The Unbroken Ground

Ep. 18: Cookie Crisp

Hello Fellow Travelers! It is the end of the month and the end of another podcast series. Cookie Crisp is all about good soil producing good fruit. I recap the previous soils and give an example of how the different soils of the heart might react to God's word. Then I end with a challenge for everyone: go deeper, no matter where you are or your heart's condition. 
 
I have been  writing companion blogs - check them out on Patheos: Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com)

Ep. 17: Frosted Mini Wheats

Hello Fellow Travelers. Jesus calls out worries and wealth as weeds in our spiritual hearts. As followers of Jesus, we can expect that when we seek to produce the good fruit we are called to produce, our worries and wealth will be stumbling blocks. Worries and wealth are the front lines in the battle of who is in charge of our lives and how dependent we choose to be. Don't get the wrong idea; this isn't a call for everyone to vow poverty. But it is a wake-up call to remember that following Jesus starts with His kingdom - and then all things are added. We build our house on sinking sand, trying to do it any other way. 
Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com)

Ep. 16: Fruit Pebbles

Hello Fellow Travelers! This is part two in the four-part series based on the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13. Do you have beliefs or convictions? Do you know the difference? Last week was about the path which represents the hard heart. This week we consider the shallow soil, which means a heart that is not entirely convinced of the truth of what God is telling us. 
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Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com)

Ep. 15: Bran Flakes

Hello Fellow Travelers! Continuing with the agricultural theme of April, I will spend the following few podcasts talking about the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13. This week is about the seed that fell on the path. The path is hard ground that is not meant for seeds. Similarly, it is hard for us to hear from God when our hearts are hard. What is the condition of the soil in your heart? What do you do if you find it to be hardened? 
Check out my blog: Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com)
 
Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;    they hardly hear with their ears,    and they have closed their eyes.Otherwise they might see with their eyes,    hear with their ears,    understand with their heartsand turn, and I would heal them.’[a]
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Jim Time Flex: March 2023

Hello Fellow Travelers! Jim joins me to look back at March. We talk about prayer and what it means to be a conduit of the Holy Spirit. We also talk about the latest John Wick (relatively no spoilers). Then we tackle the real questions like: Would you rather fly at 20 mph or run at 100 mph? Longest podcast yet! As always, please email questions or comments to theunbrokenground@gmail.com 

Ep. 14: Fruity Loops

Hello Fellow Travelers! April is here, and I continue to think through the Gospels and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. What fruit are you producing in your life? I wrote a couple of blogs on Patheos (find them here and here) in response to tragedy and how we should live as Christians. In this podcast, I look at Matthew 7:16-20. Jesus uses the example of fruit to reveal the hearts of His disciples. Are you producing fruit or artificially flavored fruity loops? In a broader sense, I use that as a place to expand to Kingdom Life and how we are Kingdom bearers wherever we go. Thanks for listening. I am humbled that you would take your time to listen, and I pray you find it encouraging. As always, feel free to send questions or comments to theunbrokenground@gmail.com

Ep. 13: Mustard Cakes

Hello Fellow Travelers! Mustard Cakes continues from Ep. 12 on prayer and then into a couple of parables about the Kingdom of God. Why doesn't God create spectacle after spectacle to win people to His Kingdom? Why do we hesitate when praying for God to move? If I surrender to God, do I have to move to Africa? How is God calling you to show your faithfulness in your daily walk? Luke 13:18-21
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Unbroken Ground - Exploration of Christ, Community, and Creativity (patheos.com)
Email: theunbrokenground@gmail.com

The Interviews: Jesse

Hello Fellow Travelers! We are back again with another special interview episode. This time I get to talk to my friend Jesse about the unique way in which God is using his interests and talents to make the world a better place. Listen to how Jesse got started on his reptile saving that turned into education and entertainment. Jesse has the heart to create positive, clean content for the whole family. He also loves reptiles and talking about them. If you want to learn more about his sanctuary or watch videos about snakes, turtles, and gators - check out the links below! 
Forgotten Friend Reptile TV - YouTube
Home Page | Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary | Elm PA | Facebook