The Daily Grind

Friday, December 1: Dive into the fascinating structure of the Bible with John and Mariza on The Daily Grind podcast. Uncover the its 66 books and explore the Jewish perspective on the Old Testament, which divides it into Law, Prophets, and Writings (Torah, Nebi’im, Kethubim), collectively known as TaNaK. Discover the surprising non-chronological order of the books and the incredible journey of it...

Thursday, 30 November: Join John Spencer on this eye-opening episode of The Daily Grind podcast as he delves into the myths surrounding the nativity story. From the misconception of "No Room at the Inn" to the misrepresentation of a "White Jesus," John explores the historical and cultural context behind these myths. Discover the surprising truths about the shepherds, angels, an...

Wednesday, 29 November: Join John Spencer for an unusual exploration of the Christmas story as he delves into the scandalous nature of the incarnation. Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, John considers the unexpected setting of the manger and the radical decision of God to place His Son in the imperfect, dirty, and unsanitary hearts of humanity. Drawing parallels between the ordinary and the divine...

Tuesday, 28 November: In this episode of The Daily Grind podcast, we unpack the meaning of John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Beyond its annual recitation during Christmas, this verse holds a foundational truth that shapes our faith. Join us as we unpack the implications of God becoming flesh and walking among His people. From understanding the significance of "g...

Monday, 27 November: Join us on The Daily Grind Podcast as we explore the profound wisdom of Saint Augustine's words, "The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot." In this episode, we delve into the spiritual discipline of celebration and how it leads us into a perpetual jubilee of the Spirit. Discover the transformative power of cultivating "holy habits" that sh...

Friday, November 24: On today's Daily Grind, we're delving into a captivating Thanksgiving tale from ancient Israel that goes beyond the pilgrims and Indigenous Americans. Join us as we journey back to the time of King David and the Ark of the Covenant. Discover the rich traditions of a Thanksgiving celebration that involved feasting, music, and a powerful expression of gratitude. Unearth...

Thursday, 23 November: This special episode of "The Daily Grind" explores the profound teachings of Jesus on the Kingdom of God. Through parables, the rich imagery Jesus used to describe the Kingdom—yeast, seeds, treasure, and a banquet. In a heartwarming story from 1990, John recounts Tony Campolo's experience in a diner, where a simple act of kindness turned into a transformative m...

Wednesday, November 22: In this episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, host John Spencer digs into the often-overlooked power and depth of the word "Whoever" in the famous biblical verse, John 3:16. While many know the verse, few understand the profound inclusivity embedded in the term "Whoever." John explores how this simple word challenges preconceived notions, break...

Tuesday, November 21: In this episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, join host John Spencer as we dig into the profound message of John 15:13. We explore the true essence of love as defined by the Bible and contrast it with the world's often conditional understanding. Discover the powerful truths behind Jesus' words and how they can inspire and challenge your life and faith. As we...

Monday, November 20: In this episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, host John Spencer delves into Discipline Eleven – Guidance, exploring its revolutionary nature in the corporate disciplines. According to Richard Foster, Guidance isn't just about individual instructions; it's a collective effort, mirroring the biblical concept of communal guidance exemplified by the Israelites. T...

Friday, 17 November: On this special episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, join John and Maritza as they take a break from their usual format to explore the theme of joy and gratitude found in various Psalms. Instead of focusing on a single Psalm, they delve into multiple verses from different Psalms that emphasize the imperative of joy in the lives of God's people. Maritza shares a...

Thursday, November 16: In this episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, we delve into the practical wisdom and uplifting message found in James 1:17. Discover how this verse challenges common misconceptions among followers of Jesus and guides us to reevaluate the true source of every good and perfect gift in our lives. Join the discussion as we break down the meaning, explore the context se...

The host shares their personal journey of transitioning from a success-driven mindset to a relationship-centered approach in their Christian faith. Drawing inspiration from biblical passages and influential authors like Dallas Willard and Henri Nouwen, the podcast encourages listeners to love God, embrace the unforced rhythms of grace, and experience a life of freedom and peace. The show notes inc...

Tuesday, November 14: Join John Spencer and his special guest, Scott Holly, on today's episode of The Daily Grind. John and Scott take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their time in Vienna, Austria, working with Young Life. Scott shares insights into his experiences as a teacher for over 51 years and his current role supervising student teachers. The conversation dives into the impac...

Bonus episode, full interview with Scott Holley. You can also check out Scott's Book: Becoming the Teacher You Wish You'd Had

Monday, November 13:On this week's episode of The Daily Grind with John Spencer we delve into Week Ten of our exploration of "Celebration Of Discipline" by Richard Foster. This time, we're focusing on Chapter 10: The Discipline of Worship. Foster takes us on a journey through the concept of "holy expectancy" in worship, drawing inspiration from biblical figures like Mos...

Friday, November 10: In this episode of "The Daily Grind," we delve into the complex web of American Evangelical perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The host shares personal reflections and prayers while examining the apparent cognitive dissonance in Evangelical attitudes toward Israel. The episode challenges the idea of viewing the Jewish people as a means to an end and explo...

Thursday, November 9: Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the life and legacy of Alcuin of York, a figure often overshadowed by history. A devout church deacon in the eighth century, Alcuin played a pivotal role in transforming education across Europe under the patronage of Charlemagne. From his influential position as head of the court school in Aachen to his courageous stance a...

Wednesday, November 8: In this episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, we delve into the life and legacy of one of history's most remarkable scholars you've probably never heard of, The Venerable Bede. In 682 AD, a young boy named Bede was entrusted to the care of the twin monastery of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow, where he would go on to become a Benedictine Monk. Little did his caregiver...

Tuesday, November 7: In this thought-provoking episode of "The Daily Grind," we delve into the intriguing question: Whose side is God on? Drawing inspiration from the book "The Coddling of the American Mind" by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, we explore the "3 Big Misconceptions" that are shaping the beliefs of a whole generation, particularly the notion that life...

Monday, November 6: In this week's chapter of "Celebration of Discipline," we delve into the profound spiritual practice of confession. For Christians, confession is a powerful way to connect with God's grace and mercy, offering forgiveness and healing for our past mistakes and pain. Hosted by John Spencer, we explore how confession brings freedom, forgiveness, and healing. We un...

Friday, Nov 3: In this episode of "The Daily Grind," John and Maritza reflect on the importance of slowing down and being grateful, even when life throws unexpected challenges. Maritza shares a recent experience with her car's tires going flat and how it led her to take a moment to reflect on the lessons life was trying to teach her. They dive into the message of Psalm 100 and discus...

Thursday, 2 November: In this episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, we explore the powerful message of Romans 8:31, which offers incredible encouragement to Christians in the face of life's challenges. The verse asks, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" It's a reminder that when God is on our side, nothing can...

Wednesday, 1 November: In today's episode of "The Daily Grind" podcast, we delve into the concept of living in alignment with your true spiritual identity. We explore the term "saint," a frequent mention in the Bible, and how understanding this identity can profoundly shape our lives and interactions. Join us as we discuss passages from Philippians, the significance of bein...

Tuesday, 31 Oct: In this episode of "The Daily Grind," we delve into the meaning of Joshua 24:15, the verse behind the famous declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Discover the historical context and the choices Joshua presented to the people, which are still relevant today. Joshua's call for commitment highlights the decision we all must make: whom...