Welcome to the second season of Pulpit To Pew. On this episode, Rev. Beverly Gibson & Johnny Gwin discusses the spiritual and daily messages and lessons drawn from the Good Shepard and Lost Coin parables. Beverly shares her sermon's inspiration of Stephen Covey's business philosophy of "replacing your watch with a compass" and her fascination with artist Jake Weidmann's penmanship skills and his Sojourner's Rose drawing. Johnny actually gets "lost" in the podcast interview but redeems himself by sharing some anthropological wisdom concerning the often overlooked Lost Coin parable. Fellow traveler's join us as we explore the guiding principles of finding your own life's compass, path, and the skills to stay on the "true" course.

Listen to Ep.4 - Beverly discusses how "being lost" doesn't have to always be seen as a bad thing.

Key questions addressed:
> What is your compass?
> What is Jesus's philosophy on repentance?
> Why is the one lost sheep so important to the Church?
> Should the activities of God be our activities?
> What is a 2pm Seal Show?

Readings
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

What do you think about Pulpit To Pew?
We would love to hear what you think, or maybe what you would like us to talk about on an upcoming podcast. Email producer Stacy Wellborn at [email protected] and join in the conversation.

Like Pulpit To Pew Podcast?
Here’s how you can help the show:
1. Like our Facebook Page
2. Subscribe to Pulpit To Pew on Apple iTunes (or Overcast App)
3. Rate and review the show on Apple iTunes
This one helps us a ton – seriously!

Thanks for listening and have a great and peaceful week.

Welcome to the 18th episode of Pulpit To Pew. Reverend Beverly Gibson and Johnny Gwin weigh many topics, including the pervasive and addictive nature of technology in our current society as well as the importance of escaping that technology. They also discuss the idea of taking inventory and analyzing the illusions and mindsets (shackles) that can block us from understanding others, positively moving forward and staying focused on your mission.

Bonus: Reverend Gibson shares that see is not a "Goody Two Shoes".

Questions:
> Do we have the freedom to shatter those illusions and perspectives that distract us from our gifts, relationships with others and God?
> What shackles do you have in your life?
> How can I shatter my shackles and move forward on the right path?
> How do I want others to see?
> Are we willing to be brave enough to "break our shackles" and follow Jesus, now?

Readings:
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Galatians 5:1,13-25
Luke 9:51-62

What you will hear:
> There may be some things we are shackled to that might be leading us on a path that we shouldn't be on.
> Distancing yourself from devices and perceptions that shackle and distract you from your gifts and your true path.
> Rigid perspectives & mindsets can harm us and cloud the truth
> The dangers of unexamined assumptions
> How your occupation and interests shape the way you see the world
> The "grooves" of our lives
> Confronting your illusions
> Elijah & Elisha lesson explained
> Paul's letter to the Galatians explained
> Flesh vs. the fruit of the Spirit
> The Vulcan view of diversity
> Letting go of my perspectives and mindsets
> Iceberg analogy of what people know and see
> Watch out for the manipulators in the world
> Hardcore Zen book reference - "Question everything and everyone"
> The hypocrisy of punk rock conformity
> Toni Morrison - Claiming the permission to succeed
> The importance of compassion and empathy with relationships
> Explanation of "anyone that looks back can not fit in the Kingdom of God"

What do you think about Pulpit To Pew?
We would love to hear what you think, or maybe what you would like us to talk about on an upcoming podcast. Email producer Stacy Wellborn at [email protected] and join in the conversation.

Like Pulpit To Pew Podcast?
Here’s how you can help the show:
1. Like our Facebook Page
2. Subscribe to Pulpit To Pew on Apple iTunes (or Overcast App)
3. Rate and review the show on Apple iTunes
This one helps us a ton – seriously!

Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Welcome to the 17th episode of our show, Johnny Gwin and Reverend Beverly Gibson sit down and talk about a wide range of topics including: comparing Jesuits and Episcopalians, the influence of art and painting in the church, the idea that utilizing your gifts is a form of worship, and the importance of small details. This week’s episode was a bit different, as there was no sermon to discuss due to Johnny traveling over the weekend visiting the Jesuit retreat at Manresa.

What do you think about Pulpit To Pew?
We would love to hear what you think, or maybe what you would like us to talk about on an upcoming podcast. Email producer Stacy Wellborn at [email protected] and join in the conversation.

Like Pulpit To Pew Podcast?
Here’s how you can help the show:
1. Like our Facebook Page
2. Subscribe to Pulpit To Pew on Apple iTunes (or Overcast App)
3. Rate and review the show on Apple iTunes
This one helps us a ton – seriously!

Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Welcome to the 16th episode of Pulpit To Pew. This week Rev. Gibson and Johnny Gwin compares and contrasts the biblical villain Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, and her legacy of vengeance, power, and possession with the ‘woman of the city’ who humbly requested Jesus to forgive her of her sin. The themes of the episode revolve around the ideas of interacting with others with an open heart and mind, allowing others to be given a new chance in life, and accepting that others are as valuable as oneself. What steps do we need to take to "become new" in the eyes of God and ourselves? What is humbling ourselves before God mean? What role does forgiveness play in becoming the "best version of ourselves?"

What You Will Hear:
> The Old Testament's Jezebel and her legacy in the Bible, culture and on our plates
> King Ahab - The weak, and whiny baby ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Isreal
> Jezebel - the enabler and schemer
> Elijah - God's police detective?
> The Beginning of the end for the Northern Kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel
> Correlation of Jezebel and Luke's "woman of the city"
> Dominance versus wholeness
> Possession, power, and vengeance
> Acceptable and unacceptable view of possession
> Marriage as a shared possession and ownership
> Open hand vs. closed fist
> Paul's transformation and possession of Christ
> Transforming but remaining you
> The process of letting go of your past
> How to be a new and better you
> Following each other in marriage
> Listening and trusting your partner
> Letting go of your own shame
> Toni Morrison - claiming your own creativity
> Giving up my sense of worthlessness
> Claiming the forgiveness that you desire
> Willingness to be forgiven
> Forgiveness of others starts with you

Readings:
1 Kings 21:1-21a
Galatians 2:15-21
Luke 7:36-8:3

Pulpit To Pew is a discussion between priest (Rev. Beverly Gibson) and parishioner (Johnny Gwin) on the weekly lessons and readings. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple iTunes, Overcast App, Soundcloud.com and of course pulpittopew.com.

Love is action. - Reverend Beverly Gibson

The song "Is That All There Is?", made famous by Peggy Lee, is sung from the disenchanted point of view of a woman underwhelmed by unique experiences of life and even love. Charles Taylor writes about this disenchanted world of secularism and a societal disembodiment of spirituality in his book "A Secular Age". Are these prevalent feeling in our noisy and "more is better" world? Is there a yearning for more epidemic - especially with Millennials? If so, how do we offset this ennui for ourselves and others?

On our 15th episode, Reverend Beverly Gibson shares her thoughts and insights on the readings of Elijah and Jesus's miracle of resurrecting a child from the dead. These readings are strong lessons of God's power to "give life back" to us after loss and misdirection-in unexpected, sometimes sudden and shocking ways. We may go through a time in which all joy and the possibility of hope and life seem impossibly beyond our reach. And then something unexpected, surprising happens, and we are "given life back." We can participate in this happening for others, too, if we genuinely have and act on the compassion that Jesus and Elijah shows.  

Today's Pulpit To Pew show, lesson and daily take-away is more questions of reflection than answers: Do I (we) bring life to other's? Like Anne Litt's music curation lists for Spotify and KCRW, do I (we) routinely contribute uplifting and surprising things that others normally would not have found? Or, should we do what Peggy Lee suggests: stop worrying about life and "break out the booze and have a ball - if that's all there is"?

Readings:
1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)
Galatians 1:11-24
Luke 7:11-17

Pulpit To Pew is a discussion between priest (Rev. Beverly Gibson) and parishioner (Johnny Gwin) on the weekly lessons and readings. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple iTunes, Overcast App, Soundcloud.com and of course pulpittopew.com.

Pulpit To Pew took the Memorial Day Weekend off, but Johnny was saving this “unused” conversation - that did not make one of the previously published podcasts - to use when they needed it. We hope you enjoy this candid and personal conversation between priest (Reverend Beverly Gibson) and the curious parishioner (Johnny Gwin).

What you will hear:
> What are we really agreeing to with the Episcopal Baptismal Covenant?
> What is the Episcopal (and Rev. Gibson’s personal) view of politicking from the pulpit?
> Is a parish priest a therapist?
> What is finding a “Home” in a church and a parish?


What do you think about Pulpit To Pew?
We would love to hear what you think, or maybe what you would like us to talk about on an upcoming podcast. Email producer Stacy Wellborn at [email protected] and join in the conversation.

Like Pulpit To Pew Podcast?
Here’s how you can help the show:
1. Like our Facebook Page
2. Subscribe to Pulpit To Pew on Apple iTunes (or Overcast App)
3. Rate and review the show on Apple iTunes.
    This one helps us a ton - seriously!

Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Hide and seek with God is a natural process of creation and mutuality. – Reverend Beverly Gibson

Hide and seek is familiar to all of us, a fond memory developed from peek-a-boo. While a childhood game, it also is a process through which we come to know God. In this week's episode, Dean Gibson and Johnny discuss how we metaphorically play hide and seek with God, who also plays hide and seek with us. God’s plan and promise is creative; it is an ever-changing cycle of ebb and flow. Hiding doesn't have to be seen a negative. It's a cyclic process that provides an opportunity to properly plan, grow and reinvent, as individuals and communities. Lastly, the concept of patiently waiting is discussed as the key to the process of gestation and the emergence of ideas and identity.

Readings:

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

In this episode:

> David Whyte, poet, and consultant, how hiding can be a positive and create a sense of self-protection
> Beverly describes a positive example of “hiding” with a Star Wars reference, Padawan period of training
> Trinity – three in one; Holy Spirit as advocate
> Johnny’s idea of “Trinity for Dummies.”
> Cyclic process of renewal; Opportunities to reinvent
> Why Johnny loves Jujitsu and what he learned from flailing on the floor
> Rilke – Letters to a Poet – everything is gestation; patience is everything.
> In teaching and learning, participation is key.
> Hide and seek should be playful, joyful. Play is the best way to learn.
> Relationship with God is joyful, be patient. Allow it to gestate, grow and then emerge.

Thanks for listening to Pulpit To Pew. Please subscribe to, rate and review Pulpit To Pew on iTunes.

No one can mess up the space that God inhabits. - Reverend Dean Beverly Gibson

Does God want us to make our own plans? What if our plan is in contrast to God's Plan (Genesis 11:1-9)? This week's lessons and sermon from Pentecost Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, Alabama goes from the Tower of Babel, the story of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21), to Philip asking Jesus to "show us the Father"(John 14:8-17,25-27).

Reverend Dean Gibson discusses:
> how man's plans cannot disrupt God's plans.
> discovering and aligning our goals and visions with one's that resembles the "Jesus Movement."
> being filled and transformed weekly by the Holy Spirit to make life and share the Good News with the world when we leave our Church service.
> balancing a human or societal need plan and discovering "God's Plan."
> the "Godness" in all things especially in books, music, and art.
> leadership vision and how to direct what Christ Church Cathedral can be.
> generous listening, awareness and waiting patiently with "empty hands." (Annie Dillard's fishing technique)


Warning: Johnny brings up more ridiculous Star Trek religious analogies concerning Reverend Gibson's weekly lessons and sound insights. Please bare with his sci-fi obsession - being an enlightened and more spiritual being is a process.

Peter had a vision to go to Macedonia and spread the word ofGod,

In this episode, Rev. Beverly Gibson shares her favorite

Johnny was a sponsor for new church member Richie Scherer, and

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