Faith in the Cracks
Just like new plants sprout in the cracks of the sidewalk, faith can grow and develop in the cracks of our lives. Whether the cracks are cracks of time in our daily schedule or cracks in our lives from changes, pressure, or life in general, when we allow God's word to seep into the cracks, new things can blossom.
Episodes
134 episodes
What's So Amazing about Grace
John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace was a slave trader until a profound experience with God's grace changed him. Jesus talks about forgiveness and grace being given and the need for it to be passed on in the Gospel of Matthe...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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6:49
Being Real
Life can be more difficult when we feel the need to hide our truest selves. We need spaces in which we can be real. Church has for a long time been a place where it often feels like one must "keep up with the Joneses." What would happen if we m...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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4:53
All the Points Matter
Whose Line is it Anyway always used the phrase "and the points don't matter." However in life in community, we all have unique gifts and talents and more like a painting by Georges Seurat in the style of pointillism - every point matters. So br...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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6:14
Reading the Instruction Manual
Lego sets come with instructions. The bigger the set, the bigger the book or books. There are step by step instructions of how to build what's on the box. The Bible is the Christian Instruction manual. It is the inspired Word of God that can he...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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7:38
Rhythms of Life
It is August so it is back to backpacks and football games. There is a rhythm to the fall and honestly there is a rhythm to everything in life. Whether it is the back to school routine instead of more laid back days of summer or it is the churc...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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7:25
Survival Mode
That space where it is all you can do to take the next step. Flight, fight or freeze has kicked in and you are simply trying to survive the day. Survival mode happens to all of us and it is not where we are at our best. Even when we are in surv...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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6:52
Grace Bats Last
Anne Lamott has been quoted as saying "Grace always bats last." In Ephesians Paul reminds us that grace is a gift of God. It isn't anything we can beg, borrow, or steal. we can't earn it. God gives it. Grace invites us into the story, even if w...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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6:23
Do the Good You Can Do
As we have watched flooding and wars going on all around the world, it is hard not to fall into despair. But recently I have had opportunities to do things for people that they could not repay - nor did I expect them to. Random acts of kindness...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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5:25
What is mine to hold?
In a world in crisis, what is mine to hold? I cannot solve the Middle East, Ukraine, ICE, the floods, so what is mine to hold. The Bible repeatedly tells us not to be anxious but to cast our cares on God. How do we do that? How do we do what we...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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5:19
Heartbroken
The news of flash floods in the Texas Hill Country and so many people, including lots of young campers who have died or are yet unaccounted for is heartbreaking. I have spent time in the Texas Hill Country. I have driven past those camps. I hav...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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7:14
Community
I have seen in recent weeks the need for community. We read about community and its importance throughout the Bible. We need others. We need relationship. Community can help support us in times of need, celebrate when we celebrate and weep or m...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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5:02
Holding on to God's Love
The church I serve is celebrating 40 years of ministry. The day has been in planning for over a year. Then the night before, news breaks that the US has bombed 3 nuclear sites in Iran. I felt the need to address it, but didn't want to take away...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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7:55
Thinking about My Dad
Father's Day weekend and spending time in Branson, MO got me thinking about my dad. He was always looking at the heart of people. He cheered people on when they chased their dreams. He would be proud of his grandkids as they have chased what th...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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8:37
Jumping for Joy
VBS is going on as I record. There are kids laughing, singing and playing all over the church building. There is joy. The adults are having fun and laughing and smiling too. How can we bring more joy into our lives and then share that with the ...
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4:30
Singing in the Darkness
Acts 16 brings an earthquake and a prison escape. However it also brings a picture of people who are free even if they are in chains. Paul and SIlas sing while in prison, they offer worship and praise in the dark of their captivity. They are fr...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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6:08
Space for Grace
Grace - we talk about it in the Christian church a lot, but it is harder to practice. How do we, particularly in busy or difficult seasons of life offer grace to others and to ourselves. Grace does not mean we ignore consequences, but rather, w...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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6:16
Ananias
Ananias appears in the story of the conversion of Saul to Paul. He gets forgotten for his role. He is the one who welcomes Saul even though he is afraid. He is a faithful servant and follows the call of God. Who has acted like Ananias in your l...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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5:46
Agents of LIfe
Peter is one of my favorite disciples. He is bold and brash yet doesn't always understand what he says. He is the one who says he would die for Jesus yet denies Christ three times. Jesus reconciles him on the shore after the resurrection and th...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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6:10
God's Grace at your Left Elbow
A pastor once said this in a sermon. "God's grace is always at your left elbow." Years later that has stuck with me. It was with me through 2 surgeries, I have used it in meeting with others. I pondered this with a couple of people in my congre...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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5:14
The Light after the Darkness
As we arrive at Easter, we have come through the darkness of Holy Week. The tender moments in the upper room replaced with the fear and frenzy of the Passion on Good Friday, although Jesus remains calm. It reminded me of Psalm 23 and that as we...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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4:19
Holy Week
We have entered Holy Week. The palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna" have faded, and if we rush directly to Easter and "Hallelujah!" we miss so much of the story. Holy Week is hard. In the Gospel of Luke the Triumphal Entry is in chapter 19 and...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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7:23
Do, Love, Walk
In Micah 6:8 the question is asked "What does the Lord require of you?" The answer is to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. I have met with people from 2 different organizations in my community. The way things a...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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6:33
Temptations in Luke
This Lenten season I have been preaching about temptations as found in Luke's gospel. Luke sends the disciples into a Samaritan village and when they are not welcomed they are ready to fight. Jesus turns anger into grace. At a meal and Jesus wa...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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6:37