We enjoy sports, but the question is, are our lives filled with enjoyment? What if we experienced life and people with more joy?

Are we enjoying the people around us, the blessings God has given us, His calling on our lives, and, most importantly, enjoying God for who He is and the fellowship He invites us to have with Him?

Are we passionate about delighting in God, enjoying a deep personal relationship with Jesus, and is it our pleasure to serve Him, obey Him, and know His Word?

In this episode, we take an honest look inward to examine our hearts and lives, identifying the areas where we’ve lost our passion, gratitude, and joy, and are simply going through the motions. Drifting into negativity and dissatisfaction is easy, but the antidote is intentional. We are shifting our focus back to God—learning to truly savor His goodness, relish His blessings, and appreciate His greatness. Tune in as we discuss how to break out of the spiritual rut and experience genuine, life-giving fellowship with Jesus, who has already secured an abundant life for us through His death and resurrection.

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On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack how the NFL schedule is unfair to some teams...and how to respond when our lives seem unfair.

They offer their thoughts on the Spurs-Thunder series and a fan's perspective on greatness and dominance. Plus, they discuss how to get through mistreatment with the right heart posture and mindset, entrusting ourselves to God.

Drawing from the ultimate example of Jesus and the raw, real insights of the Apostle Paul, Bryce and Trip give practical ways to avoid bitterness, focus on what we can control, and keep trusting God's character.

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On this week's podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack what happens when an NHL or NBA team pulls off a series sweep, and how it parallels quick obedience as followers of Jesus.

They offer their thoughts on the NBA Playoffs and the Draft Lottery, and discuss what's next for the Lakers and Bucks...and the NCAA Tournament expansion.

Plus, the guys break down why we act immediately when we know the right thing to do as we follow Jesus.

Scripture Focus:

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..."

Psalm 119:60 (NLT): “I will hurry, without delay, to obey Your commands.”

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Summary: We unpack the problem of fans selling their tickets to the other team…and how this parallels being okay with a little bit of sin entering in. 

This week's conversation centers on a fascinating parallel between sports fandom and faith: Stop Selling Your Tickets.

The episode is inspired by a recent story where Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed frustration after Sixers fans sold their home playoff tickets to New York Knicks fans in 2024, leading to a "home" game that felt like an away game. He's imploring Sixers fans not to do the same thing for this year's series against the Knicks.

• The Ticket Dilemma: Why do fans sell their playoff seats? We unpack how this betrayal negatively affects the team's "home-court advantage."
• The Spiritual Parallel: The show explores how this mirrors our spiritual lives. Just as those who sell their tickets don't think it's a big deal to let a few Knicks fans in, we often compromise our values or allow small "sins" to enter our lives, and by doing so, they can take over. We can't dismiss, overlook, tolerate, or accept sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. We have to be willing to call it what it is and pursue holiness.

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On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce and Trip unpack how no one really knows the future of the players selected in the NFL Draft…and how we can approach our futures with humility.

The NFL Draft is a blast, but before anyone makes judgments or declarative statements about the future, let’s pause with humility and be willing to say, “Who knows”?

We also realize we don’t know what God has in store for us this week or next year. We don’t know what’s going to happen to us, the people around us, or how much longer we’re going to be here.

Verses Discussed:

James 4:13-16

Proverbs 3:5-6

Matthew 6:34

Proverbs 27:1

From the place of "who knows?", the guys still share their opinions about the draft and the decisions teams made!

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As the NFL Draft approaches, GMs are on high alert, scouring scouting reports for "red flags" that could jeopardize a team’s future. But are we applying that same scrutiny to our own lives?

In this episode of The UNPACKIN’ it Podcast, Bryce unpacks the high-stakes world of the NFL Draft and explores why identifying warning signs is critical—not just for winning Super Bowls, but for living a life that honors God. We dive into the wisdom of Proverbs 27:12, discussing how to distinguish between a "prudent person" who foresees danger and a "simpleton" who goes blindly toward negative consequences.

Whether it's a questionable draft prospect or a personal relationship that has red flags, learn how to test, heed the warnings, and make wise decisions that lead to spiritual fruit.

• The Cost of Ignoring Warnings: Why overlooking red flags leads to negative consequences in sports and faith.

• Personal Red Flags: Are we identifying warning signs in our own choices?
• Proverbs 27:12 (NLT): "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."
• 1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..."

• Don't Go Blindly: Wisdom requires us to take warnings about situations, relationships, and teachings seriously.
• Honor God First: Our goal is to make decisions that set us up for spiritual faithfulness.

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Rory McIlroy Wins The Masters... But Has He Arrived? ⛳️

Rory McIlroy has secured another Green Jacket, adding to his "Major Championship" legacy. But in the world of sports—and in our own lives—the journey isn't over. In today's episode, we unpack why Rory is still "pressing on" and how his pursuit on the golf course parallels our spiritual journey.

We dive into Philippians 3:12-14 to explore what it means to acknowledge we haven't "arrived" yet. Whether you're coming off a massive win or struggling in a fallen world, this video will encourage you to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Why significant growth doesn't mean we are perfect or done.

• Philippians 3 Breakdown: Understanding Paul’s "upward call" in Christ Jesus.

• The pursuit of Christlikeness

• Scottie Scheffler's performance and comments.

Key Scripture:

"I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:14 (AMP)

Connect with UNPACKIN' it:

Hit subscribe/follow for more sports-faith conversations!

Visit our website: www.unpackinit.com

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Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE

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On The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, we unpack the parallels between sports, life, and faith. Join host Bryce Johnson and co-host Trip Smith as they dive into the National Championship game and a powerful lesson on preparation and living with expectancy.

In This Episode:

• Dusty May’s Final Four Decision

• We discuss Michigan’s dominant performance and Dusty May’s unique scouting tactics during the UConn-Illinois game.

• Expectancy + Preparation: How Dusty May’s confidence in his team led to his "uncommon" preparation, and what that teaches us about our own lives.

Other Highlights:

• A look at UConn’s championship run, Michigan’s first title win since 1989.

• We explore how living with expectancy in Christ changes the way we approach daily battles and prepare our hearts through prayer and scripture.

Key Scripture Referenced:

• Hebrews 4:16 (AMP): Approaching the throne of grace with confidence.
• 1 Peter 1:13 (AMP): Preparing your minds for action and fixing your hope on grace.

Plus, Ernie Johnson won on the podium...and a conversation on Mike vs. Michael.

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This week on The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the emotional rollercoaster of March Madness after Duke’s stunning 19-point lead evaporated into a buzzer-beater loss to UConn. We discuss the reality of being a fan—the sacrifice, the commitment, and the painful moments that put our loyalty to the test.

But there’s a deeper parallel. It can be hard being a sports fan, but following Jesus also comes with its own set of challenges, "heartbreaking defeats," and seasons that test our faith. As we enter Easter week, we’re looking at what it truly means to "take up your cross daily" and why the difficult path is always worth it in the end.

This Episode's Discussion:

• Duke vs. UConn: Unpacking the wild sequence that sent the Huskies to the Final Four.

• Jon Scheyer’s Era: Taking over for a legend, navigating criticism, and building a powerhouse at age 38.

• How Luke 9:23 and 2 Timothy 3:12 remind us that the Christian life isn't always easy, but is victorious.

• Finding Peace: Why we can "take heart" even when things don't go our way.

Connect with the UNPACKIN' it Ministry:

📧 Email Bryce: [email protected]

🌐 Website: unpackinit.com

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March Madness is in full swing, but as we head into the second weekend, we are missing the mid-major Cinderella story. This week, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the first two rounds of the tournament, highlighting some of the best games and storylines.

In This Episode, We Unpack:

• The Madness So Far: What made Bryce "shriek."
• UNC & Duke: What happened to UNC, and what is next for them? What team should Duke be worried about?
• The Missing Cinderella: For the second straight year, the Sweet 16 consists entirely of major conference schools. We discuss how the tournament is better when smaller schools make deep runs.
• The "Old" Guard: A quick look at the veteran coaches leading the way this year, proving that legends like Rick Pitino, Tom Izzo, and John Calipari are still finding ways to win in the new era of college basketball.
• Faith Parallel – Don’t Miss Out: Just as fans feel something is missing without a Cinderella story, we often miss out on the full, "fruitful" life God intended for us. We dive into John 15 and Galatians 5 to discuss how staying connected to the Vine ensures that we don't miss the blessings of a faith-filled life.

Featured Scripture:

• John 15:5 (NLT): "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing."
• Galatians 5: The Fruit of the Spirit.
• James 1:5: Asking for Wisdom.

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