Spiritually Fit Today

Why You’re Never Too Old to Start Something New - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Gary Dunker. In this episode they tackle the lie “Am I done?” and remind us that purpose doesn’t retire. At 75 Gary is “speeding up” — pastoring, acting, and writing Christian-themed Western novels. Our scripture to absorb: Philippians 1:6 — “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”4R action steps:- Read: Read Philippians 1:6 aloud and let the promise sink in.- Reflect: Ask, Where have I believed my best days are behind me? Journal three gifts God still wants to use through me.- Respond: Choose one concrete next step this week (start a creative project, volunteer, join a ministry) and pray, “Lord, use the years I have left.” Email Arnie for prayer or support: arnie.cole@bttb.org- Reveal: Share Philippians 1:6 and your chosen next step with a friend, small group, or social post to live out this truth publicly.If this encouraged you, subscribe, share with someone who needs hope, and refuse the lie that it’s over.Keywords: purpose doesn’t retire, Philippians 1:6, Christian podcast, spiritual encouragement, senior ministry, Christian authors, Gary Dunker, Arnie Cole, writing after 70, Christian Westerns, don’t quit, spiritual growthSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

He Lost His Job… Then God Rewrote His Story - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Gary Dunker. In this episode Gary opens up about job loss, grief, restarting life, and how Genesis 50:20 — "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." — helped him reframe setbacks into a season of purpose. Listen for practical wisdom on avoiding bitterness, focusing outward, and trusting God when plans unravel.Four practical R actions to make this real:Read — Read Genesis 50:20 and the surrounding Joseph story. Let the truth sink in that God can redeem what others intend for harm.Reflect — Reframe "Why me?" to "Why not me?" Pick one season you’ve labeled wasted and ask God, What were You doing here that I couldn’t see? Journal three things you learned (skills, character, faith).Respond — Choose one small obedience step you can do today (reach out to a neighbor, update a resume, join a local service opportunity, or commit to daily Bible reading). Take that step even if its purpose isn’t yet clear.Reveal — Share your story or the reframe exercise with someone who’s hurting. Pray with them, tell a trusted friend what you learned, or offer practical help—show how God redeems hard chapters.Need to connect or have a question? Contact Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Gary Dunker, Genesis 50:20, Joseph, setbacks, starting over, layoff recovery, faith after loss, Christian podcast, devotional, spiritual growth, resilience, grief, reframe repSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Cure for Loneliness Might Surprise You - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie welcomes guest Gary Dunker to explore the shift from self-focused living to others-focused service — especially when success leaves you feeling lonely. Together they unpack Philippians 2:3-4 and share practical steps Gary used as he transitioned from a career in radio and sales into pastoral ministry and community service.Read - Read Philippians 2:3-4 slowly. Notice phrases like “do nothing from selfish ambition” and “count others more significant than yourselves.”Reflect - Ask: Where am I inward-focused because of success, fear, or loss? When have I felt loneliness even while “succeeding”? Reflect on one recent decision: was it made for you or for someone else?Respond - For the next few days, count decisions made for you versus made for others. No judgment—just observe. Then pick one skill you used when helping others and practice it once a day (a phone call, a small helpful task, teaching or mentoring). Pray: “Lord, quiet my ‘me’ and open my eyes to people and opportunities.”Reveal - Share the truth of Philippians 2:3-4 with someone: invite a neighbor or friend for coffee, tell them one way you’re trying to serve, or lead a short conversation or Bible study on humility and service. Let your actions demonstrate the passage—serve in a tangible way this week.Contact- Questions or feedback for Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Gary Dunker, Philippians 2:3-4, humility, serve others, midlife pivot, loneliness and success, Christian podcast, spiritual growth, discipleship, pastoral ministry, faith in actionSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
 
 

Your Best Years Aren’t Behind You - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie talks with Gary Dunker — pastor, author, former teacher and broadcaster — about stepping into a new season later in life, how past work and hard seasons prepared him for pastoral ministry, and why your best chapter may still be ahead. They reflect on Psalm 92:14 (“They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green”) and offer practical steps to recognize God’s preparation in your past and your assignment now.4 R action stepsRead — Read Psalm 92:14 (and the surrounding psalm). Let the “evergreen” image sink in.Reflect — Ask: Which seasons felt wasted? Where did I learn resilience, skill, or a story I now carry?Respond — Take 3 minutes to list three hard or “wasted” seasons; beside each, write what it taught you and name one skill, relationship, or story gained. Make this a daily or weekly practice to reframe past pain as preparation.Reveal — Share one of those stories with a friend, family member, or your small group. Use it to encourage someone facing a late transition or to model how God repurposes pain into purpose.ContactQuestions or feedback for Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Gary Dunker, Psalm 92:14, spiritual growth, midlife calling, second career, pastoral ministry, Christian podcast, faith and purpose, bearing fruit in old age, encouragement, resilience, life transition, Christian teachingSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

How Suffering Builds a Faith That Actually Lasts - Spiritually Fit Today

In this episode of Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole and Bruce explore how to develop a deeper, more vibrant faith when God feels silent. Reflecting on Romans 5:3 and the way suffering can produce perseverance, character, and hope. You'll hear honest testimony about disillusionment, practical rhythms for staying faithful in the tension of unanswered questions, and a clear exercise to build steady trust.Take action with the 4 R's:Read — Read Romans 5:3 (and the surrounding passage). Let the language about suffering producing perseverance and hope sink in.Reflect — Journal about one area where God has felt absent. Write a one-paragraph declaration of trust based on today’s verse.Respond — Put faith habits in place even when you don’t feel faith: pray, read Scripture, stay connected to others, resist quick fixes (money, cynicism, escapism). Read your declaration out loud daily for a week to root it in your life.Reveal — Share your declaration or what you’re learning with a trusted friend, mentor, or small group. Offer empathy to someone else who is suffering and testify later to what God has revealed in hindsight.Connect: arnie.cole@bttb.orgIf this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope and strength.Keywords: spiritually fit, spiritual fitness, faith and suffering, Romans 5:3, perseverance, hope, Christian podcast, Arnie Cole, Bruce, unanswered prayer, durable faith, spiritual growth, discipleshipSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

What to Do When You Don’t Feel God Anymore - Spiritually Fit Today

In this episode of Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie and Bruce explore gospel-centered habits, obedience when feelings lag, and the slow, disciplined work of spiritual recovery. Bruce shares personal steps he took and offers hope: small daily practices, repeated over time, reorder the heart toward God.4 R Action Plan- Read: Read James 1:22. Aim for a short daily reading (5–10 minutes) each morning.- Reflect: Ask: How does this passage expose what I truly desire? Where do my habits reveal my trust or lack of trust in God?- Respond: Choose one small daily practice for the next seven days (scripture reading, gratitude journaling, short prayer, or a simple obedience action). Track it each day no matter how you feel.- Reveal: Share what you’re learning with one trusted person this week—send the verse and one sentence about how you’re responding, and invite accountability.Resources and contact- Email Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.org- Quick tip: Start each day by turning to Scripture and prayer, then follow one simple habit through the day to keep momentum.Keywords: spiritual growth, rebuilding faith, God silent, James 1:22, gospel-centered habits, spiritual disciplines, faith recovery, devotional podcast, daily habits, prayer, Bible reading, Arnie Cole, Bruce, Spiritually Fit TodaySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

The Subtle Shift That Slowly Destroys Faith - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole, joined by Bruce. In this episode we confront the hidden danger of quiet cynicism—how faith can slowly erode when God feels silent, what it does to prayer and relationships, and practical steps to recover. We ground our conversation in Hebrews 3:12 and the biblical pattern of lament, honesty, and renewed trust.Read - Read Hebrews 3:12.Reflect - Spend 5 minutes listing quiet doubts or resentments you carry. Notice whether your prayer has shifted from faithful lament to accusing God or seeking only earthly fixes.Respond - Speak each doubt to God, confess cynicism, and ask for renewed trust. Recommit to honest prayer, invite a trusted friend or pastor into accountability, and seek professional help for trauma or substance concerns if needed.Reveal - Share one honest insight or struggle with someone who can pray for you, and demonstrate trust by serving or encouraging someone else this week.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: quiet cynicism, spiritual dryness, Hebrews 3:12, prayer, lament, faith and doubt, Christian podcast, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Bruce, spiritual recovery, faith encouragementSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Control, Distraction, Numbing: The Trap We Don’t See - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Bruce. In this episode Arnie and Bruce unpack common—but subtle—coping mechanisms, the gap between what we say we believe and what we actually live by, and practical steps to remain grounded in the gospel amid silence and suffering.4 R Action StepsRead — Read Jeremiah 2:13 slowly. Note words or phrases that stand out.Reflect — Ask: Where have I dug my own broken cisterns? What patterns do I reach for when God feels distant?Respond — Identify one substitute you lean on; for the next 24 hours, each time the urge comes, pause and speak one honest sentence of dependence toward God.Reveal — Share your insight or the 24-hour practice with a trusted friend, small group, or mentor; invite prayer and accountability.Contact Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: spiritual coping, God feels distant, Jeremiah 2:13, Christian podcast, faith during suffering, spiritual disciplines, Arnie Cole, Bruce, coping mechanisms, trust GodSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

When God Doesn’t Answer: The Crisis of Faith We Avoid - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Bruce. In this episode we wrestle with what to do when God feels silent—when prayers go unanswered and grief or resentment creeps in. Bruce shares his personal story of crisis, honest struggle, and how the psalms of lament (especially Psalm 13) helped him persist in prayer and faith. Practical guidance is given for lamenting honestly, guarding against numbing behaviors, and holding fast to the gospel amid suffering.Read — Open Psalm 13 (or another psalm of lament) and read it slowly aloud to hear the honest cry to God.Reflect — Ask: Where do I feel God’s silence? What expectations or assumptions need realignment? Notice emotions without denying them.Respond — Set aside 10–15 minutes to write your own honest lament modeled on Psalm 13; read it aloud as prayer and bring specific needs to God.Reveal — Share your lament, prayer, or takeaway with a trusted friend, small group, or mentor; let your vulnerability point others to honest faith and hope.Resources: Email Arnie at arnie.cole@bttb.org for prayer or feedback. Subscribe for daily episodes and practical spiritual formation.Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Bruce, , Psalm 13, lament, unanswered prayer, praying in silence, Christian podcast, spiritual disciplines, read reflect respond reveal, faith in suffering, pastoral counselSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Why You Still Feel Unworthy (And How to Break It) - Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest John Comstock. In this episode we confront the power of shame and the freedom of giving our wounded identity to Jesus — practical teaching on handing over the “t-shirt” label that keeps us from receiving God’s love and living as the beloved. 4 R action steps- Read: Read Psalm 34:5 and other passages about your identity in Christ (e.g., Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Let Scripture speak into the shame you carry.- Reflect: Ask, “What label have I been wearing? Where did it come from?” Sit quietly and notice how that label filters your relationships and choices.- Respond: Pray a short prayer of surrender — for example: “Lord, I give You this label I’ve been carrying. Help me receive Your forgiveness, identity, and love. Replace shame with the truth that I am beloved in Christ. Amen.”- Reveal: Share the exercise with a trusted friend or small group. Try the practical step used in the teaching: write the shameful label on paper, pray over it, then tear it up as a physical symbol of handing it to Jesus. Encourage someone else with your story of freedom.Connect:For resources or questions, contact Arnie Cole: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords:Spiritual fitness, Christian podcast, shame and identity, give your shame to Jesus, Psalm 34:5, Arnie Cole, John Comstock, intimacy with Jesus, forgiveness, freedom in Christ, devotional, soul careSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft