Sunrise and Shine
By Stephen
A group of friends planting a church in Natchitoches, LA, discuss life and love. Pastor Stephen Nelson of Awaken Church hosts.
Sunrise and ShineAug 20, 2022
00:00
24:08
Re(new)purpose
Stephen gives a podcast version of the first sermon as Pastor of Pineville Church of God in Pineville, LA.
Aug 20, 202224:08
May the Fourth, a Retrospective
May 4, 2022 Stephen celebrates 24 years in full time church pastoral ministry since college graduation.
May 05, 202244:44
I waited patiently for the LORD
What’s up with waiting patiently for God to answer prayer?
Mar 24, 202229:13
Unity n’ stuff
Shelly n’ Kat join Stephen n’ Jericho to discuss Matthew 17
Feb 10, 202224:30
Holiness & Love
Stephen, Shelly & Kat discuss 1 John 3:1-10
Feb 03, 202223:00
What Matters Now: Jesus
Bible Study on Acts 2:32-41
Jan 27, 202228:15
Renewed renewal
11 year old Jericho joins the fam discussion and Bible study.
Nov 18, 202133:27
Fast Ears & Slow Lips
Stephen & Shelly discuss holding your tongue… and your fingers.
Oct 28, 202129:12
Temptation
Stephen & Shelly discuss struggling with temptation
Oct 28, 202134:30
Never Give Up On Your Dreams
The wonderful Shelly Nelson joins Stephen for this episode! Discussing how to keep going when others aren’t on board with your dreams.
Oct 07, 202131:51
Livin the Big Dream
Stephen, Shelly, Kevin & Caleb do some Bible study. (Proverbs 29:18, Ephesians 1:16-18)
Sep 30, 202128:36
Big Dreams
Where does God fit into the big dreams in our lives? (Genesis 15:1-6)
Sep 16, 202130:42
What’s this Holy Spirit?
Does God speak to “regular people”? What does Jesus say about the Holy Spirit?
Sep 03, 202115:46
Hearing from God through Scripture
Stephen & Shelly discuss the importance of Scripture in helping us hear from God.
Aug 26, 202132:30
Hearing God’s voice through the noise
Kat, Caleb & Shelly join Stephen in a discussion on 1 Kings 19:9-13. Special appearance by a toddler.
Aug 19, 202144:26
Is it God’s will or is it my will?
Stephen & Shelly tackle the questions: “How do you distinguish Christ’s way from your own?” & “How do I know the difference between my dreams and God’s plan?” (Psalm 37:1-7)
Aug 12, 202131:09
Being kind, being arrogant & a crazy Scripture
How to be a kind Christian? Coexistence and Matthew 10.
Aug 05, 202131:14
Offensive Comments & Mental/Emotional Ruts
Stephen & Shelly discuss how to respond and react when others hurt your feelings, and when you get in a mental/emotional rut.
Jul 29, 202136:18
Parental Advisory
Stephen & Shelly discuss parenting 3 boys, age ranges, autism, and so much more!
Jul 08, 202140:29
If You Smell What the Prez is Cookin!
What professional wrestlers would you fill the office of President & the Cabinet with? Joined by 10 year old Jericho this episode.
May 15, 202125:19
Fight Me Culture is Killing Relationship... Change My Mind
Believe it or not “fight me” and “change my mind” are not implied on every social media post.
Apr 24, 202120:56
Resurrection of Hope (spoken word)
A brief spoken word piece for Resurrection Sunday.
Apr 03, 202107:23
Birthday Cacophony
Random questions from the 2 youngest of the household on daddy’s birthday.
Mar 08, 202119:37
Words Matter
Leaning into James 1:19-27, from the New Testament, we discuss word selection & why it matters.
Feb 27, 202119:33
Lent: 40 Days of... What Now?
Using Psalm 40:1-3 as a foundation, we take a look at what this season called “Lent” is for. (Spoiler alert: it’s about how we pray)
Feb 16, 202117:37
Perseverance and Keeping The Faith
“When we are passionate about something important, but lose (or don’t get our way), how can we respond appropriately without losing faith)
Feb 11, 202120:15
Bibles & Bookstores
Stephen answers the question: “For someone who has a hard time understanding the KJV (Bible), what translation would you recommend?”
Feb 01, 202123:07
Hindsight Is 2020 (spoken word)
A brief spoken word piece written as a part of the first 2021 sermon at Awaken Church in Natchitoches, LA.
Jan 21, 202107:30
It was an eagle!
Driving in the car, being easily amused & spreading joy.
Sep 24, 202021:23
Nile has the Juice!
What is the best type of juice? Featuring the one and only Nile Nelson!
Aug 13, 202021:23
Cereal: Soup? Snack?
Steve discusses how words can change in meaning, and how we might choose our words a little more carefully. Also: Is cereal a soup?
Jul 16, 202019:13
2020 Vision (spoken word)
An original spoken word piece: 2020 Vision.
Jul 05, 202006:19
Prayer. Social justice. A discussion.
Stephen discusses the topics of prayer and social justice. Plus a thought about quail.
Jun 25, 202031:01
The Wrestling Episode
Stephen details his introduction to, and love for, professional wrestling. Inspired by the passing of legend, Johnny Walker, aka Mr. Wrestling II.
Jun 11, 202039:45
Reconciliation Way
Reconciliation is going to come through a spiritual awakening where Jesus is the subject.
Jun 04, 202033:02
Harmony in the House!
Harmony in the culture is going to bed in with harmony in the house of God. Stephen discusses how the church (Jesus followers) should be leading the way in unity & reconciliation.
May 23, 202036:24
What Color is the Church?
God’s radically diverse church must lead the way in radical unity and diversity in our culture.
May 14, 202033:08
Heresy and stuff like that
Stephen and Zach discuss what heresy is, and why it’s more loving to refrain from throwing that word around.
May 07, 202033:34
Forgiveness and stuff
Stephen discusses forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply, and “the Lord’s Prayer.”
May 02, 202024:58
God gave you a brain, so use it!
Stephen discusses using your wisdom vs trusting God. Also, discussion on favorite & most challenging books of the Bible.
Apr 16, 202020:33
Encouragement & Jesus breaking the law.
Stephen answers a couple of questions about personal encouragement and Jesus actions in John 5.
Apr 06, 202030:43
Stay At Home
Stephen discusses topics suggested by random friends while we get through the coronavirus Covid 19.
Mar 26, 202020:56
Can you cancel church during a pandemic (& random stuff)
03/18/20. Stephen discusses a few random things (including some NOT pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic).
Mar 18, 202027:57
Jesus of Nazareth
Can anything good come out of Nazareth?
Jan 25, 202054:50
A Lazarus Effect
Stephen is joined by Awaken Church fam: Zach, Ariel, Caleb, Ayrianna, Sabrina & Marchella, for a discussion about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
Jan 16, 202029:26
Here we Grow again
Stephen & Zach share a few thoughts on how to grow as a person (& as a church) in the first episode of 2020.
Jan 09, 202026:21
Thoughts on Hell
How can our loving God send human souls to Hell? Stephen takes on a quick deep dive into understanding Jesus’ teaching about Hell (Matthew 25:31-46)
Dec 19, 201923:57
Life, Death, & Legacy
Stephen is joined by Zach in this episode as we discuss the legacy our lives leave with others, specifically as it pertains to the passing of a dear family friend.
Dec 05, 201939:25
Unity in Diversity
A look at the real role that authentic teamwork plays in having unity in a diverse group.
Nov 23, 201919:40
Why Natchitoches?
When asked why Natchitoches, LA, was chosen as the community to plant Awaken Church, Stephen responds.
Nov 07, 201929:04