Saturday with Stanley

Can we have a merry Christmas? Maybe, with God's help, we can. And maybe an old carol can help us find it. I don't claim the rights to the lyrics or chords.

For this episode, I discuss a few things about foster care. I explain why foster care can be heartbreaking, how to get involved with foster care, and why as Christians we should be especially drawn to foster care. If you are interested in helping out with foster care in Indiana in any way, please reach out to Josiah White's. They are an excellent Christian foster care organization.

How do we make sense of pain and suffering? In this episode, I look at a question about that. How do we believe in God with pain and suffering and injustice in the world? At the same time, I also think we should ask the opposite question: How can we make sense of pain, suffering, and injustice without God? Let's take some time to look at all of this.

This is part 2 of our look at a meme about the Passover story in Exodus. In this episode, I look at the context of the Exodus story, and try to explain why the meme falls far short of actually explaining what happened. In the end, we ask, “What does it look like for God to bring justice to an unjust situation?” And other difficult questions about God, justice, and mercy. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at jason.stanley@inumc.org

Today, we enter part 1 of a 2 part look at a meme about the first Passover. The overall look this time centers less on what the meme actually says, and more on the way the meme says it.

There are a lot of posts on social media about showing kindness and compassion. But, are they statements we should take seriously? And, why is it that so many of the people who post them seem so mean at times? In this episode, I'm looking at one of these posts, and trying to bring a Christian perspective on this situation. If you have any questions about Christianity, or even any doubts about God or Jesus, feel free to email me at jason.stanley@inumc.org. I would love to discuss those with you, both through messages and possibly an episode.

In this episode, I look at a post that compares Christianity, witchcraft, and astrology. How are they connected? Is there a comparison? Which is true? And, is the post stating things honestly, or do we need to read past the words to come to a more accurate picture?

I have seen many posts on social media criticizing Christianity. Maybe you have too. Or, maybe you have questions about Christianity that you've wrestled with, and want answers. This is the first part of a series looking to answer those questions and posts, moving all of us toward a more fully formed belief.

I'm sorry for the long break. In this episode, I discuss why I have taken so long to post another episode, and take an extended look at humility.

Many people, especially Christians, select a word for the upcoming year. I believe that God has given me one (technically two), but it might not be what you'd expect.

This will be the last episode looking at lessons I've learned from our previous foster daughter. In this episode, I'm looking at the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and how God is using it to speak to me at this time.

In this episode, I share a few connections that I've made between Doctor Who and foster care.

In this episode, I explain just one of the many reasons I'm thanking God over this holiday, even though this situation with our previous foster child happened.

Today is National Adoption Day, and I'm processing that in light of our previous foster daughter.

All of us experience shame at some point. But, how do we deal with it? And what can we do to move forward from shame?

In this episode, I give an update, and I explore a hope we can have during difficult times.

In this episode, I'm addressing my missing time, as well as the ways that we fill silence while we talk.

When Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive 7 times, Jesus said he needed to forgive 77 times. That seems oddly specific. Is there something else happening in the story? And what could that mean for us today?

A lot of us have a popular image of God and the Bible, where the God of the Old Testament is a God of vengeance and wrath, while the God of the New Testament and Jesus is kind, merciful, and loving. But is this true? And what is the impact of our view of God?

Yes, with the start of college and pro football (and English soccer), it definitely feels like sports are back after the summer. Today, I explain why I love sports.

There are so many thoughts that we interact with on every given day. What makes them true? Can we just pick and choose what sounds good? Or is there some measure? Also, how do we actually live out what is true? Do thoughts just remain thoughts, or is there a way to live them out? In this episode, I'm hoping to at least point toward an answer to these questions.

Recently, Dr. Riggs of the John Wesley Honors College at Indiana Wesleyan University passed away. In this episode, I share some thoughts on his life, and on what he taught me.

In the Bible, Jesus tells a couple parables about a treasure of great value. Often, we see God and God's kingdom as this treasure. But is that what the Bible says? Starting with a recent sermon by Brent Faulkner (who also hosts the Walk On podcast), we look at this treasure and what it could mean for our everyday lives.

I recently shared on Facebook that my Saturday with Stanley videos would have to end. Also, I haven't shared a podcast in a long time. Now, the two are coming back as one! Saturday with Stanley, the podcast, will be starting August 6, 2022!

In this episode, I discuss my life for classics. Then, I share a devotion about the mercy and grace of confession. Finally, I give an update about my family and COVID, and explain what all of us can do around this.

This week, our chat takes a different turn. We still talk about what we might enjoy, and a devotional. But with the election, instead of trying to think too deeply on any subject, we take time to pause, release our negative feelings and emotions, and accept what we need from God.

On this episode right before Halloween, I share my enjoyment of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoons. I then share a devotional thought from Skye Jethani's book “Immeasurable.” In the last (and longest) segment, I share about my undergraduate thesis, which is very fitting for Halloween. Following up on our talk about the human scale, we look at the demonic forces behind the evil side of the scale. Then, we look at how Jesus and the Holy Spirit move us along the good, positive side of the scale.

During this chat, we start with how I relaxed this week. The Bears won! Manchester United won! And I'm enjoying “The Positronic Man” by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg. Next, I share a devotional thought that came to me, connecting C.S. Lewis's “The Great Divorce” with a thought Tim Mackie shared in his podcast “Exploring My Strange Bible.” Finally, I share a couple illustrations of how one bad choice can lead us to others.

In this episode, we begin by talking about the Chicago Bears. Then I share a recent devotional that brought up some tough questions around politics. Finally, we continue our talk from last week. This time, we are looking at the scale we make about all humanity, and ask some tough questions about our lives right now.

In this episode, we begin with what's fun. I recently read “A Spy Among Friends” by Ben Macintyre and “Sniper: Inside the Hunt for the Killers who Terrorized a Nation” by Sari Horwitz and Michael Ruane. Then I share about prayer, including introducing you to two apps, the “Pray as You Go” app and “Lectio 365.” Finally, we talk about how hard it is to become who we want to become, and how intentional we must be.

Conversations by a fire are some of the calmest and most enjoyable conversations we have, and they can also be some of the deepest conversations we get. So please join me as we share a weekly Fireside Chat.