Growing Hope Living Faith

This week, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth celebrate their 100th episode since they began a few years ago. We reminisce on the beginning and many of the things we learned and enjoyed. Beyond that, we discuss Trinity Sunday and its importance for the church. Thank you so much for listening over these last few years, and know that we appreciate you so much! We look forward to continuing on with the po...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss what has been happening in their lives over the last several weeks, as well as Pentecost Sunday and its importance. Most scriptures point to the truth of unity and God's desire for His people to be unified. This is no easy task though, and can only be accomplished if we allow God to be the head of the church. It is so easy for us to try an...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss this weeks lectionary passages and the themes within. Focusing on the Revelation passage and gospel, these passages are filled with hope, revealing and implementing the Kingdom of God and how it comes and will come. The Revelation passage is such an awesome passage of hope of what is to come and a great promise for the people of God. What a ho...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth catch up on what happened this past weekend, Pastor Rhonda walked her graduation ceremony at Trevecca and Pastor Seth's son promoted to black belt in Tae Kwon Doe, as well as we discuss the Gospel lectionary passage. We focus on the idea of knowing the shepherd's voice and the importance of that. It is easy to desire a sign from God, to move a...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss this weeks lectionary passage, focusing on the gospel. This is such a great text, but also has several verses that could be deemed controversial in how we translate it. This is a great passage for the church today and provides great promise for those that follow Him. It is so easy to get caught up in the fear and anxiety of the world around us...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary Gospel passage which takes focus on Palm Sunday. This is Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, pushing towards His death and all that entails. For some of us, we did not celebrate palm Sunday growing up and this may be new to us, but for others we may have heard these passages a lot. There are a lot of themes that run through this...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss a passage that is very familiar amongst believers. The story of the prodigal son is a great story of faith, and traditionally, we have grown accustom to putting ourselves into the story either as the prodigal, older brother, or even the father. We try to look at this story a little different, realizing that the church has a purpose to fulfill,...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss this week lectionary passages and how they flow together. This week, as we journey towards the cross, the passages seem to focus on lament. Lament is such a powerful tool for the believer, but we often do not explore this resource in our walk. There are so many things in this world that we look at and desire for it to be different, better. But...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Ash Wednesday and the Lent season and its meaning. This is a such an important turn in the church calendar, and it is important for us to embrace this season and enter into this journey. As we embrace and enter this season, it allows us a better understanding of the passion and easter. We hope you enjoy this conversation and know that we are p...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passage on the Transfiguration of Jesus. This passage is absolutely loaded with content, and was a challenge to get through. But, it is a beautiful passage that helps us to get ready for the next season in the lectionary season of Lent. In this passage we see the humanity of Jesus played out within the representation of His glor...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passages for this week. There seems to be a theme through the text of "love for enemies" and those who have done us wrong. This is one of the hardest realities of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day and age. Everything within us wants revenge, for someone to feel what we have felt, but the way of the cross and...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passages, looking at the theme of trust and how it relates to all the passages. Most of the passages include themes of good vs evil, righteous vs wickedness, and blessing vs curses. So many times it is easy to focus on the negative sides of these comparisons, instead of focusing on the positive and how it affects our lives. To l...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passages . This weeks passage are near and dear to the heart of epiphany and the role of the follower of Jesus within epiphany. In 3 of the text, we see how we are to approach the Holy God we serve, and what our Holy God calls us too. It is so easy to get complacent and comfortable in our walk, but the call of God should push us...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss all of the lectionary passages, first focusing on, the "love chapter", 1 Corinthians 13. This passage is definitely a passage that most have heard, as it is widely used in weddings. It is important to understand the context of the passage though and the meaning of the word love used in the passage. Love is not any easy thing to live...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passage in Nehemiah and Luke. These passages point to the law and gospel, and its importance. In Nehemiah, we see someone who has been faithful in studying the law being utilized to share and interpret it for the people of God. this has many side effects, but ultimately brings the people to a place of repentance and grace. The L...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss their perspective on the great snow of 2025. It has been a while since we have got this much snow in our area, and it was beautiful. Beyond that, we discuss the 1st Corinthians passage, which is related to the gifts that God gives. If someone declares that Jesus is Lord, then their gift is valid, as it comes from God. We in the church have no...

In this episode of Growing Hope and Living Faith, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth catch up and bring you up to date on what has been going on in their lives. There have been a lot of big things happening which have pulled them away from recording regularly, but they are excited as they are ready to approach the podcast with more regularity and purpose. They also discuss their plans for the podcast a...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the story of Hannah in the book of Samuel. Hannah is a great story of perseverance in the midst of struggling and adversity. It is easy to get complacent and to give up on the reality of our desires, but God desires for us to continue to go to Him for our needs and desires. There are several great questions that arise from this story. What do...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Job passage from lectionary and its value to today. It is easy to read the passage and have a view of God that is mad at Joe and putting Job in his place. We discuss this view of God and the reality of how one approaches suffering. We are all going to suffer, but as followers of Jesus, we have reason to have joy. What will be your posture...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the James lectionary passage, which dives deep into wisdom. James simply states there are 2 kinds of wisdom. There is earthly wisdom, which is selfish, envious, and bitter, and there is heavenly wisdom, which loves mercy, is gentle, makes peace, and more. It is so easy to live earthly wisdom, as everything within us tells us we should do that....

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss words, and why they matter. We live in a day and age where words are used in so many negative ways, and if we are not careful, this can infiltrate the church. We use words to lie, portray ourselves in ways that aren't true, bring others down and raise ourselves up. According to scripture, our words matter, and more important, we better bac...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the James lectionary passage. James is such a great book of the bible and is a great place for beginners to start. The 2nd chapter leads us to a place of working through faith and works. It is so easy to lean into grace, and not allow that grace to change our lives. James says, this must not be done. We must allow our faith to change how we go...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Joshua passage from lectionary. In this passage, the people of God have a choice to make. They can serve the gods of their ancestors and the people that are around them, or they can serve the God who freed them from oppression. Joshua tells the people that no matter what, he and his family are going to serve God. The people respond with th...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Ephesians lectionary passage, which leans into wisdom. Wisdom is different than knowledge and should effect how we live our lives and interact with others. Wisdom should lead us to encouragement together in living the life God wants us to live. We also discuss the reality of wisdom and its potential downfall. Just like everything given by...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth catch up and discuss the Ephesians passage from lectionary. This passage looks at our response that we as followers of Jesus take in speaking truth and receiving truth from each other. It is so easy to respond to those things with evil and judgement. To use our tongues in a way that do not lead to redemption and reconciliation. It is so important thou...