God First

About God First

Welcome to God First, a podcast where we dive deep into biblical truths and wrestle with what it really looks like to live them out—in our homes, at our work, and in the quiet places of our hearts. Together, we'll move beyond surface-level understanding and into the everyday realities of faith, where God's Word transforms not just what we believe, but how we live.

Publisher

Parker & Hope

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Jun 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Ep 11: What Losing Everything Teaches Us About God

   with David & Ciara Dierking of Always Grateful Ministries What do you do when the ground completely falls out from under you? In this episode, Parker and Hope sit down with David and Ciara Dierking to hear their story. What began as a Christmas trip to visit family turned into a sudden, life-threatening illness that cost Ciara her limbs and nearly cost her her life. They talk through the terrifying early days in the ICU, the four and a half months Ciara spent unable to speak, and the devastating "high and low" of finally coming home to a life neither of them recognized. But this conversation isn't really about what was lost. It's about what suffering reveals about God's character, about marriage, about what it actually looks like to love someone well in their hardest season. David and Ciara talk honestly about doubt, about the myth of the "super sufferer," about learning to bring complaint to God without it being a failure of faith, and about choosing gratitude without glossing over grief. If you've ever wondered whether you're suffering "the right way," or wondered how to show up for someone who is, this conversation offers something better than easy answers: a hopeful, honest look at what it means to keep trusting God when He hasn't fixed anything yet.

2. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Ep. 10: Read, Meditate, Pray: What Many Christians Miss When Reading the Bible

   Many Christians faithfully read the Bible while quietly assuming that dryness is normal—that this is simply how a relationship with God works. We know we should read, pray and obey, but should we also expect Scripture to stir our hearts? In this episode, Parker and Hope sit down with Barry Peterson, Executive Director of Clearly Reformed, to explore what many Christians miss when reading the Bible: meditation. Barry shares how the simple rhythm of reading, meditating and praying transformed his time with God—moving Scripture beyond information and into affection, prayer and everyday obedience. Together, they discuss whether Christians should desire to feel something toward God, how busyness can quietly starve our spiritual lives, how creation can help direct our hearts toward Him and what meaningful time with God can practically look like. Dry seasons are real, but we shouldn’t automatically accept spiritual dryness as all there is. If you love God but long to delight in Him more, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical place to begin.

3. 

   5 Aug 2026

   The Biggest Misunderstanding About Forgiveness

   Most people think forgiveness means forgetting, trusting again, or simply “letting it go.” But what if the biggest misunderstanding about forgiveness is keeping us from experiencing the freedom—and reconciliation—God intends? In this episode, we explore what the Bible actually teaches about forgiveness, repentance, overlooking offenses, and restoring broken relationships.

4. 

   19 Jun 2026

   When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: Finding Your Identity in Christ

   Where do you find your identity when life does not go the way you planned? In this episode of the God First Podcast, Hope and Parker sit down with Scott O’Malley, Executive Director of Twelve Stones, for a conversation about identity, expectations, fear, and what it means to be rooted in Christ when life does not go the way we planned. Together, they talk through the pressure of living out different roles: parent, spouse, business owner, provider, leader, and friend. Scott helps ground the conversation in Scripture, reminding us that our identity is not found in what we do, how well we perform, how our children behave, or whether our circumstances are going the way we hoped. Our identity is found in Christ. This conversation touches on suffering, parenting, work, fear of man, sanctification, the goodness of God, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to play cards God has not given us and start faithfully “playing the hand” in front of us. If you have ever felt crushed by expectations, shaken by circumstances, or unsure how to live faithfully in the roles God has given you, this episode is an honest and encouraging place to start.

5. 

   22 May 2026

   Pray and Watch: A Conversation with Hope and Parker

   In this episode of the God First Podcast, Parker and Hope recap some of the biggest things they’ve learned about prayer over the last several years — through suffering, uncertainty, healing, and walking through seasons that forced them to depend on God in a deeper way. From Thea’s diagnosis during pregnancy to long battles with health struggles, anxiety, and unanswered questions, they share how prayer shifted from feeling like a spiritual duty into something deeply personal and relational. They discuss: - Whether prayer actually changes things - Wrestling with God’s sovereignty and goodness - How suffering reshaped their understanding of dependence - Practical tools that helped grow their prayer life - Prayer cards, praying Scripture, and learning to “pray and watch” - Seeing God’s faithfulness in everyday life Whether prayer has been life-giving for you or something you’ve struggled to understand, this conversation is an encouragement to keep coming honestly before God and trusting that He hears.

6. 

   27 Jan 2026

   Prayer Pt 2: How to Pray

   Maybe you’re like me and grew up praying, praying before meals, praying when people are really sick, praying for missionaries. … For Many decades of my life that is where it ended for me. You see, I really did not understand what happened when I prayed. If God is good and in control, why does he need my begging? Wouldn’t that be annoying to God if just keep asking him for something? Or what if I ask him for things that are so ridiculous in comparison to the atrocities at large in the world… And more than asking God for things, how do just talk with God? Isn’t that the whole point, Prayer = talking with God? I don’t know about you guys but One way convos aren’t exactly my jam. They don’t exactly come “Natural” to me. In this episode we dive into many nuances of “How do i pray and even how should I pray.”

7. 

   1 Nov 2025

   Prayer: Why Do We Pray If God Is in Control? (Pt 1)

   If God is sovereign—fully in control of all things—why pray? Does prayer actually change anything, or is it just about changing us? In this episode, Parker and Hope sit down with Scott O’Malley from 12 Stones Counseling to wrestle with one of the most honest questions in the Christian life. Drawing from Paul Miller’s A Praying Life, they unpack how God’s sovereignty doesn’t make prayer pointless—it makes it powerful. Through real conversation and practical insight, they explore how prayer invites us into relationship, not performance; how our requests matter even in God’s perfect plan; and how dependence, not control, is where faith truly grows. If you’ve ever wondered whether your prayers really make a difference, this episode will help you rediscover a God who listens, responds, and draws near when His children talk to Him.

8. 

   26 Sept 2025

   Coca-Cola Consolidated and Jesus

   In this inspiring episode of the God First Podcast, Parker and Hope Perrien sit down with Mark Whitacre of Coca-Cola Consolidated, the nation’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, to explore what it means to live out faith in the workplace. Coca-Cola Consolidated’s mission begins with a bold declaration — “to honor God in all we do.” Mark unpacks how that mission shapes leadership, culture, and decision-making inside a major corporation, and how faith can transform not only individuals but entire workplaces. Together, we wrestle with the provocative question: Is business just business, or is God at work in every part of our lives? This conversation will encourage you to see your work as more than a paycheck — it’s a calling. Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or showing up faithfully in your role, you’ll be inspired to invite God into every part of your work life.

9. 

   26 Aug 2025

   Where Does Pride Hide in Your Life?

   Pride isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it shows up quietly—in a critical spirit, in being easily offended, or in always needing affirmation. But Scripture calls us to something better: humility that reflects Christ. In this episode of the God First Podcast, Parker and Hope sit down with counselor Scott O’Malley to uncover: The subtle warning signs of pride we often overlook Practical, everyday ways to grow in humility How Jesus modeled perfect humility—even on the cross If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize pride in your own life and take real steps toward Christlike humility, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.

10. 

    25 Jul 2025

    What is Pride?

    What Is Pride? Pride is often called the root of all sin—yet it’s one of the hardest to recognize in ourselves. In this episode, we explore the deceptiveness of pride and ask the tough questions: If pride blinds us, how can we even know we’re proud? How dangerous is pride, really? And how do we pursue humility without falling into the trap of being proud of our own growth? We take an honest look at why humility is one of the most elusive virtues, how pride subtly creeps into our thoughts and actions, and what Scripture and experience reveal about cultivating a humble heart. Whether you’re wrestling with pride or simply hungry for deeper self-awareness, this episode offers a challenging but grace-filled conversation on the war within.

11. 

    3 Jun 2025

    What do I Say? A real conversation about sharing the gospel

    Pastor Eric Russ discusses sharing the gospel, addressing fears and barriers to speaking about faith, and relying on the Holy Spirit, in an interview with the God First podcast.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

16 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings