Podcast Summary: The Potter's House Podcast

Episode: Walk It Out Wednesday: Make a Move
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: The Potter's House
Panelists: Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins, Dr. Crumpton, Pastor Anthony, Pastor Sarah, Dr. James

Episode Overview

This dynamic episode of "Walk It Out Wednesday" delves into the biblical and practical dimensions of making moves in faith, even amid uncertainty, fear, grief, or self-doubt. Guided by an engaged panel of pastors and teachers, the conversation centers on Abraham’s journey in Genesis 12, the struggles and questions around faith from Mark 9, and how these scriptures reflect the real-life tension between belief and uncertainty. The theme "Make a Move" is woven throughout, urging listeners to step forward, even when afraid, trusting God to meet them on the journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power and Challenge of Faith

• Genesis & Mark 9 Parallel: The episode draws a parallel between Abraham’s obedience in Genesis and the father's desperate plea in Mark 9 ("Lord, I believe; help my unbelief"). Both involve imperfect faith met with God's faithfulness.
• Faith is Movement: Faith is not a stationary attribute but an active, moving force—“making a move” is both a spiritual and a physical/mental act (42:08, 69:44).

“Faith first. Don't make a move until you believe it. In here.”
— Dr. Crumpton (67:30)

2. Origin Stories: Abraham’s Call and Ours

• Context for Genesis 12: Pastor Anthony lays out the context and structure of Genesis, describing how the "law of first mention" sets a blueprint for the rest of scripture (05:25).
• Abram’s Imperfection: Discussion uncovers how Abraham, though celebrated for faith, acted out of fear, partial obedience, and default behaviors.

“Sometimes people look at what you have, but they don't know where you started ... They don't know the receipt of what you had to pay for where you are right now.”
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (11:38)

• The Plague as Protection: God’s intervention via plagues in Egypt was not punishment but protection—a form of grace that emerges when we veer off course (15:00).

3. Selective Hearing & The Process of "Being Made"

• Hearing the Comfortable, Not the Challenging: The panel explores how humans latch onto promises of blessing (“I will make your name great”) while tuning out the demanding steps in-between (“I will make” vs. “you are”).
• Power Without Process: Emphasizes that the making, not just the blessing, is essential.

“We want the name, we want the blessing—make my name ... He said, okay, I'm going to make it. So in other words, I'm going to put you in a position you don't want to be in so I can make a better version of yourself.”
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (17:17)

• Jumping Off the Potter’s Wheel: Using Jeremiah’s potter imagery, they discuss the temptation to exit the refining process prematurely, especially when the ‘wheel’—life’s season of shaping—gets “hot” or uncomfortable (19:03).

4. Dealing with Grief, Default Behaviors, and Obedience

• Carrying Too Much: The significance of Lot (Abram's nephew) is examined as an example of how grief and misplaced loyalty to past relationships can lead us into disobedience and further complications (23:23-24:46).
• Excusing or Addressing Disobedience: The question is raised whether human emotions like grief justify disobedience—and the resounding answer: God’s instruction must take precedence.

“So, I mean, should it be okay that he took Lot even though he was grieving?”
“It's not okay.”
— Dr. Crumpton & Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (24:37-24:46)

• God’s Grace in Our Defaults: Even when we act in fear or revert to comfortable old habits, God’s grace—sometimes appearing as a “plague” or interruption—intervenes (25:36-25:46).

5. Faith Amidst Fear: Making Moves Even When Uncertain

• Question from John: “How do you make a move without the fear of failure?” (27:37)
• Panel Response:
  • You might not; sometimes, you act while fearful. The key is to “feel the fear and do it anyway” if you’ve heard from God (28:01).
  • Faith and fear can coexist—what matters is which one you act upon.

“Sometimes you have to feel the fear and the feeling and do it anyway. The question is, did you hear from God?”
— Pastor Anthony (28:12)

6. Resting in God’s Word

• Rest as a Mindset: True rest is not merely physical but mental—a peace that rests on God’s promises, even amid storms (33:03).

“Resting is not a pillow. Resting is a mindset. So you can be woke and still resting.”
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (33:03)

• Remembering What He Said: Anchoring oneself in scripture provides stability.

“God's word says He giveth His beloved sleep. Everything we're going through has a scripture attached to it ... Put the word of God on it.”
— Pastor Anthony (34:17)

7. Battling Unworthiness and Perception

• Nicole’s Question: “I believe God has the power ... but struggle that he won’t do it for me. How can I believe He’ll come through for someone not righteous?” (36:57)
• Panel Reassures: Everyone wrestles with feelings of unworthiness. Righteousness comes by faith, not flawless performance (39:08).

“He will come through for you, regardless of your present state ... God will count you righteous, and he will come through for you, Nicole.”
— Dr. Crumpton (41:20)

• Perception Problem: Addressing the 'grasshopper complex' from Numbers 13, they urge listeners to see themselves as God does—not as small, but as equipped and chosen.

“We think we're unrighteous, but we're measuring ourselves against a giant who doesn't even know who I am ... When I see myself as a giant, I move like a giant.”
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (43:03)

• Surround Yourself with Giants: Being in proximity to those whose faith is greater can help build yours (45:35).

8. Faith is a Mental Shift and Requires the Right Circle

• Redirection of Energy: Fear and depression, like faith, require mental energy. Choosing what you’ll believe, and the voices you prioritize in your life, shapes your future moves (49:49-51:40).
• Be Cognizant of Your Circle: The belief or unbelief of those around you will impact your trajectory (55:21-55:31).

9. The Power of Proximity and Vision

• Transfiguration and Space: Dr. James links Mark 9's healing failure to proximity—that mountaintop experiences (with Jesus) bring greater faith and vision, while staying “at the bottom” limits perspective and possibility (58:36-62:47).

“They had a view of themselves but not a bigger view of Jesus ... It takes more than just believe. It takes a bigger vision of who God is.”
— Dr. James (60:14)

10. Making the Move: Decision, Movement, and Echo

• Faith Is Movement: The story of the four lepers (2 Kings 7) exemplifies that moving, even in darkness ("twilight"), activates God’s power: as they move, panic spreads among enemies. Spiritual change requires physical and mental movement (69:59).

“When you move, God will cause your footsteps to sound like echoes ... God is going to make your next financial investment sound like an army.”
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (69:59-71:00)

• Don’t Wait for Resources: Step out first—resources and breakthroughs follow movement, not the reverse (71:20).

• Letting Go of “Lot”: Moving forward may require releasing people and attachments from past seasons. Loyalty to last season can keep you from blessings in the next (84:14).

"Even if I have to leave a lot behind, I'm moving forward. … Just because they were meant for last season don't mean they're meant for next season."
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (84:14)

Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments

• Breath of God and Genesis as Foundation: 04:08–07:17
• Selective Hearing, Power of Making: 15:55–18:00
• Carrying Lot, Acting from Grief: 23:23–25:46
• Rest as a Mindset, The Power of God’s Word: 33:03–36:17
• Overcoming Unworthiness (Nicole’s Q): 36:57–45:35
• Faith is Redirected Energy: 49:49–51:40
• Right Circles & Proximity to Faith: 55:21–62:47
• The Move That Echoes (Lepers in 2 Kings 7): 69:59–73:00
• Letting Go of Last Season’s Attachments: 84:14

Notable Quotes

• On the tension of faith and doubt:
  “We talk about having faith like it comes easy, like believing is just something you stumble into, which is why we end up losing some people because they think belief should come easy. But this text suggests to us that it takes power to believe.”
  — Dr. James (49:49)

• On reaching for the next season:
  "Some of you, you are too loyal to last season. … They may not be assigned to next season. … Sometimes our loyalty to last season causes us to miss the blessing for next season."
  — Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (84:14)

• On letting God work:
  “Don’t sleep on Jesus. There are some things that he can do that he needs you to go to sleep so that he can get it done. God can't do it because you're in the way.”
  — Dr. James (29:15)

• On circle influencing faith:
  "Be careful … your circle influences your belief system."
  — Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (55:21)

Flow and Energy

Throughout the episode, the dynamic is warm, honest, and high-energy, with panelists frequently building on one another’s points. The language is impassioned and scripturally grounded, oscillating between exegesis, testimony, and encouragement. Memorable moments include spontaneous shouts, calls to stand up and move, and transparent confessions of doubt and vulnerability—making the conversation both relatable and transformative.

Practical Takeaways

• Faith requires movement, not just mental assent. Don’t wait for everything to be clear or safe before stepping out.
• **God’s grace often intervenes even when we mess up, illuminating the path with protection that may not look like blessing in the moment.
• Surround yourself with people of great faith. Who you listen to (and who you walk with) shapes your own belief and resilience.
• Learn to rest, not just physically but in the promises God has spoken over your life.
• Letting go is sometimes required for moving into your new season. Don’t let nostalgia or misplaced loyalty block what’s next.
• Name and own your move. There’s significance in declaring your intention and identity aloud.
• Your next provision comes after you move, not before.

Final Call to Action:
Walk in faith, make your move—even with fear, even in uncertainty. God is moving with you, and your steps can sound like an army in the spiritual realm, unlocking resources, breakthrough, and new seasons. Don't let the past, or misplaced loyalty, hold you back from forward motion.

“I'm moving, I'm shifting, my life is changing … You don't get the resources and then move. You move and then get the resources.”
— Pastor Vince Shaw Dobbins (69:59–71:20)

For impactful spiritual insight, practical wisdom, and authentic encouragement, this episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck or hesitant about their next step of faith.