What if the small things — the quiet starts no one notices — are exactly what God rejoices over most? Because in His Kingdom, the beginning is never insignificant.

Episode Summary: In this Grace in the Grind episode, Cody explores the sacred beauty of small beginnings — those early, often unseen steps of obedience that God uses to shape lasting faith.

Drawing from Zechariah 4:10, Mark 4, and Philippians 1:6, this episode invites listeners to slow down and rediscover how God works through small, steady faithfulness. Through everyday imagery, personal reflection, and Scripture, Cody reminds us that God doesn’t rush our growth — He roots it.

Because the Lord doesn’t just rejoice when the work is finished. He rejoices to see it begin.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why spiritual growth starts small — and why that’s good news
• How God celebrates faithfulness long before success
• The hidden strength that comes from perseverance
• What it means to let God form your roots before your fruit
• Why your smallest act of obedience can spark something eternal

Key Scriptures:

• Zechariah 4:10 — “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
• Mark 4:26–28 — “The seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”
• Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
• Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good…”
• James 1:4 — “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:7 — “Only God… makes things grow.”

Reflection: God rejoices in the work that’s just beginning. Every small act of faith — every quiet “yes” — is the foundation for something eternal. Don’t rush the process; rest in the promise that what He starts, He will finish.

Listen now and take a sip — because even the smallest beginning can brew a harvest of grace.

There’s something strangely intense about New Year’s Eve. You sit down with your Bible, a fresh cup of coffee, maybe even a journal… and suddenly your phone chirps: “Here’s your entire year in 37 seconds!” Absolutely not. Some of us are barely ready to check our bank app today — we don’t need an algorithm narrating our emotional journey.

But there is something holy about this day — this doorway between what was and what will be. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about in this Ninth Cup of Grace in the Grind.

In this episode, we slow down and take an honest, grace-filled look back at the past year — the good, the hard, the unexpected, and the prayers still waiting to be answered. Through Scripture, reflection, and real-life stories, we explore how God has been working behind the scenes even when we didn’t see it in real time.

Inside this episode you’ll find: • A reflective New Year’s Eve message rooted in Isaiah 43:18–19, Psalm 138:8, and Lamentations 3:22–23 • Encouragement for the “in-between seasons” of calling, waiting, and transition • A reminder that God wastes nothing — not your quiet seasons, your stretching seasons, or your unresolved stories • Personal reflections from Cody on family change, travel, illness, unexpected blessings, and God’s quiet faithfulness • A hopeful invitation to step into the new year with trust, open hands, and renewed confidence in God’s purpose

If you’ve felt weary, uncertain, overwhelmed, grateful, or all of the above — this episode will meet you right where you are. New Year’s Eve isn’t just a countdown; it’s an opportunity to remember God’s faithfulness and look ahead with expectation, not pressure.

Perfect for listeners craving Christian encouragement, biblical reflection, end-of-year hope, and a reminder that grace is still at work in the grind.

If this episode encourages you, share it with a friend heading into the new year — and be sure to subscribe so you never miss your next pour.

Grace in the Grind is part of Arrow & Roots Coffee Co. — where faith meets the everyday.

Hook: The space between one year ending and the next beginning can feel quiet, uncertain — even a little uncomfortable. But that’s exactly where grace often does its best work.

Episode Summary: In this Grace in the Grind New Year’s episode, Cody reflects on the sacred space between what’s behind us and what’s ahead — those “in-between” moments where faith is stretched and trust is deepened.

Drawing from Isaiah 43:18–19 and Lamentations 3:22–23, this episode invites listeners to pause before the countdown, to look back with gratitude and look forward with hope. Through honest reflection on the highs and lows of the year — from family milestones to unexpected challenges — Cody reminds us that the same God who carried us through the last season is already preparing the next.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why reflection reveals God’s faithfulness in ways we often miss
• How “in-between” seasons become the soil where faith grows
• What Scripture teaches about trusting God with what’s next
• How waiting and uncertainty prepare us for renewal
• Why God never wastes the seasons that feel unfinished

Key Scriptures:

• Isaiah 43:18–19 — “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
• Psalm 138:8 — “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.”
• Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
• Isaiah 40:31 — “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
• Philippians 3:12–14 — “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
• Lamentations 3:22–23 — “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”

Reflection: Between what was and what will be, God is still at work. The same grace that carried you through yesterday is already waiting for you in tomorrow.

Listen now and take a sip — because even in the in-between, God’s faithfulness is brewing something new.

Ever feel like the Christmas story gets told like a Hallmark movie—pretty lights, soft music, and zero explanation for how anything in that town actually works? We focus on the manger… but skip everything around it. This Extra Shot goes straight into the messy, overlooked, upside-down way the Kingdom of God really entered the world.

In CUP 8 — The Hidden Kingdom,” we explore the parts of Advent, Christmas, and Jesus’ story we rarely talk about: the cost of the Incarnation, the quiet “hidden years” of Christ, the spiritual discipline of smallness, and the surprising people God loves to choose on purpose. If you’ve ever felt unseen, overlooked, or like your quiet faithfulness doesn’t matter—this one is for you.

Inside this episode, we dig into: • The cost of Christmas in Heaven (Philippians 2 and the self-emptying of Christ) • Why Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity—and why your hidden season matters • God’s pattern of choosing the unlikely (Gideon, David, Ruth, Mary) • How our obsession with “looking strong” keeps us from grace • The discipline of small, faithful acts no one notices • The comparison trap of the Christmas season • The surprising places Jesus still shows up today • Why spiritual growth often begins in the dark • How God builds His Kingdom in quiet, humble spaces

You’ll laugh, you’ll think, you might repent of that competitive-Christmas spirit, and you’ll definitely walk away with a deeper understanding of how the Kingdom of God works—humbly, quietly, and often invisibly.

Perfect for listeners wanting deeper theology, honest faith conversations, Christian encouragement, and a Christmas reflection that doesn’t feel over-commercialized.

Whether you’re navigating a busy Advent season, struggling with comparison, wrestling with purpose, or simply craving a moment of spiritual grounding, this episode will help you slow down and see the hidden work of God in your everyday grind.

If this Extra Shot encourages you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. And remember: Jesus didn’t come for the polished—He came for the humble, the unseen, and the ones willing to say, “Lord, I’ll go small.”

The King of Heaven was born in a barn. Laid in a manger. Hunted by kings. From His first breath, Jesus turned the world’s idea of greatness upside down.

Episode Summary: In this special Christmas episode of Grace in the Grind, Cody reflects on the humble birth of Jesus — the moment when Heaven’s glory entered earth’s poverty.

Drawing from Luke 2:6–7 and Philippians 2:6–8, this episode explores the paradox of the “Upside-Down Kingdom” — a Kingdom where power looks like service, strength looks like surrender, and the greatest King the world has ever known came to serve instead of being served.

Through personal reflection, vivid storytelling, and Scripture, we’re invited to see Christmas through a new lens — not as a polished holiday, but as a holy reminder that God’s glory shines brightest in humility.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why Jesus’ birth in a manger wasn’t an accident, but a message
• How the King of Kings modeled true greatness through humility
• Why God’s Kingdom reverses the world’s definition of success
• What it means to live with a servant’s heart in a self-focused culture
• How to carry the spirit of the manger beyond Christmas Day

Key Scriptures:

• Luke 2:6–7 — “She gave birth to her firstborn son and laid Him in a manger.”
• Matthew 23:11–12 — “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
• John 13:14 — “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet…”
• Philippians 2:6–8 — “He made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.”
• Mark 10:45 — “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve…”

Reflection: The manger wasn’t just a humble beginning — it was a declaration. That in God’s Kingdom, greatness is found in serving, glory is wrapped in humility, and love stoops low to lift others up.

Listen now and let your heart be reminded — the same Jesus who came low still meets us where we are.

Church is beautiful… and sometimes it’s unbelievably messy. In this Extra Shot, Cody gets real about church hurt, conflict, awkward conversations, and the kind of relational tension we all try to avoid—even though Jesus calls us to deal with it head-on.

If you’ve ever been wounded by someone in church, struggled with miscommunication, or avoided a conversation you knew you needed to have, this episode is for you. We’re digging into what Scripture actually says about reconciliation, forgiveness, unity, spiritual maturity, and how God uses relational friction to grow us.

This episode covers:

✅ Why church hurt is real—and why it affects so many believers ✅ How conflict and miscommunication shape Christian community ✅ Jesus’ clear instructions on who should move first in reconciliation ✅ The difference between peacemaking and peace-keeping ✅ A biblical framework for resolving conflict with humility and honesty ✅ Practical steps for restoring broken relationships in the church ✅ Why leaving a church rarely solves the real issue ✅ How God uses uncomfortable conversations to form Christlike character ✅ A weekly challenge that invites you to take one small step toward healing

With humor, honesty, and theology that doesn’t pull punches, Cody dives into the uncomfortable truth: Most of the pain in church is accidental—but the healing must be intentional.

You’ll hear stories about family communication (and non-communication), why avoiding tough conversations always makes things worse, and how even the bluntest families suddenly go silent when it’s time to talk about the Christmas gift exchange budget.

This episode will help you:

• Navigate conflict without bitterness • Approach others with grace and truth • Stop waiting for the other person to “go first” • Grow spiritually through relational tension • Learn why reconciliation is core to the gospel • Find peace through obedience, not avoidance

Whether you're navigating tension with a friend, a ministry leader, or someone you’d rather avoid in the church lobby, Cup 7 gives you biblical clarity and practical steps for walking toward unity and healing—one humble conversation at a time.

Perfect for: Small groups, pastors, ministry leaders, anyone experiencing church hurt, Christians wanting deeper community, or anyone needing courage to take the first step toward reconciliation.

Pour a cup, lean in, and let’s talk honestly about what really happens when the Church gets messy—and how Jesus meets us there with grace.

We all love the idea of church — until people are involved. Because where there are people, there’s mess. But even in that mess, grace still shows up.

Episode Summary: In this honest and heartfelt episode, Cody takes a seat at the messy table of church life — where good intentions sometimes collide, and grace has to do its hardest work.

Through stories from his years in ministry, he explores what happens when the body of Christ hurts, heals, and learns together. You’ll hear about the quiet faithfulness of his late friend Tim Bartlow and Porchlight Grace, the lessons learned from a blunt but steadfast mentor, and the long road of grace through years of discipleship with a young man who didn’t give up — or get given up on.

Grounded in passages like Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:2, and Romans 12:18, this episode reminds us that the Church was never meant to be flawless — it was meant to be faithful. Because even in the mess, God is still building His people, one act of grace at a time.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why even healthy churches still get messy
• How God uses imperfect people to show His perfect love
• The difference between hurt and healing in the Church
• Why peacemaking doesn’t mean sweeping things under the rug
• The beauty of staying faithful when it would be easier to walk away

Key Scriptures:

• Philippians 1:27 — “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
• Ephesians 4:2 — “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
• Galatians 6:2 — “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
• Romans 12:18 — “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
• Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
• Colossians 3:13 — “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Reflection: The Church will never be perfect — because we aren’t. But faithfulness, forgiveness, and grace can turn even the messiest moments into testimonies of God’s mercy. Because grace doesn’t walk away when things get hard… it leans in.

So pull up a chair — and remember, God’s still building His Church, one flawed but faithful person at a time.

If you’ve ever walked into church, made accidental eye contact with the volunteer coordinator, and immediately regretted all your life choices—this episode is for you.

Because let’s be real: Most of us didn’t plan on serving next Sunday. Or signing up for nursery. Or becoming the “temporary fill-in teacher” who’s still teaching eight years later. (If you know, you know.)

But as much as we joke, this Extra Shot digs into a truth we can’t escape:

God didn’t design you to do faith solo. You were built to belong. Built to serve. Built to be connected to the body— even the quirky, awkward, “takes 47 minutes to choose a restaurant” parts of it.

This episode explores what Scripture really means when it calls the Church a body. Not a friendly metaphor. Not a cute illustration. A spiritual reality. An interconnected, Spirit-formed, people-shaped organism where your presence actually matters… and your absence is actually felt.

We walk through the deep stuff—Ephesians, Corinthians, Romans—but with plenty of caffeine and comedy. Including:

• The moment you get volun-told (“Are you free next weekend?”—translation: you are now.) • What happens when Christians try the DIY “Lone Ranger” faith approach • Why doing theology in certain Facebook groups is how spiritual chaos begins • How we slowly become spiritual hermits convinced our opinions are Scripture • Why serving isn’t punishment—it’s formation • And how a believer who disconnects from the body slowly weakens the whole body

You’ll laugh because it’s too relatable. You’ll cringe because you’ve been there. And you’ll breathe a little deeper because the truth settles in:

Healthy churches don’t just have community— they practice it. Together.

This episode also tackles the uncomfortable reality that when believers stop using their gifts, stop showing up, stop engaging, the church doesn’t fall apart overnight. It erodes quietly. Thread by thread. Not from drama— but from distance.

And the body can’t thrive when its parts drift into the parking lot after the last “Amen” like extras running from dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.

So we talk plainly— about discipleship, spiritual gifts, accountability, connection, maturity, and why God refuses to grow anyone in isolation. Because growth is a team sport. And the Spirit does some of His best work through people who show up, serve imperfectly, love consistently, and stay connected even when it’s inconvenient.

You’ll walk away with four practical ways to function as a healthy member of the body right now: showing up, investing in someone, using your gifts even if you’re clumsy, and allowing others to sharpen you without taking it personally.

And yes—there’s encouragement, challenge, theology, a little sarcasm, and plenty of coffee references. Because this episode (like your spiritual life) is fueled by caffeine and grace.

So pour a cup, settle in, and hit play. Let’s talk about what it means to be built together— because the Church is stronger when all its parts show up. And if God can use fishermen, tax collectors, and that one guy who cut off an ear… He can definitely use you.

Faith was never meant to be a solo act. We were designed to grow — together.

Episode Summary: In this Grace in the Grind episode, Cody talks about one of the most challenging — and most beautiful — parts of following Christ: being part of His body.

Drawing from Ephesians 2:22 and 1 Corinthians 12:12, this episode explores what it really means to be “built together” — not just side by side, but joined and dependent on one another.

With honesty and warmth, Cody shares how the grind of community can stretch us, refine us, and strengthen our faith, reminding us that the Church isn’t just something we attend — it’s something we belong to.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why community isn’t optional for believers — it’s essential
• How God uses relationships to smooth our rough edges
• The beauty of staying rooted in a local body, even when it’s hard
• Why grace works best in the tension of real relationships
• How the Church reflects God’s presence when we live connected

Key Scriptures:

• Ephesians 2:22 — “And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”
• Hebrews 10:25 — “Let us not give up meeting together… but encourage one another.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:12 — “Just as a body, though one, has many parts… so it is with Christ.”
• Acts 2:42 — “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship…”

Reflection: The Church isn’t perfect — but it’s God’s plan for His people. When we stay, serve, and show up for one another, grace goes to work — shaping something holy out of people like us.

Listen now and take a sip — because we were never meant to do faith alone.

If you’re tired, overloaded, running on reheated coffee, and secretly wondering if “ordinary life” is supposed to feel this… ordinary—this Extra Shot is for you.

Because let’s be honest: Most of us aren’t waking up on spiritual mountaintops. We’re waking up to alarms we meant to change months ago, calendars that look like crime scenes, and to-do lists that multiply overnight like they’re auditioning for the book of Exodus.

Welcome to the episode where we admit the truth: most of life isn’t mountaintops — it’s errands, emails, grocery runs, wiping down counters, and reheating the same cup of coffee three times because someone always needs something the moment you sit down.

And that’s exactly why Faith in the Ordinary matters.

In this Extra Shot, we talk about the kind of faith that isn’t loud or flashy — the faith that grows in the quiet corners of everyday life. The small stuff. The mundane stuff. The “oh great, we’re out of paper towels again” stuff. The moments that don’t feel very holy but somehow shape us more deeply than the big, dramatic ones ever could.

This episode digs into the reality that spiritual formation doesn’t just happen at retreats, worship nights, or in those rare moments when everything is peaceful and the Wi-Fi actually works. It happens in the mess. In the routines. In the noise. In the interruptions. In the places where we assume God is quiet — but He’s actually doing some of His best work.

You’ll hear stories, Scripture, and real-life examples that remind us God doesn’t need a stage or a spotlight. He works in the in-between moments: • while you’re packing lunches • while you’re scrolling Target like it’s a coping mechanism • while you’re answering emails you wish had stayed unread • while your toddler is having a meltdown because their banana is “too bendy” • while you’re trying to pray and your phone is trying to ruin your life

We talk about how to notice God in those spaces — and how the everyday grind is often the very place He grows us, strengthens us, and forms us in ways we don’t see until much later.

You’ll laugh. You’ll relate. You might even feel a little convicted (in a good way, not the “church camp guilt trip” way). But most of all, you’ll walk away encouraged that God is far more present in your daily chaos than you give Him credit for.

Because the truth is this: If God can speak through burning bushes, donkeys, dreams, storms, and tax collectors… He can definitely speak through your Tuesday afternoon.

So pour a fresh cup — or microwave the old one, no judgment here — and settle in for a quick, encouraging reminder that the ordinary parts of your life are not wasted. They are not filler. They are not spiritual leftovers.

They are the exact places where God meets you, shapes you, and carries you.

Listen in and discover how holy your ordinary actually is.