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Tony Bartos

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#23 Reconciling the Conflict Between Religion and Science – Tony Bartos

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“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” – 1st Peter 3:15

  1. Tony sees himself as a flawed man, loving husband and believer in the Lord Jesus.
  2. He feels he is a sinner, not a bad person, but your mind is filled with sin and it’s easy to forget that.
  3. It’s important to understand someone’s worldview first before you help them understand the Word of the Lord.
  4. Biggest Weakness – Pride. The self-righteousness that crowds God out of your life.
  5. Biggest Strength – Desire to understand his own faith and why he believes what he believes.
  6. Tony wasn’t raised as a Christian and didn’t want to be one in college and in his 20’s.
  7. Dark Time – Tony’s parents divorced when he was in his 20’s and it was difficult to go through. He wanted to be filled with comfort, but didn’t know what that meant.
  8. Tony’s youngest brother died of a herroine overdose in a motel in Long Beach after years of addiction and homelessness. He did not want to know Christ.
  9. His brother’s passing was difficult as a believer and Tony prays that he found a place with God in death.
  10. The 2 major factors toward becoming a believer was meeting his wife and his roommate who transformed in front of his eyes.
  11. Tony began going to church in the late 90’s, but wasn’t baptized until 2007. It was a long journey to accepting Christ.
  12. Tony’s struggle with accepting Christ was reconciling God and science. He realized that there was no conflict and you don’t need to create one where none exists.
  13. Advice – Be curious and open to investigate what is possible and true.
  14. God’s Men of Influence – To be someone that people can turn to for inspiration.
  15. Tony’s Church – Calvary Chapel / Costa Mesa
  16. Prayer – It’s a great comfort to be able to pray and admit that you can ask for help.

Recommended Book – “Mere Christianity” by CS Lewis & “How To Talk To A Skeptic” by Don Johnson

If you would like to talk with Tony you can email him at Tony@TheBartosGroup.com

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

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#22 Master of Divinity Does Bible Study With Inner City Gang – Gary Smith

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Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight.”

  1. Gary is retired and enjoys even more his fellowship with Jesus Christ.
  2. Blessed are those who do not see, but believe.
  3. Gary worked incredibly hard in business so that he and his wife could enjoy tithing.
  4. Biggest weakness – being quiet, still and patient so that he can take the next step and land on a rock.
  5. Biggest Strength – Aggressive love and the ability to push out in an uncomfortable arena.
  6. After Rodney King riots began bible study with the Crips. There was a lot of fear, but once Gary worked through it tremendous love took over.
  7. Gary was a believer since 1959 at 22 years old when he went to a meeting with a friend. He came forward crying to receive the Lord and found a purpose in life.
  8. Before he found the Lord he struggled with sex, pride and misunderstanding of what it meant to be to be a Christian. When he was first born again he spent 6 months alone with the Word of God.
  9. When he was fired from a small business he was running Gary questioned why and God told him to start a business. So many miracles happened to make it possible for him to start a business he could no longer question the Lord’s presence. When he takes a step, his foot always finds a rock.
  10. Advice – Call in the name of the Lord from a deep part of your heart and he will direct you. He is the light that guides you through your questions.
  11. God’s Man of Influence – make your insights obvious to others. The Lord Jesus Christ is the word of encouragement in the darkest times.
  12. Prays with his wife of 51 years years with clear intention.
  13. Tithing is a form of worship. Thank the Lord for our tremendous harvest. At one point he was giving 50% of net income away.

Recommended Book – “Encounter With God” – Morton Kelsey “Counter Culture” – David Plott

garywsmith@outlook.com

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

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AJ Swies

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#21 Child of Alcoholism & Divorce Found Faith, Hope & Love in God – AJ Swies

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“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship and by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” – Romans 8:14-17

  1. God was the only thing in his life proven to be worth serving. He brings joy to AJ everyday.
  2. AJ believes he is not to walk like a cowering slave, but like a child of God. He often asks himself “do I walk as if I have access to everything that God has given me?”
  3. Biggest Weakness – Discipline. Structure is not easy for AJ, so he comes up with new ways to stay engaged in the word.
  4. Biggest Strength – Faith. AJ has been privileged to see amazing miracles. When there is a hard trial he can stay faithful.
  5. Darkest Time – Right after divorce, AJ got very angry with God, because his Dad was finally on the right track yet his parents were still getting a divorce. He partied for 6 months and became angry, verbally abusive and numb. The divorce broke AJ to his core, but it allowed him to rebuild and heal his relationship with God and his father.
  6. Recovery – AJ’s best friend said, “if you continue doing what you’re doing, you will end up just like your parents”. That was a horrible insult to AJ. Everyday he got on his knees and screamed for God to love him. He trusted no one including pastors because they were adults; he could only trust God.
  7. His best friends family the Lawsons took him into their home for holidays, vacations and sleep-overs and gave him hope for family.
  8. Advice – find a family outside your own to support you during the dark time.
  9. Feeling the Holy Spirit – While praying one day, AJ felt the Holy Spirit and was on the floor laughing because God was giving him joy in the places he was broken. AJ needed joy and forgiveness.
  10. To be a God’s Man of Influence – you must be a man that stands against culture and will be on his knees in prayer.
  11. AJ attends – Viewpoint Church
  12. Baptized 4 or 5 years ago on Easter Sunday
  13. Best Advice Given – Don’t Be Governed By Fear

Recommended Book – “Supernatural Ways of Royalty” – Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson

Favorite Charity – Iris Global

email: AJswies3@gmail.com

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

Join us on Facebook for our daily devotionals and updates and please like our page www.facebook.com/GodsMenOfInfluence

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Justin Williams

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#20 A Mormon’s Perspective on Christianity – Justin Williams

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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” – 2nd Timothy 1:7

  1. Biggest Weakness – the sin of judging others. Justin is working on living God’s Word, but in danger of pointing the finger which is the opposite of Christ. Christ lived with sinners.
  2. Biggest Strength – Justin’s ability to recognize his weakness and try to change by being active in Christ’s will.
  3. Darkest Time – When things are going well, there’s a tendency to be less focused on God and service. It becomes too easy to be prideful.
  4. Inspirational Person – A Bishop of Justin’s church.
  5. Advice – Trust in God, there are better times ahead. Reach out to friends and scriptures.
  6. God’s Men of Influence – Set the example, you are the light of the world.
  7. Church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
  8. Baptized when he was 8 years old.
  9. Best Advice Been Given – Focus on the few things that matter.
  10. Men’s group – The last hour of a 3 hour service is men’s group.
  11. Favorite Charity – Operation Underground Railroad

Recommended Book – “The Compound Effect” – Derrick Hardy

email – justinwilliams@gmail.com

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

Join us on Facebook for our daily devotionals and updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/GodsMenOfInfluence

Help us spread the Word and please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. Tell us what insights you took from this episode.

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