The Unbroken Ground

Jim is back after taking the summer off and we talk about stuff and things - and this is also episode 150 in total...if my counting is correct.

5,000 downloads and counting. Life update and a question of the utility of suffering. 

(Tell me, am I right?) Don't you feed me lines About some idealistic future (Tell me, am I right?) My heart won't heal right If you keep tearing out the sutures - Nothing Better by The Postal Service

You should be a city on a hill.

Tozer, Toad in the hole, and talking The Fifth Element with Jim

I think I only like mysteries I can solve. That is probably why I love escape rooms...solve the puzzle in 60 minutes or less. God is the ultimate mystery. How does the Trinity work? What about foreknowledge, and if Jesus knew everything, it would be fine, but why is He physically reacting to the stress in the garden of Gethsemane? This podcast mostly just asks those questions... please, no expectations of reaching an answer.  

We missed March...but we got April in. Enjoy!

Nation-building and Christianity often conflict in significant ways. The true calling of Christians is to build within and for the kingdom of God. Join me as I recount the reasons why we must approach the intersection of these two concepts with great caution.      

Be careful what you believe, because it will shape what you think and ultimately what you will tolerate. I don't talk a whole lot about it, but here is the song I found that made me think a lot about beliefs and how they can cause harm. Drunk Again - Song House & Maria Rose

Spending time with Jesus doesn't always mean following Jesus. Like Judas, you can be Christ-adjacent but not a Christ follower. 

Jim jons me for a monthly discussion about life and stuff....sometimes things. 

Welcome to season 4. Love God, Love people. If you say you have faith, but you don't love, do you really? What fruit is being produced as you follow Jesus?  

Year 4 of doing podcasts....you would imagine we would be better at this....maybe next year! 

Ummm...so in the intro I said this was episode 14.... It's not, it's 16 - but it is the last episode of the season. Join me for a journey surrounding the idea that "The Opposite of Love is Indifference"

Jim talked and stuff 

Who's thankful for another Jim talk? I know I am, how about you?

I've been off social media for about a month. I have been thinking about the general feeling that having a constant connection to a phone that demands my emotions and attention. And then today, I was reminded that as sheep we listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. How are you doing at that?

I have been listening to a lot of Dallas Willard lately. I wish I were half as intellectual, and so you should probably go listen to or read his works; that would do a great deal of good for many of us. 

Did we prepared? No! Did we do a holiday-themed show? You betcha!

I am a sinner. You are too. Everyone has fallen short of God's standard. We shouldn't use labels to categorize people as us versus them. But we do. Jesus calls us to do better. He reminds us to love our enemies and the least of these because that is what following Jesus really looks like. 

Wake me up when September ends. We almost didn't make September, but we did. Another rambling, stumbling chat with Jim, this time in September.

It's two sides of the same coin. We are saved from something, and we are saved for something. We have majored in being saved from something, and unfortunately, we have also minored in being saved for something. 

It is hard to reconcile the fact that someone can preach the gospel of Jesus and have speech filled with hate. But it happens all the time. Finding Jesus does not mean that we will immediately have the correct thought. Most of us are stuck in our culture, and we are products of our community. And sometimes we don't even realize that there is a problem until we meet someone who makes us reevaluate. Jesus was constantly making people rethink their comfortable thoughts and challenging them to look deeper and really see. He still does that today, if you will let Him.

Last week, it was fruit; this week, it's seeds. Planting some ideas, hopefully.

Thinking and talking through Galatians 5. What kind of fruit are you producing?

I talk about three artists/creative people who help me work on loss, lament, and finding hope. I will always recommend listening to their music/reading their books/seeing them live whenever you can.    Ross King - Ross Published Author ─ The Tyler Merritt Project Joel Ansett

Jim is back, You should listen.

If you are a follower of Christ, then you are called to participate in Kingdom work and growth. Jesus calls us to be faithful with what we have been given. And you have been placed precisely where you are for such a time as this. So let's get out there! We got work to do. 

 What rhythm have you developed for yielding to Jesus? We often seek guidance on big questions like career, marriage, college, and where to live, but what about finding ways to say yes and yield to God's will daily? 

I saw a post on Threads this week that stated: "Yes, Jesus hung out with sinners. But He also told them to go and sin no more. Let's not forget to do that part." And wow, do I have thoughts. What if the main invitation we offered to people was not "Come and see Sunday Morning Worship," but "Come and walk with me"? 

Imagine being in a magical restaurant where you can order any dish you've ever wanted. What would your starter, main course, side dish, and dessert be? Can Paul and Callie guess the other person's selections? This one is a little more lighthearted than previous chats, and it is a lot of fun. Don't listen hungry, though!

Regardless of the circumstances, challenges, or difficulties you experience, one response is always available. Count your blessings. Find what you can be thankful for. 

Callie joins me once again and we talk about the next stage of treatment that she went through. Radiation was probably the worst 5 days of the whole journey for Callie (spoiler - she is still recovering from the trauma).

Following Jesus takes practice. Every day is another day you have to get closer. Even when you're not quite where you want to be. David was anointed king, but he had a long time before he sat on the throne. What is God preparing you for?

No Jim in June, so Callie is stepping. And because it has been a big part of our journey this past year, we are going to talk about Callie finding out she had cancer. And the early stages of treatment - and how we dealt with it. This is part one of a series we will do until we tell the whole story!

I thought about alternatively titling this one, "Tips for Wilderness Survival". I think we tend to think poorly of the Israelites who were wandering in the wilderness. How dare they doubt that God would provide daily manna, we think to ourselves, as we check our 401 (k) and savings account. We almost sell the idea that abundance comes with salvation. But we really should sell the fact that contentment comes with salvation, whether we have abundance or live in scarcity. Jesus knew it, and perhaps that is why, when He taught the disciples to pray, they were to ask only for their daily bread. If you are walking in the wilderness, this one is for you, and if you aren't currently, listen anyway because every follower finds their journey includes the wilderness eventually 

Why do followers of Jesus go through trials, sickness, and other tribulations? If you listen to some Christian music or watch movies, you might get the impression that life with Christ is full of rainbows and sunshine. However, the truth is that many of God's most dedicated followers faced the most difficult trials. Should we expect anything less in our journeys? Season 3 is starting up, just about a year from when Season 2 ended. New episodes every Sundayish! If you have feedback, questions, or topic requests, email [email protected] or find the Facebook page: Facebook  

It's May -- Jim is talking you should listen

We're back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's March, it's madness, it's Jim. 

Jim and I have another good time talking about lots of things. 

More thoughts and stuff....and a surprise appearance by a special guest....maybe 

Jim joins me for another long one.

Jim is back and we talk about all manner of things. It is a long one, but it does get into more serious topics in the second half, probably.

One final look back on making the Unbroken Ground.    Other ways to interact with and find more content I produce: Called Out • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com) https://www.facebook.com/theunbrokenground email – [email protected]

Can God love me? Can God love you?     Other ways to interact with and find more content I produce: Called Out • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com) https://www.facebook.com/theunbrokenground email – [email protected]

What do you want to be known for? part. 2   Other ways to interact with and find more content I produce: Called Out • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com) https://www.facebook.com/theunbrokenground email – [email protected]

Part one: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.   Other ways to interact with and find more content I produce: Called Out • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com) https://www.facebook.com/theunbrokenground email – [email protected]

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.     And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy     and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8   Other ways to interact with and find more content I produce: Called Out • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com) https://www.facebook.com/theunbrokenground email – [email protected]

How humble are you?   Other ways to interact with and find more content I produce: Called Out • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com) https://www.facebook.com/theunbrokenground email – [email protected]