This week on Tell Me More, Katy, Luke, and Dennis dive into one of the Bible’s most challenging passages: Genesis 22 and the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac. Together, they wrestle honestly with the realities of suffering, testing, and the mystery of God’s ways—exploring how trials can either turn us inward toward bitterness or outward toward deeper trust.

Along the way, the conversation turns practical and pastoral: How can you tell the difference between natural grief and making pain your identity? What does it look like to walk with someone who’s hurting without trying to “snip the cocoon” and shortcut the process God may be using to shape them? They also discuss how to read difficult Scripture faithfully—slowing down, considering historical context, and remembering that God (not us) is the main character of every story.

The episode closes with updates on church life and upcoming opportunities, plus an exciting preview of the team’s Rome trip—capturing on-the-ground church history content to bring back to the congregation.

The Tell Me More crew kicks off a new semester at First Baptist Arlington with Luke back in the studio, a fresh staff structure, and a renewed focus on “the path of life”—the narrow road of discipleship to Jesus. After some light banter and life updates (including a whale-watching trip to Monterey and a memorable Pebble Beach outing), the conversation turns to heavier, timely themes: cultural polarization, how everyday decisions can escalate or de-escalate conflict, and why the church’s most urgent work is still making disciples.

From there, the group unpacks Sunday’s sermon emphasis on formation: the world is constantly shaping people (often through “spooky algorithms,” surveillance capitalism, and parasocial online influence), so following Jesus requires intentional counter-formation through spiritual practices and community. They explore what “flourishing” means biblically—distinct from prosperity or ease—highlighting that faithful discipleship can include suffering, persecution, and sacrifice, while still being a life marked by God’s presence, purpose, and fruitfulness. A vivid story about “Umaru,” a persecuted evangelist in West Africa, anchors this definition of flourishing.

The episode closes with practical next steps for listeners: Midweek programming is starting (kids, students, Perspectives, care groups, and more), and the church is launching daily Bible readings/devotional guides delivered by email to help members stay rooted on “The Jesus Way.”

First Baptist Arlington, hosts Katy Reed Hodges and Dr. Dennis Wiles gather around the mic to unpack Flourishing.

In this episode, the team reflects on the first Sunday of New Year and Dr. Wiles’ sermon, Designed to Flourish! -by discussing their theme of "flourishing together" and their upcoming study of the Book of John.

The Tell Me More podcast hosts return for 2025 with excitement about their church's new focus on "flourishing together." Drawing from the powerful imagery of a super bloom in Death Valley, they illustrate how God can bring extraordinary life from seemingly barren places. This becomes their central metaphor for the year - that under the right spiritual conditions, people who seem dormant can experience incredible growth and transformation.

The discussion centers on their upcoming study of the Book of John, which contains rich imagery about abiding, gardening, and spiritual fruitfulness. They emphasize that true flourishing isn't about material prosperity or the absence of pain, but about experiencing God's goodness even in difficult circumstances. The hosts share their partnership with the Global Flourishing Study and their commitment to intentional discipleship. They believe that consistently putting oneself in the right spiritual conditions - through Bible study, community, and faithful obedience - will bear fruit over time, not just in individual lives but in ways that bless everyone around them.

In this episode of Tell Me More, guest host Ryan Chandler introduces the episode, filling in for the usual host, Katie Reed Hodges. He is joined by Tanner Watson (filling in for Luke Stehr) and Dr. Dennis Wiles.

The trio briefly touches on the day's agenda:
Sharing their favorite Michael W. Smith songs.
Discussing upcoming Christmas Eve services.
Receiving an update on Tanner’s family and his work in youth ministry.

Exploring the theological concept of inaugurated eschatology (the "already but not yet" of the Kingdom of God). Key Discussion Points Following the Intro:
The "Dream Team": The hosts joke about the office being a "ghost town" during Christmas week and banter about their different generational perspectives (Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z).

The Candle Tutorial: Dr. Wiles provides a practical (and humorous) demonstration on how to light candles safely during the Christmas Eve service (3 PM, 4:30 PM & 6 PM) keeping the lit candle vertical while tilting the unlit one—to avoid getting wax on the sanctuary's new upholstery.

Youth Ministry Success: Tanner shares highlights from the year, including his marriage to Delaney, the success of "Encounter Week," and new initiatives like the "Disciple Project" that pairs students with mentors.

The Theology of Advent: The group discusses the importance of liturgy and sacred spaces. Dr. Wiles explains how his view on Advent evolved from a "low church" Baptist background to appreciating the symbolism of light penetrating darkness.

Inaugurated Eschatology
The conversation concludes by touching on the sermon's theme: the Kingdom of God is "here but not yet." This concept, often called Inaugurated Eschatology, suggests that while Jesus initiated the Kingdom during His earthly ministry, its final, perfect fulfillment is still in the future.

In this episode of Tell Me More, hosts Katy Reed Hodges and Luke Stehr are joined by Dr. Dennis Wiles for a rich and encouraging conversation about the life of our church and the ways God is moving among us this Advent season.

The discussion begins with reflections on the Advent program from the previous night, “The King,” celebrating how worship, story, and Scripture pointed us toward the joy and hope of Christ’s reign. From there, the conversation turns to Dr. Wiles’ Sunday morning sermon, “Identity Gift,” from Matthew 16:21–28.

Together, they explore the heart of Advent’s declaration—“Joy to the world! The Lord has come!”—and what it means to flourish together as a church rooted in Christ. Dr. Wiles unpacks the question of identity: Who is Jesus, and who are we in Him? The group reflects on Jesus as a different kind of King, leading a different kind of Kingdom, and how discipleship reshapes our perspective, purpose, and very lives.

This episode invites listeners to consider the profound gift of identity we receive in Christ—denying ourselves, taking up the cross, and finding true life by following Him. As Christmas approaches, the conversation encourages us to unwrap this personalized gift from Jesus the King: letting Him save us, shepherd us, and shape us for His glory.

Whether you were present for the Advent program and sermon or are catching up afterward, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and truly tell me more about what it means to live as new creations in Christ.

This week on Tell Me More, hosts Katy Reed Hodges, Luke Stehr, and Dr. Dennis Wiles celebrate a major milestone—175 episodes of conversations, curiosity, and community! The trio takes a moment to look back on the history of the podcast, remembering its early days, how it has grown, and the countless stories and sermons that have shaped the journey so far.

After a bit of well-earned celebration, the hosts dive into Dr. Wiles’ sermon from this past Sunday, “Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!” They unpack the rich historical, cultural, and theological backdrop surrounding the birth of Jesus—revealing why the Magi came searching, why Herod trembled, and how ancient expectations all pointed toward a promised ruler unlike any other.

Together, they explore:

• Jewish expectation after the Exile and the longing for a new Son of David
• Prophecies like Numbers 24:17 and Daniel 9:25 that fueled Messianic hope
• Eastern Gentile perspectives, including the Parthian Magi who studied the signs
• Roman-era anticipation of a coming world ruler from Judea
• Herod’s political fear, rooted in his fragile claim to the throne
• The astonishing moment when the Magi found Jesus and “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy”

Dr. Wiles reflects on how all of history—Jewish, Persian, Roman—converged on that single moment in Bethlehem, revealing the profound truth that Jesus was not born to become King… He was born the King.

Join the conversation as the hosts celebrate the past 175 episodes and look forward to many more, all while centering the story of the One who reigns over all of history.

As we enter the Advent season at First Baptist Arlington, hosts Katy Reed Hodges, Luke Stehr, and Dr. Dennis Wiles gather around the mic to unpack the hope-filled beginning of our 2025 Advent theme: The King!

In this episode, the team reflects on the first Sunday of Advent and Dr. Wiles’ sermon, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!”—a message rooted in Isaiah 11 and anchored in the promise, fulfillment, and future hope found in Jesus Christ.

Together, they explore:

• The 2025 church-wide theme Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ
• How Advent centers us on the arrival of The King
• Isaiah’s prophecy of a shoot from the stump of Jesse and what it meant in a time of judgment and uncertainty
• The significance of the Branch—the “netzer”—and how Jesus fulfills this hope as both Root and Offspring of David
• The sweeping biblical story that ties together Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Romans, and Revelation
• What it means for believers today to live with overflowing hope through the Holy Spirit
• How the promised future reign of Christ brings peace, justice, and restoration to a broken world

This conversation invites you to slow down amid the season, reflect deeply on the hope foretold, fulfilled, and yet to come, and join us in praying, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!”

Listen in as we begin this Advent journey together—rooted in Christ, flourishing in hope, and living in anticipation of our King.