Dual Citizenship

We’ve been talking this week about Christians and the dual nature of our citizenship. We are, indeed, citizens of the household of God, co-heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of Heaven. This world is not our home-Home. We’re on our way, even now to the Father’s House – but in the same way Jesus walked the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven out in the midst of the kingdoms of the world, He charges us, as his people in the world to do the same. 

Invested with His own Spirit, we now live as demonstrations of the Kingdom of heaven in the world today 

That means we re-present the King and make the kingdom principles known. 

That means we have to KNOW what the King and the Kingdom are like. 

Good news! Jesus told us! (Matthew 23)

The Kingdom of heaven is like a pearl, it is like a mustard seed, it is like yeast and it is a great treasure. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you, Jesus said, and close at hand. It is an already and not yet. The kingdom of heaven is like the scattering of seed – some takes root and flourishes and some withers and dies and some is choked out by the world.

The King and the Kingdom are more real than the realities you will face today. And what a privilege it is to live as a representative of King Jesus whose Kingdom knows no end. 

I look forward to it, don’t you? 

Today’s Guests

Peter Kapsner – 50 Shades of Truth

We talk with Peter about various topics from around the internet some of which are:

* A message lost by a carrier pigeon has been found some 110 years after it was sent!

* Ice Cores from Mount Kilimanjaro confirm a Bible event.

* Changing understandings about baptism from generation to generation

Andrew Peterson – Artist Spotlight

Andrew Peterson needs little introduction yet many of us know him only for his music. Today we talk with him about his fantasy book series titled: “The Wingfeather Saga.” Check him out at his own website www.andrew-peterson.com and the artist collective he is a part of at The Rabbit Room  website!

Today Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201112101008-11-12-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

The Pope’s Prayer

In Pope Francis’ weekly general audience, he vowed to rid the Catholic Church of sexual abuse and offered prayers to victims of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

His pledge came after the Vatican released its detailed report into the decades long church cover-up of McCarrick’s sexual misconduct. Francis concluded his weekly general audience by recalling that the report into the “painful case” of the former high-ranking American cardinal had been released. He said he was renewing his “closeness to victims of any abuse and commitment of the church to eradicate this evil.”

He then paused in silent prayer for nearly a minute. Let’s pause.

If you are being sexually abused or have been sexually abused or know someone who is or has, here are some resources collected for you: Sexual Abuse Resources

A Long Silence

A minute can feel like a LONG time of silence.

I recall the scene in the Mr. Rogers’ movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. I think of it as the silence scene but you could also call it the broken people scene.

It’s a long minute. 

It’s a cleansing minute. 

It’s a powerful minute. 

Give God a minute of silence today and see what healing comes. 

I, for one, am going to stop giving people who hurt more power over me than they deserve and I’m going to allow God to bring to mind all the magnificent people who shaped who I am through their authentic love. 

Episode Guests

Ben Johnson – Acton Institute

We talk with Ben about:

* China and its crushing of pro democracy efforts in Hong Kong

* The suppression of first amendment rights at the University of Northern Iowa

* The ACLU’s betrayal of female athletes.

Laurie & Matt Kreig – Authors, “An Impossible Marriage – What Our Mixed-Orientation Marriage Has Taught Us About Love and the Gospel”

As the title suggests. Laurie and Matt have a “mixed orientation marriage.” A mixed orientation marriage is any marriage in which at least one partner is attracted foremost to the gender opposite their spouse. In the Kreig’s case, Matt AND Laurie are primarily attracted to women.

Seems impossible, right? Wrong. This book is about the impossibility of any and every marriage apart from Christ and the reality that the ONLY way to be married is in Christ.

Marriage is a metaphor or foretaste of the marriage between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

Check out today’s episode below to hear more.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201112095008-11-12-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

Citizens of the Kingdom

We started a conversation yesterday about what the Bible has to say about citizenship. In the page from the first hour today, we used the Lord’s prayer as a springboard for remembering who we are in Christ. 

Let’s continue to meditate on our citizenship by reading a portion of the Book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:11-21

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

That is citizenship language from the Apostle Paul.

Today’s Guests

Bill English – Bible & Business

Happy 27th Anniversary to Bill and his wife!!! We talk with him about how to do church differently and how to become more generous.

Alastair Sterne – Book: Rhythms for Life 

From Alastair’s Book Site: “Spiritual transformation is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Each of us has a particular identity, gifts, values, roles, and purpose. Thus we each need distinct spiritual rhythms that are designed to help us live out that vocation and calling.

Alastair Sterne shows how we can do this and craft a life of more intentionality, becoming Christlike in ways that fit who we are.”

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201111101007-11-11-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

A Prayer For the Kingdom

Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. He began: “Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Christians, we are a part of this present and coming kingdom of our Father!

Let us remember who we are and how we got here:

We are the redeemed of Jesus Christ.

We were brought into this kingdom because of Christ’s redeeming work.

Let us remember what we are to do as God’s kingdom people:

We are and ought to be God’s hands and feet NOW because Christ’s Spirit dwells within us!

As Paul said in Colossians 1:27-28, Christ in you is the hope of glory. “Him we proclaim. Warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

May we be those who are mature in Christ today and like Paul, proclaim Christ and present others mature in Him.

Let us remember who Christ is and what He will do:

“He is the image of the invisible God!” Colossians 1:15

Christ is the Amen (the faithful, true witness). Revelation 3:14

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13

He will bring His Kingdom; it will never end! Luke 1:33

In the in between:

Pray as Christ did for the Father’s kingdom to come.

Read the scriptures.

Proclaim the Gospel.

Be salt and light on this earth.

Remember that the kingdoms of this world are all underneath Christ’s authority.

Finally, do not despair today – This is the day the Lord has made and this is our opportunity to advance the Gospel.

Today’s Guests

Daryl Crouch – Green Hill Church and Cross Tied Blog

We discuss the article “4 Tools for the Church in Divisive Days” and he helps shepherd us through our post election season. Then we talk about the article “2020 Proves We Don’t Need More Information. (We Need Something Else.)”

Hunter Baker – Union University

It seems like we haven’t talked to Hunter Baker from Union University in a while, but apparently it’s only been two weeks!

He discusses with us:

* The changes in media, particularly during the Trump presidency.

* The make-up of Congress.

* What we might expect in the next 4 years with Biden.

* How to kill democracy (and how to save it?).

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201111095008-11-11-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

Some Health Headlines In Today’s Episode

Dr. Jeff Barrows with the Christian Medical & Dental Associations discusses some headlines with us:

* Pfizer’s COVID vaccine and how COVID vaccines have been derived

* Potential Alzheimer’s treatment with a new vaccine showing promise in mice

* CA Proposition 14 – stem cell research and the move from embryonic to adult stem cells

The Baking Friar

We talk again with Brother (Br.) Andrew Corriente as part of our Taste and See Tuesdays!  His baked items look good, like really good! They remind us that we also eat with our eyes so let’s think about what would it would mean to make the nourishing and rich Gospel so beautiful in the world that people are attracted to it? Brother Andrew also helps us think through what it means to make our holidays holy again as a people set apart.

If you want to connect with Br. Andrew more, check out his baking instructional videos here (I particularly like the Chocolate Flourless Cake) and connect with him any time on Instagram @thisfriarbakes!

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201110103010-11-10-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

Opening Thought: Our Civic Duty

As we open today, let us ponder on something we regularly speak on: civic duty and Christian duty. Let’s merge them. What might a Christian civics course include and how might we approach discipleship as a civics course for the Kingdom of Heaven?  If, as the Bible says, we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, then what are our rights and duties? Let us read the New Testament today with that question in mind. Here is a start if you’d like to join me in that exercise:

Philippians 3:20 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 3:20-21 ESV 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Ephesians 2:19 ESV 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Romans 13:1-7 ESV 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience…

Colossians 3:1 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Acts 5:29 ESV 

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Thanks for joining me in that exercise! What verses and passages would you pick to teach for this?

Today’s Guests

Now we come to our episode guests today. Join me as we hear from Nick Pitts, fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement.  You can follow him on twitter here or sign up for his daily briefing here!

Finally, we have the joy of connecting with Kristyn Getty to discuss her and husband’s new project, Evensong, a collection of lullabies and hymns they have sung to and for their daughters. She says that “I hope these songs help people dwell on the Lord and His promises; to release a burdened mind, to calm a restless heart and point us toward real peace in Christ.” May it be!

Vote counting continues but the race has been called and with a commanding lead in electoral votes, the Democrat party candidate, Joe Biden, has given an acceptance speech and is beginning to build an administration.

What did Joe Biden say in his first speech as President Elect?

Let’s focus on a particular part of his speech:

“It captures the faith that sustains me, which I believe sustains America. And I hope and I hope I can provide some comfort and solace,” he told the crowd before reciting the hymn. “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn. Make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand.”

Biden ended with this: “And now, together — on eagle’s wings — we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do.”

Isaiah 40

The hymn that Joe Biden references is based on the Bible verse, Isaiah 40:31. It says, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary;  they shall walk and not faint.” Verse 31 is the walk-off verse of Isaiah 40 – a chapter about God’s deliverance of His people, Israel, from exile in Babylon. It’s a chapter about redemption based on a return of God’s people to Him and to His Word. Isaiah 40 is a powerful chapter of Scripture and we should USE the fact that Joe Biden publicly referenced it.

Let us also remember that we can’t have a walk-off verse without leadoff verses. Isaiah 40 begins with God speaking comfort over a people who recognize and repent of their sin. A people who are raised up as if on eagle’s wings as God forgives and restores them.

Take some time to read and meditate on Isaiah 40 today. Here’s a link to it: Isaiah 40

You don’t get to the walk-off verse of Isaiah 40 without acknowledging human sin, the redemptive character of the One Great God of all things and the advent of His coming. Nations rise and fall, but the Word of God stands forever.

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201109104009-11-09-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

It’s Monday! That means we have some important news over the weekend you may have missed.

It also means we have Zach Jenkins from Cedarville University on so he can update us on all things COVID! Be sure to follow him on twitter at Pharmdhiker.

We also have a new guest, Lisa Samson, who discusses with us the book she co-authored with Len Sweet called, “St. Is.” It is the Christmas story like you’ve never heard it! It includes Mary, the mother of Jesus and Issy the she-donkey, both of whom are chosen to carry the Messiah to Bethlehem in their own way.

Finally, Christian, let’s also remember who we are and what we are here in the word to do…

II Corinthians 5:17-20 helps remind us:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

 

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201109103008-11-09-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

Remember the witches that have been casting spells on President Trump for four years? How’s that going? We talk with Peter Kapsner about this and what flight path he would take if he were travelling to nowhere.

Then we pivot our conversation to Rachel Joy Welcher and talk with her about her book, Talking Back to Purity Culture – Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality. Let’s start here: Rachel loves the Bride of Christ, the Church, and desires for the Church to flourish. She explains to us her understanding of purity culture and what God has said about sexual purity, not necessarily what we have been raised to believe about it.

 

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201105100008-11-05-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

Jesus is still on his throne!

The election has yet to be decided. Joe Biden is close and President Trump has some major hurdles to overcome in the battleground states! Question is, can we trust the vote counting and should we have an electoral college? Ben Johnson with the Acton Institute weighs in on this and more!

In the meantime (and at all times) we can pray. Kathy Branzell with the National Day of Prayer Task Force takes us through how we can pray for the post-election, reminding us that “Our prayers don’t have an expiration date.”

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20201105095007-11-05-2020-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3