{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Connections","home_page_url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm","feed_url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/json","description":"Connections is a podcast from the Graymere Church of Christ in Columbia, Tennessee. Our goal is to have discussions and messages that encourage us and strengthen our faith. Let's keep learning and growing together!","_fireside":{"subtitle":"A podcast by the Graymere Church of Christ","pubdate":"2025-06-23T03:00:00.000-04:00","explicit":false,"copyright":"2025 by Graymere Church of Christ","owner":"Graymere Church of Christ","image":"https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/4/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/cover.jpg?v=1"},"items":[{"id":"c5eaeb0a-40a6-4467-96d5-067c5a04fc41","title":"13: Preparing our Hearts for Worship with Jon David Schwartz ","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/13","content_text":"What does it take to prepare ourselves to worship God, and what preparations are made by the person leading that worship? Jon David has a passion for worship, and he shares with us his process for preparing to lead worship. We also reflect on what we need to remember when worshipping, ways we can better participate in worship, and how to value worship songs which are meaningful to different people in the congregation. \n\nRelevant Links: graymere.com","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eWhat does it take to prepare ourselves to worship God, and what preparations are made by the person leading that worship? Jon David has a passion for worship, and he shares with us his process for preparing to lead worship. We also reflect on what we need to remember when worshipping, ways we can better participate in worship, and how to value worship songs which are meaningful to different people in the congregation. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRelevant Links: graymere.com\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jon David sits down with us to discuss how we can make the most of our worship times together. ","date_published":"2025-06-23T03:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/c5eaeb0a-40a6-4467-96d5-067c5a04fc41.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":31299675,"duration_in_seconds":2235}]},{"id":"bb344145-27f1-45dd-bb07-22e58a7e0ec0","title":"12: Spiritual Growth with Jonathan Jones","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/12","content_text":"We have continued to focus on spiritual growth, and we are searching for practical ways to help ourselves and our children grow spiritually. Jonathan Jones has 20 years experience in full-time ministry, as well as time in the classroom teaching both 7th graders and High School seniors. He provides some insights into how we can help facilitate spiritual growth, with the understanding that God gives the increase. \n\nRelevant Links: catheyscreek.com","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eWe have continued to focus on spiritual growth, and we are searching for practical ways to help ourselves and our children grow spiritually. Jonathan Jones has 20 years experience in full-time ministry, as well as time in the classroom teaching both 7th graders and High School seniors. He provides some insights into how we can help facilitate spiritual growth, with the understanding that God gives the increase. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRelevant Links: catheyscreek.com\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jonathan Jones, who teaches Bible at Columbia Academy, joins us to reflect on the process of spiritual growth and how we can encourage it in others. ","date_published":"2025-06-16T03:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/bb344145-27f1-45dd-bb07-22e58a7e0ec0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":38500826,"duration_in_seconds":3056}]},{"id":"2e683531-e23d-44c4-bf46-198d1b3c2453","title":"11: Welcoming Everyone with Matt Miller","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/11","content_text":"Episode Description: As a church, we intend to welcome everyone who might walk through our doors, but there are times we can unintentionally send the opposite message. Matt Miller, one of the ministers for the 109 Church of Christ, shares his personal experiences and provides a challenge for all of us to be more welcoming. \n\nRelevant Links: https://109.church","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEpisode Description: As a church, we intend to welcome everyone who might walk through our doors, but there are times we can unintentionally send the opposite message. Matt Miller, one of the ministers for the 109 Church of Christ, shares his personal experiences and provides a challenge for all of us to be more welcoming. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelevant Links:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://109.church\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://109.church\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this Kingdom Focus Wednesday at Graymere, Matt Miller shares his story and reflects on how the church can be a place of welcome. ","date_published":"2025-06-09T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/2e683531-e23d-44c4-bf46-198d1b3c2453.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":87523140,"duration_in_seconds":2716}]},{"id":"45b3c176-b739-44fa-a943-88856bf0a6c9","title":"10: Faith, Grief, and Life with Matt Collins","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/10","content_text":"Grief is difficult in many ways, and we often don’t know what to do when we are experiencing it or how to help people we love who are walking through tragedy. Matt Collins shares his family’s experience with loss, and he also shares some insights into how we can better help people who are enduring a time of loss. \n\nRelevant Links: https://www.themagnoliafoundation.com/","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eGrief is difficult in many ways, and we often don’t know what to do when we are experiencing it or how to help people we love who are walking through tragedy. Matt Collins shares his family’s experience with loss, and he also shares some insights into how we can better help people who are enduring a time of loss. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRelevant Links: \u003ca href=\"https://www.themagnoliafoundation.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.themagnoliafoundation.com/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this Kingdom Focus Wednesday at Graymere, Matt Collins shared the story of his family and the way the Magnolia Foundation began. ","date_published":"2025-06-02T03:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/45b3c176-b739-44fa-a943-88856bf0a6c9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34249169,"duration_in_seconds":2446}]},{"id":"d3cddba8-d687-4412-ae64-100e976be1c5","title":"9: Resources for Increasing Our Faith with David Morris","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/9","content_text":"There is an abundance of information available online and in our local bookstores, and when we want to find resources to help our faith grow, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. David joins us to share some insight into how we select resources in our study and some recommended books that can help us grow. \n\nRelevant Links: https://highland-coc.com","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThere is an abundance of information available online and in our local bookstores, and when we want to find resources to help our faith grow, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. David joins us to share some insight into how we select resources in our study and some recommended books that can help us grow. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRelevant Links: \u003ca href=\"https://highland-coc.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://highland-coc.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"David Morris, preacher for the Highland Church of Christ, joins us to discuss resources that can build our faith and understanding.","date_published":"2025-05-26T03:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/d3cddba8-d687-4412-ae64-100e976be1c5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35962874,"duration_in_seconds":2568}]},{"id":"4ae65ad7-c60f-419a-bddf-65c8daf27bb6","title":"8: Building Faith for the Next Generation with Ben Diles","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/8","content_text":"Ben Diles has taught, coached, and ministered to teenagers throughout his career in education. He preaches for the Cathey’s Creek Church of Christ, and we discuss what this generation needs from us as we help them grow spiritually.  \n\nRelevant Links: [catheyscreek.com](catheyscreek.com)","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eBen Diles has taught, coached, and ministered to teenagers throughout his career in education. He preaches for the Cathey’s Creek Church of Christ, and we discuss what this generation needs from us as we help them grow spiritually.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRelevant Links: [catheyscreek.com](catheyscreek.com)\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Ben Diles sits down with us to talk about the process of spiritual development in teens. ","date_published":"2025-05-19T03:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/4ae65ad7-c60f-419a-bddf-65c8daf27bb6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":89318897,"duration_in_seconds":2765}]},{"id":"47f4585f-55aa-49f8-af5a-8ceef79b00e5","title":"7: Mountaintop Moments with Jeff Loveless","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/7","content_text":"A few years ago, Jeff and Kelly Loveless decided they wanted to step out on faith and try something new. That led to several mission trips over the next few years and some powerful, spiritual mountaintop experiences. What does it mean to make ourselves uncomfortable and try something new? How will that grow our faith?","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eA few years ago, Jeff and Kelly Loveless decided they wanted to step out on faith and try something new. That led to several mission trips over the next few years and some powerful, spiritual mountaintop experiences. What does it mean to make ourselves uncomfortable and try something new? How will that grow our faith?\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jeff Loveless joins us to share his (and his family’s) experiences with mission efforts in India, Arizona, Mississippi, and Peru. ","date_published":"2025-05-12T09:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/47f4585f-55aa-49f8-af5a-8ceef79b00e5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":33100794,"duration_in_seconds":2364}]},{"id":"a5b39457-02fc-4cff-a3ed-9eda2a452844","title":"6: Building Faith on Short-Term Mission Trips with Jonathan Winchester","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/6","content_text":"If you have ever been on a short-term mission trip, you know how powerful those can be for everyone who participates. How do trips like these help our faith grow? What should we remember as we participate?\n\nLinks: graymeremissions.com","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIf you have ever been on a short-term mission trip, you know how powerful those can be for everyone who participates. How do trips like these help our faith grow? What should we remember as we participate?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLinks: graymeremissions.com\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jon Winchester shares some of his experiences in leading mission groups and we reflect on how short term missions experiences can grow our faith. ","date_published":"2025-05-05T01:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/a5b39457-02fc-4cff-a3ed-9eda2a452844.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":45689789,"duration_in_seconds":3263}]},{"id":"f6eb8f50-b1be-4e45-8dc0-eda4a86c64af","title":"5: Principles of Apologetics with Kyle Butt","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/5","content_text":"There is no question that our world today can make anyone skeptical of something new. How can we share God’s message in a culture of skepticism?\n\nLinks:\n[apologeticspress.org](apologeticpress.org)","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThere is no question that our world today can make anyone skeptical of something new. How can we share God’s message in a culture of skepticism?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLinks:\u003cbr\u003e\n[apologeticspress.org](apologeticpress.org)\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Kyle Butt works with Apologetics Press and discusses some of the ways understanding apologetics can help build our faith. ","date_published":"2025-04-28T06:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/f6eb8f50-b1be-4e45-8dc0-eda4a86c64af.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35957818,"duration_in_seconds":2568}]},{"id":"84165374-3346-474d-b20d-c7017e78eacc","title":"4: Faith Development in Teens with Jon David Schwartz","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/4","content_text":"There are challenges to spiritual growth at every age, but teenagers today face different circumstances than previous generations. How can we help them navigate those obstacles and grow in faith?\n\n[graymerestudentministry.com](graymerestudentministry.com)","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThere are challenges to spiritual growth at every age, but teenagers today face different circumstances than previous generations. How can we help them navigate those obstacles and grow in faith?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e[graymerestudentministry.com](graymerestudentministry.com)\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jon David and Andrew discuss the challenges of faith development for teenagers, as well as potential solutions. ","date_published":"2025-04-21T01:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/84165374-3346-474d-b20d-c7017e78eacc.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":74833971,"duration_in_seconds":2289}]},{"id":"9934d2c3-7dd6-46fe-b23b-b417bf14b6ac","title":"3: The Story of the Bible with Jason Hart","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/3","content_text":"Jason Hart is the youth minister for the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Arkansas. He shares the approach he takes in sharing the story of the Bible to the teens he teaches. He walks us through how to begin studying a scripture by asking key questions that help us see ourselves in the Biblical story.  ","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eJason Hart is the youth minister for the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Arkansas. He shares the approach he takes in sharing the story of the Bible to the teens he teaches. He walks us through how to begin studying a scripture by asking key questions that help us see ourselves in the Biblical story.  \u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Jason Hart shares the approach he takes in sharing the story of the Bible with his youth group. ","date_published":"2025-04-14T08:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/9934d2c3-7dd6-46fe-b23b-b417bf14b6ac.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":83967675,"duration_in_seconds":2612}]},{"id":"1ce96878-9ef4-4746-9183-656c5aa3d5d8","title":"2: Archaeology and Our Faith with Dewayne Bryant","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/2","content_text":"Dewayne Bryant is a professor at Faulkner University. He has a passion for archaeology and shares how it relates to our faith. He also shares some of his experiences on an archaeological dig. \n\nLinks for this episode:\n🔗 https://faulkner.edu\n🔗 https://dewaynebryant.wordpress.com\n🔗 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EMvvnZlck0bQpUsuMNjwg","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eDewayne Bryant is a professor at Faulkner University. He has a passion for archaeology and shares how it relates to our faith. He also shares some of his experiences on an archaeological dig. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLinks for this episode:\u003cbr\u003e\n🔗 \u003ca href=\"https://faulkner.edu\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://faulkner.edu\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n🔗 \u003ca href=\"https://dewaynebryant.wordpress.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://dewaynebryant.wordpress.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n🔗 \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EMvvnZlck0bQpUsuMNjwg\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EMvvnZlck0bQpUsuMNjwg\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Dewayne Bryant joins Andrew to talk about archeology and to share some of his experiences on an archaeological dig. ","date_published":"2025-04-07T06:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/1ce96878-9ef4-4746-9183-656c5aa3d5d8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":57661597,"duration_in_seconds":1801}]},{"id":"9afb2698-857d-4fda-8464-82f546474e39","title":"1: How the Old Testament Builds Our Faith with Ed Gallagher","url":"https://graymereconnections.fireside.fm/1","content_text":"Ed Gallagher is the Professor of Christian Scripture for Heritage Christian University in Florence, Alabama. He shares his perspective on how a deeper understanding of the Old Testament can enrich our faith in Christ and understanding of the New Testament. ","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEd Gallagher is the Professor of Christian Scripture for Heritage Christian University in Florence, Alabama. He shares his perspective on how a deeper understanding of the Old Testament can enrich our faith in Christ and understanding of the New Testament. \u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Ed Gallagher joins Andrew to talk about how our understanding of the Old Testament impacts our faith. ","date_published":"2025-03-24T06:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/4e295f5d-8acf-41f8-a4cc-042bc58f38d0/9afb2698-857d-4fda-8464-82f546474e39.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":73263147,"duration_in_seconds":3052}]}]}