Become Good Soil

“There are some things that only time can do. Dynamite can't touch them.”– Dwight D. EisenhowerIn The Scandals of the Kingdom, Dallas Willard names a profound tension between the person of Jesus and the dilemma of modern American Christianity. We spend vast sums of money and energy trying to get people into church. Meanwhile, in the Gospels, people tore the roofs off buildings just to get to Jesus. So much so, He often withdrew from the crowds—not to perform, but to be with His Father and to invest in a few trusted apprentices.Jesus was the most consecrated King who ever lived. And yet, while we strive to build platforms and leverage influence, He chose obscurity and intimacy and consented to the slow and steady work of His Father in the lives entrusted to his care.So we must ask ourselves: Why do we find Him hiding from crowds in places where we keep striving to be seen?If we are willing to be honest with both this longing to be seen and the desire to see immediate results for the fruit of our labors, we can access a precious part of us that becomes a fresh doorway to return home to the heart of God.This episode concludes a deeper cut series—an excavation of the foundational ideas unearthed through Becoming a King. At its core, we’ve been exploring a central, piercing question: How do we become the kind of men to whom God can entrust His power?Let me remind you—this path was never promised to be easy. But I can assure you: it is profoundly worth it.Over time, a compelling pattern emerges. Through the consent by day and by decade to the narrow road of deep apprenticeship, transformation is no longer just a hope—it becomes a lived reality. I see it in the stories, again and again, from men being led by God into deeper wholeness and restoration through Becoming a King.What once felt like a headwind—marked by adversity, resistance, and battle—in time becomes a tailwind. The strength and care of a good Father, ever present, begins to nourish and sustain us.A Father who is for us, not against us. Having committed Himself to our well-being, He relentlessly pours Himself into our shepherding and our apprenticeship.He is our tailwind. And even in our trials, in the end, we will encounter His exceeding kindness.In this episode, we conclude this conversation with some compelling ideas, questions, and stories from Outposts of Eden around the globe, thanks to the strength lent by allies John Scott Mooring, Pablo Ceron, Ryan Ruebsahm, and Chris Rice.Together, we’re looking deeper into the kind of King that Jesus is, and I want you to join us.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan and Cherie

Explore the essence of being made in the image of a relational God. Discover how a relational rule of life can deepen your connection with God, family, and community. Uncover the significance of siblinghood in faith communities and how marriage serves as a nurturing space. Learn the importance of creating peaceful home cultures for children and the role of peers in sustaining family life. Finally, navigate the balance of giving and receiving in relationships while embracing the ripples of small acts of kindness.

Explore the importance of placing God at the center of life and how daily practices shape our spiritual journeys. Dive into the concept of discipleship as becoming, not just doing, while emphasizing compassion and participation in God’s activity. Reflect on how cultural shifts impact faith, and discover practical categories for arranging your days. Learn the value of a personal rule of life, nurturing joy and contentment, and the necessity of supportive relationships. Embrace the unique ways you connect with God and live the gospel authentically.

“If we believe that God made the world, then the world is important as a revelation of God, as a sacred text. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then we must believe that he is the Son of God made flesh, made a human being—and therefore that the life of the human body in this world is important.” — Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community by Wendell BerryTake a moment to breathe. Slow your pace.Another breath.Perhaps another. Allow your soul to catch up with your life—even in this very moment.Another breath.Enjoy this brilliant poem by Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things. Read it as slowly as you are able:“When despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingswho do not tax their lives with forethoughtof grief. I come into the presence of still water.And I feel above me the day-blind starswaiting with their light. For a timeI rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”The first sacred text given to all of humanity is God’s creation itself. In many ways, the created world was intended to be a sacred container for the Kingdom of God—a primary expression of His presence and love.What if, just as the Creator crafted this redemptive backdrop for the story of mankind, you were invited to partner with Him in creating your life as a continually expanding spiritual refuge? A place where you are known, loved, perfectly safe, and deeply nourished—affording you an ever-increasing capacity to engage the battles God invites you to fight on behalf of your own heart and those entrusted to your care?Just as every creature is designed to flourish within a particular habitat, every soul is also meant to thrive in a specific environment. This is our destiny, and this is God’s invitation. A soul planted in good soil has little choice but to grow into the full expression of all it was created to become—since before the foundation of the world.Even a cursory immersion in the sacred text of nature reveals a profound truth: the health of any living thing is directly tied to the quality of its habitat. When the environment is whole, life flourishes. When it becomes toxic, life withers.Day by day, decade by decade, we hold far more power than we’ve believed to shape our lives in ways that increase our joy, confidence, and contentment in daily life with God.It was the prophetic voice of God through Isaiah that offered this invitation:“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” — Isaiah 32:18Make no mistake: this restoration is fiercely opposed. And yet, there is One who is greater. Even now, a perfect invitation is being extended—for you to take the next brave step, the next twenty seconds of courage, to partner with God in restoring a habitat where your soul can truly thrive.What if the restoration of the masculine soul depends on our willingness to humbly embrace the formative power of our context? What would it look like to recover a way of life that positions us to receive the revitalizing power of God's own life?Join me as we explore the power and hope of cultivating a habitat where our souls can flourish.As part of the journey of Becoming a King, this podcast offers a deeper exploration into creating that sacred habitat where this dream can be realized.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

The discussion dives into the importance of becoming a generalist, exploring how it aids in handling fear, risk, and failure. Personal stories highlight the joy of hands-on work and craftsmanship, emphasizing growth through practical skills. Connections to cultural narratives, like Jason Momoa’s life, reveal how artistic journeys intertwine with masculine initiation. The conversation also touches on modeling vulnerability for children, reshaping family dynamics, and the broader cultural impact of men embracing diverse roles in life.

Delve into the compelling journey of David as a young outcast transformed into a warrior for God. Discover the importance of mentorship, as older guides initiate younger men into adulthood while cultivating a godly warrior ethic. Explore the balance between comfort and challenge, advocating for courageous living rooted in secure attachment to God. Hear powerful stories of everyday heroism and sacrificial love within families. Reflect on the call to fight for worthy causes while acknowledging unseen victories in relationships. Wisdom, strength, and identity take center stage.

Delve into the profound exploration of identity and the search for your true name before God. Discover how cultural amnesia affects our understanding of self and the significance of names throughout our lives. Hear stories of personal transformation and the courage to embrace your unique role. From the whispers of God to the discomfort of growth, the conversation highlights the slow journey of becoming who we are meant to be. Learn to journal revelations and find the light guiding you deeper into a life of faith, hope, and love.

This exploration dives into how fear and shame shape our identities. The hosts discuss the transformative journey from false selves to a more authentic existence, using Eustace's story as a metaphor. They examine personal growth through experiences like marriage and creative activities, while also addressing styles of relating and the importance of self-awareness. The conversation encourages moving from shame to love-based curiosity and highlights the necessity of creating space for God to work in our lives, leading to gradual, meaningful change.

Explore how receiving God’s feminine love can transform your spiritual journey. Delve into the balance of masculine and feminine aspects of God and their impact on relationships. Discover how attachment needs influence emotional security and the longing for divine connection. Reflect on core desires beneath feelings of shame and learn how to redirect your longings towards God instead of people. Uncover practical steps to nurture a relationship with God that embraces both strength and tenderness.

Explore the profound themes of identity and purpose through the David and Goliath narrative. Delve into the significance of desire in spiritual growth and its transformative power. Learn to view life's challenges as an essential journey towards faith and understanding personal power in relationships. Discover the emotional complexities of power dynamics, particularly between men and women, and how these affect families. Finally, navigate the hidden struggles of power in marriages, emphasizing surrender and connection.