Steve Poos-Benson's Podcast

In this Episode Steve explores different aspects of Jesus's resurrection. Was Jesus body physically resuscitated, bodily transformed, or spiritually resurrected? Give a listen and expand your ideas about what happened 2000 years ago. 

In this episode Steve draws upon his personal experience, as well as 38 years helping guide people through the process of faith deconstruction. Steve offers different insights and ideas you can use when you're looking for ways to reconstruct your faith into something new. 

In this episode Steve continues the conversation on the differences between Progressive Christians and Evangelicals. Today he explores the different views of the Bible. He asks, Why didn't Jesus write a book? Why do we need the Bible? How do we interpret the Bible? Is the Bible authoritative in the same way that the Koran is for Muslims. Steve explores these issues and a whole lot more. Give a listen and expand your understanding of the Bible.  

In this episode Steve explains the differences between Progressive Christians and Evangelical Christians and their views of hell and who goes there. Steve reviews different scripture passages that argue for hell, and then those passages that argue for universal salvation. Listen and see if you're as convinced as Steve that through Jesus the entire world is saved. 

Several people have asked me what is the difference between Progressive and Evangelical Christians. There are some major differences between the two. In this episode I continue the conversation by talking about the Progressive view of radical inclusion of all people, especially those of the LGBTQI community. 

In this episode I examine the nature of suffering from a Progressive Christian vs. an Evangelical perspective. Instead of assuming that all Christians believe the same about God and the nature of suffering, come and listen to my views on what a progressive Christian believes. 

Hello! I'm back with a new look to my podcast, at least a new name. Cowboy Jesus! Ok, it's my old name but I want to use it for the podcast now as well. More on the inside.  In this episode I revisit a topic that I covered a couple of years ago, "Did Jesus die for my sins?" A lot of people have asked me this question as of late so I thought I'd take another stab at asking and answering this important question. 

Do you believe God works in strange and mysterious ways? If so then I have a story for you. In this episode I continue the story of the theft of my identity. What started as a lesson about forgiveness takes a drastic turn when my identity is used and a crime is committed and a warrant is out for my arrest.

As I reflect on the racial issues that have swept across our country I find a connection to school shootings. I have given most of my career to ending school shootings. I find a great number of similarities between the two issues. I believe there are solutions to both if we're willing to look in the mirror and respond to the face we see.

In this episode I tell the story of when my identity was stolen. This is a two-part episode. This week I talk about anger, resentment, and forgiveness. Next week I pick back up the story and share how I learned just how strange and mysterious God can work.

In this episode I tell the story of my recent accident stacking hay and lessons that Ive learned. When accidents come our way we need to take stock of who we are, what we've learned about ourself and the world around us. We need to allow accidents to become life tests that bring courage and endurance as well as compassion and blessing.

To enjoy an abundant life we need overcome our fears. in this episode I present ten steps that I follow in my own life. Thanks for listening.

What do you when your faith feels more like walking across a dusty plateau than a lush forest? In this podcast I offer ten things to do to get your life off of the spiritual plateau.  

In this podcast I explore what it means to be authentic. Authenticity grows out of a clear sense of who we are at our core, our values and finding congruence between them.   

Today I continue the conversation about Ambition. I talk about ambition as it relates to meaning in life. When we fulfill our ambitions we find meaning. Ambition is a sacred expression of why God sent us into the planet. Additionally I explore the New Testament's view of ambition as well as ambition and the Covid 19 virus.  Thanks for listening!  

Today I want to take another week talking about ambition. I'm interviewing my daughter Kelsey. We talk about her ambition that led her on a trek through Nepal and working on a Covid unit at St. Anthony's hospital.  Ok, I'm proud of her, but she fuels my own sense of ambition.   

In this episode I explore ambition. I talk about the negative as well as the positive aspects of healthy ambition. What's your ambition? Join me and let's talk together.       

In this episode I share my insights about the arc of our life and what do we do when the arc of our life has been interrupted. The Covid 19 virus has interrupted the arc of our life. How do we respond when the unforeseen comes barreling into our lives. 

In this podcast I explore how the Coronavirus is challenging our need to be together. We're wired to be together in community. The virus is pushing us apart. I believe we need to find ways to connect and not to take community for granted. Join me and then share your thoughts. 

What do you do when every door is closing around you? You've knocked on a thousands doors and nothing is opening for you? In this podcast I share my thoughts about how to hear God's "Yes!" by learning how to respond to God's, "No."

In this episode I interview Dr. Mark Foster. Mark was born and raised in the Mormon church. He spent several of his adult years raising his family in the faith. Mark comes to a crises where he puts everything at risk and takes a spiritual leap of faith. His story is one of spiritual liberation.  Thanks for listening!

In this episode I continue my series on Spiritual Abuse. I interview Kathy Brown who grew up in a fundamental evangelical family. She shares her story about her life from early childhood through college years. She then shares how it took many years of her adult life to recover from her upbringing. It's a compelling story that I know many can identify with. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I continue my series on spiritual abuse by interviewing Susie Burke. Susie is a long time member of Columbine United Church. What most people don't know about Susie is that she was raised in a Satanic cult. Susie shares different stories of what it was like to live in this cult. But more, she reflects as an adult about coming to a place of healing, and working as a healer in her own life and work. Enjoy the interview. 

Have you ever been spiritually abused? Has a religious leader, organization, church, synagogue or mosque manipulated your emotions? Has your soul ever been batted about? If so then I want you to tune into this episode.  Today I begin the conversation by defining what is spiritual abuse and what it looks like in a congregation. I share what a healthy faith community looks like. I close by sharing with you things to do if someone you love is a part of a community that is spiritually abusive.  Being a part of a faith community should nurture and uplift your soul. I hope by listening you'll be committed to finding a joyful community to participate in.      

Hello friends and welcome to the Steve Poos-Benson Podcast. In this episode I invite my colleagues Jill Bouton VanderWal and Jane Ritterson to join me in a conversation about the resurrection of Jesus. We have a lot of fun and cover everything from the Shroud of Turin, to Jesus bodily raising, to Jesus blasting off in the Ascension. It's a lot of fun. Hang in there until the end. Jane rips a funny out take. 

"The Shootings." This week is the twentieth anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School. While we prepare for holy week, we also prepare for that day twenty years ago that was a watershed in the nation and in my life as well. In this episode I want to share with you my thoughts, feelings and recollections about being a first responder that day and the most profound message that I carry forward, the need to forgive. 

Hello friends! In this episode I share that I'm not Walter from Craigslist, anything but enlightened and I struggle to follow the teachings of Jesus. Sometimes we all need a "come down" and here is my story. Enjoy the Stephen Poos-Benson Podcast. Catch my blog Cowboy Jesus. Let me know about topics you'd like me to cover. 

A few weeks ago I was asked to do a podcast on how to read the Bible and how to discern what are the historical teachings of Jesus. Short of giving a thirty minute lecture this is my attempt to share with you how I read the Bible. In this podcast I share that the Bible is not holy, but it's a medium that points to what is holy, your relationship with Jesus. Let me know if you have topics you'd like me to cover. Thanks for listening. Read my blog, Cowboy Jesus on stevescowboyjesus.blogspot.com

This past Sunday I bought a bed from Walter off of Craigslist. It was a simple exchange, yet I'll never forget his generosity. His small act has inspired me. I'm challenged now to pay it forward. I hope that you too are touched by this story and you'll be inspired to pay it forward as well.  Thanks for listening! 

I know this sounds like a boring topic. Let's face it, church can be boring. However, I do everything in my power to keep church fun, exciting and relevant. I explore my thoughts and feelings on going to church. This past Sunday I interviewed people about their reasons for coming to church, then I close with my own riff on the topic.  Who wants to be boring? Not me baby, not me. 

When I decided to start a podcast I made a list of people I wanted to interview. Judi Buehrer was one of those at the top. Through her journey with cancer she has stayed, in her terms, a cockeyed optimist. She inspires me. Give her interview a listen and I'm sure you'll be inspired by her words of insight and wisdom. 

As your death couch in this episode I explore the different concepts of reincarnation and resurrection. I explore what a few of the world religions teach then share my own opinions. I hope this episode will spur your own thinking about what happens to your soul after you die. 

This past weekend I helped someone die. It's something I do on a fairly regular basis, so much so that I've come to call my self a Death Coach. After he passed away I drove back to my office, sat down and recorded my thoughts and insights for this podcast. It's pretty rough and raw, but it's where I was in the minute. Through death I find my affirmation of life. 

In this episode I continue the conversation on creativity. I reflect on the roots of creativity, "Pay attention, be amazed, and share your amazement." Pop in your ear buds, or listen on your favorite device.  I'm looking for topics that you'd like to me to cover, or people you think I should interview. Post your comments here or send me an email.  Subscribe to get a notification of when a new episode is published. Thanks and Enjoy!

In this episode I interview my good friend, colleague and creative muse, Mitch Samu. Pop in your ear buds, go for a walk, clean the house, or work out on the treadmill, but enjoy this episode and may your own creative juices start to flow.   

In this episode I interview Todd Rice. Todd shares his compelling story of addiction and recovery. From living on the streets of Denver to having a thriving business and family, Todd share his message of hope. 

In this episode I share my sermon from Sunday, April 22nd. In this sermon I preach on Jesus having dinner with disreputable guests and how the Scribes and Pharisees chide him for hanging out with the riffraff. I explore how we're all God's riffraff and we need to create radically inclusive communities where all of God's children are invited to come and particiapte. Thanks for listening! 

In this episode I explore my views about Jesus being a sacrifice for sins. Tune in an allow my thoughts to rattle your cage, or affirm what you've always known to be true.

In this Episode I share the sermon that Rev. Jane Ritterson preached this past Sunday, Palm Sunday. Jane really inspired me as she touches on many of the issues in our current society. Through her message she invites us to journey through Holy Week as we venture towards Easter. 

In this Episode I share the sermon I preached on March 18th. I talk about not allowing "Shirley" to get in the way of sharing our gratitude with the people we love and care about.  

This is a sermon I preached on March 11th. It's titled, "Impossible Gratitude." In the sermon I wrestle with the notion that we're to be grateful for all things that happen to us. Give it a listen and I hope you enjoy.

Hello! I'm going to start posting my sermons on Steve Poos-Benson's Podcast so you can relisten to them while your working out, going for a walk, or commuting to work. In this sermon I use the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand to talk about stretching our faith and having an expansive vision of what God can do through us.