Become Good Soil

“What is hard about marriage is what is hard also about facing the Christian God: It is the strain of living continually in the light of a conscience other than our own, being under the intimate scrutiny of another pair of eyes.”— Mike Mason, The Mystery of MarriageWhat is the fruit of a decade given over to apprenticeship, to the slow work of excavation, and to the painful but promising transformation within the Kingdom of God? More precisely, what is the fruit born from the tender soil of our closest relationships?Over twenty-five years spent investing in the shaping of leaders, I have found one of the deepest and most gladdening sources of confirmation to be the voices of the wives of Become Good Soil men. It is one thing, after all, for a man to speak of his own progress—but it is quite another, and perhaps of far greater weight, when a spouse dares to offer her own candid reflections on what it is to share life with one who has set his whole heart upon the precarious path of becoming.As we prepare to launch into an extended BGS Podcast series—a deeper dive into the central truths of Becoming a King—it seems only fitting, indeed right and good, and more than a little risky, to let this voyage begin with the voices of women. These are women who generously offer their honest and loving observations from a deep well of intimate relationships.This episode features the voices of four remarkable women whose husbands have been engaged with the message of Become Good Soil for a decade or more. Join me as they share about the joyous, transformative effects they’ve witnessed in every dimension of their husbands’ lives, their marriages, and their families.For the Kingdom,Morgan and Cherie

Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. —Rainer Maria RilkeFriends,On our unique paths of initiation as women and men, we often encounter the severe mercy—the painful hope—of having our illusion of control shattered by the rebellious parts of our own souls.The infant, longing for nourishment. The toddler, yearning for eye contact and the smile of an attentive parent. The boyish hope and daring of a third-grade cowboy. The angry teenager, thirsting for a strength both within and beyond himself. The older man, carrying an unsung song in his heart.When we finally summon the courage to face the collective of young men within us, what do we do?To whom do we turn?I suggest that the invitation and intention of Jesus Christ is to welcome, see, love, know, sustain, restore, and champion all the uninitiated men within us—bringing them into an effectively organized community, fully held together and integrated by Him.With permission, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at an authentic, real-time mentoring call with a courageous apprentice. He is noticing the parts within and creating a safe space for each one to embark on the journey ever closer to Home.Join me as his story unfolds, opening access to our own stories in ways beyond what we can yet imagine.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

Discover the transformative power of questions as tools for personal growth and spiritual exploration. Dive into the journey of faith that reshaped understanding and worldview. Explore the benefits of silence and reflection in daily life, fostering a deeper connection with faith. Unpack the impact of personal beliefs on relationships and actions. Finally, illuminate your path with the symbolism of light in scriptures, encouraging a receptive approach to divine illumination.

For the eyes of the Lord search throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. -2 Chronicles 16:9Friends, As our fellow apprentice Matthew McConaughey once observed—albeit in delightful colorful terms:"We all step in shit from time to time. We hit roadblocks, we get sick, we don’t get what we want. We cross thousands of ‘could have done better’s and ‘wish that wouldn’t have happened’s in life. Stepping in shit is inevitable, so let’s either see it as good luck or figure out how to do it less often. … I’m not perfect; no, I step in shit all the time and recognize it when I do. I’ve just learned how to scrape it off my boots and carry on."One could scarcely find truer words to describe my dear and like-hearted brother, Dave Robison.Dave’s story is unvarnished and arresting - unorthodox, raw, at times heartbreaking, and yet - ever more radiant with the passing years. It is unique in its details and yet unmistakably universal, bearing the signs and waymarks of the initiation into wholehearted maturity every man and every woman must take. His tale is, in truth, echoes an immersion in God’s Larger Story.It is through this ancient, sweeping narrative in which his story and our own must recover its meaning. As the psalmist reminds us:“God is the country in which we live. He is our beginning and our end. He is where we are from, and where we are going. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alone are the inheritance of our lives. God is the prize, our supreme delight, our everlasting portion. Our destiny, and its hour, rest secure in His strong hands.” - Psalm 16:5, BGSTSo come—walk a little farther down this ancient path. Allow Dave’s story of redemption to be another narrow gate to recover more of your heart. Join us in the laughter and the ache, as we enter another Spirit-breathed chapter of masculine initiation.For the Kingdom,Morgan

Friends,Jean Giono, author of The Man Who Planted Trees, penned these breathtaking and invitational lines - words that draw us back to the path of Christ’s Kingdom Simplicity and Generous Love:“Creation seemed to come about in a sort of chain reaction. But the man who planted trees did not worry about it; he was determinedly pursuing his task in all its simplicity... For a human character to reveal truly exceptional qualities, one must have the good fortune to observe its performance over many years. If this performance is devoid of all egoism, if its guiding motive is unparalleled generosity, if it is absolutely certain there is no thought of recompense, and that, in addition, it has left its visible mark upon the earth, then there can be no mistake… This was the most impressive visible mark of his work: as we went back toward the village, I saw water flowing in brooks that had been dry since the memory of man. These dry streams had once, long ago, run with water…”Friends, take a moment to ask yourself:What would it be like to receive this invitation?To become this kind of person?To return to simplicity?To see dry stream beds run with water once more?To give most of our attention and affection to God and to a few things and a few others, in a way that is deeply affecting and outrageously good?To receive the freedom from our Father to engage only what is essential?It would change the world.Join me for a hidden conversation originally shared among a handful of Become Good Soil Intensive alumni. For other thirsty, like-hearted women and men among us, we’d love to welcome you to explore simplicity, essentialism, and generous love—together.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

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,