The Marben Bland Podcast

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens With A Living The Word Moment  President Trump, asserting without evidence that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies were a factor in the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines plane and an Army Blackhawk helicopter, is a reminder of a centuries-old tactic. When those who believe in their superiority be...

Send us Fan Mail In Share The Dream - Session 2 , faith leaders & community voices, including Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, Senior Pastor , explored the role of conscience in faith, justice, and social Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw responsibility. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , they emphasized standing firm for what is right, even when it's inconvenient. 💡 Key takeaways:  ✅ Conscie...

Send us Fan Mail Jesus assures us not to fear the loss of possessions because God, in His grace, has already given us the Kingdom. He calls us to trust in Him by living a life of generosity, selling surplus possessions, giving to the poor, and meeting our Biblical tithes. Key challenges raised in the sermon: Are we placing our treasure in heaven through stewardship and generosity? Are we faithfull...

Send us Fan Mail Rev. Dr. Allison Henderson-Brooks, Senior Pastor of the Historic Hill First Baptist Church, kicks off the first session of Share the Dream , a six-part Bible study webinar. Shining a light in a divided world through six principles of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.    For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com 

Send us Fan Mail This week’s message from Pastor Marben Bland challenged us to embrace faith as both a personal transformation and a mission to share the love of Christ with others. From Luke 3:15-22: John the Baptist reminds us to point others to Jesus, who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire, transforming our hearts and lives.  From Luke 18:35-43: The blind man’s faith teaches us to cry ou...

Send us Fan Mail Self-care encompasses all the ways we nurture our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. On this week’s episode of “It’s A Matter of Your Health,” host Dr. Veita Bland, MD, sits down with Licensed Therapist and Wellness Coach Robin M. Campbell, MS, NCC, LCMHC. Together, they discuss the vital role of self-care in our lives and explore Robin's new book, The Adventures of...

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a Living The Word Moment.  As John the Baptist baptized multitudes, the people, filled with expectation, wondered if he might be the Messiah. John responded, as recorded in Luke 3:16, saying, "I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I will come... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to take your faith to the next level? In this week’s sermon, Pastor Marben Bland explores Intentional Discipleship and how you can live out the Great Commission in practical ways. Lead by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 2:41-52, we uncover five key actions every disciple of Christ can take: 1.      Share the Gospel 2.      Serve as the Hands and Feet of Jesus 3.      Susta...

Send us Fan Mail In the spring of 1980, I had the honor of being elected president of the Mercer University student body. That year, student leaders from across the nation were invited to the White House for briefings about the Carter Administration's proposals on national youth service. After a morning of briefings, we gathered in the East Room. Suddenly, the 39th President of the United Sta...

Send us Fan Mail “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)  You know it’s incredible how often the most significant events in history begin in the most humble of ways. The birth of Jesus—God in the flesh—did not happen in a grand palace or before the eyes of kings and rulers. In...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we gather to pay tribute to a remarkable woman: a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a classmate, and a friend, Wanda Joyce Collins Smith. As we reflect on her life, we find inspiration in the words of Jesus, who said from a mountaintop in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Cousin Wanda is the essence of a peacemaker...

Send us Fan Mail The sermon, based on Micah 7:5-7, reflects on the theme of hope during the first Sunday of Advent. Micah’s words describe a time of mistrust and brokenness in society, where even close relationships are strained. Yet, amidst this bleak reality, Micah declares his hope in the Lord, trusting in God’s faithfulness and salvation. Key points include:        1.    Hope Amid Distrust: In...

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment.  Over 400 years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah foretold his coming in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus was born into a world marked by war and oppression. Bethl...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that a foodie is defined as a person who loves and has a refined interest in food? Foodies eat not only out of hunger but also as a hobby. Well, on this Thanksgiving Day, I think we are all foodies. As I record this message, I am thinking about all the wonderful food that awaits: the stuffing, the dressing, the mac and cheese, the greens, and yes, the turkey with all...

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment.   The story of the prophet Jonah is a Biblical satire with an irony for our times.   Called by God to deliver his word to the wicket in Nineveh. Jonah instead runs away from his call landing on a ship filled angry sailors during a violent storm, then thrown overboard, where he is swallowed by a w...

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME – Athens with a living the word moment.    New York Times Bestselling Christian Author Bob Phillips wrote “Integrity is the first button on the shirt of character. If you get that button right, the rest of the character buttons will fall into place.”     While God’s command not to lie (Exodus 20:16) is listed as the ninth of the ten...

Send us Fan Mail Praise the Lord!  This weekend at Greater Bethel AME Athens over two days we baptized four people with two saints joining the church.    In celebration the teaching of the Lord is entitled The Amazing Grace Of Baptism.  Key point from the Matthew 3:13-17 text.  John the Baptist was baptizing vast numbers of people at the Jordan, summoning them to repent of their sins.  When he saw...

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment.   The Presbyterian theologian and professor John Henry Gerstner was asked to baptize a newborn. Days before the event the parents asked for a delay because a white gown especially made for the ceremony had not arrived.  Dr. Gerstner asked the mother what the significance of the white gown was. Th...

Send us Fan Mail I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a Living The Word Moment  The victory was complete and crushing the conquest of the kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians sent God’s people into exile away from home, family, and their way of life.    Despite the suffering and separation God was with his people.  He ordained Ezekiel as his prophet to live among the rebellio...

Send us Fan Mail It’s Election Day the culmination of a campaign that will determine the future of America.     If you have voted thank you for exercising the franchise that many have fought for and died for.     If you have not voted I pray that you will today.     And at this late hour if there is anyone not planning to vote I am urging you to have a change of heart.  Your vote matters especiall...

Send us Fan Mail It’s election eve and there is tension in America.  In a 25-minute sermon from Mark 4:35-41 Pastor Marben Bland, details the tension felt by the disciples as they were buffered by a storm while Jesus was sleeping in the boat.    Key teachings from Mark 4:35-41 that can help us doing these days of tension:   1. Tension is normal it will in some form, or another come into our lives....

Send us Fan Mail With only hours until election day there is tension in America.  Experts define Tension as being under mental or emotional strain  A mind that is affected by tension often does not think clearly.   There was tension in the boat as Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee.  A storm came us that was so powerful that even experienced seagoing fishmen who were the disciples of Jesus were...

Send us Fan Mail In a sermon from Exodus 14:10-14 Pastor Marben Bland teachers what we should do when in staying still while the Lord fights our battles.     For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com 

Send us Fan Mail In this season of voting, we must exercise the franchise with the same purpose and determination that God impressed on the Israelites as they eat the Passover meal.   In a sermon form Exodus 12:11-12 Pastor Marben Bland teaches how God prepares his people for the challenges of freedom with three things in mind, 1) Staying ready, 2) having a sense of urgency, and 3) keeping the Lor...

Send us Fan Mail After more than 400 years in bondage God delivered the Israelites to freedom.  In Number 1:1-3 God spoke to Moses telling him to take a census of the people enrolling the one who are willing and able to join God’s army.    Christians should be counted in, so that we can be counted on. That’s what the local church is all about, God’s people spreading the gospel, God’s people helpin...