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...\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nSong: Words Aren’t Everything (Lofi)\r\n

This Week Collin Shares and we wrap up our series Perfect in Weakness\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nGal 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.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\n1 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.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nSong: Body, Soul, and Spirit in the Bluegrass (2021)\r\n\r\n\n\r\nTopic: People Pleasing. \r\n

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.\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\nSong: It Is Well \r\n

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…\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nSong: Power (Bluegrass)\r\n

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…\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nSONG: Flourish (Irish Folk Version)\r\n

“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.   Song: Lift The Gates (Psalm 24) - Collin McSweeney (2021)   Click here to see the memes...