The Strong Roots Podcast

How do you know if you truly love God above everything else?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. But what does that actually look like in everyday life?

In this episode of the Strong Roots Podcast, Kristin is joined by Pastor John and his father, Rick, for a powerful conversation about building an entire life around God's Kingdom. Together they discuss how loving God most isn't simply about attending church or reading your Bible—it's about allowing every decision, relationship, career, dollar, and opportunity to be shaped by your love for Christ.

Rick shares how decades of living with a heart for global missions transformed his life, while Pastor John explains how staying focused on God's calling protects us from becoming distracted by even good opportunities.

If you've ever struggled to balance career, family, ministry, and your relationship with Jesus, this episode offers practical wisdom for keeping God first.

In this episode you'll learn:

- What Jesus meant by the greatest commandment

- Why loving your neighbor reflects your love for God

- How distractions slowly pull us away from God's purpose

- Why every Christian has a role in the Great Commission

- Practical ways to build your life around God's Kingdom

- How living on mission leads to lasting joy

How do you keep hoping when life doesn't go the way you planned?

Whether it's anxiety, disappointment, health challenges, unanswered prayers, or simply feeling out of control, every Christian will face moments where their hope is tested.

In this episode of the Strong Roots Podcast, we have an honest conversation about finding lasting hope in Jesus. Together we share personal stories of trusting God through illness, parenting, anxiety, and unmet expectations while learning that true hope is never rooted in circumstances—but in Christ alone.

Throughout the conversation, we unpack how subtle idols like control, comfort, and desired outcomes can quietly replace our hope in Jesus. We also offer practical spiritual disciplines that help believers cultivate hope every day, including confession, Scripture, community, gratitude, and intentionally remembering God's character.

Gratitude is easy when life is going well—but what about when it isn’t?

In this episode, we talk about the challenges that steal our gratitude and practical ways to develop a thankful heart. If you’ve been wrestling with negativity, disappointment, or unmet expectations, this conversation will help you refocus on God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Sharing your faith can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be.

This episode breaks down the fear, excuses, and misconceptions that hold us back from sharing Jesus, and offers simple, practical ways to step into it with confidence. If you’ve ever felt unqualified or unsure, this conversation will help you take your next step.

In this episode of the Strong Roots Podcast, we talk about how distraction, busyness, and self-focus can dull our awareness of who God really is—and how gratitude and intentional attention can help us see Him again.

We often want control—but Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him (Luke 9:23). In this episode, we unpack the tension between our way and God’s way, and how daily surrender leads to a life of deeper faith and joy.

When worry and fear start to take over, God invites us to let go and trust Him. In this message, we talk about how being honest with God, standing strong in faith, and knowing He cares can bring real peace even in hard times.

In a culture that constantly says "make it about you," how do we resist the temptation to put ourselves at the center of everything? In this episode, we unpack what it means to lay down self-idolatry and live with Christ—not self—as the focus of our identity and purpose.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Sometimes, however, we can focus too much on the job we are doing instead of who we are doing it for. Today, Kristin sits down with Aubrey Toppen, and together they discuss the warning signs of career idolization and how to realign our hearts and minds to serve Christ.

Is God real, and did He really create everything? In this message, we explore three Christian views on creation, why intelligent design points to a Creator, and how focusing on what truly matters can strengthen our faith.