The Daily Grind

Friday, May 9th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, we uncover the remarkable but often overlooked life of Macrina the Younger, a pivotal yet quiet figure in early church history. Older sister and spiritual guide to the influential Cappadocian Fathers—Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus — Macrina profoundly impacted early Christian theology and monastic life. After choosin...

Thursday, May 8th: In this closing episode of The Daily Grind series on the exchanged life, we turn to John 15 to explore what it means to “abide in Christ.” Jesus doesn’t call us to produce fruit by effort, but by staying connected to Him—the true Vine. This abiding life is the heart of spiritual growth, joy, and transformation. We discuss the difference between striving and abiding, and how real...

Wednesday, May 6th: In today’s episode of The Daily Grind, we explore Philippians 3 and the profound truth of righteousness by faith. Paul, once confident in his religious performance, comes to count it all as loss compared to knowing Christ. He describes a righteousness that’s not earned by keeping rules, but received by trusting Jesus. This righteousness brings freedom from performance, shame, a...

Tuesday, May 6th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, we explore what it means to live by the phrase “Not I, But Christ” from Galatians 2:20. Paul tells us that he has been crucified with Christ, and that his old self is no longer the source of life—Christ is. We break down what it means to die to the false self, embrace the indwelling Christ, and live daily by faith, not flesh. This episode unpac...

Monday, May 5th: In today’s episode of The Daily Grind, we begin the second half of our series on the exchanged life by exploring the powerful phrase from Colossians 1:27: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This isn’t religious poetry—it’s a stunning truth at the heart of the gospel. Jesus doesn’t just save you—He moves in. You’re not trying to follow a distant Savior—you’re learning to live from...

Friday, May 2nd. Thank You - we hit 500! In this milestone 500th episode of The Daily Grind, John, Mariza, and Carla gather around the mic to reflect on the incredible journey so far. They share favorite memories, unexpected surprises, and the deep joy of exploring faith together week after week. From light-hearted banter over root beer preferences to dreaming about coffee with historical heroes,...

Thursday, May 1: Today on The Daily Grind, we explore one of the most breathtaking truths in all of Scripture: you are already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds us that because of God’s great love and mercy, we’re not just forgiven—we’re exalted. Being seated with Christ means your status is secure, your authority is established, and your perspective can shift...

Wednesday, April 30th: In today’s episode of The Daily Grind, we dive into two of the most freeing truths in all of Scripture: no condemnation, and no separation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Drawing from Romans 8, we explore how the gospel silences shame, cancels fear, and anchors our hearts in a love that will never let us go. Even when we feel condemned, God’s verdict is final—and His grip...

Tuesday, April 29th: Today on The Daily Grind, we explore the amazing truth that when you trust in Christ, you become a new creation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul tells us that the old is gone and the new has come. But even though we are made new in spirit, many of us still struggle with old patterns and mindsets. In this episode, we unpack the difference between self-improvement and resurrection,...

Monday, April 28th: Episode 1 of the new series In Christ, Christ in You, and the Exchanged Life kicks off with a foundational truth: you’ve been buried and raised with Christ. In Romans 6, Paul tells us that when we placed our faith in Jesus, we weren’t just given a new belief system—we were united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. That means the “old you”—the one ruled by sin, shame, fea...

Friday, April 25: In this powerful episode of The Daily Grind, John and Mariza dive into John chapter 20—the moment everything in the Gospel has been building toward. The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. But before the celebration begins, we find confusion, grief, doubt, and fear. Mary Magdalene is weeping, the disciples are hiding, and Thomas is questioning. Yet Jesus meets each person right where...

Thursday, April 24: What if the resurrection wasn’t just about saving souls—but restoring creation? On this final episode of the post-Easter series, we look at how Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning of something massive: a new creation. A world where death is dethroned, injustice is undone, and all things are made new. Revelation says Jesus is making “all things new”—not all new things. The res...

Wednesday, April 23: Hope is hard to hold onto in a world that feels broken. But in today’s episode of The Daily Grind, we remember that our hope isn’t rooted in circumstances—it’s rooted in resurrection. 1 Peter 1 calls it a living hope—not dead, not fragile, not easily shaken. But something firm, imperishable, and secure. We talk about what it means to hope wisely in a cynical world, how to keep...

Tuesday, April 22nd: What does it mean to live like you're really free? On today’s episode of The Daily Grind, we explore how the resurrection of Jesus doesn’t just set us free from death—but also from the shame, guilt, and fear that try to keep us in the grave. Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The resurrection tore the veil, broke the chai...

Monday, April 21: The tomb is empty—but what does that mean for us on Monday morning? In this episode of The Daily Grind, we reflect on the truth that the resurrection isn't just a moment in history—it's a power that changes how we live now. Romans 6 reminds us that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life. But so many of us still live like we’re stuck in the sha...

Friday, April 18: In this deeply emotional episode, John and Mariza walk through John 19, the chapter recounting the brutal crucifixion of Jesus. Mariza opens up about her personal grief after losing her grandmother on Palm Sunday, and how reading this chapter left her dreaming, crying, and wrestling with the cruelty Jesus endured. Together, they explore the raw brutality of crucifixion, the injus...

Thursday, April 17th: It’s Thursday—and Easter Weekend is almost here. On this special episode of The Daily Grind, we slow down and walk day-by-day through the three most important days in history: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday. We reflect on the pain of the cross, the silence of the tomb, and the explosive hope of an empty grave. Jesus was betrayed, beaten, crucified—and yet...

Wednesday, April 16: In this powerful finale to Luke’s Gospel, John walks us through Luke 24—the chapter that takes us from despair to joy, from death to life, and from hiding to bold proclamation. Early on the first day of the week, women go to the tomb with spices, expecting to honor a dead body. Instead, they find the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and two angels saying: “Why do you look fo...

Tuesday, April 15th: In part two of Luke 23, we follow Jesus on His final steps to the cross—and every detail carries weight. As He stumbles under the weight of the cross, Simon of Cyrene is pulled from the crowd to help carry it. Women weep for Him, and Jesus, even in agony, warns them of the greater sorrow still to come. He is crucified between two criminals, mocked by leaders and soldiers, but...

Monday, April 14: In part one of Luke 23, John walks us through the trial of Jesus—not a search for truth, but a tragic game of politics, power, and public pressure. Jesus is brought before Pilate, then sent to Herod, and then back to Pilate again. At every turn, no guilt is found in Him—yet no one will stand up for Him either. Pilate tries to release Him, even offering to let Him go as a Passover...

Friday, April 11: In this Good Friday episode of The Daily Grind, John takes us through one of the most intense and often misunderstood stories in the Old Testament—Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22. What sounds like a disturbing test of faith actually reveals something profound about the character of God and His ultimate plan of redemption. Drawing on cultural and historical con...

Thursday, April 10th: In part two of Luke 22, The Daily Grind takes us into the garden, the betrayal, and Peter’s heartbreaking denial. As the shadows fall over Jerusalem, Jesus retreats to the Mount of Olives—not to escape, but to pray. He pleads with the Father, wrestling with the weight of what’s coming, yet fully surrendered to God’s will. While His disciples sleep, Judas arrives with a kiss t...

Wednesday, April 9: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John takes us into the quiet before the storm—Luke 22:1–38, where Jesus prepares for His final hours with both sorrow and strength. The Passover is near, and while religious leaders plot His death and Judas makes a dark deal, Jesus focuses on something else: a meal with His friends. Around the table, He redefines the Passover with bread and w...

Tuesday, April 08: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John walks us through Luke 21 —a chapter that begins quietly with a poor widow’s offering and ends with cosmic signs and a call to stay alert. Jesus is in the final days of His ministry, teaching in the temple while the tension around Him builds. He affirms a widow’s quiet trust as greater than the flashy gifts of the wealthy, then stuns His d...

Monday, April 7: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John walks us through Luke 20—a chapter pulsing with tension, confrontation, and divine wisdom. Jesus is in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple courts, surrounded by religious leaders who are not there to listen but to trap Him. They question His authority, but He flips the script, exposing their motivations and refusal to seek truth. He tells a p...