The Hey Eddy! Podcast

In 1 Samuel 8, Samuel has grown old and made his sons Joel and Abijah judges over Israel—but they’re corrupt, taking bribes and perverting justice. So the elders of Israel come to Samuel with a demand: “Give us a king like all the other nations have.” Samuel is displeased and prays, and God tells him something shocking: “It’s not you they’ve rejected—they’ve rejected ME as their king.” God tells Samuel to warn them what a king will do, so Samuel lays it out: the king will TAKE your sons for his army, TAKE your daughters for his palace, TAKE your fields, TAKE your grain, TAKE your flocks—and you yourselves will become his slaves. But the people refuse to listen: “NO! We WANT a king!” So God grants their demand. The big takeaway? Rejecting God’s way is rejecting God Himself—and wanting to be like everyone else can cost you what makes you special.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by THE KING STARTER KIT: Because who needs GOD as your king when you can have your big brother instead? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, two trials unfold simultaneously. Inside the high priest’s house, Jesus stands before the Sanhedrin as witnesses try and fail to build a case against Him. When the high priest finally asks point-blank, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus answers boldly, “I am”—telling the truth even though it guarantees His death. Meanwhile, out in the courtyard, Peter faces his own test when a servant girl recognizes him as one of Jesus’s followers. Three times Peter denies knowing Jesus, even calling down curses on himself—and then the rooster crows, exactly as Jesus predicted. Peter breaks down weeping. The contrast is striking: Jesus told the truth when a lie could have saved Him, while Peter told a lie when the truth might have cost him. Kids learn that real courage means owning your faith even when it’s scary. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, Cousin Michael guides kids through Jesus's final meal with His disciples before the cross. Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem with detailed instructions to follow a man carrying a water jar to find their Passover room—and everything happens exactly as He predicted. During dinner, Jesus stuns everyone by announcing that one of them will betray Him. He then takes bread and wine and gives them new meaning, explaining that the bread represents His body and the wine His blood of the new covenant, poured out for many. Even on this dark night, Jesus looks forward to a future celebration in God's kingdom. On the walk to the Mount of Olives, He warns that all the disciples will fall away, and tells Peter he will deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows twice. Kids learn that Jesus gave Himself willingly and that failure is never the final word. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, Cousin Michael guides kids through Jesus's final meal with His disciples before the cross. Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem with detailed instructions to follow a man carrying a water jar to find their Passover room—and everything happens exactly as He predicted. During dinner, Jesus stuns everyone by announcing that one of them will betray Him. He then takes bread and wine and gives them new meaning, explaining that the bread represents His body and the wine His blood of the new covenant, poured out for many. Even on this dark night, Jesus looks forward to a future celebration in God's kingdom. On the walk to the Mount of Olives, He warns that all the disciples will fall away, and tells Peter he will deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows twice. Kids learn that Jesus gave Himself willingly and that failure is never the final word. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, three dramatic scenes unfold side by side. While the chief priests secretly plot to arrest and kill Jesus, a woman at a dinner in Bethany breaks open an alabaster jar of perfume worth a year’s wages and pours it all over Jesus’s head. When onlookers scold her for the “waste,” Jesus defends her, calling it “a beautiful thing” and explaining that she has anointed His body for burial ahead of time. He then declares that wherever the gospel is preached, her story will be told in her memory. Immediately after, Judas Iscariot slips away to offer the chief priests a deal to betray Jesus for money—a stark contrast between one person giving everything out of love and another selling Jesus for personal gain. Kids learn that nothing given to Jesus out of love is ever wasted. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, Jesus shocks His disciples by predicting that the magnificent Temple will be completely destroyed. Sitting on the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask when this will happen and what signs to watch for. Instead of giving dates, Jesus teaches them how to live while they wait. He warns against false messiahs and panic over wars and earthquakes, prepares them for persecution, and promises the Holy Spirit will give them words when they face trials. He then paints an awesome picture of the Son of Man returning in clouds with great power and glory. But the exact timing? No one knows—not the angels, not even Jesus Himself—only the Father. Jesus closes with a command for everyone: “Watch!” Kids learn not to be fooled or afraid, and to stay faithful and ready every day because Jesus is coming back. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, a teacher of the law asks Jesus a sincere question: of all 613 commandments, which is the most important? Jesus answers by quoting the Shema—love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—then adds a second command: love your neighbor as yourself. The teacher agrees enthusiastically, declaring that loving God and loving people matters more than all the Temple's burnt offerings and sacrifices. Impressed by the man's understanding, Jesus tells him he is "not far from the kingdom of God"—close, but not yet all in. Mark notes that after this exchange, no one dared ask Jesus any more questions, ending the series of challenges from religious leaders. Kids learn that loving God and loving others can't be separated, that rules are rooted in love, and that knowing the truth isn't enough—you have to follow it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, the Sadducees—powerful religious leaders who didn’t believe in the resurrection—try to stump Jesus with a bizarre riddle about a woman who married seven brothers in succession, asking whose wife she’d be in the afterlife. Jesus tells them they are “badly mistaken,” not understanding the Scriptures or God’s power. He explains that in the resurrection, people won’t marry but will be like angels, because heaven will be completely transformed from earthly life. Then Jesus delivers His knockout argument from the Sadducees’ own beloved books of Moses: God told Moses “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”—present tense—proving that the dead are still alive to God, since He always keeps His promises. Kids learn that death is not the end, heaven will be beyond anything we can imagine, and God’s power is greater than any problem we face. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, the Pharisees and Herodians team up to trap Jesus with a sneaky question: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said yes, the crowd would turn against Him; if He said no, He could be arrested for treason. But Jesus saw right through their fake flattery and asked for a Roman coin. Pointing to Caesar’s image stamped on it, He gave His brilliant answer: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” Since God’s image is stamped on every person, we owe God far more than a few coins—we owe Him our whole selves. The religious leaders were left amazed and speechless. Kids learn to watch out for fake flattery, seek God’s wisdom in tricky situations, and remember that they belong fully to God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, Jesus tells the religious leaders a parable about a vineyard owner who rents his land to farmers. When the owner sends servants to collect his share of the harvest, the farmers beat and kill them one by one. Finally, the owner sends his beloved son, and the farmers kill him too, hoping to seize the vineyard for themselves. Jesus makes clear that the vineyard represents Israel, the farmers are the religious leaders, the servants are the prophets, and the beloved son is Jesus Himself. He then quotes Psalm 118 about the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. The furious leaders want to arrest Jesus but fear the crowd. Kids learn that everything we have belongs to God, we are caretakers rather than owners, and Jesus is the cornerstone on which to build their lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree, drives out the money changers and merchants who had turned the Temple into a marketplace, and then outsmarts the religious leaders when they try to trap him with a question about his authority. Mark sandwiches these events together on purpose: the fig tree that looked healthy but bore no fruit mirrors the Temple that looked holy but was full of greed and corruption—both were all show and no substance. After the fig tree withers overnight, Jesus uses the moment to teach his disciples about the power of faith-filled prayer and the importance of forgiveness. The episode's five takeaways encourage kids to pursue genuine faith over outward appearances, stand up for fairness, pray anywhere with confidence, practice forgiveness, and choose honesty over playing political games. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey as crowds cheer “Hosanna!” and lay their cloaks and branches on the road. The lesson highlights how Jesus fulfilled an ancient prophecy from Zechariah by entering the city not on a powerful war horse but on a humble donkey, showing he was a different kind of King than everyone expected. The crowd hoped for a military hero who would overthrow the Romans, but Jesus came as a servant who would save people by giving his life. The episode also covers Jesus’s quiet inspection of the Temple that evening, hinting at trouble to come. Kids are encouraged to celebrate Jesus for who he truly is—a humble, loving King—and to trust God’s plan even when it looks different than expected. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

Blind Bartimaeus sits begging by the road outside Jericho when he hears that Jesus is passing by. He shouts out "Son of David, have mercy on me!" and when the crowd tries to silence him, he shouts even louder. Jesus stops, calls him over, and asks what he wants. While James and John had recently asked for thrones and power, Bartimaeus simply asks to see. Jesus heals him instantly, telling him his faith has made him well. Bartimaeus immediately throws off his cloak — everything he owned — and follows Jesus down the road toward Jerusalem, going from a beggar beside the road to a follower on it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

While Jesus and his disciples are walking toward Jerusalem, he tells them for the third time that he will be mocked, beaten, and killed — but rise three days later. Immediately after, James and John ask for the best seats in his kingdom, prompting the other disciples to get jealous. Jesus gathers everyone and flips their thinking completely: in God's kingdom, greatness means serving others, not being served. The greatest person is the one who becomes everyone's servant. Jesus points to himself as the ultimate example — the King of everything who came not to be served but to give his life as a ransom for many. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

A rich man runs to Jesus asking how to inherit eternal life, proudly reporting he has kept all the commandments since childhood. Jesus, looking at him with love, tells him he lacks one thing — sell everything, give to the poor, and follow him. The man walks away sad, unable to let go of his wealth. Jesus tells his stunned disciples that it’s harder for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom than for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye — but with God, all things are possible. Anyone who gives up everything for Jesus will receive far more in return, and in God’s kingdom, the last will be first. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, we walk through Mark 10:1–16, where Jesus faces a trick question from the Pharisees about divorce and then welcomes little children that the disciples tried to turn away. Jesus teaches that marriage is a serious promise God designed from the beginning, and that divorce comes from hard hearts that stop caring. But the heart of the episode is what happens next: when the disciples try to shoo kids away, Jesus gets angry and declares that the kingdom of God belongs to people who come to him with the open, trusting dependence of a child. The big takeaway is that no one is too small or unimportant for Jesus — promises matter, everyone is welcome, and God’s kingdom is received not by earning it but by simply trusting him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 9:30–50, Jesus and his disciples are traveling through Galilee when he tells them for the second time that he will be killed and rise again — but rather than grappling with that, the disciples fall into an argument about which of them is the greatest. Jesus responds by sitting them down and flipping their expectations upside down: true greatness in God's kingdom means being the servant of all, not the boss of all. He illustrates this by placing a child in their midst, pointing out that welcoming the overlooked and powerless is the same as welcoming him. When John reports that the group tried to shut down an outsider casting out demons in Jesus' name, Jesus pushes back — his team is bigger than they think, and gatekeeping has no place in it. He then warns soberly against causing others to stumble in their faith, calls his followers to deal seriously with sin rather than let it fester, and closes with the image of salt: be the kind of person who adds flavor and preserves what's good, and above all, be at peace with one another.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by THE GREATNESS-O-METER! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

This episode tells the story of a desperate father who brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples fail to help him. Jesus rebukes the crowd's lack of faith, heals the boy with a single command, and later explains to the disciples that their failure came from neglecting prayer. The emotional heart of the episode is the father's raw, honest cry — "I believe; help my unbelief!" — which Jesus honors despite its uncertainty, teaching kids that struggling, imperfect faith is still real faith, that honesty with God is always welcome, and that nothing can be accomplished without depending on him through prayer.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by ASK FOR HELP ALREADY: Because you’re not a superhero, and that’s ok! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

This episode covers the Transfiguration—the moment when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and gave them a sneak preview of his glory. Right before their eyes, Jesus was transformed: his clothes became dazzling white, brighter than anything on earth, as the real, heavenly, King-of-everything Jesus shone through. Then Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with him, and Peter—not knowing what to say—blurted out that they should build shelters and stay there forever, wanting to skip ahead to the glory and avoid the suffering Jesus had just predicted. But then a cloud covered them and God's voice thundered: "This is my Son, whom I love. LISTEN TO HIM!" When the cloud lifted, Moses and Elijah were gone—only Jesus remained. The main lesson is that the glory IS coming, but not yet; there's hard stuff to go through first, and our job is to listen to Jesus and trust the process, because this isn't the end of the movie—it's just the middle, and the best part is still ahead.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by TRANSFIGURATION DETERGENT: So bright, even your dad will notice! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

This episode explores the pivotal moment when Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah”—the promised King God sent to save his people—and how Jesus immediately shocks the disciples by revealing that his path to victory leads through suffering, rejection, and death before resurrection. When Peter tries to stop this plan, Jesus rebukes him sharply (”Get behind me, Satan!”) because Peter was thinking like the world, wanting an easy victory rather than God’s way. Jesus then teaches the crowd what real following looks like: denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following him even when it’s hard—because whoever tries to save their life by grabbing for comfort and popularity will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Jesus will find the life that really matters. The main lesson is that every person must answer for themselves who Jesus is, and if he’s truly your King, you follow him for real—not hiding your faith when it’s awkward, but standing up for him now so he’ll stand up for you later. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by THE GET BEHIND ME SIGN: Finally, you get to be first! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, we learn from Mark 8:1-26 about how easy it is to forget what Jesus has already done. First, Jesus feeds four thousand people with just seven loaves and a few fish—and his disciples are confused about where to get food, even though they had JUST seen him feed five thousand people before! Then the Pharisees demand a sign from heaven even though Jesus had been doing miracles everywhere, and Jesus sighs and refuses because they didn’t really want to believe. In the boat, Jesus warns his disciples to watch out for the “yeast” of the Pharisees—bad attitudes like worry, pride, and hard hearts that start small but spread. Finally, Jesus heals a blind man in two steps, showing how even his closest friends were like that man: they could see, but not clearly yet. The main lesson is don’t forget what Jesus has already done, and trust that he’s more than enough for whatever comes next—and if things still seem blurry and confusing, keep following him because he’s patient and will help you see more clearly. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by THE REMEMBERY: Because your brain could use a little help. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, we learn two amazing stories from Mark 7:24-37 about Jesus helping people who were "outsiders." First, a brave Greek woman from Syro-Phoenicia came to Jesus begging him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. When Jesus tested her faith by saying the children's bread shouldn't be thrown to dogs, she humbly replied that even dogs get the crumbs under the table—and Jesus loved her answer so much that he healed her daughter instantly, even from a distance. Then Jesus traveled to the Decapolis where he healed a man who couldn't hear or speak by putting his fingers in the man's ears, touching his tongue, and saying "Ephphatha!"—which means "Be opened!"—and immediately the man could hear and talk perfectly. The main lesson is that Jesus welcomes everyone who comes to him in faith, no matter who they are or where they're from, and even a tiny bit of faith is enough because nothing is too hard for him.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by Ephphatha Spray! Be opened! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode, we learn about Jesus confronting the Pharisees over their obsession with hand-washing traditions in Mark 7:1-23. The Pharisees were upset that Jesus' disciples didn't follow their special religious hand-washing rituals before eating, but Jesus called them out as hypocrites—people who followed made-up rules while ignoring what God actually commanded, like honoring their parents. Then Jesus taught the crowd something huge: it's not what goes into you that makes you dirty before God, it's what comes out of your heart. Food just goes through your body, but things like mean thoughts, lying, jealousy, bragging, and selfishness—those come from inside and make your heart dirty. The main lesson is that God cares about your heart more than your habits, and the awesome news is that Jesus can clean your heart with his love and forgiveness when you mess up.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by PHARISEE FOAM: Is it overkill? ABSOLUTELY. Will it make your hands cleaner than your little brother's hands? YOU BET. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In this episode of the Hey Eddy Podcast, we learn about Jesus walking on water from Mark 6:45-56. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples across the lake while he goes up on a mountain to pray. The disciples struggle all night rowing against a fierce wind, making no progress—exhausted and stuck in the dark. But Jesus sees them struggling, and he walks right across the water to help them. The terrified disciples think he’s a ghost, but Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” The moment Jesus climbs into the boat, the wind stops completely. The main lesson is that Jesus sees you when you’re struggling—even in the dark, even when you feel stuck—and he comes to help, so don’t be afraid.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by WALK-ON-WATER SANDALS! They don’t work—but they remind you who DOES. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 6:31-44, Jesus and his exhausted disciples try to escape to a quiet place for rest, but a huge crowd runs around the lake and gets there first. Instead of being annoyed, Jesus feels compassion—he sees them as sheep without a shepherd—and teaches them for hours. When evening comes, the disciples want to send the hungry crowd away, but Jesus says, "YOU give them something to eat." They only find five loaves of bread and two fish—barely enough for one person. Jesus has everyone sit down on the grass, thanks God for the food, breaks the bread, and starts passing it out. The food keeps coming and coming until all five thousand men (plus women and children) are completely stuffed. Then the disciples collect the leftovers: TWELVE baskets full—way more than they started with! The big takeaway? Jesus cares for you like a good shepherd, and when you give him what little you have, he can turn it into more than enough.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by the NEVER EMPTY LUNCHBOX: Because running out of food is so last century! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 6:1-30, three stories come together. First, Jesus returns to His hometown and teaches in the synagogue, but the people refuse to believe in Him—not because He did anything wrong, but because they thought they already knew Him as just "the carpenter." Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. Second, Jesus sends out His twelve disciples two by two on a mission, giving them power to help people and share God's message. He tells them to travel light—no extra food, clothes, or money—because He wants them to trust God to provide. They go out, tell people to turn back to God, and heal the sick, doing the same things Jesus did. Third, we learn about John the Baptist, who bravely told King Herod the truth about his sin and was thrown in jail and killed for it. But even though John died, God's message didn't stop—Jesus kept teaching, the disciples kept helping, and the good news kept spreading. The big takeaway? Sometimes people won't understand you, but keep following Jesus anyway; you're sent out to help others too; be brave and tell the truth; and God's good news never stops.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by DISCIPLE SNACK PACKS: When you’re healing the sick, casting out demons, and your tummy starts growling! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 5:21-43, a synagogue leader named Jairus falls at Jesus’ feet and begs him to come heal his dying twelve-year-old daughter. Jesus agrees, but on the way through a pressing crowd, a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years sneaks up and touches his robe—and is instantly healed after spending everything on doctors who only made her worse. Jesus stops to find her, calls her “Daughter,” and tells her that her faith has made her well. But while he’s stopped, messengers arrive with devastating news: Jairus’s daughter has died. Jesus tells the heartbroken father, “Don’t be afraid—just believe.” At the house, mourners laugh when Jesus says the girl is only sleeping. But he takes her hand, says “Talitha koum!”—and she gets up alive. The big takeaway? Faith means trusting Jesus even when everything looks hopeless—and he’s always worth trusting.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by JAIRUS’S EXPRESS LANE PASS: Because your emergency is definitely more important than everyone else’s! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee and meets a man so possessed by demons that no chains could hold him—he lived in a graveyard, screaming and cutting himself day and night. When Jesus asks the demons’ name, they answer “Legion, for we are many”—thousands of evil spirits in one man! Jesus casts them into a herd of two thousand pigs, which stampede into the lake and drown. The townspeople find the wild man now sitting calmly, dressed, and completely sane—but instead of celebrating, they’re scared and beg Jesus to leave. The healed man wants to follow Jesus, but Jesus sends him home with a mission: “Tell everyone what the Lord has done for you.” So he becomes the first missionary to the Gentiles, spreading the news across ten cities. The big takeaway? No one is too far gone for Jesus—evil destroys, but Jesus rescues.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by PIGGY-PADDLE SWIM SCHOOL: Teaching pigs to swim… not jump in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and His disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a furious storm hits and the boat starts sinking. The disciples panic, but Jesus is asleep on a cushion! They wake Him up shouting, “Don’t you CARE if we drown?!” Jesus stands up, tells the wind and waves “Quiet! Be still!”—and instantly everything goes calm. Then He asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” But now the disciples are even MORE terrified—of JESUS. They ask each other, “Who IS this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!” In the Old Testament, only GOD controls the sea. The disciples are realizing they’re in a boat with someone who has the power of God Himself. The big takeaway: Jesus has power over everything—including whatever storm YOU’RE facing—so when He’s with you, you don’t have to be afraid.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by THE STORM-PROOF SLEEPING PILLOW: It won't help you trust God more, and it definitely won't give you power over the weather. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In Mark 4:21-34, Jesus teaches His disciples that God’s kingdom may look small and hidden right now, but it’s growing into something HUGE—and nothing can stop it. First, Jesus talks about a lamp: you don’t light it just to hide it under a bucket! Whatever is hidden now will eventually be revealed. Then He tells two parables about seeds. In the first, a farmer plants seeds and goes about his life—sleeping, waking up, eating breakfast—and the whole time the seeds are growing underground without him doing anything. He doesn’t even know HOW they grow! That’s God’s job. In the second parable, Jesus compares the kingdom to a mustard seed—the tiniest seed you can plant—that grows into a giant bush big enough for birds to nest in. The point? Don’t be fooled by small beginnings. God loves to take tiny things and turn them into something amazing. So keep planting seeds by telling others about Jesus, keep shining your light, and trust God to do the growing—because His kingdom is unstoppable.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by TURBO GROW SEED SPRAY! Turns Out, Growth Can’t Be Rushed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

This episode explores Mark 4:1–20, where Jesus teaches his most foundational parable from a boat on the Sea of Galilee: a farmer scatters seed that lands on four different types of ground—the hard path where birds snatch it away, rocky soil where it sprouts quickly but withers without deep roots, thorny ground where weeds choke it out, and good soil where it produces an abundant harvest. Jesus later explains to his disciples that the seed represents God's word and the soils represent how different people respond: some never let the message penetrate at all, some get excited but quit when trouble comes, some get choked by worries and distractions, but those with receptive hearts accept the word deeply and produce fruit—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown. The key encouragement is that unlike actual dirt, people can choose to be good soil by really listening, growing deep roots, and guarding against the things that steal or strangle faith.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by BAD SOIL EMPORIUM! Where seeds go to NOT grow! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

This episode covers Mark 3:7–35, where Jesus—now drawing massive crowds from all over the region—goes up on a mountain and chooses twelve apostles to be with him, preach, and cast out demons, deliberately bringing together unlikely companions like a tax collector and a zealot into one new community. Meanwhile, Jesus faces rejection from two directions: his own family arrives thinking he’s lost his mind, and religious teachers from Jerusalem accuse him of casting out demons by Satan’s power—a charge Jesus dismantles by pointing out that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and then warns that calling the Holy Spirit’s work evil is a dangerous path. The episode culminates with Jesus redefining family itself: when told his mother and brothers are waiting outside, he looks at those gathered around him and declares that whoever does God’s will is his true brother, sister, and mother—an invitation for anyone who follows him to belong to this new family.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by SONS OF THUNDER NAME CHANGE SERVICES. Because "Steve from accounting" doesn't strike fear into anyone. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

This episode explores Mark 2:13–3:6, where Jesus repeatedly clashes with religious leaders—not for doing wrong, but for doing good in unexpected ways: calling the despised tax collector Levi to follow him, eating dinner with "sinners," refusing to make his disciples fast during what he calls a wedding celebration, letting his hungry followers pick grain on the Sabbath, and healing a man's withered hand on the holy day. Through these confrontations, Jesus teaches that he came as a doctor for the spiritually sick, that the Sabbath was made as a gift for people rather than a burden on them, and that doing good is always right regardless of religious technicalities—ultimately declaring himself "Lord of the Sabbath" and so enraging the Pharisees that they begin plotting to kill him.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by PHARISEE BRAND RULE BOOKS! A product that COMPLETELY misses the point! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

In "Through the Roof!" from Mark 2:1-12, four determined friends carry their paralyzed buddy to a house so packed with people that they can't get through the door—so they climb onto the roof, dig a hole through it, and lower him down right in front of Jesus. Instead of immediately healing the man's legs, Jesus surprises everyone by first forgiving his sins, which makes the religious teachers furious because only God can forgive sins. Jesus, knowing exactly what they're thinking, proves his authority by telling the paralyzed man to get up and walk—and he does, amazing everyone. The episode teaches that Jesus is God, that sin is an even bigger problem than physical problems, and that he has the power and the love to forgive anyone who asks.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by ROOF REPAIR BY PETE. Because miracles are messy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

After John the Baptist gets thrown in prison, Jesus steps onto the scene with an earth-shaking announcement: “The kingdom of God is here!” Walking along the Sea of Galilee, he calls four ordinary fishermen—Simon, Andrew, James, and John—to drop their nets and become “fishers of people,” and they follow him immediately. Then things get wild in Capernaum: Jesus teaches with jaw-dropping authority, commands a screaming demon to shut up and leave a man, heals Simon’s mother-in-law from a fever, and by evening the whole town is crowding around the door bringing their sick and demon-possessed friends. But even after the busiest day ever, Jesus sneaks away before dawn to pray alone with his Father. The chapter ends with one of the most touching moments in all the Gospels—a lonely man with leprosy falls at Jesus’ feet, and instead of backing away like everyone else, Jesus reaches out, touches him, and says, “I am willing. Be clean!” This is what the kingdom of God looks like: demons fleeing, sickness vanishing, outcasts embraced, and ordinary people invited to be part of the greatest mission in history.Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by FISHER OF PEOPLE NETS. They don’t exist—and you don’t need them! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

Mark’s Gospel starts with a bang—no long introductions, just straight into the action! John the Baptist shows up in the desert dressed like the prophet Elijah, eating locusts and wild honey, telling everyone to get their hearts ready because someone AMAZING is coming. Then Jesus arrives from the tiny town of Nazareth, and when John baptizes him in the Jordan River, the sky rips open, the Holy Spirit comes down like a dove, and God’s voice booms from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love!” Right away, the Spirit sends Jesus into the wilderness for forty days where he battles Satan and wins. This is the beginning of the best news ever—the rescue mission has started, and Jesus is the King everyone’s been waiting for!Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by JOHN’S DESERT SNACKS. “Crunchy, Buggy, and Biblically Accurate!” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com