Just A Guy In The Pew Podcast

Here's something you can count on: When you step away from the world, the flesh, and the devil, they’re going to want you back. We just finished our series on True Transformation, and the sort of radical changes to our lives that happen when we grow closer to the Holy Spirit through fasting, prayer, and the Sacraments. Those changes are sure to draw the enemy's attention. Our growth in holiness angers the devil, and he'll do whatever he can to try and slip you up. But no matter how hard he might try, we don't need to fear him or anything he throws at us. The truth is that the devil has no authority over us — unless we give it to him. Join John and Victor in the pew this week as they talk about the realities of spiritual warfare and how to avoid dancing with the devil. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/ BECOME A PARTNER IN THE PEW! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew START A MEN’S GROUP IN YOUR PARISH! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

If you’ve ever been to a big conference or a really inspiring parish mission, you might’ve had a moment of encounter that set you on fire for Jesus, only to grow discouraged a little while later when you don’t see immediate progress in your spiritual life. We’ve had that experience too.  God doesn't work on our time though. Instant gratification is what we’ve grown to expect in our culture,  but it's not that way in the spiritual life.  The devil loves to lean into the discouragement that comes from expecting instant growth. It’s a slow process, and it’s easy to forget just how beautiful this long process of spiritual growth is. God knows what He's doing and it's up to us to be patient and to persevere.  Join us in the pew today as John talks about how to put aside our need for instant gratification and the beauty of playing the spiritual long game. Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/ Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Over the last few episodes, John and Victor have been discussing the habits we need to build, and the gifts of the Church we need to engage in to find true, lasting transformation in our lives. This week we turn our attention to the most effective way to receive God's grace in our lives: the Sacraments. The Sacraments are an outward sign of God's grace, and they are crucial to maintaining the transformation we desire. They are gifts that Jesus died for us to receive. They are available to us each and everyday. The question is, do we make ourselves available to them? Grab a seat in the pew with John and Victor as they dive into the Sacraments, discuss how they have provided sustained transformation in both of their lives, and how they have the power to do the same for you. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/ BECOME A PARTNER IN THE PEW! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew START A MEN’S GROUP IN YOUR PARISH! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

The Holy Spirit is at the heart of everything we’ve talked about so far in this True Transformation series. It’s the Holy Spirit who gives us the strength to fast, the desire to pray, and every grace that flows from the Sacraments. And yet, when we decide we want to make a change and seek to be transformed by God, we so often try to take it all on ourselves, and we can become self-reliant. Jesus didn’t want that for us; He told us He’d send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to give us the power and peace that we need — if we let Him. Join John and Victor as they talk about the ways in which the Holy Spirit has ushered true transformation into their lives, and how you can do the same. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/ BECOME A PARTNER IN THE PEW! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew START A MEN’S GROUP IN YOUR PARISH! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

We are in the midst of a series about True Transformation, and we kicked it all off last week talking about fasting. While fasting is one of the great gifts of the Church that can help us to elicit change, it's never going to reach its potential unless it is yoked with a solid prayer life. They are two sides of the same coin. Whenever you see fasting in the scriptures, prayer is not far behind. One allows the other to bear lasting fruit. The problem for so many of us, though, is that we don't have a meaningful prayer life. Sure, we go to church and we check the boxes, praying while at Mass or before meals, but so many of us just haven't made establishing and growing our prayer life a regular priority. It's just the truth. If we want to become the men that God calls us to be, then we have to build an intimate relationship with Christ through prayer. Listen in this week as John shares about the importance of building a powerful life of prayer and the effect it can have on sustaining lasting change. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/ BECOME A PARTNER IN THE PEW! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew START A MEN’S GROUP IN YOUR PARISH! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

New Year New Changes Right? That is the hope of most people at the start of a New Year. Often times we find ourselves giving up hope before we begin. We all know the obstacles and impediments that fill our hearts and keep us from becoming the men that Christ calls us to be. So why do we so often fail? The lack of action. True transformation calls for a plan. It can’t just be about desire. When desires meet action true transformation becomes a reality. Listen in this week as John and Victor start a series on True Transformation and focus on one of the gifts of the Church that can help: Fasting. If we are going to be rid of the things that keep us from Christ we must be willing to make an act of the will to choose the better part. Grab a seat as the guys discuss fasting as one of the most powerful ways to find lasting transformation in your life. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/ BECOME A PARTNER IN THE PEW! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew START A MEN’S GROUP IN YOUR PARISH! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Welcome to the final episode of 2024! As we wrap up the year, Victor and I reflect on what it means to desire change and align those desires with God’s will. In this episode, we dive deep into the importance of not just having holy desires but taking actionable steps to fulfill them. From personal growth goals to the incredible opportunities God gave us this year through our ministry, we discuss victories, challenges, and the practical ways we can all begin 2025 with purpose and clarity. Let’s make this new year different—not by setting fleeting resolutions, but by recognizing the desires God places in our hearts and working intentionally to live them out. Ready to go all in with us? Let’s take that first step together. Learn more about our pilgrimage to Greece & Turkey 👉 https://justaguyinthepew.com/events/

In this special Christmas Eve episode, Victor and I reflect on the true meaning of giving your whole heart to God. Too often, we hold back out of fear—fear of being hurt, fear of what surrender really means, or even fear of giving up the “worldly things” that we think will satisfy us. But here’s the truth: the heart is where transformation happens. When God calls us to follow Him, He doesn’t just want our minds or our actions—He wants our hearts, fully and completely. We dive deep into what it means to stop hedging your bets and go all-in with Christ, trusting Him with everything. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about choosing Him each day and giving Him access to every part of your life, even the messy places. From scripture to the wisdom of the saints, we explore why the heart is so central to our faith: - Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” - Ezekiel 36:26: God promises to replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. - Psalm 16: David’s example of choosing God as his “portion and cup.” We also talk about the powerful reflections from Archbishop Fulton Sheen and St. Augustine: - Fulton Sheen reminds us that part of our hearts are with God in heaven, and we’ll always feel incomplete until we turn back to Him. - St. Augustine famously said: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” And let’s be honest—this hits home for all of us. So many of us try to “play it safe” with God, hedging our bets and keeping one foot in the world. We share personal stories and struggles with this, and how we’ve learned (the hard way) that true joy and peace only come when we surrender fully to God’s love. And hey, this isn’t just for “perfect Christians.” We talk about how the journey to giving God your whole heart is ongoing—there are ups, downs, mistakes, and grace-filled moments along the way. Jesus doesn’t demand perfection; He asks for our trust, our surrender, and our love. On this beautiful Christmas Eve, we’re reminded that God gave everything for us. He sent His only Son to take on flesh, to live among us, and ultimately to give His life for ours. If God has already given us His heart, how can we not respond by offering Him ours in return?

Today we’re talking about something we see far too often: living with one foot in the world and one foot in the faith. It’s time to make a choice, to stop hedging our bets, and go all in with Christ. In this episode, we share our own struggles with lukewarm faith and explore what it means to commit fully to God. We look at examples from Scripture—like Elijah calling out the people on Mount Carmel and David’s heartfelt psalm of trust—to remind us that God doesn’t want a half-hearted relationship. Advent is a time to prepare, reflect, and decide: Will we give our all to Him, or keep clinging to the distractions of the world? Victor and I are passionate about helping you find the joy, peace, and purpose that only Christ can bring. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who’s ready to stop living a "safe" faith and start living a fulfilled one. Don’t miss this one, and as always, share it with someone who might need to hear this message. God bless! Join us for our 2025 Footsteps of St. Paul Pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey! Get ready for an incredible journey through biblical history, breathtaking views, and moments of spiritual renewal. 🇬🇷🇹🇷 Get all the details (and special Black Friday savings!) here 👉 https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/footsteps-of-st-paul-pilgrimage-to-greece-with-john-edwards-and-fr-james-clark/

Victor and I are diving into something really close to my heart—what Advent is truly about. It’s so easy to let this season slip by in the rush to Christmas, but Advent is such a gift if we really lean in. It’s not just about lighting candles or decorating—it’s about inviting Christ into the deepest parts of our lives. We talk about how Advent challenges us to open the doors we’ve kept locked for far too long—the places of shame, hurt, and brokenness. Jesus came into the world as a baby, humble and vulnerable, and He’s waiting to come into our hearts in the same way. In this episode, we break open scriptures like John 1 ("The Word became flesh"), Isaiah 61 ("He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted"), and Philippians 2 ("He emptied himself...") to explore why Christ came and how we can prepare ourselves to welcome Him fully. We also share personal stories about letting Jesus into the messiness of our lives and what happens when we do. I’m praying this episode inspires you to make this Advent more than just a countdown to Christmas. Let’s prepare our hearts, invite Him in, and let His light shine in our darkest places.