Vox Veniae Podcast

Jason Minnix begins the season of Advent by reflecting on the hope that Jesus lived and where we look and wait for that hope [Isaiah 2:1-5].

Reflection:

Where am I watching and waiting for epiphany to break in?

How can I make space to rest and trust transformation is happening?

Resources

Book:Come Out My People by Wes Howard-Brook

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Gideon Tsang continues our conversation on hope and how it is a function of struggle in times of distress and uncertainty [Psalm 141].

Reflection:

What are you feeling today? What might those feelings be revealing to you?

What does it look like to struggle together for hope?

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Weylin Lee explores what we’re invited to do in times of hopelessness as we wait for God’s original vision for us and our world to be fully restored [2 Thessalonians 2:13-17].

Reflection:

How can we see ourselves and others the same way God sees us?

How can our responses to hopelessness be more life giving instead of life limiting?

How can we practice grace in the face of hopelessness?

Resources:

Film: Interstellar

Film: The White Helmets

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Jason Minnix explores how we can be more active in the filtering process of our spiritual experience [Luke 19:1-10].

Reflection

What am I being invited to love today?

What am I being invited to ignore today?

The post What to Love appeared first on Vox Veniae.

As we finish our series on our Vox Values, Gideon Tsang explores Mystery and why certainty can be detrimental to our faith experience [Colossians 1:24-29].

Value of Mystery

Our narrative begins with light, which is both finite and infinite based on speed. The Incarnation is God, who is timeless, slowing and entering into linear time. Within these parameters healthy faith is we who are finite, learning to be loved and love the One who is infinite. In ancient times people chased after the mystery of God in a pillar of cloud by day and by night a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. As a community we lean into the mystery of Christ leading us on our bright days and in our darkest hours. This type of faith involves doubt, uncertainty and learning to trust in the One whose name is Truth and Love. We invite you to become a people of healthy faith learning to trust what we hope for and do not see. (Ex 13:21, Eph 3:9; 5:32; Col 4:3, Hebrews 11:1)

Reflection:

What does the spiritual practice of discovery look like in your faith?

How can you practice curiosity when you don’t understand how God is working in your life?

Resources:Vox Values

Video: Kids Arguing about Rain

Book: But What if We’re Wrong (Chuck Klosterman)

Article: The White Flight of Derek Black

Book: The Sin of Certainty (Peter Enns)

Icon: The Trinity (Andrei Rublev)

MWG: Discussion Guide

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As we continue our series on our Vox Values, Weylin Lee explores why Jesus invites us into the peculiar practice of loving our enemies [Matthew 5].

Value of Peculiarity

In the Sermon on the mount, Jesus gives us a picture of what our Christian communities should be striving towards. Holiness has been hijacked by rule based legalism/ fundamentalism. For us, to be set apart, is to live a life worthy of the calling we’ve received, messing up along the way, then limitlessly forgiving each other. This is strange and peculiar. Radically loving our enemies is the gold standard of holiness. It’s the ultimate difference in a darwinian, disposable world. This is our vision for the world Jesus came to restore today, bit by bit, and a world we want to live in. We seek to relentlessly offer grace to ourselves, one another and the world around us. (Matt 5)

Reflection

In what ways do my enemies reflect the image of God?

Where have I experienced grace in my life this week? Where have I needed grace this week?

How can I practice an act of love or generosity anonymously this week?

ResourcesVox Values

Podcast: LL Bean Return Policy (This American Life)

Video: The 100 Years Show

MWG: Discussion Guide

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As we continue our series on our Vox Values, Liz Schepel explores how the metaphor of the human body help us participate together [1 Corinthians 12]. Value of Participation We live in a culture where being in a church means shopping and consuming community. We invite you into a beautiful alternative, Liturgy, which means “the work of the people.” Find [...]

As we continue our series on our Vox Values, Gideon Tsang interviews Geeta Mondol to discuss how the value of Empathy is experienced and practiced in her center for the differently abled in New Dehli, India [1 Corinthians 8]. Value of Empathy Theologians use “incarnation” to refer to God’s radical act of empathy: God became like us, in order to [...]

Gena Minnix continues our series on our Vox Values by focusing on Empathy and how essential empathy is for diversity [1 Corinthians 8]. Value of Empathy Theologians use “incarnation” to refer to God’s radical act of empathy: God became like us, in order to be with us and experience what we feel. We strive to reciprocate that in our relationships. [...]

Jason Minnix continues our series on our Vox Values by focusing on Posture and the complex journey of humility and how it’s embedded into Jesus’ interaction with humanity [Philippians 2]. Value of Posture God gives grace to the humble. And a posture of humility emerges as we receive grace in community. Jesus, though equal with God, emptied himself of power [...]