The Daily Grind

Tuesday, 17 October: In this episode of the Daily Grind Podcast, we delve into the thought-provoking pages of John Dixon's "Bullies and Saints." Today John runs through Chapter 5, titled 'Good Losers,' and explores the character of the earliest Christians and how they embodied Christ's teachings and Paul's instructions. Join us to discover their unwavering commitment to overcoming evil with good, promoting forgiveness and peace, even in the face of extreme challenges. "Bullies and Saints" offers an honest look at the dynamic highs and lows in Christian history.

You can find the print or audio book here

Monday, 16 Oct. Solitude, often overlooked in our busy lives, is a powerful discipline that allows us to connect with Jesus and liberate ourselves from the noise and demands of modern life. It enables us to discover our true selves, find hope, and bask in God's presence. Embracing solitude and its partner, silence, can be a transformative experience that helps us prioritize our relationship with God and love for others.

Below are a few helpful practices Richard Foster suggests for us to grow in this discipline. Why don’t you pick one of these to try this week?

‘Little solitudes’

There are small everyday moments which we might miss as opportunities to seek inner silence, such as having a cup of coffee in the morning, the work commute, and time outside in nature. Think what these moments might be for you and choose to make them your ‘little solitudes.’

Quiet place

It can be very helpful to have specific places to which you go to seek silence and solitude. Find a space in your home where you can withdraw to be alone and silent. It could be a room or even a special chair. Also find quiet places to go to outside of your home.

Limit words

‘Let’s discipline ourselves so that our words are few and full,’ writes Foster. Practice speaking when you truly have something to say. You could try to go a whole day without speaking! Realize where you might be trusting in your own words for forming your reputation and choose to instead trust God with this.

Withdraw to set goals

Take a few hours in each season to reevaluate your goals in silence. Listen in the silence and allow God to guide you as you consider the future.

Retreat

Take a retreat during which you simply spend time in silence and solitude. This isn’t time which would be better spent with others – it actually enables us to make better our time spent with others. As Foster says, ‘The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others.’ It’s time invested, not time wasted.

Richard Foster recommends these daily scripture readings as we explore solitude this week:

Monday: The freedom to control the tongue – James 3:1–12, Luke 23:6–9

Tuesday: Prayer and solitude – Matthew 6:5–6, Luke 5:16

Wednesday: The insights of solitude – Psalm 8

Thursday: The dark night of the soul – Jeremiah 20:7–18

Friday: The solitude of the garden – Matthew 26:36–46

Saturday: The solitude of the cross – Matthew 27:32–50

Sunday: The compassion that comes from solitude – Matthew 9:35–38, 23:37

Second half of Friday Daily Grind, Going through the Psalms with Mariza:

Psalm 139, exploring the omnipresence and omniscience of God. We confront the perplexing question of free will versus divine knowledge, delve into the concept of predestination, and ponder the beauty of God's unconditional love. 🙏🤔 Listen now to uncover the profound comfort that comes from realizing that God is always with you, no matter what life throws your way.

Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Friday, 13 October: In this episode of The Daily Grind podcast, Marita and John dive into the intricacies of Psalm 139, where they explore the profound concept of God's omniscience and omnipresence. They discuss the internal struggle between free will and God's all-knowing nature, touching on predestination, human limitations, and the idea of God being everywhere at once. The conversation delves into the beauty of God's unconditional love and how this realization influences one's sense of self-worth and purpose. Join them as they navigate the complexity of faith and the comfort found in knowing that, no matter what, God is right there with you.

Thursday, 12 October: Have you ever wondered who the Bible is really addressing? In this episode, we dive into the crucial distinction between the Bible being written for you, but not to you. We explore how comprehending the original audiences, cultures, and genres of the Bible can prevent misunderstandings and misapplications. Join us as we unravel the beauty and complexity of this ancient text and learn how to apply its timeless wisdom to our lives effectively.

Here are the primary genres found in the Bible:

When studying the Bible, identifying the genre is essential for gaining a clear understanding. Ignoring the genre can lead to misunderstandings and misapplications of God's truth. Recognizing these diverse genres helps us appreciate the breadth and depth of God's Word, making it a lifelong study worth pursuing.

Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Wednesday, 11 October: In this episode of The Daily Grind, we explore the transformative power of the phrase "in Christ" as it appears throughout the New Testament. Hosted by John Spencer, this deep dive into the heart of Christian doctrine reveals how this concept, often overlooked in our modern understanding of Christianity, is central to the faith.

Much like putting on a pair of glasses and experiencing the world in high definition, discovering what it means to be "in Christ" brings a new level of clarity to the Christian walk. We uncover how this phrase, used over 200 times in the New Testament (with the Apostle Paul alone employing it more than 160 times), isn't just another way to describe believers—it is the most intimate, organic, and precious way to depict the relationship between Christ and his followers.

By delving into this foundational concept, we begin to see that being "in Christ" isn't about joining a religious group; it's about becoming part of Christ Himself. This episode challenges our current perspectives and asks the crucial question: Are we seeing the Christian life through the right lens? Join us as we put on our spiritual glasses and explore the profound implications of "in Christ."

Tuesday, 10 October: In this week's episode of The Daily Grind podcast, we delve into John chapter 12, specifically verse 3, to uncover a deeper and more meaningful perspective on Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. Host John sets the context, explaining the significance of the event and the cultural norms of the time. Join us as we explore the intimate and scandalous act of worship that Mary performed, giving not only a costly gift but also sacrificing her own dignity for her devotion to Jesus. Discover how this act of unrestrained worship carries valuable lessons for us today.

Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Monday, 9 October: In this week's episode of the Daily Grind Podcast, we continue our walk through Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline." We're examining the concept of simplicity, which is anything but simple in our complex world. Discover how simplicity is not just about minimalism but choosing a singular purpose and focusing on what truly matters. Learn how to prioritize God's kingdom in your life and cast aside distractions. We'll also explore practical steps to embrace simplicity, including breaking free from addictive habits. Join us on this path to spiritual liberation!

Richard Fosters recommended daily scripture readings as we explore Simplicity this week:

Foster writes, “Experiencing the inward reality of simplicity liberates us outwardly” and he goes on to list ten controlling principles for the outward expression of simplicity. Good stuff. Take a look.

Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Friday, 6 October: Join John and Maritza on this moving episode of the Daily Grind Podcast as they explore Psalm 74, a powerful Psalm of lament and faith. Maritza shares her emotional experience reading the Psalm, drawing parallels to personal faith struggles and even a surprising connection to "The Lion King," highlighting the universal theme of questioning one's faith during trying times. Together, they delve into the historical context, the deep expressions of despair, and the ultimate hope and faith that permeate this sacred text. Join them as they navigate this powerful Psalm, offering hope and understanding to those who've questioned their faith in the face of adversity. Tune in to gain insight into the profound emotions this Psalm evokes and find inspiration in its message of enduring faith.

Thursday, 5 October: In this episode of *The Daily Grind* podcast, we consider the often-overlooked figure of Andrew from the Gospels. Drawing inspiration from John 1:41, we explore how Andrew, unlike the more famous disciples, wasn't known for flashy miracles or grand sermons. Instead, he had a unique talent—bringing people to Jesus. Join us as we look at Andrew's remarkable role between individuals and Jesus, and discover the valuable lesson he teaches us about our mission in guiding others towards a deeper connection with faith. Andrew's story reminds us that sometimes, the most significant impact we can have is simply introducing someone to Jesus and trusting in His transformative power. Tune in for this lesson in faith and evangelism.