Solid Ground Church

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.

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🎙️ Groundwork is a podcast from Solid Ground Church, hosted by Mike Collins, exploring faith, Scripture, and the real-life journey of following Jesus.

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🌐 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.

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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

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Guest:
Dr. Bill Ranahan
Scientist & Professor, Oral Roberts University

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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.

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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

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Scriptures Mentioned:

• Luke 2
• John 1

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Links & Resources:

• Solid Ground Church — https://sgbic.com
• Contact / Prayer Requests — https://sgbic.com

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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.

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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”

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Guest Info

Kris Anderson
Founder & Clinical Director
Building Bridges Christian Counseling
https://BuildingBridgesCC.com

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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.

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🌿 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

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📚 Resources Mentioned

Working with Gen Z – Santor Nishizaki & James DellaNeve
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1645438457

Glow Kids – Dr. Nicholas Kardaras
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250097991

Contact Jim DellaNeve
📧 james.r.dellaneve@gmail.com

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🔗 Connect with Us

Watch more Groundwork episodes:
https://sgbic.com/groundwork

Visit Solid Ground Church:
https://sgbic.com

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@solidgroundbic

Podbean Home:
https://sgbic.podbean.com

Instagram:
@sgbic

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💬 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

The holidays can bring out the best in us — and sometimes, the worst in our families. One minute you’re catching up over coffee, and the next, someone’s brought up that topic — the parenting critique, the church debate, or the political zinger that changes the mood at the table. If you’ve ever wished you could walk into those gatherings with calm instead of tension, this episode is for you. Pastor Mike Collins talks with Kris Anderson, a Christian counselor from Building Bridges Christian Counseling, about how to approach family stress with wisdom and grace. Together they unpack how to set boundaries, manage triggers, and show love even when conversations get complicated.

🌿 Resources Mentioned Building Bridges Christian Counseling (Kris Anderson): https://buildingbridgescc.com

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend (https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Updated-Expanded-When-Control/dp/0310351804)

Solid Ground Church Resources: https://sgbic.com 🙌

Connect with Us:

📺 Watch more Groundwork episodes → https://sgbic.com/groundwork

🌐 Visit our website for sermons, resources & community info → https://sgbic.com

▶️ Solid Ground Church YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@solidgroundbic

🎧 Listen to Groundwork and Sunday messages on Podbean → https://sgbic.podbean.com or your favorite podcast app.

 

💬 Join the Conversation Who’s the “difficult person” you’re praying for this holiday season? How can you show up with grace and peace this year? Share your thoughts below — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help someone else find hope and healing this Christmas.

#GroundworkPodcast #FaithInRealLife #FamilyHarmony #HolidayStress #Boundaries #KrisAnderson #BuildingBridgesCC #ChristianCounseling #Forgiveness #FaithAndFamily #SolidGroundChurch #MikeCollins #sgbic

It starts with a click… then a secret… and before long, it steals your peace, your time, and your real relationships. Pornography isn’t just a problem “out there.” It’s in our families, our churches, and our hearts. But just as there’s a way in — there’s a way out.

In this courageous conversation, Pastor Mike Collins talks with Brian Hoerning, a longtime member of Solid Ground Church and mentor with Standing Stone Ministries, about how God delivered him from decades of sexual addiction and turned his story into a ministry of hope.

Brian shares what really fuels addiction, how trauma and shame feed the cycle, and how healing begins when we bring both God and community into the struggle. This episode offers hope, practical steps, and grace for anyone caught in the trap — or walking with someone who is.

 

🌿 Resources Mentioned

• Standing Stone Ministries: https://standingstoneministry.org
• How in the World Do I Help a Sex Addict? by Brian Hoerning https://www.amazon.com/how-world-help-sex-addict/dp/1726778401
• Solid Ground Recovery Ministry: https://sgbic.com

 

🙌 Connect with Us

📺 Watch more Groundwork episodes → https://sgbic.com/groundwork
🌐 Visit our website for sermons, resources & community info → https://sgbic.com
▶️ Solid Ground Church YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@solidgroundbic
🎧 Listen to Groundwork and Sunday messages on Podbean → https://sgbic.podbean.com or your favorite podcast app.

 

💬 Join the Conversation

You’re not alone. If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out.
There’s hope, help, and a path to healing through Christ.
Share your story or encouragement in the comments — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help others find freedom.

 

#GroundworkPodcast #FreedomInChrist #PornAddictionRecovery #FaithInRealLife #StandingStoneMinistries #SolidGroundChurch #BrianHoerning #MikeCollins #HopeAfterAddiction #sgbic