Twelve Enough

We could view and experience Wicked on a surface level, enjoying the music

and such and that would be nice. Or, we could engage on a deeper level,

letting the symbolism and subtext shape and guide how we view our society

and the ways that we live in society.

Author and cofounder of The Raven Foundation, Suzanne Ross joins Jonathan

for a conversation about religious freedom, having compassion towards those

who do not agree with you, and the wonderful mess of spirituality.

There are good healthy ways to manage the demands between the expectations

of the church and the experience and boundaries of the family.

April Beth Wiles joins Jonathan to talk about people who think everyone

should know everything, prudes in the church (but not prunes),

spirituality, healing, and geeking out with the Bible.

There is something to the mystery and the artistic approach to knowing. To

have such an approach leaves room for creativity, for individuality, for

the influence of society, and for the mess of humanity.

This episode was recorded right after the Pulse Night Club shooting in

Orlando and responds in large part to that horror and pain. Where can we

find hope and safety? Where can we find hope and safety in the presence of

God? Jonathan and guest host Steve Williamson wrestle with such a question

and respond to the tragedy of Orlando.

The danger of guilt can weigh heavy on the pastor and can lead to burnout.

It is important for the pastor to have a sense of her or his identity in

one’s ordination and to hold to that identity. It is important to not be

pulled too far in one direction or another because that can lead to

exhaustion and burnout.

From angry opinions to hatred of mosquitoes to chilling in the summer,

Jonathan is joined by Phinn Marr and Jeff Savage to discuss those things

that make them angry, and the human struggle that is found in the Psalms.

Consider what your “best practices” might be for your own faith tradition

and how those practices may overlap with other faith traditions. And try to

be nice to each other.

There is a brokenness in the community when one group of people look to

make others angry just to make them angry. It is a demonstration of one

showing a lack of compassion and humanity towards others. It is an immature

expression that one would expect to see exhibited by toddlers, but not

adults. Or at least one would hope.