The Unbroken Ground

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. 

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!