Become Good Soil

Explore the essence of true growth through the lens of generosity and stewardship. Discover the transformative journey inspired by 'The Man Who Planted Trees' and the importance of prioritizing what genuinely matters in life. Reflect on the rebirth of a community where hope rejuvenates barren landscapes into vibrant gardens. Delve into the power of essentialism, emphasizing quality over quantity, and learn how meaningful choices can reclaim our lives from distractions. It's a journey toward simplicity, faith, and collective resilience.

Discover the transformative power of Jubilee, where restoration, forgiveness, and community healing take center stage. The conversation shifts from a productivity-driven life to one that embraces rest and spiritual renewal. Gain insights on the importance of being seen as beloved by God, and how this impacts our work and relationships. Reflect on family transitions and the joy of cherishing moments together, all while advocating for a culture that values pause and reflection over relentless striving.

The discussion centers on the journey of fatherhood and the importance of initiating sons into manhood. Shared vulnerability is underscored as key in father-son dynamics, with stories highlighting the need for emotional support. Parenting is framed as a practice of grace and authenticity, emphasizing risks and connection. The emotional bonds between fathers and sons are explored, particularly the necessity of addressing unresolved childhood issues. Additionally, the influential role of mothers in this initiation process is celebrated, showcasing the balance of maternal and paternal influence.

A group of fathers shares their raw experiences in a roundtable discussion about initiating sons into maturity. They tackle the joys and complexities of fatherhood while embracing vulnerability and personal growth. Topics range from navigating financial constraints to the importance of meaningful interactions as rites of passage. The talk emphasizes building emotional connections and supporting children through loss, showcasing how storytelling and mentorship can guide young boys on their journey to manhood.

In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects.Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity.Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.– Matthew 5:48 MSGThe invitation of the Gospel is stark and unrelenting: Come and die in order to live. It is strange and compelling that Jesus, who healed so many, never once chose to heal his own disciples instantaneously. Instead, he continually beckoned them to the weightiest of challenges, probing the very depths of their souls—both the masculine and the feminine within them—daring them to come and die at the deepest levels of their human experience:Pick up your cross and follow me.If you want to save your life, you must lose it.You cannot serve God and money. You cannot serve God and power.Leave everything you’ve ever known, and follow me.Unless you surrender all to me—giving up everything, father, mother, sister, brother—you cannot be my disciple.Jesus’ language to his disciples is a language of initiation. He shaped and implemented a culture where men and women can realize their God-given identities. And from generation to generation, he guides his followers into a lifestyle of ever-increasing maturity through loving challenge.If we allow our lives to speak, we will hear Reality inviting us to pass through a death and experience rebirth. At every moment, Jesus is freshly inviting us onto the ancient path of initiation. It is the center of his brilliant and loving work.You cannot discipline your way out of woundedness and brokenness. At the same time, you cannot heal your way out of immaturity. Jesus’ way with the disciples is both: to heal and mature. By day and by decade, he not only heals what is lame in us but trains us to join him in walking on the water.Join me and Conrad Schottel for a conversation as we dare to let Jesus lovingly challenge us.For the Kingdom,

Sam Jolman, author of "The Sex Talk You Never Got," shares profound insights into masculine sexuality and the nuances of emotional regulation. He encourages curiosity in understanding the root of sexual shame and contrasts it with the powerful force of kindness. Jolman explores fundamental needs in relationships, emphasizing beauty and connection, and reflects on the importance of savoring simple joys. He advocates for reclaiming masculine sexuality as a means of healing both individual and community wounds.

In this engaging discussion, Sam Jolman, a Christ-centered therapist with over 20 years of experience, shares insights from his book, "The Sex Talk You Never Got." He explores how societal pressures create shame around masculine sexuality and highlights the transformative power of vulnerability and self-exploration. The conversation dives into the importance of emotional connection in relationships, the value of sensuality beyond mere sexual intimacy, and the need for deeper trust in connections. It's a journey towards reclaiming innocence and understanding one's identity.

Dive into a journey of deep self-reflection and spiritual growth. Explore the powerful practice of examen to uncover authenticity during life’s transitions. Discover the impact of gratitude and emotional awareness on your spiritual journey. Reflect on significant relationships and divine encounters that shape you. Navigate the complexities of partnership and grief in personal growth. Embrace the transformative power of forgiveness while making space for new beginnings, all wrapped up in heartfelt prayers and blessings.

"You should not be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'" – Jesus of Nazareth Dear Friends, Advent is upon us—a season not merely of waiting but of planting, where the seed of hope is buried deep in the soil of time. It is the prologue to Christmas when the Author Himself stepped onto the stage of His own story. But like all great stories, this one is layered. Beneath the glitter and sentiment of the season lies a truth so profound it shakes the foundations of our reality: that life springs from death, joy from suffering, and rebirth from what we thought was the end. Have you ever considered what it truly means to be born again? Cast aside, for a moment, the tattered clichés and the defensive armor we often wrap around such words. To be born again is not a slogan or a doctrine but the startling, living reality of God’s relentless affection—an affection that invades every shadowed corner of the human heart. The Incarnation of Christ is not merely an event in history; it is the eternal declaration that God has chosen to make Himself known not in distant thunder but in the fragile cry of a child. And yet, it is more. It is an invitation—a call to enter into a union so mysterious, so vivid, that we find ourselves remade, again and again, until we come to know the safety and intimacy that Christ Himself knew with the Father. This, my friends, is the heart of the process of salvation. It is not merely a rescue from peril but the restoration of our true selves, rooted in divine love and revealed in our human relationships, by day and by decade. Every celebration of the Incarnation is pregnant with the invitation to come, taste, and see. And here lies the wonder: this salvation is not a far-off promise. It is here, now, within reach of the humble and the weary, waiting to be received by you and by me. This Advent, let us pause amidst the noise and receive this gift afresh. Let us prepare to experience the miracle of new birth, of first breath, as we are drawn ever deeper into the life of the One who has come to make all things new. For the Kingdom, Cherie and Morgan

I had always felt life first as a story—and if there is a story there is a storyteller. – G. K. Chesterton Friends, The human soul craves meaning, just as the body needs food and water. On our journey of masculine initiation, our souls long for the stories of others to illuminate our own. Stories are the language of the heart. They nourish us, bring meaning to our lives, and, most importantly, disrupt and inspire us to take heart once more, drawing us back to the ultimate Storyteller. Our stories begin with God, are sustained by God, and are guided by him toward a flourishing finish. Through his grace, we discover an extraordinary truth: we are not called to avoid failure but to entrust it to God’s redemptive and undefeated story of love. Greg Lindsey embodies this courage. As a husband, father, grandfather, and shepherd to his church community, he invites others into a deeper connection with God and their own stories. Join me as we explore the universal and personal landscape of one man’s redemption story. You won’t want to miss it. For the Kingdom, Morgan P.S. For those interested in Greg’s work, he recently wrote The Rest of Your Story, a book for men and women to consider the depth and possibility of a life in God’s Kingdom.