Epiclesis

Dr. Rick Asche was the guest on this episode of the Chapter House, a long-form podcast from the ministry of Epiclesis. Rick took a close look at the "disorientation" of Psalm 22, as theologian Walter Brueggemann calls it, and showed how a plaintive cry of David could also speak for Jesus and also for us. We know that Jesus identified with these words on the cross, but we, too, can embrace the hope that comes in a journey from disorientation to surprising, new orientation.

Tracy Balzer was the guest for this edition of Ancient-Future Faith. She is the director of Christian Formation at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  She is the author of Thin Places (Leafwood 2007), A Listening Life (Pinyon, 2011), and Permission to Ponder:  Contemplative Wisdom for the Spiritually Distracted (Leafwood, 2015).  She holds a Master of Ministry degree, is a certified spiritual director and advocate of Celtic spirituality, and is an oblate at the beautiful Subiaco Abbey, also in Arkansas.  Tracy regularly leads pilgrimages and study trips to the British Isles, having a special interest and affection for the Isle of Iona, Scotland.

What is creation faith, and where does it show up in the psalms? As our church family takes a close look at the "prayer book of the Bible" during Lent, we're learning that the psalms speak to all the seasons of our lives. Especially when you're in a place of ragged, painful disarray, planting your feet on a solid foundation of creation faith is the way to get pointed back in the right direction.

Our church's Lenten look at the psalms got started with the following overview by Pastor Chris. One theologian has suggested that the psalms can be examined-- and applied to our lives-- by their orientation: is the psalmist content and settled, in a place of painful disarray, or perhaps a new, better place? Join us as we ask "How is it with your soul?" and then take a cue from Job.

Jesus was transfigured on this mountain, and yet there were even more wonderful, new things that happened there, too. Jesus is the new Moses-- the prophet who God had promised-- who is the provision, the presence, and who leads a new exodus. Join Pastor Chris as he takes us through a quick tour through several key Old and New Testament passages that all point to Jesus.

In this episode of Ancient-Future Faith, guest Ellen Koehler was in the studio to talk about an upcoming Lenten series on the Psalms. Based partly on the work of theologian Walter Brueggemann, the 5-session study will look at how the psalms-- what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "the prayer book of the Bible"-- speak to every season of our lives.

In this episode of Ancient-Future Faith, guest Ellen Koehler was in the studio to talk about an upcoming Lenten series on the Psalms. Based partly on the work of theologian Walter Brueggemann, the 5-session study will look at how the psalms-- what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "the prayer book of the Bible"-- speak to every season of our lives.

Dr. Rick Asche stopped into the Chapter House for this episode of our long-form podcast. He brought with him an introduction of a new discipleship effort at Epiclesis called "On-Ramp," and gave a great introduction to Lent-- perfect for folks who know nothing about Lent, or seasoned folks who want to learn a bit more or discover some additional ways they can observe the season.

If you'd like to follow along with Pastor Rick's teaching,

.

Dr. Rick Asche stopped into the Chapter House for this episode of our long-form podcast. He brought with him an introduction of a new discipleship effort at Epiclesis called "On-Ramp," and gave a great introduction to Lent-- perfect for folks who know nothing about Lent, or seasoned folks who want to learn a bit more or discover some additional ways they can observe the season.

If you'd like to follow along with Pastor Rick's teaching, click here for a download of the session outline.

Is there still a need for healing today? Can there be healing today? In this short meditation before our community of faith spent extended time in prayer for healing and deliverance, Pastor Chris took some time to tell about a recent visit to San Francisco, then contrasted it with a passage from Mark's gospel. Many people were healed and delivered in Jesus' day. And yet, we have Jesus, too.