In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson have an honest conversation about fasting, prayer, spiritual discipline, and what it means to deny the flesh in order to draw closer to God.

Kenny opens up about fasting and shares that while he has fasted before for health reasons, he has not yet done a true spiritual fast.

That leads into a deeper conversation about what biblical fasting is, why Christians fast, and how fasting is not about trying to twist God's arm or prove how spiritual we are.

We talk about the difference between health fasting and spiritual fasting, the importance of fasting in secret, the power of prayer during a fast, and how fasting can reveal what has been ruling our appetite, attention, and desires.

Questions like:

• What does the Bible say about fasting?
• Why did Jesus talk about fasting in secret?
• What is the difference between a complete fast and a Daniel fast?
• How does fasting help us deny the flesh and strengthen the spirit?
• Can fasting help us seek clarity, guidance, and discernment from God?
• What should someone do if they feel called to fast but have never done it before?

We do not pretend to have all the answers. This is a real conversation between two Christians talking honestly about spiritual discipline, dependence on God, and the desire to grow closer to Him.

This episode is a reminder that fasting is not about looking spiritual. It is about drawing near to God. It is about surrendering the appetites of the world. And it is about making space for the Holy Spirit to strengthen what the flesh often tries to control.

Scriptures Referenced in Conversation

• Matthew 6:16-18

• Matthew 4:4

• Isaiah 58:6-7

• Philippians 4:6-7

• Ezra 8:23

• Esther 4:16

• 2 Samuel 12:16-23

• Daniel 1:12-16

• Daniel 10:2-3

• Exodus 34:28

• 1 Kings 19:8

• Matthew 4:1-2

• Mark 9:29

  
  

As Mentioned in the Episode...

We launched The Rock, our community for people who want to grow deeper in their faith, build strong foundations, and do life alongside other believers. The Rock is a free Facebook group.

If you would like to join the conversation beyond the podcast, you can join us here: JOIN THE ROCK!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/onsolidgroundcommunity

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson have an honest conversation about women preaching, women in church leadership, and how Christians should approach difficult Bible passages with humility and discernment.

They bring up a topic that many Christians have wrestled with: what does the Bible actually say about women teaching, preaching, and holding authority in the church?

Kenny reads from 1 Timothy 2 and shares why this topic has been something he has thought about since coming back to Christ.

We talk about the difference between faith in Jesus and the religious debates that often divide denominations.

Questions like:

• Can women preach?
• What did Paul mean when he wrote that he did not permit a woman to teach or assume authority over a man?
• Was Paul addressing a specific church issue in a specific cultural moment?
• What is the difference between teaching, preaching, leadership, and authority?
• How do we think about women like Deborah, Priscilla, Phoebe, Mary Magdalene, and the woman at the well?
• How do we handle Bible passages that are difficult to understand?

And more...

We do not pretend to have all the answers. This is a real conversation between two Christians trying to understand Scripture, honor God, and keep the main thing the main thing.

This episode is a reminder that hard questions do not have to shake our foundation. They can push us deeper into Scripture. They can lead us to prayer. And they can remind us that our salvation rests in Jesus Christ, not in having every secondary issue perfectly figured out.

Scriptures Referenced:

• 1 Timothy 2:1-15

• 1 Timothy 2:12

• Galatians 3:28

• Judges 4-5

• Acts 18:24-26

• Romans 16:1-3

• John 4:1-42

• John 20:11-18

• Daniel 3

• Daniel 6

• John 21:15-17

• Matthew 18:6

• Matthew 18:20

• Philippians 4:7

  
  

As Mentioned in the Episode...

We launched The Rock, our community for people who want to grow deeper in their faith, build strong foundations, and do life alongside other believers. The Rock is a free Facebook group.

If you would like to join the conversation beyond the podcast, you can join us here: JOIN THE ROCK!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/onsolidgroundcommunity

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson have an honest conversation about worship music, Christian music, discernment, and what it means to keep Christ at the center of what we listen to.

We talk about the difference between songs that tell a personal testimony and songs that are truly centered on worshiping God.

Kenny shares how worship music became a powerful part of his recovery and faith journey after the mountain in Mexico. He talks about hearing God through music, being drawn back toward Jesus, and experiencing certain songs differently once Christ began working in his heart.

The conversation also explores the tension in modern Christian music, especially when Christian artists collaborate across genres, gain mainstream attention, or become part of celebrity culture.

We do not name names here in the summary, but the episode does discuss real examples of well-known artists, worship leaders, and musicians who have raised questions about faith, testimony, platform, lifestyle, and public witness.

Questions like:

What makes a song worship?

Can a testimony song still point people to God?

When does Christian music become more about the artist than Jesus?

How do we discern between performance and praise?

Can God use imperfect people and imperfect platforms?

How do we guard what we allow into our ears, minds, and hearts?

And more...

We do not pretend to have all the answers. This is a real conversation between two Christians who love music, work around music, and are still learning how to approach worship with wisdom, humility, and discernment.

This episode is a reminder that worship is not just about sound, style, or genre. It is about heart posture. It is about honoring God. And it is about making sure the songs we sing and the voices we follow are leading us closer to Christ.

Scriptures Referenced in Conversation

• Psalm 150

• 1 Corinthians 14:15

• Luke 11:34-36

• John 13:35

• Matthew 7:16-20

• Galatians 5:22-23

• Habakkuk

As Mentioned in the Episode...

We launched The Rock, our community for people who want to grow deeper in their faith, build strong foundations, and do life alongside other believers. The Rock is a free Facebook group.

If you would like to join the conversation beyond the podcast, you can join us here: JOIN THE ROCK!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/onsolidgroundcommunity

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson have an honest conversation about tithing, church finances, giving, and what it means to steward money as followers of Jesus.

Kenny opens up about a topic that has been heavy on his heart: the difference between the institution of the church and the body of Christ.

We talk about tithing, the Old Covenant, the New Covenant, church buildings, production costs, staff salaries, church debt, transparency, and whether modern churches are using money in a way that truly reflects the heart of Jesus.

This is not a conversation against church.

It is a conversation about asking better questions.

Questions like:

• Is tithing required under the New Covenant?
• Did Jesus teach Christians to tithe?
• What does it mean to give cheerfully?
• Where does church money actually go?
• How much should churches be doing for the poor and hurting in their own communities?
• Are we supporting ministry, or are we supporting an institution?

And more...

We do not pretend to have every answer. This is a real conversation between two Christians wrestling honestly with Scripture, stewardship, generosity, and the role of the modern church.

This episode is a reminder that the church is not ultimately a building, a brand, or a production. The church is the body of Christ.

And as followers of Jesus, we are called to give generously, ask wisely, serve faithfully, and build God’s kingdom with humility and discernment.

Scriptures Referenced in Conversation

• Malachi 3:10

• Hebrews 9:15

• 1 Corinthians 9:14-18

• 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

• Luke 14:12-14

• Genesis 4

• John 6:1-14

• Matthew 19:16-22

• Proverbs

• Hebrews 10:25

• Proverbs 27:17

• 1 Kings 3

As Mentioned in the Episode...

We launched The Rock, our community for people who want to grow deeper in their faith, build strong foundations, and do life alongside other believers. The Rock is a free Facebook group.

If you would like to join the conversation beyond the podcast, you can join us here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/onsolidgroundcommunity

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson have an honest conversation about some of the biggest questions people ask about Christianity.

We talk about what it means to be prepared spiritually, not just physically, and why building your life on solid ground matters before the storm comes.

Kenny brings up some of the 10 most common questions people ask about Christianity's credibility.

Questions like:

Why does God allow suffering?

Can the Bible be trusted?

Is there historical evidence for Jesus?

Has science disproved faith?

Why did Jesus have to die?

What happens to people who never hear about Jesus?

And more...

We do not pretend to have all the answers. This is a real conversation between two Christians who are still learning, still growing, and still working through what it means to follow Jesus with honesty, humility, and faith.

This episode is a reminder that questions are not always a threat to faith. Sometimes they are an invitation to go deeper.

Scriptures Referenced in Conversation

- John 16:33

- James 1:2-4

- John 3:16

- Romans 6:23

- Matthew 24:14

- Psalm 34:8

- Matthew 11:28-30

- John 15:13

- 2 Peter 3:9

- Habakkuk

As Mentioned in the Episode...

We launched The Rock, our community for people who want to grow deeper in their faith, build strong foundations, and do life alongside other believers. The Rock is a free Facebook group.

If you would like to join the conversation beyond the podcast, you can join us here: JOIN THE ROCK!

(https://www.facebook.com/groups/onsolidgroundcommunity)

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about honor, what it means from a biblical perspective, and how honoring God impacts every area of our lives.

We dive into the topic of honor and how it applies to our faith, our bodies, our time, our families, our finances, our gifts, and our daily choices.

Kenny shares a powerful story about a former touring colleague who came to faith after witnessing his example on the road, reminding us that our actions often speak louder than our words.

We discuss humility, stewardship, discipline, physical health, spiritual growth, and the importance of living in a way that reflects the Lordship of Christ.

Throughout the conversation, we explore how honor is not simply about respecting others. It's about recognizing that everything we have comes from God and choosing to steward those gifts in a way that brings Him glory.

This episode is a reminder that honor is more than a character trait. It's a form of worship.

Scriptures Referenced

• Proverbs 11:16

• Proverbs 15:33

• Proverbs 18:12

• Proverbs 20:3

• Proverbs 21:21

• Proverbs 22:4

• Romans 12:10

• 1 Corinthians 6:20

• James 1:2–4

• John 15:5

• Matthew 7:24–27

• Matthew 16:24

• Revelation 3:16

As Mentioned in the Episode...

We are moving The Rock, our community for people who want to grow deeper in their faith, build strong foundations, and do life alongside other believers, over to a Facebook group.

If you'd like to join the conversation beyond the podcast, please check back for the link to join!

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about the fear of God, what it means, what it doesn't mean, and why it is such an important part of the Christian walk.

Many people hear the phrase "fear God" and assume it means being afraid of Him. But throughout Scripture, the fear of the Lord is often connected to wisdom, reverence, obedience, and a deep desire to remain close to God.

The conversation explores examples from both the Old and New Testaments, including Adam and Eve, Moses, Job, Noah, and the teachings of Jesus. We also discuss obedience, sanctification, daily bread, the importance of spiritual discipline, and why Christians should live with expectancy as we await Christ's return.

This episode is a reminder that the fear of God is not rooted in terror. It's rooted in reverence. It's rooted in worship. And it's rooted in recognizing who God truly is.

Scriptures Referenced

• Genesis 20:11

• Genesis 22:12

• Exodus 20:20

• Leviticus 19:14

• Proverbs 9:10

• Matthew 10:28

• 1 Peter 2:17

• Job 1:9

• Revelation 14:7

• Matthew 24:37–39

• Matthew 24:42–44

• 2 Peter 3:9

The Rock

We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper

beyond the podcast. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: Join The Rock!

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about calling, purpose, faith, stewardship, and trusting God’s timing for our lives.

The conversation quickly turns into a deeper discussion about sacrifice, surrender, and how God often calls us into things that stretch us far beyond our comfort zones.

Kenny shares reflections from reading Called by John Bevere and going through the Messenger X “Called” course, including powerful insights about stewardship, patience, and how God develops us over time before fully revealing the bigger picture.

We talk about Abraham, John the Baptist, Joseph, the parable of the talents, and what it means to truly step out in faith even when we cannot see the full path ahead.

Shannon opens up about his own journey of learning to trust God in business, overcoming fear, and realizing that “safe” was never the calling.

Kenny shares personal thoughts about Nashville, speaking, stewardship, and learning to trust God’s timing while continuing to actively work, grow, and prepare for what’s ahead.

This episode is a reminder that calling is not just about ministry or platforms. It’s about surrender. It’s about stewardship. And it’s about faithfully taking the next step God places in front of us.

Scriptures referenced:

Matthew 28:19–20

Matthew 26:39

Matthew 25:14–30

John 15:5

Psalm 119:105

Hebrews 11:1

Matthew 14:22–33

Matthew 7:13–14

Matthew 11:28–30

Matthew 6:33

1 Corinthians 3:9

Romans 8:28

We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast.

As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: Join The Rock

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about deconstructing faith, spiritual resilience, and what it really means to build your life on the cornerstone of Christ.

Shannon opens up about the grief, isolation, and struggles he went through during COVID after losing someone close to him, and how that season slowly began to challenge and erode his faith.

The conversation turns into an honest discussion about doubt, temptation, false peace, spiritual warfare, and why so many people walk away from Christianity.

We talk about the difference between religion and relationship, how easy it is to drift when we stop feeding ourselves spiritually, and why building a strong daily foundation matters so much as

Christians.

Kenny shares his perspective from years of teaching resilience, and how trials don’t create someone new; they reveal what has already been built inside of us.

We also discuss discernment, Mormonism, cultural Christianity, daily prayer, discipleship, and the responsibility Christians have to lead by example in the places God has called them.

This episode is a reminder that faith is not built in one moment.

It’s built daily.

One decision, one prayer, and one step of obedience at a time.

Scriptures referenced (in conversation):

Matthew 7:24–27

Matthew 11:28

Matthew 16:24

Revelation 22:18–19

John 14:6

1 Peter 5:8

Ephesians 6:11–17

Matthew 28:19–20

1 Corinthians 13

Luke 9:23

Psalm 34:8

We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast.

As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: JOIN The Rock!

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about angels, the supernatural realm, and what the Bible actually says about these spiritual beings.

The conversation starts with personal stories, including moments where both Kenny and Shannon wondered if they may have encountered angels without realizing it.

We dive into biblical examples of angels appearing in dreams, protecting people, delivering messages, and guiding believers through difficult moments.

Kenny shares thoughts about the supernatural experiences he had during the cartel attack in Mexico, including the possibility that angels may have been involved in protecting and guiding him through the mountain.

We also talk about dreams, spiritual warfare, the hierarchy of angels, and the difference between cultural ideas about angels versus what Scripture actually teaches.

This episode is a reminder that there is a spiritual realm beyond what we can physically see, and that

God’s protection, guidance, and presence often work in ways we may not fully understand.

Scriptures referenced:

Hebrews 13:2

Acts 10

Revelation 22:16

Daniel 6:22

Acts 5:19–20

Acts 12:7–11

Matthew 4:11

Psalm 91:11–12

Hebrews 12:22–23

Luke 1:26–38

Matthew 1:20–21

We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast.

As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: JOIN The Rock!

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe