FOUNDRYcast

What does it mean to be wise? Is it different from smart? Wisdom is a pretty big thing in scripture. In fact, an entire section of the Old Testament (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Job) are known as "wisdom literature." Many of us think only more "experienced" people in life are wise, or that someone can become wise through intentional learning or education. Wisdom doesn't bel...

This week Foundry is reading the book of James together. It is an exciting look into what Early Christianity was like and was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus. Each day we will post the scripture reading and a short audio commentary. Make sure to tune in each day.  Find the shownotes at wearefoundry.com/james1 James 1 James 1  (NLT) 1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the...

What are thing things in life you just simply won't budge on? I refuse to eat any beans and I believe that sugar in cornbread is horrible. I believe Waylon Jennings is the single greatest country western singer to ever live. I will always pick the Stones over the Beatles. But I am honest with myself, I also have very broken truths I refuse to budge on. I make assumptions about people and things. I...

The heart is a funny thing. We can't live without it. We are obsessed with it from a medical perspective, yet also talk about it plenty of cultural terms. It shows up on t-shirts, emoji's, Instagram story drawings over our favorite food and plenty of other things. The heart is serious business. The heart is also serious business to God. It is referenced over 350 times in scripture and you'd be sur...

At Foundry, our vision is simple. Jesus is Big Enough. Once it is said, the complexity begins. It opens up a whole range of emotions. We've talked about  the Dark side of Jesus is Big Enough . When we begin searching for a bigger vision for our world, we realize that our own vision is simply inadequate. We need to see and understand God's vision for our world. Jesus is Big Enough This Sunday, we a...

I've done some outrageous things to fit in. I'm sure all of us have. I remember begging my Dad to let me get lines shaved in the side of my head when I was around 8 years old. To my surprise, he totally let me…but it didn't change my social status. For many of us, adolescence is a constant journey to find just the right place in the social playground. And sadly, it doesn't change that much as we g...

Over the last few weeks, we have talked about us God wants you to be and who God wants us to be. This week we are talking about what God wants us to do. We are going back into the story of Jeremiah, and looking at the larger content behind one of many folks favorite Bible verses. For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a futur...

One of the more popular conversations every year in January is about resolutions. Everyone has things they want to stop/start in life. Over the last few years, it has gotten even more intense. Folks take the time to set goals, they might follow the "3 words" philosophy or any other beginning of the year plan to making the current better than the past. We each have this idea of our ideal self and w...

What was the last thing you looked forward to? There are a handful of experiences in life that we all want to be downright perfect. Mary, a young bride-to-be, was in the middle of one. Engaged to Joseph, she was spending a season of preparation. Typically, this meant a time of learning what it meant to be a wife, how to manage a household and growing from a young lady to a wife. And then someone s...

Have you ever found yourself in an impossible situation? We've all been there. Sometimes it just takes discipline or ingenuity. If fact, many of us pride ourselves for our ability to navigate impossible situations. It's a mark of pride. We get trophies, certificates, promotions and raises for how we can pull off the impossible. But let's be honest for a moment. We all remember that time when emoti...

Do you have that one person in your life that is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for? I think every family and friend group has one. It can be for different reasons, but you end up spending the whole year thinking about present ideas for them. The tactic I have always found helpful is to find something the person doesn't know they need. It could be something they weren't aware of, or a new hobby or interest th...

What would it look like if Thanksgiving never stopped? Can we get tired of the food, hanging out with family, and the otherwise relaxed few days each of us get? I think I would love it. Then again, I also think I would probably go crazy. Most of us quickly get sentimental when it comes to Thanksgiving. I have tons of memories. Many of my more recent are of Meredith and I's first "grown-up" Thanksg...

We all understand the importance of follow-through. It builds trust. Imagine a world without trust. I'd actually say we are pretty close to that right now. We are consumed with contracts, legal agreements, partnerships and many other forms of binding statements. But God has made a partnership with us. And it's bigger than anything we can imagine. The biblical word for this relationship is "covenan...

On November 6th, we gave a copy of Grow at Home to every household at Foundry. In this episode, Chad has a conversation with Winfield Bevins, author of Grow at Home.  So what is family discipleship? Discipleship is the parent's responsibility. (Proverbs 22:6) Kids are leaving the church.  A basic definition of family discipleship. Turning off, unplugging, and talking.  Simplicity is where it's at....

We are in our final day of reading Ephesians together. This has been a great experience for so many of us. We wrap up this passage with Paul closing a few of his large narrative arcs and him reminding us of the power of prayer.  Ephesians 6  Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment w...

We are coming around the bend and seeing the end of the road for the book of Ephesians. But Paul isn't done yet. Trust me. There is still gold to mine from this book.  Ephesians 5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to G...

Today we are really hitting the center point, the highest peak of Paul's letter. I'm excited about it. If anything, it is this chapter that made me want to launch into this whole weeklong conversation with Ephesians, beginning with the sermon Lies, Truths and Something to Believe in.  Ephesians 4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you h...

Today we come to the place in Paul's letter where he begins building us deeper into the idea of what it means to be God's Holy People.  Ephesians 3  When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God hims...

This week, Foundry is reading through Ephesians 2. Here is our reading, reflection, and the audio link.  Ephesians 2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to...

This week, Foundry is reading Ephesians together. We are excited to take a whole week to read deeply into this letter from the apostle Paul. Today we are reading Ephesians 1. Make sure to tune in each day for the daily reading.  Ephesians 1 (New Living Translation This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God's holy people in Ephesus, who...