Failing Boldly

What kind of life turnaround can Easter bring about? Some thoughts about that and on John 20:1-18.

 

Having the courage to speak up can be challenging sometimes and it's even more of a challenge to figure out what words to use. Words are particularly important during Palm Sunday and that's what I reflect on this week using Matthew 21:1-11.

Do we have a guide, do we have strength when we're in the wilderness? Yes. There is power in withness. This sermon focuses on Psalm 91 and Matthew 4:11.

When we're in the wilderness, a map is often a helpful tool to help us navigate. Do we have a map for our faith lives when we feel like we're lost or don't know where to go? Jesus certainly thought so. This podcast focuses on the power of Scriptures as a guide as it focues on Matthew 4:3-7 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

What does the wilderness mean to you? Sometimes it can be a time of renewal as we connect with God's creation. Other times, it might create a little anxiety as we're never quite sure what we'll experience when we go there. What did Jesus experience when he went into the wilderness? That's that I reflect on in this podcast, paying particular attention to Matthew 4:1-2.

 

"Relevant" is one of Urban Village's core values and the root of the word means "raising up." How can we live out the Gospel in ways that connect with others and that raises them (and ourselves) up? We'll explore this as we rea 1 Peter 5:1-11.

I mention a link to a Michael Jordan movie in the podcast. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaAFmO3XA-Y

At Urban Village, we talk about lot about being inclusive. But what exactly does that mean? There are lots of ways to unpack biblical inclusion, but radical hospitality is one way to take a look at it. I explore this using 1 Peter 4:1-13.

It takes a certain amount of boldness to build a faith around a person (Jesus) who was rejected many times during his life. And yet that's who we are as Christians. How can we live our own faith lives in the same way?

 

My apologies for the last 6-7 minutes of this podcast. There was a microphone issue and I didn't have time to go fix it. If you'd like to listen to me preaching this life, check out the Urban Village podcast page later this week.

 

One of the hardest things about living the good-enough life is being humble enough to say that you can't do it all, that you need help, especially from Someone who is always present. This podcast focuses on this and John 3:1-17.