In The Garden

Gordon Clinton Williams, M.Ed.

In The Garden is a daily journey through the Scriptures, an invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and walk with God in the garden of His Word. Hosted by Gordon C. Williams, M.Ed. (usually called Clint), In The Garden blends biblical storytelling, poetic interpretation, ancient context, scientific curiosity, and Christ-centered teaching into a warm, reflective, and deeply accessible radio-style program. Each episode guides listeners through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, with the humility to honor both the literal and the literary beauty of the text. Genesis, for example, is approached as many Christians across the centuries have read it: true, inspired, God-breathed Scripture, written in the rich language of Hebrew poetry and theology—not as a modern science textbook. Clint explores how creation’s “days” can be understood poetically, symbolically, and even scientifically, without dismissing the possibility of a literal seven-day creation. He invites listeners to consider how a timeless Creator, who stands outside of time, could shape a universe that feels ancient to us yet unfolds at His command. Every episode follows a simple rhythm: Listen to the storyConsider its original contextExplore its symbols and themesReflect on what it reveals about humanityLook for how the story leads to JesusThroughout the journey, Clint draws from Hebrew word studies, the narrative structure of Scripture, historical and cultural background, and the words of Jesus Himself—always returning to the conviction that the whole Bible tells the One Story that leads to Christ. Whether unpacking the symbolism of Adam and Eve, the spiritual psychology of Jacob and Esau, the rise of agriculture beneath the story of Cain and Abel, or the meaning of covenant in the life of Abraham, In The Garden offers thoughtful, accessible teaching for listeners from every background: lifelong Christians, curious seekers, new believers, recovering skeptics, and anyone longing to rediscover the beauty of Scripture. In The Garden was born in West Texas and is broadcast locally on KCKM 1330 AM, where neighbors, families, truckers, farmers, teachers, and everyday people tune in weekly to hear the Word of God taught with tenderness, craftsmanship, and hope. The podcast version, released shortly after each broadcast, offers an extended edition for listeners who want to dig a little deeper. Wherever you listen from, you are invited to step into the garden. Here, among the stories of Scripture, we learn how to cultivate the soil of the heart, plant seeds of wisdom, uproot the weeds that choke our joy, and walk with our Lord in the cool of the day. This is In The Garden. Welcome. Your time here is holy ground.

  1. Genesis 34: When Cultures Collide and Violence Multiplies

    21 HRS AGO

    Genesis 34: When Cultures Collide and Violence Multiplies

    What happens when two very different worlds collide? When one man’s desire meets a family’s covenantal values, tragedy can follow—and anger can spiral out of control. In Genesis 34, we see a story of violation, revenge, and the high cost of misplaced justice. In this episode, we explore the shocking story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and Shechem, the son of Hamor. Shechem’s act of taking Dinah and lying with her was a serious violation, yet in his culture, marriage could have “fixed” the offense. Jacob’s sons, however, viewed the situation through a covenantal lens: sex outside God’s design was defilement, and the honor of their family had been violated. We unpack the cultural clash: Shechem and Hamor treated sex as transactional, a way to cement alliances. Jacob’s sons understood sex as sacred, covenantal, and tied to God’s order. Their response, however, escalated the violence rather than healing it. By deceiving the men of Shechem into circumcision and then slaughtering them, Simeon and Levi multiplied the tragedy. Nothing could undo Dinah’s violation, and the aftermath left blood on both sides, echoing Lamech’s boast in Genesis 4:24 about excessive revenge. Through this chapter, we learn that righteous anger is not the same as retaliation. Misplaced vengeance only deepens harm and compounds sin. Genesis 34 is a stark reminder that violation and revenge are both serious, and that God’s people are called to live differently—upholding justice while avoiding the destructive cycle of violence. Join us as we unpack the moral, spiritual, and cultural lessons of Genesis 34, exploring how God’s covenant shapes our understanding of sex, honor, and justice. Reflect with us on the tragedy of this story and the hope of God’s wisdom that calls us to mercy, restraint, and faithfulness even in the face of wrong. Call to Action: Subscribe to In the Garden and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Reflect on Genesis 34 in your personal study this week: How can God’s covenant guide your response to injustice, anger, and the brokenness of the world? Share your thoughts with us on the Monahans Bible Connection Facebook Page. Scriptures referenced: Genesis 34, Genesis 4:24

    6 min
  2. Genesis 33: From Sojourner to Settler

    1D AGO

    Genesis 33: From Sojourner to Settler

    What happens when a wanderer finally puts down roots? In Genesis 33, Jacob’s simple land purchase marks a powerful shift—from sojourner living on promise alone to steward participating in God’s unfolding plan. In this episode, we explore the practical and spiritual meaning behind Jacob’s decision to buy land in Shechem after years of wandering. For generations, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived as foreigners in the land God promised them—dwelling in tents, moving with the seasons, and trusting God daily for provision. But Jacob does something new: he establishes a permanent place. This wasn’t just about stability or comfort. It was an act of faith. We’ll look at how owning land transformed Jacob’s role from survivor to steward, from waiting on God’s promise to actively living within it. We’ll also reflect on the tension between dependence and security, and how settling can both mature faith and test it. Finally, we connect Jacob’s story to the life of Jesus—the ultimate sojourner who owned nothing on earth yet secured an eternal inheritance for us—and what it means for believers today to live as both pilgrims and heirs of God’s kingdom. Key themes & keywords: Genesis 33, Jacob buys land, sojourner vs settler, biblical faith, God’s promises, stewardship, inheritance, pilgrims in the Bible, Old Testament theology, Christian discipleship, kingdom of God, Abraham Isaac Jacob, spiritual growth 👉 Call to Action: If this episode encouraged you, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others discover God’s story. Join us as we continue walking through Genesis and uncovering how every movement points us closer to Jesus. Scripture References in This Episode: Genesis 33:18–19 Hebrews 11:13–16 Matthew 8:20 1 Peter 2:11 Ephesians 2:19

    7 min
  3. Genesis 32: When the Blessing Becomes the Man

    2D AGO

    Genesis 32: When the Blessing Becomes the Man

    Jacob wrestles with God — and walks away a new man. Genesis 32 reveals how God fulfills His blessing not just through abundance, but through transformation. In this episode, we journey with Jacob as he returns home after twenty hard years of exile, labor, and growth. Once a man who grasped blessings through deception, Jacob now finds himself surrounded by God’s unseen protection at Mahanaim — “God’s camp.” Angels meet him on the road, reminding us that God has gone before him, faithfully fulfilling the promise spoken years earlier by Isaac. But Genesis 32 is not about Jacob’s strategies or fears. It is about what God does. In the night, Jacob is left alone — and wrestles with a mysterious man until daybreak. Wounded yet clinging, Jacob refuses to let go without a blessing. In that moment, God changes his name from Jacob (“heel-grabber” and deceiver) to Israel — one who strives with God and prevails. This is where the blessing becomes more than wealth. This is where promise becomes identity. Jacob names the place Peniel, saying, “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” Before facing Esau’s face, God graciously reveals His own — bringing deliverance, not destruction. Genesis 32 teaches us that God is faithful not only to provide, but to shape and transform the people who carry His promises. The years of struggle were not punishment — they were preparation. The blessing was always coming, but so was the refining work of God. If you’ve ever wrestled through seasons of waiting, hardship, or change, this episode will remind you that God is at work — fulfilling His promises and forming your heart. Keywords: Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with God, blessing fulfilled, Mahanaim, Peniel, transformation, Jacob becomes Israel, God’s faithfulness, spiritual growth, Biblical promise, wrestling with God, Old Testament podcast 👉 Call to Action: If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and follow the podcast for more journeys through Scripture that reveal God’s faithfulness from Genesis to Jesus. Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 27:28–29, 39–40 Genesis 32:1–2, 24–30 Genesis 33:9–11

    6 min
  4. Genesis 31: Gods, Power, and a Pile of Stones

    3D AGO

    Genesis 31: Gods, Power, and a Pile of Stones

    Gods were stolen. Power was challenged. And a pile of stones became a treaty before God. In Genesis 31, a family conflict reveals deep truths about idolatry, manipulation, and how God establishes justice across cultures. In this episode, we walk through Jacob’s departure from Laban after twenty years of labor and tension, uncovering the spiritual and cultural layers beneath the story. We begin with Rachel’s theft of the household gods (teraphim)—objects that symbolized protection, inheritance, and authority in the ancient world. Though God had clearly blessed Jacob, Rachel clung to old securities, revealing how faith often grows slowly. Even as God leads us forward, we’re tempted to keep “backup plans” tucked away in our hearts. Next, we examine Laban’s bold claim of ownership over Jacob’s wives, children, and flocks. While such language reflected ancient patriarchal culture, Laban was using tradition to justify control and exploitation. Jacob had fulfilled every obligation—yet Laban leaned on power and custom to manipulate. Scripture quietly exposes this misuse of authority, reminding us that God stands against oppression, even when it’s hidden behind cultural norms. Finally, we explore the powerful moment of reconciliation marked by a heap of stones named in two languages—Jegar-sahadutha in Aramaic and Galeed in Hebrew—both meaning “Heap of Witness.” In a divided world shaped by Babel, this cross-cultural monument becomes a treaty of peace, declaring that God Himself is witness and judge between them. Genesis 31 isn’t just a family drama. It’s a story of God freeing His people from idols, breaking cycles of manipulation, and establishing boundaries rooted in truth and accountability. ✨ What false securities do we cling to? ⚖️ Where do we use power or tradition to control others? 🪨 And where is God calling us to trust Him as our witness? 👉 Listen now, share with a friend, and join the conversation as we continue exploring the deep wisdom of Genesis. Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 30 Genesis 31:1–55 Genesis 31:14–16 Genesis 31:19 Genesis 31:32 Genesis 31:43 Genesis 31:47–52 Genesis 11:1–9

    7 min
  5. Genesis 30: Sticks, Sheep, Sisters, and the Providence of God

    4D AGO

    Genesis 30: Sticks, Sheep, Sisters, and the Providence of God

    What happens when family rivalry, human scheming, and superstition collide in the midst of God’s promises? In Genesis 30, we find Jacob navigating wives, maids, children, and flocks with unusual methods—and yet God’s providence shines through every messy moment. This episode of In The Garden dives into one of the most colorful and chaotic chapters in Scripture. From Rachel and Leah’s competition over children to Jacob’s striped sticks and multiplying flocks, we explore how God works through human weakness, mischief, and even superstition to fulfill His covenant promises. We’ll uncover the spiritual truth hidden behind these strange agricultural practices and see how growth—both in family and in flocks—ultimately comes from God’s hand, not human tricks. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The family dynamics of Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah, and how God’s plan progresses despite rivalry.The meaning behind Jacob’s “rod technique” and why it points to God’s providence, not superstition.How Genesis 30 demonstrates that God can bring life, growth, and blessing through flawed, messy, and scheming people.Insights on faith, trust, and God’s faithfulness even in the dirt of everyday life.Keywords: Jacob, Genesis 30, Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah, family rivalry, Bible study, providence of God, God’s faithfulness, parenting, spiritual growth, superstition, shepherding, agricultural themes, covenant promises. Call to Action: Take a moment today to reflect: How might God be working in your life through the “messy” parts—through relationships, plans, or mistakes that feel chaotic or out of control? Listen closely for His providence. And if this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who might need a reminder that God’s blessing often grows in unexpected ways. Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: Genesis 30:1–43 ESV – Jacob’s family, the rivalry of the sisters, and the multiplying flocks.Genesis 31:1–55 ESV – God’s hand in protecting and prospering Jacob despite Laban’s schemes.

    5 min
  6. Genesis 29: Flawed People, Faithful God

    5D AGO

    Genesis 29: Flawed People, Faithful God

    What happens when human sin, jealousy, and deception collide with God’s covenant plan? In Genesis 29, Jacob is tricked into marrying two sisters, Laban manipulates his own family for profit, and love and rivalry collide in a messy household. Yet, in the midst of human brokenness, God’s faithfulness shines through—Leah bears Judah, the son through whom the covenant and redemption will continue. In this episode of In The Garden, we explore how God works through imperfect, flawed people to accomplish His perfect purposes. Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and Laban are not role models to emulate—the Bible shows their failures, not to praise them, but to point us toward our ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. This story reminds us that God’s covenant never depends on human perfection, only on His faithfulness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Genesis 29 is messy and morally complex, and why that matters.How God uses the overlooked, unloved, and flawed to advance His covenant.Why none of these characters—Jacob, Leah, Rachel, or Laban—should serve as role models.How Judah’s birth points forward to the line of David and ultimately to Jesus, the perfect Redeemer.How the Bible’s honest portrayal of sin teaches us our need for God’s grace.Keywords: Genesis 29, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Laban, Judah, flawed people, faithful God, covenant, messiness, redemption, Bible study, Jesus, Redeemer Call to Action: Notice the mess, recognize God’s faithfulness, and reflect on your need for a Savior. Share this episode with someone who might feel discouraged by their own imperfections—God’s covenant moves forward even through broken lives. Subscribe to In The Garden to explore more stories of God’s faithfulness throughout Scripture. Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 29:1-35, 30:1-24

    6 min
  7. Genesis 28: Jacob's Ladder

    6D AGO

    Genesis 28: Jacob's Ladder

    He slept on a stone—and heaven opened. Jacob’s turning point comes not through striving, but through grace that meets him in the wilderness. In this episode of Genesis 28: Jacob’s Ladder, we explore the powerful contrast between Esau’s pattern of regret without obedience and Jacob’s journey from grasping for blessing to receiving God’s promise. Esau settles into the land through his three marriages—first to Hittite women who grieve his parents, then to a daughter of Ishmael in a self-directed attempt to fix his mistake. Each choice reveals a heart rooted in the present rather than the promise. Jacob, by contrast, obeys his father and leaves everything familiar behind. Alone in the night, with nothing but a stone for a pillow, God meets him in a dream of a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, angels ascending and descending, and the Lord reaffirming the covenant of land, offspring, blessing, and presence. This moment marks Jacob’s shift—from striving to secure his future to learning to trust God’s faithfulness. Yet Jacob’s response also reveals a common human error. He marks the stone, names the place Bethel, and treats the location as sacred—localizing God’s presence rather than embracing the promise that God will be with him wherever he goes. This instinct to contain God becomes the root of many forms of idolatry: turning encounters into objects, places into shrines, and reminders into replacements. We also connect Jacob’s ladder to Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John, where Christ reveals Himself as the true bridge between heaven and earth. Key themes include: • Sojourner vs settler faith • Regret vs obedience • Grace that meets us in exile • The danger of localizing God’s presence • God’s covenant faithfulness • Jesus as the true ladder between heaven and earth If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review to help others discover the story that leads to Jesus. Scriptures referenced: Genesis 26:2, 34–35 Genesis 27:46 Genesis 28:1–2, 8–22 Hebrews 12:16–17 John 1:51

    6 min
  8. Genesis 27: Birthright & Blessing

    FEB 6

    Genesis 27: Birthright & Blessing

    What if one quiet choice could shape an entire future—and one painful moment reveal its cost? In Genesis 25 and 27, the birthright and blessing form one powerful story of appetite, promise, deception, and God’s unstoppable plan. In this episode, we trace the conflict between Jacob and Esau across two defining moments—the private exchange of the birthright and the public struggle over the blessing. These are not competing stories, but one unfolding movement of God’s will advancing through imperfect people. Esau, driven by hunger and immediacy, despises his birthright for a single meal. Jacob, focused on inheritance and promise, secures what will shape generations to come. Years later, when the blessing is spoken, tears replace stew, and the consequences of earlier choices come into full view. We explore how: The birthright was willingly exchanged, not stolenThe blessing confirmed what God had already declared before the twins were bornIsaac attempted to bless against God’s revealed willEsau sought the benefits of inheritance without valuing the promiseJacob acted wrongly in pursuit of the right futureThis episode also follows Jacob’s long road of transformation—how the deceiver would one day wrestle with God, be humbled through suffering, receive a new name, and become Israel, the father of the Twelve Tribes. Through this story, we see a timeless tension between living for what feels urgent and living for what will last. God’s purposes move forward, not because people are perfect, but because His promises are faithful. Like Jacob and Esau, every generation—and every heart—faces the choice between flesh and future, appetite and inheritance, regret and repentance. Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who’s wrestling with hard choices today. Subscribe for more journeys through Scripture that reveal God’s story leading to Jesus. Keywords: Genesis 27, Jacob and Esau, birthright and blessing, Bible study podcast, Old Testament teaching, God’s sovereignty, imperfect people, flesh vs spirit, biblical archetypes, Christian discipleship, spiritual inheritance Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 25:23, 27–34; Genesis 27:1–38; Romans 8:6; Mark 8:36

    6 min

About

In The Garden is a daily journey through the Scriptures, an invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and walk with God in the garden of His Word. Hosted by Gordon C. Williams, M.Ed. (usually called Clint), In The Garden blends biblical storytelling, poetic interpretation, ancient context, scientific curiosity, and Christ-centered teaching into a warm, reflective, and deeply accessible radio-style program. Each episode guides listeners through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, with the humility to honor both the literal and the literary beauty of the text. Genesis, for example, is approached as many Christians across the centuries have read it: true, inspired, God-breathed Scripture, written in the rich language of Hebrew poetry and theology—not as a modern science textbook. Clint explores how creation’s “days” can be understood poetically, symbolically, and even scientifically, without dismissing the possibility of a literal seven-day creation. He invites listeners to consider how a timeless Creator, who stands outside of time, could shape a universe that feels ancient to us yet unfolds at His command. Every episode follows a simple rhythm: Listen to the storyConsider its original contextExplore its symbols and themesReflect on what it reveals about humanityLook for how the story leads to JesusThroughout the journey, Clint draws from Hebrew word studies, the narrative structure of Scripture, historical and cultural background, and the words of Jesus Himself—always returning to the conviction that the whole Bible tells the One Story that leads to Christ. Whether unpacking the symbolism of Adam and Eve, the spiritual psychology of Jacob and Esau, the rise of agriculture beneath the story of Cain and Abel, or the meaning of covenant in the life of Abraham, In The Garden offers thoughtful, accessible teaching for listeners from every background: lifelong Christians, curious seekers, new believers, recovering skeptics, and anyone longing to rediscover the beauty of Scripture. In The Garden was born in West Texas and is broadcast locally on KCKM 1330 AM, where neighbors, families, truckers, farmers, teachers, and everyday people tune in weekly to hear the Word of God taught with tenderness, craftsmanship, and hope. The podcast version, released shortly after each broadcast, offers an extended edition for listeners who want to dig a little deeper. Wherever you listen from, you are invited to step into the garden. Here, among the stories of Scripture, we learn how to cultivate the soil of the heart, plant seeds of wisdom, uproot the weeds that choke our joy, and walk with our Lord in the cool of the day. This is In The Garden. Welcome. Your time here is holy ground.

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