Matt and Merry talk about the Infancy Gospel of Jesus. This book was written as early as the 2nd century CE, and claims to be stories from Jesus' childhood from his own brother. You might think that Jesus was a little angel, but he was kind of a brat. We share some of these stories, and try to figure out why people wrote and published them. Along the way, we chat about a flavored coffee creation, Christmas themed beers, and a weird show airing on the Smithsonian Channel.
Nov 21, 2021•52 min
Matt and Merry talk about a lost gospel discovered in the 20th century, the Gospel of Mary. They chat about who Mary was, why the book was written, and the ancient debates it reveals among the early Christian communities. Along the way, they talk about the joys of home ownership when things start to break, and about getting ready for Christmas.
Nov 15, 2021•57 min
Matt and Merry start a new series where we look at books that didn't make it into the Bible. This week, we chat about the Gospel of Thomas. Along the way, we chat about beef, bonfires, cigars, and the resurgence of Abba.
Nov 08, 2021•55 min
Matt and Merry talk about the recent exodus from conservative evangelical churches. Why do people leave, and where do they go? Along the way, we chat about running across the Chesapeake Bay, trick or treating, and our awesome family costume theme.
Nov 01, 2021•58 min
Matt and Merry reflect on the story of Jesus healing a blind man. What did it mean back then when the blind received sight, and what does that mean for us today? Along the way we chat about what happens when pumpkins stay outside too long, our halloween costumes, and a strange new take on Joshua’s battle for Jericho.
Oct 25, 2021•41 min
Do we live in a world that provides abundantly for everyone, or in a world where resources are scarce? Matt and Merry examine humanity's "default position," a mindset of scarcity. This leads to unnecessary conflicts, divisions, and self-imposed suffering. We chat about how developing a mindset of abundance may not only improve our own quality of life, but also of those around us. We then lean on the promise of God that creation produces resources in abundance so that all people can have enough. ...
Oct 18, 2021•42 min
Matt and Merry chat about a strange saying by Jesus about how we can get eternal life. Sell everything?! Along the way we talk about the confusing world of social media, classes on Zoom, and meeting a few people from Palestine.
Oct 11, 2021•47 min
Star Wars a parable? If Jesus was here today, would he have used the popular movie series to communicate deeper truths? Matt and Merry think so. We chat talk about how we can use popular stories of today the way Jesus used popular stories in his day. Along the way, we chat about pumpkin patches, hay rides, and winning money at a casino.
Oct 04, 2021•59 min
Matt and Merry chat about quarter auctions, sick days, and what a modern retelling of the story of the Good Samaritan might look like.
Sep 27, 2021•47 min
Did Jesus have a wife? Years ago, a professor at Harvard claimed to have found an ancient book that claimed he did. Matt and Merry chat about the strange story of this discovery. Along the way, they chat about one of their first dates, doppelgängers, and #toddlerlife.
Sep 20, 2021•51 min
What do you picture when you think of two people being reconciled? This week, Matt and Merry talk about what reconciliation is, what it looks like, and how people who can’t stand being around each other may still be reconciled. Along the way, they talk about carpeted grocery stores, flowriding, and why they never exchange anniversary gifts.
Aug 23, 2021•44 min
Matt and Merry continue their series about the complicated relationship between two brother, Jacob and Esau. This week, they are locked in a feud, and Esau has vowed to kill his brother the next time he sees him. So, Jacob runs away to his Uncle Laban’s house, and he stays there for 14 years. While there, he finds the love of his life, and becomes immensely wealthy. But now, he is ready to return home, face his fears, and try reconciling to his brother. Along the way, Matt and Merry chat about r...
Aug 16, 2021•44 min
Matt and Merry begin 3 part series about Esau and Jacob from the book of Genesis. Esau is set to inherit his father’s wealth and position in the family. But Jacob has ambition, and he wants to be top dog. What happens when these two brothers clash over who will succeed their father? Along the way, they chat about Chinese vegetables, co-op farms, and the uncanny ability of Merry’s family to make new friends.
Aug 09, 2021•45 min
Beware the lone and solitary voice behind a pulpit. The Good News of God is heard most in community—in conversation, in discussion, in debate, in interaction—that is where the voice of God echoes loudly. Matt and Merry chat about what is was like when Jesus preached, and how it may have been very different than what we see in churches today. Along the way, they talk about petting zoos, giraffes, how to get better at golf, and why “mansplaining” should be renamed “aggressive sharing."...
Aug 02, 2021•44 min
Matt and Merry chat about how to plan an unplanned vacation, the ever changing sleeping habits of toddlers, the impossibility of ever gettin good at golf, and the cool thing coming up on the podcast in the next few months.
Jul 12, 2021•29 min
Matt and Merry wrap up their series, Exiles, by talking about God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth, and how this promise is as much about today as it is about tomorrow. Along the way they chat about chocolate eggs, princess birthday parties, and Independence Day the movie.
Jul 05, 2021•40 min
Matt and Merry continue their series, Exiles, by focusing on the experience of the ancient Israelites who lived under Roman Occupation. We reflect on the ways the ancient people resisted Rome, and reflect on how the things we do today help or hurt our chances of emerging from our own exile moments in life. Along the way, we chat about our first visit to a restaurant in over a year, having people over to our house, and seeing family for the first time in a while.
Jun 28, 2021•40 min
Sometimes life can be tough, and we find ourselves fighting with feelings of sadness and grief. Our culture tends to devalue these feelings, and encourages us to push them away or push them deep down inside. Matt and Merry take a look at some of the laments that appear in the Bible, chat about dealing with our negative emotions, and the importance of praying our laments as a spiritual practice. Along the way, they talk about running 5k’s, having team spirit, and the sore muscles that come with b...
Jun 21, 2021•41 min
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about the purpose of prayer. Why do we pray? What’s the point? They look at the story of the ancient Israelites escaping from Egypt by crossing the Red Sea. How did they pray so many years ago, and what does that teach us about how we ought to pray today? Along the way, they talk about forgetting what’s on the calendar, bird songs, and the start of Pr. Matt’s brand new avian congregation.
Jun 14, 2021•34 min
Matt and Merry continue their series, Exiles. This week, they talk about the Adam and Eve story, and how they managed to lose paradise. But they weren't victims. They chose to know the difference between right and wrong. What are the consequences? From their time to ours, when we choose to do the wrong thing, we lose a little bit more of paradise, and feel exiled from ourselves, each other, and from God. Matt and Merry reflect on the power we have to make the world a better place when we choose ...
Jun 07, 2021•40 min
Matt and Merry begin a new series called Exiles. They will take a look at the exile experiences of the Ancient Israelites, where they found hope in it all, and what we can take from that today. They start off by looking at an important road that made ancient Israel an important piece of land to control. While that seems like good news for them, it was quite the opposite. Year after year they were left wondering why they were always under the thumb of a foreign power, and where God was through it...
Jun 01, 2021•37 min
Pr. Matt and Merry wrap up their spring series, Raised to Life, with some reflections on seemingly small events that changed the world. They draw some parallels between these things and the small things we do today, and encourage us to trust that God is changing the world through us, even through the seemingly small things we do everyday. Along the way, they share the fashion genius of their daughter, bring-your-own-toilet-paper culture of Taiwan, and a new use for fanny packs.
May 24, 2021•46 min
Some say that good things come to those who wait. But those good things are usually what’s left behind by those who hustled. Matt and Merry chat about this proverb, and what this has to do with the tradition that Jesus’ resurrection happened exclusively in Jerusalem. Along the way, they chat about yacht clubs, pirate cruises in the Chesapeake Bay, and classic rock cover bands.
May 17, 2021•33 min
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about two resurrection traditions in the Bible. One happens in Jerusalem, and the other in Galilee. This week, they focus on Jesus’s resurrection appearances around the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, they talk about Mother’s Day, popcorn poppers, and an unexpected and life changing event that happened in the drive-thru of a Chick-fil-A.
May 10, 2021•46 min
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about what salvation is all about. Why was Jesus’ tomb empty? Why did he appear to his followers? Was it all for eternal life? Or is something else going on here? We look at the Gospel of John to help us understand God’s emphasis on saving and transforming our lives and our world here and now on this wide of eternity. Along the way, we chat about birthdays, the appropriate amount of gifts to get, and the glories of ice cream cake.
May 03, 2021•49 min
Pr. Matt and Merry look at Jesus’ resurrection through Luke’s gospel, and they ask where Jesus is alive for us today. They look at a story called The Road to Emmaus, where Jesus is revealed to a couple people who share a meal together. Turns out, that Jesus is still alive today through communities that share a meal together in his name—Indeed!—Jesus is alive through you. Along the way, they chat about food allergies, hospital visits, and show us how to use an excessive amount of sports analogies...
Apr 26, 2021•34 min
Matt and Merry dive into the resurrection in Matthew's gospel account. But, before they get there, they chat about softball teams, kickball leagues, and making real the dream of Living Water's new mascot, The Fightin' Crabs. Then, they chat about Jesus appearing in Galilee to his followers. Some of them trusted in Jesus' movement even after he had to leave them, but some doubted and hesitated. They look at how for almost everyone who has ever existed, faith and doubt go together like PB&J, c...
Apr 19, 2021•43 min
Matt and Merry kickoff their series, Raised to Life. This week, they talk about the Jesus’ resurrection account from Mark. Along the way, they chat about a few popular cliffhangers from books and movies, reading on planes, and they come up with a great mascot for members of Living Water.
Apr 12, 2021•35 min
Matt and Merry chat about what worries them in life, and about people's ultimate concern. They then ponder about what God worries about, and what God's ultimate concern is. They talk about all of this through the lens of Jesus' resurrection, and the report of the empty tomb on Easter morning.
Apr 04, 2021•33 min
We tell the story of Good Friday with musical meditation.
Apr 02, 2021•39 min
