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The apostle Paul understood that, sometimes, you just have to get out there on your own and see what you can accomplish with only the Word to guide you.  On this edition of Growing Together, host Nicholas Affolter,  finds himself in a similar situation.  With no co-pilot available, he will have to rely on what has been stored up inside the spirit and go for it.  Fortunately, he knew right where to look for inspiration.  The Book of Romans is a great place to find solace in solitude and the result is a deep dive into the everlasting truth that Jesus Christ can free us all from our sin and the obstacles that hold us back.

Have you been on a hopeless pursuit of happiness, finding yourself lost in the self-help section of your favorite bookstore?  Do you have a favorite chair or recliner that calls your name and suckers you in for a wasted night of death-scrolling or channel surfing?  Do you find that all the goals you set in your mind are sabotaged by the draw of more comfortable, yet pointless pursuits?  Paul covers this fatal flaw of mankind and explains to us that although we share these same weaknesses, they do not have to define us.  Christ is our one true solution to everlasting purpose and salvation.  

The nature of sin that lives within us all is a powerful mixture of loathing, self-doubt, and overwhelming guilt that can control our body and mind to the point of a breakdown.  We can tell ourselves that we are unworthy of God's grace, so why bother?  It can reduce the self to mental and physical apathy, making even the most ordinary tasks seem insurmountable.  Have you ever been there?  Paul has.

The Book of Romans reminds us that it is our spirit that decides our fate, not the sin forced upon us by a cruel and unfair world.  If our spirit is for the Lord then sin must retreat and die a slow death of its own.  Our natural bodies can never survive the harsh realities of this world, but our spirit will live on and on if it lives for the Lord.  It's time to tell sin to hit the road.  It has no place here.  It all starts with one simple statement: I choose to live for the Lord.  Paul was so confident in this belief that he was willing to travel thousands of miles to share it.  All it takes is one step for your journey to begin.  Let's go!   

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Last week we discovered the ideal location to begin our quest for spiritual growth.  This week, the quest continues as Nic and Dale dive into the next vital step.  Preparing the soil is an essential part of the growing process, and we will see to it that you have all the vital nutrients stored up and ready to mix in so that your spiritual roots grow deep and strong.  

Nic & Dale impress upon their listeners that the word of God, straight from the written word, is the first and main ingredient necessary for success.  Yes, your soil will need plenty of water. However, be sure that the way you choose to receive the word is not watered down just to make it pleasing to the ear.  Get to know the word before putting your trust in the sermon of someone standing three feet above you.  

Along the way, Nic and Dale will share personal stories of their own experiences as youths learning to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, and what it meant to them when challenged as adults to be ever mindful of what enters the spiritual body and more important, keeping those things out that may contaminate the good soil we labor so hard for.  

If you missed last week's episode, give it a listen, then jump right in to this one.  It's time to binge listen as they say.  It's all designed for one big hurrah.  We won't judge you; in fact, we encourage it.  Just this once.  And if you're feeling really spunky, please share our show with your friends and loved ones.  We are all growing together, and there's no better time to join what we've got going on here.  Thank you for listening!  We would love to hear from you in the comments!      

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Pastor Michael presented us with a profound question.  Easter season has come to an end.  What do we do now?  The fire and excitement we so much enjoy passes and what do we have to look forward to?  Yardwork?  The heat and humidity of a long summer?  Whatever the case may be, spring is here and and there's no excuse not to make the best of it.  That's where we come in.  Nic and Dale are here to keep your spiritual growth in full bloom as we dedicate ourselves to a series all about spiritual growth and commitment.

As is said in the world of real estate, nothing is more important than location, location, location.  The decision to plant your feet and call it home is more important than any other, and wherever that may be it is vital to know that you have chosen a place where you can flourish and all the right elements are at the center of your world.  You want your home to be on solid ground.  You want your garden to be on fertile soil.  Therefore, you want your spirit to be centered on God so he can provide you with all the stability and vitality he has to offer.  

Take a look at your surroundings.  What do you see?  Look down at your feet.  Are you rooted in God's grace and mercy?  Speak to those around you.  What do you hear?  Are you in fellowship with those that want to encourage your spiritual growth or are you feeling distracted and isolated?  Sometimes hard choices have to be made.  There is no growth without pain.  We certainly do not mean that you should lose valued friendships and family, but at some point a decision has to be made.  Are you going to live for God, or let others dictate how you worship?  

Nic and Dale are here to encourage you to consider your spiritual growth.  If you came away from a passionate Easter message and are telling yourself you want more of that but just don't know what to do next.  This one's for you.  If you have  fallen away and need a little help getting back on track, have a listen.  Or, if you just need a little refresher to keep your growth on the right track, we got you.  Yes, growth is hard work, but it doesn't have to be a struggle.  It doesn't have to be a snooze.  You can have a good time getting your hands dirty, and we are proof of that.  Come along with us for the next five or six weeks and make your Spring a meaningful one.  You will not regret it.  Please don't forget to share with your friends and family.  They need a little love too.  Have a great week and keep your chin up!     

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Have you ever considered the strength and fortitude it would take as a mother to follow a child to his appointed time of sacrifice and death?  Do you know what it's like as a mother to lose a child who's purpose in life was to risk their lives to protect others?  A woman's faith is embedded in her ability to bring life into the world and protect it with all the wisdom and power she can muster.  Perhaps there is no better example than Mary herself, the mother of The Savior of mankind.

On this week's episode of Growing Together, we have a very special guest.  Our long time co-host and friend, Syd, returns to the show to join us on our last message for the Easter season!  Nic and Dale are getting a break this week, although still ever present, as Margie and Syd share their thoughts on motherhood and what it means to protect their children in the most extraordinary situations.  Their perspectives are deep and heartfelt, full of passion and fire as they share their love for their own children and what it would be like to have that relationship threatened.

We learn that God's plan is never based on a whim.  Mary was chosen for her strength, wisdom, faith, and devotion.  Her qualifications did not rest on the simple fact that she was a virgin.  God knew his choice must be placed on a mother that could see the savior of the world through each stage of his life from beginning to end.  It had to be a woman who could not only nurse the child, but could stand up to him and voice her persuasion that the time was right for Jesus to reveal his purpose to the world.  She had to be able to set aside her own grief when the trial was upon him, and carry through by his side to his death on the cross.  

Interesting questions are raised here.  Do women worship different than men?  Should women be appointed as pastors?  These and so much more are answered in this very important meeting of the minds on Growing Together.  Our mission is to bring people to Christ one episode at a time.  The great commission is a journey, and it doesn't have to be boring.  If you are looking for fresh perspectives with a down to earth feel, this is the show for you.  Give it a listen and we guarantee you will keep coming back to join us.  Have a great week!  Please share with a friend or loved one!  

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Do you feel spiritually sound within yourself until the moment arrives when you feel confronted to share your faith and choose to stay silent?  When God is calling on you to act, are you willing to be bold and proclaim your faith or let the opportunity pass you by?  Denial is something we can all struggle with, and nobody knows that better than Peter and his fellow disciples.

Join Nic & Dale this week as they discuss all the pains and pitfalls of being weak in the flesh which often times can result in the denial of our most basic Christian principles.  Peter proclaimed he was willing to die beside Christ, and the other disciples were quick to second the emotion.  However, when faced with the harsh reality, they all chose to scatter and deny their Savior.  yet, they were not beyond reproach, and neither are we.  It is our desire to continue to move toward God despite our missed opportunities that makes us true followers of The Cross.  

In this modern world we live in, surrounded by social media and the acceleration of AI, our independent thoughts are being exercised less and less.  We deny Christ our hearts and minds by filling it up with non-sense that keeps our brains on auto-pilot.  Mindless gratification prevents us from getting out there and fulfilling the great commission.  Denial can become a tool for self-worship, and whether the enemy is working on you or not, it's all the same to him that your treasured time on Earth is wasted and God's mission is put on hold in your life.  

If you need some assurance that life doesn't have to be this way, that life is truly well spent when you are bold in Christ, this is a conversation you need to be a part of.  There is no better time than right now to re-examine your approach.  Are you an ambassador for Christ when given the opportunity, or will you deny Him at every hard turn?   Let us know what you think in the comments and please like and share.  Help us spread the word and become a part of the great commission!   

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What do you do when faced with an insurmountable situation that requires intensive prayer and obedience to God's calling on your life?  On this week's episode, Nic Affolter and Dale Walker sit down for a one on one conversation about the journey of Jesus and his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane.

The Final hours of his ministry reveal a Jesus we can all relate to.  He was filled with emotions of anguish, fear, doubt, and physical pain.  A deep feeling of isolation took over as his disciples fell asleep when Jesus needed them most.  We have all been there at one time or another, praying to God to spare us from a situation we would rather not come face to face with.

In this moment, our Lord's example reveals to us that no matter what the situation, it is total obedience to God's will and giving it all to him in prayer that gets us through.  Not just a quick plea to God to spare us, but discerning prayer that desires to reveal God's true purpose for our lives in any situation, no matter how long it takes.  Ultimate obedience is achieved when we submit our hearts to his true purposes, and battle through the pain and suffering as long as  it takes until He gives us victory over our enemies.  

If you find yourself struggling to commit to God's word, this one's for you.  If you have doubts that Jesus can relate to your fears and doubts, give this one a listen.  Hang out with us for just a short while and be prepared to be in awe of His love for us.  His sacrifice was our gift, and he doesn't ask for anything in return notwithstanding our love and obedience.  Please share our podcast with a friend, a co-worker, or a loved one.  Help us spread the word of God's great calling on our lives!    

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Thirty pieces of silver sounds like a payday until you realize what it bought: a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane and a choice that still shakes people today. We go straight at Judas Iscariot, not to sensationalize betrayal, but to understand the slow drift that can happen when money, pride, and disappointment start steering the heart.

We talk through what Scripture does and doesn’t say about Judas, including the meaning of “Iscariot,” why he may have been the outsider among the disciples, and the early red flags that show up long before the Last Supper. Along the way we wrestle with a question that hits modern life hard: is Jesus only a wise teacher we can quote when it’s convenient, or is He Lord and Savior who gets to confront what we want to keep?

From there we compare Judas with Peter and Doubting Thomas, because both men fail, yet neither man stays in despair. That contrast opens up the bigger theme of spiritual warfare: Satan doesn’t need you to worship him, he just needs you to believe you can’t go back to God. We also tackle the question people keep asking around Easter and Holy Week: if prophecy foretold betrayal, is Judas punished for fate, and what does repentance really require?

If you’ve ever felt “too far gone,” or you’ve been sitting on the fence with faith, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find Growing Together, then tell us: when you mess up, what helps you run toward God instead of away?

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Ever planned for smooth sailing and got a squall instead? We open with a cruise that starts rough—cold wind, rocking decks, and dashed expectations—before sun finally breaks through in Nassau and Bimini. Back home, the week tightens: a beloved cat’s sudden illness and looming vet bills, a make-or-break home appraisal that lands in our favor, and leadership changes at work that unsettle the routine. It’s the perfect storm for a bigger question: can faith stay steady when life won’t?

We dig into what “faith like a mustard seed” really means, not as a slogan but as a way to stand when the deck tilts. Matthew 17 and Mark 11 become more than verses; they become a map for speaking to real mountains—health worries, financial strain, job uncertainty—without pretending they aren’t there. We talk hope versus faith, why quick wishes often miss the mark, and how God’s timing accounts for more than our wants. If a mountain moves, something else shifts too, and a wise God holds the whole picture.

This conversation gets practical. We unpack the power of witness through behavior: staying kind at a counter when tensions rise, holding a young employee accountable with standards and care, and choosing words and symbols that speak life instead of glamorizing negativity. We confront modern overload—apps we never use, sports we can’t watch without three subscriptions, the fatigue of endless choice—and how it dulls purpose. Faith pushes back by simplifying focus: honor God, serve people, build character, act with integrity.

What emerges is a grounded, human portrait of trust. Not a highlight reel, but a steady drumbeat: count blessings without denying pain, do everything as unto the Lord, and keep your ask aligned with His will. If your week looks like ours—some sun, some chop, a few unexpected invoices—this one will meet you where you stand and give you words for the mountain ahead.

Enjoy the episode, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and if it helped you, follow, rate, and leave a review so others can find it too. What mountain do you want us to pray about this week?

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Ever feel your heart lift during a hymn while your hands stay at your sides? We unpack the many shapes of worship—joyful shouts, quiet tears, and the steady listening that honors God as much as any chorus. Our talk moves from light banter about cruises and hockey to a deep dive on why some songs hit like a prayer and others fade like background noise, and how the sermon can refill an empty week when worship first sets the table.

We share personal stories of being moved by CeCe Winans’ Come Jesus Come and Charity Gayle’s anthems, and the way Johnny Cash’s Were You There carries a lived-in ache that feels like standing at the foot of the Cross. Hymns come up again and again because they strip the music down to truth and let reverence lead; modern worship can carry the same fire when it’s sincere, Scripture-rich, and sung for God rather than charts. We explore inward worship versus outward expression, the freedom to praise without performance, and how God meets us in both the roar and the whisper.

What emerges is a simple pattern: worship primes the heart, the word sharpens the mind, and community binds it together so Monday doesn’t feel so heavy. Miss a Sunday and you notice it by midweek. Show up and you leave with fuel, a melody, and a verse that carries you. If you’ve ever wondered whether your quiet counts or why certain songs undo you, this conversation will feel like home.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Tell us: which song or hymn draws you closest to God?