Who is the Holy Spirit? How does the Holy Spirit work in the world? How do you experience the Holy Spirt? What does witness look like? "Your Holy Spirit" is based on Acts 1:1-11. In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during ...
May 12, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 12
What did the author of John say about love? What is agape? What does agape look like in our time? What does the opposite of love look like? How does this relate to the climate catastrophe? "Love and its opposite" is a reflection based on 1 John 4:7-21 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the worl...
Apr 28, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 11
What happened when Jesus gathered with his disciples after his resurrection? What did he say would happen next? How do you realize resurrection? How do we become empowered to fulfill our purpose? "Realizing Resurrection" is based on Luke 24:36b-48. Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my...
Apr 14, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 10
What was the resurrection of Jesus? Why is Mark's resurrection story so short? What might resurrection look like in our time? What can we learn from the resurrection? "Reading Resurrection" is a reflection based on Mark 16:1-8. When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will ...
Mar 31, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Why did Jesus compare himself to a grain of wheat? What does it mean to love your life? What does it mean to hate your life on earth? Who was Melchizedek? Why did Jesus have to die? What is eternal life? "Looking Beyond" is a reflection on John 12:20-33. Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesu...
Mar 17, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Is the gospel foolish? Did the wise recognize Jesus? What does foolishness look like today? Does the church need to have a rummage sale? “Foolishness” is a reflection based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is...
Mar 03, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 7
What happened after Jesus' baptism? Why was he tempted in the wilderness? Who tempted him? What does temptation look like today? "A human condition" is a reflection based on Mark 1:9-15. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spi...
Feb 18, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Did Jesus perform exorcisms? What demons existed in his time? Do demons still exist now? If so, in what form? Can an entire culture be possessed? “'Demons,' and other words that matter" is a reflection based on Mark 1:29-39. As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she b...
Feb 04, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 5
What did Paul mean when he wrote "the present form of this world is passing away"? What might that look like? What structures need to change? How can we change them? Did Jesus say the world is going to end? "Changing Structures" is a reflection based on 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though ...
Jan 21, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Who were the wise men? Why is their part of the Christmas story important? What does their story tell us about worldly power? How does Herod compare to powerful people in our context? How will we champion truth in 2024? "The search for truth in '24" is a reflection based on Matthew 2:1-12. In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its ...
Jan 08, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 3
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? How does that relate to the New Testament? How does the Roman Empire compare to our context? Do you feel overwhelmed at Christmastime? How do you win at Christmas? What does it mean to "just believe?" In what do you believe? "Winning Christmas" is a reflection based on Romans 16:25-27. Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret ...
Dec 24, 2023•14 min•Season 4Ep. 2
What can the book of Isaiah tell us about Christmas? How is prophecy sometimes misused? When is certainty a bad thing? When is certainty a good thing? Does the Bible tell us to celebrate Christmas? "A less-certain Christmas" is based on Isaiah 40:1-11. “Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear That she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven! She’s been punished enough and more than enough, and now...
Dec 10, 2023•14 min•Season 4Ep. 1
What is Christ the King Sunday? Why might we be resistant to language about monarchy? What is the right way to grieve? Is it okay to grieve small things when there is so much tragedy in the world? "The sorrows of the universe and a tiny green bird" is a reflection based on Hebrews 1:1-9. Read it at https://intertwinedfc.medium.com. Many times and in many ways God spoke to our mothers and fathers through the prophets, female and male. In these last days God has spoken to us by a Son, whom God app...
Nov 26, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Why did Jesus become angry when he saw the vendors in the temple? What did his actions in the temple mean? What do our temples look like? Should churches own buildings? If so, what should that look like? Can you have a faith community without a building? "No building? No problem." - a reflection based on John 2:14-22. In the temple Jesus found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them out of the temple, [includin...
Nov 12, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 25
When is certainty a bad thing? What consequences can result from certainty? What does certainty look like in faith communities? Of what should we be certain? What are our core beliefs? What should a faith gathering look like? "For sure?" is a reflection based on John 7:37-44. On the last, the great day, of the festival of Booths, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, woman or man, come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'From their belly shal...
Oct 29, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 24
What's it like to grow up in a small town? Was Jesus from a small town? What were his experiences like there? Why did the people from Nazareth not have faith in him? What role does faith play now? In what should we have faith? "It can't happen here?" is a reflection based on Mark 6:1-6. Now Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many women and men who heard him were astounded, saying, "Where did this ...
Oct 15, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 23
What doubts do people of faith face? What temptations might lead us astray? Should we adhere to the mainstream? What does it mean to follow Jesus? "Why bother(?)" is a reflection based on 2 Peter 3:1-13. Now this, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you all; in them I am trying to arouse your genuine understanding by reminding you all that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy women and men who prophesied and the commandment of the Redeemer and Savior spoken through...
Oct 01, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Have you ever been crushed, or filled with despair? Where did you turn when you felt that way? What did Paul mean when he said he was crushed and feared and internal sentence of death? Where did he look for hope? Where do you look for hope when facing struggles? Where do you find community? I explore these questions in "Crushing Despair," a reflection based on 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Medium , Twitter , or Tik Tok . Questions? Write us at in...
Sep 17, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 21
"Recognition, Regret, Repentance, Reconciliation," a reflection based on Luke 19:1-10. Who was Zacchaeus? Why did Jesus spend time with him? What does it mean to repent? Should people feel guilty? Is repentance something that we do as individuals, or collectively? Why does repentance get a bad rap? Is repentance a step on the path to reconciliation? Luke 19:1-10 Now Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. There was a person named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector and was rich. Za...
Sep 03, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 20
"Making Way," a reflection based on 1 Samuel 17:55-18:9 When is it time to make way for someone else to step into a position of authority? When is it time for you to step into a new role? How does is the story of Saul, David, and Jonathan relevant to our lives? What role does jealousy and pride play in our perceptions? 1 Samuel 17:55-18:9 When Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Whose son is this boy, Abner?" Abner said, "By the soul of the...
Aug 20, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 19
"The Path to Truth," a reflection based on Mark 6:14-29. Who was John the Baptist? How did he prepare a path for Jesus? Is the Bible true? How do you find truth? Mark 6:14-29 Now King Herod heard of [the teaching of Jesus], for Jesus's name had become known and some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead and that is why these powers work through him." Yet others said, "It is Elijah" while others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets [of old]." But when Herod hea...
Aug 13, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 18
"Making Kings," a reflection based on 1 Samuel 8:1, 4-18 Why did Israel want a king? What consequences did that bring? Do we have kings now? What does it mean to make something a king? Does referring to God as a king resonate for you? What other names are there for God? Now it was that when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "Look here! You—you are old, and your sons do...
Jul 23, 2023•16 min•Season 3Ep. 17
"Maybe it’s not complicated," a reflection on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. Why didn't the people recognize John the Baptist or Jesus? Why don't we solve problems like hunger, homelessness, and poverty? What would it take to decrease the effect of the climate catastrophe? Is following Jesus complicated? How can a burden be light? "But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;...
Jul 09, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 16
"Life in Common," a reflection based on Acts 2:43-47. What did the early Christian church look like? What does it mean to hold things in common? How did the early church care for those in need? How does the Holy Spirit influence us? How can we care for others within an unjust system? Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Medium , Twitter , or Tik Tok . Questions? Write us at intertwinedfc@gmail.com ....
Jun 25, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 15
"From Quite Constructed to Reconstructing," a reflection based on Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 and Hosea 5:15-6:6. Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Medium , Twitter , or Tik Tok . Questions? Write us at intertwinedfc@gmail.com ....
Jun 11, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 14
"Suffering Suffering," a reflection based on John 11:28-44. How did Jesus respond to the death of his friend Lazarus and the grief of his followers? What questions emerge from the story of the resurrection of Lazarus? What does this story tell us about Jesus? How does this story relate to the death and resurrection of Jesus? What was the response of church officials to the raising of Lazarus? Who and what causes suffering today? What should our response be to suffering? Thanks for listening! Fol...
May 28, 2023•11 min•Season 3Ep. 13
"Extreme Religion," a reflection based on Acts 17:22-31. What idols exist in our society? What practices and rituals do we adopt, and what is the motivation behind them? Where can we find fulfillment? How does idolatry threaten true abundance? And what's up with subscription car washes? Acts 17:22-31 Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship...
May 14, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 12
"Kin-dom Logic," a reflection based on Luke 7:18-20. How is health care distributed in the Kin-dom of God? Who deserves to be sick? Who deserves to be in pain? How does the health care system in our country work? What was important to Jesus? Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Medium , Twitter , or Tik Tok . Questions? Write us at intertwinedfc@gmail.com ....
Apr 30, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 11
"The Eternal, Elusive, Unexpected Spirit," a reflection based on Acts 1:3-14. What is the Holy Spirit? How long has the Holy Spirit been around? How is the Holy Spirit different from Jesus and our Creator or Heavenly Parent? What does it look like when the Holy Spirit acts? What does the Holy Spirit have to do with justice? Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Medium , Twitter , or Tik Tok . Questions? Write us at intertwinedfc@gmail.com ....
Apr 16, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 10
"A Response to Empire," a reflection based on Matthew 21:1-11. What was Palm Sunday about? What else was going on in Jerusalem at that time? Who was Pilate? How was Jesus's entry to Jerusalem a response to the Roman empire? What does Palm Sunday and the message of Jesus mean to us now? Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Medium , Twitter , or Tik Tok . Questions? Write us at intertwinedfc@gmail.com ....
Apr 02, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 9
