Commons Church Podcast

One of Jesus' key ideas was that of the kingdom of God. An imagination for the world as it could be pervades not only Jesus' teaching but all of his interactions. In fact, this is a uniquely human ability to think in sequence and to understand meaning through the lens of past, present, and future. Simply put, we live in a storied world, and one of the most important questions for any story is, "Wh...

One of Jesus' key ideas was that of the kingdom of God. An imagination for the world as it could be pervades not only Jesus' teaching but all of his interactions. In fact, this is a uniquely human ability to think in sequence and to understand meaning through the lens of past, present, and future. Simply put, we live in a storied world, and one of the most important questions for any story is, "Wh...

One of Jesus' key ideas was that of the kingdom of God. An imagination for the world as it could be pervades not only Jesus' teaching but all of his interactions. In fact, this is a uniquely human ability to think in sequence and to understand meaning through the lens of past, present, and future. Simply put, we live in a storied world, and one of the most important questions for any story is, "Wh...

One of Jesus' key ideas was that of the kingdom of God. An imagination for the world as it could be pervades not only Jesus' teaching but all of his interactions. In fact, this is a uniquely human ability to think in sequence and to understand meaning through the lens of past, present, and future. Simply put, we live in a storied world, and one of the most important questions for any story is, "Wh...

One of Jesus' key ideas was that of the kingdom of God. An imagination for the world as it could be pervades not only Jesus' teaching but all of his interactions. In fact, this is a uniquely human ability to think in sequence and to understand meaning through the lens of past, present, and future. Simply put, we live in a storied world, and one of the most important questions for any story is, "Wh...

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” –Mahatma Ghandi Doesn’t it feel like there’s a shortage of true happiness? Whether the news—or our own experience—or a string of rainy afternoons, we can find ourselves wondering why the world always seems to be frowning. Which is why—this summer—we’re striking out in search of some real, wholesome, happy-face-emoji...

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” –Mahatma Ghandi Doesn’t it feel like there’s a shortage of true happiness? Whether the news—or our own experience—or a string of rainy afternoons, we can find ourselves wondering why the world always seems to be frowning. Which is why—this summer—we’re striking out in search of some real, wholesome, happy-face-emoji...

The framework for original sin that most of us are familiar with comes from a bad interpretation of a bad translation of one verse in one letter from Pual. Unfortunately, however, it has all kinds of implications for we think about ourselves and God. So let's talk about it.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” –Mahatma Ghandi Doesn’t it feel like there’s a shortage of true happiness? Whether the news—or our own experience—or a string of rainy afternoons, we can find ourselves wondering why the world always seems to be frowning. Which is why—this summer—we’re striking out in search of some real, wholesome, happy-face-emoji...

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” –Mahatma Ghandi Doesn’t it feel like there’s a shortage of true happiness? Whether the news—or our own experience—or a string of rainy afternoons, we can find ourselves wondering why the world always seems to be frowning. Which is why—this summer—we’re striking out in search of some real, wholesome, happy-face-emoji...

There are times in life when either/or decisions are super important. Life-saving, even. Is this food good for me or bad? Is this relationship what I want or isn’t it? Do I believe this thing about God or don’t I? The answers to these questions may serve us well for a time. Maybe even a long time. But there are some questions that aren’t settled with either/or answers. Contemplative thinkers even...

There are times in life when either/or decisions are super important. Life-saving, even. Is this food good for me or bad? Is this relationship what I want or isn’t it? Do I believe this thing about God or don’t I? The answers to these questions may serve us well for a time. Maybe even a long time. But there are some questions that aren’t settled with either/or answers. Contemplative thinkers even...

There are times in life when either/or decisions are super important. Life-saving, even. Is this food good for me or bad? Is this relationship what I want or isn’t it? Do I believe this thing about God or don’t I? The answers to these questions may serve us well for a time. Maybe even a long time. But there are some questions that aren’t settled with either/or answers. Contemplative thinkers even...

There are times in life when either/or decisions are super important. Life-saving, even. Is this food good for me or bad? Is this relationship what I want or isn’t it? Do I believe this thing about God or don’t I? The answers to these questions may serve us well for a time. Maybe even a long time. But there are some questions that aren’t settled with either/or answers. Contemplative thinkers even...

There are times in life when either/or decisions are super important. Life-saving, even. Is this food good for me or bad? Is this relationship what I want or isn’t it? Do I believe this thing about God or don’t I? The answers to these questions may serve us well for a time. Maybe even a long time. But there are some questions that aren’t settled with either/or answers. Contemplative thinkers even...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss. In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib. Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it. Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Cl...

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the tim...

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the tim...