Costumes and Culture
David VanBrakle and Jonathan discuss the church shootings in Texas and how the 80s should not yet be a standard for Halloween costumes, They look at Amos 5:18-24, and discuss one good book and one god photrapher.
Read MoreAnd...Break!
We all need to have time to rest and reconnect with God. We all need time to be able to reminded ourselves why it is that we are Christians and what our walk of faith looks like. If you can give your pastor a sabbatical then you should – she or he deserves it! If you can take some time for yourself then you should – you deserve it!
Read MoreFrustrated
It is frustrating when people look past their history and fall into a narrative that they believe regardless of the past. It is frustrating is when people do not look into the idea of changing and reforming. Lots of frustration.
Read MoreHeavy and Light
What do we do with those things that frustrate and anger us - big or small? How do the frustrations impact our relationship with God and what is the role of the Holy Spirit when we are caught in the anger?
Read MoreWanna Dance?
The Trinity is one of those very complicated and very essential parts of Christianity. Because of its complexity it is often overlooked. Because of its necessity it needs to be brought again and again back into the mind of Christian.
Read MoreBreaking the Norms
What is pushed as "normal" is often harmful in quiet and subtle ways (or great and bombastic ways). Normal has become not listening to each other, or having angry conversations with people we disagree with. We need to break the norms that harm us individually and as a society.
Read MoreTalking Made Easy
Community is founded in one way or another on communication. From light conversation to deep talks and everything in-between, all is important and necessary. Deliberate conversation, and thus deliberate relationships can offer a foundation for community and for individual identity.
Read MoreGround Truth
Starbucks barista and great talker Alex Hand joins Jonathan to discuss truth, openness to other ideas, and scripture.
Read MoreDown With Tolerance
Down with tolerance and up with diversity! Doug Avilesbernal wrote the book Welcoming Community: Diversity that Works and talks with Jonathan about the idea diversity in a Christian community.
Read MoreAll Issues, Big and Small
Tuba player and pastor Doug Avilesbernal brings to question some major concerns about racism and denial while Jonathan keeps it light and mundane. They also talk about community and Biblical values.
Read MoreChose Your Own History
We need to understand what our history is and how it is told. It is good to have a healthy suspicion towards those things which we assume to be true or valid and to question why or if there is another way to understand events of the past.
Read MoreFocus on What Matters
Father Doug, Anthony, Perkins and Jonathan get angry about those things that get in the way of living. The details can drown us all and we need to be true to who we are really called to be.
Read MoreBaked-In Goodness
If you do something that breaks relationship with God or with someone then you probably should not do that. It becomes a wedge between you and others and your faith.
Read MoreLate Nite Chills and Hellfire
From easy weather to finding food late at night to revenge; what do we do with our anger and our rage over things small and stupid and over things that are real?
Read MoreLive Napping
We schedule vacations, we claim to have day offs, but do we really get rest? Not just sleep, but the kind of rest where you regain balance with your own life, your relationships, and with your faith.
Read MoreThe Most Beautiful
It is important to not define beauty, but to consider the ways in which beauty can be experienced however it is found. The arts are not always “beautiful” by one standard, but can connect one with a beauty at a deeper level.
Read MoreThe Longest Time... In Line
People like what they like, and dislike what they dislike and if you have a problem with that all you Billy Joel hater haters, get in line.
Read MoreBook Reports!
Read books. Books are still a great way to share ideas, to transport you to a different place and invite you to have a profound experience.
Read MoreA Political Hangover
On this side of the election there is a rise of certain behaviors and attitudes that can be harmful to those who are already on the margins and this should be a cause of concern for us all. It is important for us to continue to push a way of living that is generous towards those who are different than we are, that is compassionate towards those who are on the margins, and that never loses sight of justice.
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