The Practice Church Podcast

Have you ever considered how fascinating the disciples are as characters in the Gospels? We often read these stories with our focus on Jesus, but how often do we pay attention to the disciples' perspective? Throughout the Gospel narratives, the people who followed Jesus are 'representative characters.' In so many ways, they stand in for us as we try to understand and be formed by the ministry and presence of Jesus.

In this series, we will contemplate six stories from the Gospels through the eyes of the disciples. How did they understand the teaching and ministry of Jesus? How did they respond, and how are we invited to consider our response to these stories from the life of our teacher? We will learn from these stories, and we will use our imaginations to enter into them. The spiritual practice of imaginative prayer gives us an opportunity to meet with Jesus as we respond to his presence and ministry.

Nicole Howe kicks off our series with a look at Mark 1 and Luke 5, where Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him.

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This week, Julian Davis Reid and Tramaine Parker guided and extended reflection on 74 through music and contemplation.

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This week, we practiced a rhythm of listening and responding to the faith and trust we find in Psalm 46.

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This Sunday, Cheryl You invites us to consider the intersection of sorrow and joy found in Psalm 126.

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This week, Warren Anderson explores the Psalms' exhortation to 'sing a new song' and invites us to consider how congregational singing shapes our spiritual formation.

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This week, Christy Davis explores grief and grieving through the lens of Psalm 88.

Note: Some of the lyrics from this week's song meditation might be difficult to hear clearly so we have included them here:

Psalm 88 by Poor Bishop Hooper

oh god of my salvation

i cry out day and night

may my prayer come now before you

would you listen to my cry

for my soul is full of troubles

and death it draws near

with no strength i'm like the slain in the grave

whom you no longer remember

darkness is my only friend

in the darkest places and the deeps

your wrath lies heavy upon me

you have overwhelmed me with your waves

i am trapped and i cannot escape

my eyes grow dim in sorrow every day i call to you

lord i open up my hands do you work wonders for the dead

do departed rise to praise you

does your love come from the grave

are your wonders known in abbadon or good where those forget?

darkness is my only friend

oh why do you hide your face from me

close to my demise since i was a kid

your wrath your assaults all surrounding

i suffer your horrors i'm desperate

darkness is my only friend

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

Chris Griffith joins this week to shepherd us through Psalm 23.

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us."

In this series, we will consider how the Psalms teach us to worship and pray. The Psalms are a rich array of reflections on God's character, power, love, and activity in the world. They are also reflections of what it means for us to know, trust, and follow God. Written within the collection of Psalms, are words of praise, cries of help, expressions of anguish and of joy. How do we see our lives reflected in the words of the Psalms? How do the Psalms lead us to a deeper understanding of God enriching our worship of Him? How do the Psalms inform and guide us as we pray?

This Week, Erin Lonard explores the themes of Psalm 34. Note: The Practice for this week included a community conversation. That conversation can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/QWds_wApcW8?si=UY1xanRYqel0xGpA&t=3465

Paul encouraged the Christians in Corinth by writing, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

In this series, we will be exploring how each of us are gifted to serve in God's kingdom. We will reflect on spiritual gifts. How do spiritual gifts enable us to join in the work of the Holy Spirit in the world? Guided by the two motifs: Prophet, Priest, and King and the 5-Fold Ministry Paul details in his letter to the Ephesians, we are invited to consider what spiritual gifts we identify with and how those gifts influence the way we join with the Spirit's kingdom work in the world today.

This week, Rebecca Moss invites to consider Ephesians 4:7-16 and the ways in whch God gives us as gifts to one another.

Paul encouraged the Christians in Corinth by writing, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

In this series, we will be exploring how each of us are gifted to serve in God's kingdom. We will reflect on spiritual gifts. How do spiritual gifts enable us to join in the work of the Holy Spirit in the world? Guided by the two motifs: Prophet, Priest, and King and the 5-Fold Ministry Paul details in his letter to the Ephesians, we are invited to consider what spiritual gifts we identify with and how those gifts influence the way we join with the Spirit's kingdom work in the world today.

This week, Casey Tygrett guides us through Paul's words about unity and spiritual gifts to the Church in Rome.