DRIVING THEOLOGY

Will we ever know the full truth of who Epstein was and what he did? IDK. But I do believe in the promises of our Father!

Is this rare from-home episode, I try to describe my paradigm for understanding Jesus, who he is and what he is doing in the world. Also, I posit the question: Is Jesus your Master or your Mascot?

In this episode, I am a bit distracted here and there as I am anticipating getting a call any minute announcing the birth of my first grandbaby. It didn't happen during the drive, but came about 20 minutes later. Mom and baby are great. But, inspired by my daughter and granddaughter, I explore the idea of life, and specifically, life in Jesus. Life is truly beautiful.

ICE has been cracking down, literally, on protestors in Minnesota and elsewhere, overstepping their boundaries and generally wrecking havoc wherever they go. This is to be expectied. Governments over the years have used force to intimidate critics. What is unexpected is that Christians are supporting their ungodly actions. Dead and broken bodies as well as broken families and spirits is the result.

Thoughts from reading the story of the Exodus, specifically the story of Passover and how it reltes to Communion. I get the MLK quote a bit wrong here. it should be, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice".

Is a sense, walking through this life as a believer in Jesus is like a blessed man walking through a dessrt. We encounter many in need of what we have, and we can be an Oasis in the desert to all that we meet.

The last offering of advent and probably for the year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all!

Though I mistakenly refer to this week's theme as HOPE once or twice, I am talking agout Joy, specifically, the joy that comes from the knowledge that Jesus is making all wrongs right.

I have chosen to explore "peace" this second week of Advent this time around (I change up the order and theme's year to year based on nothing in particular). Of course, "shalom" is the word for peace in biblical Hebrew. But does "peace" cover all that "shalom" entails?

It is that time again. Hope is our topic today for the first week in Advent.

On waking this morning I was greeted by two epiphanies related to Abraham. How random is that?!

There are many people, even Christians, who haven't give theology the time of day. Or so they think. In this episode, I discuss how everyone has a theology, and why theology matters.

It takes me a while to get there, but, as if often the case, I end up at Love. Specifically how we love God.

Do you get the blues from time to time? I didn't for most of my life, but, these days, yes. Sometimes I have a lot on my mind, burdens that I carry, people and futures that I worry about. I'm sure you do too!

380: The WORD of YAHWEH by Michael Dean McLain

A less focused episode, for sure, but I think I get to a worth while point...eventually.

In this episode, I explore a phrase that has been on my mind during my morning prayer time lately while praying for all the hurting people in the world.

The name by which you call a person reveals the relationship with that person, at least from your perspective. What do you call God? Does it matter? Well, yes and no.

377: Shakes, Quakes, And Squeaky Brakes! by Michael Dean McLain

This week, I cover a few topics; handling times of dispair, and what it means when Jesus says we must become like children to enter the Kingdom.

Building on the theological concept of "Divine Withdrawal", something many people are unfamiliar with, I delve into the Divine Council, a mysterious event mentioned several times in scripture.

In this episode there are two parts; my recent prayers that God would withdraw his protection from the oppressors of the world, and the Sun as an effective and detailed metaphor for the Christ.

In this episode, I explore what I've been learning from the book, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, by Tyler Staton, and through a month of daily, disciplined praying.

Diving into another book, this time on prayer. And it has inspired me to pray more intentionally, which is no small feat! *Correction- Kyrie Eleison is a song written by Richard Page for the 80s band, Mr. Mister.

My wrapping up of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson, a book I've been reading recently to help my understanding of this cryptic book increase. And it has! I still have a way to go, though.

In possibly my last offering before September, I try to wrap up m 7 week reading of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson. That being said, I may try and do a proper overview episode from my home in August.

The place that judgement has in the grand scheme of things has often alluded me, and, frnankly, I have steered away from it like the plague. But in this chapter of Reversed Thunder, Peterson gives me a fresh perspective.

In this episode, I talk about the 9th chapter of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson, The Last Word On Politics.

I have a love/hate relationship with prayer. On the one hand, I find it hard to do consistently. On the other, I question its effectiveness. In this episode, I explore prayer in light of Eugene Peterson's book, Reversed Thunder, and have changed my opinions on prayer somewhat.

In this third episode about "Reversed Thunder", Eugene Peterson's work on Revelation, we meet the four famous horses: War, Famine, Pestilence, and the White Horse of Christ, Fathful, True and Righteous. These horses are not equal, nor are they on the same side. Three are evil, one is good. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which.

I begin by doing a poor job reporting what I've read this week of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson and then move on to some christological thoughts on the Love of Jesus which leads to transformation and salvation.

Here, I give my report after having finished Dostoevsky's Notes From Underground and also report on the first fifth of Peterson's Reversed Thunder, a work on Revelation.

I do NOT have a comprehensive understanding of John's Revelation. Perhaps it's time to change that. The title of this episode is my hope for the future.

Starting with the fiasco knows as the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, I explore food and the experience of community building that it has, as modeled by Jesus and the Lord's supper.

"Even a broken clock is right twice a day". Ever heard that? Ever doubt yourself? Do you ever wonder when things go right that it just might be blind luck and not because you did anything right? Me, too.

Reflecting on the recent wedding of my daughter, in this episode I share my opinions on why I believe the institution of marriage is worth-while, especially in such a highly mobile world.

In this episode, I have a bit of an epiphany. I made a connection that I had not previously made. Not sure if it will hold up to scrutiny, but I'll put it out there none the less.

Pope Francis has passed. As far as I'm concerned, he was a man who desired to be like Jesus and did a pretty good job, considering all the trappings of his office. He will be sorely missed by millions and is not easily replaced.

Going off of a FB meme, I explore atonement theology once again, going deeper and farther than ever before.

By request (thanks, Stephen), I introduce the fine peopole we have been gathering with and mentoring to. I try to hide specific names to protect privacy, tho I hope I don't reveal too much.

After a brief review of The Chosen Season 4 episodes 1-3, I give a quick overview of Mark chapters 1-4, bringing up something that disappoints me about the parables of Jesus.

Current actions by POTUS have me and others wondering is out way of government is going through a transformation. What has Christians behind this President and what does that mean?

March 11 this year came and went, like it has the past 14 years, with many memories of that fateful day 14 years ago when Japan was hit with a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami as well as thousands of aftershocks. The day many lives were changed forever.

There are sayings of Jesus that are mysterious, and this is one of them.

What do YOU think happened on the cross? What atonement theory do you ascribe to? Did you know that many over millennia have thought differently than we do today?

I had a breakthrough thought today: America First policy is narcissism on a national scale... JD Vance needs to clean up his theology. He couldn't be more wrong about Christian love.

I watch the Super Bowl this year and was underwhelmed by the halftime show, not to mention the actual game. I have been challenged since to give Kendrick Lamar another try, to try harder and look deeper into what he was saying. I have flip flopped on my take.

John 1 says of the LOGOS, it was in the beginnings, all was created by him, and that the LOGOS was God. Hebrews 1 says that God spoke to our ancestors at various times and ways, but today, speakes to us thorugh His son, the exact representation of God. How then, do we think we can shrink this LOGOS into a mere collection of writings?!

After a bit of catching up, I delve into Mark 1: The beginning of Jesus's ministry. Spirits abound in this chapter of all kinds, Holy Spirit, evil spirits, angels, Satan, etc. What's it all about?

Like it or not, DT is president once again. Biden is not. Neither is Harris. Lightening has struck for a second time. What is going on? Well, once you take Christ out of Christianity, anything is possible.

In this episode, I talk about a new project I am undertaking, and it involves reaching for and impossible, at least up to now, goal. This is what we humans do. Or so it seems. We spend much time reaching out for the unknown, the never done. Also, I give a pre-introduction to a book by Gegory Boyd, which I have not completed yet, and I try to anticipate where it might be going. The Book is titled, "Inspired Imperfection".