Mike Novotny

Jun 25, 2026 • 1h 2m

Jan 28, 2026 • 53 min

When life gets busy, our habits and routines keep our spiritual disciplines in check, disciplines like fasting, worship, Bible reading, prayer, confession, and fellowship. Pastor Mike and Amber discuss how spiritual disciplines can be challenging but powerful. They point us to Jesus and help us grow in our faith. Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that—and you're listening to it! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus. Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions. Follow Pastor Mike on Instagram: @PastorMikeNovotny Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Dec 16, 2025 • 49 min

When church scandals hit the headlines, trust in spiritual leaders can shatter overnight. Pastor Mike and Amber don't shy away from the hard questions. Together, they confront the painful reality of church scandals—how they happen, why they hurt, and what to do when faith and disappointment collide. This episode offers a candid look at what makes the church both broken and beautiful and why walking away might feel easier—but isn’t always the best answer. Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that—and you're listening to it! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus. Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions. You can also order Pastor Mike's book Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't at taboobook.org. Follow Pastor Mike on Instagram: @PastorMikeNovotny Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Oct 21, 2025 • 46 min

With Halloween just around the corner, Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson tackle a topic many wonder about—Satan, demons, and the reality of spiritual warfare. Pastor Mike shares two unforgettable personal stories that set the stage for a deeper conversation about how the devil often shows up in both obvious and subtle ways. They unpack how the devil studies our patterns, knows our weaknesses, and uses them against us. This episode offers honest insight and a reminder that even in the face of evil, we’re never without hope. Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions. You can also order Pastor Mike's book Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't at taboobook.org. Follow Pastor Mike on Instagram: @PastorMikeNovotny

Oct 9, 2025 • 45 min

Spiritual warfare is real. As Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson preview the new sermon series, "War Zone," they dive into spiritual warfare, unpacking what it means to fight daily battles that most of us can't even see. They open up about the unseen forces working against our efforts to love God and love others—and the practical ways we can push back. They unpack how staying anchored in Scripture—and leaning into prayer, community, and Christ—shapes the way we stand in the fight. Amber mentions the "I Am" PDF that reminds us what God says about us. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/IAm-ToG. Pastor Mike mentions the new book "When the Devil Attacks: Winning in the War Zones" by Time of Grace's own Dr. Bruce Becker. You can request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org.

Aug 7, 2025 • 49 min

Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson explore the vital roles of honesty, vulnerability, and courage in the Christian journey, as they preview Pastor Mike's upcoming sermon series, "Almost Honest Isn't Honest Enough." They candidly discuss why confessing sins, engaging in thoughtful confrontation, and asking sincere questions are essential steps for spiritual growth and community health. Together, they emphasize creating safe spaces where believers can share struggles openly, fostering healing and deeper faith without judgment. This conversation invites listeners to embrace authenticity and practical faith building with grace and wisdom. Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.

Jun 17, 2025 • 48 min

Dive into a candid conversation as Pastor Mike and Amber explore gambling and video gaming through a Christian lens, offering personal insights and biblical guidance on money, addiction, and stewardship. They highlight the balance between freedom and responsibility, stressing honesty and accountability. Pastor Mike and Amber help you to consider how these common activities affect faith, family, and community. Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that—and you're listening to it! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus. Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions. You can also order Pastor Mike's book Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't at taboobook.org. Follow Pastor Mike on Instagram: @PastorMikeNovotny

Feb 18, 2025 • 45 min

Why do Pastor Mike and Amber want to talk about politics and risk angering half of you? Because not talking is not helping. This isn't a conversation about political topics and policy. Instead, Pastor Mike and Amber have a thoughtful discussion about politics through the lens of the Bible. Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that—and you're listening to it! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus. Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions. You can also order Pastor Mike's book Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't at taboobook.org. Follow Pastor Mike on Instagram: @PastorMikeNovotny Time of Grace exists to point people to what matters most: Jesus. Using a variety of media (television, radio, podcasts, print publications, and digital), Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, accessible in multiple languages, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.

Jan 25, 2025 • 46 min

Get a sneak peek at Pastor Mike's upcoming new message series, "Love Well." He sits down with Amber Albee Swenson—Time of Grace writer, blogger, and podcaster—to talk about the big ideas behind the series. Listen in as they discuss the definition of love, how love can be costly, and the challenges of loving everyone—especially your enemies. . . Transcript: https://bit.ly/40woOoP Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Jan 2, 2025 • 53 min

Don't start the new year with just regular goals that focus on physical health. Instead, look at goals that help you with spiritual health. That's the focus of Pastor Mike's new sermon series, "Reset." Join Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson as they preview the new series, while somehow also incorporating talk of their favorite '90s jams, how Amber successfully played matchmaker, and each of their spiritual gifts. Pastor Mike also shares a little bit about this month's new book, "Unshakable: Finding Your Identity in Who God Says You Are," by Pastor Matt Ewart. "Unshakable" shows you that your identity doesn’t come from what you’ve done or what’s been done to you but from who Jesus is and what he’s done for you. And since Jesus is rock solid, so is your identity. Request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org. Amber also mentions the book, "Gifted for More" by Dr. Bruce Becker that helps you discover your spiritual gifts. You can purchase your copy at timeofgrace.store Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Oct 10, 2024 • 46 min

What exactly does "born again" mean? How about "a relationship, not a religion"? Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson dissect some of the phrases Christians often say—but may not know what they mean—as they preview the next six-part TV message series, "Confusing Things Christians Say." Other phrases they tackle: "fellowship," "walk with God," "hate the sin; love the sinner," and "God called me." We want to send you a Leathersoft NIV Value Thinline Bible during September as thanks for your gift in support of Time of Grace. This slim, easy-to-read Bible is a great way to engage with God’s Word every single day. We'll also send you a Time of Grace bookmark with some Bible study tips from Pastor Mike. Already have your own favorite Bible? Consider getting one to give as a gift to a friend or relative who doesn’t have one. But these Bibles are only available while supplies last. Learn more at timeofgrace.org. In October, we will have a new book by Pastor Mike: “Lonely Less: 6 Steps to a Less Lonely Life.” We have all struggled with loneliness at times, but we don’t need to stay trapped in it. Learn how to exchange your loneliness for a life of deeper, more satisfying relationships. Watch for the book starting on Sunday, October 6! Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Aug 1, 2024 • 49 min

Spoiler alert: the book of Jonah is NOT about a big fish. Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson talk about what the book of Jonah IS actually about: God's love for his people. In their deep dive discussion, they also found ways to talk about poisonous frogs, how we can avoid falling into political divisions (hang out with Amber!), what God may think about Americans' prayers, and the impressive chart of accountability levels Pastor Mike developed right there on the spot. This month, thanks to some generous donors, we have a $125,000 Challenge Grant! That means your gift will go twice as far to help us reach more people with God's Word. As a thank you for your gift, we'll send you "Redirected: Responding to God When His Plans Don’t Make Sense." Give to our Challenge Grant at timeofgrace.org

Jul 4, 2024 • 58 min

Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson give us a preview of the next TV message series, "Jesus' Growth Plan for Me." While discussing Jesus' parables that this series is based on, we also learn of the "mustard seed moments" that changed both Mike's and Amber's lives (both involve their moms), what Amber has in common with Dwight Shrute, and that one time Amber tried calling out Jesus—only for Jesus to mic drop her. Get your copy of “Rewrite Your Story: A Guide to the Life-Changing Parables of Jesus” by Pastor Daron Lindemann! This easy-to-read study and workbook shows you how the parables of Jesus speak directly into your life. Request your copy with your financial gift to Time of Grace. Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Jun 6, 2024 • 48 min

"Dirty words" in the Bible? Yes, and you may be surprised what the words are. Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson discuss Pastor Mike's new upcoming sermon series, "Dirty Bible Words." They also work into the conversation how Amber may be running for president, how Pastor Mike's love of peach rings relates to this topic, and an update on Pastor Mike's knee injury. Pastor Mike also mentions his book "Gay & God: Loving Everyone God Made and Everything God Wrote." Find out how to get a copy: https://bit.ly/3V7r6a8 Pastor Mike's new book this month is "10 Uncomfortable, Misunderstood Bible Words God Wants You to Know." Explore what these words mean so you don’t miss out on what they reveal about the character of your loving and faithful God and his plan of salvation for you through Jesus. Get your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org. Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Apr 4, 2024 • 46 min

How do you personally answer this question: How have you been? If your answer is "Busy!" then this episode is for you. Because you may be on the verge of burnout. Or maybe you're already burned out. Pastor Mike and Amber share a sneak peek of the next TV message series, "Burned Out?", giving us some early tips on avoiding burnout. The series kicks off this Sunday, April 7. Pastor Mike mentions his new book, "Beyond Burnout: How to Find Rest in a Restless World." Complete with in-depth study questions and biblical guidance, this book invites you to evaluate your life to identify the habits, commitments, and attitudes that have you headed for burnout. Get your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org.

Mar 16, 2024 • 46 min

There are three crucial moments in every person's spiritual journey that will test their commitment to Jesus. What do we do when confronted with these crucial moments of confusion, condemnation, and temptation? In one of Jesus' powerful teachings, he reveals himself in a way that tackles all three crucial moments—and it starts with Jesus calling himself the vine. Pastor Mike continues this series that looks at the offensive, unfiltered, hard teachings of Jesus. Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!

Mar 5, 2024 • 47 min

Listen to the entire devotional series from this past week as Pastor Jeremy talks us through the complicated issue of rediscovering intimacy in marriage. – Pastor Jeremy Mattek. To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe/ Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support, please donate here: http://bit.ly/2K06lcJ You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing to get new videos each weekday: http://bit.ly/385Piz4

Jan 4, 2024 • 47 min

It's 2024! We kick off the new year with this series that looks at how we deal—with ourselves, with people, with anxiety, and with shame. Pastor Mike also mentions our brand new resource this month, "How to Fight Anxiety With Joy" by Linda Buxa. This 28-day guide shares daily devotions filled with God’s wisdom, along with proven tips to help lessen your anxiety and stress as you learn to rejoice in God’s love no matter what circumstances you face. Watch for Amber's conversation with Linda on Amber's podcast, "Little Things," airing January 7! Just search for "Little Things With Amber Albee Swenson" wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Oct 5, 2023 • 53 min

What is the impact of technology on our lives? More important, what's the impact on our spiritual lives? That's the big idea behind Pastor Mike's new sermon series, "Screens & Souls." Pastor Mike and Amber give us a sneak peek, talking about technology's blessings, its bad things, and the boundaries we must create. In the course of the conversation, we also learn their screen time usage (and why Amber's is so justifiably high!), why we must do away with our messiah complex, and the importance of "Scripture before screens." "Screens & Souls" kicks off this Sunday, October 8. Pastor Mike and Amber also preview the last message of this month, "What if I Don't Understand the Bible?" — which Amber calls her all-time favorite message from Pastor Mike. The two also talk about our new book this month titled "Supernatural: God at Work and on Your Side" by Dr. Bruce Becker. The book takes us on a journey through the powerful ways God stepped in to deliver his people throughout Scripture. Get "Supernatural" at timeofgrace.org with your gift to the ministry.

Aug 31, 2023 • 52 min

Marriage, living together before marriage, and adultery. Pastor Mike takes a look at what God says about how to have happy and holy homes in his next sermon series, "God's Blueprint for a Happy Home." Pastor Mike and Amber preview this series and also find ways to discuss Pastor Mike's camping experience this summer, banana bread (and how it relates to healing after adultery), and Amber's favorite thing about her husband. "God's Blueprint for a Happy Home" kicks off this Sunday, September 3. Also starting Sunday, you can request a copy of Pastor Mike's new book, also called "God's Blueprint for a Happy Home," which will show you what God says about things like God's design for marriage, living together, divorce, and reconciliation. Get this new book at timeofgrace.org with your gift to the ministry. Do you want to know more about God? Or know someone who would like to know God? Get a free download of the book, "The Basics: God. You. Jesus. Faith." at https://timeofgrace.org/download-the-basics/ To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe-youtube/ We need your support! Your donation of any amount helps keep these videos coming. Please donate here: https://give.timeofgrace.org/timeofgrace/donation?SC=YTCHDB Click the Subscribe button to join our quickly growing community on YouTube!