Pondering Theologian

As we get into this new year, I wonder what it is that we are celebrating? The New Calendar year is here, but what about the Christian year. There is a lot of holy days, and important days to our faith tradition, but we don't really celebrate or observe them all that well. Come listen and let me know what you think.  Scriptural references:  P salm 148, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Mat...

Welcome to the new year, now what? What's your plan? Listen for just a couple ideas.  Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcast Twitter: @ponderingtheo Website: https://ponderingtheologian.wordpress.com  ; Also, if you find value in anything I have covered, con...

We are looking at Joy in this episode, and how we live out Joy in our lives as Christians. How do we choose to act in joy during this season? Scriptural references:  P salm 146:5-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Luke 1:46b-55 Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodca...

In this episode we look at what it means to pray persistently, and more meaning than I believe is often examined from the Parable of the Persistent Widow. What does it mean to love God in our actions, and how does that come out in our prayer practices. Listen and let me know what you think!   Scriptural references: Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Genesis 1:27, Leviticus 19:17-18, Ephesians 6:...

In this episode I ask us to consider how we view people. We are called to love our neighbor-aka everyone-and in the beginning of the Bible it tells us everyone, is made in the image of God. Do we really view everyone that way?  Come listen and let me know your thoughts. You can reach out using one of the contacts in the linktree below. https://linktr.ee/ponderingtheologian Also, if you find v...

Christians use the word, "hope" a lot. I wonder if it does not mean what we think it means sometimes. I also think that at times, it gives us a way out of things, or it opens us up to not truly believing in something.  "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." -Princess Bride Scriptural references:  Psalm 33:20-22 Other references Hymn "My Hope is Built...

In this episode we look Advent, and the first week of Advent is the week of Hope. What is the hope in our faith? What is it that we are doing and do we actually inhabit and exhibit hope in the way we live out faith? Scriptural references: Psalm 122, Isaiah 2:2-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 You can reach out using one of the contacts in the linktree below. https://linktr.ee/ponderingtheologi...

In this episode we look at the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax collector. In this there is a great question, do we think more highly of ourselves than our fellow peoples? Where does this play out? In our lives, our actions, words and prayers? Come listen and let me know what you think.  Scriptural references: Luke 18:9-14 Link to the episode on Pharisees https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link...

For those celebrating thanksgiving today, happy thanksgiving. For those elsewhere in the world, I also wish you a happy thanksgiving. With that I challenge you all to consider what thanksgiving is, and is it just a season? Is it something that is just lip service to God and those around us? Or are we truly thankful in the way we go through life? Come listen to hear more about my thoughts on this....

In this episode I talk about journeling. Something I find value in, and I hope you will consider it as well. Listen along and let me know what you think about this episode? Would you like more practices like this explored and talked about in future episodes? You can reach out using one of the contacts in the linktree below. https://linktr.ee/ponderingtheologian Also, if you find value in anything...

Do we desire God? We sometimes don't think about what all little aspects of our lives convey about our relationships. When we think about our relationship with God, do we actually want a wholistic relationship?  Scriptural references:  Psalm 63, Romans 8:18-28, Galatians 5:25, Psalm 119, Isaiah 26, John 6:27, John 7:37 Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using o...

In this episode I ask the question, what are we doing? What are we working towards? While these are both simple and complex questions, they are important for whatever it is that we are doing in this life. Come along as I share my pondering from this week and wonder, what is the point and where are we going? Scriptural references: Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 You can reach...

In this episode I ponder the verse about dying for others. What does it actually mean? I think, it is often out of context and I explore that and offer another way of understanding it. Scriptural references: John 15:12-17, 1 John 3:11-24 (I would read the whole chapter though, covers a lot about love.) Articles and other resources mentioned: https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/what-does-laying-down...

Do we stop to think about the things we say, and why we say them? In this episode I ask if we consider the way in which we talk, to and about others.  Scriptural references: James 3:1-12, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Genesis 1:27 Articles and other resources mentioned: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/james/ Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the conta...

In this episode, I share a late night pondering about cheating, and dedication in whatever iteration that takes. We as humans will sometimes say we will do something, or we are dedicated to something/someone, and then we actually, are not. Why? What does this do to us and the way we approach faith? Scriptural references: Matthew 5:37, Revelation 3:15-16, Titus 1:16, Luke 6:46, Isaiah 29:13 Come li...

Do we love God? I mean do we actually love God in the way that we talk, worship, think or act towards God? I ponder that and look at an example of how King David talked about God. Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. Scriptural reference: Psalm 63 email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcast Twitter: @ponderin...

In this episode of pondering things in my car, I think about protests. In this world, currently, protesting is polarized and popular. What is the point? Are they right or wrong? Just some thoughts leading up to a question, (per usual).   Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheo...

In this episode, I ponder and explore the militaristic language Christians tend to have and use. Why do we say Prayer Warrior? Christian Soldier and in the Lord's army? I have some ponderings. Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcast Twitter: @ponderingtheo Website: htt...

In this episode I invite you to participate in a centering and spiritual meditative practice that has been useful for me over the years. It centers around repeating Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."  Come listen, participate and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcas...

In this episode, I share some ponderings about the song "Will I" from the musical Rent. I ponder what the question holds for Christians and how we interact the world. It is also just a good question to examine any action we take in life.  Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingthe...

In this episode I ponder, the statement, "this is what Jesus meant!" When we hear this in a sermon, Bible study, youth group etc. Do we think about it or take it as a fact to regurgitate later? Come listen and let me know what you think Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologian...

In this episode I ponder the term, "defending honor." It's not just a term or statement, it can be an ethos that permeates our actions, thoughts and theology.  Come listen and let me know what you think. You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcast Twitter: @ponderingtheo Website: https://ponderingtheologian.wor...

In this episode I ponder some unedited thoughts around the line, "My Fears have Worn me Out!" From Switchfoot's song Redemption.  Come listen and let me know what you think You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcast Twitter: @ponderingtheo Website: https://ponderingtheologian.wordpress.com  ; Also, if you...

In this episode I ponder the Peter's claim, "Even if I have to die with you, I will not fall away!" Looking at our lives to do the same? (Spoiler, Peter does not initially hold up that promise.) Scriptural references: Mark 14:17-31, Haggai 2:1-9, Psalm 41, Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2:1-4 You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheolog...

In this episode I ponder the question, "Are we acting rich or richly acting? May seem simular, but they have different implications. Come listen and let me know what you think Scriptural references: Luke 16:19-31, 1 timothy 6:6-19, Psalm 146, Romans 12:2 You can reach out using one of the contacts below. email: ponderingtheologian@gmail.com Instagram: @ponderingtheologianpodcast Twitter: @ponderin...