In this annual conversation, Steve Adams, Colleen Adams, and Michael Kurtz invite listeners to begin the year through consecration, not pressure or performance. Rather than goal-setting, the focus is surrender—offering the year back to God as an act of union with Christ.

They explore listening for a word or phrase for the year as an invitation into formation, why God’s work is often cumulative over time, and how an eternal perspective reshapes how we live and suffer today. Eternity is reframed not as escape, but as restoration—returning to God’s “very good” design.

This episode serves as a formation anchor for the year ahead, calling listeners to resist striving, stop self-saving, and trust the God who holds both now and forever.

Resources mentioned:

• The Royal in You — Jordan Raynor Video Intro

• Heaven — Randy Alcorn

• All Things New — John Eldredge

Scripture references:Matthew 6:34 • Genesis 1–3 • Matthew 24:36 • Genesis 1:26–28 • Matthew 25:14–30 • John 15

Chapters:

00:00 Cold open — “Don’t add pressure… I have a month.”
01:01 Welcome + episode setup
01:54 Introducing Colleen & Michael + annual rhythm
06:19 What consecrating the year is (and isn’t)
08:49 Colleen: consecration as union, not performance
10:59 Michael: fasting + surrendering plans without demands
14:28 Steve: offering the calendar back to God
15:35 Colleen: “walking in the greater story”
19:06 Words build over time (stepping stones)
20:27 Word ≠ slogan (and a quick Eagles detour)
21:30 Colleen: “presence” (inward → outward) + carrying Jesus into chaos
26:54 Michael: Jacob’s purification + returning to “God’s house”
36:14 Eternity: The Royal In You + reclaiming a hopeful view of heaven
40:44 Colleen: recovering the supernatural worldview + “very good” restoration
44:22 Matthew 24:36 + living ready without obsessing over dates
46:53 Michael: dominion, stewardship, and being formed to rule & reign
49:19 Colleen: “Stop being self-saviors” (union restores surrender)
52:18 Suffering well: faithfulness, love, forgiveness in the fire
53:02 Colleen: NIH story — blessing others in pain + “table with Jesus”
57:38 Michael: Psalms—bring the unfiltered to God
01:02:17 Wrap + final encouragements
01:03:10 Colleen: don’t be discouraged; give the Spirit permission beyond awareness
01:06:49 Michael: don’t rush; a month-long posture of receiving
01:08:28 Steve: final send-off

Spiritual formation doesn’t happen in isolation—but it also doesn’t happen in unsafe spaces.

In this episode, Steve and Colleen explore what makes a community truly safe and why safety is foundational to healing, trust, and transformation. This honest conversation parallels themes from their upcoming book Embracing the Way, inviting listeners into a slower, relational vision of walking with Jesus and one another.

If you’ve longed for community but felt guarded, this episode offers language, clarity, and hope.

In this powerful start to a new year, Steve sits down with longtime friend Rich Timmons—creative visionary, gallery owner, teacher, and author of Come… meet Jesus—for an honest conversation about faith, loss, and redemption.

Rich shares how a Good Friday business collapse became the moment he finally cried out to God, and how a “Joseph and Mary” divine appointment helped lead him to Christ. He reflects on rebuilding his life with Jesus at the center, teaching art history through the life of Christ, and turning 67 masterworks into a devotional tool that blends Scripture and beauty.

The conversation takes a profound turn as Rich opens up about losing his son to glioblastoma, and the strength of staying “yoked” to Jesus through grief. He also shares a deeply personal testimony of decades-long struggle with alcohol—and the moment God brought freedom through Psalm 9:6.

If you’re walking through brokenness, grief, or a hidden struggle, this episode is a reminder: brokenness isn’t a barrier—it can become a bridge to healing.

Learn more: comemeetjesus.art (Use promo code 1017 for 25% off)

More about EBM: embracingbrokenness.org

Chapters

00:00 – The “cowboy” son and a gift with horses

01:41 – The diagnosis: brain cancer and the weight of grief

02:00 – Welcome + Season 7 kickoff + Steve & Rich history

05:40 – Rich’s story begins: Kensington, dreams, and early influences

09:00 – Air Force years and marriage to Julie

11:30 – “Let’s buy a computer”—early business breakthrough

13:15 – The crash: staff walks out on Good Friday

15:05 – “Joseph and Mary”: Joe Castillo and the pocket Bible

16:30 – Born again: “I made a right-hand turn”

17:50 – Motorhome year: early discipleship and the Body of Christ

19:15 – 45 years of business success (and hiring smart people)

21:30 – Selling the business → opening the art gallery

23:10 – Teaching art history through “one man”: Jesus

26:05 – Losing Rich: glioblastoma and 18 months of care

33:10 – “Rotten theology” and living in a broken world

36:05 – Turning teaching into a book: Come… meet Jesus

43:15 – The yoke: staying close to Christ in grief

45:25 – Alcohol testimony + Psalm 9:6 + freedom

50:15 – Brokenness as a bridge to healing

53:50 – Book promo + discount code + closing