Comfortable Uncertainty
There is something to the mystery and the artistic approach to knowing. To have such an approach leaves room for creativity, for individuality, for the influence of society, and for the mess of humanity.
Read MoreThere is something to the mystery and the artistic approach to knowing. To have such an approach leaves room for creativity, for individuality, for the influence of society, and for the mess of humanity.
Read MoreThis episode was recorded right after the Pulse Night Club shooting in Orlando and responds in large part to that horror and pain. Where can we find hope and safety? Where can we find hope and safety in the presence of God? Jonathan and guest host Steve Williamson wrestle with such a question and respond to the tragedy of Orlando.
Read MoreThe danger of guilt can weigh heavy on the pastor and can lead to burnout. It is important for the pastor to have a sense of her or his identity in one’s ordination and to hold to that identity. It is important to not be pulled too far in one direction or another because that can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
Read MoreFrom angry opinions to hatred of mosquitoes to chilling in the summer, Jonathan is joined by Phinn Marr and Jeff Savage to discuss those things that make them angry, and the human struggle that is found in the Psalms.
Read MoreConsider what your “best practices” might be for your own faith tradition and how those practices may overlap with other faith traditions. And try to be nice to each other.
Read MoreThere is a brokenness in the community when one group of people look to make others angry just to make them angry. It is a demonstration of one showing a lack of compassion and humanity towards others. It is an immature expression that one would expect to see exhibited by toddlers, but not adults. Or at least one would hope.
Read MoreCompassion of self can also lead to compassion of others. Listen to others. Listen to yourself. Find compassion.
Read MoreIt is important to have a public space for people to express questions of faith.
Read MoreWriter and public theologian Adam Ericsksen joins Jonathan for a conversation about false dichotomies in politics, Paul as a public theologian in the book of Acts, and fun with sports and being naked... sorta.
Read MoreHow do we mentor young people in their lives? Not just helping people make good choices, but to live in such a way that calls you to be the kind of person that God desires you to be. The role of the community is integral in this process. One can grow on their own, but to have a community help someone guide can make a big difference.
Read MoreIn this current political climate there is a lot to be angry about and Pastor Jabulani McCalister joins Jonathan in expressing anger - but in a kind a pastoral way. They also consider the role of the pastor in calling people to embrace and live into their own spiritual gifts.
Read MoreIt is important for Christians to be involved in the world and to understand the appropriate ways to be involved. It is important for people to have a sense of what is ok and what would be crossing the line. Yet we all need to be honest that there may be a time when that line needs to be crossed and we need to know what it is that makes such a move important. What we want to avoid is missing that important moment, that time when we need to stand up and realize that we are too late in speaking and acting.
Read MoreSchools sometimes close and sometimes they don't and sometimes they should and sometimes they shouldn't. Luckily, this episode is about much more than school closings, but a lot of time and energy is spent around this very issue.
Read MoreIn essence, to be happy means to look beyond the physical, material things and instead towards relationships. They can be relationships with family, with the divine, but those positive relationships are the places where deep purpose and happiness can be found.
Read MoreWhen we ask for forgiveness we are bringing forward those messes in our lives and hoping something new can come forward. Our faith calls us to give our mess to God and to trust and find the new life that can come from what we may regard as a mess but God may see as a possibility for new life.
Read MoreWe don't need more things. We need relationships. We need to spend time with people who are important to us, not to give them little tokens that are supposed to be place-holders of our affection. Instead, offer your actual affection. Listen and be present.
Read MoreChristianity is not supposed to be easy, but it filled with grace. We are supposed to be outside of the norm, pushing the accepted, speaking truth to power, but we are to do it with charity.
Read MoreWhat do we find at the bottom of the barrel? Not Mike Denton. He is at least one up from the very bottom of the barrel (and then some). Mike and Jonathan get angry, talk scripture, and consider field guides for finding Sasquatch.
Read MoreReading is fun. Celebrating what you have read, making goals for what you hope to read can be fun. Or it can be a neurotic way to tell yourself that all that time you spend alone in the corner by yourself is not wasted.
Read MoreA conversation about weddings and immigration as well as the comic culture and great keys for the bassoon. Jerrod Hugenot joins Jonathan for this first part of their time together.
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