Brian From turns to one of the shortest and most relatable stories in the Gospels: Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. While Martha rushes to prepare for her guests, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens, and when Martha complains, Jesus gently tells her that Mary has chosen what is better. Brian points out that Martha’s hospitality wasn’t wrong, only misplaced, making this a story about priorities rather than right and wrong. Drawing on a reflection from Matt Smethurst, he highlights the word “chosen”: Mary didn’t stumble into devotion, she chose it. He challenges listeners to consider which daily choices draw them toward Jesus or away from Him, and urges them not to let the urgent crowd out the important.

Brian From turns to one of the shortest and most relatable stories in the Gospels: Jesus&rsquo; visit to the home of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. While Martha rushes to prepare for her guests, Mary sits at Jesus&rsquo; feet and listens, and when Martha complains, Jesus gently tells her that Mary has chosen what is better. Brian points out that Martha&rsquo;s hospitality wasn&rsquo;t wrong, only misplaced, making this a story about priorities rather than right and wrong. Drawing on a reflection from Matt Smethurst, he highlights the word &ldquo;chosen&rdquo;: Mary didn&rsquo;t stumble into devotion, she chose it. He challenges listeners to consider which daily choices draw them toward Jesus or away from Him, and urges them not to let the urgent crowd out the important.

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Mary Didn’t Drift into Devotion; She Chose It

Brian From encourages listeners to catch up on the podcast, then turns to a Gospel Coalition article on how the Lord’s Supper fuels spiritual growth. The author, a pastor, describes congregants leaving Reformed churches for Catholic and Orthodox traditions in search of a more tangible, “real” experience of communion, and admits that Protestants sometimes talk more about what the bread and cup are not than what they are. Drawing on John Calvin, the article offers three ways the Lord’s Supper strengthens believers: it assures us of our inheritance through real union with Christ, confirms and increases our often-wavering faith, and moves us toward grateful obedience and outward acts of love for others. Brian urges listeners not to rush through communion, but to come to the table expecting the risen Christ to meet them there.

Brian From encourages listeners to catch up on the podcast, then turns to a Gospel Coalition article on how the Lord&rsquo;s Supper fuels spiritual growth. The author, a pastor, describes congregants leaving Reformed churches for Catholic and Orthodox traditions in search of a more tangible, &ldquo;real&rdquo; experience of communion, and admits that Protestants sometimes talk more about what the bread and cup are not than what they are. Drawing on John Calvin, the article offers three ways the Lord&rsquo;s Supper strengthens believers: it assures us of our inheritance through real union with Christ, confirms and increases our often-wavering faith, and moves us toward grateful obedience and outward acts of love for others. Brian urges listeners not to rush through communion, but to come to the table expecting the risen Christ to meet them there.

The Lord’s Supper Isn’t Just a Ritual; It’s Fuel for Spiritual Growth

Brian From notices Christmas music already showing up in TV commercials, then shares a study of 27,000 men confirming that tight-fitting underwear affects male fertility, an old Seinfeld plotline turned research finding. He turns to a heartwarming story from Jenna Bush Hager, who says her father, former President George W. Bush, texts her a Bible verse every morning. The tradition began when her twin sister went through a painful breakup. Brian notes Bush’s account of how a Bible inscribed by Billy Graham helped change his life, and encourages parents that even after children are grown, small, steady acts like a text, a verse, or a reminder of love can keep planting seeds of faith.

Brian From notices Christmas music already showing up in TV commercials, then shares a study of 27,000 men confirming that tight-fitting underwear affects male fertility, an old Seinfeld plotline turned research finding. He turns to a heartwarming story from Jenna Bush Hager, who says her father, former President George W. Bush, texts her a Bible verse every morning. The tradition began when her twin sister went through a painful breakup. Brian notes Bush&rsquo;s account of how a Bible inscribed by Billy Graham helped change his life, and encourages parents that even after children are grown, small, steady acts like a text, a verse, or a reminder of love can keep planting seeds of faith.

George W. Bush Texts His Daughters a Bible Verse Every Morning, a Reminder That We Never Stop Parenting

Brian From talks with Left Behind co-author Jerry Jenkins and Dallas Theological Seminary president Dr. Mark Yarbrough about their new novel, The Battle for Heaven and Earth. The book retells Scripture’s opening chapters in narrative form, beginning before creation with Lucifer’s rebellion and a third of the angels cast out of heaven, then moving through creation and the fall, ending with God’s promise of a coming Redeemer. Mark explains how the story addresses the age-old question of evil’s origin, and how Scripture neither ignores nor overstates spiritual warfare. Jerry describes how they imagined plausible details around brief biblical passages while staying faithful to Scripture, and how fiction, like Jesus’ parables, can convey truth to seekers and skeptics. Mark shares his hope that readers will see the Bible as one continuous story and explore the book’s companion videos, soundtrack, and small-group resources at thebattleforheavenandearthbook.com. Jerry admits he found himself relating not only to Michael and Gabriel, but even to Lucifer’s pride.

Brian From talks with Left Behind co-author Jerry Jenkins and Dallas Theological Seminary president Dr. Mark Yarbrough about their new novel, The Battle for Heaven and Earth. The book retells Scripture&rsquo;s opening chapters in narrative form, beginning before creation with Lucifer&rsquo;s rebellion and a third of the angels cast out of heaven, then moving through creation and the fall, ending with God&rsquo;s promise of a coming Redeemer. Mark explains how the story addresses the age-old question of evil&rsquo;s origin, and how Scripture neither ignores nor overstates spiritual warfare. Jerry describes how they imagined plausible details around brief biblical passages while staying faithful to Scripture, and how fiction, like Jesus&rsquo; parables, can convey truth to seekers and skeptics. Mark shares his hope that readers will see the Bible as one continuous story and explore the book&rsquo;s companion videos, soundtrack, and small-group resources at thebattleforheavenandearthbook.com. Jerry admits he found himself relating not only to Michael and Gabriel, but even to Lucifer&rsquo;s pride.

Mary Didn’t Drift into Devotion; She Chose It

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