We all deserve to have a great 2023. But how do we make that happen? Do we just recycle our list of resolutions from last year? Or do we take stock of what is holding us back and let those things to?

Join with me as we discuss how to have a great 2023.

We are now in Advent. Traditionally a time that we are invited to look for Jesus in our midst. But what does that really mean? Join with me as we discuss why we need to get very real about our own longings as a first step in looking for Jesus in our midst.

This is the last Sunday in the Christian Calendar, which is called "Christ the King" Sunday. What is that all about? And what does that have to do with the Trans Day of Remembrance? Please join with me and we will discuss it.

Remembrance Day - perhaps more than any other occasion, raises up a strong discrepancy between what Christians say and what they actually do. That's because Jesus had some very challenging things to say about warfare.

Let's talk about that!

We all want to be happy. But where do we find happiness? Does happiness come when we have enough stuff? or does happiness come when we share with others and create community?

I think that most of us value being "well". 

But often, when an opportunity comes along where we can make life changes and become more well, we don't actually do it. Perhaps it's not so obvious that we want to be well. Certainly, it is worth discussing.

I wonder. Do we want to be well? Let's talk about it.

Christians have traditionally supported the idea of the "Holy Trinity". That is the idea that God exists as 3 "persons" - Father, son, and spirit. But what does that even mean? How can Jesus be both a person and God? In this episode we offer a rational way to understand the Trinity.

I'm delighted in this episode to interview Dr. Darrell Picketts, a member at Sydenham-Heritage United Church and a friend. He has his own take on "Rational Christianity".

In the Bible, God is sometimes represented in wind and fire. What do we hear if we listen to wind and fire today? We hear the voice of climate change and environmental destruction. Perhaps that is the voice of God today? And perhaps if we actually listen, we can find hope.

In our society, the subject of sexuality and gender can create a lot of angst. Many people struggle with people who have diverse sexualities and genders. But why is that?

Jesus preached love, not hate. Homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia are wrong. We can do better.

People with physical health issues often get a lot of sympathy. But people who struggle with mental health issues often do not. Why is that? Let's discuss that today.

Many people think that science and religion are like opposites. Science is about thinking and religion is about faith, right? Well, I think that reality is far more interesting than that! And to really grapple with the difference (and similarities) between science and religion we need to consider the pivotal role of doubt. 

Forgiveness sometimes feels like a duty. But forgiveness is actually a tool to help us find our own freedom. Forgiveness is unlocking a door and realized that we ourselves were the prisoner.

Join with me as we discuss, "Forgive - and live".

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem while people waved palm branches. But riding a donkey was very common back then. So what is the big deal about this story?

To understand the story properly we explore the history and the social conditions at the time. And that will lead us into an invitation to give up for Lent feeling powerless.

We have all been judged. And we know what that feels like. But the person who does the judging also suffers because when someone is being judgmental it is very difficult for them to find peace.

Join with us as we discuss giving up for Lent being judgmental. And we will also discuss the difference between being judgmental and being discerning.

The story of the prodigal son is such a classic. One interesting feature of the story is that in fact the so called "prodigal son" is not actually the main character of the story. Join us this week to discuss who the story is really about. And yes, along the way we will be encouraged to give up for Lent our resentments.

People often give up something for Lent. Like chocolate. But I suggest that we should give up something that will change our lives. Like giving up resentments, anger, being judgemental. And I'm sure you can think of something in particular that is weighing you down. In this episode, we are encouraged to give up our expectations.

As part of the episode, we will also do a demonstration of one method to find more peace in your life. And the secret to that method involves getting rid of expectations - at least temporarily.

Giving up something for Lent can be a great idea. Particularly if we give up something that is not helping us with our lives. Something that is weighing us down. This year, consider giving up your need for control.

And we will discuss the quote, "We cannot control the wind. But we can learn to adjust our sails" and how that attitude has been so important during the pandemic.

Lent is a journey. But what type of journey is it? This year I propose we see Lent as a season to consider deeply our own temptations.

And if that sounds too abstract, I include some practical suggestions for things we can give up during Lent that will change our lives.

This episode we consider the wider implications of the "golden rule".

Every religion, culture, and social group seems to have their own version of the golden rule. But if  the whole planet follows the golden rule, why are our societies in such a mess?

There are two basic issues in the golden rule that we have to deal with:

• Does the golden rule require reciprocity?
• Who is my neighbour?

This episode we explore the story of Jesus calling the fishers.

The story suggests that the fishers just gave up all rational thought and followed a complete stranger. But we will explore that an offer a much more rational interpretation.

The net result is that perhaps we do not need to make insane leaps of faith. Perhaps we only need to make incremental changes to find better lives ourselves.

This episode we consider the meaning of the story where Jesus turns water into wine. The story may not be what you think it is. For one thing, it has nothing to do with wine!

The story is actually an "alter call" - a call to change.

Happy New Year! Yes, I know that nobody is excited for 2022 yet. I mean, we are all still hibernating from COVID, right?

In this episode we will consider the story of the Good Samaritan and some deeper implications of the story.

Perhaps the parable of the Good Samaritan will help us take a more hopeful approach into 2022.