Episodes

Today is a different kinda episode. Next week we will kick off a new series with our new permanent host, but for now Pastor Adam is in the Dominican Republic with our mission partner, Casas por Cristo, and he is chatting with new mission intern, Jessiah Keller. Jessiah is a young guy from our home church who has spent the summer checking out what it really looks like to be a missionary in a foreign country. Check out his episode with some amazing wisdom from Jessiah on leadership, personal growt...

On today's episode, we look at the last characteristic of someone who thinks like Jesus thinks. Jesus had an eternal perspective that was not focused on the earthly and temporary. It's so easy to get distracted and focused on the temporary. It's so easy to get distracted and focused on the temporary trappings and hardships of this world. But with the mind of Christ, we don't have to just get through the workday. We don't have to just push forward to the weekend or even to retirement. We can have...

Just a couple more episodes left in this series, Pastor Adam and Pastor Matt keep processing how we can think like Jesus thinks. Jesus' mindset is fixed on wanting to do God's will instead of His own. That mindset is so counter-cultural. The culture around us says we do what we want and desire. The culture around us says we do what makes us happy. But, that is not Jesus. As Christ-followers, we can lay down our desire to do our own will, and instead walk moment by moment submitting to the will o...

We all know what it is like to sacrifice for ourselves. We sacrifice time or money or sleep to achieve something or get something in the future. But, how often do we sacrifice, because Jesus is permanently linked to a mental image of the cross. Crosses are the most popular icon that decorates homes and even human bodies in the form of jewelry and tattoos. The mind of Christ is defined by sacrifice for others. For all Christ-followers, that means we must be, and can be, defined by a sacrificial p...

Good news: As a Christ-follower, you HAVE the mind of Christ. Bad news: People are going to hurt you. The mind of Jesus is rooted in the forgiveness of enemies, and the cross is proof-positive that Jesus forgives those who hurt Him. This makes Jesus different from every other leader in history. Jesus models and teaches a radically liberating humility that is rooted in forgiveness and submission. When we have the mind of Christ, as impossible as it may seem, we have the power and mindset to forgi...

Most of us depend way too much on our own power, strength, intelligence, wit, and problem-solving skills instead of walking in the power of God. Pastor Adam and Pastor Matt happen to record this episode on what they call "holy hangover Monday", so it is perfect timing! Jesus repeatedly refuses to separate himself from the authority, unity, and strength of the Godhead, even though He is in human form. The mind of Jesus is rooted in full reliance on the power of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit trio. ...

It is impossible to please everyone, but that doesn't seem to stop us from trying! We waste so much time and effort trying to please everyone and seeking approval from everyone. You think you are doing the right thing by making people like you, so people pleasing feels like the right thing to do, but sin often masquerades itself as doing the right thing. With the mind of Christ, you can actually think like Jesus thinks, and a person who thinks like Jesus thinks is free from the burden and worry ...

Every person needs help controlling their tongue. Wouldn't it be great to be ale to think like Jesus thinks? And, wouldn't it be great to have a mind that is rooted in the ways of God so much so that we only say what God wants us to say? The 4th characteristic of someone who thinks like Jesus thinks is so helpful: I let God help me choose my words. With the mind of Christ, it is possible to handle our words and tongue the same way Jesus did. Jesus is never speaking without thinking. He doesn't r...

As a Christ-follower, you can think like Jesus thinks! Join us today as we look at the 3rd characteristic of someone who thinks like Jesus thinks: I am always aware that God is with me. If you struggle with loneliness or worried about God's care for you, this is the episode for you. Pastor Adam is honest about how his mind is changing, specifically regarding loneliness and knowing that God is with him. Scripture references in today's episode: John 16:32.

It's time to get your mind right! And wouldn't it be awesome to think like Jesus thinks? Well, with the mind of Christ, all Christ-followers can actually think like Jesus thinks. Today, we dive into purpose. Because Jesus always knew God's purpose for His life. So, join us as we declare "I know God's purpose for my life!" Scripture references in today's episode: John 8:14, Luke 2:49, John 10:10, John 12:27.

Guess what? You can think like Jesus thinks! A person who thinks like Jesus thinks knows exactly who they are. Jesus was not confused about his identity. He knew exactly who He was. With the mind of Christ, you can walk in knowing exactly who you are. If you don't know who you are like Jesus knows who He is, you will fall into 3 traps: 1) Other people will force you into their mold. 2) You will live a phony life. 3) You will live in constant stress. Jesus is clear in His identity. With the mind ...

Let's be honest, our mind is usually kicking our butts! The battle of the mind is a real thing. Starting today, Pastor Adam and Pastor Matt are trying to get their minds right! Maybe you are, too! Pastor Adam shares that he personally really wants to think like Jesus thinks. Maybe you do, too. Here's the good news: you can actually think like Jesus thinks! Join us today as we kick off an 11-episode series looking at the ten very specific ways that Jesus thinks. Before we jump into the way that J...

In the last episode of our series of questions from a rookie pastor to the veteran pastor, Matt asks Pastor Adam if he could go back, knowing what he knows now, would he do this ministry thing all over again? Get ready for an honest, open, unplanned and off the cuff reflection and answer. There are days where we would not do it all over again. There are days where we would absolutely do it all over again. But, if we are honest, most days are in the middle somewhere. To answer this, it always hel...

We've got only 2 questions left, and today, the rookie pastor asks Pastor Adam to look forward into the future and talk about the plans for maximizing the rest of his ministry. After 20+ years, what does the next phase look life? How do you end well? Pastor Adam talks through his personal convictions on retirement (spoiler - it might ruffle some feathers), seeing leadership continue with his family, pouring into the next generation, getting healthy physically and mentally, and listening to God's...

Super short episode where Pastor Adam gives the rookie pastor a list of books that influenced his life. Other than the Bible, there are several books that have had and continue to have a profound impact. maybe these will help: Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning Henri Nouwen, In the name of Jesus; C.S Lewis, The Problem of Pain; C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters; Elisabeth Elliot, The Path of Loneliness; Henry Cloud/John Townsend, Boundaries.

The danger of church leadership is focusing all our attention non helping other people be intentional in their personal discipleship and evangelism and not actually doing it ourselves. Out of all of the these questions in this series, Pastor Adam says this is the one that he feels he has had the most success in. Pastor Matt, the rookie pastor, asks Pastor Adam how he keeps evangelism intentional in his life personally? Pastor Adam states that is is not a program or a plan. He says the key to bei...

No matter what your job is, it is tempting, and quite easy, to place your work before your spouse. Things get so pressing in our work, that the consistent things and people in the background can be relegated to the background instead of intentionally lifted to the foreground. Pastor Adam answers the rookie pastor's question with brutal honesty, admitting significant failure, and points to primary ministry responsibilities.

Let's dispel a myth: Pastor and spiritual leaders are great at praying and reading Scripture. That's just not true. All followers of Jesus, no matter the maturity level, struggle at times with reading the Word and praying. Pastor Adam shares with rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, about how he fights to be consistent in these spiritual disciplines. He talks about how he fights to be consistent in these spiritual disciplines. He talks about finding a dedicated time that works in each season of life, kno...

Continuing in our series of questions from a rookie pastor to a veteran pastor, today we ask Pastor Adam, "knowing what you know now, what would you say to yourself when you first started ministry?" It's such a hard question to answer, because it makes you think about all the things you didn't know in the past and how it negatively affected you. However, Pastor Adam gets personal and real once again and give these answers: 1. It's not a sprint. It's not a marathon. It's an Ironman. 2. Balance is...

After a break to celebrate our 1ooth episode, we are back in our current series where Pastor Adam is answering questions from rookie pastor, Matt Dalton. This week Adam talks through his biggest joy in ministry. It's all about family. From kids, to spouse, to extended family, Pastor Adam shares some of the biggest joys of his life in ministry. Adam shares about a current journey he feels like God has him on right now, and how he is taking steps to be obedient in that leading. If you have recentl...

The Messy Walk Podcast turns 100! Join us for the 100th episode as Pastor Adam Cook shares the details about how we actually make the podcast happen, thanks some people working behind the scenes, reminisces about past guests, and talks about the future of the podcast. Thanks for being a faithful listener of the Messy Walk Podcast. This walk with Jesus is not easy. It is quite messy. It is frustrating at times. But, we are in this together. You are not alone in your walk with Christ. And, the Mes...

We've had some good questions and answers so far in this series, but this one might take the cake. The rookie asks the veteran about his biggest mistake in ministry, and Pastor Adam doesn't hold back. This is honest, transparent, and raw and can help anyone avoid the natural tendency to carry weight that you weren't meant to carry. Pastor Adam says this is his favorite Messy Walk Podcast episode in a very long time, maybe even ever.

Unfortunately, we've all seen the headlines and documentaries about pastor and leaders falling from grace into some sort of scandal with money, sex, relationships, power-trips, or cover ups. Even worse, many of us know someone who isn't famous, but local to us, who has had the same issues. Today, rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, is asking veteran pastor, Adam Cook, about what has kept him from having one of these catastrophes. The answer is helpful in so many ways.

Have you ever seen someone have the "no regrets" tattoo, but it is misspelled to say "no regerts?" It's kinda funny. It's kinda sad. And, at the same time, it's a whole-lot-a true. It is often like that. We say we want to live a life of no regrets, but that just isn't an accurate representation of life. We all have regrets- especially as Christians. Continuing our current series, rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, asks veteran pastor, Adam Cook, a tough question about his regrets in ministry. Spoiler a...