thinking out loud

In this message, Terry Timm explores the themes of "Foxes, Hens, Donkeys, and the Way of Peace." Drawing insights from Luke 13 & 19 he reflects on the steadfast journey of Jesus to Jerusalem and the symbolic meanings of foxes, hens, and donkeys in the pursuit of peace. Join Terry as he invites us to examine the kind of king we choose to follow and the transformative power of Jesus' love and compas...

In this message, Richie Reeder guides us through the challenging yet transformative call to love our enemies, drawing from Jesus's countercultural teachings in Luke 6:27-36. As we navigate the wilderness season of Lent, Richie invites us to reflect deeply on our heart's posture towards those who oppose us, encouraging us to embrace a path of generosity and grace. 

In her thought-provoking message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores the concept of toxic positivity, emphasizing the importance of embracing emotional honesty. She draws on the story of Lazarus from John 11 to illustrate how Jesus wept with Mary and Martha, demonstrating the power of shared grief and authentic presence. Katherine encourages us to resist the urge to rush past pain, fostering deepe...

In his message, Terry Timm explores the beginning of Jesus's public ministry. Reflecting on the season of Lent and the theme "From the Wilderness to the Glory," Terry emphasizes the transformative power of repentance and the call to join Jesus in his kingdom work. By examining Matthew 4, Terry invites listeners to consider how they are being called to follow and participate in bringing hope and he...

Delving into Jesus' temptations in the wilderness, Richie Reeder explores the themes of relevance, spectacle, and power, encouraging us to seek surrender and spiritual growth. The message concludes with a meditative reflection, "The Wilderness As Teacher," from theworkofthepeople.org, which beautifully encapsulates the spiritual journey from wilderness to transformation.

In her talk, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth reflects on the mysterious nature of prayer, drawing on the life of Mother Teresa and the teachings of scripture to illustrate the complexity and beauty of communion with God. She introduces the concept of exploring prayer through four lenses—talking to God, talking with God, listening to God, and being with God—emphasizing that these practices coexist to dee...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the transformative power of contemplation by emphasizing the principle "we become what we behold." He discusses how engaging deeply with God's presence through prayer and contemplation can lead to an inner transformation, making us more like Christ. God invites all of us to adopt a contemplative posture, encouraging practices that ground us in hope, silence, an...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the profound importance of attuning ourselves to the voice of God. He emphasizes the significance of adopting a posture of surrender and openness, akin to the biblical Samuel's plea, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." Through personal anecdotes and biblical narratives, Terry invites listeners to practice discerning God's loving and wise guidance in their...

Richie Reeder invites us to transition from a traditional approach of simply talking to God, to actively listening for His voice. Drawing from John 10:2-5, he illustrates Jesus as the Good Shepherd and us as His sheep, who are attuned to His voice. This imagery encourages us to develop a deeper, more interactive relationship with God—shifting from a monologue to a dialogue with Him. Richie referen...

In this message from Terry Timm, we delve into the transformative concept of partnering with God to shape the world around us. Drawing from Luke 11:1-13, we see Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray, highlighting the importance of persistence and faith. Prayer is portrayed not just as a passive act, but as a dynamic partnership with the Divine to "bend the arc of human history" towards God's ki...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the depth of prayer by examining the Lord's Prayer from Luke 11. Prayer is not merely about speaking to God but engaging in a multifaceted conversation with God. Jesus teaches us about our 'how much more' Father in heaven—a God who desires to give us good gifts, surpassing the generosity of earthly parents. This understanding encourages us to approach pr...

In this message from Terry Timm, we're invited to dive deeper into our relationship with God. The Lord's Prayer, as found in Luke 11, serves as our guide. We're encouraged to focus our eyes on the Father, remembering that God is already gazing at us with love. This beautiful image of 'beholding God beholding you, smiling' reminds us of the intimate connection we have with our Creator. The concept...

As we journey to deepen our prayer life, we are reminded that we are all beginners in communicating with God. This message from Katherine Sikma Wadsworth, explores the transformative power of prayer through Jesus' teachings in Luke 11. The Lord's Prayer, provided by Christ as a model, shifts our approach to God from seeing the Divine as distant to addressing God as 'Father' or more intimately 'Abb...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the story of the Magi and King Herod, revealing key insights into human nature and God's revelation. The Magi, guided by a star, symbolize our potential for goodness and spiritual pursuit and remind us to stay attentive to God's signs. In contrast, Herod represents humanity's darker side, driven by fear and a desire for control. This dichotomy prompts us...

In this message from Katherine Sima Wadsworth, we're invited to rediscover the power of wonder in our spiritual lives. The central theme revolves around the shepherds' encounter with angels in Luke 2, announcing Christ's birth. This biblical story reminds us that God often breaks into our ordinary lives in extraordinary ways. Just as the shepherds were amazed and responded by seeking out the Chris...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the concept of Advent as a time for revelation. Drawing from Isaiah 9 and Matthew 4, we're reminded that God's light persistently breaks into our darkness. The imagery of the Advent calendar, with its hidden surprises behind each door, beautifully illustrates how God's revelations often come to us - mysterious yet present, waiting to be discovered. The f...

In this message, Richie Reeder invites listeners to reflect on the significance of conflict and trials in both our favorite Christmas stories and our personal lives. By drawing parallels between classic holiday films and the trials we face, he emphasizes how perseverance through adversity leads to character development and hope. As we journey through Advent, Reeder encourages us to embrace these c...

In this message from Terry Timm we explore the theme of renewal. Advent is a time to reflect on Christ's past, present, and future comings, encouraging personal and communal renewal. Through scriptural insights and reflections on the concept of "palingenesia -  a re-genesis," this message underscores the hope of a renewed creation and the transformative possibilities it holds.

In our exploration of vocation, we've discovered that it's not just about our jobs, but a lifelong journey of following Christ. The great commandment from Matthew 22 reminds us that our primary calling is to love God and love our neighbors. This dual focus shapes every aspect of our lives, from our careers to our relationships. Our vocations, whatever they may be, are meant to be manifestations of...

In this insightful message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth challenges the traditional understanding of self-care by exploring its spiritual significance and proposing it as an essential calling in our lives. Drawing from biblical examples like Elijah, Moses, and Jesus, she argues that caring for our bodies is a prerequisite for fulfilling our other vocations and deepening our relationship with God. Thr...

In this message from Richie Reeder, we delve into the transformative power of work in shaping our emotional and spiritual lives. Join us as Richie explores how our vocations serve as platforms for personal growth, encouraging us to embrace emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity. Let's dive in and discover how integrating these elements can lead to more fulfilling and purpose-driven lives.

As we journey through life, how do we approach the concept of aging with grace and faith? This message from Terry Timm, challenges us to reconsider our understanding of retirement, reminding us that in God's kingdom, there is no retirement - only reassignment. Drawing from Psalm 84, we're encouraged to view our lives as a pilgrimage, going 'from strength to strength' even as we age.

In this exploration of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth challenges us to reframe our understanding of what it means to be a neighbor. The story, found in Luke 10, isn't just about helping others; it's a profound illustration of God's love for us and our calling to reflect that love. We're reminded that our willingness to be a neighbor is the clearest sign of our love fo...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the vocation of friendship as a reflection of God's love. He delves into the ancient Greek understanding of friendships and biblical examples to illustrate how these relationships can nurture and transform us. Through the lens of friendship, Terry invites us to mirror Jesus' sacrificial love and deepen our connections with one another.

In this message from Richie Reeder, we explore the beautifully complex vocation of family life, a journey marked by both joy and sorrow, challenges and blessings. We delve into scriptural insights and personal reflections to understand how we can engage more intentionally in our familial roles, moving toward deeper connections and healthier boundaries. Listen in as we uncover how embodying the lov...