Exploring More

Unjust conditions, masses of people who are fed up, and a reformer with a vision and a glimmer of hope provide the key ingredients in the recipe for rebellion. Michael and SJ delve into the concept of rebellion - reformers willing to take a stand against oppression that echoes through the annals of history. As Zoweh rebels against the kingdom of darkness, we shine the light on the connection between the physical and spiritual realms in the ongoing battle for the hearts of men, women, and all they hold dear.   Share your thoughts with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

The enemy of God's Kingdom wants to keep us divided, but God calls us to Reconciliation and Unity under Christ. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. understood and pursued this in his work. Our Zoweh founders, Michael Thompson and Keith Daniel, discuss the impact of the King's life and work, the parallels between Martin Luther and Martin Luther King Jr., and a current course offered by Keith titled CDR - Christianity Deconstructs Racism.   Peace comes by understanding and understanding by conversation. Join the conversation by sending an email to ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

In this second part of the Word of the Year series, Michael and SJ journey through the Word of the Year devotional fully walking through Days 1 thru 7. In the process, Michael shares his word of the year which brings forth the topics of forgiveness, grief, and refinement. We invite you to join the journey with the 7-day Word of the Year devotional available on the YouVersion Bible App.   Share your Word of the Year and your stories with the team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

What if God has a banner, an anthem to sing over your heart this year? When my kids were young, I would sing songs to them as they fell asleep. Over their early years, certain songs became their own personal anthems - ones they chose over and over or ones that welled up in my heart in the closing moments of the day. Imagine God singing the verse you land on today over you as you move throughout this year. May it become a sweet song of his particular kindness for your heart over this mile marker in your story. Join Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings for part 1 of this conversation on The Exploring More Podcast, as they invite us to journey with God to uncover this anthem for our heart! Pick up your FREE COPY of the Word of the Year Devotional here or start a reading plan on YouVersion's Bble app here.

Inaugurating the Kings Row Podcast, Michael Thompson engages in a compelling dialogue with Brian Tome, the pastor of Crossroads Church in Ohio, leader of Man Camp, and author of The Five Marks of a Man. Together, they delve into the profound realm of identity and exploring the image men hold of Jesus. Brian emphasizes the significance of Brotherhood, Man Camp, and discipling men on making and developing friendships. This transformative conversation ranges from the misunderstood toughness of Jesus to the crucial need for men to operate from a foundation of strength rather than succumbing to performance-based faith. Men must be ready for battle for themselves and their families.

Delight is the anticipation of preparing a gift and then watching the recipient open and express surprise and gratitude. Gifts have the power to invite both the giver and the recipient into a shared Presence of Joy. Michael and SJ take a trip down memory lane sharing some of their favorite Christmas gifts from childhood. Now as parents of adults, they remember some of the gifts given to their kids and the impact the gifts had. What about you? What was your favorite Christmas gift?   Share your stories with the Zoweh Team - ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

During the Christmas season, we consider God's message and his gift, Emmanuel, God with us! His appearing and his coming declares to us our worth and to let us know that we Belong! The pain of Rejection can be felt more acutely during the holidays; God provides a way to escape the crushing weight of isolation and separation. Learn how Michael and Greg cultivate Belonging through time and connection with family, friends, and Zoweh allies.   Connect with the Zoweh Team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

Belonging is a key ingredient of love, and yet most of the time belonging ends up in the conditional category. One can feel "I belong if...one acts a certain way, one looks or dresses in a particular manner, or one talks like the group." How can we shift from "I belong if" to "I belong because"? Michael and Greg explore the idea of belonging and how Zoweh creates resources and spaces to cultivate belonging.   Connect with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

The kingdoms of light and darkness that battle over our hearts have to follow the rules set up in God's universe. Michael and SJ discuss the legality of these terms and the algebra equation of wounds, vows, and agreements. Learn how invite God to help you solve the equation and restore freedom in your heart.   Connect with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

The first step to healing is to identify the wound. Relational and spiritual wounds are tricky because the symptoms often do not match the underlying cause and could go for years without being treated. Furthermore, we are not likely to rush to the Emergency Room of a spiritual doctor as we would rush to a medical doctor if we had a physical ailment. Join Michael and SJ as they delve into where wounds come from and how to identify the False Self agreements that are made in response.   Do you need resources for healing emotional and spiritual wounds? Connect with our team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

No matter how we parse or define the heart, we recognize the critical function of the heart in governing our thoughts and actions. Why does the Bible say that we must guard our heart? Who could break into our heart and what damage could possibly be done? Can we escape having a wicked heart? Is it even possible to be pure in heart? Michael and SJ discuss the importance of guarding the heart and how it's possible to have a new heart that is yielded to God.   Connect with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

Getting your heart back begs the question, "Where did it go?" Although we are born with a wandering, wayward heart, once Jesus takes residence and breathes in new life, we are transformed. Is the heart still wicked after Jesus has transformed it? Join Michael and SJ as they explore the concept of the heart as described in Scripture and how God is in the heart renovation business to ensure we can partner with Him in His Kingdom.   Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Haste makes waste including wounding relationships. Discover the benefits of slowing down - creating a gap between the stimulus and the response. Taking time to ask the question, "God, what's going on here?" allows for discernment and deliberate decision making. Join Michael and SJ as they unpack the Do's and Don'ts after a mountain top weekend encounter experience.   Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

To share or not to share, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler after a "Major Encounter with the Lord" to share emphatically with thy family, or to take a different approach and thereby experience wins via Practicing the Presence of God and Patient Endurance. Join Michael and SJ as they tackle the challenges of Re-Entry to the Home Front after a weekend Encounter.   Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Kindness begets kindness. Michael and Robin explore both fiction and real-life stories where kindness is a central theme or plays a significant role. As we begin to notice and experience kindness, we can discover ways to employ kindness in situations where it may be difficult such as kindness to self and kindness to enemies. Imagine a world where the default trait is kindness to diffuse anger, to encourage the downtrodden, and to loving confront wrong choices.   Connect with the Zoweh Team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Discouragement and disappointment can invade one's heart when something doesn't go well. And yet...the provocation could usher in a Dangerous Encounter with God. Sometimes a disruptive whistle blowing event is needed to get our attention so we will talk to God. Are you willing to take a time-out to quiet your heart and mind to dialogue with Him? Join Michael, SJ and Caleb as they discuss stories of learning to collaborate with God.   Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Who or what do you associate with kindness? Would strength be a word that you initially choose to pair with kindness? Join Michael and SJ as they explore how the meaning of kindness has deepened an understanding of the fruits of the Spirit, helped to process emotions and self-talk, and open the doors for honesty and clarity.   Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Showing kindness is easy when people are kind to you. Kindness shown in an adversarial environment exhibits "next level" Kingdom grace and strength. Extending kindness to self, especially one's younger wounded self, may be the greatest challenge to overcome in this Kingdom journey. How does the pursuit of kindness land on your heart?   Join the discussion and share with the Zoweh team - exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Narnia buffs know the answer to the question, "Is Aslan safe?" 'Course he isn't safe, but he's good. In the Old Testament, encounters with the divine often started with an angel stating, "Fear not." In the New Testament, the disciples learned that walking with Jesus became a dangerous proposition. Today, in the age of grace with the Holy Spirit operating fully, we can experience dangerous encounters that change us forever. Are dangerous encounters safe? 'Course they aren't safe, but they're good.   Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Every community has a culture. Some of us have a good guide book to navigate the community and some don't. Chances are high that you've experienced things not going well in your community. What are your options? Michael and SJ discuss how people react when friction creates discomfort or dissastifaction within community. Discover stories in the Bible where men walked through disagreement, but later learned to embrace reconciliation.   Connect with the Zoweh community at exploringmore@zoweh.org.