gwot.rocks - God, the World, and Other Things!

✨ The Wonders of Christmas Series #2In this episode, we explore It's a Wonderful Life through the quiet power of the woman who holds the story together—Mary Bailey—and the real-life grace of the woman who played her, Donna Reed.

Get ready for Thanksgiving 2025's Thursday episode: “Choose Gratitude Over Bitterness.”

⛵️ Thanksgiving week is here, friend — and today's episode takes you back to a night in 1620 when the Mayflower almost turned back. A cracked beam… a raging storm… sickness… fear… and a group of believers choosing gratitude anyway.

Sunday PSA / Teaser: “When the Beam Cracked”Hey friend, happy Thanksgiving week!

Show Notes

☕ Your 5-Minute Peace Reset – Let's Do This TogetherNeed a spiritual reboot? This 5-minute episode walks you through a daily peace plan — a simple solution to reset your soul, guard your mind, and live as peace in motion.

Ever feel a restlessness that no pleasure can satisfy?

Have you ever wondered why your soul feels restless—even when life looks full?

Feeling restless?

What a day! Listen to the podcast intro for the full story. I revisit our first episode from August 2019 to show how this podcast began and how God has kept me steadfast despite cultural shifts. My original assessments about major cities and their ongoing turmoil still hold true. I changed the byline from "equilibrium" to "peace" to clearly reflect the spiritual goal of equipping you to stand firm in a chaotic world. I'm also launching "Coffee Fueled Wisdom," a new channel to foster community online and through local gatherings, starting in Nashville and potentially expanding globally if God wills it.

✨ In this episode, we look at the lives of four men—Chuck Swindoll Jr., Frank Schaeffer, Joshua Harris, and Bart Campolo—sons of prominent Christian leaders who each walked away from the faith of their fathers. Paired with the biblical example of Demas, their stories highlight a crucial truth: God has no grandchildren. Salvation requires personal conviction and new birth in Christ.

✨ Episode Overview: Remember when this was supposed to be a trilogy? Well… surprise! Here's the bonus track — the addendum.

✝️Welcome to another EEN – Empowering Encouragement Now episode, inspired by Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotion for September 4, 2025 – “I Will; Be Thou Clean” (Mark 1:41). In this power-packed episode, we dive into the story of Jesus healing the leper, revealing His unmatched power and compassion. This is a call to action for believers to step boldly into a broken world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to do great exploits for God!

In this episode, we explore the life and extraordinary talents of bluegrass prodigy Billy Strings, drawing from publicly available sources to highlight his God-given gifts and inspire listeners to recognize and use their own for God's glory and the well-being of others. Join us as we reflect on Billy's journey—from overcoming hardship to Grammy-winning success—and issue a call to align our talents with the Creator for true flourishing in 2025.Biographical details are compiled from the following sources:- Rick Beato's YouTube interview with Billy Strings (2024) for insights into his performance style and the joint incident discussion.- Articles and interviews in *The New Yorker*, *Rolling Stone*, and *Billboard* for details on Strings' upbringing, family struggles, substance use history, and career milestones.- Public posts on X and fan discussions for recent events, including Debra Apostol's passing in June 2025.- Billy Strings' official statements, music releases (e.g., *Me/And/Dad*, 2022), and Grammy records for career achievements.- Additional details from music journalism outlets and public interviews.Scripture references: James 1:17, Matthew 5:45, Psalm 37:4.For more on Billy Strings' music, visit his official website or platforms like Spotify. Share your thoughts or personal story of using your gifts for God's glory in the comments or via show email below. Thank you for listening, and may you be inspired to flourish for Him!DONATE You can help support this podcast by clicking our secure PayPal account. For donation by check, make payable to Transform This City, P.O. Box 1013, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174. “gwot.rocks” is a ministry of Transform This City, a registered 501(C)(3) The Four Spiritual Laws- how you can be born again and have eternal life?The Spirit Filled Life- how you can live each day in the power of God'd Holy Spirit!"Other Things with... " YouTube Channel(Ctrl+click to follow the link) LIFE HELPSgwot.rocks home page Transform This City Transform This City Facebook gwot.rocks@transformthiscity.org Thank you for listening! Please tell your friends about us! Listen, share, rate, subscribe! Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible®, Copyright © 2016 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible® and CSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the ancient yet urgently relevant practice of proclaiming God's Word aloud. From Ezra reading the Law to a nation in Nehemiah 8, to Jesus declaring Isaiah's prophecy in the synagogue, to Paul's instructions to Timothy—Scripture calls us to speak the Word so others can hear and respond.Discover why public reading is not just tradition but God's chosen method for igniting faith, transforming hearts, and uniting His people. You'll hear biblical examples, historical insights, and practical encouragement to bring this practice into your home, workplace, and community—whether around the dinner table, in a church service, or even on the pickleball court!Key Verses:Genesis 1:3Nehemiah 8:1–12Luke 4:181 Timothy 4:13Romans 10:17Isaiah 55:11Highlights:Why Ezra's public reading brought national revival.The difference between proclamation, preaching, and study.How hearing God's Word aloud reaches the heart like nothing else.Simple ways to incorporate Scripture proclamation into daily life.Challenge:This week, stand up and read a chapter of Scripture aloud—slowly, clearly, and with reverence. Then, let God's Word do its work.Next episode: Speak Up! Overcoming Silence to Share the Good News. DONATE You can help support this podcast by clicking our secure PayPal account. For donation by check, make payable to Transform This City, P.O. Box 1013, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174. “gwot.rocks” is a ministry of Transform This City, a registered 501(C)(3) The Four Spiritual Laws- how you can be born again and have eternal life?The Spirit Filled Life- how you can live each day in the power of God'd Holy Spirit!"Other Things with... " YouTube Channel LIFE HELPSgwot.rocks home page Transform This City Transform This City Facebook gwot.rocks@transformthiscity.org Thank you for listening! Please tell your friends about us! Listen, share, rate, subscribe! Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible®, Copyright © 2016 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible® and CSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're going straight into Job 1:9–10—a conversation so ancient and cosmic it still rattles the gates of spiritual warfare today.Why do some Christians mock the phrase "hedge of protection"? Is it outdated? Harmless? Or is something more sinister at play when we joke about what Satan himself takes seriously?Whether you've heard this phrase in prayer circles or mocked on stage, today's deep dive will challenge you to rethink your posture toward spiritual boundaries, bold prayer, and the unseen war around you.

Reclaiming the Inner Life as Christ's Sacred RetreatWhat if your soul is more than a battlefield—or a burden to manage—but a garden?In this episode, we step into the rich metaphor drawn from Charles Spurgeon's 19th-century devotion on Song of Solomon 5:1, where Christ says, “I am come into my garden.” With help from Gordon MacDonald's Ordering Your Private World, and a haunting lyric from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, we explore what it means to reclaim the soul as sacred space.You'll be invited to:Reimagine your inner life as a walled garden—set apart, protected, and tended by graceHear Spurgeon's challenge to resist worldly encroachmentReflect on MacDonald's insight: that an untended soul will always be overrun by the worldLong for the Eden your soul remembers—and the Christ who still walks among the liliesThis isn't about performance—it's about presence. Not religious activity—but relational intimacy with the One who purchased your soul as His own retreat.

Have you ever prayed and felt like your words were hitting the ceiling? That God was silent, even when your heart was screaming? This episode is for you.

Is it possible to pray often… and still miss the heart of prayer? In this episode, we unpack Jesus' teachings on vain repetition versus persistent prayer. With two biblical examples of each, we explore how to avoid hollow, routine prayers and instead lean into bold, consistent, and heartfelt conversation with God. Whether your prayer life feels dry, repetitive, or just weary—this is your invitation to rediscover the power of earnest asking. Includes a practical 7-day challenge to revive your connection with God.Practical Challenge: The Seven-Day Prayer Check-InSet aside 5 minutes daily for prayer.Begin each time by asking God to help you pray sincerely and not just repeat words out of habit.Write down your prayer focus or key requests each day in a journal.Avoid rote prayers. Use your own words.After praying, spend one minute in silence, listening or reflecting.At the end of the week, review your journal and note any changes in your heart, attitude, or sense of connection.DONATE You can help support this podcast by clicking our secure PayPal account. For donation by check, make payable to Transform This City, P.O. Box 1013, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174. “gwot.rocks” is a ministry of Transform This City, a registered 501(C)(3) The Four Spiritual Laws - how you can be born again and have eternal life?The Spirit Filled Life- how you can live each day in the power of God'd Holy Spirit!Voices From The Past Volume 1 & 2"Other Things with... " YouTube ChannelCut & Paste Personal Invitation to invite your friends to check out “gwot.rocks” podcast: I invite you to check out the podcast, “gwot.rocks: God, the World, and Other Things!” It is available on podcast players everywhere! Here is the link to the show's home base for all its episodes: http://podcast.gwot.rocks/ LIFE HELPSgwot.rocks home page Transform This City Transform This City Facebook gwot.rocks@transformthiscity.org Thank you for listening! Please tell your friends about us! Listen, share, rate, subscribe! ChatGPT is used in the development or this podcast.Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible®, Copyright © 2016 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible® and CSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The announced episode number is incorrect. Episode 537 was injected into the podcast in light of the immediacy of the situation. The following is a rework of the Charles Spurgeon Evening Devotion for June 22which was first published in 1866. The estimated writing year for June 22 devotion would have been Circa 1865 or early 1866. His words written down by candle or lamplight approximately 160 years ago are soberingly impactful and apply to us at this very moment in history. As soon as I read it I knew I had to shine the spotlight on its message. Spurgeon's devotion is in the public domain and copyright free.DONATE You can help support this podcast by clicking our secure PayPal account. For donation by check, make payable to Transform This City, P.O. Box 1013, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174. “gwot.rocks” is a ministry of Transform This City, a registered 501(C)(3) The Four Spiritual Laws - how you can be born again and have eternal life?The Spirit Filled Life- how you can live each day in the power of God'd Holy Spirit!Voices From The Past Volume 1 & 2"Other Things with... " YouTube ChannelCut & Paste Personal Invitation to invite your friends to check out “gwot.rocks” podcast: I invite you to check out the podcast, “gwot.rocks: God, the World, and Other Things!” It is available on podcast players everywhere! Here is the link to the show's home base for all its episodes: http://podcast.gwot.rocks/ (Ctrl+click to follow the link) LIFE HELPSgwot.rocks home page Transform This City Transform This City Facebook gwot.rocks@transformthiscity.org Thank you for listening! Please tell your friends about us! Listen, share, rate, subscribe! Empowering Encouragement Now segments are based in part on C.H. Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Devotions (public domain.)ChatGPT and/or Bard may be used at times to expedite research material for this podcast.Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible®, Copyright © 2016 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible® and CSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, here we are once again, at the doorway to the end of days...or so it seems. I recorded this podcast on Friday, June, 20, 2025. I recorded it on my IPhone immediately after receiving a special text that included an early morning emergency message from Pastor Jack Hibbs. You need to listen to this episode to gain understanding and context on these world happenings. This episode will bring peace to your heart in the midst of this terrible world agitation. As we see a few days later, Pastor Jack was spot on his warning!DONATE You can help support this podcast by clicking our secure PayPal account. For donation by check, make payable to Transform This City, P.O. Box 1013, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174. “gwot.rocks” is a ministry of Transform This City, a registered 501(C)(3) The Four Spiritual Laws - how you can be born again and have eternal life?The Spirit Filled Life- how you can live each day in the power of God'd Holy Spirit!Voices From The Past Volume 1 & 2"Other Things with... " YouTube ChannelCut & Paste Personal Invitation to invite your friends to check out “gwot.rocks” podcast: I invite you to check out the podcast, “gwot.rocks: God, the World, and Other Things!” It is available on podcast players everywhere! Here is the link to the show's home base for all its episodes: http://podcast.gwot.rocks/ (Ctrl+click to follow the link) LIFE HELPSgwot.rocks home page Transform This City Transform This City Facebook gwot.rocks@transformthiscity.org Thank you for listening! Please tell your friends about us! Listen, share, rate, subscribe! Empowering Encouragement Now segments are based in part on C.H. Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Devotions (public domain.)ChatGPT and/or Bard may be used at times to expedite research material for this podcast.Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible®, Copyright © 2016 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible® and CSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Titus 2:11-12 -"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age." The sober life isn't just a clean life. Integrity begins in quiet places. This episode explains how we restore integrity in worship and leadership. Let this series stir a holy dissatisfaction with the norm. Let it ignite a longing for something more beautiful, more sober, and more real. Christ is worthy of a consecrated Church. Disclaimer: This podcast series reflects the personal spiritual convictions and commentary of the host. It does not make or imply accusations against any individual. While it may reference well-known trends or publicly reported stories within Christian culture, it seeks to address systemic issues, not personal grievances. All references are either generalized or drawn from public reporting. The intention of this content is to encourage discernment, promote accountability, and call the Church to deeper holiness—not to incite division or condemnation.DONATE You can help support this podcast by clicking our secure PayPal account. For donation by check, make payable to Transform This City, P.O. Box 1013, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174. “gwot.rocks” is a ministry of Transform This City, a registered 501(C)(3) The Four Spiritual Laws - how you can be born again and have eternal life?The Spirit Filled Life- how you can live each day in the power of God'd Holy Spirit!"Other Things with... " YouTube ChannelCut & Paste Personal Invitation to invite your friends to check out “gwot.rocks” podcast: I invite you to check out the podcast, “gwot.rocks: God, the World, and Other Things!” It is available on podcast players everywhere! Here is the link to the show's home base for all its episodes: http://podcast.gwot.rocks/ (Ctrl+click to follow the link) LIFE HELPSgwot.rocks home page Transform This City Transform This City Facebook gwot.rocks@transformthiscity.org Thank you for listening! Please tell your friends about us! Listen, share, rate, subscribe! ChatGPT and/or Bard may be used at times to expedite research material for this podcast.Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible®, Copyright © 2016 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible® and CSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.