Ponder Anew Podcast

Wrapping up (get it, for Christmas, wrapping...) the mini-Series here on Christmas and Advent songs, we turn to a lesser known carol, "Prepare the Royal Highway."  A reflection on the Christmas' terrible love affair with paganism, the Gospel of Mark's haunting intro and Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.

This week we consider "Silent Night" -- It was, of course, as it is always is, requested.   The making of this beloved hymn is in itself a "Hallmark Christmas" story.  But was the real Christmas story quite so "Hallmarky"?

The people have spoken:  They want to hear about O Holy Night.  This beautiful hymn has quite a powerful history!

As we've been journeying with Joseph and his family this fall, the children in our congregation have been doing a podcast, led by Deacon Emily Myallis. In this final episode of "Whaddaya know Joe" the kids talk about forgiveness and God working things out for the best.

We wrap up the season on Joseph.  It all ends well -- peace in the family, peace in the heart of Joseph and peace in the world. A reflection on reconcilation.

In this episode, we look at the transformation of Judah.  What did it take for God to transform Judah?  What does the transformed life look like?

In this episode, Deacon Emily invites the kids into some deeper reflection on the week's theme:  resilience. (This is a children's podcast that is being launched through this podcast channel during this season of Joseph)

Finally, the story starts to go Joseph's way!!  The podcast ends with a reflection on overcoming challenges; but first, a lengthy aside on what we mean by "God saves."

This episode is of a new podcast, "Whaddaya know Joe."  This podcast, made by Deacon Emily Myallis, gives kids space to share their thoughts and learn about the story of Joseph. While this podcast idea is in the pilot phase, it will be produced from Pastor Rob's Ponder Anew Podcast.

We pick up this episode with Joseph in prison.  Pastor Rob looks at the injustice in the situation and how Joseph becomes a model "sufferer."   A reflection on suffering wrong and helping others.

Pastor Rob introduces a new podcast, produced by his colleague and wife Deacon Emily Myallis.  Deacon Emily serves as the children's minister at St. Paul Lititz.  She is piloting a podcast this season in which she discusses the bible story with children.

The plot thickens as the brothers betray Joseph (Genesis 37:15-36).  A humbling tale of the temptations we face to take the easy road instead of the right path!

Pastor Rob kicks off a new podcast season, looking at the story of Joseph (starting with Genesis 37:1-11). A warm-up question:  Have you ever had a dream that revealed something to you about real life? Also, after the trumpet send-off is a bit more information about how you can dig deeper into the conversation.

Getting a bit anxious as summer ends? Pastor Rob encourages you to read a rather short but moving book of the Bible, Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Need some summer reading?  Pastor Rob invites you to consider reading a book from the Bible, in this case, the Gospel of Mark. Who might like the Gospel of Mark?  A)  Anyone who likes stories that move B) Anyone who likes a mystery or C) Anyone who realizes they are not perfect.

We wrap up the middle section of the book of Acts with a look at Acts 12, the arrest of Peter.  I reflect less on the cost of living as a disciple and simply the cost of living, the necessity to make choices and commit our lives to prayer.  Hopefully this podcast provides a tying together of this season's reflection on faith and boldness in following Jesus.

We live in a society and world that still has racial prejudices.  A reflection on how the early disciples overcame their prejudice -- by the Spirit -- and how God might be calling us forward.

We move with Paul (and Silas and Luke!) to Philippi.  A look at the surprising way power works in God's economy.  

We continuing looking at the book of Acts (focusing on the middle part).  In this episode, we turn our attention from Paul and Ananias to Peter and Cornelius.  A look at why we can eat bacon as Christians...and more importantly, about the breadth of God's love for this world.

We begin a new season here on the podcast, returning to the book of Acts.  As we look at the stories from the middle part of the book of Acts, we reflect on what it means to have faith -- to follow where God calls us.  In this episode (Acts 9), we meet a man knocked off his high horse and another called to risk their life.  Some ponderings on humility and courage.

We are just about wrapping up with Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.  A story about hospitality and miracles.  The art is Rublev's icon of the Trinity, based on this Genesis story.

This week we meet a new person in the Bible:  Hagar.  An Egyptian slave-girl; ancestor to the Arabs; mother of Abraham's first child.  But also someone who is an abused outcast...and insightful outsider.

We continue with Abraham.  Abraham reveals a deep faith here that allows him to ask hard questions.  Not so much questions about the existence of God, but questions and even complaints about what God is doing in our lives.

Last week, everything was great for Abraham.  He was called.  He obeyed.  The world was blessed.  This week, we read how Abraham's journey hits a road bump!

We move ahead in Genesis to the the call of Abram/Abraham (Chapter 12:1-8).  Love discovering how a bronze age guy in the middle east...is strangely relatable!  Join us on the (Lenten) Journey of Faith.