Friday, December 26th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John asks a profound question: How do you find happiness? Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 30:7-9, Psalm 27, and Ephesians 3, John explores the tension between our desire for happiness and the fleeting promises of circumstances. Drawing parallels to stories like The Fault in Our Stars and wisdom from Augustine, this episode challenges listeners to consider contentment as the key to true joy. John unpacks the honest prayer of Proverbs 30, where the author asks for "just enough"—neither poverty nor riches—to remain close to God. He also highlights Paul's prayer for believers in Ephesians, reminding us that Christ’s love and presence are our ultimate source of fulfillment. Whether you're waiting for a breakthrough or navigating life’s uncertainties, this episode offers practical insights and a powerful prayer for a joy-filled life rooted in God. Tune in for an entertaining, inspirational, and deeply encouraging conversation about finding happiness in a restless world.
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Christmas, Thursday, December 25th: In this Christmas Day episode of The Daily Grind, John turns to the Gospel of John to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas. Rather than focusing on the manger, John reminds us that Christmas is the moment the eternal Word entered human life and chose to remain with us. The incarnation declares that God is not distant or temporary, but present in the ordinary realities of our lives. Christmas does not end when the celebrations fade; it continues as we live each day in the light of Emmanuel, God with us.
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Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th: In this Christmas Eve episode of The Daily Grind, John reflects on the quiet, grounded reality of Jesus’ birth as told in Luke 2. Stripped of sentimentality and myth, the story reveals a God who enters the world humbly, in ordinary space, and without spectacle. Christmas Eve reminds us that God’s greatest work often begins in silence, inviting trust rather than demanding attention. This episode encourages listeners to pause, receive, and rest in the quiet faithfulness of God who draws near.
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Tuesday, December 23rd: n this episode of The Daily Grind, John reflects on the long silence that comes before the joy of Christmas, focusing on the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1. Their faithful waiting reminds us that God’s silence is not absence, and delay is not denial. Advent teaches us that God often does His deepest work quietly, shaping hearts through patience, trust, and obedience before the celebration begins. This episode invites listeners to see waiting not as wasted time, but as a season where God prepares us for joy.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Monday, December 22nd: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John introduces Origen of Alexandria, one of the earliest and most influential Christian thinkers, whose vision of Christ shaped how the church learned to read Scripture and prepare the heart for God’s coming. Origen believed that Christ comes not only to save, but to teach, forming the mind and soul to recognize truth, goodness, and love. Advent, through Origen’s lens, becomes a season of preparation, learning to listen, to be shaped by the Word, and to receive Christ with humility. This episode invites listeners to slow down, open their hearts, and allow Christ the Teacher to prepare them for the joy of Christmas.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Friday, December 19th: What is the Kingdom of God really like?
Jesus often answered that question with stories—parables about seeds, yeast, treasure, pearls, and unexpected guests at a wedding feast. In this episode of The Daily Grind, we lean into one of the most unforgettable modern parables of the Kingdom through a story told by Tony Campolo.
At 3:30 in the morning, in a greasy diner filled with prostitutes, a simple birthday celebration becomes a living picture of grace. A woman who has never had a party in her life is honored, seen, and loved—and in that moment, the Kingdom of God quietly breaks in.
This episode invites us to reconsider how we imagine God’s Kingdom, what kind of church Jesus came to create, and whether we’re willing to celebrate grace where we least expect it. The Kingdom of God isn’t a gated community—it’s a feast. And everyone is invited.
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen King, Jesus.
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Thursday, December 18th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John turns to Isaiah 40 to explore how Advent hope was formed long before the birth of Jesus. Speaking to a weary people in exile, Isaiah proclaims comfort, restoration, and the promise that God has not forgotten His people. This passage reminds us that waiting is not passive or wasted, but a place where God renews strength and deepens trust. Advent invites listeners to bring their weariness honestly before God and to trust that His faithfulness sustains us even when nothing seems to be changing.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Wednesday, December 17th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John explores what many scholars believe is one of the earliest Christian hymns, preserved for us in Philippians 2:5–11. Written into a letter to a Roman colony shaped by power, status, and honor, this hymn tells a radically different story of greatness. It traces Christ’s journey from divine glory to humble obedience, even to death on a cross, and then to exaltation by God. The episode reflects on how Advent is not merely sentimental but revolutionary, redefining power through humility and service. Listeners are invited to consider how the mindset of Christ shapes the way they live, wait, and follow Him today.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Tuesday, December 16th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John explores Bernard of Clairvaux’s powerful teaching on the three Advents of Christ: Christ who came in humility, Christ who comes now in the Spirit, and Christ who will come again in glory. Bernard’s framework invites believers to live attentively in the present, not just remembering the past or waiting for the future. Advent becomes a season of formation, teaching us how to recognize Christ’s quiet work in our hearts today. This episode calls listeners to slow down, make room, and live faithfully between Christ’s comings.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Monday, December 15th: Episode 661 explores Luke 2:25–38 and the often-overlooked Advent figures of Simeon and Anna. Both were faithful believers who spent decades waiting for God to fulfill His promise of sending the Messiah. Simeon waited with expectation, guided by the Holy Spirit, trusting that he would see the Savior before he died. Anna waited with devotion, worshiping, fasting, and praying day after day in the temple. When Jesus finally arrives, not with spectacle but as a quiet infant, both recognize Him immediately. Simeon’s song expresses peace and fulfillment, while Anna becomes one of the first witnesses to the good news. Together, they show that waiting with God is never wasted time. The episode reminds listeners that faithfulness matters even when life feels quiet or unresolved. Advent invites us to wait well, trust deeply, and recognize Jesus when He comes—often in unexpected ways.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Friday, December 12th: On this episode of The Daily Grind, John dives into the Advent season, exploring the angelic announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2. Drawing connections from Moses to David and culminating in Jesus, the Good Shepherd and Lamb of God, John unpacks how the Christmas story fulfills God's promises across history. Reflect on how Jesus, greater than Moses and David, embodies the ultimate Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. This episode is a rich blend of storytelling, theology, and encouragement to embrace the joy of the Savior's birth.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Thursday, December 11th: Episode 659 explores Isaiah 9:1–7, one of the most beloved Advent prophecies. The passage begins in real darkness — places marked by fear and suffering — and declares that God’s light breaks in exactly there. Isaiah announces that hope arrives not through an army, but through a child. The episode unpacks the four royal titles of Jesus: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Isaiah’s promise shows that the kingdom of Christ will continually grow and never decline. The guarantee that “the zeal of the Lord” will accomplish this gives believers confidence in God’s passion and faithfulness. The episode emphasizes that Advent does not ignore darkness, but proclaims hope in it. Listeners are encouraged to receive Christ in whatever part of life feels fearful or heavy. Ultimately, Isaiah 9 invites us to trust that Jesus is the light, wisdom, strength, and peace we need.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Wednesday, December 10th: Episode 658 explores Galatians 4:4–7, one of Paul’s clearest explanations of Christmas. The episode unpacks the meaning of “the fullness of time,” showing how God prepared history for the coming of Jesus. Paul emphasizes that Christ was born of a woman and born under the law, highlighting both His humanity and His obedience. The purpose of Christ’s coming is redemption — buying us back and freeing us from the curse of sin. But redemption leads to adoption, and believers become children of God who can call Him “Abba, Father.” The episode underscores that Christmas is not just a celebration of Jesus’ birth, but an invitation into a new identity and family. God’s timing is shown as wise and intentional, even when we are waiting. Listeners are encouraged to trust God’s timing and receive their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. Galatians 4 presents Christmas as a rescue, a relationship, and a homecoming.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Tuesday, December 9th: Episode 657 introduces Athanasius of Alexandria, one of the most important defenders of the doctrine of the Incarnation. Athanasius argued passionately that Jesus must be fully God and fully human, or Christmas loses its power. His classic book On the Incarnation explains why God became man, using vivid images like a vandalized painting restored by the original artist. The episode walks through Athanasius’ battle at the Council of Nicaea and his opposition to Arius, who denied Christ’s divinity. Athanasius’ famous line, “He became what we are, that He might make us what He is,” provides a powerful summary of the meaning of Christmas. Listeners are invited to see Christmas as God entering human nature to heal and transform it. The episode encourages modern believers to hold fast to the truth of Christ’s divinity and humanity throughout Advent. Ultimately, Athanasius helps us understand that Christmas is not sentiment, but salvation.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Monday, December 8th: Episode 656 explores Luke 1:26–38, the passage where the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. The episode looks closely at Mary’s fear, her honest question, and ultimately her surrendered response. We explore how God often begins His greatest works in ordinary places and with ordinary people. Mary’s “let it be to me according to Your word” becomes a model of Advent faith — trusting God before knowing all the answers. The episode contrasts Mary’s response with Zechariah’s earlier doubt, highlighting the difference between honest curiosity and control. Gabriel’s promise that “no word from God will ever fail” points to the reliability of God’s character and timing. Listeners are invited to reflect on ways God may be interrupting their plans with His purpose. The episode encourages a posture of surrender as Advent begins, reminding us that obedience is the doorway to God’s mission.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Friday, December 5th: It’s that time on The Daily Grind to enrich your faith! In this Christmas episode, John takes a fresh look at the nativity story by separating long-loved traditions from actual biblical truth. For centuries, hymns, plays, greeting cards, and sentimental storytelling have shaped our view of the first Christmas more than Scripture has. Today we explore some common myths: Was there really “no room at the inn”? Were there angels singing in the stable? Did the wise men actually show up that night? John walks through the biblical text, cultural context, and ancient Middle Eastern traditions to show a more historically rooted picture of Jesus’ birth. Along the way, he explains key Greek words, clarifies misconceptions about betrothal, and highlights the communal nature of hospitality in Bethlehem.
Rather than diminishing the wonder of Christmas, this episode gives us a deeper appreciation for the miracle of God entering the real world — not a sanitized one — in flesh and blood. We’ll see how understanding the context of Scripture can strengthen our awe, correct our assumptions, and grow our faith. In the end, the central truth remains: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Merry Christmas, and may the grace and peace of Jesus fill your heart this season.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Thursday, December 4th: Episode 654 explores the rich and comforting message of Psalm 46, a psalm that declares God as our refuge and strength in the midst of life’s chaos. The episode looks honestly at the imagery of mountains falling and nations roaring, showing how God’s presence steadies us when circumstances shake. The psalm’s contrast between destructive waters and the peaceful river of God’s presence highlights the sustaining power of His Spirit. The call to “Be still and know that I am God” is unpacked as an invitation to let go of control and trust deeply in God’s sovereignty. The episode emphasizes that stillness is a spiritual discipline, not a passive withdrawal. Listeners are reminded that the God of Jacob—the God who stays with imperfect people—is also their fortress. Ultimately, Psalm 46 encourages believers to anchor themselves in the presence of God rather than the noise of the world. The episode invites listeners to practice intentional stillness and trust in God today.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Wednesday, December 3rd: Episode 653 explores Colossians 4:2–6, where Paul concludes his letter with a powerful invitation to live awake, prayerful, and wise in the everyday world. Paul calls believers to devote themselves to prayer with watchfulness and gratitude, reminding them that spiritual alertness begins with a thankful heart. He asks for prayer that God would open doors for the gospel and help him speak clearly, showing Paul’s humility even as a seasoned apostle. Paul urges Christians to act wisely toward those outside the faith, demonstrating Christ’s character through daily interactions. He encourages believers to see ordinary moments as God-given opportunities for witness. Paul’s instruction to let conversations be full of grace and seasoned with salt challenges listeners to speak words that bring life, truth, and hope. The episode emphasizes the importance of spiritual attentiveness, mission-minded living, and gracious speech. Paul’s closing instructions remind believers that their words and actions matter deeply in reflecting Christ to the world. Ultimately, the passage invites us to live in a way that embodies wisdom, gratitude, and the beauty of the gospel.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Tuesday, December 2nd: Episode 652 explores Mark 3:7–12, a moment when Jesus’ ministry reaches an intense and chaotic turning point. Crowds from all over the region press in around Jesus, desperate for healing and hope. The pressure becomes so great that Jesus asks His disciples to keep a boat ready so He isn’t crushed. The passage shows people drawn to Jesus with real, messy, human need—and Jesus meets them with compassion. At the same time, impure spirits instantly recognize Him as the Son of God, revealing the unmatched authority Jesus carries. But Jesus silences them, refusing to let His identity be revealed through hype or fear. The episode reflects on how Jesus remains centered on His mission even when crowds try to control the moment. Listeners are reminded that Jesus still meets people in their desperation today. Ultimately, the passage invites us to bring our needs honestly to Christ and trust His power and compassion.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Monday, December 1st: Episode 651 explores the life and teachings of Abba Poemen, one of the most influential Desert Fathers of the early church. Known for his profound gentleness and spiritual insight, Poemen became a beloved guide to monks seeking wisdom in the Egyptian desert. His teachings emphasize humility, honesty, and mercy—virtues often overshadowed by stricter ascetic traditions of his time. The episode highlights Poemen’s belief that transformation is slow and requires patience with ourselves and others. We discuss his approach to dealing with troubling thoughts, which involves endurance and prayer rather than panic. Several powerful stories illustrate Poemen’s emphasis on showing mercy rather than judgment, including his famous image of sins falling unseen behind one’s back. Poemen also taught that spiritual growth depends on deep dependence on God rather than confidence in our own virtue. The episode draws practical applications for modern believers seeking to follow Christ with humility and grace. Ultimately, listeners are invited to embrace a slower, gentler rhythm of discipleship rooted in God’s mercy.
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.