di John Nissen IV
Call Him Abba Episode 15 is the OG crew back together again. Bex is back from a very full summer, so we catch up on Cabo, Mexico City, Italy, Spain, unemployed girl summer, Destiny’s new job, John’s back injury, Emo Night in Pomona, real estate conference chaos, and a lot of random side quests. Then we talk about worship songs we’ve been loving, the blood of Jesus, garments of praise from Isaiah 61, and the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, Matthew 9, and Luke 8. We also talk about wanting more than just the hem of His garment, wanting the full embrace of Jesus. And finally, we share a little announcement: after 15 straight weeks, we’re taking a short break to rest, reset, and come back with joy. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month) Songs Referenced in this episode: Show Me Your Face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTW-tVx6YM&list=RD7XTW-tVx6YM&start_radio=1 Y our Name is God:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjJ-izYndWs&list=RDwjJ-izYndWs&start_radio=1 Better Word: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgYFwFemB0&list=RDMOgYFwFemB0&start_radio=1 Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ John: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/
Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month) This episode is about work, career, money, and what success actually looks like in the Kingdom of God. John, Blake, and Tyler talk about career pivots, measuring success by the wrong metrics, working for the Lord instead of just working for people, and why Scripture gives us a better vision for work than just chasing money, status, or retirement. We get into Colossians 3:23-24, working with all your heart as unto the Lord, and Romans 12:1, offering your whole life as worship, including the hours you spend at your desk. We also talk about work existing before the fall in Genesis, living a quiet life, the biblical importance of actually working, money as a real but limited tool, being salt and light in the workplace from Matthew 5, and Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him when we are weary and burdened. Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ John: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/
Episode 13 is all about movies, how Christians can and should engage with secular media, whether horror movies are ok for us to watch, what the movie Arrival tells us about the Gospel, church at the movies, and finally why John hates Interstellar. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month) Follow Blake's running journey online: https://www.instagram.com/ironmilesco/ https://www.instagram.com/blaketbender/ Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ John: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/
Destiny is taking over and asking John and Blake questions for Christian men. We talk about godly masculinity, what it means for men and women to be made in the image of God in Genesis 1, and why Christian men are often wrestling with loneliness, wisdom, vulnerability, emotions, and dating. Then we get into the stuff everyone actually wants to talk about: Christian dating, pursuit, green flags, red flags, coffee dates vs. dinner dates, physical attraction, and what it means to be equally yoked from 2 Corinthians 6. We also talk about marriage, fatherhood, and Matthew 6:33, seeking first the Kingdom when dating, building relationships, and trying to follow Jesus as single Christians. This episode is a look into what goes on in the minds of Christian men: faith, masculinity, dating, marriage, church culture, and a little too much honesty. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month)
Episode 11 is our first guest episode with Blake Bender. Blake is an ultra marathon runner, a brother in Christ, and one of our favorite people. We talk about running 100-mile races, training for a 200-mile race, and how endurance has shaped the way he thinks about discipleship, suffering, discipline, and walking with God. We start in Hebrews 12 and the call to run the race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus. Blake talks about what endurance actually means, how Galatians 6:9 has followed him through different seasons, and why Christians need to keep taking the next step even when they can’t see the finish line. We also get into 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Paul’s picture of running to win, strict training, discipline, and receiving a crown that lasts forever. From there, we talk about spiritual warfare, solitude, silence, suffering, Romans 8, Matthew 6:33, and what it means to still have Jesus when everything else gets stripped away. Basically, this episode is about endurance, discipleship, suffering well, spiritual discipline, and the gospel according to Blake. Follow Blake's running journey online: https://www.instagram.com/ironmilesco/ https://www.instagram.com/blaketbender/
Episode 10 is about the Psalms: why they matter, how they teach us to pray, and how they give language to the full range of life with God. We talk about reading five Psalms a day, Psalm 1 as the doorway into the whole book, and the difference between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. We also get into Joshua 1, Matthew 5, and James 1:2, along with wisdom literature, biblical poetry, and why not every verse should be read like a legal contract. Destiny shares Psalm 34 and why “the Lord hears” has meant so much to her, especially in seasons of fear. We also talk about Psalm 91, Psalm 42, and Psalm 103... covering spiritual warfare, thirsting for God, forgiveness, healing, mercy, and the steadfast love of the Lord. LISTEN TO US ON PODCAST APPS Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033irywoa8s84ntpXurNSV?si=700bc9d75e26440d Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/call-him-abba/id1896733263 Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ J ohn: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/
Episode 9 of Call Him Abba is a listener questions episode, which means we start with Hinge profile discourse and somehow end up talking about the rapture, church trauma, spiritual formation, atheist friends, systematic theology, and predestination. We talk about Christian dating profiles, John’s thoughts on the rapture and 1 Thessalonians 4, what we appreciate from our former churches, and the books that have shaped us spiritually. We also get into how to talk to atheist friends about Jesus without being weird, living a life that actually begs the question, and why prayer in the moment can be way more powerful than just saying “I’ll pray for you.” Then we close with a bigger theology conversation: how much should Christians study doctrine and systematic theology, what it means to be ready to give an answer for your faith from 1 Peter 3:15, and the tension between God choosing us and us choosing Him. Basically: listener questions, dating app theology, Christian books, evangelism, the rapture, free will, predestination, and three best friends trying to answer serious questions without becoming insufferable. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month) LISTEN TO US ON PODCAST APPS Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033irywoa8s84ntpXurNSV?si=700bc9d75e26440d Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/call-him-abba/id1896733263 Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ John: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/
Hey friends, this one is coming from the heart (FYI John is writing this). Producing this podcast for you so far has been such a joy. But also with the attention it has brought, we have also received some criticism of our actions and behaviors. The weight of all that has made me so aware of my own sin and need for my savior even more. All that led me to create this episode as a reminder that we are ALL broken people, in desperate need of a loving God. I hope this comes through in the conversation, but I do LOVE Jesus so much. My current frustration with myself is that I feel like my actions, thoughts, and words just don't always honor Him or reflect that deep love that I do have and I just wanted to be real about that struggle. I hope this episode is relatable, I hope you feel blessed by it, and most of all, I just hope you also can encounter the Love of God like we have. God bless ya. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month)
This one is Bex’s birthday episode, so naturally we made her sit in the middle and talk about her life. We talk about getting older, growing up in a Christian home, learning humility, finding identity in the Lord instead of other people, and how Jesus and therapy have helped Bex grow in self-awareness, healing, and maturity. We also get into the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, 2 Corinthians 3 and the veil being lifted by the Holy Spirit, and Psalm 34. Then we spend some time honoring Bex, talking about friendship, vulnerability, joy, spiritual growth, ministry, biblical counseling, seminary, and what it looks like to let your life be evidence of the Lord’s grace. Basically, this episode is birthday chaos, testimony, friendship, healing, Psalm 34, and Bex being lovingly forced to receive compliments for 40 minutes. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month) Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ John: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/
Episode 6 is about generosity. Not prosperity gospel, not poverty gospel, but what we may or may not be calling the generosity gospel. We talk about why Christians are called to live open-handed, how generosity is something we can actually grow in, and why stinginess is usually a heart issue before it is a money issue. John shares the story of getting lovingly called out for being stingy, Bex and Destiny talk about growing up around generous people, and somewhere in there we get into Dave Ramsey, The Hawaiian Pidgin Bible and more! Scripture passages covered in this episode include Acts and the early church sharing what they had, Matthew 10 “freely you have received; freely give,” 1 John 3:17 and compassion for people in need, Philippians 4:11-13 and learning contentment whether you’re up or down bad, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 and cheerful giving, the widow’s mite, and Luke 18 with the rich young ruler. Basically, this episode is about money, sacrifice, friendship, stewardship, open hands, and learning to trust that everything we have came from the Lord anyway. Get a free month of Bible College on Demand: https://www.theosu.ca/?via=nissen (Use Code NISSEN for one free month) Follow us on socials Bex: https://www.instagram.com/bebehbex/ Destiny: https://www.instagram.com/destinykhernandez/ John: https://www.instagram.com/johnnisseniv/