First Free Methodist - FFMC

The parables of Jesus have ignited interest and debate for years. Jesus' teaching often require a sense of effort on our part to hear them and keep hearing them. The Parable of the Seeds is not different. In this week's episode, we explore how there is a great promise for us all even when we feel a bit lost.

So often our expectations about Jesus (and God for that matter) are born from our own broken lives. We certainly want the Jesus to come to us in the way we want. This story from Matthew's gospel opens us to the wonder of who Jesus is. This Jesus far exceeds our wants of him.

Some people just get under our skin. No matter how hard we try at times, being patient and loving just seem out of reach. God beckons us to feel something different about the people around us. There is a way to have compassion for others that drives us to merciful action. The story of the prophet Jonah opens up a pathway for this kind of compassion. Far from a children's story, the story of Jonah deals in some very adult topics like prejudice, anger, and even rage.

We all face moments in our lives where we feel a sense of self-doubt. The lack of confidence can keep us from becoming the very person God wants us to be in the fullness of his love. Moses carries with him this same lack of confidence. This week's episode focuses on how God's grace is especially at work when we have our doubts. 

Waiting is no easy task. This is especially true when we are rushing and moving through life. Waiting is a hopeful response. Difficult times require us to focus clearly on God's hope for our life and the lives of those around us. Rather than lurching forward and taking matters into our own hands, we chose to hope...which often means waiting.

Learning mercy is a challenge for many people. Our age seems to be driven toward division, sides, and conflict. It becomes far too easy to make judgements about others. This week's episode explores a familiar text about justice but also about mercy and love. In this short passage we can find new hope for the work of mercy today.