In this week’s special episode of our S5 Reads a Classic series, we dive into the enduring wisdom of philosopher and spiritual teacher Dallas Willard. Join us as we explore his vision of Christian spiritual formation, the kingdom of God, and the slow, transformative work of grace in our lives. Whether you're new to Willard or returning to his work with fresh eyes, this sermon will challenge and encourage you to rethink discipleship not as mere behavior modification, but as inner transformation r...
Jul 28, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 45
Dive into Week 2 of our "Reads a Classic" series as Scott introduces us to Brother Lawrence and his timeless classic, The Practice of the Presence of God. Discover how this 17th-century lay monk found profound spiritual transformation in the ordinary, mundane tasks of daily life. Last week, Bobbi took us on a wild ride with Saint Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias—if you missed it, catch up now! This week, we explore Brother Lawrence's revolutionary approach to faith, emphasizing "holy freedom" and f...
Jul 21, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 44
Join Bobbi as she kicks off a new summer series, "Reads a Classic," by diving into the life and visions of Hildegard of Bingen, a remarkable 12th-century prophet and polymath. Discover Hildegard's revolutionary take on Eve, her concept of "viriditas" (holy greening power) flowing through all creation, and her profound vision of the Sapphire Man as Christ. Bobbi encourages us to embrace the "strength of small changes" and find God's "viriditas" in our everyday lives. Tune in for a sermon that wil...
Jul 14, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 43
In the finale of our Colossians series, we explore Paul’s sign-off in Chapter 4—and uncover how his final greetings actually complete a sweeping movement through the letter: from the cosmic scale of Christ’s reconciliation of all things… to the gritty, intimate realities of daily life. ✨ We revisit the major themes: • The Cosmic Opening: Why Paul starts in the stars to talk about daily ethics. • Our Desires and Contributions: How our wants shape the world—and how to reshape them. • Household Cod...
Jun 29, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 42
This sermon delves into Colossians 3:18-4:1, examining Paul's household code concerning wives, husbands, children, fathers, bondservants, and masters. It explores the ancient Greco-Roman context of these instructions, particularly the concept of the paterfamilias, and challenges traditional interpretations by highlighting Paul's radical call for Christ-like mutuality, self-emptying love, and an end to harshness within relationships. The message encourages listeners to consider how these ancient ...
Jun 23, 2025•34 min•Season 11Ep. 41
We're exploring Colossians 3:1-17, connecting cosmic theology to practical daily living. Bobbi discusses desire, how not to live, being beloved, and pursuing shalom (peace). The message includes prayer, scripture readings, and personal stories, encouraging viewers to consider God's love and apply it to their relationships and lives. ★ Support this podcast ★
Jun 16, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 40
Is there something lacking in Christ’s suffering? Did Paul really mean that he could “fill up what is still lacking” in Jesus’ afflictions? And what does that mean for your life today? In this week’s sermon, we dive deep into Colossians chapter 2, exploring the tension between divine reconciliation and human responsibility. We wrestle with profound themes like: • “Yeah, but…” — How Paul’s writing balances cosmic hope with real-world warnings • Mystical Union — What it means to participate in Chr...
Jun 09, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 39
What does the universe have to do with your daily life? In this opening message of our new series on Colossians, we explore the mystery and depth of Paul’s poetic vision—anchored in a Christ who holds all things together. Join us as we unpack: 🖋 Authorship & Literary Context – Why is Colossians such an anomaly? What do scholars say about who wrote it? 📜 Ancient Christian Hymns – Is Paul quoting early worship songs to shape his theology? 🌌 Cosmic Gospel Foundations – What does it mean for ...
Jun 02, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 38
Today we explore themes of death, grief, resurrection, and "small d" and "big D" death, using passages from Matthew 9. Bobbi also introduces the "Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement" and the "Ars Moriendi," offering practical ways to think about and prepare for death and grief. ★ Support this podcast ★
May 26, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 37
Welcome to Commons! Today, Bobbi explores the theme of marriage and partnership in our "Strange New World" series, reflecting on how the resurrection reshapes our lives. We'll dive into what the Bible says (or doesn't say!) about relationships, Jesus' teachings, and what it means to build "pocket parks" of love in our lives. Join us as we ponder love, healing, and community in light of Easter. Topics Covered: Marriage & partnership in a Christian context Jesus' teachings on divorce and union...
May 19, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 36
Baptism is more than just a ritual — it’s a layered encounter with grace that stretches from ancient Jewish practices to the earliest Christian communities. But why do we do it? And how does it shape our faith today? In this thoughtful reflection, we explore: 🌊 The surprising roots of baptism in Jewish mikvah rituals ✝️ How John the Baptist reimagined cleansing as repentance 🙏 Why Jesus chose to be baptized — and what it means for us 🌅 How baptism became one of the earliest Christian practice...
May 12, 2025•33 min•Season 11Ep. 35
Life is different in the light of Easter. Easter plops us into a world that is supposed to feel brand new. We’ve just experienced resurrection, after all. Shouldn’t the world be all white daisies and blue skies? Well, yes and no. The thing about living resurrection is that we live it even as we wait for it. Resurrection re-orders life with the expectation that nothing is ever really over. After the winter, there’s the warm spring. After the violence, there’s the opportunity to practice peace. In...
May 05, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 34
The Table — not the cross — is the symbol Jesus chose to remember him by. In this Easter reflection, we step into the Strange New World of resurrection and explore why the Eucharist, Communion, and the Lord’s Supper have always been at the heart of Christian practice. Long before the gospels were written, before theology was fully formed, the first followers of Jesus gathered around a table — and they experienced grace you could taste . In this video, discover: 🕊 Why Jesus asked to be remembere...
Apr 28, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 33
Why does Easter begin with something as heartbreaking — and irreversible — as death? In this honest, layered Easter message, Jeremy shares a deeply personal reflection on parenting, grief, and the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. From losing a beloved family dog to wrestling with theological shorthand that reduces Easter to a transaction, this is an exploration of why the cross is not about God’s anger — but about God’s grace. Through the words of Jesus in John 12, we rediscover: • ✝️ The...
Apr 21, 2025•26 min•Season 11Ep. 32
On this Palm Sunday, we join the joyful chorus, shouting “Hosanna!” as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We thank You for sending Your Son, our humble King, who comes in peace and love. As we wave our palms and lay down our cloaks, may we open our hearts to welcome him fully. Help us to follow his path of humility, service, and sacrifice. Prepare us for the journey ahead, through the joy and the sorrow, leading us to the promise of resurrection. May our lives reflect his light...
Apr 14, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 31
Today we explore the powerful conclusion to the Lord's Prayer, examining the familiar yet mysterious lines about temptation, evil, and the well-known benediction: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever." In this message, we unpack some fascinating questions: Why do we ask God not to lead us into temptation? Does God actually tempt us? What exactly is "the evil" we’re being delivered from? Is it the devil, or something closer to home? Where did the popular benediction at the ...
Apr 06, 2025•32 min•Season 11Ep. 30
Today, we dive into one of the most challenging and profound lines from the Lord’s Prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," or is it "trespasses"? In this powerful exploration, we unpack the deep metaphors behind "debts" and "trespasses," examining our obligations, broken boundaries, and the true possibilities of forgiveness. What happens when forgiveness feels unfair? Can we forgive even when we've been intentionally hurt? And how do we navigate forgiveness in everyday relation...
Mar 31, 2025•33 min•Season 11Ep. 29
Join Bobbi from Commons Church on March 23, 2025, as she explores the powerful line from the Lord's Prayer: "Give us today our daily bread." This isn't just about physical food, but about all our needs – physical, emotional, and spiritual. In this thought-provoking talk, Bobbi delves into the historical and social context of this prayer, connecting it to the Exodus story and the concept of Sabbath rest. She shares personal reflections on her own prayer journey and the many forms prayer can take....
Mar 24, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 28
This week, we dive deep into the heart of the Lord’s Prayer—exploring what Jesus teaches us about prayer and how it can transform our spiritual lives. We begin by reflecting on Meister Eckhart's profound reminder: "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you,' it will be enough." With this powerful simplicity, we enter into a discussion about how the language we choose in prayer shapes our relationship with God and one another. Today’s sermon invites us to explore: Prayerfu...
Mar 17, 2025•32 min•Season 11Ep. 27
🙏 What if prayer isn’t what you thought? 🙏 If you’ve ever struggled with prayer, you’re not alone. Is it worship, wishful thinking, or something we say to make life better? Today, we’re diving into what prayer really means by exploring Jesus’ surprising critique of hypocrites, publicists, and pagans, as well as a hilarious yet heartfelt prayer from Tina Fey’s Bossypants. We’ll unpack how prayer can be humorous, deeply honest, and profoundly human—all at once. Maybe prayer was never meant to be...
Mar 10, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 26
Today, we dive deep into one of the most pivotal and tragic moments in the story of David—the moment where everything shifts. We’ll explore: ✅ War for the sake of war ✅ Rooftop encounters and unchecked power ✅ Like father, like son—how brokenness repeats ✅ Learning the lessons before it’s too late Before we begin, a content warning: this episode deals with themes of sexual assault and violence. I’ll handle these topics with care, but if you need to skip this one for your well-being, I completely...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min•Season 11Ep. 25
In the fifth sermon in our Becoming King series David finally becomes king! Bobbi takes us through the beginning of David’s kingship and the questions that surround his ascension. Becoming King: David is anointed by the elders of Israel and finally made king. He’s got everything a king could want, power, riches, and God on his side. However, Bobbi shows us that David’s meteoric rise to power brings with it questions like, what will the future hold for someone who seemingly has it all? What insec...
Feb 24, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 24
This week, we’re revisiting the story of David—but through the lens of his deep and loyal friendship with Jonathan. It’s complicated: Jonathan is the son of Saul, the very man trying to kill David, and David is married to Saul’s daughter. Talk about family drama! We’ll explore themes of paranoia, uncertainty, friendship, and honesty —and what they reveal about Saul’s growing insecurity and David’s unwavering bond with Jonathan. Along the way, we’ll unpack: ✅ Why Saul’s paranoia led to his downfa...
Feb 17, 2025•32 min•Season 11Ep. 23
Join us as we dive into the story of David, fresh off his victory over Goliath, and discover that becoming king is far from a smooth ride! 👑 We explore David's complex relationship with Saul, filled with suspicion and unexpected twists. ⚔️ From dramatic escapes to moral dilemmas in caves, this story has it all! 🤔 We also look at how David's experiences mirror our own life journeys – with all their delays, disasters, and unexpected turns. 🔄 Plus, a little proverb and the power of lament as a w...
Feb 10, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 22
Today, we dive into one of the most famous stories of all time—the showdown between David and Goliath. But this isn’t just a tale of an underdog with a slingshot; it’s a story about identity, power, and the narratives we choose to believe. We’ll explore: 🔥 The power of the underdog story 🎶 The baffled hallelujah that connects us all 🐻 Why bears come before giants in our journeys ⚔️ How David’s rise reveals deeper truths about leadership, ambition, and faith And of course, we’ll meet him—Golia...
Feb 03, 2025•32 min•Season 11Ep. 21
In this part one, we dive deep into the story of David—the shepherd boy chosen to be Israel’s greatest king. But before his rise, we must first understand the fall of Saul, the last judge, and the evolving concept of God within the Hebrew Scriptures. From the crisis-driven leadership of the judges to Israel’s desire for a king, this journey explores how power, leadership, and divine purpose shape history. What does it truly mean to be “a man after God’s own heart”? And how does David’s story ult...
Jan 27, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 20
Let’s start the new year expanding ideas of intimacy, attention, and intention as more of an art than a solution. The thing about art––be it dancing, painting, or writing––is that there are endless layers and iterations to all that we create. ★ Support this podcast ★
Jan 20, 2025•25 min•Season 11Ep. 19
Join us this week as we explore The Art of Attention—the second installment in our series on intimacy and relationships. Building on last week’s focus on intentionality, we’ll dive into what it means to truly listen, notice, and connect with the people in our lives. This episode covers: • The lessons hidden in everyday moments, like a Tuesday family dinner. • How our brains naturally filter information and the importance of curiosity in overcoming these limits. • A deeper look at Jesus’ attentiv...
Jan 13, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 18
What does it take to cultivate meaningful, authentic relationships in a world that thrives on distraction? This week, we explore the challenges and beauty of fostering deeper connections with friends, partners, and even ourselves. It’s about setting boundaries, being intentional, and finding intimacy in ways that truly matter. ★ Support this podcast ★
Jan 06, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 17
We explore the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana and uncover its deeper meaning during the Christmas season. Through themes of anticipation, divine timing, and the power of small moments, this story invites us to recognize the presence of God in the ordinary and embrace the joy of transformation. A reflection on the beauty of faith and the magic of Christmas. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dec 23, 2024•32 min•Season 11Ep. 16
