Celtic Preacher

Sometimes we can get in the way. We rush on ahead figuring out the best thing to do or say ignoring the need for extra help and guidance. Jesus, said to his students, “Wait, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Whatever, ‘clothed with power,’ looks like, the first step is for us to get out of the way and wait so we can see what God is already doing. The text is Acts 2 which describes the day of Pentecost. The gift of the Spirit empowers the people of The Way to take on the world.  Episode 49

When people turn against you, disagree with you, when you're misunderstood, it does not mean you are in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. You can be in the right place and still be seen as wrong by those around you. Today, we look at lessons from Paul and Silas, the first leaders of the early followers of The Way (of Jesus living life). The text is Acts 16. Episode 48

Asking the wrong questions, looking for answers in the wrong places, are common mistakes we can make. Jesus reminds his students that what we need is not specific answers to our questions. What is truly needed it’s a way of perceiving and looking at the problem that brings greater truth to the situation. The Text is Acts 1:1-11. Episode 47

“You can hear God,” Jesus said. The sheep hear the Shepherd's voice.  Listening isn’t the problem it’s the moving to the doing that often trips us up. In Episode 46, we look at Jesus’ teaching on guidance, leading and listening to God, all of which we were designed to do. The text is John 10

We’ve heard the saying, “Just get over it?” Well, what happens when you can’t? What happens when you are stuck with just a bad memory? This is the situation the disciple Peter finds himself in two weeks after Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus specifically targets his bad memories and gives him another way to think about his loss. God does the same thing for us. Episode 45 Scripture text is from Gospel of John 21:1-19

Doubters get special attention from Jesus in this 44th episode. When you feel full of doubt, shame or fear, take heart, you are in good company!  The first followers/friends of Jesus, didn’t just feel like  failures they actually were failures in the sense that they did not respond to extreme challenge they way they hoped they would.  After Jesus’ death he makes a point of visiting them to put them on the right track. The student Thomas gets specialized attention. 

John 20:19-31

No person, no circumstance, no challenge is beyond God’s help. “I make all things new,” Jesus said.  All things? Apparently, it’s not just Jesus that got raised up that first Easter morning.  The invitation to us, is to come and ‘experience’ this restoration for ourselves.  This energy and power that brings life to the deadest and most hopeless of places is accessible to us.   Matthew 28:1-10. Episode 43

When we are confused about how to deal with a challenge, Jesus teaches, choose the way of love, but it's a particular kind of love that doesn't necessarily come easily nor naturally.  Jesus, on the last night with his student/disciples, before he was arrested,  reminded his followers of the most important teaching. Yes, it was learning to love, but it was a particular kind of love and it had nothing do do with being nice and agreeing so we can avoid conflict. Episode 42. The text is John 12:1-17

Unmet hopes, desires and dreams can leave us in the place of always wanting more, unsatisfied with what we have and disillusioned about life. In episode 41, Jesus models for us a life free from the emptiness of never having enough. Luke 19:28-40

It’s tempting to defend yourself but there is another way to live. In episode 40, Mary, Jesus’ friend, models for us what true freedom looks like in the face of disapproval from others. The Text is John 12:1-8