A sequel to last week's podcast on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.

247: Beatitudes Continued

This is an episode that started from a thought I had: You are a masterpiece of your own making! Here, I explore the idea that and individual is largely in charge and responsible for the kind of person that individual is. Though there are outside influences, as adults, we have the ability to react and filter these influences and have an amazing amount of control over how much they affect who we are.

301: You Are A Masterpiece Of Your Own Making!

Some would have you believe that those of us who have doubts about the faith we've inherited are being disobedient and rebelling against God. But for many of us, it is the way by which we catch a better glimpse of Jesus and through him, God. We are rebelling against religion, yes. But not against God. We have come to believe that religion has been rebelling against Jesus and his hopes and dreams for his "church".

302: I Know You Have Questions

Thanksgiving has always been my second favorite holiday, second only to Christmas. But a not so deep look into its history, reveals that Thanksgiving, and the supposed events it celebrates, can be viewed from a much darken perspective. 

But, being Thankful can't be wrong, can it? No. No it can't. Being willfully blind can.

303: Thankful But Aware!

Just how much should one worry about the future? At what point, if any, is it wrong to NOT worry about the future and how you will live when you are old? Just how much does Jesus want us to live in the now? 

 I don't know... seriously.

304: Consider The Lillies

For thousands of years, heroes of the church, AKA saints, have been venerated for their faith, suffering, and miracles. Many traditions ignore these saints, arguing that all believers are technically saints.

Most agree to disagree. But, I little deeper of a dig, reveals some surprising similarities. Do you venerate saints or worship celebrities? Chance are that you do one of the other.

305: Saints And Celebrities

I  Corinthians 13, Fruit of the Spirit, and the life of the loving Christ are more than enough to teach us what it's all about: Love.

306: Love God By Loving Your Neighbor

All kinds of Christmas themes come up on SS this time of year, and once in a while, a new one arises. I discuss three themes garnered from Facebook friends this year, in honor of the season. Merry Christmas!

307: Beautiful Christ, Beautiful Christmas

Don Quijote (Quixote) is a literary figure that continues to peak our imagination, even four centuries after the book was written. What is it about him that we continue to read and contemplate his exploits and character? What is so appealing about the single-minded hero?

Who can we compare him to? Read on, give a listen and find out!

308: Don Quixote-Lunatic or Visionary?

There has been much talk about what exactly the Kingdom is, how to bring it about, who is in and who is out. When it will come, or when it did come. Here I delve into the nature of the kingdom, what I think it is and what I think it isn't.

309: The Kingdom Of God Is Out Of This World!

Every generation is burdened with the mistakes of the past. The young people of Japan are no exception. They will be tasked with solving a unique set of problems, through no fauly of their own. The young people of every country are in a similar situation. Such is the way of the world.

310: Future Generational Challenges

We are all unique(If we are all unique, are we unique at all?!). Each of us has a set of personality traits that make us who who we are. They are also signposts of where we have been and what we have experienced. How does this translate spiritually?

311: Revealing Historical Signposts

What is the history of christian participation in politics? What has been the outcome of the current involvement with christians in politics? Are politics and christianity compatible? Why or why not?

312: Political Christian?

This is one of the most rambling journeys I've ever taken. Not sure why. Maybe the weather? Too little sleep? Too much sleep? Don't know, but I really went off on a tangent in this one. More than usual. But, I think I actually brought it together at the end. You be the judge.

313: I Said "You Are Gods"

Jesus is the final revelation of God, the ultimate expression of the Father, the perfect image of the invisible God. And to know him is to find rest. If you haven't found rest, perhaps you haven't found him. Not all of him. Not the truest version of him. And don't we all want that, to know who God is and to rest in him? 

314: No One Knows The Father But The Son

Sometimes, you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, life loses its meaning. Sometimes, all hope is lost. But then, the dawn comes, the flower blooms, and beauty reveals itself.

If you are in a dark place, the only hope I can give you is that I have been there too. It does end. In this life or the next.

315: Light In The Darkness

Mixing in a few book reviews by Nehisi Coates and Brian Zahnd , I explore the Cross of Christ, it's symbology and meaning, especially what it has come to mean to me.

316: Ten Beautiful Words

In this episode, I explore my relationship with "church", the journey I have been on since birth, and how I have come to know Christ (such as it is). I also explore my relationship with American Christianity, which has been quite a rocky road.

317: One Nation Under God

This is a bit of a review of a book by Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation". Though this is a new topic for me, I feel this is too important and needs to be out there, regardless of my lack of a grasp on the topic. We are raising anxious kids, and we need to figure out why kids today are more anxious than ever, and how to help them.

318: Anxiety Epidemic In Our Kids

What separates the believers and the "non-believers?  Has God planted his image in all mankind or only those who believe in Jesus?  All this and more!

TWENTY-FOUR:  The Lost But Intelligent: Who has the "imago Dei?"

Know a congregation or denomination that is particularly legalistic?  A closer look may find a theology based on Pauline scholarship and lacking in Jesus theology.

TWENTY-SIX:  Paul Without Jesus:  A Sure Recipe for Legalism (And more!)

Perhaps the most disjunct and fragmented podcast yet!  Interested?  Giver her a listen!

THIRTY-THREE:  Guests, Corrections, Interruptions, and Lost Trains of Thought

Why does it seem that out of all the creatures on life, man is uniquely out of touch with his environment, and is indeed, constantly at war with it?  Why doesn't everyone (and everything) just get along?  And how does that fit in with the Gospel of the Kingdom?

FORTY-THREE: Why Are We So Out Of Touch With Our Environment?

An exploration of the nature of metaphors in scripture, especially as relating to church.  Also, comments on Facebook comments and a bit about This week in Trumpology.

FORTY-FOUR:  Metaphors Be With You

A meandering, rightfully so, stream of consciousness on the religous practice of pilgrimage.

FORTY-EIGHT:  Progressive Pilgrimage And Finding Jesus Everywhere

Exploring ways to better react to your own failings, missteps, and misbehaviors. Digging your way out of a shame-based religious culture and embracing the grace of Jesus, even when you sin.

FIFTY-EIGHT: Unto A Better Reaction

A rare musical podcast with songs by Daisuke Yokoyama, music missionary, and his wife, Kazuko. Enjoy!

EIGHTY - ONE: Yokoyama Daisuke

In this day and age, the word worship has come to mean many things to many people. But what is the heart of worship? What did in mean to the people of the OT? Explore this with me here!

EIGHTY - FOUR: A Call To Shachah

What comes out of you when you think you have nothing to say? In this recording, I struggle to find something of meaning to offer, but I just keep talking. It might be painful to listen to, but are there any hidden treasures here? Not sure?! Fair warning!

EIGHTY - SEVEN: A Little Bit Of Nothin’

What happens when your message doesn't match your life? Is it even worth saying anything if you can't live it? I discuss this and more in this episode.

NINETY:  Mission, Discipline, and Modeling the Life of Jesus

This podcast is recorded in my car as I drive to work. I do it this way so that I can work through ideas organically without the luxury of a Bible or any other books to fall back on. This way I know how I sound when I talk on these subjects and I can listen back to what I said and see the path and progression of my own theology and understanding of Jesus. I do not edit so as to keep discussions as raw and real as possible, although I do pause from time to time, like when I recently spilled my coffee or when I get a call.

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