The HousePlants Podcast

Does God ever accomplish His goals through violent people? With figures like Jehu we wonder if this is sometimes the case. There are times when God's wrath needs to be brought against people, for instance when God allows a sinful empire like Babylon to overtake Israel. In the case of Jehu, we wonder if maybe the idolatry was so intense that even a sinful person like Jehu can be an instrument of God's good plan. Remember what people intend for evil, God can intend for good.   Song: Better Than Life (Psalm 63) - Zak Kratzer (2021)

OUR LIVE STREAM EPISODE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND THE END OF 2021!   We sing some Christmas and some Original songs and we talk about everything God has done this year and everything the Christmas season means.

Who was Melchizedek? What was he doing there? Where is there? How do you even pronounce Melchizedek? We continue our bible characters series with a very mysterious yet profound figure. Someone who operates outside of the conventional system but is a priest, answering directly to God himself. And one who Jesus would follow up from and complete the role as a non-levite priest. Join us as see what we can find out about Melchizedek! SONG: When You Say - Collin McSweeney CHECK OUT MIKE WINGER'S VIDEO: https://youtu.be/qP-m85M8HWk

Namaan was a foreign commander from outside Israel. And yet his story tells us a lot about Yahweh, the God of Israel. Join us as we read through and talk about the story of a young servant who convinces someone powerful to go and see…   Song: Jesse's Tree (Isaiah 11) - Zak Kratzer (2021)

This episode we begin a new series where we talk about some of the unsung heroes or less prominent characters in the Bible. This time, we will take a look at Stephen from the book of Acts: what the scriptures tell us, and what is his impact on the grand story! SONG: Your Faith - Collin McSweeney (2021)

Many claim that the Bible is full of contradictions, but is this true? Is scripture consistent with itself? This is a question that affects how you view the Bible and ultimately how you view God. And if scripture is consistent, then how do we handle things that seem contradictory on first look. We tackle these questions and more…   SONG: Holy Spirit Fill Us (Zak Kratzer, 2020)

Does God have a reason for his rules? Does he just want to boss us around, or can sins actually hurt? Why would some things break the heart of God? Ken Southgate joins us as we wrestle with why things are sins, or as we like to ask, "Why are sins?"   Song: Love Divine All Loves Excelling (Hymn rendition by Zak and Collin - 2021)

Every once in a while we want to engage with some listener questions. Here is what our audience and other friends of ours wanted to know…   SONG: Answer (Based on Psalm 86) -  Collin McSweeney (2021)

TOPIC:  In our “Song's Speak” episodes we each pick one of our favorite songs in a certain category and talk about them. This week we are covering songs that you don't hear in congregational worship, but still say something about God and/or Christianity. You might say “Christian Rock” (or Prog in Collin's case). Check out these great songs and what we have to say about them!    SONG: My Charge - Zak Kratzer (2020)   SONGS DISCUSSED: BOB'S SONG: Rise Up by Skillet - https://youtu.be/7qZbiMPQgyg    ZAK'S SONG: On Distant Shores by Five Iron Frenzy - https://youtu.be/mcx5wEqzf2A    COLLIN'S SONG: Forever I Am by Ajalon - https://youtu.be/da5vsWmo1Tk   

This is the first Father's Day for two out of the three HousePlants. We spent some time talking about Fatherhood, what it is teaching us and what it teaches us about God. SONG: Revival (Synth Pop) - Collin McSweeney (2019)

We talk about Signs (2002) Dir. by M. Night Shyamalan for some reason... Actually we think the movie has a lot of theological significance. It's not really a story about aliens but more a story about faith and doubt. Hang with us as we find God in "Signs"   Song: See - Zak Kratzer (2019)

Today we attempt our second episode covering an influential theologian. In the spirit of going “back to basics” we're talking about Athanasius. He was at the Council of Nicaea and spent much of his ministry being persecuted. Yet he wrote some really central works on the trinity and other core doctrines of Christianity. Oh yeah and there was no Bob to reign us in for this episode…   “If the world is against the truth, then I am against the world.”  (Greek: Athanasius Contra Mundum) ― Athanasius of Alexandria Song: How Great Thou Art - Collin McSweeney (2021)

Today we continue with the process of writing songs, and some of the various techniques we tend to use and what makes songs truly great or holds them back. Enjoy listening to us discuss… our process… part 2…. now we take it to you, BOB... SONG: I Would See My Father's Face - Collin McSweeney (2021)  

Zak and Collin write and arrange a lot of music. Today we will discuss the process we go through when writing music. We hope there might be a few music writers listening who can use this info to help them. Zak and Collin have different approaches, so this episode we will talk about where inspiration comes from and how we begin to put a song together. This is…. Our process...   Song: Words Aren't Everything (Lofi)

This Week Collin Shares and we wrap up our series Perfect in Weakness   Gal 1 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.   1 Thes 2 :3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.   Song: Body, Soul, and Spirit in the Bluegrass (2021) Topic: People Pleasing.

This week we continue our series where we go deep and explore the flaws and weaknesses that each of us have overcome. We hope that this helps anyone who is struggling with these same areas of growth. Today Bob gives his testimony about anger and control. Song: It Is Well

In this series we get… real. We talk about how God's grace has been sufficient for us. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about God's power being made perfect in weakness. Each week one of us will talk about a personal shortcoming that God has been working on in us and how we have grown through it. This week Zak is up…   Song: Power (Bluegrass)

It's that time of year, better wear green! Better drink…. things. We all know about St. Patrick, but the history of Ireland and Christianity goes way back. Let's talk about the Irish influence on the church…   SONG: Flourish (Irish Folk Version)

“Life is Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get” This week we examine just one film for all of its wisdom and how it reminds us of God and the message of the Bible. Stupid is as Stupid does so listen to our episode!  (Also once again we apologize for some audio issues)   Song: Gloria Patri - Zak Kratzer (2021)

In part two of our meme-stravaganza, we take a look at the other side. Here we discuss a few Christian memes. From cringe to "hey that's actually a good point" here are the memes our brothers and sisters and Christ made. (also we apologize we had some audio issues this week)   Song: Lift The Gates (Psalm 24) - Collin McSweeney (2021)   Click here to see the memes...

On this episode, we open ourselves up to the memes aimed at Christians and the bible. Some are funny, some are based on misunderstandings and some might even have a bit of truth to them. Let's give these works of “dankery” a fair hearing as we see what's going on in the world of atheist memes.   Song: The One We Serve (Folksy)   Click here if you want to see the memes

  On the surface, most of us probably THINK we truly understand forgiveness.  If you've spent any amount of time in a decent church, then this term has probably come up. And if it has come up, it's probably come up a LOT.  And rightfully so.   Forgiveness is at the core of our faith.  But do we truly understand what it means? Do we TRULY practice?    Song: Holy Spirit Fill Us - Zak Kratzer (2020)

We have been going through this series week by week using the “No _____ without _____” model. This week we wrap up the series with one final lesson which most have probably heard already. “REPENT!”. It's funny because all ideas around repentance are common lessons. Baptism, accepting Jesus as lord and savior, receiving the Holy spirit. But is repentance also required from God? Let's talk about it?    Song: Rock of Ages (Rocking of Ages) - Collin McSweeney (2021)   Matt 4:17 (First peached words from Jesus)

It has been said that when you smile, the world smiles with you. Send good energy out to the world and it will return to you. This isn't the case for the people living righteous lives in the scriptures, and for many of us in modern times. Today we will talk about some of the consequences that come with living out a righteous life as a follower of Jesus. Side note, this episode was originally called No Righteousness Without Persecution. But we figured that most people define persecution as being jailed or tortured. Many people have lived good Christian lives and God has protected them from that type of persecution, especially in the US where we are very blessed (and a bit sheltered). We are not saying that everyone will be put in prison or killed, but the scripture does teach that righteousness does lead other to hate you.  Song: All for Jesus, All for Jesus (Hymn)

When it comes to being a disciple of Christ, most Christians would say it's about accepting Christ as your lord and savior. What do you have to lose? A lot!   Song: We Cry Abba (Romans 8) - Zak Kratzer (2021)  

Unity is something that most people say they want. Yet it seems like something that is truly hard to attain. Humans have made many attempts to build unity and most of the time they fail. Is Unity possible for the community of God? We would say Unity has to be based on something. If we are not oriented towards the same standard of truth, unity won't work.   SONG: You Alone Are Holy (Revelation 15) - Zak Kratzer (2021)

What does a relationship look like without risk? If we are never willing to put anything on the line, to give something up, or to sacrifice? That kind of relationship would feel more like a comfortable, safe, and stagnant acquaintance. How can we express love without laying something on the line? Is it even possible?    Song: Majestic Lord (Psalm 8) - Zak Kratzer (2020)

Hey! It's actually our second New Year's episode on the podcast. And 2020… that was something… In this episode we give some highlights of the year and discuss some of the ways we've grown and we also give a hint of some things to come in 2021.   Songs:  Joy to the World/All Creatures - ZK (2020) Ring The Bells (Traditional Hymn) Silent Night - ZK (2009)

This week we “wrapped” up our Christmas gift to you. We give our complete Christmas Movie Rankings. Hope you all are having a great time this Holiday Season. Thanks for blessing us so much in 2020....   Song: We Three Kings - Collin McSweeney (2012)   LAST EPISODE: Elf  (Our Average Rank # 6) Home Alone (# 2.3) It's a Wonderful Life (# 5.3) A Christmas Story (# 7)   National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (# 5.6) Miracle on 34th Street (# 7.3)   THIS EPISODE 7. Charlie Brown's Christmas (Our Average RANK #6.6) 8. The Santa Claus (#4.3) 9. Die Hard (#10) 10. Muppets Christmas Carol (#2.6) 11. Love Actually (#12) 12. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (#8.6)     FINAL RANKINGS Home alone  Muppets Christmas Carol The Santa Claus It's a Wonderful Life  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Elf Charlie Brown's Christmas A Christmas Story  Miracle on 34th Street (Original) Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer Die Hard Love Actually

We spent some time refreshing ourselves on some of the most popular Christmas Movies (determined by a survey of various surveys). We go through each and give some of our thoughts and re-rank them. Merry Christmas!   Song: Song: Adeste Fidelis - Zak Kratzer (2009)   Movies in this Episode: Elf  (Our Average Rank # 6) Home Alone (# 2.3) It's a Wonderful Life (# 5.3) A Christmas Story (# 7)   National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (# 5.6) Miracle on 34th Street (# 7.3)  

It's definitely time for some Christmas music. Whether you prefer some sacred tunes from the hymnal or you prefer to turn on the mix-mas station every december. Music is a huge part of the Christian tradition. Today we analyze some of our favorite Christian songs. What is your favorite?   SONGS: Hark The Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night

Our Live Stream Episode with special guests and lots of songs and God-sightings!

The Psalms are some of our favorite scriptures. For those who read them, Psalms can have a lot of power and encouragement. They speak the language of the heart above all else. In this episode we take a few favorite Psalms and turn them into pieces of music!   Songs How Long (Psalm 6) - Collin McSweeney Psalm 80 - Zak Kratzer Psalm 46 - Bob Keith, Collin McSweeney, Zak Kratzer

It's been a while since we asked our audience and friends to give us their questions. In this episode we sit down for QUESTION CROSSFIRE once again.    Song: Flourish (Alternative Acoustic)

Blind Faith. In Christianity we all know what faith is, at least most Christians should know. At some point the word “Blind” got put in there, and we just let it happen. Tonight I want to ask the question, can faith be truly blind? Can't we have faith with NO evidence to have faith on? We shall get into it.   Song: Blessed Be the God of Israel - Collin McSweeney (2020) “Faith is believing what you know ain't so.” - Mark Twain   “Never be Afraid to Trust an Unknown Future to a Known God” - Corrie Ten Boom

“O felix culpa quae talem et tantum meruit habere redemptorem" O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer. - Catholic Easter Vigil Prayer   It is too early for ADVENT? In the upcoming Christmas season, we often hear about “the incarnation” but what does this truly mean? God, the Son came to dwell with human beings. Was it merely a remedy for sin? Was it to show us some kind of example or was there a whole lot more to it? We explore incarnation and the reasons for the mission of Jesus in this “Mission of Jesus” focused episode. SONG: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns (Kingsfold Tune)

Hey, Bob here, I've noticed over the years a disdain among Christians towards technology.  Being a tech-enthusiast - and software engineer by trade - I've got a bias towards technology, and thus found this attitude among my fellow brothers and sisters frustrating.  So, I wanted to explore what the Bible had to say on this topic and what it means for us as Christians.   SONG: Praise to The Lord The Almighty (New Wave)

In our 3rd and final week of this series entitled “Is It Evil” We look at the most EVIIIIILLL of all holidays, Halloween.   Song: A “Metal”-Y Fortress is Our God

We are in the second week of our series in October that asks the question “Is it Evil?” Keeping the ball rolling, we will be talking about Horror! And specifically Horror movies because they are the most popular medium.   Song: What Wondrous Love Is This? (Alternative Metal) https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-evil.html - Good Article

In the first week of our series entitled "Is It Evil?" we are looking at the game that sent many Christians into a rage, a game where there are many deities and magic, a game where the story is told not by 1 person but many: Dungeons and Dragons. However, this isn't the only game that incited anger and worry amongst Christians. We shall talk about D&D as well as a few other games and ask the question “Is it Evil?”   SONG: Dox-metal-gy

Well it took us three Episodes, but we finally finished out the CCLI top 20 ranking. These songs are the songs that are played in churches across the country every week and we happen to think some worship harder than others. We evaluated them based on theology, lyrics and musicality. Now that you have our full tier list, let us know what you think. Do you agree? Are there some of your favorites we ranked too low, or vice versa? Leave a comment or touch base on FB. Thanks so much for listening.   SONG: Grace Greater Than Our Sin (Hymn)   FINAL TIER LIST S: This is Amazing Grace, 10,000 Reasons, Lord I Need You, How Great Is Our God, In Christ Alone   A: Build My Life, What A Beautiful Name, Living Hope, O Come To The Altar   B: Reckless Love, The Lion and The Lamb, Good Good Father, Goodness of God   C: Who You Say I Am, Way Maker, Great Are You Lord, King of My Heart, Great Things   D: Raise A Hallelujah

Last week we did the top 8 out of the CCLI top 20 worship songs. These are the songs that are being sung by the community of God weekly. We do think all of these songs can bless someone but we think that some are stronger than others. To that end, we continue ranking the most popular worship songs, evaluating them on Theological, Lyrical and Musical qualities.   SONG: Jesus Paid It All (Acoustic Folk)   Where our rankings stand: S: This is Amazing Grace, 10,000 Reasons, Lord, I Need You A: Build My Life, What A Beautiful Name, Living Hope B: Reckless Love, The Lion and The Lamb C: Who You Say I Am, Way Maker, Great Are You Lord, King of My Heart D: Raise A Hallelujah

In these few episodes we rank the songs in the CCLI Top 20, which is basically the billboard chart for songs being sung in churches across America. We decided to rank from S to F tier. And we talk about each song, evaluating them in three categories: Theological, Lyrical and Musical. To be fair, all of these songs have the potential to bless someone or preach the gospel, we just think some are stronger than others.    SONG: Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean (Acoustic Prog)   Where our rankings stand: S: This is Amazing Grace A: Build My Life, What A Beautiful Name, Living Hope B: C: Who You Say I Am, Way Maker, Great Are You Lord D: Raise A Hallelujah

Feelings, Emotions, even Faith, are these nothing but brain chemicals? Today we're talking about a worldview that takes the science behind the brain and seeks to manipulate a person's experience or perceptions. Sometimes it involves drugs but not always. Does biblical Christianity have anything to say about the worldview of “brain hacking”?   SONG: How Firm a Foundation (Hymn) Article: Flow State/Dopamine Triggers

Take the “red pill” with us as we explore the worldview that says basically that all of us are fake. No, it's not punk-rock. Today we are talking about the theory that the world is a simulation. Could they possibly have a point? And what does the Christian worldview say about whether the world is real or if it matters. Does matter matter to anyone at all? SONG: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (Hymn) Elon Musk references paper: “ARE YOU LIVING IN A COMPUTER SIMULATION?”, Nick Bostrom, 2003, Philosophical Quarterly  https://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html

We've all heard it, “What goes around, comes around.” But does the bible teach this? Karma is a phrase that we use a lot in the west but its basis in eastern religions is quite complicated. Today we are focused on the modern, western version of Karma or some may call it good vibes or energy. What does the bible say to this and how should a Christian respond?   ARTICLE: How to give “positive vibes” https://www.happify.com/hd/13-proven-ways-to-project-positive-energy/    SONG: It's You - Collin McSweeney (2020)  

This is the start of a brand new series, Competing Worldviews. Each episode we will take a look at a popular or en-vogue worldview experiment and respond as Christians. A Worldview experiment is not so much a fully-fleshed out religion but a way to approach the world spiritually. They are kind of like home-brew personal religious worldviews and yet a lot of people have these, even Christians sometimes. For this first episode we will be taking a look at some beliefs that have been observed in young people in America and named by researchers as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Will this replace classic Christianity? Only time will tell. But we want to equip our listeners to know how a biblical Christian would respond to this and other Competing Worldviews.   SONG: Return, Return O Israel - Zak Kratzer (2020)   Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers (2005) https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Searching-Religious-Spiritual-Teenagers/dp/0195384776

At this stage in our current situation, we are starting to see only RED. Politics, culture, social justice, and yes even religion. Basically, the first thing we do is think of negativity, which can hurt not only others but ourselves quite a bit. So tonight we're happy to say that we are going to exclusively focus on GOD and how great He is, and send a positive message of trust and appreciation!

We just finished a series on spiritual beings from the divine council to the angels and beyond. We even covered the spiritual dimension of human beings. But do other animals have a spiritual dimension as well. We will take a look at how the bible portrays some certain fuzzy, scaly and feathery friends.   SONG: All Creatures of Our God and King - Synth Pop

Up until now in our series, we have talked about the different spiritual beings throughout the scriptures. In this next episode we will be talking about the (partially) non spiritual being that will BECOME a spiritual being. No we aren't talking about un-dead vampire spirits, we are talking about plain old humans, and how our physical bodies are still important but so is our spirit.   Song: Body, Soul & Spirit - Collin McSweeney (2020)

We have been talking a lot about spiritual beings in this series. But one that gets a lot of misrepresentation is who the bible calls our “enemy” or “adversary.” We have many biblical references, but are they all talking about the same figure? And how accurate are our cultural depictions? Today we talk about the dang ol' devil.   SONG: Victory through Grace (hymn)