Become Good Soil

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.

Love, as Paul and the New Testament present it, is not action— not even action with a special intention—but a source of action. – Dallas Willard Friends, Thousands of years ago, Saint Paul penned his breathtaking discourse on Love.  It’s been misunderstood, watered down, and robbed of its beauty by overuse. Yet the life of God still pulses through, if we but let these old words visit us in a new way: Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete…but Love never dies.” Love begets compassion. Compassion begets connection. Connection begets love.  And Love wins. Let's dive into Part 3 of this series as we revel together in the consummation of compassion and love. For the Kingdom, MorganP.S. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: 088: Blurring the Lines of Family and Vocation 091: Soulcraft with Sam Jolman Become Good Soil Comfort Survey

Clothe yourself with compassion… – Saint Paul Friends, If we come from the Trinity and thus naturally return to the Trinity, I want to lovingly ask again...What is in the way of our homecoming?  Perhaps better said, where do we find ourselves along the journey of home-going? As a community of mature men who desire what is good, true, and beautiful, we often find ourselves pouring ourselves out on behalf of others.  We risk. We love. We serve. We sacrifice. We come through. We are warriors on behalf of love, consenting to a story bigger than ourselves. It is simply who we have become over the past two decades.  Yet as we come through for the desires and needs of those we treasure most, we very comfortably ignore and minimize our own desires and needs.  What do you want? What do you need? Deeper still, do you receive compassion for yourself to the measure that God is offering compassion to you?  Let's dive into Part 2 of this conversation with Pablo Ceron.  For the Kingdom, Morgan

...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts... – Saint Paul Friends, Life is hard. Damn hard.  And, brothers, with the convergence of the headlines, the violent speed of life, and the hyperindividualism of this hour, there is little hope that life will get easier.  Haunting the masculine soul with uncertainty, pain, and tragedy, we’re left with quite a predicament.  Before a man can even honestly utter what he must do to thrive in this hour, a deeper question cries out.  Who must I become to live and love well?  The answer lies in the depths of the image of God in us as men: In times of uncertainty, there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Kingdom’s call; a common man with an uncommon desire to love. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside God’s finest warriors to serve his Kingdom and to serve the people God has placed under his care, and to protect their way of life. I am that man. We are that man.  Though dormant in varying degrees and dimensions, this identity is nonetheless concrete. It is who we are, and who we are becoming. Design indeed reveals destiny. And the intentioned destiny of our Father in and through our hearts and stories as men will triumph.  Let’s dive in.  For the Kingdom, Morgan

Join an intimate exploration of new beginnings in a heartfelt conversation. The hosts discuss the challenges and joys of ministry transitions, emphasizing community and collaboration. They reflect on the emotional complexities of change while cherishing deep connections. An exciting initiative to launch a university in Scotland is revealed, aimed at nurturing future leaders. Through shared prayers, they highlight the significance of community and spiritual growth in their transformative journey. Embrace the adventure of faith and connection!

Sam Eldredge, an expert in personal transformation and healing through connection, shares insights on emotional healing and self-acceptance. He discusses the intricate dynamics of our emotional parts and the journey to integrating them for inner peace. Eldredge dives into navigating grief and how it reshapes identity, emphasizing vulnerability and authenticity. The conversation unfolds around the importance of confronting emotional pain, embracing personal growth, and the transformative journey from boyhood to manhood, all guided by self-awareness and creativity.