The Good News From The Gardens Podcast

What Do You See? Luke 1:39-55 There is so much that we see without realizing it is an illusion. If God created this world, what then is God’s vision? Click here to explore and support the ministry of Nativity.

What Then Should We Do? Luke 3:7-18 In the gospel for this  week, John has made it clear that Abrahamic lineage is not a prerequisite to salvation, for God can raise up holy ancestry from stones! John says, “Bear fruits, worthy of repentance.” Meaning, if you repent of your sins, if you confess your sin, say you will turn to God, then there must be something to show for it. And the crowd ask, “Wha...

Peace is Present Where Preparation, and Proclamation Intersect  Malachi 3:1-4 | Luke 1:68-79| Luke 3:1-6 Zechariah believed his son John was born for a distinct purpose. John would come to be known as John the Baptist. In the midst of religious and political turmoil, John declared through a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins people could begin aligning their lives with the Word of G...

Living in the Meantime Luke 21:25-36 As faithful people living in the meantime, we are called to patience and hope. We don’t scramble and clamor for answers to fulfill our hearts desires. Before we reach our heavenly destination, the end, the day or days of redemption, there is the journey, what I like to call the meantime. But being patient and hopeful in the meantime is not for the faint of hear...

Gifts of Love: The Sky is NOT Falling! Mark 13:1-8 In this text…the disciples are distracted by big buildings, and Jesus dismisses the buildings grandeur and assures the disciples of their collapse. Rightfully so, they are concerned about this calamitous occasion. Jesus does not offer comfort, but ratchets up the mayhem, assuring them that there will be more chaos to come. However, in the last ver...

Gifts of Love: Peanut Butter Cups and a Mile High Meal with Mother Theresa Mark 12:38-44 Jesus reports to us from the temple. While there, he rails against the scribes' accumulation of wealth and opulence at the expense of widows, and their inauthentic giving. In contrast, he lifts up a widow. A victim of the broken and unjust system. Jesus points out that she places the equivalent of 1/64 of a da...

All Saints Sunday: Poll Your Emotions John 11:32-44 Through the story of the raising of Lazarus, we experience Jesus accompanying us in our sorrow, and we believe that in Christ the power of death will be defeated. In and around the death of Lazarus, Jesus managed to keep it together in a situation that questioned his ability and sincerity, was stressful, and grief-laden. Like Jesus, how might we...

The Upside-Down Kingdom: Where the Blind Can See Mark 10-46-52 His name is Bartimaeus. He is the son of Timaeus. He once could see, but is now blind. We don’t know why he is blind. He almost went unseen by Jesus while begging at the city gates. People tried to stifle his pleas for Jesus mercy. Jesus stopped what he was doing and called for him. Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” He r...

This Contemplative Prayer Service for Grace-filled Civic Engagement was prepared by the Just Love Team of the Florida Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for their 2024 Fall Conference on Ministry in September of 2024. It has been modified with permission for this podcast. You will hear 14 voices in this prayer service. Our ages are 10 to 96 years young! We are  U.S. citize...

The Upside Down Kingdom: Where the Least Are Greatest Mark 10:35-45 This week in Mark, Jesus receives a request from James and John. They wish to sit at the right and left of Jesus when in his glory. Jesus wastes no time and setting these two glory hounds straight. Glory is reserved for those who seek glory, exaltation, freedom, and life abundant for those whom it is evasive. In addressing his dis...

The Upside Down Kingdom: Hurricane Jesus Part 3 of 4 series from the 10th chapter of Mark  Mark 10:2-16 Jesus is questioned by a rich man about how he can go about inheriting eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, then he will have treasure in heaven. Then, he can follow Jesus. Jesus then doubles down on his disciples and tells them that riches in thi...

The Upside Down Kingdom: All Are Blessed Mark 10:2-16 The Gospel of Mark is a tough one this week. Biblical interpretation is at the center of Jesus being questioned by Pharisees. It is for us as well. In this Gospel passage there appears to be unsettling language from Jesus about marriage, divorce and a woman’s freedom in first century Holy Land. Using children as an example, Jesus flips the conv...

A Faith That Works: Powerful Prayer Part 5 of a 5 part series in book of James James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50   The conclusion of the Book of James gives advice to the early Christian community about the power of prayer and the necessity of confession of sins. In Mark, the disciples are concerned about a person who is casting out demons in Jesus names. Prayer and healing. Healing and prayer. They are...

A Faith That Works: The Good Life Part 4 of 5 part series in book of James James 3:13 Mark 8:27-38 Mary Winsor shares her year in Mexico City at a migrant shelter through the (YAGM) Young Adult in Global Mission program and a story of shared hope and joy. This followed by a message on a verse from James and a passage in Mark that zeros in on the human condition. James decries selfish ambition and...

A Faith That Works: Taming the Tongue Part 3 of a 5 part series in the book of James James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38 In both the Mark and James readings, there is an emphasis in truthful, life giving speech. James warns of the dangers of language, and in Mark Jesus seeks to draw the truth out of Peter in asking him, “Who do you say that I am?” If we say Jesus is Lord, then what flows from our mouths sho...

  A Faith That Works: Body and Soul Week two of five on a series in the book of James. James 2:1-17 Mark 7:24-37 This Sunday James makes a case that our bodies matter when it comes to exercising our faith. He argues that the love of God in Jesus Christ is made tangible for those in need when we use our physical means to meet physical needs. Does God’s grace move you to do good works? Responding to...

Long time Nativity member Doris Karlik sits down with Pastor Steve for a conversation about her youth as a Lutheran, her many roles in the local and national church, her love of God and love of Nativity. You don't want to miss this 93 year young woman's recollection of her upbringing in New Jersey, her 55 years as a member of Nativity, and her hope for its future.    Listen!  is an occasional seri...

A Faith That Works: Just Do It! James 1:17-27 Part 1 of a 5 week series in the book of James. Martin Luther was not a fan of the book of James, calling it, “an epistle of straw”. He believed its grace was not sturdy enough to be included in the canon. He insisted that James relied too heavily on the works of an  individual as their saving grace, and not faith in God alone. Wherein Mark has claims...

God’s “Offensive” Armor Ephesians 6:10-20  This Sunday we end our trip through the book of Ephesians with the well-known Armor of God discourse. Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus uses military garb as a metaphor for how to protect one’s self from the evils of the world. Because of Jesus we are equipped to go on the offensive. Because of Jesus, our faith and actions might be offensive. Join us...

Ephesians 5:15-20 Filled with the Spirit!  We continue our series in Ephesians wherein the Apostle Paul writes to the congregation in Ephesus about living wisely, and praising God in, and through all things. What does wise living look like to you in these days? Paul asks us to understand the will of the Lord. Might that be where we encounter wisdom? Might a working definition of wisdom be utilizin...

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Put Away Malice, Live in Love In this Sunday’s reading from Ephesians we hear the Apostle Paul state what the behavior of a Christian community is to look like. In short, they are to be living demonstrations of the revolutionary “new humanity” forged in Jesus’ death and resurrection. In what ways can we put away what is not life-giving, and live in ways that promote and give lif...

Hungry Hearts John 6:24-35 Jesus is pursued by a crowd. A conversation ensues about why they are searching for him. Are they hungry for more of the bread He provided them, or are they hungry for more signs that Jesus himself is the work of God? Join us this Sunday at 9AM as we distinguish between earthly, and heavenly food. What fuels your living? What does your heart hunger for?  Click here to ex...

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Jesus’ attempt to retreat with his disciples is disrupted by an overwhelming demand for their ministry. Jesus diverts his attention to a crowd of people who appear lost. What happens when our need for healing and wholeness, is met by the One who recognizes our need for healing and wholeness? For your own healing and wholeness, in what ways are you moving to where Jesus is, or w...

Mark 6:14-29 The Days of Our Lives This passage from Mark is the stuff daytime soap operas are made of, mistaken identities, infidelity, persons played as pawns for power, greed, and revenge. Whether it is 30 or 2024 CE, these are the days of our lives. Situated after Jesus sending the twelve out two by two, this story about John the Baptist’s death foreshadows the danger of speaking God’s truth i...

Mark 6:1-13 Back in his hometown, Jesus runs into disbelief and opposition surrounding his knowledge and healing powers. Right on the heels of this experience, He sends his disciples into villages two by two to do what he just had difficulty doing. His instructions, “take nothing for your journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but two wear sandals and not to put on two...