Celtic Preacher

From the beginning of time, people have struggled with shame, humiliation, and fear, which naturally enough leads to hiding.  Since the Garden of Eden, we have attempted to hide from others, ourselves and God.  Jesus' gazes upon Zacchaeus, looked past the shame and confusion and healed Zacchaeus at a depth Zacchaeus never dreamt possible. This pattern is the way God works with us. The text is Luke 19   Episode 69

Comparison is a common thing. We compare ourselves to others and judge how we stack up against another. It is an unhelpful practice, Jesus teaches, because it quickly leads to criticism, stunts our personal growth, and renders our judgments as inaccurate. The text is, The Gospel of Luke 18 The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Episode 68

I'm praying, and nothing is changing!

Most of the healing that God does in our lives is a private matter. Over time, when we are ready, God reveals areas of brokenness so that we can be healed and set free. In the account of the healing of 10 lepers, Jesus heals all ten from their skin disease, but only one is 'made whole.' Only one person is ready to go deeper and receive more. The text is Luke 17. Episode 66

Yes, it is possible to live without resentment, Jesus teaches. You have what it takes to learn how to live without carrying around a lot of past offenses, betrayal, and disappointment. It's about learning how to use the little bit of faith that you have to propel yourself forward and leave the past behind The text is Luke 17 Episode 65

It's the last thing you'd advise an ambitious young person.  Contentment is the key to success; the great teacher and apostle, Paul instructs young Timothy. Contentment is certainly not something most of us are born with, but it is something that can be learned and chosen, even when life is not going as planned.   The text is 1 Timothy 6:6  Episode 64

Jesus taught more about money than any other subject. Why? Could it be because we have more trouble with money and possessions than any other issue? It doesn't matter if we have too much or too little the power of money can take over and influence our whole lives. Jesus tells a parable in Episode 63 that reveals the wisdom that can free us from fear, greed, and the overall domination of money. The text is Luke 16 

Everyone goes through times of grief and loss. A vital relationship disintegrates, a beloved pet dies, we can't leave behind the past, we don't get the job we want, we get sick, and soon grief becomes a daily companion. We feel sad and overwhelmed. Jesus gives us two parables (stories) about how works God with us when we feel lost. Episode 62. The text is Luke 15

Jesus warned, if you're hesitant, distracted, or half-hearted, wait until you are sure before you follow. There's no point in starting and then give up when the going gets tough. The unpopular demands of Jesus. Self-denial, self-sacrifice, obedience Jesus didn't make it easy for people to follow His way of living in the world.  The text is Luke 18

In hindsight, we can see where we went wrong. Now what? Jeremiah, the prophet is shown how God is like a potter who works with us like clay. God can take our most significant mistakes and reshape them in such a way that good can emerge. The text is Jeremiah 18 Episode 60