Welcome And Colossians Rescue

Chris Grainger 1:09

Welcome to The Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, Chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, guys, meet episode time. Let's get into it. Okay. So the scripture of the week this week is in the book of Colossians, the first chapter. Looking at two verses though, verse 13 and 14. It says, For he rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And guys, we took some time in the last podcast to unpack those two verses at length. Highly encourage you. It's all about simplifying and applying God's word. Go back if you haven't listened to that episode yet. And hopefully you'll be encouraged. You'll be uh lifted up by the message shared there. And again, it's all about that, just that application piece, guys, because that is where so much gets lost is in the application of it. There's one thing to know God's word, there's another thing to actually put it into work, right? So hopefully you enjoy that. And look, guys, we do this Monday through Friday as well at The Lion Within Us. We don't put it out on the podcast, we don't put it on our YouTube channel, we don't put it anywhere else. We call it the daily spiritual kickoff, and we love to invite you into it. So it happens every morning, okay? We go live. You can have the ability to sit in on a live feed of reading God's word and then that simplifying applying God's word. Uh, it's just a great way to be encouraged and as well. If you can't make the live feed, we put the videos inside that space every day. So it's there for your consumption. Hopefully, you know, guys, they watch it throughout today, or they just maybe they just sit back and you can binge them up and just you can just kind of get caught up on different things that uh we're studying and working through. And it's just our way to serve you. It also has access to a prayer request space, guys. We have a prayer request board that is constantly being just updated by guys who need prayer, who are asking for prayer, and who want to pray on the behalf of others. This is guys all over the world, fellas, from Australia to Europe to United States, South America. They're all over. Africa. It's unbelievable what God's doing. And this is all free for you. This is our way to serve you. It's called a daily spiritual kickoff, daily SKO. Okay, so go to the lionwithin.us, get started today with that. And by the way, if you do that, uh, we're even offering up a free gift as our way of just saying thank you. So go check that out today. All right. All right, so for this episode, guys, it's gonna be a lot of fun. So this is uh Chris Scotty. I had we we brought him in. Uh, he had a long career in Christian publishing uh that really began in a bookstore in the in the early 80s, and Chris really speaks to his love for reading and just for learning and for growing. And so it was just an absolute pleasure to have him on. Today he's the vice president and publisher at 316 Publishing. Okay, and this is where we talk about we're we're gonna talk about 316 publishing to a degree and this conversation. But I know you're gonna be encouraged by it. He's married, they have four adult children, uh, one grad one granddaughter, and uh just and he actually lives in California, so this is where he's at. He's he's serving and still doing his thing at the local church. But hopefully you're gonna enjoy this conversation with my new friend, Chris Scotty. Chris, welcome to The Lion Within Us. How are you doing today? I'm doing great. Thanks for having me on your program, Chris. Always excited to have you here for sure. Yes, sir. And we always like to have a little fun at the beginning of our conversations just to let so the listeners know maybe something fun about you that not many people know about.

Chris Scotti 4:47

Boy. Um, you know, I was I was telling my pastor just last night that I'm a cat lover, and I didn't expect that. Okay. But we had a kitten wander onto our property in my 40s, and it just I became the magnet for that cat. And so now we have three, and yeah, I'm I'm just the cat man, I guess. I didn't expect that, but um the joy uh in life of having cats I've discovered.

Chris Grainger 5:13

Okay, there you go. We we have barn cats, and we do have one inside cat. So I'm not anti-cat. I just usually don't like other people's cats, just my cat, you know. Well, I'd love to for you to share a little bit about your testimony, like for you personally. What does your discipleship journey look like, Chris?

A Bible Hidden In A Closet

Reading John And Meeting Jesus

Chris Scotti 5:32

Yeah, I didn't grow up in a Christian home. Um, so I'll I'll start back. My um testimony really um centers on the importance of scripture. So I have some Italian Catholic heritage um that I grew up in, and my folks had a Bible in the house, and it was a wedding gift for them. It was in the back of their closet in its original box, and it was a beautiful Bible, and it had beautiful Renaissance pictures in it depicting different scenes from scripture. And I was about four, not yet to read, not yet able to read, and I was enthralled by those pictures. Um, I actually got it out of their closet without permission and went off on my own to look at the pictures and got discovered within 10 minutes and got scolded for having um taken the Bible without permission, even going into my parents' room without permission. And one of the things that was said that day while I was um in my uh disciplining, um, it kind of stuck with me was that book is not for you. That book is for priests, and it's a holy book. And so um through that explanation from my mom, that stuck with me. I was raised a reader, avid reader, learned how to read through comic books, you know, progressed, read through all the Hardy Boy books, Little House on the Prairie, and you know, just consumed massive amounts of um content and um went to the classics, Steinbeck and such and and others. Um well, as part of that process, I gained a high reading level at an early age, had a 12th grade reading level in third grade, and read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as well at a young age. Well, people would ask me once in a while, have you ever read the Bible? And I would give an answer based on what my mom told me that day. No, it's a book for priests, it's not for me. And um, when I was uh a young man in high school, um, somebody finally had a good rebuttal to that response that I gave them. And he said, What if I told you it's God's book and he wants you to read it because it's a manual for living? And I I had a lot of teenage angst in those years. My parents had recently been divorced. Um, I actually was moved out to from Southern California, moved out to the Bible Belt, um a small town in Missouri where my oldest brother was stationed in the Air Force. Okay. And I thought I'm gonna have tons of freedom living with my oldest brother, and yet here I am, and somebody challenges me to read the Gospel of John. And um, so I decided, well, why not? Um, I'm a teenager with a lot of internal uh struggles and trying to figure things out, and so I I just before uh school that week I started reading the Gospel of John, and it just drew me in. Yeah, the character of Christ was so enthralling to me. I knew something about Jesus because of my Catholic upbringing, but um, we it wasn't ingrained, it was much more cultural for us. And through the gospel, I decided this Jesus guy, man, the way he responds in difficult situations is brilliant. Yeah. And I thought to myself, this guy could be a role model for me. And I was looking really at that time in my life for a strong male role model. And by the end of the Gospel of John, I realized um, similar to you know, what the famous quote from C.S. Lewis, you have to make a decision. Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. And so I had to come to the conclusion that, you know, if everything he said in here is true and I believe it to be true, and he says that, you know, he is God, then I have to recognize that um I have to come to terms with that. He is my creator and he has a plan for my life. Am I willing to submit to him? Right. And so I did. I accepted Christ by the end of the week. Um, and from that point, I knew something had changed within me. One of the things that was evidence for me was I was quite a prolific cusser. And um, every sentence I could flower up with two or three words, and it just became second nature to me. Didn't really have conviction of sin over it. I had some self-control when there were older people around because they saw the shock on their face if they overheard these words tumbling out of my mouth. Um, but once I accepted Christ, I started to have conviction of sin. And I started to say, Lord, I don't want to be like this anymore. Please help me. And there was a process of, I think, sanctification that showed up in that. Um, and it really was first of all, the words would continue out of my mouth, and I'd be like, shouldn't have said that. Sorry, Lord, forgive me, you know. And then it got to the point where I was like, Oh, I'm thinking it, but thank you, Lord. I'm not saying it, but I'm still sorry that I'm thinking it. I mean, Lord, not to even think it. And then it got to the point where I didn't think it anymore. And I don't think I could have ever accomplished that through any self-help nonsense. I think that's evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit at work, transforming me, transforming my mind through the reading of God's word, washing it out of there. And so I think early on in my Christianity, in my walk, that was the first real evidence that I am a changed person because of Jesus Christ. Right.

Chris Grainger 11:33

Amen. I mean, what and what great advice for that uh young man to point you to the gospel of John. That's it's usually that's my go-to as well for any you know early or curious type of guys when they come to us. Where do I start, Chris? I hear that a lot, and I always just point to John. So I guess for for you, you you you saw the power of that first hand, right?

Chris Scotti 11:55

Definitely. I mean, um, having been an avid reader, I wasn't um scared of reading the Bible. I just didn't know what it really contained. Right. I never had sat under um, you know, expos expository teaching. Um when you're in the Catholic tradition, a lot of the service will be in Latin. And I was just bored out of my mind, you know. I nothing in that connected with me on a personal level. It was just tradition. And um I didn't honestly, what kid likes to dress up, you know, and his older brothers hand-me-down clothes that you wear one day a week and are totally uncomfortable in and don't really fit in well. I mean, there's lots of reasons why um, you know, when we would only go at one point in my life we stopped going weekly and we only went on holidays. And even though you um only went twice a year, you still felt like that was two times too much. There's much other things I'd rather do on this holiday than um have to get all dressed up and go to church. Right.

Chris Grainger 13:06

Well, how did that you know you mentioned your your family, your mom, it sounded like was Catholic. How did that conversation go with with her? I'm just curious because that's always received differently.

Tension With Catholic Tradition

Chris Scotti 13:18

Yeah, that's uh that's a great question. And I was very excited to be able to tell her on the phone that I was a Christian. And um a couple things. The the first response I remember was, and and I love my mom, and she's still alive today. Um, so I'm I'm blessed to be able to be the example of Christ to her and point her to Jesus. But um the first thing I heard was, Well, at least you're not doing drugs and you're not getting girls pregnant. There you go. So she just thought it was a fad I was in from high school and that it would go away at some point. Okay, okay.

Chris Grainger 13:56

Because you were with your I was I was trying to follow, you were with your brother, right? You moved in with him.

Chris Scotti 14:02

Yeah, I'm actually the youngest of six, but my oldest brother was in Missouri because he was in the Air Force, and so I was with him and his wife. Right, okay.

Chris Grainger 14:13

So once she recognized that it wasn't a fad, I mean how has that how has that been since?

Chris Scotti 14:18

Yeah, I think um after I moved back, I was only in Missouri for less than a year. After I moved back, um, you know, I think she still was like, What is this all about? Why are you asking to go to Bible study on Wednesday night? And why does it have to be, you know, 20 miles from our house? It was at uh the main Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa with Chuck Smith. And um that was I I didn't go to church on Sunday. It was through that and through some other um close friends that um were also young in Christ that were, you know, um brothers in high school. We kind of helped look out for each other as, excuse me, knuckleheads, um, trying to, you know, live the Christian life and not really knowing what we should be doing every day and um holding each other accountable as best we could. So she saw these new friends coming into my life, and she was, I think, curious about all that. But um, a lot of stigma comes with uh the Italian Catholic tradition. And so, you know, one of the things I heard is um you you'll never not be a Catholic, it's in your blood. Yeah. Right. And you're like, how do you approach that? You know, and um so you know, some things about the Catholic tradition I'm mildly grateful for, you know. Um I'm the youngest of six, and Catholics don't believe in birth control. So I'm like, okay, there's that. I never questioned that there was a God who created me. I just didn't know that this God wanted to have a personal relationship with me.

Chris Grainger 15:54

Right, right. I I I know sometimes there's a lot of friction with Mary, you know. So how's that how's that come with with with you and the family?

Chris Scotti 16:03

Yeah, I think it was very obvious early on to me that um Mary's not a mediator and I have no need for her. I can go right to the throne of grace. Right and um there's no example in scripture. Because I was an avid reader, after I read through the Gospel of John, I just wanted to dive in.

Chris Grainger 16:22

Right.

Chris Scotti 16:22

And so I just continued to read through the New Testament. Of course, I didn't absorb everything the first time through, but there were parts of it that were just eye-opening to me and helped me see that um the access that he invites us into in this relationship is awesome and amazing. And when you don't hear any of that in the Catholic tradition, you kind of start to say that's really wrong. It's not about do this, do that, do this, do that, and when you goof up, then you gotta say these five Hell Marys and those kinds of things. Um you know, it just seemed in comparison that a lot of the Catholic tradition was just that. It was tradition and didn't really um come from any New Testament practice of the disciples um or the early church. Right. Right. Yes, sir.

Community Break And Resources

Chris Grainger 17:21

Well, well, guys, we'll take a first break with Chris. We'll be right back. Trying to find genuine resources to help grow spiritually can feel overwhelming. At least it was for me. For the longest time, the support that I was looking for didn't exist. And I knew I wasn't alone. And at the same time, God was leading me to take action while we built the Lion Within Us community, which is simply a place for Christian men to grow together in an honest, practical way that's always rooted in God's Word. We've made it simple. We have our daily spiritual kickoff for that little boost to get you going. We have Bible studies focusing on discerning truth and applying it. And we have a private forum where you can speak freely amongst other guys who listen. And we have things like Friday Forge, Couples Night, where we kind of tackle the hard items that guys are craving to talk about. But most face settings just refuse to explore these areas. So our community is about a growth mindset, intentionality, and transparency. Leave the mask at the door and come back you are. No perfect resume, just a willing heart and a desire to lead. I believe in what we've built simply because I've seen God use it to strengthen so many men. I'd be honored to walk alongside you. So if you're ready, visit thelionwithin.us to explore the community. Start your free trial. Look around and see how this could help you lead with clarity and courage. So your journey begins here at the LionWithin.us. I look forward to seeing you inside the den. Well, I am curious, Chris, as you were we got connected through the Gospel of John, which is a great way to get connected with anybody, but you're you you got involved with a pretty cool project to get the Gospel of John out to lots of people. So just kind of, if you don't mind, unwrap that story a little bit for us.

Legacy Standard Bible Backstory

Chris Scotti 19:26

Sure. So um I've been involved in Christian publishing for decades, and um I met 316 Publishing, and we're the home of the Legacy Standard Bible. So for a lot of people, they're like, I'm not familiar with that translation. Well, let me give you a little bit of background. So it's tied to Pastor John MacArthur, and he studied and taught from the New American Standard Bible for decades, and that's owned by the Lockman Foundation, a nonprofit here in Southern California. That translation um initially came out in 1971, and there's been a few updates through the years. Uh, 1977 was a key update, and 1995 was another key update. Well, Pastor John, um, because he was such an avid student of Scripture, he felt like there was room for refinement within the new American standard still. And so um he approached a few of us to ask if we, because we had a relationship with the Lachman Foundation, if we could set up a meeting to discuss um assigning some of his scholars from the Master's University and Master's Seminary to go through the NASB and uh refine it. And one of the key things that they were wanting to do is to create more consistency across words that are used in the Greek or the Hebrew in different passages of scripture, have it be the same English word being used. And that was a key thing. Plus, he also wanted to um use the tetragrammaton, the YHWH, pronounced as Yahweh, um in the Old Testament. That was a significant change because um that's that word is in the Old Testament over 6,800 times. And if it is God's covenant name that he tells Moses, um then why in English do we translate it as Lord in all caps? Because um it is his name. So we made that change in the Old Testament. When you read the Old Testament, you're gonna see it everywhere. And that's a real refreshing change in my Bible reading to read the name Yahweh instead of the word Lord. And um in the New Testament, doulas is actually the Greek word for slave, and so slave is the prominent word used for doulas in the New Testament. So those are some of the bigger changes that the Legacy Standard Bible has over the New American Standard. Um, but there's also just that consistency factor. Back when the NASB was being done, and this is the way a lot of translations are done, um, you have committees. You have different Bible scholars that teach at different schools that you basically say, you're the point person for the minor prophets, you're the point person for these prophets, you're the point person for the five books of Moses, you're the point person on the Pauline letters, et cetera, et cetera. And then they have their own little team that, and they work through the text together. Well, when you have that situation, you might have a difference of opinion on how this word should be translated into English. And so they choose this team chooses one word, this other team chooses a different word. Um, with the team going through the Legacy Standard Bible, um, they were looking for. For how to make it more consistent. Because if God used the word here and he also used the word here and he used the word here and he used the word here, a thesaurus doesn't really help the reader who doesn't understand the original languages see that God is using this same word repetitively, maybe to help it sink in more with us. Right. Right. And so that's, I think, one of the main differences that the Legacy Standard Bible has over just about all other English translations. And when you see those words repeated, sometimes in the same chapter, you're like, whoa, this is repeated eight times. How could I not miss it? You know? Yeah. It it kind of shows you the importance of, you know, Paul hitting home on this one point and emphasizing it. So the Legacy Standard Bible also was the name was chosen by Pastor John because he didn't want it to be seen as just an American translation. The new American standard is something that is used across the globe, but in some countries they feel a little awkward because it contains the name American. And English over the last 20 years has become a much more global language. And um in other countries, even some communist countries, they teach English in public schools because it ties to their economics. Yeah. And so it's actually become an avenue for the gospel to spread.

Chris Grainger 24:45

Very cool. Yeah, I know NASB, that's that's been my go-to for for years. I have you know all the other translations, but that's the that my daily reader, the one that I teach out of, it's that. Okay. And then so what led to the project for for pulling this out?

Chris Scotti 25:03

Yeah. Yeah. So the Gospel of John here, um, every Bible translation, just about major one, has a Gospel of John. And um, I have an old, old one from the American Bible Society. This is done in probably the 20s or 30s.

Chris Grainger 25:19

Very here.

Translation Choices That Stand Out

Designing A Gospel Of John Giveaway

Chris Scotti 25:21

Um, so this has been an evangelistic tool for decades. And like you had mentioned, you used it or continue to use it when you're pointing people to um explore more who Jesus is. Yeah. Um, pick up the Gospel of John and read it. And that's kind of you know my testimony as well. So um, in this specific edition that we created, um, we always start with the premise that Bibles are meant to be read. It has to be an enjoyable reading experience. And if you pick up something and you got to squint your eyes, it's not a comfortable reading experience. And honestly, some of the editions of the Gospel of John are all about cost cutting. They're trying to save pennies here and there so that you know each um one that you hand out costs less money. Well, okay, I understand that perspective, but if they don't read it because it's not really an inviting presentation of the gospel, is it really as effective as it should be? Right. So we came with the approach that we just wanted to make a beautiful edition. Um, God's word is beautiful beyond anything that man can do with paper and all that, and his word is eternal. Um, but we know that if you know somebody's going to get this because of the foil and everything, hopefully it's something that shows a little more value to them. Sure. And because of the just the font and even using red letter, it kind of draws them in. Oh, the red letter, why does it have red letter? Books don't have red letter. What does that mean? And you know, well, those are the words of Jesus once they discover that. And that's just another way that it helps them uh have a draw and an engagement with scripture. So um, with this particular edition, we wanted it to be as nice as a greeting card. I mean, we give greeting cards all the time to people, and greeting cards are not cheap these days. You know, I get sticker shock when I go into the store and um try to buy a greeting card these days. And, you know, these are $3.99 each. If you buy a 10-pack, it's at a steep discount. If you buy a case lot, it's even at a better discount. My church has them up at the information booth for free because we want to equip the saints for work of ministry. Right. And help get the gospel out into our community. So um, you know, John said um that he wrote it so that you might believe. You know, that's I think a key feature. And um one of the themes throughout John is believe. He wants the reader to believe. It's not just, hey, I'm gonna take in this anecdotal historical content like I'm reading a history book. No, he's trying to draw the reader into a belief that Jesus is the Son of God.

Chris Grainger 28:21

Right. I really appreciate too you you brushed over, but the the font. You know, someone uh with the more birthdays I have, the the the the bigger the prescription these these glasses become. So there is an extra large print so you can actually see it. You know, I think that's just it's become it's inviting to the reader as well. So hats off with that, because it's I'm with you. If you have to get a magnifying glass out, they're not gonna spend the time in it.

Chris Scotti 28:47

Yeah, yeah. And um that's just part of the engineering, you know, actually decisions that need to be made. We knew that the page count was going to be higher. Um, but when you see so many words crammed on a page, it almost makes you feel like, oh wow. You know, overwhelming. It is overwhelming. Yeah. So this we believe is um just a nice, enjoyable presentation of the Gospel of John.

Chris Grainger 29:11

So walk the the the guy listening, Chris, and he he gets one of these. He's just uh, you know, just a guy. That's what we talk about at the line. I'm just a guy. So we're not pastors, we don't have the the, you know, we haven't been to seminary, maybe not have that type of training. How does he use something like this effectively with evangelism? Like how would you walk walk the guy through that? How how could he use this as a tool to advance the gospel?

Simple Evangelism That Fits Real Life

Chris Scotti 29:40

Yeah, well, what we're trying to do is equip the saints for the work of ministry. And so you just have to be ready for those uh divine appointments, right? I would say start with prayer and ask for the Lord to help you in your sensitivity become more aware of when God wants to use you as his ambassador, because that's really what he wants us to do. Um a herald in scripture doesn't come up with their own words per se. Um they're doing exactly what the king said and saying it to whoever the hearer is that the king sends them to. So if Jesus sends somebody or sends you to speak the truth of the gospel to somebody, um, you can share some of your own testimony for sure. That's a great way. Um, but this is the tool that is going to be put into their hands that the Lord will use to draw them into that personal relationship most often. Um I think because with the Gospel of John, if the Bible is alive, it is different than any other book. And so if you um just continue to pray for that person after you you leave them, um the Lord will use that in his perfect timing, I believe. For me, it's having a few in each car. Because I don't know when that conversation's gonna happen, but I want to be equipped. Yep. It's um, you know, for ladies, it's hey, carry one or two in your purse. Um you know, we have situations that um I've heard of people using it that encourage me, you know, bring it to the person that, you know, when you go to the barber and have your haircut, um, bring it to them and say, hey, I just wanted to give this to you and invite you to church on Sunday. You know, um it can be that simple. Um someone in our fellowship said, I asked the owner of the laundromat if I could put some in the laundromat. And she was like, Yeah, no problem. And I thought, what a cool thing. That didn't, you know, that thought didn't encounter my mind. And um people have time at laundromats for sure. That's right. You know, and like, wow, that was a brilliant idea. Thank you, Lord, you know, and um I think it's just being sensitive and recognizing um the Great Commission, and it's something that we're all supposed to be doing. Um, it's a command, and you know, it's intimidating for some of us, sharing our faith. Um but when you pray and you seek uh God's will daily, there will be exciting situations that he puts you in, and you'll be thankful that you have some of these nearby to um engage this person with scripture.

Chris Grainger 32:40

100%. And also love at the beginning, it's like like two and a half pages of just the plan of salvation. So if if if there's a guy listening and you're not comfortable with, you know, maybe if I f I feel like I'm gonna forget this when I'm when I'm presenting the gospel, it's all good because you guys very beautifully laid out just in two or two, maybe it's like three and a half pages total, uh the simple plan of salvation there.

Chris Scotti 33:04

Yes. Yeah, good point. It's right there, and you you can you know refresh your memory. Um I've even used it a few times when I've had to, you know, go to a doctor or dentist appointment, and I'm like, oh, I can just bring that in and then leave it on the table when I get called into the appointment. So, you know, I'm reading it and then I'm like, oh, time to go into the appointment, you know, and just leave it there on the table. What's been your feedback?

Chris Grainger 33:31

What's been the some of the greatest feedback you guys have heard since you put out in this format?

Feedback And Creative Distribution Ideas

Chris Scotti 33:37

People have really appreciated, like you, uh, the design of it. Um and recognizing that it's it's not um you know, cringe worthy. Some of the stuff that you know they've gotten in the past is um just cheap paper, newsprint almost, you know. Yeah. Um and just the design is beautiful. And you know, there are people that said, hey, I'm putting this in every Christmas stocking this year. There you go. And you know, whether they're a believer or not, they can use it on, you know, with somebody else. And so it's um it's been really appreciated. Um, it's been early on for us, you know, that's been out less than six months thus far. Um, but we're seeing and hearing from people that um are grateful to have a tool that's this beautiful in presentation. Right.

Chris Grainger 34:30

Well, you guys did a phenomenal job with it. So I'm thankful for you just sharing the the your heart behind this mission and and what you're doing. And before we wrap up, we'd love to do a little lightning round with you, Chris, if you're willing to play a little bit. Okay, I'm ready.

Lightning Round And Daily Bible Habit

Chris Scotti 34:43

I have my coffee already, so let's there you go. Well, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Do you have any hobbies? You know, um, I like to read. That sounds funny. But there's kind of like uh reading that has to be done for work, but there's also, you know, a stack of books that's always, you know, a foot and a half high for me that um I want to get to at some point and read on my own. Um, I am an elder at my church, I do enjoy teaching at church, so um I'd say I don't know if that's a hobby, but it's something that um I do enjoy preparing for in my own free time. Um yeah, my wife and I like to take the dog to the beach and go around and you know, walk around the beach and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Amen.

Chris Grainger 35:29

That well, since you are such a big reader, what's your what's your your all-to-favorite novel? Where what what's your if you could pick it up and read it over and over, what would it be?

Chris Scotti 35:38

Um, all-time favorite novel. I haven't read it probably since my um kids were in high school, so it's been ten or more years. But um, I've read The Hobbit multiple times.

Chris Grainger 35:49

Okay.

Chris Scotti 35:50

Um, so that's I'd say that's probably my all-time favorite. And uh yeah, I could I could read it again this week. You know, I probably would consume it in two or three days just because I I love the story.

Chris Grainger 36:03

So did the movies get it? So did they do did they do justice with any of the movies for you?

Chris Scotti 36:08

I am quite odd in that. Um I tried maybe the first 20 minutes of The Lord of the Rings, and I said no thanks. So I've never watched them. Never watched them, okay. Never watched them. Uh The Hobbit. There was an animated version that came out, I think, in the 70s when I was a kid. Uh-huh. And I went to go see it on opening day, and it was horrible. It was so bad. So um, I've never watched any of the Hobbit movies other than that animated one that came out of the 70s. I hear you. Okay. All right.

Chris Grainger 36:44

Well, how about the what's your favorite food? What's your go-to food, Chris?

Chris Scotti 36:48

Well, I'm Italian, so um pretty much anything Italian. Uh, some good meatballs. My wife makes some phenomenal meatballs. And so, yeah, I can pound many rounds of those in many different ways, whether it's with pasta or in a sandwich, yeah. There you go. What about music? What what are you listening to? Um, I actually it's interesting that you asked me about music. So um I love music. I started in Christian bookstores, I was spoiled, I got free CDs all the time. So um I'm a drummer and did a lot of that in my youth. Cool. And uh so I I liked progressive rock a lot and then slowly moved away from that into Christian music. Um, yesterday I was like listening to some old whiteheart for probably an hour and really enjoyed that. Um uh Phil Wickham, uh his latest album. Um, I've had some health issues in the last couple years, and his acoustical um versions of his songs um just have really ministered to me. And so I I like to meditate on those and and uh consider the words. He's an amazing musician and lyricist. So um really enjoy um Phil Wickham and was just starting to get familiar with his latest project over the weekend.

Chris Grainger 38:13

Very cool, very cool. What about uh habits? Do you have any habits, Chris? It could be a personal, it could be a health-related thing. We just always like to give our guys tips uh or things that that that are, you know, the guys that we have on the show uh enjoy doing. So anything you want to share there?

Chris Scotti 38:29

Yeah, I'll I'll share a habit. Um it's daily Bible reading. The importance of getting into scripture at the beginning of every day. The Lord wants to have fellowship with us, and he um does that through his word and through prayer. And so building that habit into your life, even when life is busy, it's important to begin the day that way. And um, one of my habits is in Bible reading, just saying a prayer and asking the Holy Spirit to guide me in truth, because um I think that's important. For me, it has been. And I have so many questions about scripture still. Um, and yet the Holy Spirit reveals things to me in the word, and um will even remind me, you know, remember that question that you asked a few months ago? Well, this portion of scripture is where the answer is, and it just blows me away. It's like, again, another example of how God's word is alive and active.

Chris Grainger 39:26

It really is. It really is. Speaking of God, what's your favorite thing about it?

Chris Scotti 39:32

Um, I would say that he's well, that's just a tough question, Chris. I would I would say right now, what I'm dwelling on more is um just how powerful that um Colossians 1 13 says that he rescued us from the authority of darkness. And that's an amazing thought. You know, I knew we were all in darkness, but to recognize I was under the authority of darkness. Right. And he was powerful enough to rescue me out of that. And to me, that's just an an awesome um portion of scripture to meditate on and it shows me his great love and his great power.

Chris Grainger 40:23

Right. Amen to that. Now let's flip in 180. What's your least favorite thing about the evil one?

Chris Scotti 40:29

About the evil one, least favorite thing. Um I think when you see loved ones, family members that um continue to be blinded, and um whether they've you know drank the Kool-Aid and they're chasing after things of the world or whatever it is that they're in bondage to, and you want so desperately for them to um know Christ, um, the true and living God, and yet they just have those scales on their eyes still. And you just have to continue to pray and be persistent in prayer, and yet knowing too that um God is sovereign and he is long-suffering. And so while I may get frustrated at the end of my rope because I see loved ones that continue to make um decisions in their lives that are not good, not God honoring, and that God's not going to bless, I just have to say the gospel is a gospel of grace. And I was there too, and God rescued me. Please, Lord, in your kindness and mercy and love, rescue them. Amen.

Chris Grainger 41:41

Well, Chris, what's the last question? Is what do you hope the listeners remember the most from our conversation today?

Final Charge To Share The Gospel

Chris Scotti 41:48

I hope they get encouraged to share the gospel. Um, you know, when you ask people what are their greatest fears in life, um, public speaking is one of those things that you hear frequently. And it's, I think, an example that we have to recognize that um God can overcome any fear that we have. Right. And we just need to surrender to him. And it's okay to pray for the full armor of God before you head out the door every day, but it's also okay to pray for God to give you those divine appointments, recognizing that scripture says that, you know, um the Holy Spirit will give us the words, and we're supposed to be able to share the hope that we have within us. And so um it's something that you might have your tongue tied up at one point, um, but don't let that stop you. You know, just ask the Lord to help you and enable you, and um, you'll find that there are times where even the question comes from the person, and you'll be surprised that they want to say, you know, why do you go to church on Sunday? Or, you know, what is that book on your desk that you're reading at lunchtime? I see you reading it every day. You know, you'll be like, whoa, I was praying for, you know, a witness opportunity, and you always think that it's I gotta find the right little angle at the right moment, you know. And sometimes the Lord has these questions come to you. Um, and that's you know, just again, the Lord wants to draw people to Jesus Christ and wants them to recognize that um he's their only hope for eternity in heaven, their only hope. So there's people that are searching, they just are searching in the dark, and you have the light. And so if you have the light, that's what they need, and that's what they're gonna be drawn to. When you're groping in darkness, what's gonna get you out of that darkness? Light. Right. And and so if there's light in the room coming into the room, that's the direction that they're gonna head. Amen.

Chris Grainger 43:57

Well, where do you want to send the listeners to connect with you, Chris, and to get you know their wonderful copies of the Gospel of John here?

Where To Get LSB And John

Chris Scotti 44:05

Yeah, thanks, Chris. I think um a couple things. If you're curious and want to learn more about the Legacy Standard Bible translation, then go to lsbibel.org. And on there you'll hear more of the backstory and the translation work that the scholars did. Um, there's some round table discussions between the um translation committee and Pastor John MacArthur, and you'll get kind of, again, that um behind the scenes information about the work that was done on the Legacy Standard Bible. And then if you're looking for a copy for yourself, then go to 316publishing.com. It's 316publishing.com. We're spoiled in our uh English translation community uh in the U.S. especially. There's a massive amount of choices out there. Well, for us, we have choices from little pocket editions, this Gospel of John you'll find on there. And then, you know, if you like giant print, if you like references, if you like an edition where You can write notes in the margins. There's a variety of different editions to choose from at 316publishing.com.

Chris Grainger 45:15

We like our options. We do.

Chris Scotti 45:18

Well, Chris, anything else you like to share today? I just want to say thank you, Chris. Uh great to um have this moment this morning to communicate with you and uh share how the Lord's worked in my life. And um I hope that this just encourages people to um recognize that there's a harvest out there that people need to hear the gospel and God wants to send workers and we're supposed to pray for workers. And one of the things that I look at is I'm trying to equip workers uh for the work of ministry. So uh get out there and share your faith, people. Amen. Amen. Chris, it's been an honor. I hope you have a great day, sir. Okay, thank you so much, Chris. Blessings to you and your staff.

Question Of The Week And Next Steps

Sexual Integrity Support Group Invite

Chris Grainger 46:02

Chris for sharing. The question of the week this week is where are you pretending you don't need rescuing from darkness? That's a e that's an easy trap to get caught into, fellas. That thinking that we have this, thinking we have it under control, trying to play with sand like it's a pet rattlesnake, that is not what we're called to do. So if you have any areas of darkness that you just need support with, look, reach out to us at the Lion Within Us, okay? This is why we have we got right now, as the time of this recording, three support groups. We have a husband support group, we have a health support group, we have a sexual integrity support group because we want to help you get out of that darkness, to walk alongside with you, to encourage you, to let you know that you're not alone, man. Like, bro, all this stuff is available to you at thelionwithin.us. You heard me talk about a daily SKO. That's great. I want to challenge you though, start joining Lions Den. Head over, hop into the Lions Den. It's a 30-day free trial. You can see what it's all about, and it's a great way to just be encouraged to what to let us walk with you. And look, also, if you like the Lion Within Us, the podcast, the resources on the Bible app, you're like, man, I just want to help these guys out. It's a great way to support us. It's a it's a low monthly contribution to support what we're building, what we're trying to do each and every day. We're doing our part, and it would be we would be honored to have your support, okay? So all that's found at the Lion Within. So it's thhelionwithin.us. That's our website, okay? All right, guys. Well, look, looking forward to seeing you on Friday. You know, we do these Fridays now, we have our member spotlights, which are absolutely they're just phenomenal. Because you get to meet so many of the cool guys that are in the lion within us, within the the mastermind and the lion's den. It's just so cool to be able to share their stories and their testimonies. So I know you're going to enjoy this one coming up on Friday. So, guys, have a great day. Give us a rating and review. That would be awesome if you would do that. And other than that, share this stuff with others. Just share it. That's an easy way to advance what we're doing at the Lion. You just hit that share button, share button on whatever you're listening to, whatever type of device uh or whatever platform, and just boom, text that thing out to your buddies, and that gets the lion in their ears, and you never know how God's going to move. So, guys, have a great day. Thanks for hanging out with us. We'll see you next time. And just keep unleashing the lion within. It's time to stop battling pornography, lust, and temptation alone. We're done sitting on the sidelines, seeing shame win, and hearing from guys that are fighting private wars with no backup. So we decided it's time to fight back. We have our sexual integrity support group, which is a confidential space inside the lion's den for men who are ready to step into the light and pursue real freedom. This isn't just for guys in crisis, by the way. It's for any man who's tired of the cycle, who's tired of living in secret, who's tired of saying, This is gonna be the last time. Look, most guys don't need another app or some rules. They need some brothers to come alongside them to say you're not the only one. This doesn't define you. And freedom is possible. So look, inside our group, you're gonna find a confidential, judgment-free forum to engage and ask questions. You'll have honest conversations without condemnation. And you'll also have a monthly call with a trusted guide. So look, this isn't just about stopping pornography. It's about becoming a man of integrity, a man aligned, a man who lives in freedom, not secrecy. And you don't have to clean yourself up first to come. You just have to step in. So our sexual integrity support group is found inside the lion's den. And you can start that today with a 30 day free trial. So if you're ready to stop fighting alone and need that extra support, start your 30 day free trial right now at thelionwithin.us. That's thhelionwithin.us, and step inside the lion's den.