Grace Podcasts

(Galatians 6:1-10 & Luke 10:1-2) As the country celebrates Independence Day, we look at the state of the church. Are we genuinely doing the will of God? The Apostle Paul puts the challenge to all of us with a very direct way to measure whether we are doing it or not.

(Galatians 5:1, 13-25 & Luke 9:61-62) It is for freedom that we were set free! But what do we do with that freedom? Hear a series of highlights from the past year at Grace that help direct and focus the use of our freedom (Annual Highlights).

(Romans 5:1-11 & John 16:12-13) Getting back at someone can feel good, but is it good for the soul? The Apostle Paul gives us much to think about in how we compare to others.

(Genesis 11:1-9 & Acts 2:1-8, 12-18) Fostering and raising children can be tough to do. It can raise all kinds of feelings of being ill-prepared or inadequate. It can feel the same in the Christian life, but Jesus offers us a sudden, and unexpected path forward in Pentecost.

(Acts 16:16-34 & Revelation 22:13-14) Jail can feel like its always wrong to be there, but what if there's actually a good side to being thrown in prison? The Apostle Paul adds a surprising twist to what looks like bad news (Confirmation Sunday).

(Galatians 5:13-26 & Deuteronomy 10:12-13) Memorial Day and Aldersgate Day are two important dates. Hear about some of the surprising connections between these themes in "Freedom and Slavery."

(Exodus 1:15-2:10) Birth can bring with it all kinds of blessings, but also trouble. Hear about Moses' mother who had a brutally difficult situation as she gave birth. Her faith is a lesson to us all!

(1 Corinthians 12:1-13 & John 21:12-14) A group of panelists are asked questions from the congregation on Jesus and the church. Listen for their thoughtful reflections revealing the variety in the body of Christ.

(John 20:1-18 & ! Corinthians 15:19-21, 26) We may not believe the story of Jesus raised from the dead, but the first people to see his body gone reveal something important. They didn't enter the story with contempt; they felt a very different emotion!

(Luke 19:28-40 & Isaiah 25:7-9) A celebration erupted when Apollo 11 returned from the moon. Jesus was also celebrated when he entered Jerusalem. These celebration remind us that, despite it all, there is an important spiritual practice needed for all of us.

(1 Corinthians 11:17-26 & Deuteronomy 6:10-12) The Last Supper on the moon came at a harrowing expense. It is incredibly dangerous to travel in space! Consider how Jesus wants us to remember him and give thanks despite the trials we face (Last Supper on the Moon 4/5).

(John 10:1-15 & 1 Samuel 17:34-36) Just like in the 60's with NASA, there is a lot of division in our country. Jesus doesn't weigh in on the culture wars, though; he points in a completely different direction (Last Supper on the Moon 4/6).

(Acts 1:1-11 & Genesis 15:1-6) How do you get a rocket that costs billions of dollars from the construction site to the launch site? Its a lesson in patience that echoes the life of Jesus from birth to ascension. See how Jesus calls us to a similar perspective (Last Supper on the Moon 2/6).

(Isaiah 53:1-12 & Matthew 5:3-5) Going to the moon seemed impossible to many, but a daring community made it possible. In the same way we when we dare to look inside, we find a dark side of the moon, but also NASA (Last Supper on the Moon 1/6).

(Luke 9:28-43a & Exodus 34:29-30) Doubt can lead us in all kinds of directions, but can it make our faith stronger? Jesus had disciples that expressed doubt, but he had a sure-fire way to encourage their faith, too (Doubt 1/1).

(Luke 6:27-42 & Genesis 45:4-5) It can be easy for us to fight the people we see as our enemies, but Jesus proposed a different way of fighting. See how the world's way doesn't really make it better, but, by getting a log out of our own eyes, we could (Conflict 4/4).

(Matthew 18:15-35 & Leviticus 19:17-18) It never feels good to be told we are wrong, but maybe it can present an opportunity for a better world. Jesus lays out for us clear cut steps for working through conflict but its probably not what you would expect! (conflict 3/4)

(Isaiah 6:1-13 & Luke 18:9-14) Conflict might seem like something to avoid. In fact, many work hard to stay away from conflict, but that can backfire tremendously. The prophet Isaiah offers a very different vision for dealing with conflict and it has everything to do with failure (Conflict 2/4).

(Jeremiah 1:4-19 & Romans 12:14-18) Some people seem to thrive on conflict. The prophet Jeremiah lived at one of the most tumultuous times in history, and, even though he didn't want to be in conflict, he found a way to navigate it. How can you do that, too? (Conflict 1/4).

(1 Corinthians 12:12-31 & Nehemiah 8:5-10) Creation has animals and people that are a blessing, but sometimes we don't feel quite so blessed. Society struggles when it comes to our neighbors, and the Apostle Paul has an important message as to how we deal with this part of creation (All of Creation 4/4).

(Exodues 19:9-20 & Luke 17:18-20) Mountains can draw us to them for their sheer size and power, but they've always had a religious draw, too. See why the mountain top is one of the most important experiences of your life (All of Creation 3/4).

(Luke 3:15-22 & Job 41:1-11) The ocean is teeming with life, but not all of it feels safe. Consider the spiritual side of water and why Jesus, himself, was baptized with water (All of Creation 2/4).

(Matthew 2:1-12 & Isaiah 60:1-6) Peter Pan reminds us that many people feel lost, even as they seek the light. See how Jesus responded to the lost and consider how you can love all of creation in this new year (All of Creation 1/4).

(Luke 2:1, 3-20 & Matthew 2:1-2, 7-10) Christmas fills us to brimming with senses, from sight to sounds, tastes and smells, but there's more to it than that! Discover even more of what the birth of Jesus means for Christmas and every day of your life.

(Luke 7:11-17 & 1 Kings 17:20-24) Touch can be such an important sense, but do we use it the right way? See how Jesus used his senses, and especially touch to change the world (Experiencing Christmas 4/4).

See what happens when the dress rehearsal for a Christmas play has no Christmas costumes!

(Philippians 4:4-9 & Zephaniah 3:14-15) We continue the journey of Experiencing Christmas through the sounds we hear. Particular sounds, and especially music can bring the magic of Christmas to us, but do we need it? (Experiencing Christmas 3/4)

(1 Corinthians 10:23-33 & Psalm 34:8) Meals together can make a big difference, from health to relationships. See how the Apostle Paul and even Jesus himself saw meals as a way to bring about the meaning of Christmas (Experiencing Christmas 2/4).

(Luke 21:25-36 & Jeremiah 33:14-16) The sights and sounds of Christmas signal something important is on the way! See how these signs aren't just about what we expect to happen in this season, but about something wholly unexpected! (1/4 Experiencing Christmas).

(Matthew 6:5-15 & Hebrews 12:14-15) Sometimes you owe money and it can feel like a real weight around your neck. Somethings similar happens with our mistakes and offenses against people. See how our debts can be forgiven in a way that brings real, lasting freedom (Forgiving 4/4).

(Luke 18:1-8 & Romans 12:9-21) Sometimes people just seem like they were born lucky, but is luck all its cracked up to be? Sometimes the right kind of luck is what leads to the end of dysfunction (Forgive 3/4).

(Genesis 1:20-27 & Romans 5:1-5) The things we perceive come through our senses, but is it always accurate to reality? Consider how God calls us to live in the midst of what we perceive (Forgiving 2/4).

(John 5:1-9, 1-18 & 2 Chronicles 7:12-14) Sometimes hurt makes us hurt others, and too often we can't get on the road toward healing. See how a surprising story speaks volumes on the way to heal (Forgiving 1/4).

(Luke 15:11-32 & Ezekiel 37:11-12) Sometimes people know what's best for someone else, but that can lead to judgment and even resentment. Find out how a lost brother points the way to a more gracious and loving life (Lost 4/4).

(Luke 15:11-32 & Ezekiel 34:2b-4) The prodigal son is one of the most famous passages in scripture, but what makes him lost is a mindset. Hear about a new mindset that Jesus himself encourages (Lost 3/4).

(Luke 15:1-10 & Psalm 119:174-176) Rejection is a loss as bad as physical pain. What should we do when we experience that kind of social rejection? Jesus has a thought and it starts with dinner (Lost 2/4).

(Luke 14:25-35 & Deuteronomy 22:1-3) Family and friends are so important, as is helping those in need. So, why does Jesus say to hate everything? Find out about the depth of discipleship required of followers of Christ! (Lost 1/4).

(Matthew 27:45-54 & 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) Dealing with death can be hard to do, but when Jesus dies we see something completely incomprehensible - some dead people come back to life! Is it just a fairy tale or is there something more here to help make us believe? (4/4 Make Believe)

(Jonah 1:1-17 & Mark 4:37-41) The story of Jonah looks like its all about a whale swallowing a man who someone survives in its belly for three days. This impossible scenario is about so much more than that. Hear how the whale, like Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, is really all about revenge (Make Believe 3/4).

(Ezekiel 1:4-20 & John 10:16) Ever wonder what's beyond our galaxy? Though we don't talk about it much in church, so did the ancient authors of the Bible. Consider for a moment what aliens might mean for your faith (Make Believe 2/4).

(Numbers 22:21-35 & Romans 2:14-16) We can make believe or pretend, but when a small voice whispers, or something unbelievable happens in our life, its time to pay attention! See how an animal speaking can lead to the answers you really need (Make Believe 1/4).

(Luke 3:2-18 & Malachi 4:5-6) Sometimes we worry what things might look like for us in the afterlife. Are we really sure we're going to heaven? John the Baptist shows us how even vipers can make it in and it has nothing to do with their snakeskin (Good News Bears 8/8).

(Ezekiel 33:1-20 & 1 John 2:1-3) Sometimes it can feel like fate will take us to the top, or drag us down to the very bottom. Hear how the prophet Ezekiel dealt with the successes and the failures of his people as he watched over them, like an angel in the outfield (Good News Bears 7/8).

(Psalm 51:1-12 & Matthew 12:6-8) We sin when we know we are doing something wrong, but sometimes we do exactly the wrong thing and we know it. See how even a king had to confess his sin to make things right and what we can do to make things right among us (Good News Bears 5/7).

(Nehemiah 4:1-15 & 1 Corinthians 3:10-11) Sometimes everything is going right, but other times it can feel like everyone has turned against you. See how angry families and death threats didn't pull Nehemiah away from keeping his eye on the ball (Good News Bears 4/7).

(2 Kings 2:8-15 & Luke 22:31-32) Having a plan for a transition can be wise, especially with children and business. Elisha shows us another important transition that points us to the most important succession of all (Good News Bears 4/8).

(Judges 16:15-22 & Matthew 7:1-3) The baseball hall of fame has some worthy players in it, but maybe they aren't quite the example we are looking for. See how Samson's manages to get in the Bible's hall of fame, despite his flaws (Good News Bears 2/8).

(Judges 2:16-19, 4:4-9 and John 5:30) The Bad News Bears give us a window into what it must have been like for Deborah to lead Israel when everything looks as bad as it could ever get. Find a glimmer of hope through the Good News Bears (Good News Bears 1/8).

(Genesis 8:13-22) When bad news comes it can be hard to accept. In ancient times they got some of the worst news - everything was going to be destroyed in a flood. Noah's story of the flood can teach us some valuable lessons today (Good News Bears Intro).

(1 Samuel 16:1-13 & Luke 15:20-23) Sometimes people do and say things that are truly awful. How should we respond when confronted with irrational anger? A man after God's own heart shows us the way (21st century 6/6).

(1 Samuel 8:4-11, 13, 16-20 & Mark 3:31-35) Different generations can see things very differently, but when we get caught up in what others have, it can go very badly. The prophet Samuel has some insight on a better way to respond (21st century 5/6).