Become Good Soil

“We are wounded in isolation and we are healed in community.”— Tim KellerWhat does it mean to be made in the image of a Triune God-in-Relationship?What if relational connection is the heartbeat of the with God life?What is a relational model for becoming a king or a queen, one who can steward from wholehearted maturity?We must begin by recovering our hidden life in God—the joyful intimacy available with the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Drawing our life from the Life of God, we move into relationships with our spouse, children, peers, and families—both our biological and kingdom families.Right where we find ourselves. On this day. In these circumstances. Perhaps even through these circumstances, God offers a creative invitation to shepherd us in such a way that the things which matter most are no longer at the mercy of the things which matter least.Join Cherie and me as we take a deeper cut into a relational rule of life and explore generative steps toward arranging our days so that more and more of us can be reattached to the Vine of Life.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan and Cherie

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.

“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