The UNPACKIN' it Podcast With Bryce Johnson & Trip Smith

Our summer interview series kicks off with a conversation about the World Cup. How can we approach this huge event with an eternal perspective? What do we need to know about the top teams? Jesse Bradley is a pastor, author, speaker, evangelist, and former professional soccer goalkeeper, as well as the Co-Founder of Just Choose Hope.  A free daily devotion series called 40 days of Victory is on Justchoosehope.org. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Jesse graduated with a Master's Degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He also serves as Chaplain of the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer and for the under 20 U.S. men’s national team. Jesse hosts a podcast called The Bonfire, leading people into the presence, word, and hope of God, and is author of multiple books, including his latest book, The Power of The Second Thought, which covers how God renews our minds with indestructible hope.https://jessebradley.org/

We enjoy sports, but is our life filled with enjoyment? What if we experienced life and people with more joy?Are we enjoying the people around us, the blessings God has given us, His calling on our lives, and, most importantly, enjoying God for who He is and the fellowship He invites us to have with Him?Are we passionate about delighting in God, enjoying a deep personal relationship with Jesus, and is it our pleasure to serve Him, obey Him, and know His Word?In this episode, we take an honest look at our hearts and lives, identifying the areas where we’ve lost our passion, gratitude, and joy and are simply going through the motions. Drifting into negativity and dissatisfaction is easy, but the antidote is intentional. We are shifting our focus back to God—learning to truly savor His goodness, relish His blessings, and appreciate His greatness.Tune in as we unpack how to break out of our spiritual rut and experience genuine, life-giving fellowship with Jesus, who has already secured an abundant life for us through His death and resurrection.

On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack how the NFL schedule is unfair to some teams...and how to respond when our lives seem unfair.They offer their thoughts on the Spurs-Thunder series and a fan's perspective on greatness and dominance. Plus, they discuss how to get through mistreatment with the right heart posture and mindset, entrusting ourselves to God.Drawing from the ultimate example of Jesus and the raw, real insights of the Apostle Paul, Bryce and Trip give practical ways to avoid bitterness, focus on what we can control, and keep trusting God's character.

On this week's podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack what happens when an NHL or NBA team pulls off a series sweep, and how it parallels quick obedience as followers of Jesus.They offer their thoughts on the NBA Playoffs and the Draft Lottery, and discuss what's next for the Lakers and Bucks...and the NCAA Tournament expansion.Plus, the guys break down why we act immediately when we know the right thing to do as we follow Jesus.Scripture Focus:Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..." Psalm 119:60 (NLT): “I will hurry, without delay, to obey Your commands.”

Summary: We unpack the problem of fans selling their tickets to the other team…and how this parallels being okay with a little bit of sin entering in. This week's conversation centers on a fascinating parallel between sports fandom and faith: Stop Selling Your Tickets.The episode is inspired by a recent story where Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed frustration after Sixers fans sold their home playoff tickets to New York Knicks fans in 2024, leading to a "home" game that felt like an away game. He's imploring Sixers fans not to do the same thing for this year's series against the Knicks.Key Discussion Points:The Ticket Dilemma: Why do fans sell their playoff seats? We unpack how this betrayal negatively affects the team's "home-court advantage."The Spiritual Parallel: The show explores how this mirrors our spiritual lives. Just as those who sell their tickets don't think it's a big deal to let a few Knicks fans in, we often compromise our values or allow small "sins" to enter our lives, and by doing so, they can take over. We can't dismiss, overlook, tolerate, or accept sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. We have to be willing to call it what it is and pursue holiness.

On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce and Trip unpack how no one really knows the future of the players selected in the NFL Draft…and how we can approach our futures with humility.The NFL Draft is a blast, but before anyone makes judgments or declarative statements about the future, let’s pause with humility and be willing to say, “Who knows”?We also realize we don’t know what God has in store for us this week or next year. We don’t know what’s going to happen to us, the people around us, or how much longer we’re going to be here.Verses Discussed:James 4:13-16Proverbs 3:5-6Matthew 6:34Proverbs 27:1From the place of "who knows?", the guys still share their opinions about the draft and the decisions teams made!