When someone says I’m going to give church a try the next question is, “Which church?” Here’s a resource to make one aware of the factors that may help make that decision. This is Part 3 of the series on church.Churches are diverse. Many nuances make individual congregations unique. Here are some musings on the style of churches. How the church feels when I walk in the door. How it plays out in relationships. We discuss the impact that church life of the American frontier during the early 19th Century continues to impact church now. Camp meetings became a template of revivalism and nondenominational Christianity. Church size and organization structure strongly determine the experience of those entering into the life of a congregation. Scripture includes Acts 16:31-34 with a discussion of “household” as a translation of the Greek “oikos”.Support the show

Beyond Denominations, the practical ways in which churches work

In this deep dive into Christian denominations we hope to create pathways of understanding. We dive deep into background issues that make denominations different from each other. Many nuances make church denominations and congregations unique. Understanding these can only enhance understanding among believers. Our season 1 podcast, “5 Principles of Interpretation” answering, “How do you build your faith from the core out?” is a good companion to this podcast. When someone says I’m going to give church a try the next question is, “Which church?” Here’s a resource to make one aware of the factors that go into making that decision.Support the show

Deep Dive Denominations

Church experience can have a lot of negatives, still, in this podcast we talk about how one life can make a difference in the lives of other people in this environment we call the church. Meet Mary, who when her church closed said to herself, “I decided to pick up my faith one more time and find a new church.” Find out why and how she made church life better for many.  We could get so hung up on the details of the structure or doctrine of the church, that those can be spot on to what we believe is right, and the church can be unhealthy in relationships because people are not being open and honest and not connecting with each other. Scriptures include Acts 11:19-26.Support the show

The Church Lady - the difference of one life

The ideal “to never stop praying” has fed a misconception that the most heartfelt practice of prayer is impromptu, extemporaneous, or conversational.Mindful prayer IS in the moment, yet that does not mean that the words of my prayer must always be without forethought. Impromptu prayers can leave us with fewer and fewer words to speak to God. This approach to prayer may become just as repetitive as any prepared or memorized prayers. We  consider new approaches to prayer to help move us out of prayer doldrums, engaging our creative selves to be intimately talking to God. Scriptures include 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Matthew 6:7-13, and Psalms 3, 5, 8 and 139.AND, there’s a lot of singing in this episode - impromptu singing!Support the show

Heartfelt Creative Prayer

Let’s talk dirt and plants, “nature” and mindfulness, and spiritual experience. It’s common to think that nature has little to do with Christian spirituality. We discuss ways we can be in the elements and experience God - to know him better. Knowing our elemental composition may lead us to engage fully in life. Listen in as Tony, Sandy and Micah share personal ways they connect to nature. The last 10 minutes includes an exploration about the elemental nature of church sacraments. Bible passages include Genesis 2, Psalm 8, and Psalm 139.Check out our previous podcast (Season 2, Episode 9, Let’s Talk About Zombies & Ghosts.Support the show

Dirt, Clods, and Me

Meditations with pace, rhythm, and cadence can strengthen the practice of mindfulness. Words or phrases that help one to be in the moment rather than in the future lead to the best practice in mindfulness. Find passages to coincide with your circumstances such as:Meditations of inner serenity; Meditations of personal or spiritual growth;Meditations of community. Mindfulness is a fundamental practice to let good dwell in one’s heart and soul. Passages in this podcast include Psalms 27 and 46; Zephaniah 3:17; Colosians 2:5-7; and Matthew 25:40.Support the show

Mindfulness - How Do I Practice Mindfulness?

A perfect way to practice mindfulness is during seasons like Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas or any other spiritual holy day or season. Jesus asked his followers to keep watch (vigil) with him on the night he was betrayed. His birth found shepherds keeping watch over their sheep at night. Keeping watch opens us up to new spiritual experiences. Passages include Mark 14:32-42.Support the show

Vigil as a Mindfulness Practice

What's the big deal about mindfulness? Why bother? Many are drawn to mindfulness through the desperation of their anxiety. Others are looking for a competitive edge in the workplace. Some practice it to be one in reality. Some Christians pursue mindfulness to attain a holiness of life and others to know God. Explore reasons to practice mindfulness with us in this podcast. Passages include Psalms 131 and 46. Support the show

Mindfulness - Why Practice It?

Listen in on a conversation that introduces the why and how of the practice of mindfulness. Growing in mindfulness in a simple moment sets us up to be mindful in a chaotic moment. One leaves behind the double-mindedness that works against mindfulness. Passages include Genesis 2:7, James 4:8, and Luke 6:44-46. Previous podcasts referenced are Zombies and Ghosts and What is a Soul?Support the show

Wholeness and Awareness Via Mindfulness

We want to share a Christmas meditation for this season. You may be longing for a good Christmas experience and we want to encourage you. In this podcast we share how we may experience Christmas peace. What can you do to have that peace? Listen to this meditation for some ideas.Support the show

A Christmas Meditation

What is a mentor? How can I find one? How can I be a good one? A mentor in the basic sense is a role model in some area of life: work, family, spirituality, and so on. Become acquainted with the mentoring relationship of Paul and Timothy found in the Bible. Mentees are inclined to imitate a mentor. It's the reason they may have chosen that person as a mentor. A mentor is looking for someone who is striving to grow.Support the show

Mentors & Mentees

Some people feel isolated at work because the system has come off the rails. It has become a place where a person doesn’t feel supported, doesn't  feel credit is given for the work done. Exhaustion is the rule of the daily grind.COVID has probably put the spotlight on what was already the case. How are we to approach the Great Resignation of 2021?We think about how we can find joy in our work. We are trying to find the answer to “What is my spot on the team?” Scriptures include Genesis 1:28, Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:22 and 4:8-10, and Ephesians 4:28.Support the show

The Great Resignation

Making amends is defined and compared with merely asking for forgiveness. Recovery groups and counselors, religions and sacred writings all speak to how people make things right with those they’ve hurt or used. An alternative to amends, forgetting, is addressed. Forgetting can help us find our way to the light. Scriptures considered include Luke 19:7-9, Matthew 5:23–24, and Luke 6:31. Support the show

Are Amends Really Necessary?

How can I be aware of the presence of God day by day? I’m placing guiding markers: Love and Faith and Hope. Every day we come to a moment when we act on the most important thing that needs to happen today. That is to connect with God. We experience God when we put a priority on his presence and imitate his nature of love.Support the show

Life in The Spirit

How can I recognize when someone is abusing me? How can I make a good decision on spiritual teachers? A toxic teacher puts forward novel or elitist ideas that reflect their broken character rather than the inspired Word of God. Toxic teachers eventually become focused on gaining (& controlling) followers. The warning signs of toxicity are discussed along with traits that make followers vulnerable to toxic teachers. Paul’s letters to Timothy are the primary resource in this podcast.Support the show

Toxic Teachers & Their Followers

Are science and faith in conflict and exclusive of each other?A lot is encompassed in “science and faith.” But fundamentally, it all comes down to cosmology - views about origins. Listen in as we cover some common ground in this discussion. Passages include Genesis 1:1, Romans 1:18-20, Hebrews 11:6, and Ecclesiastes 12:13.Support the show

Science and Faith - What's at Stake?

How can I be sure? How do I have assurance of being right with God when I’m so uncertain about my life? How can I know I’m saved when I feel so far away from God? This episode visits these questions and provides assurance. Assurance is confidently believing that we’re connected to God. We refer to a previous podcast about God. Here’s that link: Know God podcast on God’s will.Support the show

Knowing I'm Right With God

What should a person expect out of aligning one’s mind and heart to biblical teaching? Two alternatives are contrasted and have everything to do with the desire to have “enough” for the good life. Scriptures include 1 Timothy 1:5, 5:6, 6:5-19; and Luke 12:13-26.Support the show

Live Long & Prosper

Times of great disruption are the moments to draw close to God in community with others. Consistent connection in community is what gives us herd immunity to all kinds of evil and chaos and sets us on a positive life. Scriptures include Acts chapter 11.Support the show

Intimacy With God, Pt 2

Intimacy with God comes in unexpected ways and moments. One’s connection with God is made healthy by connection with other people. Scriptures include Luke 24:30-32; Acts chapters 1, 2, 4, 11, and 13.Support the show

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