The Good News From The Gardens Podcast

In teaching his disciples “His” prayer, Jesus also reminds them to focus on God’s coming reign, God’s mercy, and the strengthening of the community. Jesus encourages his disciples to childlike trust and persistence in prayer. In this message we contemplate the exercise of prayer, and who or what is being changed when we pray. Click here to explore and support the ministry of Nativity.

During his visit to the home of Mary and Martha, Jesus reminds Martha that her concern for her many tasks distracts from the one thing that precedes all else: abiding in the presence of God. What does it look like for us to stop, collaborate, and listen in Christ? Listen to this message about how  prioritizing the presence of Christ in our lives, leads to mindful and purpose filled relationships i...

In this message we hear how Jesus is challenged to explain what is involved in obeying the greatest commandment. He tells the parable we all know as the Good Samaritan; a parable rich in surprises: those expected to show pity display hard hearts while the lowly give and receive unexpected and lavish mercy. Pastor Steve shares a couple stories from his recent 60 miles over 6 days Appalachian Trail...

On this Holy Trinity Sunday we dwell in wisdom. In the Bible wisdom is portrayed in terms sometimes human and sometimes divine. Often, wisdom is personified as feminine. In this passage, Woman Wisdom is depicted not only as the first creation of God, but also as God’s helper, rejoicing in God’s creation, especially in human beings. In this message we hear the Trinity's wisdom for what our call to...

On this Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, amid signs of fire, wind, and a variety of languages, the people were amazed and astonished at Jesus’ promise coming true. During this message we pondered and then engaged in some spiritual spontaneity! All thanks to the Ho...

Through a divine chain of events Paul and Silas offer liberation in Christ to a slave girl, are unjustly jailed then liberated, and in the end bring a jailer and his household to Christ. Listen to this message for a peek into how one thing in Christ, leads to another.  Click here to explore and support the ministry of Nativity.

A vision compels Paul to move his ministry into Greece. There he meets Lydia, an important person in the business community, whose heart has been opened by God to receive the gospel. Her conversion and baptism provide the impetus for the founding of the church at Philippi. But it’s the question she poses to Paul that might give us pause, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and...

Would You Like to Try One of Our Specials? | Acts 11:1-18 In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. This revelation came to Peter through an odd dream involving food. Listen to this message about embracing God’s menu of special interests....

This week guest preacher Mary Winsor shares her thoughts on holy patience, those times when we find ourselves living in uncomfortable, in-between spaces of our lives. After the resurrection, Peter and the disciples slip-slide back into doing what they think they know best, fishing. Jesus then challenges Peter to get busy living, by tending to, and feeding God's people. Step into the unknown good p...

Artwork by Thomas Ribble of Alison, Iowa The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus, Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who “have not seen and yet believe.” In this message Pastor Steve challenges the congregation to see their personal and communa...

What does the pupae stage of a butterfly's life, the resurrection of Christ and our individual and communal transformation have in common? A lot more than you may think. In this message Pastor Steve connects the metamorphosis of a butterfly, and our future selves in a way that you may never have considered. Listen to the message to be affirmed that God's image of life is alive and well within you,...

A Good Friday message featuring hymns and short reflections surrounding our life giving event of Jesus Christ's death on the cross. Click here to explore and support the ministry of Nativity   

In this Maundy Thursday message Pastor Steve shares a number of Holy Communion occasions as a guest, a parishioner, a seminary student, and pastor that have shaped his faith life. Each occasion was an opportunity to reflect on the centrality of the sacrament to our faith, and understanding of God's grace for us in Jesus Christ. On any given Sunday, how does the Lord's Supper make you feel and why...

Lazarus’ sister Mary anoints Jesus for his burial with an expensive perfume. She is ahead of everyone else in caring for Jesus' coming death. She is on the offensive. On the other hand, Judas is offended, as he feigns concern for the poor. What does it smell like to be the church? Does sacrifice have a smell? Join us this Sunday at 9AM for a message of love that hopefully lingers within you for th...

Because Jesus is cozying up to tax collectors and sinners (aghast!), he is compelled to tell his longest parable, The Prodigal Son, to grumbling Pharisees and scribes. There are so many points in this parable for us to consider. Which character do you identify with, and why? The younger son? The older son? In this message we explore the character of a God that moves and works through the muddiness...

God Moves…into the Desert | Luke 4:1-13 Jesus is in the wilderness being tested, or is it tempted, by the devil. Both are used in translations. But tested and tempted are not as interchangeable as you would think. “Tested” identifies with an individual’s ability to contend with something pushed upon them, wherein “tempted” identifies with an individual being pulled away and towards something. Jesu...

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Click here to explore and support the ministry of Nativity.

Unlimited Love | Luke 6:27-38 In this second half of the sermon on the plain, aka “the level place”, Jesus provides real world examples of how His followers are to respond to the hurt and hate of the world that will be exacted upon them. In short, they are to always respond in kind, with forgiveness. Easier said than done, right?! In this message we ponder the life altering, and healing power of r...

Love Levels Life | Luke 6:17-26 Jesus has drawn a huge crowd to a large level place. They want to hear him, be healed by him, and ultimately, all want to touch him. They want what he possesses. They need what he possesses. In the midst of this scene Jesus looks up to his disciples and delivers hope-filled blessings alongside a few “woes”. The lesson: Followers of Jesus are not to be satisfied with...

Catching Grace | Luke 5:1-11 Jesus’ teaching of God’s word has begun to draw great crowds. For Simon, James, and John, Jesus’ teaching inspires hospitality, then obedience, and then risk. After Jesus’ creative power is revealed, fear and amazement leads these three fishermen to leave everything behind to become apostles. Listen to this message about God’s faith motivating grace through Jesus. Clic...

Being Bias: A Message on Seeking Partiality for Jesus Luke 4:21-30 Last week’s text ended with Luke 4:21, “Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” This week’s reading begins with it. The world of God is the beginning and the end of our readings, and the beginning and the professed beginning and end of a Christian’s life. The thing is, there are com...

What’s In Me For This? Luke 4:14-21 You have heard it said, “What’s in this for me?” Someone wants to know what their gain will be in giving of themselves to something. What if instead we said, “What’s In Me For This?” What if our first inclination was to prayerfully assess our ability to be an asset to the person, the cause, the issue? Instead of questioning what we might be losing, consider what...

Unexpected and Urgent Grace John 2:1-11 Jesus and his disciples show up to a wedding late. They wine has run out. The celebration is in jeopardy of ending early and possibly in shame. Jesus takes charge and turns water into wine. Not just average wine, but great wine! Shame is not just averted, but the caliber of wine has people wondering why it is so good, and so why now? What about your life is...

Lighting The Way John 1:1-9 | Matthew 2:1-12 This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord. Epiphany means “manifestation”. In the John text, we hear how God manifested God’s self through the Word that was the light of the world. In the Matthew text we hear how curiosity in the Word manifested itself with the magi/wisemen. God is actively lighting a will for your way through the Word that is J...

God's Mission to the World Began and Continues at the Margins Luke 2:1-20 From the margins of the universe, a peasant girl in 1st century Judea, reviled shepherds in the fields, on up to this very moment in time, the Creator of all that is, makes its way to YOU. Listen to this message for a message of hope and renewal.  Click here to explore and support the ministry of Nativity.