Hodgepodge Theology

The best mic-drop moment of all time, for a parent, is to speak the following words with confidence: Because I said so. The conversation moves from brilliant parenting phrases into the realm of timeshare pitfalls - AND - believe it or not, we've found some theological connections. For superfans, we've added a bonus track.

Classroom notes (high school & middle school era) were actually a thing. You'd get a note passed to you from someone else. Who sent it? Why did they choose you? God does something similar with His Word. It's written for you. It demonstrates God's love in action. Will you receive it?

Boy oh boy. Talk about conviction. This conversation is chock-full of scenarios and Scripture tying together our need and drive to do the right thing.  Honestly, it's all about Jesus. (PS - I used to think it was all about me.) Cast your vote for the Signal Awards Listener's Choice (and your favorite in the lineup - Hodgepodge Theology): VOTE HERE!!   Thank you! We appreciate YOU!

The conversation surrounding knock-offs and authenticity comes to a close in this final installment of our unplanned trilogy.  Pastor Nicholas Hanges joins us again as we (sort of) pick up where we left off last week. Why are we still hovering around the topic of authenticity? Because it's an important one. We didn't want to leave this conversation partially covered.  Interestingly enough, there a...

We had to apologize to our listeners and to Pastor Nick Hanges. Many moons ago, we recorded a great conversation with Pastor Nick...but somehow the episode vanished into the abyss. So, here we are again, with Pastor Nick. The only difference is, we didn't lose this one!  James, Eric and Nick pick up where last week's episode left off. We explore a little more in the realm of knockoffs and knowing...

We kick things off by reminiscing about good old knockoffs of name brands. Eventually the conversation turns to conviction. We evaluate how we use time, navigate time and waste time. Grab a cup of coffee & listen to the conversation (at half speed?). Take your time. Time is a gift. Oliver Burkeman Interview.  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-small-endeavor-with-lee-c-camp/id1513178238?i=10...

Do we have lanes? If so, they probably indicate our gifting and skill sets.  When we all do our part and serve, great things are accomplished for His kingdom and glory.  It's amazing how hodgepodgy our conversations become. We also dive into liturgy and church rituals. Follow along and enjoy the ride!

Ok, we say the wrong words sometimes. We're human AND we admit it. At least we can laugh at ourselves.  PLUS - a first-time-listener joins the conversation.  Additional topics include intentionality and distractions.  Enjoy the conversation as we seek to equip people to understand Christ better and to walk in His footsteps with joy. 

Are you surprised that we crack ourselves up? We're not. PLUS, the epic, cool, best-guest-ever, Kerry Belgrave, graces the conversation for his second appearance (are you impressed at how many commas were used in this sentence??). Isn't it amazing to find a community of believers in Christ Jesus, who have fun and enjoy the life He's given us??

Today's episode has been crowned, "The Most Low-Key Episode of All Time." We had to. It was necessary. Why? So that we could strive for higher levels of dynamic conversation in the future. Several topics emerge: embarrassing moments, sleeping in church, way-gun vs. wagon, God's sense of humor and SO MUCH MORE. :-) Enjoy.

Today the discussion centers on the question: What does it mean to live with a capitalist worldview, and how should we interpret the Bible through that lens?   As always we would love to hear any ideas you may have! 

Season 3 Kickoff: We are back from break and diving straight into the deep end! For our season premiere, we sit down with Shane Miller of Kingdom 180 for a powerful conversation about his journey from darkness to light. Shane pulls back the curtain on his past days as a music and festival promoter and producer, detailing his descent into darkness and his radical redemption through Christ. It's an...

HPT has dropped 72 epidoses of pure audio gold (1 per week - for 72 weeks straight)! We've continued the pursuit of Christ through fun, engaging and hodgepodgy conversations. Some guests have been "very special" and some have been "mediocre." Through it all, we have had an absolutly amazing time together. Our guest today, is David Bowden (author, poet/spoken word artist and co-founder of Spoken Go...

Have you been trying to figure everything out? How's that going for you? Eric and James talk through the true insider's guide to life, happiness and true prosperity.  Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a comfortable and join our conversation. 

Preparedness vs. Panic Exploring Stewardship, Fear, and Wise Living The long-awaited rumors have finally come to fruition. James & Eric refrained from saying ANYTHING prior to the mics going live. Every word you hear in this episode unfolded for the first time, exactly as it happened.  As you might expect, the conversation is all over the map...and it is delightful.  Amazing as it might sound, the...

Did James just claim that Eric's middle name is Ned?? Or did he actually go so far as to use the name, "Percival"?? What. Is. Happening? The meat of the conversation explores the lack of creativity when remakes emerge more often than we might like. Eric and James weave that topic into the illusion some believers put forth for the world to see. Meaning, authenticity is what we should strive for, no...

Right off the bat, the grand winner is announced for the "Funkiest Photo" contest. The prize is delivered to said winner in true hodgepodge fashion. The conversation takes a deeper turn as the guys explore the concept of satisfaction, contentment and the awe and wonder of our Amazing God! Searching for satisfaction? Can't get no satisfaction (like Mick Jagger)? Join the conversation as we seek to...

If you've known any young teens or kids in the year of our Lord, 2025/2026, you probably have heard the term, "67." Today, here on HPT, (officially Epidode 67) we lay that to rest. We deem "67" as dead and gone. Sorry. We had to take action since no one else would. Eric introduces his friend, Rev. Jonathan Gabhart , Spencer native and pastor of worship arts at Pillar Church in Michigan.  The discu...

"Is that your truth, or the truth?" In this episode, James and Eric dive headfirst into the blurring lines of the modern era. As AI reshapes how we consume and create information, the guys tackle the dangerous shift from objective reality to "self-proclaimed truth." How do we stay anchored when the world around us is moving at fiber-optic speeds? In This Episode: The Age of AI: A look at the "new...

Waaaaaaay back, in Episode 17 , "very special guest," Karen Covell, was introduced. Karen is a producer and the founder of the Hollywood Prayer Network . Today, nearly 50 episodes later, Karen and her husband, Jim, are IN STUDIO for another installment of a fun and hearty conversation about faith and the arts. Jim, a composer for film and TV, provided affirmation and clarity for HPT's intro and ou...

Discipleship is key to the life of a believer. Jesus commanded it before He ascended into Heaven (Matthew 28:19-20). Eric and James discuss a new plan for discipleship at Hope Church.  They also introduce a word to us that most people don't use on a regular basis.

Apparently, we do not have a "very special guest" this time...instead, he's introduced as "Spencer Royalty." Eric, James and nobility (Kevin Brown) talk callings, equipping and how YOU might even be called to something God has lined up and arranged ahead of time.  Kevin oversees The Outreach . This is a place for people to gather and eat. Some might be in need of food. Some might be in need of com...

The recording studio had pockets of water and evidence of roof leakage when Eric and James entered to record. That sparked the conversation that we are to, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:20-21 NIV).  Later, the conversation shifts...

Is fear a secondary emotion, or a spiritual roadblock? This week, James and Eric are joined by Michael to pull back the curtain on the things that keep us up at night. From the irrational "spiders and heights" phobias to the deeper, more paralyzing fears that stop us from stepping into our calling, the guys get honest about their own struggles. We're diving into the "contagion" of fear—how it spre...

Eric presses one of the infamous buttons??!? Yes, it is true. Eric surprises James, not by carrying out the intro but by randomly pressing a sound effect.  James responds by calling Eric out by his full name AND by bestowing upon him an additional new middle name. HPT welcomes several teen guests into the conversation. Here, the discussion delves into authentic faith and future plans. The teens al...