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This episode was born out of a moment — a message I heard this past weekend at church in Hoboken, New Jersey, while attending with my daughter. The teaching was from the Book of Ruth, and it hit me differently this time.

Ruth isn’t just a love story.
It isn’t just a redemption story.
It’s a story about what faith looks like when we’re wounded.

In this episode, we walk through Naomi’s grief and bitterness, Ruth’s obedience, and the hard question so many of us wrestle with:
Do I wait on God… or do I take action?

Naomi renames herself “bitter,” yet she never abandons God’s ways. She returns to Bethlehem. She knows the law. She believes redemption is still possible — even while her heart is broken. And when the moment comes, she doesn’t scheme or manipulate. She activates what God already put in place.

This episode unpacks:

• Bitterness without abandoning faith
• Obedience without emotional clarity
• Waiting on God without becoming passive
• Taking action without forcing outcomes
• How God often works quietly through ordinary obedience

There are no recorded miracles in Ruth. No angels. No audible voice of God.
Yet Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of King David — and part of the lineage of Jesus.

God does the extraordinary through ordinary obedience.

If you’re in a season of grief, uncertainty, or tension — if you’re asking whether you’re waiting on God or avoiding obedience — this conversation is for you.

As always, I’m not a pastor or theologian. I’m just a guy in the Jesus gym, working it out in real time. Please verify everything in scripture for yourself.

And don’t take the bait!

Scriptures Referenced in the Episode

Primary Text

• Ruth 1–4
  (Overall context of the episode)

Key Passages in Ruth

• Ruth 1:1–5 – Naomi loses her husband and two sons
• Ruth 1:16–17 – Ruth refuses to leave Naomi (“Where you go, I will go…”)
• Ruth 1:20–21 – Naomi renames herself Mara (“Call me bitter…”)
• Ruth 2:1–23 – Gleaning laws in action; Ruth provides through obedience
• Ruth 3:1–13 – Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor
• Ruth 4:9–17 – Boaz redeems Ruth; lineage established

Old Testament Law & Framework (Implied but Explained)

*Leviticus 19:9–10 – Gleaning laws (care for the poor with dignity)

• Leviticus 25:25 – Kinsman-redeemer principle
• Deuteronomy 25:5–10 – Family redemption and lineage protection

Lineage & Fulfillment

• Ruth 4:17 – Ruth becomes great-grandmother of King David
• Matthew 1:5–6 – Ruth included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ

Optional Supporting Scriptures (Aligned With Episode Themes)

(Not directly quoted, but consistent with your teaching points)

• Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trusting God’s way over control
• Psalm 37:5 – Commit your way to the Lord
• Isaiah 30:21 – Hearing God when to move or wait

This is the Buddy For Junior Show — where faith, truth, and courage come together. Join us as we explore life’s deeper purpose and carry the torch of conviction. The show begins now.

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Life gets heavy.
And if we’re honest, most of the time we carry far more than God ever asked us to.

In this episode of The Buddy Foy Jr. Show, I wrestle openly with the tension between faith and fatigue — between knowing what scripture says and still trying to handle everything on my own. We unpack powerful passages from Psalms, Matthew, and 1 Kings, including Elijah’s collapse in the wilderness, to explore what it actually looks like to give our burdens to God instead of carrying them alone.

This isn’t a polished theology lesson. It’s a real-time workout in what I call the Jesus Gym — sweat, mistakes, sore muscles, and all. We talk about:

• Why we struggle to give burdens to God
• What Jesus meant when He said His yoke is light
• How God often sends people before He sends answers
• The danger of isolating in the wilderness
• Discernment between godly counsel and worldly noise

If you’re tired, overwhelmed, or trying to be strong for everyone else — this episode is for you.

You don’t have to carry it alone.
And you were never meant to.

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode

Psalms

• Psalm 55:22
  “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.”
  (Primary anchor verse of the episode)
• Psalm 62:8
  “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.”
• Psalm 55:12–14
  “It is not an enemy who taunts me… but you, my equal, my companion, my close friend…”
  (Pain caused by betrayal or misunderstanding from someone close)
• Psalm 51:10
  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a loyal spirit within me.”

Gospels

• Matthew 11:28–30
  (You referenced this as “Matthew 28 to 30,” but the correct passage is Matthew 11:28–30)
  “Come to Me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest… My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Old Testament Narrative

• 1 Kings 19:1–18
  (Elijah fleeing Jezebel, despair under the broom tree, angels feeding him, wilderness renewal)
  Specific verses referenced:
  
  • 1 Kings 19:1–3 – Jezebel threatens Elijah; he flees
  • 1 Kings 19:4 – Elijah prays to die
  • 1 Kings 19:5–8 – Angel feeds Elijah twice
  • 1 Kings 19:8–9 – Journey to Mount Sinai / cave encounter

Summary (Optional One-Line for Notes)

Key themes explored through Psalm 55, Psalm 62, Matthew 11, and 1 Kings 19 — learning to surrender burdens, trust God in wilderness seasons, and receive spiritual nourishment through Scripture and community.

This is the Buddy For Junior Show — where faith, truth, and courage come together. Join us as we explore life’s deeper purpose and carry the torch of conviction. The show begins now.

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Life is short. And sometimes it takes loss to remind us just how fragile time really is.

In this episode of The Buddy Foy Jr Show, Buddy reflects on the recent passing of a childhood classmate and what it revealed about time, grace, and legacy. Growing up in a graduating class of just eleven students—and now having lost three—makes time impossible to ignore. It’s no longer a concept. It’s personal.

This episode is dedicated to Stephen Baker, a man remembered not for status or noise, but for steadiness, kindness, service, and grace. Through Stephen’s life, Buddy explores what it truly means to steward time rather than simply spend it.

That reflection leads into Scripture and the story of Stephen the Apostle from Acts chapters 6 and 7—the first Christian martyr—who lived with bold faith, deep grace, and forgiveness even in the face of death. Two men. Same name. Different centuries. The same lesson.

This is a sober, honest conversation about:

• The brevity of life
• Time as stewardship, not currency
• Grace under pressure
• Living faithfully without needing a platform
• What kind of legacy we’re building—right now

You don’t need perfect theology. You don’t need a microphone. You just need to show up, live with intention, and steward the time you’ve been given.

Because none of us know how many days we have left.

But we do get to decide how we use today.

Scripture referenced:

Psalm 90:12 | James 4:14 | Acts 6–7

As always—don’t take the bait.

This is the Buddy For Junior Show — where faith, truth, and courage come together. Join us as we explore life’s deeper purpose and carry the torch of conviction. The show begins now.

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New year, new lens on time. Instead of chasing urgency, we explore how scripture reframes the calendar as something to steward with wisdom. From Psalms 90:12 to James 4:14, we talk about redeeming the time, seeking the kingdom first, and stepping away from the noise that keeps us anxious and unfocused. That path isn’t smooth; resistance often spikes the moment faith becomes visible. We name that pushback and share how it can signal formation, not failure.

We also unpack a striking insight from C. S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters: the enemy wants us obsessed with what might happen, while God calls us to do the good we’re called to today. That contrast sets the stage for a deeper look at John 8, where Jesus meets a woman with grace and truth—no stones, no excuses. We practice putting our own names into Jesus’ words to break shame and ignite repentance that actually changes our steps.

To make this practical, we lay out rhythms for 2026: visible prayer, daily scripture, restraint when anger flares, honest confession, and a thoughtful approach to fasting that creates space where hurry dies and the Spirit speaks. We also name division for what it is—a strategy that drains love and distracts from obedience—and choose formation over factions. If you’ve felt the tension of growth, the fatigue of anxiety, or the pull to hide your faith, this conversation offers clarity, courage, and concrete next steps. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and tell us: what faithful practice will you start today?

This is the Buddy For Junior Show — where faith, truth, and courage come together. Join us as we explore life’s deeper purpose and carry the torch of conviction. The show begins now.

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About Today’s Guest

Brian Metzger is a former Franciscan monk (21 years) and now serves through spiritual direction and teaching.

Contact Brian:

Website: Mission1249.com

——

Clarity; argument not physical fight.

Worthy Before You Perform (Shame, the Yoke, and Receiving Worthiness as a Gift)

Buddy sits down with one of his spiritual directors Brian Metzger (former Franciscan monk for 21 years), after a weekend where Buddy felt disqualified and ashamed. Together they unpack a core truth: worthiness is received as a gift, not earned through performance. This conversation reframes shame, discipleship, and what it means to follow Jesus when you’ve fallen short.

What We Talk About

• Why we start every call with: “Where did you see the greatness of God this week?”
• The negativity bias and why it’s easier to obsess over what’s wrong than notice what’s right
• The trap Buddy hit: “I don’t feel worthy to do the podcast.”
• Brian’s core principle: “The only possible starting point is worthiness as a gift.”
• Behavior management vs. character transformation
• Jesus’ promise: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”—and what “yoke” means
• “Everyone gets a cross… the difference is the follow Me part”
• How to start your day from identity instead of shame

Key Quotes

• “Catch yourself in the act of being generated—and know that’s the presence of Jesus.”
• “The Gospel is not behavior management. It’s character transformation.”
• “The only possible starting point is worthiness as a gift.”
• “My yoke is easy… whose yoke are you carrying?”
• “Everyone gets a cross. The difference is who you’re following.”

The Practical Takeaway

If you’re in a shame spiral, don’t start the day with:

“Here I go again… I failed… I fell short…”

Start with:

“Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your Son. Send Your Spirit—show me how to live from my identity today.”

Then ask yourself one question:

Where did I see the greatness of God today?

(beauty, meaning, goodness, provision, comfort, peace, conviction, clarity)

Challenge for the Week

1. One-minute reset each morning: “Thank You, Father… help me live from identity today.”
2. One moment of greatness: Write down one place you noticed God (even small).
3. When shame hits: Ask, “Am I carrying Jesus’ yoke—or my own?”

About Today’s Guest

Brian Metzger is a former Franciscan monk (21 years) and now serves through spiritual direction and teaching.

Website: Mission1249.com

(Luke 12:49 — “I came to set the earth on fire…”)

Scripture Mentioned / Referenced

• Matthew 11:28–30 — “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
• Luke 12:49 — “I came to set the earth on fire…”
• Mark 8:34 (and parallels) — “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

Call to Action

If this episode hit you, share it with one person who’s been carrying shame.

And if you’re listening on Apple or Spotify, follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

God bless — and don’t take the bait.

This is the Buddy For Junior Show — where faith, truth, and courage come together. Join us as we explore life’s deeper purpose and carry the torch of conviction. The show begins now.

Follow Buddy @BuddyFoyJr

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We trace the bold claim of Romans 8 and Galatians 4—that we are heirs with Christ—and show how that identity reshapes favor, repentance, and everyday courage. Stories from Turkey, a Manhattan boardroom, and our family bring the theology down to the street level.

• heir identity reframes favor from earning to belonging
• public devotion as a mirror for quiet faith
• behavior as the Christian uniform
• Romans 8 and Galatians 4 as anchors
• repentance as coming home, not shame
• living favored amid closed doors and delays
• practical rhythms to practice praise and presence
• noon prayer, daily Scripture, quiet public prayer

Please hit subscribe or follow wherever you're listening
And pretty please share the episode with one person, just one
For this week, three simple steps: set your alarm for noon, thank God for one thing, pray for somebody; open your Bible daily; pray naturally in public

This is the Buddy For Junior Show — where faith, truth, and courage come together. Join us as we explore life’s deeper purpose and carry the torch of conviction. The show begins now.

Follow Buddy @BuddyFoyJr