When a story is true, not just in fact but in its connection to life as it really is, it becomes a source of life. We get carried along with gracious surprise, finding pieces of ourselves, and who God is for us. This fall we follow the story of Jacob, that conflicted and restless man who wrestled with God. One of our favourite theologians, Abraham Heschel, teaches us that the Bible is more about God’s search for us than our search for God. Jacob’s story is proof of that concept. For what we see ...
Oct 15, 2017•30 min•Season 4Ep. 6
When a story is true, not just in fact but in its connection to life as it really is, it becomes a source of life. We get carried along with gracious surprise, finding pieces of ourselves, and who God is for us. This fall we follow the story of Jacob, that conflicted and restless man who wrestled with God. One of our favourite theologians, Abraham Heschel, teaches us that the Bible is more about God’s search for us than our search for God. Jacob’s story is proof of that concept. For what we see ...
Oct 10, 2017•31 min•Season 4Ep. 5
When a story is true, not just in fact but in its connection to life as it really is, it becomes a source of life. We get carried along with gracious surprise, finding pieces of ourselves, and who God is for us. This fall we follow the story of Jacob, that conflicted and restless man who wrestled with God. One of our favourite theologians, Abraham Heschel, teaches us that the Bible is more about God’s search for us than our search for God. Jacob’s story is proof of that concept. For what we see ...
Oct 02, 2017•31 min•Season 4Ep. 4
It’s our third birthday! And we’re excited. September always feels like a new start. School is back in session, the pause of summer vacation has come to an end, and there is a fresh focus on moving forward with renewed vigour. It’s no different for us at Commons. And so every year we like to start September with a reflection on the central concepts that guide our community. This year however, being on mission is even more important than ever because this year we hope to launch a new parish commu...
Sep 24, 2017•33 min•Season 4Ep. 3
It’s our third birthday! And we’re excited. September always feels like a new start. School is back in session, the pause of summer vacation has come to an end, and there is a fresh focus on moving forward with renewed vigour. It’s no different for us at Commons. And so every year we like to start September with a reflection on the central concepts that guide our community. This year however, being on mission is even more important than ever because this year we hope to launch a new parish commu...
Sep 17, 2017•31 min•Season 4Ep. 2
It’s our third birthday! And we’re excited. September always feels like a new start. School is back in session, the pause of summer vacation has come to an end, and there is a fresh focus on moving forward with renewed vigour. It’s no di erent for us at Commons. And so every year we like to start September with a re ection on the central concepts that guide our community. This year however, being on mission is even more important than ever because this year we hope to launch a new parish communi...
Sep 10, 2017•32 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Sep 04, 2017•32 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Aug 28, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 49
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Aug 20, 2017•33 min•Season 3Ep. 48
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Aug 14, 2017•31 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Obviously there is much work to be done but it starts with the courage to resist evil with the nonviolence of Christ. ★ Support this podcast ★
Aug 13, 2017•2 min
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Aug 09, 2017•31 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Aug 02, 2017•30 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Jul 24, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 44
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Jul 19, 2017•32 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand thi...
Jul 02, 2017•29 min•Season 3Ep. 42
We are very excited to be moving toward the launch of a new parish on the east side of the city core. Visit www.commons.church/inglewood for more details. ★ Support this podcast ★
Jul 02, 2017•3 min
The most common Biblical command is “do not be afraid”. Search your Bible and you will find it repeated dozens of times. It began when God told Abraham, the first man of faith, not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1). And actually, the command could be translated, “stop being afraid!” In other words, Abraham was told to stop fearing as a way of life. And that is the issue, isn’t it. The lingering fears, the constant low-level dread. While momentary fears can come and go, if there is something we are all...
Jun 25, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 41
The most common Biblical command is “do not be afraid”. Search your Bible and you will find it repeated dozens of times. It began when God told Abraham, the first man of faith, not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1). And actually, the command could be translated, “stop being afraid!” In other words, Abraham was told to stop fearing as a way of life. And that is the issue, isn’t it. The lingering fears, the constant low-level dread. While momentary fears can come and go, if there is something we are all...
Jun 18, 2017•31 min•Season 3Ep. 40
The most common Biblical command is “do not be afraid”. Search your Bible and you will find it repeated dozens of times. It began when God told Abraham, the first man of faith, not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1). And actually, the command could be translated, “stop being afraid!” In other words, Abraham was told to stop fearing as a way of life. And that is the issue, isn’t it. The lingering fears, the constant low-level dread. While momentary fears can come and go, if there is something we are all...
Jun 11, 2017•33 min•Season 3Ep. 39
excerpt from the Nicene Creed: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and t...
Jun 11, 2017•3 min
“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep mov...
Jun 04, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 38
“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep mov...
May 28, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 37
“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep mov...
May 21, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 36
“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep mov...
May 14, 2017•31 min•Season 3Ep. 35
“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep mov...
May 07, 2017•29 min•Season 3Ep. 34
“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep mov...
May 01, 2017•34 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Each year at this time we talk about our common vision. Each year we take time to look a little ahead of ourselves, project where our path might lead us, make adjustments if necessary, and re-orient ourselves to our true north. This is the chance to share what is on our minds and hearts, what it is we can do and be for our friends and families, for our communities and work places, for Calgary and our world. This is a day to find alignment as a community around some of our most exciting possibili...
Apr 24, 2017•31 min•Season 3Ep. 32
The Christian faith is an Easter faith. That means it is ultimately a joyous and hopeful view of the world. Christ has triumphed over the enemies of life. Death, sin, and despair have been given an expiry date. Love, hope, and mercy have fully guaranteed futures. But this Easter faith we participate in, does not come cheaply or without challenge. There is a pathway to joy that must be taken seriously. Let us endeavour to truly follow the way of Jesus this Easter with grace and peace. ★ Support t...
Apr 17, 2017•28 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Everything about the cross event was bent to the task of pressuring Jesus toward self-preservation. The core essence of God’s character was under siege. The pivotal question of the ages hung before men and angels, Who is the Ruler of the universe? What is He really made of at heart? Will His love prove itself a sham under pressure, or will He plunge to the deepest depths of total self-sacrifice for others? He could have saved Himself and abandoned us to our selfishness and hate. But He simply, p...
Apr 15, 2017•18 min
