In this episode of Lacking Nothing, Pastor Alex and Griff explore the Biblical practice of fasting and its place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Fasting is about more than abstaining from food or checking off a spiritual discipline. It invites us to redirect our attention toward God, confront the things that compete for our hearts, and grow in dependence on Him.

Together, we consider how fasting can become a meaningful part of our walk with Jesus—not as a way to earn God's favor, but as a response to His presence and an opportunity to seek Him more intentionally.

Whether fasting is a familiar rhythm in your spiritual life or something you've never explored, this conversation will challenge you to reconsider its purpose and discover how this practice can deepen your faith.

Because following Jesus isn't just about what we give up—it's about the One we're making room for.

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Introduction: What Is Fasting?

03:00 — Why Fasting Matters in the Christian Life

06:30 — The Biblical Foundation for Fasting

10:00 — Fasting Beyond Abstaining from Food

13:30 — What Are We Seeking When We Fast?

17:00 — Common Misconceptions About Fasting

21:00 — Practical Ways to Incorporate Fasting

26:00 — Making Room for God: Final Reflections

We also confront the "Mammon" trap—how money can subtly become a rival source of security and devotion—and discuss how to balance faith with everyday financial decisions. Moving away from both extreme asceticism and the prosperity gospel, we share actionable insights for intentional budgeting, stewardship, and living generously without guilt. Whether you are managing personal finances or leading a church budget, this episode offers a clear, grounded path toward true financial freedom.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Cultural View vs. Biblical View of Money Understanding money’s utility for life, food, and shelter versus culture's obsession with status and happiness.
03:15 Matthew 6:19–21: Storing Up Eternal Treasures Why shifting your financial focus from earthly accumulation to heavenly priorities changes your entire perspective.
08:40 Unpacking the "Mammon" Trap Recognizing when finances shift from a neutral tool to a spiritual distraction and false source of security.
14:20 Finding the Middle Ground Balancing Christian stewardship between the extremes of asceticism and the prosperity gospel.
19:50 Practical Stewardship: Intentional Budgeting & Giving How to budget with purpose, enjoy life without guilt, and generously allocate resources to support gospel-centered work

In this episode of the Lacking Nothing Podcast, Griff and Pastor Alex dive into the tension between human ambition and godly ambition. After a quick banter about accountability apps and enjoying our staple extra-cheesy Goldfish snacks, we get real about what it actually takes to step into your God-given calling.

We explore how ambition was built into humanity from the very beginning in Genesis, why fear so often paralyzes us from moving forward (even when God says "go!"), and how to distinguish between selfish ambition and Kingdom-driven purpose. Plus, we share personal stories of moving cross-country, planting a church through extreme adversity, and finding beauty in the middle of life's hardest trials.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The true definition of ambition and its origins in the Garden of Eden.
• How fear holds us back from making big moves—and how perfect love drives it out.
• Moses at the Red Sea: Why God tells us to stop crying out and start moving forward.
• Personal stories of cross-country moves, health battles, and church planting in Tampa.
• Philippians 2:3–4 and the "upside-down" Kingdom mentality of humbling yourself to go high.

If you’ve been feeling hesitant to start that business, launch that podcast, or step out in faith, this episode is for you!

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Timestamps / Chapter Markers

• 00:00 - Intro & The Accountability Betting App
• 00:32 - Welcome to Lacking Nothing & Fun Snack Time (Goldfish)
• 01:35 - Defining Ambition: Is it Good or Bad?
• 02:25 - Ambition in the Garden: Adam’s Original Mandate
• 03:20 - Moses at the Red Sea: When Fear Paralyzes Progress
• 04:40 - Be Strong & Courageous: Overcoming Fear with Perfect Love
• 05:15 - Planting a Church in Tampa: Alex’s Story of Facing Trials
• 06:35 - Finding Glory in the Struggle: Griff’s Story & Lord of the Rings
• 07:50 - Selfish Ambition vs. Kingdom Ambition (Philippians 2:3–4)

We live in a culture driven by distraction, notifications, and constant performance. Because of this, it can be incredibly difficult to step away from the noise, put down the phone, and just sit in the quiet with God. Griff and Alex break down the concept of the "secret place" (the eremos), looking at how Jesus consistently withdrew from the crowds to recharge and connect with the Father.

They also share their own personal rhythms and struggles, from dodging the temptation to sound "super spiritual" in public prayers, to finding those quiet morning moments on the porch with a cup of coffee alongside Breanna before the kids are awake. Whether your prayer time involves a structured list, journaling, or just sitting in silence, this episode will encourage you to stop performing and start simply abiding.

 Chapter Breakdown:
0:00 - Fun Snack of the Night: Sour Cream & Onion Pringles
3:15 - The Challenge of the "Secret Place" in a Noisy World
7:30 - Why Jesus Withdrew: Understanding the Eremos
12:00 - Performative Prayer vs. Genuine Connection
16:45 - Building a Practical Prayer Rhythm
22:10 - The Power of Praying in Silence & Listening
28:30 - What it Means to "Abide" in the Almighty

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Let us know in the comments: What does your "secret place" look like, and are you Team Pringles or Team Cheetos?

In this episode Griff Guinta and Alex DiMare will give a brief breakdown of the podcast and what to expect.