted that exclusively for himself. You know, he wasn't interested in the spoils of war. So he wasn't motivated by money or finances or fame, because he says to Absalom, I'll bring back the story of David's death, and the people will celebrate you. I believe he was sincere in that moment. So if, if he wasn't being motivated by political power, if, if he wasn't being motivated by a desire to rise to a greater degree of importance in the kingdom, then what was he motivated by? Well, when you study the story of Ahithophel, you learn that he was, he was motivated by bitterness. It's the very reason why he encouraged Absalom. In two Samuel chapter 16, I believe it is that he should defile his dad's brides while he was away at the concubines while he was away, he should do this in a public manner. And once he saw that Absalom could be used as a tool to fulfill his bitter desires, well, he was unleashed. And I'd always wondered, why was he so bitter? Why? Well, when you start to study the scripture, this is what you're going to learn. The answer is in two Samuel, chapter eleven, verse three, the Bible says, and David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, is not this BathSHeba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of URiah the Hittite? Now, that sounds a little unclear, but if you turn over to two Samuel, chapter 23, verse 34, the Bible says, elaphalet, the son of Ahasbiah, and Makai Eliam, the son of Ahithophel, the gilenite Ahithophel was BAthsheba's grandpa. David had defiled Bathsheba. And Ahithophel said, you'll not get by with that. He wanted David dead. He was a man consumed by bitterness. But in the end, his bitterness didn't kill David, but his bitterness did kill him. [00:56:15] Speaker D: Wow. [00:56:16] Speaker C: Ahithophel's life ends with him setting his house in order and him hanging himself until he was dead. And I just want to say to all of you who struggle with bitterness because of what you experienced in fundamentalism, your bitterness will never kill the people that you hate. It'll never lead to the end of their ministry. It'll never lead to their true reputation being known. It will never lead to that. But what it will do is it will absolutely destroy you. And when a root of bitterness springs up, it's incredible how it saturates every part of your life. And you can't really worship Jesus when you're consumed with bitterness. And so, Nathan, I want this to be my parting encouragement. Everyone in the RFP family, please embrace Ephesians, chapter four, verse 32. Cause the answer for bitterness is the gospel. [00:57:20] Speaker B: Yes. [00:57:20] Speaker C: Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. You need to embrace that. You need to live that. You need to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of sin that Jesus has forgiven you for. And when you fully embrace your desperate need for the gospel and. And the means by which you have been forgiven, which is the crucifixion of Christ, when you really embrace that, it really helps you to live tender hearted and forgiving one another. And I went through that bitterness phase and my dad said something to me that changed my life. He said, brian, you can be just as sinful in your defensive as they were in their offensive. [00:58:11] Speaker D: Wow. [00:58:11] Speaker C: That statement changed my life. And so I pray that God would help you move beyond the bitterness and you would learn to celebrate the gospel, not only in that it provides forgiveness for you, but through you, through Christ strength, it provides forgiveness for others. [00:58:33] Speaker B: Brian, that's so good. I was struggling as. As you have in the past, with bitterness at a point in my life. And I believe it was John Piper that said, forgiveness is not letting people off the hook. It's not covering up people's sin. It's releasing them to God's justice. God is the judge. I'm not the judge. Everyone in this audience probably has reason for bitterness. We. We've been offended, especially the ones that have been sexually assaulted and had things covered up in churches and youth pastors moved around the country. There are a lot of reasons for bitterness. But, Brian, you're right. It just slowly kills us. It's poison that we drink. But when we realize that forgiving people doesn't mean we're saying it's okay, we're releasing them to God's justice, which will either be taken care of in one or two ways. One way is that they will reject God's grace and mercy, and they will spend eternity in hell paying for their sins. That's worse than anything we can ever do to them. Or Jesus Christ himself, shedding his blood on the cross, paid for their sins, and they will find mercy and forgiveness in him. And to try to refuse to forgive them when Christ has forgiven them, that's making a mockery of the cross. And when I realized that it's hard to forgive people, but I was willing to turn people over to God's grace or his justice, one or the other. So thank you for sharing that. I think that is a powerful way for you to make a final statement on the RFP. [01:00:09] Speaker C: Thank you so much, Nathan. I hope so. I just. I want people to experience being free. And you can be free from legalism, and if you're bound by bitterness, you still won't experience true freedom. [01:00:20] Speaker B: Yeah. [01:00:23] Speaker A: Well, buddy, as we wrap up this episode, I think it would only be fitting one last time. Would you pray for our family, our friends as we close out the episode? [01:00:33] Speaker C: Absolutely. Heavenly Father, today I celebrate the time that you've given me to be a part of the recovering fundamentalist podcast. I celebrate every person that's come to faith in Christ through hearing the gospel. Through this podcast, I thank you for the people who have been restored to a church congregation who had given up on church. I celebrate the people who have been encouraged to study scripture in a deeper way, to know what the scripture actually teaches and not what they've been taught that it teaches. Lord, I thank you for all of the interviews, both those that are good and bad, because I think through both we learn. Lord, I thank you for everything that you have accomplished through what we saw initially as a podcast, but soon came to realize was a ministry that, Lord, as I am stepping away from the RFP, I pray that as Matt Dudley steps onto the scene of the RFP, I pray that you would give him an uncommon wisdom, that he will bring a freshness to the conversation, that even Nathan and JC will be re energized through what Matt brings to the conversation. And I pray that the audience will grow even further in the grace and knowledge and truth of you. I pray that that they would be influenced more and more to place their full faith in you and trust you for their complete identity so that we will be known by you and that we'll be associated with you when people see us, and that we won't be associated with who we used to be or what we used to be. Lord, thank you for the power of the cross. Thank you for giving us a chance to, in a huge way, bigger than we would have ever imagined, to trumpet the message of the cross. And that the gospel is sufficient and that your finished work is enough. So, thank you, Lord. Bless everyone who's listening, and bless these guys as they step on into the future, that the conversations would be great and that lives will be changed. In Jesus name, amen. [01:02:46] Speaker B: Amen. [01:02:48] Speaker D: Was I just inaugurated as an apostle? [01:02:51] Speaker B: I think you're apostolized. [01:02:54] Speaker A: Sorry, we didn't do Stephanie. [01:02:56] Speaker C: Also, I think it's called a podcast tool. [01:02:59] Speaker A: There it is. One last one in. [01:03:02] Speaker B: We got the dad joke. Hey, Brian, what are you going to sing for us? Sing us out, man. [01:03:07] Speaker C: You know, I. I'm trying to think. I'm trying to think, um. I'm trying to think of what that could be. [01:03:15] Speaker B: Sing something special for Dudley. Just for Dudley. Dedicate it to him. [01:03:19] Speaker C: All right, Dudley. This is just for you. There's a lighthouse on a hillside that overlooks live sea. When I'm toast, it sends out a. [01:03:47] Speaker A: Light. [01:03:49] Speaker C: A light that I might see. And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home if it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more. And I thank God for the lighthouse I owe my life to him. [01:04:38] Speaker A: For. [01:04:39] Speaker C: Jesus is the lighthouse that saves us from the rocks of sin. He has shown the light around me that I could clearly see. And if it wasn't for the lighthouse, then where would this ship be? There you go, Dudley. [01:05:23] Speaker B: Amen. [01:05:25] Speaker D: Awesome, dude. [01:05:26] Speaker C: You know why I sung that, Dudley? Because when I see you, I see a bright, shining lighthouse. [01:05:32] Speaker D: Ah, look at you make it all awkward on us. [01:05:37] Speaker A: What are you going to say? Because Brian says, be sweet. We got to retire that also. [01:05:41] Speaker D: So you got like, oh, you can't. [01:05:43] Speaker A: I'll come back down here. [01:05:46] Speaker B: He's got a whole week to hold. Month to think about it. Unless you just want to enter, you. [01:05:50] Speaker C: Need to do live action. [01:05:52] Speaker D: You know, I won't say this all the time, but one of the themes of the part, the portion of first corinthians, I'm in. I'm teaching through, well, the entire New Testament, but I'm in chapter ten. And one of the recurring phrases I keep telling the folks in the sermon is, he did not bring you out to leave you out. So that won't be a good sign off statement, but it just follows up, yeah. [01:06:17] Speaker B: I'm out. [01:06:18] Speaker D: We're gonna. We'll see you here. [01:06:20] Speaker A: There in the air. Y'all have a good week. Brian goes, be sweet. [01:06:23] Speaker D: Here they sweet. [01:06:25] Speaker A: You got to come up with something. Yee. That's. That feels really Missouri and. [01:06:30] Speaker D: Yeah, I'll think of something. [01:06:32] Speaker A: You got a month. Hey, next month, we will be back, Nathan Dudley and I. And we've got a big interview, I think, right? [01:06:41] Speaker B: Yes. [01:06:42] Speaker A: Good to go. We got a big interview. It's going to be awesome. Fired up about that. [01:06:47] Speaker B: I'm excited. [01:06:49] Speaker D: I'm looking forward to talking to osteen on here. That's going to be good. [01:06:52] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. We worked hard to get him. [01:06:56] Speaker C: Yeah. [01:06:57] Speaker D: Mainly teeth whitening and. [01:06:59] Speaker A: And hopefully he gives to the rfps. We. [01:07:02] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah. Make sure you sing a song to him like Joel. Joel. Yeah. [01:07:09] Speaker B: Yeah. [01:07:10] Speaker A: Oh, boy. All right, well, thanks for tuning in to the recovering fundamentalist podcast, episode number 178. Y'all have a good week. [01:07:18] Speaker C: Be sweet. [01:07:20] Speaker B: Peace. I love it. [01:07:25] Speaker A: Thanks for listening to the recovering fundamentalist podcast. Be sure to stop by our social media, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Give us a follow. Also go to our website, recoveringfundamentalist.org dot. That's recoveringfundamentalist.org dot. There you can find recovering fundamentalist swag. You can get your t shirts and hats. You can join our ex fundy community, see where we're going to be having some meetups. It's the recoveringfundamentalist.org dot. Be sure to join us next time for the recovering fundamentalist podcast.