SkyPilot: Faith Quest

We have all heard it said. Until recently, it was a seemingly kind and hopeful thing to say. In recent years, it has been used a lot in response to quite a few national crises. Now it is frequently seen as a meaningless phrase that is filled with the singular intent of doing nothing. This episode looks at the phrase "thoughts and prayers," and seeks to discern if it should be destined fo...

For hundreds of years, Double Predestination has been a theological position held by many notable Christians. John Calvin (1509-1564), the reformer, is the person most often associated with this idea. This episode examines what it is, where it came from, and most importantly, why I think it isn’t true.  Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact me vi...

The word "Heresy" has been in use in Christianity almost as long as the faith has existed.  This podcast explores the meaning of the word, examines how it is similar to the concept of history, and ultimately decides - once and for all -  if I am a heretic.   Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact me via email:     Dan@skypilot.zone And b...

God forgives sins, but are there any that God won't forgive? If we listen to the words of Jesus from scripture, there is an unforgivable sin. Although the scripture passage is fairly concise in its description, interpreting that passage is not as simple nor as straightforward as we might hope. This episode looks at scripture, tells us what it means, and helps us understand what God hopes will...

 Why do some people see God at work in their lives and the world . . . while others never have any experience in which they become aware of God at work? Is this some sort of measure of our level of faith? No, it is simply a result of a psychological phenomenon called "Inattentional Blindness." This podcast explains what it is, how is was discovered, and offers a simple way to overcome it...

Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" . . . or did He? No one except Paul ever quotes Jesus as having said this, and Paul never even met the man. So did Jesus say this? AND, if He did say it, did Jesus mean it the way we interpret it? Listen to this episode and find out! Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact me via em...

Given the amount of hate that exists in the world today, it seems to be a fundamental part of the human existence. But, what is the role of hate?  Obviously,  at times it is a hurtful and destructive force, but are the exceptions? Are there times when hate is actually godly and righteous? This podcast seeks to answer that question.  Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would li...

The very first miracle performed by Jesus -- that is recorded in the Bible -- revolved around food. After Jesus died and rose again on Easter, he appeared multiple times, and in different settings, to the disciples. At least three of those appearances involved food. Obviously, food played a major role in the ministry of Jesus, and yet there is one moment in his ministry in which that role becomes...

This episode can be listened to anytime, but it is intentionally created to use during Holy Week and especially on Good Friday. It gives a little background to the Stations of the Cross, and then presents the 14 stations in order, each with a small meditation, and a concluding prayer.  This podcast would work well for an individual, or for a group to spark a discussion after each meditation.  ** A...

Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Surely it was the pinnacle of success -- at least in terms of his earthly ministry. The disciples surely thought so.  Lurking within this day of fame and adoration for Jesus, is a shadow that reveals something about those of us who follow and proclaim the Christ.  It requires our attention and seeks an answer to a quest...

There is a  term that, although recently added to the English lexicon, can suddenly be heard almost everywhere. It is a term that perfectly reflects the zeitgeist of our time.  The word is "G.O.A.T.", which is an acronym for "Greatest Of All Time". This podcast searches for its origin, explains why it is troublesome, and offers an alternative that comes with a LOT less pressure...

The question asked in this podcast seems impertinent, at best,  and dangerous, at worst. And yet, the discussion of this question touches on the fields of psychology and theology to reveal a profound and helpful truth in our ongoing effort to have a healthy relationship with our Creator. *** Also, join me for my weekly SkyPilot Lenten Series found on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SkyPilotFaithQuest-Youtu...

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent for Christians . . . in truth, for some Christians. In reality, there are plenty of active, faithful Christians across the globe who don't observe Ash Wednesday. Because of this, there are many people (Christians and non-Christians alike) who have no idea what this holy day is all about. This episode explores the ashes of Ash Wednesday: what they are...

I recently heard an Elvis Presley song on the radio that I had heard countless times before, and yet, it became obvious that I had never really payed attention to the words. This time around, as I listened, I realized something: the entire song was about the Bible.  Each of the three verses tells a different Bible story.  This episode takes the verses of Hard Headed Woman   - as sung by Elvis - an...

We recently had a family movie night with our granddaughter during which we watched Soul .  The bad news was that it turned out to be considerably too sophisticated for a 10 year old. On the other hand, the good news was that it turned out to offer a very interesting and powerful lesson at the end of the movie. This podcast explores that lesson and the important message it has for us - particularl...

Humanity was given some remarkable instincts for survival. Our modern ability to manage various external dangers has all but eliminated some of our most dangerous threats.  Yet, we still have these built-in mechanisms telling us to perceive many non-threatening life experiences as needing drastic action. Can we begin to see our lives as framed by joy and hope rather then danger? This podcast inves...

It seems that all the news recently is filled with flags: from the American flag to the wide range of flags carried by the rioters who invaded the U.S. Capitol.   Recently I saw a picture in the news of the American flag being flown upside down.  "Why is someone flying the flag upside down?" I wondered. So I looked into it. Although the story didn't turn out to be particularly inter...

January 1st of 2021 may have been the most anticipated New Year's Day since the turn of the millennium. This episode ponders the purpose of New Year's Day, questions the helpfulness of the resolutions we make, and offers a spiritually-based alternative.  Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact me via email:     SkyPilottt@gmail.com And be...

What does Dr. Seuss have to say about an important aspect of the Christian faith that is very troublesome to many believers? This episode looks at a reality of the Christian message that many people try to deny. Can you handle the truth?  Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact me via email:     SkyPilottt@gmail.com And be sure to check me out on F...

This season comes around and it is as if we are caught within a Christmas edition of the old TV show, To Tell The Truth . Various versions of Christmas all present themselves as the real Christmas and we are left with the task of trying to figure out which one to believe. This episode tells the real story of Christmas and then explains why it is so important that we start telling the Christmas sto...

We have been telling the story of Jesus' birth for almost 2000 years, and you would think, by this time, we would know every aspect of the story. And yet, we are easily distracted and so often emphasize the wrong aspects of the story while totally ignoring the most important, radical and, in truth, scandalous aspect of the Christmas narrative. This episode helps us to recapture the scandal of...

How can one well-known word have so many spellings and pronunciations? And, if I'm not sure how to pronounce it, can I just call it "Jewish Christmas"? This episode answers these questions as well as exolores the interesting history behind this well-known Jewish holiday.   Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact me via email:     Sky...

Many Christian churches observe a four week season -- leading up to Christmas -- called Advent.  Oddly, although many people have heard of the season, most don't know its origin, its purpose, or what one should do during this time.  This episode discuses all three of these aspects of the Advent season.  Have a spiritual, theological, or religious question you would like me to tackle? Contact...

The calendar is filled with many holidays:  Christmas, New Year's Day,  Halloween, Easter, and others. But most of them are old and have an origin story far older than the country in which I currently live. Thanksgiving is distinctly American in its origin, but its creation story is shrouded more in myth than in reality. This episode poses a strange question:  Who owns Thanksgiving? And then...

Quick! What is the oldest religion in the world?  Are you struggling?  Thinking it might be some small tribal religion you have never heard of? Nope, not only is it old, it is the faith of a billion people. So, why is it so difficult for many of us to quickly think of the name of the faith, much less name it's principal festival? Tune in for a fascinating look at a religious celebration that...