In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of Isaiah 11:1-10 and … Continue reading Home for Christmas: Peace (Advent 2)
Home for Christmas: Hope (Advent 1)
In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of Isaiah 2:1-5 and … Continue reading Home for Christmas: Hope (Advent 1)
S2 E39: God’s Plan
What if church really wasn't a thing we did on Sunday or a building we maintained, but who we choose to be every day of our lives? Kris talks about John 3:1-9, the idolatry of church, the movement of the Spirit, and the witness to the Word in her favorite Canadian musician and poet: a … Continue reading S2 E39: God’s Plan
S2 E37: A Sheet Ton of Bacon Cheeseburgers
What's your learning style? The kingdom of God is definitely hands-on learning... and Kris discusses some of God's practicums in Acts 10:44-48 and her own church.
S2 E41: Who Are You?
The terrible beauty of the Bible is not whether or not the stories actually happened, but that they continue to happen. Guest preacher Devin Gardner breaks open the story of Jacob in the context of the queer rights movement, church inclusivity, thriving after domestic abuse, and his own struggle with claiming his identity in the … Continue reading S2 E41: Who Are You?
S2 E17: Holy Historical Markers, Batman
Ever had a "mountaintop experience"? Not everybody does, and not everybody who does knows exactly what to do with them. Susan discusses Mark 9:2-9, and how the messages from the mountain aren't really useful until you find yourself coming back down, anyway. Here's the movie Susan mentioned with the rollercoaster speech: Parenthood (1989). To learn more … Continue reading S2 E17: Holy Historical Markers, Batman
Episode 81: Jesus Is My Boyfriend?
God is invisible, ineffable, and untouchable. So... how do we love God? Jesus faces off with his religious authorities in Matthew 22:34-40, and Kris ties it into the Protestant Reformation, dinosaurs, erotic poetry, contemporary praise music, South Park, and pot roast... like you do... all to answer that timeless question: how do we love God? … Continue reading Episode 81: Jesus Is My Boyfriend?
Episode 78: Context, Call, and Character — 60 Years at St. Paul’s UMC in Reno
Paul writes a letter to a church in Thessalonica to encourage them, and the same words apply to each congregation seeking to authentically live out God's call to love and serve. St. Paul's UMC in Reno, Nevada celebrated 60 years of service with a sense of humor on October 22, 2017, and we give thanks … Continue reading Episode 78: Context, Call, and Character — 60 Years at St. Paul’s UMC in Reno
Episode 72: Imitate v. Impersonate
Ever heard a good Marlon Brando impersonation? Neither have we. But there is someone we can imitate and still be authentically who we are. Join Susan in diving into Philippians 2:1-13 and how we are called to imitate, not impersonate, Christ. Also, here's that book, Steal Like an Artist.
Episode 68: Awake, My Soul
The way people talk about salvation often seems to come with a lot of fire and brimstone baggage... but is that what salvation is really about? Kris digs into Romans 13:8-14 to talk about healing, making space, and building holistic lives with stories about racism, churches responding to the floods in Houston, and busy lives that … Continue reading Episode 68: Awake, My Soul
Sunday Morning Sleep-In 