Where do you see the spark of the divine amidst the hum of daily life? Join me, Reverend Laura East, as I guide you through a Christmas reflection that might just reignite your awareness of God's constant presence. In this special holiday installment of Resilient Faith, brought to you with warmth from the Brentwood Presbyterian Church community, we unwrap the joy and hope that faith assures us, even when life whirls in disarray. Embrace the season with a heartwarming poem from Reverend Sarah Speed, "Everywhere and Always Right Here," which we've cherished during Advent and now in the celebration of Christmas Tide.

This episode is a tapestry of thoughtful musings, interwoven with the golden threads of God's love that show up in the simplest pleasures—pancake dinners, porch sittings, and the laughter shared with friends. As I share insights and personal stories, I invite you to become part of the conversation and contribute your own lines to this living poem. Reflect on where you've felt God's touch in your own experiences, and together, let's acknowledge the profound beauty of recognizing the sacred in our everyday lives. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more enriching discussions on nurturing a resilient faith through all seasons.

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As the candles of the Advent wreath flicker with hope and love, we find ourselves at the junction of anticipation and celebration; the sacred time when the fourth Sunday of Advent meets the joyous eve of Christ's birth. It's a moment ripe with divine wonder, and on today's episode of Resilient Faith, we invite you into a space of contemplation and jubilation, reflecting on the profound themes of the season. Let your heart be warmed by the special blessing from theologian Kate Bowler, as it echoes through our conversation, illuminating the nativity's promise of new beginnings and God's relentless love.

This year's transition to Christmas is a unique blend of tradition and reflection, with Taylor Swift's music harmonizing with Gospel truths, guiding our community worship. It's a powerful union of contemporary artistry and ancient faith, fostering resilience against life's trials. As we bid farewell to 2023 and cast our eyes toward the horizon of a new year, we extend an invitation to join us in embracing the peace and presence that only this time of year can bring. Through stories, songs, and scripture, this episode of Resilient Faith is a sanctuary of fellowship, designed to uplift and inspire as we journey together into the light of Christmas and beyond. Amen.

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Imagine if we took a sweeping journey across time, tracing the complex dance between individualism and collectivism, dissecting its influence on society, religion, and pop culture. What would we discover about our own identities, our communities, and our shared humanity? That's exactly what we set out to do in this enlightening episode of Resilient Faith, drawing on the wisdom of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's interpretation of Ubuntu and the provocative lyrics of Taylor Swift. 

Join us as we dissect human history - from biblical tales of the Garden of Eden and the Tower of Babel to the rise of individuality in the Western world. We'll grapple with ideas of Marxism, capitalism, and socialism, and even ponder Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest. As we unravel these threads, we'll also bring in the perspectives of great thinkers like Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Pope Francis. We promise this intellectual journey will provoke thought, stir conversation, and just might reshape your understanding of our world. So let's dare to dive deep and journey together into this exploration of our individuality and our communal callings.

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Ever found yourself paralyzed by fear, yet deep down, there's a spark of fearlessness that you long to harness? Well, we're about to dive into a soundtrack of resilience inspired by none other than pop icon Taylor Swift's song, "Fearless." Our journey navigates through the highs and lows of life, where we uncover how fear can often commandeer our emotions, actions, and ultimately, our lives. Yet, we also reveal the power of embracing that fearless, innocent part of ourselves.

But what's fearlessness without hope? We delve into the dichotomy of hope - its strength and its susceptibility. By reflecting on moments of unexpected sorrow, like the loss of a loved one, we stress the significance of both vulnerability and support during such times. Our journey of resilient faith is far from a life without fear; it’s about clinging to faith and hope even amidst fear and vulnerability. So, are you ready to dance in the storm with us and embrace life in Christ with innocence and fearlessness? Tune in and let's embark on this transformative odyssey together.

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What if we reframed being 'weird' as a symbol of divine distinction? Get ready to challenge societal norms and embrace your unique imprint of God's image as we delve into a faith-based exploration of diversity and individuality. Drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift's powerful lyrics and her mesmerizing performance at the Eras tour, we revel in the beauty of God's creation, celebrating how our differences enrich the world with a mosaic of God's glory. As we embark on the new year, we invite you to shine brightly as a beacon of divine love in your community, embracing the distinctive color you add to God's diverse canvas.

How does walking with Jesus transform us in a way that we stand out, a little 'weird', in the world? Our faith should reshape our values, priorities and relationships - daring us to challenge societal norms. With an intriguing glance at the church's historic alliance with the state, we discuss the recent drift towards societal irrelevance. But let's not view this shift as a loss. Instead, we see it as a golden opportunity for the church to reassess its beliefs and stand firm against societal pressure to conform. So, come and embrace the weird with us, let your faith be the light that guides your path. We look forward to embarking on this thought-provoking journey with you.

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Welcome to Resilient Faith, the Podcast! This is our most popular episode from 2020, so enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving from BPC. 

This guided meditation and contemplative practice will help you connect and reset....mind, body and spirit.

Today's practice will help you share loving kindness in the world.

As you explore the resilient power within you, remember this scripture:

"We walk by faith, and not by sight"- 2 Corinthians 5:7

This is a guided meditation to support your journey to live a fully present life, and a deeper understanding of the resilient power within you.  Opportunities to find deeper resilience within ourselves can come when life seems most challenging. This podcast is to help you develop that resilience and connection with God. Being Resilient and having power starts with Faith. Resilient Faith is sponsored by Brentwood Presbyterian Church in West Los Angeles, California.

You can follow Resilient Faith on Facebook @bpcteam and on Instagram @bpc_usa

If you would like to donate to this meditation, please go to Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

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Ever considered how a pop star's lyrics could intersect with the timeless tales of the Bible? Have you wondered how these narratives can tackle the pressing issues of mental health? Join us as we weave together the story of Jonah and the music of Taylor Swift to unravel the beautiful message of resilience in faith. We discuss how this biblical account echoes in modern struggles and mental health battles, offering hope and understanding to those grappling with these invisible challenges.

In a candid conversation, we reflect on the rising mental health concerns and their societal impact, drawing parallels from personal experiences of celebrities like Simone Biles and Matthew Perry. This episode is a journey through the words of Jonah, interpreted through the lens of today's mental health issues. We explore the idea of a God who doesn’t view us as problems but supports us in our struggles. Discover the power of resilience and faith in facing life’s toughest challenges, and be inspired by the transformative potential of God’s gracious and gentle presence in our lives. Through this unique blend of Christian perspectives and pop culture references, experience the scripture anew and find resonance in the struggles and victories of those around us.

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What if embracing your unique 'weirdness' is the key to experiencing God's glory? Take a leap of faith with us as we draw inspiration from the strength and endearing awkwardness of pop icon, Taylor Swift, to explore a faith journey that's anything but ordinary. We speak straight from our hearts about embracing God's glorious diversity, the beauty of being fearfully and wonderfully made, and the calling to be a beacon of God's light in the world. Together, we ponder on the empowering question- do you let your faith paint you a shade of brilliant 'weird'?

Let's take a radical detour from societal norms and discover how adopting the path of Jesus Christ can revolutionize our values, priorities, and relationships. We uncover the resilience of the Jewish people and their authentic faith journey, challenging the church's inadvertent support for conformity. We reflect on the freedom to be ourselves in the church and how it enables us to express our faith uniquely. As we wrap up, we invite a thoughtful conversation with God, as we contemplate on how our faith-tinged 'weirdness' can glorify Him. So, dare to be different, dare to be 'weird'. God's glory awaits!

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Wondering how Taylor Swift's music can intersect with the Gospel? Join our Pastors Lora East and Dave Carpenter, along with our music director, Nancy Reeves, unpack the surprising and insightful journey of our recent unconventional sermon series - the Gospel According to Taylor Swift. We'll shed light on why this series was chosen, the divine timing around it, and how it sparked deep, meaningful conversations within our worship community. In this faith-filled exploration, we'll also discuss the importance of embracing current pop culture phenomena like Taylor Swift's music to connect with the younger generation and make our services more relatable.

With new concepts come controversies, and we'll share how we navigated through these waters. But it's not all about challenges - we'll also look at the positive influence of integrating elements of modern culture into our faith discussions. Using themes from Taylor Swift's music as a springboard, we encourage dialogues that push boundaries, accept varying perspectives, and create space for discomfort - because growth often happens outside our comfort zones. We passionately believe that these conversations, although tough, have the potential to enrich our faith community's understanding and acceptance. So tune in to hear how our church, with its unique qualities, has become a welcoming space for people of all faith backgrounds and perspectives. Don't miss this episode, for it promises to be as enlightening as it is surprising.

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How does collective grief impact our faith and resilience? In our recent heart-stirring episode of Resilient Faith, Pastor Laura East candidly explores this profound question. She paints a vivid picture of the shared pain and loss we all experience, emphasizing our interconnectedness during times of turmoil. Our conversation journeys into the inspiring pages of the book 'Lives we Actually have 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days' and shares a powerful blessing designed to comfort us during internal and external trials.

Pressing onward, you'll find solace as Laura invokes a prayer for God's mercy and peace in the face of overwhelming violence and destruction. Her encouraging words prompt us to lean on our faith community for comfort, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. The icing on the cake is the thrilling announcement of a six-week series based on their popular sermon series, 'The Gospel according to Taylor Swift'. We also shed light on the Brentwood Presbyterian Church's online services, allowing you to join our Sunday service virtually. Tune in to this episode and find your strength, motivation, and solace amidst adversity.

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