by ernie | Dec 3, 2020 | Standfast Blog
This week we talk with Jim Blazevich of NavLife. Years ago, Jim learned (the hard way) that his wife wouldn’t know what to do if he passed. Sure, he had life insurance the other “precautions” and measures we typically put in place, but there were still so many...
by ernie | Nov 26, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Tis the season to… sponsor an angel child, send a shoe box of gifts, volunteer at a soup kitchen, gift blankets and jackets and hats… That is, it’s the season for charity. Christmas is a time when we typically thing about people in need. We fill up the red kettles as...
by ernie | Nov 19, 2020 | Standfast Blog
The first Thanksgiving happened over a year after the passengers who traveled aboard the Mayflower made it to the New World. Interestingly enough, the group learned quickly that the affairs of everyday life— things such as laundry and meal preparation— were the most...
by ernie | Nov 12, 2020 | Standfast Blog
In this episode of the Standfast Cast we continue our conversation from the previous week and discuss WHY the Pilgrims came to the New World in the first place. By the year 1619, after almost a century of tumult and tribulation, two ships received permission to head...
by ernie | Nov 5, 2020 | Standfast Blog
There’s a lot happening in our current political climate— too many unknowns to list. But, we have much to be thankful for, even as the votes and elections are sorted. In fact, this is the month when we lean towards the Thanksgiving holiday every year. Maybe you...
by ernie | Oct 29, 2020 | Standfast Blog
This year we look— as we do every four years— at a “historical election.” Let’s be honest about it. The last one was historical. As was the one before that. And the one before that. And, yes, even the one before that… In fact, they’re all “historical.” But what...
by ernie | Oct 22, 2020 | Standfast Blog
In this episode of the Standfast-cast, George talks with Andy and Ernie, showing them how so much information that we know “believe” and “share” about Christopher Columbus is totally…. get this… wrong. In fact, most people...
by ernie | Oct 8, 2020 | Standfast Blog
One of the obstacles voters face as they head to the polls in 2020 is the paucity of good and practical information about the issues and the candidates. Of course, with 24-hour cable news, a myriad of social media platforms, internet news sites, magazines, and...
by ernie | Oct 1, 2020 | Standfast Blog
We’re in a season unlike any other. And, regardless of where you stand politically, there are a few things we can do to make sure we “get Covid right.” That is, regardless of what we think about the politics, the efficacy of masks (or the need for them), the test...
by ernie | Sep 24, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Many of us would love to read the great books. But it’s hard to when… You don’t feel like you have the time You don’t know where to even start You don’t have a trusted voice to lead you towards those great books + help you take a...
by ernie | Sep 17, 2020 | Standfast Blog
The final chapter of James encourages us with the admonition to “be patient.” That is, “wait.” He refers us to several Old Testament heroes— including Job and Elijah— who were examples of actively enduring while patiently waiting. And he offers us this hope: we...
by ernie | Sep 10, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Whereas we tend to think that trouble comes from “out there,” James tells us to do something shocking: take a look in the mirror. In chapter 4, he outlines what worldliness look like, as well as what Godliness looks like. And, as James tends to be, he’s pretty “cut...
by ernie | Sep 3, 2020 | Standfast Blog
In chapter 3, James takes us from “invisible faith” (James 2) to “visible wisdom.” Turns out, wisdom is seen by her fruits… … and the “chief fruit” of wisdom is the words we say (and, of course, the ones we don’t say that we mutter under our breathe). Furthermore,...
by ernie | Aug 27, 2020 | Standfast Blog
In James 2 we discuss one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament: “Faith without works is dead” (2:26). What does James mean by this? We discover that true Biblical faith moves beyond objective facts to experiential reality. And, it turns out that...
by ernie | Aug 20, 2020 | Standfast Blog
This talk kicks off a 5-part series on the book of James. Join us as we walk through this 5-chapter powerhouse of a book, using the Keystones approach as our guide. In James 1, we learn about trials, trouble, and tribulation… … and we discover that James says we...
by ernie | Aug 13, 2020 | Standfast Blog
George reads a lot. And a lot of what he reads is very different from what most people read. Among his most enduring influences is the great Italian academic semioticist Umberto Eco (1932-2016). On this episode of the StandfastCast podcast, Karen asks George about why...
by ernie | Aug 6, 2020 | Standfast Blog
In 1819, when he was at the height of his influence and effectiveness, Thomas Chalmers preached a sermon on growing in Christ and resistance to temptation and sin. It has been heralded as a classic ever since. The sermon has been particularly influential in George’s...
by ernie | Jul 30, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Brent Hebert introduces this talk… He says he had the pleasure of meeting George Grant 2 or 3 years ago at the For God & Truth Conference in Trinity, Alabama. Brent adds, “It has been said that if you want to know the heart and love of a pastor, take a glimpse at...
by ernie | Jul 23, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Tim Yarbrough introduces this “throwback” talk in which George discusses how God uses covenantal succession through people… even the unexpected people. Turns out, the Lord only has imperfect people to use. That means, we’re all— by His grace— qualified. (This talk...
by ernie | Jul 16, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Perry Coghlan introduces another talk by George in this “throwback” lecture. (Perry also introduced the first talk in the series, SF73.) He offers a warning on this one, though… He says you might NOT want to listen to it. He offers four reasons why— #1- if you don’t...
by ernie | Jul 9, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Ernie Yarbrough introduces talk #3 in our throwback series… In Dr. George Grant’s lecture entitled “Theology of Wonder – Integrating the Humanities,” our modern view of a fragmented education that serves primarily utilitarian purposes is confronted with a...
by ernie | Jul 2, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Every presidential election is important, but the 2020 election may well define the trajectory of American politics and culture for a generation or more. And, chief among the issues that will dominate the campaigns of both major political parties as well as the...
by ernie | Jun 25, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Jacob Frank introduces this talk by Dr. Grant from over TWENTY YEARS AGO! Jacob meant George just a few years ago (and was in school when this talk was first delivered). Further, in Jacob’s words, “I was in awe not just by what he was teaching, but by his passion!” In...
by ernie | Jun 18, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Perry Coghlan has been a friend of George Grant’s for about 35 years— in various capacities (George has been Perry’s pastor, now, for over a decade). Here, Perry introduces George’s talk about the importance of worldview— a lecture in which he discusses why our...
by ernie | Jun 11, 2020 | Standfast Blog
Quick on the heels of the Coronavirus pandemic that shuttered much of our nation this spring, America’s fractious racial divide spilled onto city streets following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. For weeks protests, looting, violence erupted across the land...
by ernie | Jun 4, 2020 | Standfast Blog
On this edition of the StandfastCast George and Karen discuss marriage. They recorded the day before they celebrated their 45th anniversary—which afforded them the opportunity to look back and recall some of the most important lessons about marriage that they’ve...
by ernie | May 28, 2020 | Standfast Blog
From the very beginning (Genesis 2:8), mankind has been at home in a garden. In all the intervening years, many of us have found solace from the wearying effects of this poor fallen world among the flowers and herbs, trees and vines, vegetables and fruits— despite the...
by ernie | May 19, 2020 | Standfast Blog
The Covid 19 novel coronavirus pandemic, though by no means unprecedented in human history, has nevertheless dramatically and unexpectedly changed our culture, our economy, our politics, and our lives in a host of different ways: with social distancing, quarantining,...
by ernie | May 7, 2020 | Standfast Blog
All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It’s all of value for all of life. Yet there are certain passages we tend to “fly-over,” to borrow a term from Bible teacher Bruce Wilkinson. That is, we often see numbers, genealogies, or farewells at the end of...
by ernie | Apr 30, 2020 | Standfast Blog
As lesson 3 begins, we reflect on when Scripture— and memorizing it— became important… For some of us… An activity (such as exercise, walking, or another time in which we could “stack” this on top of that) led us to do it. Our childhood- we were encouraged to do so...
by ernie | Oct 17, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Every church, organization, and ministry is temporary. Our lives are, like James says, just a vapor. Then we’re gone. One of the greatest legacies we can leave is a wake of people who replace us, who can carry the baton we were handed. In this episode we discuss...
by ernie | Oct 10, 2019 | Standfast Cast
The One who can create mountains and stars and fish and birds and everything else with a word- or even heal the sick by saying so- can certainly “snap His fingers” and adjust reality… But He often doesn’t. Exodus 13:17-18… tells us that...
by ernie | Sep 5, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Ultimately, discipleship always points people to something beyond themselves AND even beyond the person doing the discipling. Throughout the New Testament, Paul repeatedly said, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.” That is, “Look at me, yes. I’ll...
by ernie | Aug 29, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Discipleship works best when it’s imparted through relationships and not mere words. That is, it involves a transfer of heart and soul mores than just facts and data. In this talk we discuss one of the fundamental nuances of HOW we were created. Namely,...
by ernie | Aug 22, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In episode 34 of the Standfast-Cast we begin a new series about discipleship- what it is, how it works, and why we do it. In this talk, we discuss the WHAT. Discipleship is a word that’s tossed around church circles- a lot. People are for it. They think we need...
by ernie | Aug 15, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Karen and George always have a stack of books they are working through. On this episode of the Standfast podcast they discuss some of the books they are reading right now–and how those books are shaping their thinking and their day-to-day work.
by ernie | Jul 18, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Chalmers felt- It is not possible to maintain orthodoxy through induction. Instead, orthodoxy must naturally be deductive- rooted in the rightful elucidation of the Holy Scriptures. Herein is the first principle of ecclesiology. So, Chalmers endeavored to expose men...
by ernie | Jul 11, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In this episode, George reintroduces us to one of his heroes in the faith, Thomas Chalmers. And, he talks about a new project on the horizon- the Keystones project.
Here’s the background… Thomas Chalmers (March 17, 1780 – May 31, 1847) was born...
by ernie | Jul 4, 2019 | Standfast Cast
On today’s StandFast Cast, George and Karen talk about two of their living heroes, Gene and Susan Hunt. Their longstanding ministry to and friendship with the Grants has largely shaped the focus of Parish, King’s Meadow, Franklin Classical, and...
by ernie | Jun 27, 2019 | Standfast Cast
George and Karen talk today about their mentors: Francis and Edith Schaeffer- their lives, their ministries, and their books. They even give a few tips on where to start if you’ve always wanted to be more familiar with the Schaeffer’s rich legacy.
by ernie | Jun 20, 2019 | Standfast Cast
George and Karen Grant discuss the books they are currently reading. Karen is reading: “A Year with Peter Drucker” (Harper), “Coming Clean” by Kimberly Rae Miller (Houghton Mifflin), “Learning Evangelism from Jesus” by Jerram Barrs...
by ernie | Jun 13, 2019 | Standfast Cast
For the past several episodes of the Standfast-cast, George and Karen Grant have discussed the effectual power of the Psalms for the Christian life. In this ongoing discussion, they zero in on the “Psalms of Lament,” those remarkable Psalms where the aches...
by ernie | Jun 6, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Join George and Karen Grant’s discussion on this podcast episode about using the Psalms in times of grief and disappointment. Karen reminds us of the power of Psalm 23 and George picks up themes from Psalm 46 and 55. In a sense, they assert, the Psalms can be a...
by ernie | May 30, 2019 | Standfast Cast
On this episode, George and Karen Grant discuss the patterns habits they’ve developed for morning devotions. In particular, they discuss the way the Psalms can provide just exactly the right instruction, inspiration, and insight needed for almost any situation...
by ernie | May 23, 2019 | Standfast Cast
George’s conversation with Caleb and Rebecca Faires focuses on their new publication, The Book of Comforts, published by Zondervan. A coffee table book filled with stories, Scripture, illustrations, photographs, and inspirations, the book navigates all the ways...
by ernie | Apr 18, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In the ancient world, authors often wrote themselves into stories. They didn’t necessarily tell you they were making a cameo, but they were there. “Insiders” who knew the author well would see the tell-tale signs and realize what was happening. Turns...
by ernie | Mar 7, 2019 | Standfast Cast
We’re back with Ernie & Andy WITHOUT Dr. Grant for one more episode. In this talk we discuss this past summer’s trip to Scotland, which was part of the Gospel Story project. This was a trip that Ernie headed, Dr. Grant helped host, and about 20 others...
by ernie | Feb 28, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In this episode of the StandFast cast Ernie Yarbrough- who’s interviewed Dr. Grant before on the show- talks with Andy about his own journey into the wonderful world of Dr. Grant… You’ll learn about the power of relationships, how most our highs and...
by ernie | Feb 21, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In this episode we outline six things your church can do to end poverty. 1. Develop a robust deacons ministry Elders work with words, deacons work with their hands. We need to keep the two unconfused, and make sure we do both. Notably, this ministry should begin on a...
by ernie | Feb 14, 2019 | Standfast Cast
We continue our conversation on the poor and needy among us with a quote from In The Shadow of Plenty: “The church has largely failed her widows her orphans, her elderly, and her ill and informed. The church has largely failed to disciple young men to live lives...
by ernie | Feb 7, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In this talk George Grant is interviewed by Ernie Yarbrough, who leads the discussion on what the government should and shouldn’t do… A few things stand out. First, George reminds us (see the referenced book) that in everything the Christians does should...
by ernie | Jan 31, 2019 | Standfast Cast
In this talk we go back to George’s book, In the Shadow of Plenty, to discuss more about how to serve the poor in a land that has so much bounty. To do that, we go back to ancient Israel and discuss their basic societal structure. There, we find that the nation...
by ernie | Jan 24, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Whereas other nations were find their identity and cohesion in ethnicity, geography, partisan ideology, or cultural tradition, American is different. America was founded on certain ideas—ideas about freedom, about human dignity, and about social responsibility....
by ernie | Jan 3, 2019 | Standfast Cast
Tis the season to… sponsor an angel child, send a shoe box of gifts, volunteer at a soup kitchen, gift blankets and jackets and hats… That is, it’s the season for charity. Christmas is a time when we typically thing about people in need. We fill up...
by ernie | Dec 27, 2018 | Standfast Cast
Welcome. In SF 01 we work through a few preliminary details… like why George turned the foyer of his house into a library (as well as just how many books he really has). Then we take on the idea of history. And the Bible. And why we need to study both. We see...