Sermons on the Side

Sometimes, the most profound reminders come from the most unexpected places - even behind the counter of a Chick-fil-A. 
This week on Sermons on the Side, Richard takes us back to his days working at a mall Chick-fil-A in Birmingham, Alabama, where a sweet coworker named Maria had a simple phrase for him whenever the lunch rush got overwhelming: “Easy Ricardo, easy.”
What started as a gentle reminder in the middle of a chaotic workday has become a lifelong lesson in slowing down, finding peace, and trusting that everything doesn't have to rest on our shoulders. 
Through Psalm 131, we explore what it means to quiet our souls before the Lord, resting like a weaned child with its mother. In a world that constantly tells us to hurry, worry, and take control, we're reminded that we have a Heavenly Father who knows our needs and invites us to simply trust Him. 
So whether you're overwhelmed, anxious, or just trying to survive the next rush of life, maybe you need to hear Maria's words today, too.
Easy, Ricardo. Easy. 
PLUS: Join Our November Gratitude Challenge!
Throughout November, we're challenging ourselves - and inviting you to join us - to write down three things we're thankful for every single day and memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It's a simple way to cultivate grateful hearts and recognize God's faithfulness in the everyday moments of life. 
Grab a notebook, join the journey, and let's practice gratitude together!

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Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

What does it look like to faithfully follow God's calling, even when you don't know exactly where He's leading? 
This week on Sermons on the Side, we're joined by Rob Strickland of Highlands Community Church for an incredible conversation about faith, obedience, and the power of God at work in a community. 
Rob shares his personal story, his journey of faith, and how the Lord ultimately led him to this Highlands Community, with a vision for something much bigger than a traditional church ministry. 
We explore the heart behind Highlands Community Church and the incredible work happening through True Springs, including its academy, trade school, and real estate initiatives. Through each of these ministries, we see a common thread: a commitment to loving people, loving neighbor, and faithfully following where God leads. 
It's a conversation about trusting God's timing, stepping out in faith, and recognizing that sometimes the most extraordinary things God does can sometimes begin with something as small as chicken and rice. 
Join us for Episode 91 of Sermons on the Side!
To support Highlands Community Church please visit https://www.hopeforhighland.org/
To support Truth Springs Ministry please visit https://www.truthspring.org/
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page
Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast
Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

This episode almost didn't happen. 
Between unexpected schedule changes, canceled interviews, and Richard spending his days traveling back and forth to Birmingham to be with his father in the final stages of life, we honestly considered taking the week off. 
But we decided to show up anyway. And we're so glad we did. 
This week looks a little different. We're revisiting a message Richard shared at Church on the Trail in Columbus, GA earlier this year, centered on Matthew 6 and Jesus' reminder to consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. A beautiful picture of God's provision, faithfulness, and care for His children. 
What we didn't expect was how personally God would use this message to minister to both of us. 
Richard rediscovered an illustration about his own father that he had nearly forgotten. Brad found himself hearing familiar Scripture in a deeply personal and timely way. And somewhere in the middle of simply being obedient and showing up, God reminded us that He is still present, still providing, and still carrying us—even when life looks nothing like we planned. 
This isn't a perfectly packaged episode. It's an honest conversation about grief, trusting God in difficult seasons, the power of Scripture, and the quiet ways the Lord meets us right where we are. 
Sometimes the sermon on the side is the very thing we need to hear ourselves.
He'll carry us if we ask Him to.
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page
Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast
Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

What do The Lord of the Rings, The Godfather, and Freddie Freeman have in common? Well, probably not much - but somehow, they all made it into this week's Sermons on the Side! 
Building on last week's conversation about darkness and light, Richard takes us to a powerful moment in The Lord of the Rings, when Frodo receives the "Phial of Galadriel," a light meant to shine when all other lights go out. 
It's a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest moments, when hope seems lost and the road ahead feels impossible, the light of Jesus still shines. Darkness doesn't get the final word. 
Join Brad and Richard for another week of laughter, unexpected connections, biblical encouragement, and finding God's truth in everyday stories.
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page
Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast
Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

What happens when you turn on a lamp and the entire house loses power? Well, if you're Richard, you might start wondering if you're the one responsible! 
In this week's episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard shares a hilarious story from earlier this week when a perfectly timed power outage got him thinking about the relationship between darkness and light. What starts as a funny coincidence turns into a powerful reminder of who God is and what He does. 
From Psalm 139, where we're reminded that even darkness is not dark to God, to Jesus declaring Himself the Light of the World in John 8:12, Scripture continually points us to a God who is never overcome by darkness. 
But it's 2 Corinthians 4:6 that brings it all together. The very same God who spoke light into existence at the beginning of creation is still shining that light into our hearts today. Think about that! The God who said, "Let there be light," is still bringing light into the darkest places of our lives. 
Darkness isn't something that has to be defeated by a greater substance. It's simply the absence of light. And when the light of Christ enters the picture, everything changes.
Because bringing light into darkness isn't just something God did. It's what God does!
Join Brad and Richard for Episode 88 as they explore what the Bible teaches about light, darkness, God's presence, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page
Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast
Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!