The Northwood Podcast

This week we’ll be considering some of Jesus’ most famous teachings, The Beatitudes. You can read them in Matthew 5:1-12. It is important to remember that Jesus is here describing the ways the poor, the meek, the merciful, and the persecuted will experience the breaking in of God’s Realm into our lives. In other words, when our world is as it should be, all of those who have been hurt by our...

This week we’ll be considering a passage from the Gospel of Matthew 4:12-23. Here we read of Jesus’ calling of his first disciples. They were called away from what was usual and into a work that would be challenging and draining. Did Jesus call them to too big a task? In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc.org . If you...

This week we’ll be considering a passage from the 1st chapter of the Gospel of John. In that chapter is described the beginnings of Jesus’ movement and the process by which people were drawn into his orbit. This message reflects on Jesus’ ministry and what it was about him that made him so compelling. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our w...

This week we’ll be considering Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism. (Matthew 3:13-17) One of the things that catches John the Baptist off guard in this story is the very request itself. Why does Jesus feel it necessary to enter into the Baptismal Waters? Especially as he is, allegedly, supposed to be the Messiah and savior of the people. What need has he for repentance, or any other blessing from...

Christmas has come and gone. Life is returning to normal, which may not be a good thing. Themes of Hope, Peace,, Joy, and Love overcame the anxieties of the time, if only for a moment. How might the perspective Christmas gives us last the year long and beyond? This episode considers this question.  In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our...

We are told in the Bible that “God is with us,” but there are seasons in life when it feels as though God has abandoned us. Lately, the human race has been through a lot, and it has been challenging at times to notice God’s abiding presence. This message reflects on these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc....

Waiting is not easy. This is no revelation; that we all find ourselves waiting for things to change for the better. This message considers some wisdom found in the Epistle of James meant for a community that was waiting. What have these words to teach us today? In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc.org . If you’d like...

In today’s story we read a selection from the Prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 11:1-10, the prophet paints a picture for his people’s future that is grand, expansive, and nearly too spectacular to be true. These promises still speak to us through the centuries. What hope might they inspire? This episode reflects on these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Churc...

Today’s message marks the kickoff of Advent. And, per usual, we’ll be considering some of the apocalyptic sayings of Jesus; things he said concerning the coming breaking in of God’s Realm upon us. This episode reflects on these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc.org . If you’d like to donate, please follow...

In today’s story we read about a man who, upon being restored to health, returned to Jesus (the source of his healing) to express his joy and gratitude. His example should inspire us all to pause and take stock of all that we have to be grateful for. This message reflects on these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www...

Much of what has been familiar and dependable has changed or is gone. This reality has likely been true for most generations. The question becomes: How is one to live whilst our beloved ‘temples’ topple around us? Luke’s Gospel was written for an audience who had literally witnessed their beloved and sacred temple torn down by Roman imperialists. All that they knew had changed, yet they endured. W...

The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of great duress, yet he was not willing to give up on his people’s future. He did not believe God would abandon the people, so he cried out to God for justice and some relief. This message reflects on his writings and considers what they have to say to us today. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our...

This message marks the fourth in a series on the Lord’s Prayer. This series corresponds with Northwood’s yearly stewardship campaign; a time when we look hopefully into the next year with a mind to plan how we will use our resources to make the world a better place. Part 4 considers the line in the prayer that reminds us of the ways God has delivered desperate people in the past. Our forebears tes...

This message marks the third in a series on the Lord’s Prayer. This series corresponds with Northwood’s yearly stewardship campaign; a time when we look hopefully into the next year with a mind to plan how we will use our resources to make the world a better place. Part 3 considers the lines in the prayer that acknowledge the temptation we will face along the way. In the meantime, if you’d like to...

This message marks the second in a series on the Lord’s Prayer. This series corresponds with Northwood’s yearly stewardship campaign; a time when we look hopefully into the next year with a mind to plan how we will use our resources to make the world a better place. Part 2 considers the lines in the prayer that draw our attention to our ‘debts’ and ‘daily bread.’  In the meantime, if you’d li...

This message marks the first in a series on the Lord’s Prayer. This series corresponds with Northwood’s yearly stewardship campaign; a time when we look hopefully into the next year with a mind to plan how we will use our resources to make the world a better place. We hope to see what we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer come alive around us! And, how might you play a part? In the meantime, if you’d l...

Today, we’ll be going over a Bible passage found in Luke 16:19-31. In this passage Jesus tells a parable about a rich man who could not see his poor neighbor for who he truly was. This message reflects on our tendency to do the same. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc.org. If you’d like to donate, please follow thi...

Today, we’ll be going over a Bible passage found in Luke 16:1-15. In this passage Jesus tells a parable about a manager who gamed the system to his advantage. Jesus appears to laud the shrewd dealings of the dishonest manager. What gives? Could Jesus really condone such behavior? Of course not, but then, how to make sense of this parable? This message unpacks these things. In the meantime, if you’...

Today, we’ll be going over a Bible passage found in Luke 15:1-7. In this passage, Jesus tells us a parable meant to help open us understand the depths of God’s love for us. The Parable of the Lost Sheep challenges our assumptions about who is worthy of our efforts to help and journey through life with. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our...

Today, we’ll be going over a Bible passage found in Luke 14:25-33. In this passage, Jesus warns his disciples upfront about the cost of being his disciple. His warnings are sobering, even dire. So much so that in the midst of these ominous warnings we one can forget that the end goal makes the cost worth it. In the end, we make sacrifices along with Jesus for the sake of a better world and a bette...

Today, we’ll be going over a Bible passage found in Luke 20:27-40. In this story, Jesus is confronted by a religious leader with a question about marriage. But at root this question was not about marriage, but about maintaining the status quo; the current unjust order of things. Today’s message considers this stories’ implications for us today. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about No...

Today, we’ll be going over a Bible passage found in Luke 13:10-17. In this story, Jesus is approached by a woman with a bent back, who has been unable to stand up straight for nearly 20 years. Jesus heals the woman, and she and her community rejoice. However, not everyone is happy, and Jesus is confronted by a religious leader who is upset at Jesus’ actions. Today’s message considered this story’s...

We’re back from a long hiatus to go over a Bible passage found in Luke 12:32-40. Here, Jesus tells two parables meant to prepare the people for something amazing; some good news about to break in upon them. We’ll consider the implications for us today. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc.org . If you’d like to donat...

In today’s story Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah. In the passage he reads the prophet casts a vision for the people that is beyond what they dared to hope for. It foretold of their liberation and restoration. What’s more, Jesus claimed to have come to make the dream come alive! What might this mean for us today?  If you are interested in learning more about Northwood Christian Church, ple...

Today, we’re going to be going over a story from the Bible found in the Gospel of Mark 2:13-17. In the story we discover that Jesus was not adverse to sitting down for awkward meals with exceedingly flawed persons. In fact, he seems to have sought out these moments in hopes to reconcile people to God and to one another. At church, our communion tables are meant to reflect the table set by Jesus fo...