Luke 18 opens with one of the more head-scratching parables of Jesus where we're told to always pray and not lose heart but are told so through the illustrative lens of unexpected characters. Tune in as the master storyteller, Jesus, continues to weave rhetorical masterpieces that challenge our expectations and highlight the grace and mercy of God.

Luke 15 crescendos with the third "lost" parable, that of the lost, often termed prodigal son. Yet, upon further look, is there only one lost son? Upon further look, is running far afield the only way to be lost, or do rebellion and religion both feature pitfalls for the heart we must be aware of? And, is this Jesus the one who comes to deliver us from both? Tune in as we continue to hear from the Master Storyteller - Jesus Christ - the one who came to seek and save the lost.

Luke 15 features the "lost" parables of Jesus, culminating with the crown jewel story of the lost (prodigal) son. Before arriving there, however, Jesus first weaves tales of a lost sheep, and a lost coin, which upon being found are met with great rejoicing. Come and listen, again, to Jesus, the one who came to seek and save the lost and marvel at the kingdom over which he reigns.

Luke 15 features the "lost" parables of Jesus, culminating with the crown jewel story of the lost (prodigal) son. Before arriving there, however, Jesus first weaves tales of a lost sheep, and a lost coin, which upon being found are met with great rejoicing. Come and listen, again, to Jesus, the one who came to seek and save the lost and marvel at the kingdom over which he reigns.

The original Easter story and account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as told by John, gives us varied reactions to the miracle. Amazingly, the varied reactions - running, weeping, and doubting - are all allowed to exist in the family of God, and all teach us something about our own encounter with the risen Christ.

No, not the stuff you must clean out of your dryer vent but Lent, as in the season of intentional reflection and preparation leading up to Easter.

How are we to think of this season?

How are we to rescue it from empty ritual and see it as opportunity for Gospel formation?

Tune in as Pastor Adam, in part two, walks through a text in Hebrews which sheds light on this season and its power in the Christian life.

No, not the stuff you must clean out of your dryer vent but Lent, as in the season of intentional reflection and preparation leading up to Easter. How are we to think of this season? How are we to rescue it from empty ritual and see it as opportunity for Gospel formation? Tune in as Pastor Adam walks through a text in Philippians which sheds light on this season and its power in the Christian life.

Maybe it was the lost hour of sleep, but Daylight Savings Time had a strange way of calling Colossians 1:9-14 to mind. It's logical flow and beautiful highlighting of God's gospel gift can fuel our days and inform our walks as those whom God has "delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of his beloved son."

Jesus is never controversial or rude for mere controversy or rudeness sake, yet at the same time never minds making a dinner awkward by challenging falsehood and proclaiming the truth, and we see this again in Luke 14:12-24. Utilizing both the setting and his affection for meals as an illustrative lens he gives the parable of the great banquet - an unexpected picture of his kingdom and who it includes.

Finding himself both a dinner guest, again, with an audience that misunderstands his role as Messiah, and healer to a man with great need, Jesus continues to unveil his paradoxical kingdom. Tune in as Jesus throws one of his favorite pitches - the fastball of Sabbath healing, only to follow up with the curveball of yet another parable to the belief of some and the bewilderment of others.