DRIVING THEOLOGY

Death sucks. I didn't start out to make this a eulogy about my Father-in-law. But it went there anyway. I apologize for this being late. I forgot my computer yesterday. I would love some feedback (pun intended) on the new mic set up. Like? No? No change?

Trying out a new mic setup (It fails miserably, btw!). The voice comes through better, but there is a vibration happening. Will need to take care of that! I'll work on it! Please bear with me.

Got my car back from the mechanic and I'm stoked. Too care of some of the rattles, which is better for you guys, I hope. But, after I catch you guys up a bit, I talk a little about the proactive nature of following Jesus.

Today's offering stems from an epiphany I had about the temporal nature of Hell and the eternal nature of Heaven, and how both are first experienced in this life.

In this podcast, I explore the nature of worship, which segues into a talk on knowing and following God's will.

After a brief eulogy for Jazz giant Sonny Rolllins, I get into what is know as "The Ten Commandments", my relationship with them and other biblical "Rules", and how I approach them.

MAGA wants you to believe that empathy can somehow be weaponized, can be evil, can be manipulated. What they don't tell you, is that empathy is a weapon against all that is anti-Christ, anti-love. Yes, it is a weapon. But not against goodness, but against evil (Isaiah 5:20). This episode is a bit short because of a technical difficulty.

There is something about the modern church experience that just falls short. I try to get into something here that might contribute to that. Practice.

Adult male friends can be hard to find, and even more difficult to maintain. I have been blessed with some good friends and mentors over the years. This is a little about them.

DJT continues to push the boundaries, testing how much his "christian" suppoeters will take and still support him. He's proven that for some die heaerd MAGA, there is no limit. Their faith in him is absolute.

What did Jesus think he was up to? Who was he and what was he trying to accomplish?

In this episode, I discuss a new book on Catholic Tradition as well as wrap up a book by NT Wright.

It takes me a little to get going here, but I do get to a point. I promise!

War in Iran, people dead, innocent victims, outrage abounds...What is going on?! A tale as old as time. Where is the justice? Mercy? Who will stop the cycle?

Bad things happen when we cherry pick verses to make our point, especially words of Paul, and don't give the entire text the attention it deserves.

Will we ever know the full truth of who Epstein was and what he did? IDK. But I do believe in the promises of our Father!

Is this rare from-home episode, I try to describe my paradigm for understanding Jesus, who he is and what he is doing in the world. Also, I posit the question: Is Jesus your Master or your Mascot?

In this episode, I am a bit distracted here and there as I am anticipating getting a call any minute announcing the birth of my first grandbaby. It didn't happen during the drive, but came about 20 minutes later. Mom and baby are great. But, inspired by my daughter and granddaughter, I explore the idea of life, and specifically, life in Jesus. Life is truly beautiful.

ICE has been cracking down, literally, on protestors in Minnesota and elsewhere, overstepping their boundaries and generally wrecking havoc wherever they go. This is to be expectied. Governments over the years have used force to intimidate critics. What is unexpected is that Christians are supporting their ungodly actions. Dead and broken bodies as well as broken families and spirits is the result...

Thoughts from reading the story of the Exodus, specifically the story of Passover and how it reltes to Communion. I get the MLK quote a bit wrong here. it should be, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice".

Is a sense, walking through this life as a believer in Jesus is like a blessed man walking through a dessrt. We encounter many in need of what we have, and we can be an Oasis in the desert to all that we meet.

The last offering of advent and probably for the year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all!

Though I mistakenly refer to this week's theme as HOPE once or twice, I am talking agout Joy, specifically, the joy that comes from the knowledge that Jesus is making all wrongs right.

I have chosen to explore "peace" this second week of Advent this time around (I change up the order and theme's year to year based on nothing in particular). Of course, "shalom" is the word for peace in biblical Hebrew. But does "peace" cover all that "shalom" entails?

It is that time again. Hope is our topic today for the first week in Advent.