Skip to main content
The 2nd Mile Podcast

The 2nd Mile Podcast

By Travis Agnew

Jesus taught that if someone asks you to go one mile, go the 2nd mile as well. In the 2nd Mile Podcast, host Travis Agnew seeks to equip you to do more than the bare minimum in the areas of faith and family. Don't settle for an average life.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Outsmarting Your Smartphone

The 2nd Mile PodcastFeb 13, 2019

00:00
23:05
Recovering After Failure

Recovering After Failure

It may not sound encouraging to anticipate failure as we follow Jesus, but none of us will always get it right. We should not wonder if we will fail, but we should consider how Jesus desires us to respond when the unavoidable happens.

Mar 27, 202412:00
Reclaiming Contentment

Reclaiming Contentment

Stuff can’t save us, but that doesn’t stop us from thinking that the more that we have, the more contented we can become. The reality is that we must prioritize a settled disposition in our lifetime if we are going to survive materialistic traps. It’s time to go the second mile in reclaiming contentment.

Mar 20, 202412:00
Making Better Prayer Times

Making Better Prayer Times

Even though prayer can be very challenging to stay consistent with focus and direction, we all know of its important for our lives. With some simple adjustments, you can create more effective times of prayer that will cause you to desire it more. It’s time to go the second mile in making better prayer times.

Mar 13, 202412:00
Getting Over the Fear of Evangelism

Getting Over the Fear of Evangelism

Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a disciple quite like the expectation to share Christ with another person. We must learn to embrace our commitment to Jesus so much that it becomes an easy thing for us to talk about Jesus to others. It’s time to go the second mile in getting over the fear of evangelism.

Mar 06, 202412:00
Rejecting Teenage Apathy

Rejecting Teenage Apathy

Our culture doesn’t expect much from teenagers, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus feels the same way. Throughout the pages of Scripture and over the course of history, God has repeatedly used young people in incredible ways. It’s time to go the second mile in rejecting teenage apathy.

Feb 28, 202412:00
Open Homes and Deep Relationships

Open Homes and Deep Relationships

We live in a society where we oftentimes revert to isolation rather than embracing community. Understanding that we are in need of deep relationships, we lack the prioritized time to see those connections thrive. It’s time to go the second mile in open homes and deep relationships.

Feb 21, 202412:00
Something Worse Than Being Single

Something Worse Than Being Single

Many singles feel like their lack of a romantic relationship reduces their status in life. While the desire to find someone and eventually be married isn’t a wrong thing, you must be careful not to settle. Wait for the right person and the right time. It’s time to go the second mile in wise singleness

Feb 14, 202412:00
Jesus Will Make You Pick a Side

Jesus Will Make You Pick a Side

Jesus is not a neutral relationship to have. If you really follow Him, He will demand you to express clear allegiance. Your relationship with Him will also cause others to determine their interaction with you based on how connected you are to Him. It’s time to go the second mile in picking sides.

Feb 07, 202412:00
Healthy Friendships

Healthy Friendships

Whoever is nearest to you will have the greatest influence upon you. There’s no way around it. Our relationships determine how well we can follow Jesus. Without proper consideration, we can find ourselves in friendships that hinder our personal discipleship. It’s time to go the second mile in healthy friendships.

Jan 31, 202412:00
4 Steps to Consistent Bible Study

4 Steps to Consistent Bible Study

Plenty of people struggle to keep a consistent Bible reading plan due to numerous distractions that consistently keep us from this necessary discipline. These four steps can help you stay faithful in a habit that can change your life for the better. It’s time to go the second mile in consistent Bible study.

Jan 24, 202412:00
Why Some Christians Never Grow Up

Why Some Christians Never Grow Up

When someone receives the gospel, that individual starts the journey of discipleship. We often classify such new believers as spiritual infants. But what happens if those young in their faith never grow past their initial faith commitment? It’s time to go the second mile in growing up through the Word of God.

Jan 17, 202412:00
Needing Scripture & Distrusting Ourselves

Needing Scripture & Distrusting Ourselves

Why can’t I do what I want to do? Mainly because I do stupid stuff. Each of us cannot be left to our personal wisdom to determine the decisions we ought to make. We require a truth that is more trustworthy than our fickle feelings and reactionary responses. It’s time to go the second mile in seeing our need for Scripture.

Jan 10, 202412:00
Devoted to Scripture

Devoted to Scripture

You’ve heard people say that you need to read the Bible, but what if you can’t stand reading? It’s not just that book – it’s any book. If reading isn’t your favorite and the Bible is a big book, what are you to do? You’ve got to retrain your mind regarding the Bible. It’s time to go the second mile in being devoted to Scripture.

Jan 03, 202412:00
Rethinking Bible Plans

Rethinking Bible Plans

We often encourage people to read God’s Word daily, but we rarely provide people with assistance so they can experience success. As you think about your personal time in the Word, do you have a plan that will help you grow in your personal discipleship? It’s time to go the second mile in rethinking Bible reading plans.

Dec 27, 202312:00
Rethinking Women's Ministry

Rethinking Women's Ministry

Women face unique challenges in our culture. The call of the Word contradicts the claims of the world. The Bible provides clear guidance for how to transform an individual life, a group of friends, or even a church’s ministry geared toward raising godly women. It’s time to go the second mile in rethinking women’s ministry.

Dec 21, 202312:00
Rethinking Men's Ministry

Rethinking Men's Ministry

The Word calls men to be bold leaders for the Kingdom of God, but the world calls men to be passive followers for the kingdom of self. Our churches cannot continue to allow the slide for men to progress. We must lead them according to God’s standards. It’s time to go the second mile in rethinking men’s ministry.

Dec 13, 202312:00
Pursuing Alignment

Pursuing Alignment

In the midst of many opportunities for spiritual growth, we can lack a needed sense of alignment. What if we are guilty of widespread efforts that only provide shallow understanding? Focus might be the component we’ve been missing. It’s time to go the second mile in pursuing alignment.

Dec 06, 202312:00
Peaceful Family Gatherings

Peaceful Family Gatherings

We are on the verge of one of my favorite times of year - it is the Thanksgiving long weekend. Regardless of your specific traditions, these days are often characterized by food, family, and football, but for many of us, it's also known for frustration. It's time to go the second mile in having a peaceful family gathering.

Nov 22, 202312:01
Intentional Encouragement

Intentional Encouragement

We are all in unique spiritual places. While we all need to be encouraged, we all don’t need to be encouraged in the same way. Depending upon how we are wired and what is happening, we need something different from those around us. It’s time to go the second mile in offering intentional encouragement.

Nov 15, 202312:00
Our Children’s Biggest Problem

Our Children’s Biggest Problem

Children in today’s culture have numerous forms of opposition against them. The challenges seem to increase by the year. But out of all the sources of stress, sometimes it is their parents who should provide support and actually create more issues. It’s time to go the second mile in helping our children.

Nov 08, 202312:00
Filtering Criticism

Filtering Criticism

You cannot avoid criticism in this life. Even if you seek to follow Jesus well, people will have issues with you and discuss it with others or confront you. How should we filter through these critics? We must decide to learn from some and ignore others. It’s time to go the second mile in filtering criticism.

Nov 01, 202312:00
Why and When the Opposition Increases

Why and When the Opposition Increases

If you are trying to make progress in your walk with Jesus, you will often find that the opposition increases. We tend to think that good intentions should remove any unnecessary obstacles, but we often experience the exact opposite. It’s time to go the second mile in addressing increasing opposition.

Oct 26, 202312:00
Taking Ownership

Taking Ownership

Humanity has been pointing fingers at others since the Garden of Eden. We rarely want to take responsibility for our actions but would rather blame someone else for our issues. At some point, each of us must decide how we will own up to our dilemmas. It’s time to go the second mile in taking ownership.

Oct 18, 202312:00
Edgy & Tempermental People

Edgy & Tempermental People

You don’t mean to let your temper take control. You never wanted to lash out the way you did, but you did it anyway. And you did it again. Maybe you feel like you are stuck in a cycle of regretting temperamental outbursts. It’s time to go the second mile in taming your temper.

Oct 12, 202312:01
How to Write Yourself Clear

How to Write Yourself Clear

Sometimes my mind is like a nonstop whirlwind of audacious ideas, nagging reminders, and unfortunate regrets. While my brain is on overdrive of varying thoughts, I lack clarity on what it is exactly that I need to do and am unsure of what to do next. It’s time to go the second mile in writing yourself clear.

Oct 04, 202312:00
How to Make a Big Project Manageable

How to Make a Big Project Manageable

If you undertake a massive project, you must create some reasonable steps along the way. If you don’t, you will get overwhelmed with the immensity and never make any progress. Don’t allow the project to keep you from the next task. It’s time to go the second mile in making a big project manageable.

Sep 27, 202312:00
How to Plan a Year's Worth of Sermons

How to Plan a Year's Worth of Sermons

Jesus taught that before you build a tower or wage a war, you better count the cost. When it comes to tackling a major project, like planning sermon series one year at a time, you have to put together a plan that is workable and scalable. It’s time to go the second mile in planning a year’s worth of sermons.

Sep 20, 202312:00
Declaring War on Temptation

Declaring War on Temptation

Each of us experiences temptation throughout our lives. We have an intentional enemy who knows where, when, and how to attack us in vulnerable areas of weakness. Ignoring his tactics will not make you impervious to personal setbacks.

Sep 13, 202312:01
Reroute Tragic Legacies

Reroute Tragic Legacies

Your past doesn’t have to define you. The mistakes you have made or those that others made and caused you to suffer consequences don’t have to determine your future. But to avoid that, you must consider how you must pivot as a result. It’s time to go the second mile in rerouting tragic legacies.

Aug 30, 202312:00
Consider Peer Standards

Consider Peer Standards

Your closest relationships will direct your most pivotal decisions. That’s why it is so important to consider the type of people you give the right to speak into your life. Have you ever considered how your relationships are encouraging you? It’s time to go the second mile in considering peer standards.

Aug 23, 202312:00
Adhere to Wise Counsel

Adhere to Wise Counsel

You can’t make it far in life without having wise guides pointing out good directions on uncertain paths. I pray you have had parents, pastors, coaches, teachers, and bosses who have guided you, but are you following their instructions? It’s time to go the second mile in adhering to wise counsel.

Aug 16, 202312:00
Learn from Parental Examples

Learn from Parental Examples

Good, bad, or indifferent, we all have learned lessons from our parents. Yours might have been intentional or even estranged, but you can’t deny that their life has made an impact. Have you ever considered what to do with what you’ve learned? It’s time to go the second mile in learning from parental examples.

Aug 09, 202312:00
Prioritize God's Direction

Prioritize God's Direction

We have all faced the looming decision that increased our anxiety. When we have to make the call, our values will come to the forefront without warning. So, before you make that next decision, have you ever considered what God desires you to do? It’s time to go the second mile in prioritizing God’s direction.

Aug 02, 202312:00
Putting Jesus on the Calendar

Putting Jesus on the Calendar

Any event that you make it to in your life is one you put on a calendar. We arrive where we plan to go. We meet with who we schedule to see. The same is true in your relationship with Jesus. If you want to know Him better, you must make the time. It’s time to go the second mile in putting Jesus on the calendar.

Jul 26, 202312:00
Needed Friendships

Needed Friendships

We often see friendships as a benefit but rarely a necessity. The reality is that we were not meant to live life alone. For many of us stalled out in our faith, the problem is not that we don’t love Jesus, we’re just not surrounded by others who do as well. It’s time to go the second mile in needed friendships.

Jul 19, 202312:00
Camp Commitments

Camp Commitments

It’s that time of year when camp is happening, and many students are praying that the change lasts this time. Don’t waste the momentum. If you or your student ministry is growing in Christ, it doesn’t have to stop once you go home. It’s time to go the second mile in camp commitments.

Jul 12, 202312:00
Patient Placement

Patient Placement

Most aspiring individuals attempt to exalt themselves into higher positions of leadership. Jesus breaks the common paradigm by teaching that the humble wait to be exalted. Servants allow God to do the placement and timing. It’s time to go the second mile in patient placement.

Jul 05, 202312:00
Controlling Comparison

Controlling Comparison

Many of us struggle with a poor image of ourselves because we live in a culture that constantly showcases everyone’s filtered, glamorous snapshots of what seems to be perfect lives. It’s dangerous for our souls. It’s time to go the second mile in controlling comparison.

Jun 28, 202312:00
Raising Student Ministry Bars

Raising Student Ministry Bars

Many of the teenagers in our churches aren’t pursuing Christ passionately because we have not expected them to do so. Instead of lowering expectations, we ought to expect sincere followers of Jesus. It’s time to go the second mile in raising student ministry bars.

Jun 21, 202312:00
Confronting Bitterness

Confronting Bitterness

We are often unable to enjoy God’s gift of relationships now due to disappointments from failed connections in the past. If we are not careful, past letdowns will rob us of present possibilities. We must deal with the pain and not continue to overlook it. It’s time to go the second mile in confronting bitterness.

Jun 14, 202312:00
Seeking Community

Seeking Community

In our age of pseudo-community provided by digital technology, we are missing out on the connection we were designed to meet and need. If you struggle to find your footing right now, it may be because you aren’t standing beside others. It’s time to go the second mile in seeking community.

Jun 07, 202312:00
Simplified Steps

Simplified Steps

If we want our lives to inspire others, we not only need to provide motivation but also clarification. We must learn to teach others simply so that they know what needs to be done next, among a host of options. Make it clear for others. It’s time to go the second mile in providing simple steps.

May 31, 202312:00
Earnest Excellence

Earnest Excellence

If we do something well, we ought to do it not to be flashy, but because we want to be faithful to whatever God has called us to do. We are working for Jesus on behalf of the people for whom He died, so we should give our absolute best. It’s time to go the second mile in living with earnest excellence.

May 24, 202312:00
Multiplication Mindset

Multiplication Mindset

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ implies that you ought to be thinking of how your life can impact others. We must have a next man and next woman up type of mentality. In all areas of life, how can we lead that extends beyond ourselves? It’s time to go the second mile in creating multiplication mindsets.

May 17, 202312:00
Approachable Attitudes

Approachable Attitudes

It’s hard to help others out in life if you give off an aura that you don’t want to be bothered by them. Christians ought to have the most open-hearted attitude toward others. Are you willing to be available for others as Jesus was? It’s time to go the second mile in developing approachable attitudes.

May 10, 202312:00
Scriptural Standard

Scriptural Standard

If you desire to live life according to Jesus, you can’t ignore His book. The Bible has to be more than an honorable mention in your life to be a disciple of Jesus. All of your beliefs and behaviors must originate from the instructions in the Bible. It’s time to go the second mile in keeping a scriptural standard.

May 03, 202312:00
Intentional Daily Plans

Intentional Daily Plans

If you have ever wanted to simplify your organization but are unsure of where to start, I want to help. It’s a biblical ambition to live your life wisely, but we all need practical help to know where to start. Maybe these considerations can encourage change. It’s time to go the second mile in intentional daily plans.

Apr 26, 202312:00
Developing Godly Ambition

Developing Godly Ambition

While we have plenty of examples of ambitious people eager to succeed for all the wrong reasons, that shouldn’t discourage you from being ambitious for godly motivations. Desiring to make your life count for God is as noble a motivator as possible. It’s time to go the second mile in developing godly ambition.

Apr 19, 202312:00
Reorganizing Your Life

Reorganizing Your Life

If you are like me, there are days when I feel like my life is spinning out of control. There are so many expectations, and I sometimes struggle to do the bare minimum, let alone what I desire to get to do. If you feel like me, decide to make some changes. It’s time to go the second mile in reorganizing your life.

Apr 12, 202312:00
Preparing for Easter

Preparing for Easter

As much of the world pauses this week to remember Jesus’ death on the cross and celebrate His resurrection from the tomb, have you ever considered how to best prepare? Following these simple steps can help you grow and reach others this week. It’s time to go the second mile in preparing for Easter.

Apr 05, 202312:00