Living on the Edge of Art

This episode is a little bit about the Book of Revelation and how to read it, and a little bit about my new job and move to Mason near the edge of Art, Texas. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The Epistles are letters, historical documents written to churches to correct and encourage. They are timeless, and they help the church do what it’s supposed to do – love. This podcast gives an overview of the letters and highlights a few verses that are highlight-worthy. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

Listen for some thoughts on the Letter to the Romans, the inspiring epistle that tells us we are bound to belong, yet free from our chains. Also - a big announcement! You can listen to much more on what the Bible says about women in ministry from Sandra Richter at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoAyhSQtKR8 .  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

Conflict, suffering, and drama are all part of life on the edge, and life in the early church. The second half of Acts of the Apostles tells of Paul's dangerous missionary journeys and the first church council meeting, during which they decided not to make the Gentiles follow all the food and ceremonial laws. Thankfully, conflicts do end. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstel...

It's the one year anniversary of the podcast!  The episode contains a look back, as well as a look forward into the Acts of the Apostles, the next book on the year-long read-through of the Bible. In life and in this book, sometimes we have to go on trust and figure things out as we go. It's all part of sailing uncharted water when you are living on the edge.  Was this helpful? You can co...

The early church symbolized John with the eagle because his spiritual gospel soars. Listen for ways it inspires.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The Gospel of Luke has a running theme of the Holy Spirit at work. Heaven is watching and rejoices when we do God's work on earth. This overview of the gospel is part of a series of reading through the Bible and ends with a reflection on the crucifixion and the political violence that grieves heaven and earth. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The fast-paced Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as a demon-hunter, or at least as one who has to take them on and win. Reading this book of the Bible can be an antidote to watered down faith for those living on the edge. This week's podcast pulls out some thought-provoking passages.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The parable of the weeds and wheat reminds us of the reality that the good and bad often show up together and sorting it all out is impossible. This reflection on the Book of Matthew gives some perspective on living with difficult things that are beyond our control and what to carry with you to make life on the edge easier to bear.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The twelve prophetic books at the end of the Old Testament address the same problems, but the hope that arises in response always feels new. Listen to the prophet Habakkuk in this walk through of the Bible and hear God's inspiring reminder of the promise. You may want to write it down in big letters.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

What’s in your gut? The Old Testament prophets spoke for God and they get to the very meat of the matter in no uncertain terms. When we arrive at the last section of the Bible, the Minor Prophets, or Book of the Twelve, things can get uncomfortable. When we sit with God’s Word, though, we find relevance and meaning. This podcast looks at the first 6 of these books and how they resonate today.   Wa...

The action-packed Biblical book of Daniel is an inspiration to those living on the edge who find themselves needing to take a stand. It reminds us that God honors faithfulness. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The Prophet Ezekiel sat on the edge, grieving over everything that went wrong. That was the place God decided to show up in all his glory and give Ezekiel the first of many amazing visions. His vision of the River in Judea is inspiring for all of us who are living on the edge of things. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

After a short hiatus, the book-by-book walk through the Bible continues. We are at the low point, with a poetic book lamenting the devastation of the kingdom. Why do we need lament and what keeps us going through the valleys? Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

The prophet Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet, and he had reason to be. He called out the peoples’ sin and paid a high cost for telling the truth. Sometimes we’re living on the edge because we stepped out for truth. We can’t always keep our mouths shut. At these times, Jeremiah’s integrity and hope in the face of adversity are an inspiration.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pasto...

Sometimes hope starts small and all you can manage to do is put your pants on. That’s when Book of Isaiah can help. Written at a time of great despair, its poetic words give us hope. When you are living in the in-between, you are often more open to learn, and words you’ve heard before come at you in a whole new light. Listen for inspiration.   Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstel...

On the Day of Pentecost, the words of the prophets were fulfilled. For those living on the edge, it’s good to be reminded that God is true to his word. As we podcast through the Bible, we hear the words from the Book of Joel that  foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit like fire, and we step into the first book of the prophets, Isaiah.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella....

Our journey through Scripture takes us to two small books that pack a big punch. From the apathy of Ecclesiastes and woes of the man who feels emptiness even though he has everything, to the passionate lovers of the ancient world, we have a wide spectrum. As people on the edge, we find ourselves with big emotions from time to time, and God always meets us to talk it out in the pages of the Bible. ...

The wisdom in the Book of Proverbs is a beacon that calls us to the solid ground of truth. It reminds us to trust and lean not on our limited understanding. On this podcast, we celebrate some good news and realize that, like the people in the Bible, we get motivated to be wiser and do the right thing when God gives us a second chance. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

Living on the edge means sometimes feeling out of sync. Psalms can help reorient us toward God, and therefore to worship, the most natural response. The book by J.D. Walt, Soundtrack, A Forty-Day Playlist through the Psalms, offers a great musical metaphor.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

When you live on the edge, the stories you tell yourself matter. Are you doing great or terrible? This podcast is about the way the psalms retell our stories, bring us in to community, and help us heal. Two books are shared that offer insights on story and faith: Live to Tell, Evangelism for a postmodern age by Brad J. Kallenberg and Between the Listening and the Telling, How Stories Can Save Us b...

Why is it so hard to stop and slow down? Why do we so easily violate the commandment that tells us to rest? On the first of three psalms podcasts, we listen to psalms that give us peace. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

A short video preview to the Book of Psalms as the podcast prepares for a two-week Easter break. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

Job's story in the Bible is a profound examination of the question, Why does God let bad things happen to good people? God's answer is surprising, and it helps refocus us when these questions push us to the edge.  Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.

Sometimes it seems the die is cast, fate has spoken, and there is no hope. The Book of Esther tells a bigger story. God can change things, even when we can’t. That’s good news for those of us living on the edge. Was this helpful? You can contact me at www.pastorstella.net.