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Why do so many sincere believers still feel spiritually dry? In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus with genuine faith and honest questions. He knows the Scriptures. He believes the right things. Yet something isn’t connecting. Jesus responds with a phrase that has echoed for centuries: “You must be born again.” But what if being born again isn’t about trying harder or becoming a slightly improved version of yourself? What if it’s about something deeper — something that reshapes not only your inner life, but your relationships, your belonging, and your purpose? In this message, we explore why information isn’t enough to transform us, why faith can’t thrive in isolation, and why new life in Christ moves us beyond self-improvement into something far more substantial. If you’ve ever felt like you’re managing your faith instead of truly living it… If you’ve grown weary of trying to remake yourself… If you’ve wondered whether your everyday life really matters in God’s story… This conversation invites you to rediscover what it means to receive new life, belong to a spiritual family, and live with meaningful purpose right where you are.

Why does the internet reward outrage? In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins and his daughter Ella explore “rage bait” — content designed to provoke anger because anger drives engagement. They unpack how algorithms amplify negativity, why outrage spreads so quickly, and how you can disengage without being consumed. Your attention is sacred. What you linger on will shape you.

Many of us live with a quiet, persistent sense that we don’t quite measure up—not because anyone says it out loud, but because we’ve learned it over time. In this new Groundwork episode, Pastor Mike explores why feelings of inferiority can seem so reasonable, where they come from, and why even knowing the truth about our identity in Christ doesn’t automatically silence them. Scripture doesn’t tell us to fight our feelings—it gives us a different authority to trust. This conversation is for anyone who stays quiet instead of stepping forward, assumes others matter more, or has learned to keep themselves small to stay safe. Groundwork is a long-form conversation about following Jesus in real life—honest, thoughtful, and grounded in Scripture. ▶ Groundwork playlist: https://sgbic.com/groundwork ▶ Solid Ground Church: https://sgbic.com

We live in a world that constantly pressures us to perform, achieve, and prove ourselves. From an early age, we’re told that being impressive is what makes us valuable. But when Jesus called his first disciples, he didn’t look for the most qualified or accomplished. He called fishermen—ordinary people who were simply willing to follow. In Becoming Available, we explore Mark 1:16–20 and discover a powerful truth: God does more with people who are available than with people who are impressive. This message looks at: Why Jesus doesn’t call the qualified—but qualifies the called How immediate obedience can change lives What it means to be interruptible in a busy, driven culture How availability creates space for divine appointments Following Jesus isn’t about having it all together. It’s about being willing to say yes—sometimes at once—and trusting him with the rest.

There are seasons when faith feels real—but not very useful. We still believe. We still show up. But nothing about our everyday lives seems all that different. In this message, Pastor Mike explores Jesus’ words about being salt and light and what they reveal about the purpose of faith. Jesus never called his followers to be impressive, loud, or performative. He called them to be useful—present, distinct, and shaped from the inside out. Together, we’ll reconsider what faithful living actually looks like in ordinary places: at work, at home, and in our relationships. Rather than blending in or standing out for the wrong reasons, Jesus calls us to a way of life that quietly makes a difference. If you’ve ever wondered whether your faith is meant for more than private belief or public display, this message offers a grounded, practical vision of following Jesus in a way that actually works in real life.

What do you do when your faith doesn’t disappear—but it does go quiet? Spiritual dry spells happen to more people than we admit. Prayer feels flat. Scripture doesn’t land. God feels distant, even though you’re still showing up. In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins talks honestly about what spiritual dryness looks like, why it happens, and how to walk through it without panic, guilt, or pretending. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and the story of Elijah after the prophets of Baal, Mike explores how exhaustion, grief, unconfessed sin, depression, and even medical factors can all contribute to seasons where faith feels dry. Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation provides practical, gentle handholds for recognizing what’s really going on beneath the surface and rediscovering a grounded, resilient faith. This episode is for anyone who has wondered whether feeling distant from God means they’re doing something wrong—and for anyone who needs reassurance that dry seasons don’t mean God has stepped away.

In a world that never slows down, it’s becoming harder to hear the voice that matters most. In this message, Pastor Mike shares a personal story of pressure, pain, and burnout—and how God used it to teach him a deeper lesson about attentiveness. Drawing from 1 Samuel 3, we’re reminded that God still speaks, but listening requires stillness, humility, and a posture of trust. This message explores: Why busyness and hurry drown out God’s voice How pain and disruption can become invitations from God What it really means to pray, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” How God calls us by name—and waits for our response If you’ve felt overwhelmed, distracted, or spiritually dry, this message is an invitation to slow down, listen, and rediscover God’s gentle guidance. Join us in person or online each week. For more information about Solid Ground Church, visit sgbic.com

In this special episode of Groundwork, host Mike Collins introduces a moving dramatic retelling of a true story, originally shared by Forrest Arnold. After a year filled with serious illness, financial strain, and unanswered prayers, one family approaches Christmas with almost nothing left—except faith. What unfolds is not just a story about provision, but about how God brings life, hope, and meaning even when circumstances feel impossible. This episode invites us to rethink what a miracle looks like: Is it always immediate? Is it always dramatic? Or does it sometimes grow quietly, over time? The story concludes with a powerful symbol—a tree once thought dead, planted in faith, and later found to be alive. The tree featured was the actual tree, filmed just one day before it was removed to make room for new construction. If you’re navigating uncertainty or waiting for God to move, this story offers a gentle but profound reminder: God can be trusted—even when the outcome isn’t what we expected. 🎙️ Groundwork is a podcast from Solid Ground Church, hosted by Mike Collins, exploring faith, Scripture, and the real-life journey of following Jesus. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes 🌐 Learn more at https://sgbic.com

What if science doesn’t weaken faith—but helps grow it? In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins talks with scientist and professor Dr. Bill Ranahan about the remarkable beauty and complexity uncovered by scientific discovery—and how those discoveries can lead to deeper faith, not doubt. Drawing from cancer research, biology, and the rhythms of everyday life, Bill shares how closely studying the natural world has consistently pointed him toward purpose, meaning, and trust in God. From the design of the human body to the simple acts of breathing and resting, this conversation invites listeners to see science not as a threat to belief, but as a window into wonder. This episode is especially for those who feel worn down, overwhelmed, or uncertain—and who are looking for a way to reconnect curiosity, awe, and faith in a noisy world. In this episode: Why science and faith don’t have to be enemies How studying the body reveals intention and care What everyday human processes quietly teach us Rediscovering wonder as a pathway to trust Letting curiosity lead us toward meaning, not fear Guest: Dr. Bill Ranahan Scientist & Professor, Oral Roberts University If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. It helps others discover Groundwork and keeps these conversations going.

In a world that feels like it’s constantly on fire, many of us are quietly asking the same question: When is Jesus going to come back and make things right? Has God forgotten His promises—or us? In this message, Pastor Mike invites us to see waiting through a different lens. God’s apparent delay isn’t neglect or indifference—it’s mercy. Every moment of waiting is an opportunity for repentance, restoration, and rescue. This sermon challenges the idea that patience means passivity. Instead, Scripture calls us to active patience: living faithfully, loving generously, and pursuing holiness while we wait. If you’re feeling weary, restless, or tempted to lose hope, this message will reframe the waiting and call you to live with purpose, urgency, and eternal perspective. God isn’t slow. He’s merciful. So don’t waste the waiting.

Every December seems to promise “peace on earth,” yet most of us feel more like we’re living in “panic at the mall.” We race, we spend, we wrap, we perform… and somewhere between the errands and the expectations, our souls quietly run out of steam. But what if the real gift of Christmas isn’t one more thing to do — but the rest your heart has been craving? In this message, Pastor Mike Collins unwraps a truth that runs from Creation, through Israel’s longing, all the way to Bethlehem and an empty tomb: God has always been inviting His people into rest — the deep, soul-level, life-restoring kind that nothing in this world can manufacture.

The holidays are filled with lights, music, nostalgia, shopping, pressure, and expectations—and it’s easy for Christmas to drift into overwhelm or commercialism. In this special episode, Mike sits down with “Santa Claus” (with a little help from a friend!) to explore the true origins of Saint Nicholas, how the Santa legend grew into a cultural icon, and what distinguishes the Gospel from our culture’s obsession with wish-fulfillment. Then the conversation shifts into something deeper and far more practical: How do we keep Christmas meaningful? How do we enjoy the fun without losing sight of Jesus? And how do we navigate the season when life is hurting, stressful, or emotionally heavy? Drawing from Scripture, childhood memories, family traditions, and years of pastoral experience, Mike and Steve discuss real-life ways to bring balance back into the holidays—without becoming legalistic or joyless. From reading the Christmas story before opening gifts to using decorations as visual reminders of biblical truth, this episode is full of ideas your family can adapt and make your own. They also address one of the most overlooked holiday realities: What do you do when Christmas feels painful instead of joyful? Whether you’re grieving a loss, emotionally exhausted, or simply overwhelmed by a busy calendar, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and practical steps for finding peace in a season that often feels anything but peaceful. Topics Include: • The surprising Christian origins of Santa Claus • How commercialism reshaped the Santa story • The crucial difference between “being good” and receiving God’s grace • Wish fulfillment vs. real fulfillment • How to keep fun traditions without losing spiritual focus • Using Scripture and symbols to make Christmas meaningful • Setting healthy boundaries during a busy season • Navigating Christmas when you’re grieving or hurting • Why you’re not alone—and where to find support Scriptures Mentioned: • Luke 2 • John 1 Links & Resources: • Solid Ground Church — https://sgbic.com • Contact / Prayer Requests — https://sgbic.com If this episode encouraged you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps others discover Groundwork. Merry Christmas!

Is counseling unspiritual… or essential? In this episode of Groundwork, Pastor Mike Collins sits down with Kris Anderson, founder and clinical director of Building Bridges Christian Counseling, for an honest conversation about emotional triggers, spiritual healing, boundaries, marriage patterns, and how to know when it’s time to reach out for help. Some Christians feel guilty seeking counseling. Others depend on it immediately. Kris helps us understand the intersection of theology, psychology, and the work of the Holy Spirit, showing that God cares deeply not only about what we think—but also about how we feel. Whether you’re navigating conflict, feeling stuck, or simply curious about how Christian counseling works, this episode provides clarity, hope, and practical tools for real life change. Topics Include Why Christians disagree about counseling What “triggered” really means Understanding your emotional history How psychology and theology overlap What makes counseling distinctly Christian What boundaries are—and what they’re not How to break lifelong patterns When to know counseling is working Steps for getting “unstuck” Guest Info Kris Anderson Founder & Clinical Director Building Bridges Christian Counseling https://BuildingBridgesCC.com Connect With Solid Ground Church Visit us at https://sgbic.com Share your questions or topic suggestions—we’d love to hear from you!

What really makes someone a Christian—and how far can churches differ before they drift outside the boundaries of historic faith? In this deep and practical conversation, Pastor Mike sits down again with Dr. Kevin Mannoia—global church leader, theologian, and longtime friend of Solid Ground—to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian world: ecumenical unity. Why has the word “ecumenical” become controversial? What actually unites Christians across denominations? Where is the line between Christian diversity and a different faith altogether? And how can we appreciate the breadth of the global Church without losing clarity about Jesus at the center? Using the powerful metaphor of “the House of God—one foundation, many rooms,” Dr. Mannoia helps us understand: Why unity isn’t liberal, modernist, or dangerous How cultural “barnacles” distort biblical words like evangelical and ecumenical What truly binds the global Church together (hint: it’s not style, structure, or denomination) Why Jesus—His person, mission, and centrality—defines the boundaries of the household How to appreciate other Christian traditions without losing clarity about the gospel Why humility, curiosity, and mission matter more than institutional labels You’ll hear stories of cross-denominational friendship, surprising spiritual encounters, and even a moment when the Holy Spirit met Pastor Mike in an unexpected place with an unexpected blessing. This conversation will stretch your mind, deepen your faith, and help you better understand the beautiful diversity of the global Body of Christ—without losing the center that holds us all together.

What if the stereotypes about Gen Z are completely missing the point? In this episode of Groundwork, Pastor Mike Collins talks with Dr. Jim DellaNeve—Boeing systems architect, Pepperdine adjunct professor, and coauthor of Working with Gen Z—to unpack what today’s youngest adults are really experiencing at home, at church, and at work. Drawing from a national study of 800–900 Gen Z participants, Jim reveals surprising insights about work ethic, mental health, digital life, parenting trends, and what Gen Z genuinely needs from leaders, mentors, and families. If you’re a parent, teacher, pastor, manager, or anyone who wants to understand this generation, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. 🌿 Episode Highlights Why many stereotypes about Gen Z don’t hold up under actual data What growing up as “Glow Kids” (screen-immersed from birth) does to identity and anxiety How social media reshapes comparison, FOMO, and rest Why Gen Z values constant feedback—and thrives under clear coaching How changes in parenting have shaped confidence, independence, and real-world readiness Practical steps to help Gen Z build relational skills, spiritual depth, and healthy tech habits 📚 Resources Mentioned Working with Gen Z – Santor Nishizaki & James DellaNeve 👉 https://sgbic.com YouTube Channel: https://sgbic.podbean.com Instagram: @sgbic 💬 Join the Conversation What’s one thing you’ve learned about Gen Z that surprised you? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode of Groundwork! #GroundworkPodcast #GenZ #NextGeneration #ChristianPodcast #FaithInRealLife #SolidGroundChurch