Too many religious people have their eyes set on heaven. Doing so keeps us from the work of compassion and justice that is needed in the world. When Jesus ascended, he promised that he would come again. Between these comings, there is work to do. God has asked us to turn our gaze downward to the world in which we live. That world, lost and needy, is ready to hear the good news of the gospel.

There are moments in our lives when we are seeking direction. We pray and ask God to show the way. What we often mean is, "God, show me everything and the result, then I will decide." Being a follower of Jesus calls us to take one step at a time with him. Sometimes that one step of faith leads to another and then another. Where we find ourselves will surprise us!

The religious rules we create often appear helpful to us at a moment in time. Even scriptures in the Bible are helpful in a particular moment when they are written. Over time customs change and cultures shift. How do adapt to new seasons and new moments even when it seems the change the "rules?" This week's episode explore what it means to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit even when it means reexamining the rules.

When we hear a story about someone other than Jesus, our jaw may drop. In the Bible there are a total of four stories that describe someone being raised from the dead (besides Jesus.) Each one is unique, but each one also bears similarities. This week we find a powerful story of a woman being raised from the dead by Peter. This woman had devoted herself to serving those living on the margins of the ancient world. Her healing is more than just a resurrection. it is a respiration of community and life.

As humans, we love to plot and plan. Very few of his live every day of our lives without some kind of intent, purpose, or agenda. How does God move and work in our midst when we are planned out? The story of the conversion of Saul is a story about how God moves and works when we going about our plans. God's interruption is graceful yet powerful. This week's episode explores how life can change in an instant.

The stories in the Book of Acts point us toward a deeper understanding of power and grace through the work of the Holy Spirit. In this week's episode we explore power through the appearance of Peter and John before the Jewish ruling council of the day. Peter embodies grace, reconciliation, and hope even before those who would accuse him. Perhaps here we learn that the work of Christians is not to seize power in any form but, instead, to point to the only true source of power...the Holy Spirit.

Most days we avoid asking questions that might lead us into confusion or wonder. We often stay in spaces that sure and certain. What we find in the resurrection story of Jesus is a God who is at work in confusion and wonder. here we find a God who beckons us to remember who Jesus is, who we are, and what all things must become. These are confusing questions for many of us but God invites us into that confusion to find hope.

The world of the 21st century is filled with empire, power, and politics. This world is not too unlike the world of Jesus so long ago. Jesus' entrance into the great city of Jerusalem is an entrance of a the gospel of peace and grace. Jesus openly and publicly contrasts his reign of peace with the Roman notion of power and empire. Perhaps here we can learn the important lessons of being Christ's people of peace in a world filled with empire and power.

Today's episode highlights the beautiful cycle of gratitude and generosity. In this short story from John's gospel we find Mary with a heart filled with gratitude for what Jesus has done and what he is yet to do. She offers a costly gift to Jesus. It is generosity born out of immense gratitude. Mary's example teaches us the centrality of our love relationship with Jesus and how that love can form a generosity beyond limits in us for others.

This week's episode explores a familiar story of Jesus about a generous father with two very different sons. The "Parable of the Prodigal Son" is one of three stories of Jesus that are grouped together for the sake of illustrating God's care for the margins and those who live there. Here we find a God who spares nothing to find everything that is lost.