As we enter this Advent season anticipating the birth of Jesus, this episode reflects on His second coming and His return. When followers of Jesus understand where we are headed, it empowers us with strength and patience to live with purpose. In this episode, Eric and Brian discuss the second coming of Christ, the beauty of His promised return, and how this hope compels us to live countercultural lives.

Show Notes:

121 Advent Family Devotional

James 5

Did the Bible Predict the Future? (Sermon 11.28.18)

Against the Grain Ep. 7 - The Timeless Significance of Passover Week

Prayer is foundational and vital to Christian living, however it can also be confusing and abstract. In this episode Lorraine, Sonja and Eric discuss growing a vibrant prayer life, the effects of prayer on our hearts and how to grow your faith through prayer.

The end times could be a source of hope as we look forward to the coming of the Lord, or it could be a source of fear in the face of such uncertainty. In this episode, Eric and Brian discuss a few views of how Jesus' return could play out. Take a listen and dive into learning more about anticipating the Day of the Lord.

Show Notes:

Revelation Study

Discipleship on the Edge by Darrell Johnson

Four Views on the Millennium

Matthew 13, 22, 24, 25

1 Corinthians 1, 5

2 Corinthians 1

1 Thessalonians 5

The idea of spiritual warfare can be complex and overwhelming. Often in our culture, we combat this by ignoring it completely. Scripture urges us against this and encourages us to press into truth seek to understand how to armor up against spiritual attacks. In this episode, Eric, Thayne and Cindy discuss how we can recognize the presence of evil in the world and live against the grain in how we deal with it.

Show notes:

Praying the Armor of God pdf

The Adversary by Mark Bubeck

Spiritual Warfare by Karl Payne

Money matters. The Bible mentions finances over 2,300 times, and Jesus devoted 11 of his 39 parables to the subject. But what does a counter-cultural approach to money actually look like? In this episode of Against the Grain, Eric and Vince explore how biblical wisdom challenges our modern relationship with finances and invites us to live differently.

Being a parent in this cultural moment is tough. The biggest danger for our kids is the ideas that bombard them from every direction. How do we equip our kids to see through the lies of our culture and see things biblically? Andrea Crum joins Eric and Courtney to discuss this question. She is the Author of "Christ over Culture” and organizer of the Raising Biblical Kids Conference. 

Show Notes:

Raising Biblical Kids Conference

Alisa Childers Website & Podcast

Theology Mom

Center for Biblical Unity

Colson Center

Summit Ministries

In a world that tends to value quantity of friendships over quality, one way that we live against the grain is in the close, meaningful friendships we intentionally cultivate. In this episode, Eric, Ross, and John explore what it looks like to both have and actively pursue godly friendships.

This episode explores deep, Christ-centered relationships, the importance of vulnerability and accountability, and practical ways to invest in the friendships that matter.

Conflict is an unavoidable part of being human—you've probably already faced it at least once today. Our culture typically pushes us toward one of two extremes: viewing conflict as a competition where we fight for our way, or avoiding it altogether. Yet neither approach brings us closer to peace or genuine unity.

In this episode, Eric, Steve & Jessica examine Scripture and the life and teachings of Jesus to discover a countercultural path to resolving conflict—one that challenges our cultural instincts and leads toward reconciliation.

Resource:

Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande

As we look around, we often find ourselves discontent, focused on what we don’t have or don’t t get to do. It is so easy to get stuck in this trap.  How do we turn that around and move toward contentment? How do find freedom and joy in our life? 

Being slow to speak and slow to become angry is much easier said than done. Each day we are confronted with situations that spark us to anger in work, parenting, marriages and relationships in general.

In this episode, Eric, Can, and Carmen discuss how we can break the anger cycle as we follow Jesus' example to move forward in love.