The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

In this weeks episode of the podcast, Joe and Pastor Lydia talk about how materialism, in very subtle ways, takes hold of our hearts and how Lent, fasting and prayer, makes us available to Gods presence and dreams. Materialism tends to be coupled with luxury, extravagance and lavishness, but materialism can also look like the things we take comfort in knowing it helps us get through our days, and even survive the tumult of our lives. Lent offers us a season of reflection that invites the Holy Spirit to re-examine what we think we “need” to make space for the eternal things that God has in mind for us and his kingdom. 

Fasting, or at least the intermittent variety nowadays, is commonly known as a time-restrictive diet that is often paired with self-improvement and healthy lifestyles. While there is an aspect of restriction, this is very different from fasting in the biblical sense. Each time fasting is mentioned in the Bible, it is always paired with prayer. At its deepest level, fasting and prayer are seen in Jesus's life, to serve as an invitation for us during Lent to confront our vulnerabilities that we avoid, and to remove the distractions in our lives so that we can feast on the life-giving voice of God.

Fasting, or at least the intermittent variety nowadays, is commonly known as a time-restrictive diet that is often paired with self-improvement and healthy lifestyles. While there is an aspect of restriction, this is very different from fasting in the biblical sense. Each time fasting is mentioned in the Bible, it is always paired with prayer. At its deepest level, fasting and prayer are seen in Jesus's life, to serve as an invitation for us during Lent to confront our vulnerabilities that we avoid, and to remove the distractions in our lives so that we can feast on the life-giving voice of God.

In today's podcast, Pastor Lydia and Joe reflect on the necessity and impact of remembering others and the Father's heart for those who are marginalized and feel forgotten. We forget and therefore inevitably omit people and even ourselves, though that may not be our intentions, for a multitude of different reasons. However, to model Jesus is to recall, see, and act on those that we remember on the fringes of our societies and communities. The harvest is ripe and plentiful, and as believers we are called to the pursuit of God and his heart for the forgotten.

In today's podcast, Pastor Lydia and Joe reflect on the necessity and impact of remembering others and the Father's heart for those who are marginalized and feel forgotten. We forget and therefore inevitably omit people and even ourselves, though that may not be our intentions, for a multitude of different reasons. However, to model Jesus is to recall, see, and act on those that we remember on the fringes of our societies and communities. The harvest is ripe and plentiful, and as believers we are called to the pursuit of God and his heart for the forgotten.

This weeks episode features a candid conversation about integrity. Time and time again, integrity is highlighted as a component of mission statements, values, and a foundation for character development, but it seems that it is more often talked about than actually practiced. What does it take to live in integrity and forgo self-interested expediency? How does integrity ultimately benefit not just ourselves but the collective? Join us in this weeks podcast with Joe and Pastor Lydia as we discuss a life lead in integrity and it’s impact for the kingdom.

This weeks episode features a candid conversation about integrity. Time and time again, integrity is highlighted as a component of mission statements, values, and a foundation for character development, but it seems that it is more often talked about than actually practiced. What does it take to live in integrity and forgo self-interested expediency? How does integrity ultimately benefit not just ourselves but the collective? Join us in this weeks podcast with Joe and Pastor Lydia as we discuss a life lead in integrity and it’s impact for the kingdom.

In this weeks episode, Joe and Pastor Lydia recount times when they stayed faithful to their talents and the layers by which we are called to stewardship. At times, taking responsibility of the small yet important things can be difficult and we tend to put them to the side. However, those very talents, stations, and positions in life are critical to adhere to if we are to live to be the best we can be, with much and more. It’s not uncommon that the vision we have for our lives come out of focus, but the grace of this parable and the gospel is that we can decide to make that change, address those difficult responsibilities, and make the most of this gift of life.

In this weeks episode, Joe and Pastor Lydia recount times when they stayed faithful to their talents and the layers by which we are called to stewardship. At times, taking responsibility of the small yet important things can be difficult and we tend to put them to the side. However, those very talents, stations, and positions in life are critical to adhere to if we are to live to be the best we can be, with much and more. It’s not uncommon that the vision we have for our lives come out of focus, but the grace of this parable and the gospel is that we can decide to make that change, address those difficult responsibilities, and make the most of this gift of life.

The Father's call for the church is to protect and restore beauty, but we often miss the beauty in ourselves and others. Despite this, the gospel and the community of God reminds us of our worth and original design. We are certainly not perfect, but the church has been called to preserve and cultivate the best of who God created us to be.