Still Speaking with Ivanhoe Church

Pastor Kris and Shelley discuss how the brilliance of Jesus's response to the Pharisees' challenge over whose likeness is on the coin can draw our attention from the other side of the coin - the other side of the cross - a remarkable foreshadowing, when he asks that we give to God all that belongs to God, of the sacrifice Jesus is soon to make. This message arrives in the middle of our Lenten journey, in the midst of a pandemic that is changing the ways of our routine. We are called to pause, to consider anew those things that are God's.

Pastor Kris and Shelley discuss how the transfiguration of Jesus resonates within our lives. Through Matthew 17:1–9, we see a dazzling radiance in Jesus as God spoke, This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him! Reacting just as we might to this riveting vision, Peter, James, and John want to stay on the mountaintop, to live in this glory. But, Jesus gently calls them down the mountain, making clear that this is a blessing for leaving, for carrying forward; may it be a blessing for your Lenten journey.

This week, Pastor Kris and Shelley discuss how, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to live our faith from the heart, challenging us to act in ways that surpass the simple letter of the law. Scripture provides instruction for faith, but Jesus illustrates how we cannot worship God with our whole heart when we hold a grudge against our neighbor. Jesus calls us into community, building one another up in faith through grace and forgiveness.

Pastor Kris and Shelley take the podcast recording live, inviting CTS seminarian Rob Routzhan to discuss the history of Christian mysticism. Rob shares that, rather than being hermetic, contemplative tradition is about action and engagement with the world and offers traditions that may open us to our Creator in new ways.

Pastor Kris and Shelley discuss how Matthew describes Jesus beginning his ministry, calling disciples who dropped everything to follow Him. Perhaps we feel our calling in more subtle ways–for most, ours isn't an all-or-nothing call to drop our nets but to find ways of putting that call into every step we take. Now, in the wake of Christmas expectation, this baptism reminds us to allow for renewal and change, to bind ourselves in community at those places where Gods kingdom is breaking into this world.

This week, Pastor Kris and Host Shelley discuss John 1:29-42 and the ways we are called into being Christians. Shelley and Pastor Kris discuss faith words that will be touchstones for their Christian growth throughout this year. As you hear Shelley speak of ‘light,’ and Pastor Kris address ‘blessing,’ we hope you’ll contemplate a word you may reflect upon through the year, to guide your deepening faith.

Pastor Kris and Shelley discuss how, when assumptions are dashed, an epiphany can guide us to new beginnings. Relating Isaiah 60:1-6 to Matthew 2:1-12, they discuss how the Magi, expecting to find the holy in a palace, must reorient; undeterred, they find the Messiah in the lowest of shelters and go out by a different way, becoming people through whom others may encounter the Good News of the Bible.

Pastor Kris and Shelley continue the theme of joy, discussing Isaiah 52: 7-10, where we find three messengers singing praises to God amidst ruin and exile. They proclaim that God is not remote, has heard the cries of the people, and is bringing them good news. With the Word born flesh, Emmanuel, God with us is a message we can all sing in joy this Christmas season.

Pastor Kris and Shelley continue in the theme of joy, discussing the eight pillars of joy as laid forth in The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. This book of insights grew out of a meeting between The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu and His Holiness The Dalai Lama when they had a week-long conversation about joy. Pastor Kris and Shelley highlight practices we may use to deepen our faith.

This week, Pastor Kris and Shelley continue their discussion on the theme of joy, focusing on its independence from events our surroundings and how we can find joy amid chaos. Without joy, burdens become unbearable. But moving into a second naïveté through the practice of awe and reverence, we can uncover profound joy.