Friday, February 27, 2015

Speaking4Him Podcast #125: Thoughts on Christian Film

“Preachiness in films is always obnoxious, whether it’s from evangelicals or Michael Moore. People go to the theater with the hopes of being told a compelling story, and when the urge to get a message across trumps the need to tell a good story, the film suffers and the audience cries foul. They came for an adventure and they got a sermon. But this is exactly what many Christians think of when they talk about “Christian” filmmaking.” Mike Cosper

Kevin McCreary
Today on the show Adam McNutt and I welcome back Kevin McCreary to discuss Christian Film. What are we doing right?  What are we doing wrong?  How can we improve?  Listen Here and commit to giving God your best!

More Info on Kevin 

If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Speaking4Him Podcast #23: St. Patrick's Day/Ministry Update

"If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me." Saint Patrick
St Patrick
Today we throwback to an episode when Adam McNutt and I talked about the real St. Patrick.  I also update everyone on what's going on with Speaking4Him and how they can be involved! Listen Here!  

If this blesses you, please share with your friends!

If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen 

Friday, February 20, 2015

Speaking4Him Podcast #124: Joy

"When I dwell on the goodness God has expressed towards me, my heart rises up like an artesian well, my eyes gush forth joy that waters my face and leaves the observer in wonder." Gary Amirault



Today on the show we talk about how to embrace joy in the Christian Life!  How does it differ from happiness?  Listen Here and commit to choosing joy!

If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Speaking4Him Podcast #22: The Blessing of Bennet

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:2-3



Today we throwback to an episode when James and Nina Van Harn join me to talk about their family, their faith, and God's faithfulness through trials!  This family still needs a lot of Prayer!

Listen Here and enjoy!


If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Do We Really Need an Alternative?

With the release of “50 Shades of Grey" this past weekend they has been a lot of discussion of whether Christians should see it, whether it should be canceled, and what might be a good alterative for Christians.  It got me thinking.  Do we really need an Alternative?  Allow me to explain.

One of the most frequent topics peppering my Facebook news feed in the past week is the contrast of “50 Shades of Gray” with the new release of Old Fashioned.  I understand their reasoning, and I think their intentions were good.  After all the world hates God and every standard the Bible puts forth, but I don’t like it as a marketing campaign.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to seeing it, but if it’s as good as people are saying, (since my friend Kevin is not easily impressed and he was, it should be) it should be able to stand on its own.  I think that we should produce content because we love our work, not merely as a reaction to what the world does.  In some ways, I think that even the idea that “50 Shades” needs an alternative is a wrong line of thinking.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when we “Christianize” everything.  Here are a couple of examples:

1) Bible Man  

Even when it first came out, I thought it was unnecessary and (when I recently looked back) I agreed with a friend that it was borderline sacrilegious.  There so many real life heroes in the Bible that we don’t need a “Christian” fictional construct.  I like Batman and Captain America and there is nothing wrong with this as long as we are cautious about worldview.

2) Games

Apples to Apples is a great game but the Christian version is unnecessary and not as fun.  There is nothing wrong with taking a few cards out and enjoying the real thing. Scatigories Bible Edition and Bible Tri-Bond are two other games that while not all bad are basically redundant imitations of solid games.  We need to be creative and seek to come up with unique ways to engage the culture instead of simply copying the world.  We need to go on the offensive.

Along those lines, we also need to be committed to quality.  I remember several years ago we bought a Bible Trivia game.  My sister who was seven at the time was able to answer the Expert level questions quite easily.  I am grateful that my parents have taught us diligently from the Bible over the years, but to me this was indicative of a rush by the company to get a game on the shelves.

In closing, I like Podcasts and Podcasting.  I listen to many different Podcasts done by many different people on many different topics. I like learning new things and Podcasts are a great way to do this. I also host the Speaking4Him Podcast every Friday.  I do this not to offer an alternative to other shows, but because I have a passion for radio and have an opportunity to hone my skills and prepare for a job in live radio (Lord willing) and to share the message God has given me.

I am committed to producing quality, informative, and encouraging content every week.  Do I hit the mark every time?  No.  But my goal in every show is to heed the words of the Apostle Paul “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)  What is God calling you to do?
                   
Speaking4Him,


Andrew Gommesen          

Friday, February 13, 2015

Speaking4Him Podcast #123: Abraham Lincoln

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.
Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

Today on the show Adam McNutt talk about the 16th President of United States.  We talk about his hard work and dedication and How God used him to preserve a nation!  We also talk about how WE can be used by God!  Listen Here!

If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen

Friday, February 06, 2015

Speaking4Him Podcast #122: Honk!

“Honk! A Musical Tale of The Ugly Duckling is that rare breed of family holiday theatre which will please viewers of all ages.” Bob Rendell
   
Today on the show Adam McNutt and I welcome to Cole Groot to the show to talk about Master Arts Winter 2015 production of Honk The Musical!  Listen Here to find out about this exciting retelling of a classic tale!
Get Ticket Info Here!

If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Note: I misspoke myself twice in this Podcast.  The show open next Friday,

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen

Thursday, February 05, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Speaking4Him Podcast #21: Legless and Loving Life

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12

Ana Zuidema
Today we throwback to an episode when then 16 year old Ana Zuidema joined Adam McNutt and me today to discuss her life with Christ and her new ministry "Legless and Loving Life." Listen and be encouraged!

Listen Here and enjoy!

Check Out Ana's Website!

If you have any questions or feedback check out our Facebook Page or Leave a Voice Mail by clicking on the Microphone at the Right Hand Side of This Page!

Also check out my ebook Men of Valor now for sale!  

Keep Serving The Best of Masters,

Andrew Gommesen 

Monday, February 02, 2015

The Potter's House

Every August my family spends a week at Ao-Wa-Kiya, a Christian Camp in Shelby, MI.  I have written about it before.  It’s a great place, and I will always be grateful that we found this little piece of heaven on earth. I am so glad they offer family camp every year.

In August of 2011, I was (yet again) seeking ways to broaden my horizons for employment and began talking to one of the moms about The Potter’s House Christian School.  Little did I know how life-changing this conversation would turn out to be!

I can still remember that first day at school.  I went in to orientation wondering what to expect.  My biggest question was “What does being a Christian school mean to them?”  Was it an add-on or was it front and center?  Looking back over the past 3.5 years I can truly say that Christ is at the foundation of all they do.

It’s funny when I think about it now, but I still remember my tour that first day.  I will never forget meeting a cheerful Math/Science teacher named Emily and telling her “I am here to help in any way I can, except in Math and Science.”  I started working with her a few weeks later, and to this day helping her with 5th grade math is a highlight of my week.

I appreciate the fact that she loves the kids and the subject she teaches.  She actually makes math tolerable (which is saying a lot because as a student I avoided math whenever possible) and our running joke is that one day I may be smarter than a 5th grader!

Another joy of my time at Potter’s House is being a discipleship leader.  Encouraging spiritual growth in young men is a passion of mine.  It is not without its challenges and last year was very rough, but it grew and stretched me in ways that God had planned.  Because I had to reach out for help, I was able to deepen my relationships with fellow volunteers and some of the marvelous staff I get to work with!

I am so thankful for the gift of friendship and firmly believe that many of these relationships will last far beyond our mutual time at The Potter’s House.  Truly “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  James 1:17

I am so glad God saw fit to place me at The Potters House and I hope to continue to work with them to impact kids for years to come!     

Speaking4Him,

Andrew Gommesen