PSALMS to God

A major transition happened in the course of Christianity after the stoning of Stephen--the Word began to be preached to the Gentiles! In this episode we cover: Acts 6-7: The Stoning of Stephen Acts 8: Philip Preaches to the Samaritans & an Ethiopian Acts 10-11: Preaching to the Gentiles We'll get back to the conversion of Paul in Acts 9 next week! Also, what exactly does it mean to be a Gentile?...

Is it weird that we never talk about the Church's origin story? How did the disciples go from the Jerusalem to spreading Christianity around the world? What did their church families look like and how closely does it resemble what we have/do today? Today we're talking about how often they met, how much the shared, and the gift of tongues. Follow along in Acts 1-5. Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show...

Why do we call it "the Bible?" How many books are included in Scripture? Well, that depends on if you ask a Protestant, a Catholic, or a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Yet this never seems to come up in Church conversations... Let's bring it up now. Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/05/what-is-bible.html Instagram: www.instagram.com/psalms_to_god

Why did God need a chosen nation? In this episode we talk about the reason God set a part a specific nation and why we all should be glad He did. Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Notes: www.psalmstogod.com/2020/04/the-purpose-of-israel.html Instagram www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

The difference between "can't", "won't", and "don't" makes a world of difference in our perspective. It's important to think about what we mean we say we "can't" do something because of God and think through the implications of how we perceive this. Let's talk about it... Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/04/cant-wont-or-dont.html Instagram: www.instagram.com...

What does the Bible actually say about tithing and offering? I'll give you a hint, Malachi 3:8-10 is often quoted out of context. Spoiler alert: you are NOT cursed if you aren't giving 10% of your income to a man made institution. Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/04/tithes-offering.html Website: www.psalmstogod.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shireehughes

The final episode on the feasts of the LORD, this time we're talking about the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) [Sukkot], Purim, and Hanukkah. Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/03/lets-have-feast-pt-3.html Website: www.psalmstogod.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

This week we're continuing the discussion on the Feasts of the LORD, focusing on Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, and the Day of Atonement. Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/03/lets-have-feast-part-2.html Website: www.psalmstogod.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

Feast, Cookout, BBQ, whatever you want to call it, God knew that His people would enjoy a good festival. He proclaimed 7 of them (and they acquired 2 more). Each of these feasts has relevance to how the Israelites became a nation, but they're also prophetic and speak to how He gave us salvation. It this first part of a three part series, we're looking at Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, an...

The corona virus has people panicked, but the Church should not be panicked. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as y...

The Israelites formalized their religion after Moses talked to God on Mt. Sinai. Some of the modern concepts of Judaism spring from this, but it's not an exact match. How this religion was shaped is very important to how Christianity is shaped, so let's dive in. Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/03/the-religion-of-israelites.html Instagram: www.instagram.com/...

This episode is about the importance of how we talk about people (and ourselves. When I was in graduate school, I was appalled to see caregivers constantly tell small children how "bad" they were--especially when the kids were not doing anything outside of normal child behavior. In the Bible, patriarchs of families took the time to speak prophecies of greatness (or disaster) over their children an...

We don't talk about what worship looked like before Israel was established, but it's important to think about what worship looked like in the very beginning. There was clearly an established way to worship before God set His law in stone. Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/02/the-beginning.html Website: www.psalmstogod.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

Before I just dive into the topics, I wanted to lay out a map. A lot of things people call Christian, are not Christian. This season we're going to get precise about this and dig into the history of Christianity (fun fact, that was the original name of my blog). Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/02/stolen-ideas.html Website: www.psalmstogod.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

The origin of Valentine's day is a pagan festival called Lupercalia. Between that and Cupid, I think it's time we talk about the origins of this holiday, and what it means for us as Christians. Reference the following Bible verses on why we should be set apart: Deuteronomy 14:2; Revelation 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-16; Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17. S...

We're going back to basics, and discovering the basics aren't so basic. Genesis 3 tells the story of how mankind chose sin over God, but it tells so much more. Michael joins me to discuss some of the details we often overlook. About Michael: Michael is heavily involved in his church, where he also serves as a deacon. Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Note...

One of those lessons I learned from Greek life. This episode is based on Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 18:15, focusing on misunderstandings and reconciling friendships. Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Notes: www.psalmstogod.com/2020/02/misunderstandings.html Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

This season, the theme is precision of language. We're starting off talking about the word "god" and identifying *which* god it is that you serve as you communicate with people. Website: www.psalmstogod.com Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/02/which-god-do-you-serve.html Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

I thought I would share with everyone some of the testimonies I've been sharing on Instagram each week.

It's the final episode of the Fruit of the Spirit Series! We often think about the benefits we reap from having the fruit of the spirit, but it's just as important to remember how these fruit benefit the world around us. The Word tells us that we will know God's people by the fruit they bear. Remember not only does a good tree bear good fruit, but good that fruit nourishes those around it and is a...

When we talk about guarding our minds, we should talk about the science too! In this episode we're going to touch on the effect of music on our emotion, neuroplasticity, and mirror neurons. Show notes: www.psalmstogod.com/scienceofthemind Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiree.hughes

There's so much more to this concept than I could fit in to this episode. From studies showing that our brains react the same when we see an action as it would if we were to perform the action, to how difficult it is to create new "pathways" (re: behaviors) in our brain. I kept it simple in this episode, but you can expect a follow up with all the science-y stuff next week. Show Notes: www.psalmst...

The Bible doesn't mention any of our modern sports--it might not mention sports at all, but that doesn't mean there weren't athletic people in Biblical times. The more I read the story of Samson, the more I see Samson in the athletes of today. I found myself having more sympathy for him. Let's talk about vulnerability, strength, and compassion. Show Notes: www.psalmstogod.com/athletic Instagram: w...

Did you know many of God's people experienced depression? I was reading Jeremiah this week and he said something that really stuck with me...mainly because many of us have said it before: "Why did I come out of the womb to see only struggle and sorrow?" Show Notes: www.psalmstogod.com/youarenotalone Instagram: shiree.hughes

Is it odd that the only thing in life we can control is our self, but that's one of the toughest things to do? The final Fruit of the Spirit is Self Control (or Temperance). I called up published author and finance blogger GirlTalkWithFo to talk about this fruit. About Fo: Fo has written two books ("They That Wait" and "Dump Debt & Build Bank: The Everyday Chick’s Guide to Money") and has her own...