Conversate

In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with Annikka Chrestensen for a conversation on Spiritual Growth. Annikka shares her own experience of faith growth, including those who "planted seeds" in her walk with Jesus. As you listen to this conversation - consider the people who have planted seeds in your life. Who might God be you to tend to spiritually? How can you help "plant&q...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are joined by Marcus Huff and they talk about witnessing and wisdom. How do we develop a wisdom and understanding to trust in God? And, how does that affect the way that we witness about Jesus Christ to other people.  In this conversation, the guys also talk about the importance of deepening our wisdom. Even though we can approach conversations "we...

In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Kevin Olson to talk about the Cross. The Cross has been described as a diamond. It is (oddly) and image of beauty - but one that is multi-faceted. Whether we're talking about greatness, ugliness, service, or strength - the cross has much to tell us. The Kevins talk about their own experience of the cross in worship, movies, and what it...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about following Jesus. They talk practically about what it means to follow Jesus in modern America by comparing it to the ways that we follow many other people/voices/things in this world.  In this honest conversation, we will examine the beauty of following Jesus because where he leads is good for all of us.  We hope you enjoy it! 

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about the upside down nature of God's Kingdom - in particular, this thing called grace.  What is grace, though? If you've spent any time in the church, you've heard the word grace. Grace is even a concept that's used to talk about how smoothly someone moves on the dance floor.  But, what does grace mean for us as the peop...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin "unbox" Christmas by talking about the fulfillment of what Christmas brings - death and life.  In Christ we die to sin and we rise to new life. What does that look like? How do we get access to it? When does this new life begin?  These are the things that Aaron and Kevin discuss in this week's episode of Conversate.  Happy New Year!

In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Maura Leinonen to talk about "Jesus as our Peace." (Ephesians 2:14) Maura shares stories of her life where Jesus showed up, and gives some practical advice on how to invest in your relationship with Jesus. We hope that you are encouraged by your sister in Christ, that you recognize Jesus' own investment (& activity!) in yo...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the popular Bible verse, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).  If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious (even about all the good opportunities in life), we think this conversation would be beneficial to you.  Be still does not mean sit back and do nothing. But it is an attitude adjustment. So that as we e...

In this world that is chaotic and distracting, is there still a place for calm? How do we find it?  In verses 4-7 of Psalm 46, the Psalmist moves from describing the chaotic waters in verses 2-3, to describing a life-giving river that brings joy and gladness. It's a reminder to us that God can change chaos to calm.  In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss this and much more.  We...

This world is chaotic, noisy, filled with distractions, and storms pop up constantly.  God promises in Psalm 46 to be our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble.  In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin (in matching red flannels) take us on a conversation into Psalm 46 as we begin the Advent season. Advent is a time for us to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. Yet, too often...

What does it mean to be part of the church? At Saints Peter and Paul we say it like this, "We are a vibrant and multiplying family of God that is truly and fully alive in Christ."  We like the family language that the Bible uses to describe the church because it helps us understand the beauty of both giving and receiving. There is a joy that comes in the mutual generosity of the church,...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about imitating.  Who do you imitate?  You do know that you imitate other people, right? Are you intentionally surrounding yourself with voices and ideas that reflect Christ?  And, are you living in a way that you could confidently say to someone else, "Imitate me," and know that you would actually be leading them to Jesus?...

In this week’s episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about the humility of Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about the incredible lengths that God has gone for you? He has come to you in your lowest of lows, in your deepest of deeps in your darkest of darks. That’s where Jesus meets you. He humbles himself to your lowest point so that he can pick you up.  And then he tells us to have this same ki...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin open up a discussion on the letter of Philippians. This is a letter where the Apostle Paul exudes joy in his writing to the church.  What sorts of things bring joy to your life? Is joy different than happiness? Can (or should) Christians be stoic, or should they look happy all the time?  These are questions that Aaron and Kevin talk about in this week&a...

This is the 100th episode of the Conversate podcast. Thanks for being with us on this ride! It's been a joy to be in conversation with you each week as we ponder God's Word and model how to have normal conversations about Jesus.  In this 100th episode, we're talking about the Good Word "Sent." God is a sending God. He sent Jesus to die and rise for us. And Jesus sent us, a...

This is an encouraging conversation between Aaron and Kevin as they discuss the victory that Jesus has won for us over sin, death, and the devil.  It's easy to feel like the world is winning when we look around and see the mess that is all around. We may even feel defeated or like giving up hope.  In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin remind us that the victory is already won. The war is over...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about cleansing. Have you ever noticed when reading through the Bible, how much talk there is about whether or not things are clean or unclean? Have you ever wondered what that's all about?  Well, that's what this conversation gets after. The Bible is filled with imagery regarding cleanliness and uncleanliness. Jesus, in his ministry, goe...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are joined by a special guest from the congregation who was adopted when she was four years old. You'll have to watch this episode to find out who it is!  Adoption is a Biblical word to describe our status with our heavenly Father. We are His children. He has chosen us to be his very own. As his adopted children, we are part of his family now and f...

Have you ever considered yourself God's property? What do you think of that concept?  It can be a little bit off-putting at first. Property? I don't want to be "property!"  If that's what you're thinking, we encourage you to listen to this conversation and reconsider. We believe that being God's property is actually a really good thing for us.  Aaron and Kevin ex...

Life is a huge word/concept in the Bible and...well... in our lives.  At the end of the day, the basic reality of our existence is one of life and death. Physically, and spiritually. But, what does the Bible have to say about this thing we call life? Is there more to our life than simply existing? What does Jesus really mean when he says that he came that we may have life and have it to the full? ...

In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin round our our time in the Beatitudes by talking about Jesus' last statement, "Blessed are the persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does persecution look like in our current context as Americans? Does it mean death threats, or is the persecution simply build up in our own minds?  Aaron and Kevin get into this topic today b...

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."  In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about peacemaking. They discuss the Biblical concept of peace and how to practically go about making peace with other people.  In a world that is hungry for peace, but doesn't know where to find it, let us people people who bring the other-worldly peace of Jesus to them.  We hope you enjoy...

Mercy. It's one of those "church words." But what does it mean? What does it look like? And why should our lives be lives of mercy? In this conversation, Pastor Kevin talks with Dala Beard - longtime member of Saints Peter & Paul - about mercy. Dala draws on her experience as a transplant to the UP from Indiana and as a teacher to demonstrate how she has seen mercy in her life....

How do you respond when you experience that things aren't right in the world?  Do you get angry, frustrated or sad? Do you long for days gone by that you look back on and think, "If only the world could look like that again." Or, do you look forward and think, "With a little more human achievement, things will be so much better."  Are either of these our Christian reality?...

In Matthew 5:5 Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This is a surprising statement; don't nice guys finish last? In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with John Pemberton - Elder and member of Saints Peter & Paul to talk about this backwards way of Jesus. They explore what humility is, what it isn't, and why pride is the fool's w...