The gospel is a story of transformation.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly reminds His people of who they once were compared to who they have now become because of His grace. Once dead... but now alive. Once slaves... but now free. Once far away... but now brought near. Once in darkness... but now in the Light in the Lord.

In this episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard and Brad explore one of the Bible's most beautiful recurring themes: the "once... but now" passages that reveal the transforming power of Christ. Walking through passages like Ephesians 2, Romans 6 and 7, Galatians 4, and Ephesians 5, they unpack how our identity has fundamentally changed - not because of our effort, but because of God's redeeming work.

The conversation culminates in the powerful imagery of Ezekiel 36, where God promises to restore what was once desolate until people can only marvel at what He has done. It's a fitting picture of every believer's testimony.

No matter your past, your failures, or your present struggles, the gospel declares that God is still in the business of writing "once... but now" stories.

Scripture Referenced:

• Ephesians 2:19
• Romans 6:13
• Romans 6:17-18
• Romans 7:5-6
• Galatians 4:7
• Ephesians 5:8
• Ezekiel 36:33-35

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Sometimes God leads us down roads we've never traveled before. Other times, He takes us back down roads we know by heart.

In this episode, Richard reflects on a recent trip to Lynchburg, Virginia - a journey that unexpectedly began with a detour through Birmingham, Alabama. While the route from Columbus to Lynchburg has become familiar over the last thirteen years, the road from Birmingham to Lynchburg was one he hadn't traveled in a very long time.

As the miles passed, so did memories.

The familiar highways became a backdrop for reflecting on a pivotal season of life - one filled with both incredible highs and painful lows. Along the way, Richard found himself considering just how much God has done: in his relationship with the Lord, in his relationship with his children, and in the countless ways God's faithfulness has been evident through the years. Sometimes God intentionally brings us back to places we've been before - not to relive the past, but to help us see how far He has brought us.

Maybe there's a road (our route) in your life that you've traveled before. A season, a memory, a place. What if God is inviting you to look back, not with regret, but with gratitude?

Join us as we reflect on the roads behind us, the grace that carried us through them, and the faithfulness that continues to lead us forward.

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In Part Two of our conversation with Tray and Shelley Lovvorn, the spotlight turns to Shelley's remarkable story of faith, perseverance, and learning to steward life's deepest wounds.

As a wife, mother of six, health coach, and follower of Christ, Shelley shares candidly about grief, loss, relationships, family, and the challenges that inevitably shape every life. Rather than allowing pain to define her, she offers a powerful perspective on how God can redeem our scars and use them to bring healing, wisdom, and hope to others.

What makes this conversation especially meaningful is that, between the time this interview was recorded earlier this year and its release, Shelley was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. With the blessing of both Tray and Shelley, we are releasing these episodes exactly as planned. Listening now, her words carry an added weight and beauty, reminding us that the truths she shares are not merely theoretical - they are being lived out in real time.

This episode is a moving reminder that faith is not the absence of suffering, but the willingness to trust God through it. Whether you're walking through loss, uncertainty, disappointment, or a season of waiting, Shelley's story points us back to the hope and faithfulness of Christ.

We are grateful to Tray and Shelley for their honesty, courage, and willingness to share their journey with us.

You can follow Shelley's (@love_is777) health journey on CareBridge here

Also to connect with Tray Lovvorn you can visit his website www.traylovvorn.com

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Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

This week on Sermons on the Side, we begin a powerful two-part conversation with Tray and Shelley Lovvorn.

For Richard, this interview is especially meaningful. Tray has been a mentor, friend, and influential voice in his recovery journey for nearly two decades. As the founder of a recovery ministry in Birmingham that helped shape Richard's early steps toward healing - and the same ministry model that continues today in Columbus (Route1520) - Tray's story is deeply woven into the fabric of Richard's own.

In Part 1, Tray shares his journey from childhood faith to personal brokenness, the consequences of sin, and the difficult road of recovery. Along the way, he offers honest reflections on what it means to be a sinner in need of grace, the challenges of rebuilding a life after failure, and the hope that can only be found in Christ.

Through every twist and turn, one truth remains: God's love never wavers, and there is still a Plan A for the Beloved Son.

This is a raw, vulnerable, and hope-filled conversation that reminds us no one is beyond the reach of redemption.

And trust us - you won't want to miss Part 2 next week, when Shelley joins the conversation to share her story and big updates from her own journey.

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Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

What started as a simple conversation about “echoes” with the 'Divine Miss B' years ago would later become something far more personal and powerful. In Episode 69, Echo of My Days, Richard reflects on a day that once felt impossible - sitting in the same church, on the same row, surrounded by family, honoring his sister at Liberty Church. This same church that served as a beacon of hope in some of Richard's darkest days, now played host to one of the brightest!

In this deeply heartfelt episode, Richard shares a journal entry written from that very day - a reflection on God’s faithfulness in the middle of suffering, the strange balance that comes from leaning into the struggle instead of running from it, and how pain can sometimes become both a teacher and a pathway to peace. Along the way, the conversation circles back to the lyric from the song King of My Heart: “You are the echo of my days.”

Our prayer is simple: that when the noise fades and the years pass, the echo left behind would be one of faith, perseverance, healing, and the steady goodness of God through every season.

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Sermons on the Side Bible Readings

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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

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This week on Sermons on the Side, we sit down with Jacob P. Kelly - a career military serviceman stationed at Ft Benning, a man of deep faith, and the author of The Spurs of Service. In this powerful and honest conversation, Jake shares his journey through military service, fatherhood, faith, and the inspiration behind his collection of poetry and writings that explore the raw emotions many men carry but rarely talk about.

Raised in Texas and shaped by both the cowboy way and the warrior’s heart, Jake opens up about courage, vulnerability, purpose, and what it means to lead with both strength and humility. From stories of service and sacrifice to reflections on identity, manhood, and trusting God through life’s hardest moments, this episode is filled with wisdom, grit, and encouragement for anyone walking through life’s battles.

As Memorial Day weekend reminds us of the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces, we’re honored to highlight Jake's story and celebrate those who faithfully serve this country. And by the end of this episode, you’ll hear the moving testimony of Jake and Ashley’s daughter - a beautiful story of perseverance, faith, healing, and the incredible bond between a father and his little girl.

Whether you love stories of faith, military life, Christian encouragement, poetry, resilience, or conversations about authentic masculinity and emotional honesty, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Sermons on the Side Bible Readings

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What happens when life goes dark, direction feels lost, and the path forward seems impossible to navigate?

In this episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard shares how a recent viewing of Apollo 13 sparked a powerful spiritual realization that neither of us could shake. As the crew of Apollo 13 fought to survive after catastrophic damage in space, there was one unforgettable moment during their journey home: a manual “slow burn” navigation maneuver where the astronauts had to keep Earth centered in a tiny window in order to stay on course. Lose sight of Earth… and they’d drift into darkness forever.

That image quickly became the heartbeat of this conversation.

Because in so many ways, life can feel the same. Unexpected pain. Uncertainty. Fear. Distraction. Loss. Seasons where it feels like we’re drifting without direction. But through it all, God remains our fixed point of reference - steady, unchanging, trustworthy, and true.

In Episode 67, “Fixed Point of Reference,” we talk about finding clarity in chaos, anchoring your life to truth when emotions are loud, and why keeping in step with a biblical community that loves the Lord changes everything. This is a conversation about faith, perspective, hope, spiritual stability, and learning to trust God even when you can’t fully see the path ahead.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, spiritually disoriented, or simply in need of encouragement, we truly believe this episode will meet you right where you are.

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Sermons on the Side Bible Readings

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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 happens when the story doesn’t get easier - but God is still just as present?

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Elliott and Emily Yancey share the rest of their adoption journey with Jojo - walking through the tension, the unknowns, and the moments that tested everything they thought they could handle. But through it all, one truth remained: their calling wasn’t to control the outcome… it was to live out the gospel right in front of them. And what a story it was, and continues to be!

We also step into another deeply impactful chapter - the closing of First Baptist Church Forest Park in Atlanta. What could have been a story marked by loss instead became a testimony of faith, obedience, and trusting God when the path forward isn’t clear.

This episode is a reminder that God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Whether you’re facing uncertainty, walking through a difficult season, or simply trying to follow Jesus in the everyday moments - this conversation will encourage you to keep going.

If Part 1 resonated with you, this is the conclusion you’ve been waiting for.

Thank you Elliott & Emily!

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Sermons on the Side Bible Readings

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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!