What does it mean to be “born again”? This week, as we begin reading the gospel of John, we’re thinking about grace, the new birth, and...well, food. We consider how grace is like a stack of pancakes, how bread crumbs lead us forward, and how the Lord’s wine tastes the best (and what that should tell us about everything else he does!). And we dive into the Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16, and remember what God wants us to do in the world.

How are our lives restored like Japanese vases? And how do our responses to fear and desire reveal our beliefs? This week, a Psalm 14 edition of Poetry in Motion reveals the hope and helplessness of humanity. We find an antidote to anxiety and learn what God says about conspiracy theories as we go Finding Jesus in this week’s reading. And along the way, we learn about Ryan’s awful eyesight, Bryan’s fear of snakes, and God’s exit row, escape hatch. Hope you’ll join us!

What do you love? This week we look at some of the objects of affection the Bible directs us away from, and which ones it points us toward. Along the way we talk about the Borg and Big Ten Football, long distance relationships, and kids finally cleaning their rooms. Today’s Scripture du Jour (1 Peter 1) holds up a mirror. And we find encouragement in some fundamentals of the faith when we go Finding Jesus in this week’s reading, 2 Timothy 2-4 and 1 Peter 1-2.

What do you consider the most “essential workers” on the planet today? This week we set our sites on understanding what Paul says about overseers (1 Timothy 3). What does church leadership look like, and what’s the point of all those qualifications? We also learned some stuff about money from our Scripture du Jour (1 Timothy 6) — both the good and the bad. And we kick things off with Christ’s “good confession” and some reflections on the reason we can happily suffer, in our Finding Jesus segment. Join us for a listen, and let us know any feedback or questions!

What does it mean to be “sound”? This week we consider what spiritual health and wellness requires, when we look at an important Heavy Word. We ask, “what is the goal of a Bible class?” and “what’s the point of church discipline?” And we go Finding Jesus in this week’s reading — which points to a common need we share with all humanity.

This week, we’re going to war! What does spiritual warfare look like? What is the “armor of God” (Eph. 6:10-18) all about? And who is the real enemy? And as we discuss Ephesians 2-6, we find a challenging standard for maturity and a stabilizing love in Christ. Then we talk about sleeping and submitting in an Ephesians 5 edition of Scripture du Jour. And by the way, “Ephesians Week” is as good a time as any to start reading the New Testament with us, just one chapter a day! Either way, hope you’ll join us for a listen and find some encouragement for your walk with Christ.

This week a listener question about “interceding for others” raises lots of other questions for us. Like, how does it change us when we pray for our families, our enemies, and even strangers? When is it an empty gesture to say, “you’re in our thoughts and prayers”? And where do we get started, when everyone needs our prayers? Bryan sets it all up with a Jesus Said about praying for people who stand against us. Hope you’ll tune in today and then let us know your questions for a future episode!

This week we’re thinking about thinking (about thinking?), considering, “How do we set our minds above when we’re stuck in life below?” If thoughts are like TV shows in our minds, who has the remote, and how do we change the channel? We’re in Colossians and Philemon this week in the Into the Book Bible reading plan, where we also discover insights about struggling in prayer, quarterbacking conversations, and Finding Jesus in our bosses. Join us for a listen, and feel free to contact us with any comments, questions, or suggested topics!

Ever feel like the cartoon cloud above your head follows you everywhere you go? (Maybe that cloud should be renamed “2020”!) What kind of prayer can meet us in our loneliest, most frustrated times? In a Psalm 13 edition of Poetry in Motion, we learn how David escaped his lowest lows to rejoice in the Lord. We’re also Finding Jesus in strangers, and finding him in Total Command! Then in the Scripture du Jour, we hear Christ’s cry of lament and consider the crazy miracles of that crucifixion day.

The Pharisees weren’t cartoon villains, they were real people known for taking their religion seriously — yet the Lord’s rebukes have made them infamous. And if we don’t take his warnings seriously, we can become the second coming of the Pharisees! So, this week we share some Deeep Thoughts, asking, “Is there a little bit of Pharisee in me?” We also Find Jesus slaying trees and spinning riddles in this week’s reading, Matthew 19-23. And, we learn what it means to be “chosen” and how the greatest commandments shape a disciple’s life.