Peace | The Podcast

I AM | Pt 4 | ”I am the Gate”

In the book of John, Jesus made 7 'I AM' statements. 
I am the bread of heaven
I am the light of the world
I am the gate
I am the good shepherd
I am the way, the truth, and the life
I am the true vine
I am the resurrection
These statements tell us so much about Jesus, the Christ - the messiah, the reconciler, the healer, the guide, the example, the goal, the horizon. But they also teach us about who we are meant to be. 
Although the book of John is a theologically complex and rich text, the insights and wonderings are some of the most profound in Scripture. 
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'I am the gate.'
What does it mean to be a 'gate'? This seems like a fairly abstract thing for Jesus to say. But when we look at what he's saying contextually (both in regards to 1st century shepherding practices and theologically), we start to see that Jesus is preparing people for the abundant life, while cautioning them from a trajectory of destruction. 

I AM | Pt 3 | ”I am the Good Shepherd”

In the book of John, Jesus made 7 'I AM' statements. 
I am the bread of heaven
I am the light of the world
I am the gate
I am the good shepherd
I am the way, the truth, and the life
I am the true vine
I am the resurrection
These statements tell us so much about Jesus, the Christ - the messiah, the reconciler, the healer, the guide, the example, the goal, the horizon. But they also teach us about who we are meant to be. 
Although the book of John is a theologically complex and rich text, the insights and wonderings are some of the most profound in Scripture. 
________
'I am the good shepherd.'
Pastor Ed Holland asks the poignant question, "Am I a good shepherd?" In this message he explores what it means to be a good shepherd and how we are to embody those values in our own lives. 

I AM | Pt 1 | ”I am the Light of the World”

In the book of John, Jesus made 7 'I AM' statements. 
I am the bread of heaven
I am the light of the world
I am the gate
I am the good shepherd
I am the way, the truth, and the life
I am the true vine
I am the resurrection
These statements tell us so much about Jesus, the Christ - the messiah, the reconciler, the healer, the guide, the example, the goal, the horizon. But they also teach us about who we are meant to be. 
Although the book of John is a theologically complex and rich text, the insights and wonderings are some of the most profound in Scripture. 
________
'I am the light of the world.'
How is Jesus our focal point? How does Christ illuminate what we can't see on our own? And then, how do we become a light for others?

Ruth Pt 2 | See Differently

For the next 3 Sundays, we are going to dive into the book of RUTH. This short book (only four chapters) is flooded with wisdom and insight for how we can LOVE, SEE, and LIVE DIFFERENTLY.
For the Bible nerds – we are going to dive into some fun historical context as we explore the story of these two women in the Ancient Near East.
For the theologically inclined – this book has much to debate and speculate and wrestle with.
For those that just like a good story that they can learn from – although this story is thousands of years old, the timeless truths are plentiful.
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Part 2 is how to SEE differently. The message is given by Pastor Jen Spickelmier, who is the lead pastor at Osseo, UMC. She and Pastor Jason are doing a 'pulpit swap' at one another's churches. Next week, Jason will conclude this series by talking about how we LIVE differently.
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If you are interested in going a little deeper, check-out the podcast SEARCHING THE SACRED. This podcast (co-hosted by Pastor Jason) does a deep dive into the story of Ruth. Interesting episodes for this series…
Into Moab | Chesed | Returning to Israel | Gleaning
 

Ruth Pt 1 | Love Differently

For the next 3 Sundays, we are going to dive into the book of RUTH. This short book (only four chapters) is flooded with wisdom and insight for how we can LOVE, SEE, and LIVE DIFFERENTLY.
For the Bible nerds – we are going to dive into some fun historical context as we explore the story of these two women in the Ancient Near East.
For the theologically inclined – this book has much to debate and speculate and wrestle with.
For those that just like a good story that they can learn from – although this story is thousands of years old, the timeless truths are plentiful.
____
Part 1 is about Chesed - a beautiful Hebrew word that is often translated as kindness, but it is so much more! Naomi gives this blessing to her daughters-in-law as she prepares to return to Israel. 
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If you are interested in going a little deeper, check-out the podcast SEARCHING THE SACRED. This podcast (co-hosted by Pastor Jason) does a deep dive into the story of Ruth. Interesting episodes for this series…
Into Moab | Chesed | Returning to Israel | Gleaning

Include and Transcend | How We Grow Pt 3 | Acts 17:22-25, 28

In the final part of our series called 'HOW TO GROW', we will look at how our faith moves beyond just a personal set of beliefs, and through empathy we can respect and include the beliefs of others. We recognize the desire for shared values and respect that those values are found beyond our own tradition or faith system.
In this episode, Jason spends some time talking about the tragic death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. How does our faith hold injustice and systemic inequities? How does faith move us to justice? 
'HOW TO GROW' is a series exploring spiritual formation, the process by which our faith matures and adapts and expands and settles and fluctuates. Like the human body that grows, the mind that creates new neural pathways, or a relationship that deepens over time - our spiritual lives develop. Faith is not simply a list of beliefs, but a relational dynamic that fluctuates. How we tend to our faith and invest in our spiritual growth can make all the difference in living a life of meaning and purpose. 
The work of James Fowler from Stages of Faith is featured in this episode, as is the work of James Marcia.

A Dream and A Nightmare | Rev Linda

In this special message, we hear from Rev Linda Koelman as she talks about the need for unity in the midst of our difference.
Rev Linda expertly navigates between the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, her time as pastor of North UMC in Minneapolis, and the writing of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. Reconciliation and unity are not easy, especially in complicated communities where hurt and pain have become ingrained. But there is hope through Christ.
In this episode, Rev Linda references the work of James Cone: Martin & Malcolm & America: a dream or a nightmare.
 

Disordered Development | How We Grow Part 2 | Matthew 5.43-47

In part 2 of our series called 'HOW TO GROW', we will look at what can happen to our faith when life gets chaotic and complicated and new. Sometimes we find our foundation - our 'container' - to be a little less dependable or satisfying. Sometimes we are enticed to consider something new. Sometimes we have doubts. This is disordered development. 
'HOW TO GROW' is a series exploring spiritual formation, the process by which our faith matures and adapts and expands and settles and fluctuates. Like the human body that grows, the mind that creates new neural pathways, or a relationship that deepens over time - our spiritual lives develop. Faith is not simply a list of beliefs, but a relational dynamic that fluctuates. How we tend to our faith and invest in our spiritual growth can make all the difference in living a life of meaning and purpose. 
The work of James Fowler from Stages of Faith is featured in this episode, as is the work of James Marcia.

’Building Your Container’ | How To Grow Part 1 | Deuteronomy 6.4-9

In part 1 of our series called 'HOW TO GROW', we will look at what it means to 'Build Your Container'. This is the phrase used by Richard Rohr in his book Falling Upward, that describes the first half of life pursuit to create definition and foundation for our lives. 
'HOW TO GROW' is a series exploring spiritual formation, the process by which our faith matures and adapts and expands and settles and fluctuates. Like the human body that grows, the mind that creates new neural pathways, or a relationship that deepens over time - our spiritual lives develop. Faith is not simply a list of beliefs, but a relational dynamic that fluctuates. How we tend to our faith and invest in our spiritual growth can make all the difference in living a life of meaning and purpose. 
The work of James Fowler from Stages of Faith is also featured in this episode. 

Almost Out Of Cheeks | Matthew 5.9

'Almost Out Of Cheeks' is a sermon given on October 9, 2022 in the middle of a series we called 'On Your Side'.
The Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5 are a foundation launching point for what it means to follow Christ. We used Rob Bell's translation of 'Blessed' to say that 'God is on the side of...' the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and the peacemakers. There is something unique about God's presence when we find ourselves in these positions. AND - these are the places that God is calling us. It might seem counter-intuitive, but we are called to meekness and mourning and peacemaking.
'Almost Out Of Cheeks' is a message on verse 9 - 'Blessed are the peacemakers...'. 
Enjoy!