Become Good Soil

“To be sure, the kingdom has been here as long as we humans have been here, and longer. But it has been made available to us through simple confidence in Jesus, the Anointed, only from the time he became a public figure. It is a kingdom that, in the person of Jesus, welcomes us just as we are, just where we are, and makes it possible for us to translate our “ordinary” life into an eternal one.” —Dallas Willard, The Divine ConspiracyHow would you answer this question: What is the gospel that Jesus preached?When I (Cherie) first encountered this question, I was both arrested and bewildered. I had some sense of what I thought the “gospel” might be, but I could not, for the life of me, articulate what it was that Jesus himself preached. I was new in my adult faith in Jesus and spent most of my devotional time reading the Psalms, the Gospel of John, and Paul’s letters.This question launched me on a treasure hunt that changed my life—and continues to propel me today. It led me first deep into Matthew’s account of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then into Mark’s and Luke’s, and back again to John. Over the past twenty years, I have returned again and again to these profound and sweeping accounts of the earthly ministry of the Anointed One.What was the gospel that Jesus preached? And what does an apprenticeship look like when it seeks not only to have faith in Jesus, but to practice living the faith of Jesus?Let’s remember it together. Join us for this episode of the Become Good Soil podcast. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is at hand.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Cherie and Morgan 

“Recovering Sabbath is an alternative to a culture ruled by an endless cycle of consumption, production, and progress. It is an awareness and practice of the claim that we are situated on the receiving end of the gifts of God. To be so situated is a staggering option, because we are accustomed to being on the initiating end of all things. We neither expect nor, at times, even want a gift to be given, so consumed are we with accomplishing and possessing. Thus, I have come to think of the Sabbath as the most difficult and the most urgent of the commandments in our society.” —Walter Brueggeman How regularly do you find yourself showing up in your life from a place of overflow, having been saturated in the reservoir of Sabbath overflow? If you were to describe your evolving relationship with rest over your life in all its stages in seasons, how would your life speak to you?What if the timeless invitation to live from Sabbath—and to cultivate practices every day, every seven days, every seven years, and every seven-times-seven years—isn’t merely an external activity, but a way of participating with God to relearn a way of kingdom living? What if there is a hidden secret that unlocks every other resource of the kingdom, concealed within this mystery rooted in relational security with the one who models rest and created a world sustained through His own participation in Sabbath?Welcome back to the Become Good Soil Foundations Series. Join us as we explore together the possibility of Sabbath not only as an extravagant gift from a God of creativity, delight, and rest, but also as a primary posture in our apprenticeship to Jesus—and a catalyst for transformation: both a resistance to our age and an alternative path to a flourishing life.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us…”—St. JohnHenri Nouwen offers these soulful questions:“In what quiet ways have you bartered the worth of your soul to other grade-givers—some clamoring voices in the world around you, other critical voices firmly within your own being? By what small, repeated surrenders have you allowed yourself to become the very thing the world applauds, and the one thing you did not want to find yourself becoming?” In reflecting on these questions, we are keenly aware of the reality that we have often “bartered the worth of our soul” and been painfully malformed through “small repeated surrenders.”Yet as we take stock of our precious yet infected souls, we experience Jesus’s pursuit afresh. As the generous host of all creation, as our creator and king, He invites us to once again entrust ourselves fully to Him—everything we are and everything we are not yet—and receive the nourishment, embrace, and affection we so desperately need and is His joy to extend.In this second episode of our Become Good Soil Foundations Series, join us as we explore the wondrous reality whispered through the text of scripture, the text of nature, and the lives of those who intimately live the with-God life: that all reality begins with God—a God who overflows with creativity, energy, love, welcome, and life.Let’s seek together how we might live more deeply from a posture of rest and receptivity, moving through our days and decades as those ever-receiving love and belonging—and, from that overflow, continually extending love and belonging to all those around us. We are so grateful to venture deeper on this journey together.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

“The creeds function like a treasure chest, waiting to be opened and explored. The creeds are not meant to reduce our faith to simple facts; they are not intended to drive away mystery and complexity. Rather, the creeds secure a framework for the whole of our faith, so that we can freely go and explore the riches of the mystery in each part and in the whole.” —Jason Ortiz and Daniel Keating in The Nicene Creed: A Scriptural, Historical, and Theological CommentaryFriends, beneath every value we express and every thought we act upon lies an underlying belief. Though often unexamined, each of us has developed a comprehensive worldview that shapes every moment of our lives. What are those beliefs and assumptions—and to what degree do they align with reality as revealed by God?Join us for the first episode of the Become Good Soil Foundations Series, where we explore these core beliefs and assumptions of our faith and the fellowship of Become Good Soil.Drawing on Jesus’ imagery in Matthew 7, we ask: what would it look like to make a fresh assessment of the foundations upon which the “house” of our lives is built? What might we notice if we paused to appreciate the beauty and strength of the “rock” itself—and to reckon honestly with the areas of our lives still resting on shifting sand?As a fellowship, what does it look like to freshly receive and act upon Jesus’ invitation to relocate the whole of our lives onto the Rock—who is Christ Himself, His teaching, and His beautiful Kingdom?Come along in a courageous global fellowship as we venture together down a path and process that leads to a life truly worth living.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom, Morgan & Cherie Note: In our conversation on The Nicene Creed this is the reference. For further exploration: Ortiz, J., & Keating, D. A. (2024). The Nicene Creed: a scriptural, historical, and theological commentary. Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

“We are greatly strengthened for life in the kingdom now by an understanding of what our future holds, and especially of how that future relates to our present experiences. For only then do we really understand what our current life is, and are we able to make choices that agree with that reality.” — Dallas Willard, The Divine ConspiracyWhere are we going?Friends, this simple question continues to wake us, gently and insistently, again and again. As we linger with it, we remember that every path—whether chosen or assumed—is always leading somewhere. The question meets us as both invitation and mercy, asking us to notice where we are headed and to hold our lives up to the light of God and His kingdom.In doing so, this question stirs our imagination toward the greatest end—the long-awaited day when God’s kingdom is fully revealed on earth as it is in heaven, when all things are gathered up and made right, good, and beautiful. With that ultimate future shimmering before us, we find ourselves able to turn—sometimes subtly, sometimes decisively—and set our course again toward the good, the true, and the beautiful, trusting God to lead us faithfully in the present moment and into what is yet to come.For more than a year, we have carried this question in our minds and hearts as we have listened for God on behalf of Become Good Soil. Through prayer, discernment, and many honest conversations—with God and with so many of you—a clearer sense of where Become Good Soil is being led in this new season has slowly come into view.It is our deep joy to finally share this emerging vision with you.In this final episode of Our Origin Story, we reflect on the expanded mission and vision of Become Good Soil. At its heart is a simple and steadfast desire: to walk alongside you as you continue your apprenticeship to Jesus—the gradual, grace-filled transposing of your whole life into the life of Christ—and as you faithfully steward the generative outposts of Eden entrusted to your care.It’s all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

The hosts dive into the significance of fully embracing the present moment. They explore how impatience often distracts us from living here and now, instead tempting us to dwell on the past or fret about the future. Personal experiences reveal their struggles with regret and aspiration. The conversation also highlights trauma-informed practices, emphasizing body awareness as a path to presence. Listeners are encouraged to engage in self-reflection, nurturing their relationship with the current moment while recognizing the hurdles of nostalgia and anxiety.

Journeying through the layers of origin stories reveals deep connections to identity and faith. Morgan shares his transformative experiences, from college conversion to wilderness masculinity, while appreciating mentors along the way. Cherie explores how these narratives shape ethics and the unique anthropology found in Hebrew scriptures. Together, they reflect on the universal dance of personal and shared stories, inviting listeners to contemplate their own paths back to divine home.

Explore the ancient practice of a Soul's Review, perfect for group gatherings. Reflect on the past year’s joys and losses while engaging in meaningful discussions with friends and family. Learn how to structure your gathering for depth and safety, including sharing personal photos and emotions. Embrace blessings and set intentions for the coming year, all while drawing inspiration from your experiences. This journey encourages listeners to recognize God's presence in everyday life and cultivate a deeper connection with one's soul.

In this insightful conversation, hosts discuss how spiritual transformation shapes our relationships, emphasizing the importance of becoming the right kind of person. They explore the impact of naming internal stories in marriage, fostering compassion and connection. The dialogue moves to recognizing old patterns and choosing love over habitual responses, highlighting everyday growth. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their relational dynamics within God's framework, promoting healing and unity while embracing humility and trust.

Explore the patterns of relating that shape our connections. Discover how fear and self-protection often lead to isolation, while trust and love foster deeper bonds. Hear personal stories of withdrawal and the impacts of family history on marriage dynamics. Learn how awareness can shift these patterns, enabling growth and connection. Reflect on the significance of small daily interactions and the power of prayer in inviting healing. Dive into this journey of understanding and transformation toward wholeness in relationships.