Why did God choose Moses to lead the Israelites from slavery? Was Moses a solid choice? What religion was Moses before the burning bush? By what name did the LORD choose to be called? "An unlikely choice" is based on Exodus 3:1-15 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was...
Jul 06, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 16
How was James the disciple killed? Why was Peter arrested by Herod? How should we decide where we place our loyalty? "Be wary of who you serve" is based on Acts 12:1-19 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him ove...
Jun 22, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 15
How did the pharaoh "other" the Israelites? Who stopped the Hebrew babies from being killed? When is it okay to lie? "An exodus from violence" is based on Exodus 1:8-22. Now a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmas...
Jun 08, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 14
What were the economics of early Christians? Is anyone smited in the New Testament? What does it mean to hold things in common? "Ideal Economics" is based on Acts 4:32-5:11 Works Referenced Armas, Kat. "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." National Catholic Reporter . February 1, 2025. https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/jd-vance-wrong-jesus-doesnt-ask-us-rank-our-love-others Jenkins, Jack. "Shane Claiborne, Four Other Faith Activists Arrested While Pr...
May 25, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Who was Koheleth? Why did Ecclesiastes almost not make it into the Bible? How does Ecclesiastes address life's big questions? "Koheleth and kairos" is based on Ecclesiastes 3:9-22 What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there...
May 11, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 12
When did Jesus make breakfast for his disciples? Does John's gospel have two endings? What was Jesus' last miracle? What is your call? "Called to abundance" is based on John 21:1-14. After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to h...
Apr 27, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 11
What is a proverb? Does wisdom change with time? Where does wisdom come from? Is wisdom more important than intelligence? "A case for natural wisdom" is based on Proverbs 1 Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my th...
Apr 12, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Who is our Advocate? When should we go outside? What were Jesus' final words to his disciples? Did he ever stay inside? "But sometimes we stay inside" is a reflection on John 14:15-31 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you. “I will not ...
Mar 30, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Who was Jacob? What happens when two master tricksters face off? Are relationships more important than being right? Where are you unwilling to compromise? "White sticks, speckled sheep, and a pile of rocks" is a reflection based on Genesis 30:25-43 . Works Referenced Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis. (Interpretation: a Bible commentary for teaching and preaching). Atlanta, Georgia: John Knox Press, 1982. De La Torre, Miguel A. Genesis. BELIEF: A Theological Commentary on the Bible) . Louisville, Ken...
Mar 16, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 8
What did Jesus write on the ground when some men were determined to stone a woman to death? What truth did Jesus want the people to know? What is the Enneagram? How does a Jesus follower stay committed in the face of discouragement? "Why I rearrange the dishwasher (and when I shouldn’t)" is a reflection based on John 8. John 8:31-38 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make yo...
Mar 02, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 7
How old is the concept of hospitality? When should we offer hospitality and to whom? Why were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? Who was Abraham? "Father Abraham had seven sons . . . and a lot of issues" is based on Genesis 18:17-21. The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him t...
Feb 16, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 6
What is mercy? Why would someone have a problem with it? What happens when you invite Jesus to join you for a conversation? "The problem with mercy" is a reflection on John 3:19-21. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clear...
Feb 02, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Which creation account came first? What is your creation story? What is our purpose in being here? How should we relate to God, to one another, and to the rest of creation? "What if Genesis 2 came first?" is based on Genesis 2:4b-9. In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no vegetation of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground, but a str...
Jan 19, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 4
How is Jesus the Word? How long has he been around? How much God could fit into the human body of Jesus? How much of God’s knowledge could Jesus hold in his human brain? "How much God could Jesus hold?" is based on John 1:1-18. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of...
Jan 05, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Are we in a period of challenges? What makes you feel safe? Was the prophet Micah talking about Jesus? Do you see reason for hope, peace, joy, and love this season? "Peace, security, and shalom" is based on Micah 5:2-5a. But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; ...
Dec 22, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Who among us sit in darkness? Against what backdrop do we live our lives? Why does cryptocurrency matter? How do we find our way to peace in this holiday season? "Peace against a dark backdrop" is based on Luke 1:68-79 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his child David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and fro...
Dec 08, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 1
How do people in crisis find a way forward? What is an apocalypse? In what direction is the world headed? Does justice win in the end? "Envisioning a path forward . . . for all times" is based on Daniel 7 & Revelation 1 Works Referenced Carey, Greg. “Revelation.” NT100: Introduction to the New Testament (class lecture, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA, February 7, 2020). Carey, Greg. Ultimate Things: An Introduction to Jewish and Christian Apocalyptic Literature . St. Louis, Mis...
Nov 24, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 26
What did Jesus say about the widow who gave her last two coins? What did Jesus say about the scribes? Where should we focus our efforts toward positive change? How are people feeling about the presidential election? "Giving all you have . . . to live on" is based on Mark 12:38-44. As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They...
Nov 10, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 25
What or who do you think of when you hear the word "priest"? Who were the high priests? Do we have a high priest? How should the role of pastor evolve today? "Leveling (up) the priesthood" is based on Hebrews 7:23-28. Furthermore, the former priests were many in number because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he alway...
Oct 27, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 24
"The thing that’s just within your reach" is based on Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 & Mark 10:17-31 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.’ ” ...
Oct 13, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 23
When is it okay to kill a lot of people? How do the stories we tell ourselves sometimes lead to violence? How can we work within broken systems to promote survival? "The stories that help us kill" is based on Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22 . References Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: Third Edition (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018), Kindle edition. Death Penalty Information Center. “Facts about the Death Penalty.” Accessed September 25, 2024. https://dpic-cdn.org/production/documents...
Sep 29, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Was Jesus a manly man? Does that matter? Is there a temptation to make Jesus who we want him to be? What does it mean to be ashamed of Jesus? "Ashamed of Jesus?" is based on Mark 8:27-38 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “Yo...
Sep 15, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Where does generosity come from? Is there enough for everyone? Did James barely make it into the Bible? What do we know that Paul didn't? "What James gets right and Paul gets wrong" is based on James 1:17-27. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of...
Sep 01, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 20
What gift did King Solomon have? Was he a perfect king? What is wisdom? Which Bible verses are most important? "Oh, by the way..." is based on 1 Kings 2 & 3 Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David. The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes...
Aug 18, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 19
What is the bread of heaven? Do we need to chase what truly sustains us? How can we be misled into adopting a way of living that harms our neighbors and ourselves? "Chasing sustenance" is based on Exodus 16 & John 6 *** Works Referenced “1993 World Trade Center bombing.” Wikipedia. Accessed July 30, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_World_Trade_Center_bombing Alter, Robert. The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary . New York City: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2019, Kindle ed...
Aug 04, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 18
When is political violence okay? Should we only look at the scripture passages we like? What does justice, kindness, and humility look like in our culture? How should a person of faith act during a contentious election season? "Picking cherries" is based on Micah 6:6-16 Works Referenced Ben Zvi, Ehud. “Micah.” In The Jewish Study Bible: Second Edition , edited by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. Bridgeman, Valeria. “Womanist Approaches to the Prophets.” ...
Jul 21, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 17
What was Paul's thorn? How did Paul find strength in weakness? Are there super apostles today? Is Christian Nationalism Christian? "Thorny reminders" is based on 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, th...
Jul 07, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Why does God permit pain and suffering? Why do bad things happen to good people? What happened to Job? Does the book of Job tell us why evil exists? "Words fall short" is a reflection based on Job 38:1-11. Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you shall declare to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who deter...
Jun 23, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Why was Jesus accused of conspiring with the ruler of the demons? What was his response to those accusations? What "strong man" did he plunder? Who are the strong men in our midst? Who was part of Jesus' family? "Jesus the Plunderer" is based on Mark 3:20-35. Then he went home, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusa...
Jun 09, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 14
What is prophecy? When did Isaiah prophecy? What happened when Jesus talked to Nicodemus? What does prophecy look like today? When should we prophesy? “A word that no one wants to hear” is based on Isaiah 6:1-8 & John 3:1-17 Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their fee...
May 26, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 13
