Psalm 24 includes seeking and finding, and what we find might surprise us. We start out seeking the hill of the Lord because even though he is Lord of everything he can seem absent at times. However, what we find is that God has come to us and brings an unbelievable offer with him.   […]

This episode completes our insult to your sovereignty and holiness. A thorough insult requires two steps: 1) acknowledging that our moral duties may oppose one another at times (there are several right things we should do but choosing one negates the other) and 2) understanding the reality that every time we fulfill our obligation, we […]

We place too much confidence in our ability to work our way into good standing with God and not enough confidence in the power of God’s grace and mercy. Because we begin and end each day in the latter, it would be silly not to live the in-between there as well.     Scripture: 1 […]

Many times in scripture, when people are looking for mercy, a future, hope and a purpose, kindness, encouragement, or acknowledgement, God provides for their needs by giving them a child. This episode will give weight and content to the sometimes-doubted phrase “Children are a blessing.”     Scripture: Genesis 4:12-26, 17:15-21, 16:7-12, 30:22-24; Judges 13:21-24; […]

Watching the fulfillment of prophecy throughout history is one thing, but understanding its content, repeated messages that describe God’s character, will change your life.     Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, 2:14-15, 22:37-40, 27:46 28:18-20; Revelation 21:1-4; James 1:27; Galatians 5:22-23 Books: Letters from the Earth, Mark Twain  

Barry begins the episode by pointing out that evil is more normal than we like to think. In honor of Sanctity of Life Day, he teases this out in our culture with issues like abortion and women’s rights and the ways in which the structures in our culture will continue to haunt us until we […]

It is easy only to listen to voices that agree with our own. Barry suggests that fear and a desire for comfort keep us content with our current opinions, and yet growth requires the interjection of something new, something different. Let’s remove our earplugs and evaluate information on its own merit, while simultaneously valuing those […]

Who knew we could mix culture and religion in so many ways! Barry describes extraordinary religion in this episode and challenges us to begin exploring what may be silly hills on which to die.     Book: America: Religions and Religion, Catherine Albanese    

Barry starts a conversation about how we mix culture and religion. All groups and nations do it but being aware of it is important for us to live our Christianity.     Book: America: Religions and Religion, Catherine Albanese Poem: “The Gift Outright”, Robert Frost Article: Senate Democrats support conservative-backed Texas bill requiring pro-sports teams […]

The good news of Christmas Day sweeps through the countryside and temple, past and present, and brings with it a promise as old as our wildest dreams—Emmanuel.     Scriptures: Genesis 12:1-3 Ruth 1-2 2 Chronicles 3:10-17 Luke 1:76-79, 2:4-14, 23:44-49