The Daily Grind

Tuesday, July 18th: In this episode, we explore incidents in Jesus' ministry where he would ask people questions who opposed his healing or compassion, and asking if they wanted to be healed before performing a miracle. These seemingly straightforward questions reveal insights about Jesus' compassion and desire to respect human agency. We dig into the lessons behind each question, examinin...

Monday, July 17: In this episode, we continue to explore the technique of answering questions with questions employed by Jesus in the Bible. Through examining the parable of the Good Samaritan and other instances, we discover how Jesus used this method to discern the intentions behind the queries directed at him. Join us as we delve into the practical applications of this approach in our own lives...

Friday, July 14: In this episode, we focus on Jesus' questions about identity, we explore how these inquiries were intended to lead his followers to a deeper understanding of who he truly was. We also discuss the significance of answering Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" and how our theology and faith are tested in real-life situations, including times of crisis. Additiona...

Thursday, July 13: In this episode, we discuss Jesus' questions during his time on earth. With an estimated 307 questions in the Gospels alone, Jesus prioritized questioning over direct answers. We explore why questions can be more important than answers, how knowledge without wisdom falls short, and the impact of Jesus' questions of invitation. Join us as we learn to ask thought-provoking...

Wednesday, July 12: In this episode, we delve into the often overlooked context of community in the Bible. We explore how our individualistic bias can influence our interpretation of Scripture and hinder our understanding of God's intended message. Join me as we uncover the transformative power of studying the Bible within a community, and discover how embracing a communal perspective can deep...

Tuesday, July 11th: In this Enrich Your Faith, we explore the concept of righteousness and investigate its meaning beyond personal moral conduct. Join me as we discuss the social dimension of righteousness according to the Bible, challenging cultural expectations and personal biases. Discover how treating the poor, marginalized, and outsiders plays a crucial role in righteousness, and explore the...

Monday, July 10: In today's episode, we discuss the profound truth that God has chosen us and made us His special people. Drawing from Colossians 3:12 and other scriptures, we dig into the qualities that should characterize our lives as recipients of God's love. From showing mercy and kindness to embracing humility, gentleness, and patience, we discover how living out these virtues not onl...

Friday, July 7th: In this episode, we look at one of Jesus' most challenging commands: to love and forgive our enemies. We explore the practical implications of this command, as outlined by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:14-21. Through the powerful testimony of Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, we discover how forgiveness can be an act of the will, inspired by the example of Jesus. We also...

Thursday, July 6th: In this episode, we look at the powerful message of Ephesians 1:18-20, where the Apostle Paul shares a prayer for the church to have open minds and understand God's truth. Join me as we explore the significance of seeking spiritual knowledge and the transformative impact it can have on our lives. Discover the hope that comes from being chosen by God, the amazing blessings p...

Wednesday, July 5th: From Brennan Manning's book " Lion and Lamb: the Relentless Tenderness of Jesus ". Join me in this episode as we explore the contrasting perspectives of Settler Theology and Pioneer Theology, inspired by Brennan Manning's book "Lion and Lamb: The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus." We consider the imagery of the courthouse and the covered wagon, the ro...

Tuesday, July 4th: In this episode, we explore the concept of being a bondservant in the New Testament and how it differs from modern slavery. We delve into the historical context and significance of the term, examining how it was used to describe both societal roles and the commitment of early Christians to Jesus. We discuss the transformative power of surrendering our independence and becoming d...

Monday, June 3rd: Have you ever wondered what it means to take the Lord's name in vain? In this episode, we look into the depth of the 3rd commandment and uncover the real significance behind not taking God's name in vain. We explore the biblical perspective and challenge the oversimplification of this commandment in popular culture. Join me as we discuss the implications of misusing God&#...

Friday, June 30: Howdy y’all, join me and my good friend Mariza, we're fixing' to take a look at the Beatitudes, the most famous sermon Jesus ever preached, the Sermon On The Mount. Now, let me tell you, this message is something' else—it's downright powerful and mind-blowing'! I reckon there's a darn good chance you've heard them before. Mariza and I, are discussing ho...

Thursday, June, 29: Join us as we explore why discussing Jesus can be challenging in today's world. We delve into the tendency for Christians to become preoccupied with activities done in His name, often losing sight of who Jesus truly was. Discover the importance of spending time with Jesus, immersing ourselves in the Gospels, and developing a dynamic relationship with Him to prevent our fait...

Wednesday, June, 28: In this episode, we examine the Lord's Prayer, exploring its meaning and the themes it points us to. Rather than focusing solely on the words themselves, we discover that Jesus intended to teach His followers the essential themes to incorporate into their prayers. By looking at each verse of the prayer, we gain a deeper understanding and how it can transform our prayer liv...

Tuesday, June 27: In this episode, we explore why prayer can be challenging for many of us. We delve into the misconception of viewing prayer as a means to manipulate God and the burdensome task it becomes when life doesn't go as planned. However, we discover a transformative perspective from Dallas Willard, emphasizing the importance of living a "praying life" rather than simply dev...

Monday, June 26: In this episode, we delve into being a follower of Jesus and the ongoing choice to grow in our faith and become like Jesus. We explore the truth found in Philippians 2:3-11 and Galatians 5:22-26, which guide us in understanding how we can look like Christ and reflect His character in our daily lives. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of discipleship, the importance of...

Friday, 23 June. On this episode John and Mariza talk through segments of The Daily Grind while engaging in a conversation about the meaning of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7 about 'Judge Not' (also known as 'judge not lest ye be Judged'). ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna tal...

Thursday, 22 June. John 13:34-35 In this episode, we explore the command of Jesus to love one another as He loved us. We delve into the significance of this radical call and discover practical ways to apply it in our daily lives. Get ready to be challenged and inspired to embrace a love that goes beyond boundaries and transforms the world around us. ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggesti...

Wednesday, 21 June. Join us in this episode as we explore the profound words of Jesus in John 10:7-10, where he proclaims himself as the door for the sheep and offers abundant, overflowing life. We delve into the importance of living in holiness and pursuing peace, drawing wisdom from Hebrews 12:14-17. Discover how bitterness and gratitude cannot coexist, and why rejoicing in our faith and maintai...

Tuesday, 20 June. Contextualizing Philippians 4:13: Endurance, Contentment, and the Strength of Christ. In this episode, we delve into the popular Bible verse Philippians 4:13, exploring its widespread misinterpretation and misuse in American Christianity. By examining the surrounding verses, we discover the true meaning of this verse, highlighting Paul's secret of contentment and how it signi...

In this episode, we look into the often misunderstood verse from Romans 8:28, where God works all things together for good. We explore how this verse is frequently taken out of context, twisted to imply material prosperity for all, but upon closer examination, we discover its true meaning. By examining the surrounding verses and the context of Romans 8, we uncover that God's work for good is s...

Friday, 16 June. Today I am joined by my good friend Mariza Saenz Olmos, a co-worker at the college and member of the ⁠Latin Express Band⁠ from Fort Worth (check them out)! I think Fridays might become "Unlocking the Bible: Beyond the Verse Day" In this episode, we delve into the dangers of reading isolated Bible verses without understanding their context and explore the five essential q...

Thursday 15, June Through the story of the Prodigal Son, we discover the generous and ever-present nature of our Heavenly Father, who forgives, embraces, and adopts us into His family. We explore the dangers of the "Elder Brother Syndrome" and the importance of recognizing our need for a loving Father to guide us and shape our lives. ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I...

Wednesday, 14 June: In this episode, we look into the popular notion of having a "personal relationship with Jesus" and explore its biblical foundation. While the exact phrase is absent from the Bible, we examine the actions of the Apostles and the overarching themes of Scripture to shed light on the nature of our connection with Jesus. We consider how our faith is not meant to be a priv...