We each talk about our current favorite (or one of our favorite) modern worship songs. We will dive into each song's music and theology.

SONG: My King - by Zak Kratzer (2008)

We celebrate Christmas in the warm glow of a podcast studio surrounded by yule-tide recording equipment and the tender memories of the past year. Join us for a cozy, music filled look back at 2019 and a celebration of the birth of the savior. Fun Times Indeed!

This episode we decided to each share a little bit about our favorite Old Hymns. We talk about how each was written and what they are saying. Hear about what our favorite hymns mean to each of us and "how songs speak" to us. (Get it? I said the title of the series)

SONG: Sing Hymns, Sing Songs - A Hymn Medley by Collin McSweeney (2019)

We have (almost) reached the end of the year, the end of a semester, the end of a decade even... and all this during the season of ADVENT. What better time to talk about the end of the world? Throughout history, there have been doomsday predictions. As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a look at some of the highlights! As we do, we will also talk about what other things might be more important. 

SONG: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 

Hymn by Martin Luther

Arr. Collin McSweeney (2019)

Rapture Index:

https://www.raptureready.com/rapture-ready-index/

There's an epic battle for time going on. It seems like Christmas (at least the consumer version) is getting pushed earlier and earlier. For this episode we talk with Ken Southgate about a time called advent, which the church has been using for centuries as a time to ponder the mysteries of God and prepare to celebrate Jesus' coming. We look at what some authors and church father's say and about why we might wanna reclaim a time of reflecting and preparing in the church.

SONG: O Come O Come Emmanuel - Hymn - arr. Zak Kratzer (2014)

IN CHRIST, GOD WHO WAS THERE FROM THE BEGINNING IS REVEALED

John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

CHRIST’S INCARNATION HAS PARADOX TO IT:

AUGUSTINE: He who sustains the world lay in a manger, a wordless Child, yet the Word of God. Him whom the heavens do not contain the bosom of one woman bore. She ruled our King; she carried Him in whom we exist; she fed our Bread… He lies in a manger but He holds the world in His hand… He is wrapped in swaddling clothes but He clothes us with immortality…

(Sermon 184 and 190)

We talked with Melissa a few weeks ago about mental illness, suicide, and why mental illness is more prominent in 2019. Today we are going deeper to find out about past trauma and issues of deep pain and where that comes from.

We welcome Daniel Sulfridge on the podcast to talk about Trauma and Spiritual Health

SONG: It Is Emmanuel by Collin McSweeney

BOOK: 

The sexual Healing Journey - Wendy Maltz

https://www.amazon.com/Sexual-Healing-Journey-Guide-Survivors/dp/0062130730 

Politics, religion, intellectualism, race, social justice, general grievance and other topics are at the center of much anger and strife in the world. There seems to be a general spirit of anger prevalent in the last few years. We look at some social media examples and ask if our culture has a spiritual health problem.

SONG: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms - Arr. Collin McSweeney (2019)

We had a chance to hang with our good friend Stephen McFerron and talk about Christian movies. In the last episode we covered the 50's through the 80's. Now let's take a look at some more recent ones. Don't miss this fun ride from ensemble dramas through end times predictions with Kirk Cameron!

SONG: See Me Through - Zak Kratzer (2012)

MOVIES:

Left Behind (2000)

The Passion of The Christ (2004)

Blue Like Jazz (2012)

God's Not Dead (2014)

Woodlawn (2015)

We hang out with our good friend Stephen McFerron and talk about movies. In the first episode we talk through some of the classic Christian films (Yes that's a thing). We take you from the Epics of the 50's through the funkadelic 70's through the obscure 80's. Don't miss this groovy journey through time and film.

SONG: Suburban Boy - Zak Kratzer (From an upcoming "Paul" album)

MOVIES:

The Robe (1953)

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Ben Hur (1959)

Jesus Christ Superstar (1971)

The Mission (1986)

This is a Worship Workshop episode and we’re gonna talk about how the process that God takes us through when we plan a worship set! It's not so much that we MAKE a set list, but through the Holy Spirit guiding, we want to DISCOVER a set List. It makes a huge difference in any worship service. Let's talk about how to open ourselves up to a set-list guided discovery!

SONG: Right Hand (Psalm 16) - a new song by Zak based on... well... Psalm 16