Central Lutheran Church - Elk River

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever grappled with the weight of a simple question that carries the power to propel you into profound self-reflection? Join us as we return to Mike's Beats Laboratory, where together with my good friend and insightful commentator Kent Dobson, we dissect a momentous query found in Genesis – "Where are you?" This is no ordinary inquiry about location; it&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the enigmatic world of love and sex within the sacred pages of the Bible, as revealed through the evocative poetry of the Song of Songs. Stepping into Mike's Beats Laboratory, I dissect the nuances of biblical romance, spotlighting the stark contrasts to today's pornography. By illuminating the Hebrew concepts of Raya, Ahava, and Doad, we grasp the multifaceted n...

Send us Fan Mail When hearts converge, joy and hope take flight—this is the essence of our latest episode, featuring the passionate Kaycee Stanley from the Reel Hope Project. Alongside her husband, Kaycee breathes life into the stories of children in foster care, beckoning forever families to open their arms through the power of video storytelling. With over 400 children featured and 204 family ma...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a poetic journey with me, Ben Carruthers, as I navigate the intimate and intricate landscape of the Song of Songs. I'll share how this biblical book, once a source of hesitation for its sensual verses, has become a wellspring of revelation about love, longing, and the soul's quest for the divine. Through the interpretations of mystics like Saint John of the Cro...

Send us Fan Mail Faced with a choice between tithing and paying rent during my Youth With A Mission days, my wife and I stumbled upon an invaluable lesson in faith and generosity thanks to an unexpected act of kindness. Our journey into the heart of giving is unfolded in this episode, where we invite you to explore not just the joy, but also the profound implications of what it means to truly shar...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a soul-stirring quest with us, as we unravel the sensual and spiritual tapestry of the Song of Songs. Our journey through this ancient erotic poetry will reveal not only the celebration of human love but also its deep allegorical roots in Jewish and Christian traditions. Michelle adds her own voice to the narrative, lending a poignant touch as we explore love's divi...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the compelling reasons that led our church in Elk River to remove the American flag from our sanctuary, sparking a profound discussion about the intersection of faith and national identity. In this episode, I, Ryan, invite you to contemplate the delicate balance between patriotism and the Christian call to be citizens of God's kingdom first and foremost. Through scri...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a poetic journey through the Song of Songs, where we traverse the lush landscape of romantic verses from within the Hebrew Bible. Experience the sheer delight as I uncover the myriad layers of meaning in this ancient love poetry, exploring its candid conversations and metaphor-rich dialogue between ardent lovers. Whether you're seeking to enrich your own expressions...

Send us Fan Mail What if we've got our understanding of love all twisted? Let's discuss the untold truths about love and relationships no one usually tells you about. Join me, Pastor Ryan Braley, as we venture into the world of romantic pragmatism inspired by a wedding bible verse from Ecclesiastes. Listen as we delve into this ancient Hebrew wisdom which appeals to the practicalities of...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a profound exploration with me as we navigate the sensual and sacred landscape of the Song of Songs. This time, we're peeling back layers of a biblical book that's often relegated to the sidelines, despite its rich tapestry of erotic love poetry. From the onset, we confront the bold expressions of desire and the depth of human emotion, as I weave in a touching...

Send us Fan Mail As we usher in another year full of promise, I, Ryan, invite you to join me in a tradition that has transformed the way I approach the New Year. Picture this: an annual ritual, drawing from St. Ignatius' daily examen, where together we sift through the past year's experiences with a heart swelling with gratitude. In this soul-nourishing session, we dissect both our trium...

Send us Fan Mail As the New Year's Eve fireworks fade and the last of the Christmas cookies are savored, I, Ben Krullers, invite you to join me in a personal journey through the moments that shape our understanding of divine purpose. Over coffee at Caraboo Coffee, a simple question about resolutions led me down a path of introspection, examining the pursuit of self-improvement and the way pho...

Send us Fan Mail When the Minnesota North Stars packed their bags for Dallas, it felt as if our collective hockey heart froze over. I open up about the deep void their departure left behind and how it mirrors the irreversible impact of news on our emotions. But not all is set in stone – we contrast this with the empowering nature of advice, exploring its potential to shape our future. I'll al...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could receive feedback, good or bad, without it affecting your sense of self-worth or emotional state? In our latest conversation, we dive into a compelling narrative about a young man's quest to attain holiness and the surprisingly significant advice he receives. We unpack the concept of handling feedback in a grounded way, inspired by the advice to 'be like...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind the creation of the world, or why we celebrate the profound tradition of Advent? Join Mike Lauer and me, Ryan, as we unravel the tapestry of divine love that weaves through the very fabric of existence. In a heartfelt conversation, we challenge the common assumptions that God's creation stemmed from a need for worship or...

Send us Fan Mail Reflecting on a recent, joy-filled wedding highlighted by an unexpected but beautiful scripture reading, we discovered a profound truth - the fleeting nature of life is what makes every moment precious. This episode paints a vivid picture of how, just like a vapor or mist, life is ephemeral and hence, every second is a gift to be treasured. We share heartwarming insights from our...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could tap into a peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the most chaotic of times? In our enlightening talk, we're taking a deep-dive into the Advent season, exploring the theme 'Advent by the Books.' Drawing on Lutheran roots, we'll explore poignant readings from Isaiah 40, 2nd Peter 3:8-15, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, and Mark 1:1-8 with their fo...

Send us Fan Mail Remember how you waited for Christmas as a child, the anticipation building with each passing day, hoping to unwrap your heart’s desire? Drawing on those memories, Mike and I, your hosts Ryan Braley, bring you a profound understanding of the biblical Hebrew concept of hope, 'kava', that embodies a tense waiting for a release. In the tranquil season of Advent, we invite y...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could find beauty in the cold season of winter, learn to long for the kingdom of God, and unwrap the profound theology of the incarnation? Brace yourself as we embark on a journey through Advent, exploring the tension between beauty and suffering, and the anticipation for God's kingdom. Expect a mix of light-hearted and deep conversations surrounding our favorite...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how a theological concept could provide a blueprint to personal growth and better relationships? Join me, Ryan Braley, as I unpack the ancient Jewish idea of Zimzum, a philosophy that teaches the act of self-limitation and creating space within oneself for others. I reveal how this concept has shaped my own life, particularly in my marriage, teaching me the...

Send us Fan Mail Strap in, faithful followers, as we chart a course for the powerful intersection of discipleship and the anticipation-filled advent season. With prayer as our starting point, we ask the divine for a deeper understanding of what it means to be a disciple and how the joyous Advent intertwines with this spiritual journey. But why keep such a profound journey to ourselves? We encourag...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the concept of aging and how it impacts us? Join us in our tenth episode as we wrestle with these thoughts, looking at the extremes people fall into as they age - clinging desperately to their youth or surrendering to the march of time. We invite you to contemplate this journey with us, as we strive for balance and share how to age gracefully. We'll be cov...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever considered yourself an apprentice of Jesus? Grapple with us as we embark on a compelling exploration of discipleship, starting from the premise that we are all learners in the grand scheme of things. We pull back the curtain on the concept of powers and principalities, those spiritual forces of evil that Jesus grappled with and Paul documented, providing us with a nu...

Send us Fan Mail Ever caught yourself in an elevator, airport, or hallway and felt the unease of being in between? That's a liminal space - a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing. Yet, it's not all discomfort and uncertainty. In our latest conversation, we delve into the transformative potential of these spaces through personal experiences of our friend who journeyed through ope...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how a simple act of service, like providing free laundry, can impact a community, and how a passionate belief in the power of love and belonging can transform lives? Meet Pastor Lorraine Daley of Restoring Lives Community Church in Zimmerman, who has dedicated her life to restoring hope and providing tangible help to women coming out of addiction programs and prison. J...