Podcast
Daily Got a Minute Message with John Ed
Hosted by John Ed Mathison · EN
In each episode of “Got a Minute,” retired Methodist minister John Ed Mathison will share a small piece of wisdom to help you through your day.
73episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Timekeeping
Jul 2000:00:59Tap to summarizeAlmost everybody carries either a watch or a phone so they can check the time. Time is important in almost every aspect of our culture. It was just announced that a new nuclear timepiece is the most accurate timekeeper in the world. It is advertised to keep time more accurately than atomic clocks or other timekeeping methods. The nuclear clocks could eventually be used in navigation systems, gravitational sensing, and tests of fundamental physics that today’s instruments can’t measure. I don’t think we need more accurate timekeeping as much as we need to know how to use wisely the time that we might be inaccurately keeping. I applaud the advancement in accurate timekeeping, but I challenge you to join me in making better use of our time in doing what God wants us to do.
Transcribe →The Most Important Certainty
Jul 1700:01:00Tap to summarizeWe desire certainty, but we are constantly confronted with uncertainty. Being certain about something appears to give a stronger, positive sense of moving in that direction. Uncertainty easily raises a level of stress. Watching the stock market is a good example. Some people are suggesting that maybe our faith can be stronger not by just “playing it safe” with things that are certain, but being willing to confront things that are uncertain, and then invite God into the situation and work with us and through us to change uncertainty to certainty. People are uncertain about what happens after death—Christian faith gives us complete certainty in knowing that when we take our last earthly breath, our next breath will be a Heavenly breath. That’s the most important certainty for all of us.
Transcribe →Sin Challenges
Jul 1600:00:57Tap to summarizeHow do you combat something that you feel is bad for society? We dream up a lot of ways to do that, and sometimes it works better than it was ever intended. Officials in Anchorage, Alaska started levying a 5% tax on cannabis products. Officials announced recently a $462,000 budget shortfall due to residents buying less weed. Often times, these things are referred to as “sin taxes,” they are meant to discourage harmful behavior. I think Anchorage has discovered that it does work. What “sin challenges” are prevalent today and what could we do to help discourage them? It would be a great joy to be surprised at how effective we could be.
Transcribe →Positive Affect Treatment
Jul 1500:00:58Tap to summarizeA lot of things in life focus on minimizing a number of negative things. Some of those are very good. Recently, there has been a lot being written about a new kind of therapy that deals with depression that focuses on positive paths to joy. It is called PAT, Positive Affect Treatment. It focuses on doing positive things that can help treat mental health challenges. I like that idea. In all of life, I think it is more healing and effective to focus on positive things that lead to more positive things rather than trying to simply eliminate the number and effect on negative things. Paul tells us how to do that in Philippians 4:8.
Transcribe →Blueberry and Meadow
Jul 1400:01:01Tap to summarizeAt a Maryland animal rescue, French bulldog mix puppy Blueberry and a 9-month-old black cat Meadow came to the Last Chance Animal Rescue separately. Each had severe injuries, but they became inseparable during their recovery. Each had lost a limb. The animal rescue unit advertised on Facebook for someone to adopt both Blueberry and Meadow together and they immediately had a couple to volunteer. Guess what? The couple already had one three-legged cat. So, they had two cats and a dog who were severely handicapped, but they are extremely happy together. There might be someone today who has tough challenges. Could you be the person who could help them discover that they have value and that there are good people to whom they can relate? Learn from Blueberry and Meadow.
Transcribe →Outstanding Plays
Jul 1300:00:59Tap to summarizeThere are always some outstanding plays in sports that capture our attention. One such action is when an outfielder is able to leap high above the wall and rob someone of a home run. Recently, Joe Adell, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, did this three times when he caught three potential home runs during the Angel’s 1-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Now that is really something. Think about this. No player ever managed more than four home run robberies over the entire 2025 baseball season. That’s a real defensive accomplishment. What are you willing to let God use you today to do something that may go fairly unnoticed, but can make a big difference in life today?
Transcribe →New World
Jul 1000:00:58Tap to summarizeBen O’Reilly is a 7-year-old boy at Compton Elementary School in Compton, NH, who is deaf and can only use sign language. He had difficulty relating to his classmates and even the teachers. He only could communicate with his aide, Cheryl. One of his classmates, Reid Spring, wanted to relate to him so he started learning sign language. Other kids started doing that. Would you believe that the entire elementary school decided to learn sign language. All of a sudden, Ben could communicate with everybody. He could become a part of the class. His aide said, “His whole world opened up. It was amazing.” You will meet a lot of people whose world is somewhat closed due to different circumstances. What will you do today to open up the world of some people around you?
Transcribe →A Short Craze
Jul 900:00:58Tap to summarizeIt’s interesting to me how different foods all of a sudden become popular. Now they are saying that pumpkin spice is being replaced by pickles. That’s right pickles. Pickles were once just associated with burgers but today you can get pickled flavored chips, nuts, smoothies, popcorn, dill pickled baked beans, dill pickle mayonnaise, lollipops, snackable cheese, and many other things. I enjoy playing pickle ball. I’m sure somebody will give pickleball credit for the new tasting crave of pickles. I don’t know how long the pickle craze will last. I do know if you are following God’s purpose for your life, that won’t be just a short craze but will have a lasting effect. Enjoy some pickle flavor, but really enjoy the taste of following God’s purpose for your life.
Transcribe →World Cup
Jul 800:00:58Tap to summarizePolice in Lima, Peru, used the popularity of the World Cup matchup between Mexico and South Africa to capture a highly sought after drug king, Carlos Cabera. They found out that he was a big fan of football, or as we call it soccer. They dressed up as mascots Clutch and Maple as a disguise and were able to approach him and apprehend him without raising suspicion. Now that’s creativity. Of the 48 teams competing in the World Cup, Peru just had two big victories—one in their first game and one in their ongoing game to eliminate drugs. How can you be creative in doing something that will be extremely helpful for all people alive today and you don’t have to be a soccer player to do it.
Transcribe →Ray Svejnoha
Jul 700:00:58Tap to summarizeEighty-two years ago, Ray Svejnoha was attending high school in Illinois. World War II came and he had a choice to make, join the armed forces, or enjoy senior prom. He chose to serve his country. Now he is 100 years old and some students at the high school decided to dedicate their prom to him. They provided him with a haircut, a manicure, and a tuxedo. He was met by students with cheers who welcomed him to his party. We have our freedoms today because people like Ray made a great choice. I am also glad that there are high school students who 82 years later honor a 100-year-old man in such a nice way. Who are you willing to honor today who missed something important to them because they were doing something more important?
Transcribe →