Podcasts about asking for a friend

This Isn't Therapy... it's an *encore* doomy episode about the ever-evolving landscape of doomslang. Doomslang, coined by author and linguist Amanda Montell, is a term used to describe dystopian jargon like “dumpster fire” and “doomscroll” and “bed rot”. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about how the constant conjuring of End Times is having surprising, unintended, and maybe even dangerous, consequences. From bed rot to brainrot, this episode sure packs a doomsday punch! Oh... and be sure to tune in this week for a very imporant Summertime announcement!Got a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi! Validate us by...Following us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Following us on TikTok: @notatherapypodcastJake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimon

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo discuss the importance of editing our speech and the adage, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." They explore the impact of words on relationships and communication, providing insights into when silence is more beneficial than speaking. The conversation touches on practical tools for better communication, the power of curiosity and creativity in speech, and the need to avoid judgmental tendencies. Tune in for practical advice on managing the power of words and improving your relationships. Music by epidemic sound. SHOW NOTES: Experts :  Dr. Newberg, Dr. Waldman, Dr. Puff, Dr. Segal Resources :  Newberg and Waldman's Book: Words Can Change Your Brain https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/309487/words-can-change-your-brain-by-andrew-newberg-md-and-mark-robert-waldman/ Dr. Puff's Article: The Power of Our Words https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-for-modern-life/202301/the-power-of-our-words Dr. Segal's Article: What We Say Matters https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-empathy/201810/what-we-say-matters

This week in our Asking For A Friend series, we ask: Is there a seat for me at the Father's table? Through Luke 15, we explore Jesus' story of the prodigal son—mud, mess, repentance, and the Father who runs toward us with open arms. Repentance isn't about guilt or trying harder; it's about turning home to grace. No matter how stuck or broken you feel, there's a seat for you at God's table.

Asking for a Friend Who—or what—is the Holy Spirit? For many, the Father and the Son feel understandable, but the Spirit remains mysterious. Is He just a force? A ghostly presence? Or something more? In the finale of our Asking for a Friend series, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia explores one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity: the Holy Spirit. From creation to Pentecost to His ongoing work in our lives, the Spirit is not an “it”—He is God, personal and powerful. If you've ever wondered how the Spirit moves, speaks, or empowers believers, this message will open your eyes to God's presence and power within you. - NEXT STEPS  Looking to take your next step?  We want to help! Text the word NEXT to 909-281-7797 or visit sunrisechurch.org/nextsteps. - GIVE TO SUNRISE CHURCH Imagine what God can do through our giving. You can give today at sunrisechurch.org/give  - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseChurchCA  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisechurchca  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/SunriseChurch

How is it possible to be surrounded by people and still feel completely unseen? In this Asking for a Friend message, Pastor Tim opens Job 19, Genesis 16, 2 Timothy 4, and the Gospels to show how Scripture meets us in our loneliness. From Job's cry to Hagar's encounter, and from Paul's cell to Jesus' cross, we discover that while people may walk out, the God who sees, the Lord who stands, and the Redeemer who lives will never abandon us.

Classic Worship

Contemporary Worship 

In this message, Craig explores what the Bible says about rest and sleep. While our culture glorifies business, Scripture reminds us that God never sleeps, but we do — and that's by design. Sleep humbles us, shows us we're not God, and points us to the greater rest we have in Christ. Salvation is not earned by our work but received as a gift of grace. Because God is always at work, we can rest — both physically and spiritually — in Him.

Ps Josh shares the fourth and final part of our Asking for a Friend series by speaking on marriage.

Welcome to The Chapel Podcast! We recognize that 60 minutes on a Sunday morning is not enough to share all that we'd like in our announcements and sermons, so we've created this space in order to further conversations, make connections, and provide clarity.Scott Lasater is back this week to do a deeper dive into the science behind a telescope and how that points to an intelligent creator. 

FROM THE VAULT: This Isn't Therapy... it's the *encore* episode about AI therapists and if they can ever replace the real thing. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a recent BBC article about why teens are seeking out AI therapist bots and what that means for the future of mental health. Conversational AI or, in other words, "chatbots with a personality" are gaining more attention and users are finding new therapy-ish use-cases on platforms like Character.ai and Replika. The pros, the cons, the risks, and the benefits. All that and more!BBC Article discussed: Young people turning to AI therapist botsGot a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi! Validate us by...Following us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Following us on TikTok: @notatherapypodcastJake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimon

Why Does God Allow Suffering - Asking For A Friend Night Edition by The Porch Community Church

Overnight News, 2. Convinced Kids, 3. A Bogus Parking Ticket! 4. Funniest Reasons Kids Have Called Their Folks... 5. #RAPTURETOK! 6. Why Date When You Can Dream! The ONLY way to wake up in Adelaide is with your best brekkie mates Tom & Callum on Fresh 92.7 Keep up to date on our socials. Instagram - @fresh927 Facebook - Fresh 92.7See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asking for a Friend In Part 3 of Asking for a Friend, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia dives into one of the most mysterious—and often misunderstood—topics in the Bible: the spiritual world. From angels and demons to spiritual warfare and unseen battles, Scripture pulls back the curtain to reveal a reality that is both sobering and hope-filled. Whether you've had questions about guardian angels, demonic oppression, or why the Bible talks so much about spiritual battles, this message will help you see the unseen through the lens of God's Word.

Many of us wonder if faith can just stay between “me and God.” But as Pastor Shannon reminds us, the gospel has always been an invitation meant to be shared. Drawing from Jesus' parables and the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, we see that God's design is for our faith to transform not just us—but the people around us. Listen in as we talk about: Why faith can't remain hidden How invitations open the door to transformation The importance of bold witness in a world full of struggle and pain Whether you're exploring faith, recommitting, or simply wrestling with the question yourself, this conversation is for you.

When life feels heavy, sometimes the hardest battles aren't just around us but within us. In this Asking for a Friend message, Pastor Tim unpacks Psalm 42 to show how God meets us in our deepest wounds, whether from our own spiraling thoughts or the words of others, with hope, healing, and redemption through Jesus.

Classic Worship

Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven. I loathe physical therapy. Thanks to having the back of someone 3x my age, I have been quite a few times in the last ten years. Everytime I go, I am paired with a guy about my same age but who is in impeccable physical condition, which already makes me feel worse. Then they put me through a circuit of ridiculous exercises, things with bands, an impossible balancing board, and stretches that make me feel like something could snap at any moment. Exasperated, after throwing a ball against the wall while balancing on one leg, I asked, ‘What in the world does this have to do with making my back feel better?!' My therapist said, ‘Your low back is weak. We can strengthen it some, but not much. Instead, if we focus on everything else around your low back, your hips, your core, your flexibility, then the pain will start to go away, but not entirely. You'll be able to function, just not fully; your discs are too damaged. So focusing solely on your low back will never bring the healing you want. You have to focus on everything else around it.”Now talking about my woes with physical therapy may seem like a non sequitur to the final question in our series: How do we hold on to our shared humanity in a divided world? But I promise it will come back around. So stay with me. One thing among many I have loved about this series, Asking for a Friend, is that all of the questions have been timely; relevant not just to our life together, but to much that is happening in the world around us. Today's question is one we all want an answer to. The questioner had more context: they said, “as we get more and more divided, it seems like faith communities are pushing further and further to the extremes. In doing so, we lose the ability to see our shared humanity. What do we do? How do we move forward”? Division and conflict have become a staple of American life. And that's not just an anecdote, though I am sure you have your own story. According to Pew Research Center, compared to similar nations,we Americans hold much deeper divisions within nearly every facet of society: politics, race, and even agreement on basic facts. Ironically enough, polarization is now a defining feature of these United States.Faith communities are no different, especially along partisan lines. These days it's more likely that the way someone votes determines what church they attend than their theological views. Which means, more churches are becoming homogenous in their political beliefs, more people are leaving churches from political partisanship, and there are fewer and fewer purple congregations. For the most part, churches are not sorting themselves, they are already sorted. And in just the past two weeks, headlines have piled up calling this moment an inflection point—a crisis. It sure feels like it. Unity? Seeing our shared humanity? It seems nearly impossible—for churches, for the nation, let alone the warring parts of the world. So what do we do? I think we, as a church, go about unity like physical therapy.It may sound counterintuitive, but if unity is the goal, don't focus on it. If we insist on “being united”, if we tell ourselves and others, “we are a united congregation,” we won't be—and everyone will end up disappointed, or worse.Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “He who is in love with his vision of community will destroy community. But he who loves the people around him will create community wherever he goes.” The same is true of unity. If we love the idea of unity more than the people in front of us, we'll never achieve it. This is exactly what allows a group like Zeitouna to exist. Zeitouna is a group of six Jewish and six Palestinian women who, despite deep divisions, have learned to see each other's shared humanity. For over twenty years, they have gathered in each others' homes every other week, sharing dinner, and engaging in intentional Dialogue. They listen not to formulate a response, but to understand the other's point of view. Their goal is not to come to an agreement. How could they? Instead, they work on creating shared understanding—by listening, speaking from their own experience, slowing down, and pausing more. They focused on so many other things, not just the issues. And only then were they able to see one another for what they truly are, human. Irene, a Jewish member, said, “My heart has been opened to those who scare me.” Wadad, a Palestinian member, said, “Through Zeitouna I've learned to hear the voice of the ‘other'—her pain and her joy—realizing it mirrors my own.” They never chased unity itself. They focused on other things, and unity formed along the way.Instead of chasing unity, let's focus on our shared humanity, on forgiveness, and on grace.Now, in the church we love to say that every person is made in the image of God. And that is true. But if we stop there, we can fool ourselves into thinking that image means we are inherently good, virtuous, capable. Scripture, and our experience, say otherwise. Paul reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The image of God in us is real, but like funhouse mirrors, it is fractured and distorted. So what do we share, really? We share our limits. We share our failures. We share our tendency to mess things up and let each other down. Our weakness, not our strength, is our common ground. And friends, that might sound like bad news, but it is actually quite the opposite. Because when you stop expecting other people to be more virtuous, more stable, or more capable than you are—you find yourself a little less disappointed. A little more patient. A little more compassionate. It frees us to meet one another not with unrealistic expectations but with grace. But that also means we will need to forgive, and to do so often. Like Peter, we ask “how often”? More than we want to, more than what seems right, honestly more than we think we can. Because it's not so much that someone will wrong you 490 times, but that it might take 490 attempts at forgiving one offense before we've really done it. All of that is hard. Which means, if we are going to see our shared humanity, forgive one another, and live as a functioning community, it will only be out of gratitude for the grace of Jesus, who has already done all of that for you and always will. When we dwell on the grace poured into our lives, it spills over—flowing from our hearts out into the world, giving others the mercy and love Jesus has already given us.Just like physical therapy, if unity is the goal, focusing on it will only lead to more pain, disappointment, and ultimately division. Because we will, and likely already have, let each other down. But I am asking you to stay. Stay even when there's disagreement, stay when feelings are hurt, stay when it feels easier to walk away. Because if we leave every time, we miss what Jesus is capable of through forgiveness and grace. So let's focus on those things now: on shared humanity, on forgiveness, on the grace already given to us. And then by the mercy of God and the work of the Spirit, unity will begin to take shape. It may not be perfect. The pain may not entirely go away. But we will be able to function. We will be able to live together as God's people. And we will have hope for the unity that is to come to all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This week Ps Tash looks into the subject of love as we head into the third part of our relationship series Asking for a Friend.

This isn't therapy... and it's not working out, either! In this *encore* episode, Jake and Simon discuss what to do when therapy isn't working. Importantly, they talk about how to know if therapy is actually working and what to do when you feel like it's not. This episode is based on a Lovely Listener question: "If I cry in therapy, does that mean it's working?" Strap in!Got a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi! Validate us by...Following us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Following us on TikTok: @notatherapypodcastJake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimonOriginal music composed by Kat Burns and performed by KASHKA.

Welcome to The Chapel Podcast! We recognize that 60 minutes on a Sunday morning is not enough to share all that we'd like in our announcements and sermons, so we've created this space in order to further conversations, make connections, and provide clarity.Scott Lasater is back this week to do a deeper dive into the science behind a microscope and how that points to an intelligent creator. 

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo explore practical ways to enhance communication and strengthen relationships among adult siblings. They discuss common challenges such as dealing with aging parents, inheritance conflicts, feeling left out, and more. The hosts emphasize the importance of employing softer startups, repair attempts, and collaborative efforts. They reveal strategies to break old patterns and foster healthier interactions, focusing on curiosity, clear communication, and setting boundaries. Tune in for valuable tips on navigating complex sibling dynamics in your adult life.  Music by epidemic sound. SHOW NOTES: Experts :  Dr. Karl Pillemer, Stockner et al., Dr. John Gottman, Jeffrey Kluger Resources :  Journal of Family Psychology Article by Stockner, et al.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7012710/ Dr. Karl Pillemer's Book - Fault Lines https://www.karlpillemer.com/ Dr. John Gottman https://www.gottman.com/ Jeffrey Kluger from his TED Talk on the Sibling Bond https://ed.ted.com/lessons/jLvoMSWT

Asking for a Friend Are miracles real—or just rare coincidences we exaggerate?  In Part 2 of Asking for a Friend, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia tackles one of the most fascinating questions people ask about faith: What do I believe about miracles? From Jesus raising the dead to modern-day claims of healing, this message explores what separates the improbable from the truly impossible—and why it matters for your life today. Don't settle for shallow answers or sensational claims—dig deep into what God says about the supernatural. If Jesus really performed miracles, then maybe we need to take His message seriously too.

We all face moments when life feels overwhelming and our mental and emotional health is under pressure. In this Asking for a Friend message, Pastor Gabe Turner looks at Elijah's struggle in 1 Kings 19 to show how God meets us in our valleys with rest, hope, and renewal.

Matthew 28:16-20Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. We are party deprived. That's the argument Ellen Cushing makes in a wonderful little article in The Atlantic earlier this year. On any given weekend or holiday, only 4% of Americans hosted or attended a social event. Polling shows most people like the idea of parties, but nobody wants to host them. Maybe that sounds familiar.None of this should surprise us. More than any other time in modern history, adults spend less time with friends and more time alone—and we're strangely okay with it. In fact, we often prefer it. Confined to our couches, transfixed by our phones, feeding on the stories our screens serve us. Simply put: we need more parties.And yes, that's part of my response to today's question: is the church a mission center or a social club? This is the second-to-last week of our Asking for a Friend series. And we have covered lots of big topics. But today the question is both what should the church with a capital C—the universal body of Christ across all time and space—be, but also the lowercase c church: Cross of Grace. What are we? A mission center or a social club?Someone was looking at the list of questions a couple weeks ago and began laughing out loud. Oh no, I thought, we made a typo. But then they turned to me and said “who's preaching on the 14th?”. I lied and said I don't know because depending on why they laughed I might have changed it. But this person said well because it'll be the easiest answer of them all. I said “why is that?” and they said because the answer is yes!It is both a mission center and a social club. I'm sure many of you think so, too. But if I had to guess, most would say the church needs to be a mission center:the place that equips, educates, empowers, and then sends out not just people but disciples to share the gospel in word and deed. That's what Jesus commands in the Great Commission: Go, baptize, make disciples.Here at Cross of Grace, that language is familiar. Nearly 25 years ago, when we were just getting started in the school and knocking on doors, we called ourselves a mission center—even without a building. It's also why we call ourselves Partners in Mission, not members. Members join to consume. Think wellness center, country club, or book club. But partners engage to participate. And this mission of sharing the grace of Jesus Christ, with no strings attached, depends on your participation.It just so happens that church is also a social club. And sometimes we feel guilty about that—like fellowship is less important than mission, or just a by-product of “real” church work. But here's the problem: too often we treat mission and worship like consumers. We show up, get what we think we need, and leave. That makes faith transactional—something we “use” to make ourselves better.So maybe the real question is: should mission always come first, and fellowship second? I don't think so. I don't think that's what the Bible shows us, either. Which is why today I want to come to the defense of church as a social club, because fellowship is not secondary. It's essential.Keep in mind, when we talk about church as a mission center or social club, we're talking in metaphors. And metaphors are helpful—they give us new ways of seeing something familiar. But no single metaphor ever tells the whole story. Take the old saying that the church is a “hospital for sinners.” It sounds good, but if we lean on it too hard, church becomes just a place you visit when you're sick, get patched up, and leave until the next problem. Every metaphor has limits. Whether we call the church a hospital, a mission center, a social club, or one of the thousand other metaphors we use. At best, they point us toward the deeper truth: the church is a community of flawed people, gathered by God, given the gift of grace in Jesus Christ.This gift of grace doesn't just forgive us; it transforms us. It places us in relationship with God, and that changes who we are. As Isaiah says, we become a light that reveals the source of our gift, a lens that offers a new way of seeing the world. We become liberators for those held down by oppression. That is what Jesus did, and that becomes our mission too—not because we have to, but because we can't help but share what we ourselves have received.But that kind of work is never easy. It is hard, long, dangerous, and exhausting. Which is why the grace of God doesn't just send us out—it also gathers us in. It gives us each other. Because if we're going to live into this mission for any length of time, we will need fellowship.That's exactly what we see in Acts. After hearing Peter proclaim the grace of Jesus, the people were moved. But notice what they did next: they didn't scatter to form food pantries or community centers. Instead, they devoted themselves to eating and praying together. In just five verses, Acts gives us five reminders of the early church's desire simply to be with one another. Fellowship wasn't an afterthought, and it didn't come after mission. The two rose up together, side by side, as the Spirit's gift to the church.To me, the bigger miracle of Pentecost wasn't that people suddenly spoke in languages they had never learned. The real miracle was that people actually wanted to be with one another. Can you imagine such a thing in the year of our Lord 2025? Fellowship be damned—we'd rather be alone. Or maybe the deeper truth is we don't really know how to be together anymore. And that's exactly why I want to defend the Church—this church—as a social club for this moment in time. Because if we don't know how to be together, then practicing fellowship is the mission. At a time when political violence is rising, when fear of our neighbors is the default, when anxiety and loneliness feel normal—and we're largely okay with that—the work the church is called to right now is fellowship itself.And if you think that's not biblical, Jesus should did spend a lot of time eating and drinking with people… so much so that he was known as a glutton and a drunk. And the people weren't just his disciples, but those who were different from him in every imaginable way.Maybe if we spent more time together, if we ate and drank more together, if we learned how to talk and listen to one another, if we began to see the image of God in each person, we wouldn't feel the need to tear each other apart over political disagreements. I know that's an over simplification, but I also believe it's true. What's really happening at our social gatherings—brew club, Mardi Gras, Oktoberfest, moms' night, or anything else—is that the grace of Jesus Christ is shaping us. It's teaching us to be a people who want to be together.This desire is not soft sentimentality. It's the work of the Spirit: forming in us a determination to care for our neighbors and seek their good, even when they are different, indifferent, or opposed to us. Grace gives us the desire—and the courage—to be in the company of one another. And when we do, we begin to see the face of God in every person, whether a Partner in Mission, a neighbor, a friend, a Democrat, a Republican, a president, pundit, and more.The Church is constantly reforming how we meet the needs of our neighbors and the world around us. Right now that looks like more parties and more fellowship—especially with people who don't look, act, think, believe, or behave like us. Yet, what never changes is what we offer. The church, this church, always offers the grace of Jesus, with no strings attached. We offer it at the font, at the table, through the resources we share, and yes, through the fellowship that binds us together in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Classic Worship

Contemporary Worship 

What were some of our favorite segments from this past week? Join Hoody as he goes through some of the best things from the past five days of the show, including: War Of The Roses, Asking For A Friend, how much a breakup costs in 2025 and more!Make sure to also keep up to date with ALL of our podcasts we do below that have new episodes every week:The Thought ShowerLet's Get WeirdCrisis on Infinite Podcasts

Welcome to The Chapel Podcast! We recognize that 60 minutes on a Sunday morning is not enough to share all that we'd like in our announcements and sermons, so we've created this space in order to further conversations, make connections, and provide clarity.Today we're joined by Scott Lasater to do a deeper dive into our sermon this past Sunday on Truth.

Welcome to The Chapel Podcast! We recognize that 60 minutes on a Sunday morning is not enough to share all that we'd like in our announcements and sermons, so we've created this space in order to further conversations, make connections, and provide clarity.Today we're joined by Scott Lasater to do a deeper dive into our sermon this past Sunday on Truth.

There's one question we seem to be hearing everywhere: “Is my job safe from AI?” Dozens of you, our listeners, have written to us about this. Saying things like, “Maybe my yoga teacher side gig is actually my safest bet now,” and “My parents were in real estate, and I never thought I'd say it ... but maybe that's what I should do?”  If only there were a list that could tell you which jobs are safe from AI. We go looking for that list…and find that the AI future is going to be even weirder than we'd imagined.Today on the show: We talk to two researchers who have come up with some first drafts of the future. We learned more about the machines that might be coming for our jobs, and also, more about what it actually means to be human.Subscribe to Planet Money+Listen free: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.Today's episode was produced by Eric Mennel and edited by Marianne McCune. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Robert Rodriguez. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Asking for a Friend Is sin really that big of a deal? What even is sin? And how does it affect my life today? In Part 1 of our new series Asking for a Friend, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia tackles one of the most pressing questions Christians (and skeptics) wrestle with: What do I believe about sin? From the Garden of Eden to the cross of Jesus, this message unpacks where sin came from, how it impacts every part of our lives, and why Jesus is the only hope we have for freedom.  

This week in Asking For A Friend, we tackle the question: Why does the church talk about money? Jesus says we can't serve both God and Mammon—and nothing competes for our hearts like money. Discover two biblical strategies to break free from money's grip and learn how generosity transforms our lives for eternity.

John 9:1-12As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” [I chose this morning's Gospel, not because I'm going to spend a lot of time unpacking it, directly, in response to today's question. I chose it – with the notion of Science and Scripture in mind – to simply show the gulf that exists between the life and times of Jesus in the First Century, and our own day and age. And how differently we are invited to understand Scripture because of that.The short of the long – and the obvious expression of this – is to see how the people around Jesus believed that that man's blindness was the result of divine judgment for his sins – or for the sins of his parents – and how he was cast-out and ostracized because of it. We know so much more than that now – and so did Jesus, it seems. Which is why his healing – and the point of the story – wasn't about a health problem or a physical defect.Just like those First Century onlookers, we want to pretend this story is about sickness or science, when really it's all about the forgiveness of sins and showing how wide and merciful God's love and forgiveness was, is, and can be, when we share it.]Anyway, shifting gears somewhat to today's question, which came through in a variety of ways from a variety of sources: Grace Notes, some conversations, the Men's Bible Study crew, and even a second-hand text from one of our college kids by way of his mother.I had tried to address it when we kicked off our last sermon series – the one from July, about Genesis, and the primeval mythology of its first 12 chapters. I threw out the phrase “LITERAL v. LITERATE,” and throughout that series Pastor Cogan and I tried to unpack the way those stories in Genesis (Creation, The Flood, The Fall, The Tower of Babel) speak to larger, universal, cosmic Truths, even if we aren't required to receive them as historically or scientifically accurate accounts.So, here is a list of the several questions we tried to summarize and roll up into today's single query:One was a series of non-sequiturs, asking about Creation in 7 days versus Evolution and the Big Bang Theory, dinosaurs, and how people add up the life-lengths and say that is the age of the earth, …etc.There was a reference to “Talking snakes,” the Nephilim, and the plural use of God in Genesis 3:22 – where God was apparently concerned that Adam and Eve would become like “one of us.”Did God actually walk in The Garden with Adam and Eve?How do you reconcile “time” in the Bible, including the ages of people? (Like how did Abraham live to be 175 years? Or Moses 120? Or Adam 930? Or Methuselah 969?)I don't want to be too simplistic, or to dismiss the thoughtfulness and concern over these kinds of questions. But I have to say that faithful people – especially rationally-thinking, scientifically-minded faithful people – have been making more of this than is necessary for far too long. It can be fun to do, don't get me wrong. And there may even be meaning to be found in some of it.But all of the math, numerology, guess-work and mental gymnastics it takes to “make sense of” what are often nothing more than literary devices or culturally particular context clues or plain-old hyperbole reminds me of the way Swifties dissect Taylor Swift's liner notes, album covers, wardrobe changes, or even the tchotchkes on the wall behind her during that interview with the Kelce brothers a couple of weeks ago. Again, it can be fun. And every once in a while you might find an Easter egg. But you don't have to go into those weeds in order to enjoy or find meaning in the music's big picture.The short of the long – where the Bible is concerned, is – we don't need to get into those weeds, do all of that math, or believe that Moses lived to be 120. Or that Methusela died at the ripe old age of 969. Or that Noah built a boat big enough to hold two of every creature on the planet, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Or that God jumped off of a cloud to walk with Adam and Eve.(For the record, even though I don't believe God left actual footprints in Eden, I did have a moment once at the cemetery in Lindsay, Ohio, where my maternal grandparents are buried, to the degree that I think I know what Genesis means when it says they heard the sound of God “walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze.”)Nonetheless, we don't always have to connect all of those confusing, confounding impossible dots, either.To put it plainly, the Bible is not a science book – and it doesn't pretend or need to be. Every part of it isn't a history book, either – and it doesn't pretend or need to be. The Bible is a book of books – oral history, letters, poems, songs, stories, prophecies, and more, that never intended to be collected, assembled, and bound into a single tome. Humans did that. Male humans – with power and privilege – did that. And we should be wary of what male humans with power and privilege can do with things like science, history, and the stories of people. (That may be another sermon or another day.)But in spite of that … still … by the grace of God, the Bible is beautiful and points us toward God's love and plan for creation at every turn – or it should. And that is how I hope we are inclined and inspired to read, receive, and report what we find in God's word through the pages of Scripture.Now, bear with me, but another way I have explained this, is to tell the story of my dad's Caesar Salad. My dad makes a mean Caesar Salad. It's been a while since I've had it, but growing up it was a staple, whenever we had family or friends over for a nice dinner. The dressing is made with, among other things, a raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, a ton of garlic, lemon juice, and anchovy paste. And even though I can picture him whipping up this concoction a million times while I was growing up, I never really realized or thought about what I was eating, until I asked for the recipe, the first time I tried to impress Christa for a Valentine's Day dinner when we were just dating, 500 years ago, back in the 1900's.(See what I did there? That's the kind of hyperbole that makes a point, without needing to be historically accurate. Bible writers did that too.)Anyway, the problem was, my dad never used a recipe when he made his Caesar Salad, so his instructions, delivered by e-mail and then over the phone, were more than a little vague. There were no measuring cups or Table spoons involved. It was, “Use one egg or two depending how much lettuce you have.” It was, “Use a lot of garlic. You can't really use too much garlic.” It was, “Throw in a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce.” And it was, “Squeeze a line of anchovy paste into it, about the length of a couple of knuckles.”Actually, the clearest – and most meaningful – instruction I received that first time around, after giving him grief for how impossibly unclear he was, was when he said, “Mark, you know what it's supposed to look and taste like when it's finished. Just make it like that.”All of this is to say – again – in answer to the question about if and how we are able to square Science with Scripture – is that we don't have to.Martin Luther described the Bible as a cradle that merely, but meaningfully, bears the Christ child. And it is a liberating relief for me to say that we don't worship the words in a book, we worship the Word made flesh, in Jesus.We worship Jesus – and the unmitigated, radical, counter-cultural, uncomfortable love and grace he shares. The love of God in Jesus is to be the heart and soul and goal of whatever we're reading into and pulling out of Holy Scripture. We are reading the Bible faithfully – we square science and scripture (or we liberate ourselves from checking our brains at the door or from trying to cram square pegs into round holes) – when and only when, the crucified and risen Jesus, the loving and living God, is what we receive and share through our best interpretations and our most humble understandings of what we find in its pages.My dad suggested that I'd know it when I saw it, tasted it, presented it, and shared his version of a Caesar Salad with Christa. Throughout Holy Scripture we are invited to see a whole picture of God's love and grace, in Jesus. Some stories seem harsh and unforgiving. Some are packed with immeasurable grace. So many ancient tales just can't be reconciled with our modern understanding of how the world works.But when we toss them all together and when we turn them over in our minds with hearts set on God's larger story and finished product of love, mercy, forgiveness, and hope, these stories tell a story of grace for the whole wide world that can't be measured or made sense of, no matter how hard we try to do the math or crunch the numbers. It all only makes sense and measures up by grace, through faith – not because of the words in a book, but because of in the Word of love, made flesh, in Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Classic Worship

Contemporary Worship 

What were some of our favorite segments from this past week? Join Hoody as he goes through some of the best things from the past five days of the show, including:Second Date Update, Bad Date Poker, Asking For A Friend and more!Make sure to also keep up to date with ALL of our podcasts we do below that have new episodes every week:The Thought ShowerLet's Get WeirdCrisis on Infinite Podcasts

Promises get broken all the time. Maybe by a parent, a friend, or someone who said “forever” but didn't mean it. No wonder so many people question whether God is any different. But here's the good news: God always keeps His promises. And one of His greatest promises is this—when you cry out for help, He hears your voice. In this week's message, Pastor Shannon shows us from Psalm 18 why prayer matters and gives us five reasons we can trust God when we pray: God hears. God responds. God rescues. God strengthens. God turns our cries into praise. As we continue through 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, let this message encourage you to lean into God's promise that prayer makes a difference.

When we fall short, many of us expect divine punishment—judgment, distance, even disaster. But is that really how God responds when we sin?In this final installment of the Asking for a Friend series, we unpack one of the most personal and misunderstood questions in the Christian life. Far from condemnation or withdrawal, God's response is rooted in love, correction, and restoration.Explore the difference between punishment and correction, the true role of the Holy Spirit, and the surprising ways God actually responds when we stumble. If you've ever felt shame, fear, or confusion about your standing with God after sin—this message will change the way you see Him.Key Takeaways:- God doesn't smite, shame, or separate.- Correction isn't condemnation—it's a call back to who you really are.- The Holy Spirit points you to Christ, not your failures.- God runs toward you when you fall—not away.

Luke 23:39-43One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” We don't talk much about heaven. And when we do, it's not with much substance — like that old Norman Greenbaum song: the place we go when we die, the place that's “the best.” as if heaven were some never-ending worship service in the sky. Some ask the question why talk about heaven at all?The argument goes: “Why waste time on heaven when there's so much work to do here on earth? Doesn't talk of heaven distract us from fixing what's broken now?” And that feels like a fair point. Why talk about heaven today when two children were killed this week while praying in pews at a church in Minnesota? Shouldn't we be advocating for gun reform and better access to mental health care? Of course we should.But thinking about heaven doesn't have to be an escape hatch from the world's pain. It isn't wishful thinking or some bribe for good behavior. Rather, how are we to make things on earth as they are in heaven if we don't have the slightest idea what heaven is like?C.S. Lewis once wrote: “Aim at heaven and you'll get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you'll get neither.”So it is worth our time, especially today, to ask what really happens in heaven — to have a picture vivid enough to stir us. Because maybe, just maybe, with a stronger and more compelling image of heaven, we can make this earth resemble it more, and less the kind of place where parents are afraid to send their children to school.But first, let me free us of two things.First, heaven is not a never-ending worship service. Could you imagine showing up only to find yourself stuck in an endless 1st or 2nd service — refrains on repeat, blaring organ music, the same prayers over and over? That's not what I want to do for eternity! Surely there are better ways to be with God.Second, much of Christian tradition describes our final fulfillment as the beatific vision—seeing God face to face, fully and directly, instead of through the symbols and metaphors we cling to now. But until then, all we really have are symbols, theological concepts, and imagery: the golden streets, the white robes, the river of life, the crowns of glory. They're not literal blueprints of the place; they're faithful attempts to describe the indescribable, whether they come from the Bible or the best theologians.Which means we're free. Free to use Scripture, tradition, and our own lives to imagine heaven faithfully. We should take our own reverent best guess at what it might be like. And that's what I want to do with you today, my reverent best guess at what happens in heaven through four images. Josh Noem, a Catholic writer and baseball lover deserves credit for the inspiration of this idea. He made a post that went viral with the caption “I collect images of walk-off home run hitters rounding third because they are an image of heaven.” On a Sunday in August seven years ago, a rookie named David Bote stepped into the batter's box for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were down by three. Bases loaded. Two outs. Two strikes. And then — on the fifth pitch — Bote crushed a ball to center field. A walk-off grand slam.That night, the Cubs released a photo of Bote rounding third and heading home. You can see the ecstasy on his teammates' faces, the sheer joy of his coach, the wild cheering of fans — even Bill Murray was crying in the stands.I think heaven begins like that. The saints who have gone before us surround you, waiting to embrace you. You will be one of the saints waiting to embrace others! The multitude too great to count, like Revelation describes, erupts in cheers. And at the end of it all, God — like that third-base coach — looks you in the eye and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”It's Jesus who hit the home run. But we get to round the bases and go home. And when we do, there will be celebration.If the first thing in heaven is celebration, then the second is healing. Bandaids are a big deal in my house right now. Every time someone gets a boo-boo, my son Clive thinks we need a bandaid — the dog included. Stubbed toe, scraped knee, headache, doesn't matter: everything and everyone gets a bandaid.But there are no bandaids in heaven. From the prophet Isaiah to the vision in Revelation, one of Scripture's clearest promises about heaven is that God will wipe away every tear, that there will be no more pain, no more suffering. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that our bodies will be raised — the same bodies, but transformed. The hurts, the failures, the agony we carry will be changed into glory.And if Jesus' resurrection is any sign, we will still bear our scars in heaven — they'll still mark our story — but they will no longer hurt us. And the same is true, not only for us, but for all living things, in fact all of creation. Isn't that what we all hope for? Healing for ourselves, for our loved ones, for all creation.In heaven, there will be no bandaids. And because there will be no wounds left to cover and healing will be complete, there will be no need for hope either. After we celebrate and heal, we feast! yes – there will be eating in heaven… I was concerned. But not just any meal, a feast. One of the most beautiful pictures of this comes from the story Babette's Feast. Babette, a refugee from Paris, lands in a nowhere Norwegian town where she is taken in by two devout Lutheran sisters. Their father had been the pastor of the village's only church, but since his death, the congregation had withered, burdened by grudges and old conflicts. For what would have been his 100th birthday, Babette offers to prepare a great feast. What begins as a stiff, awkward gathering soon becomes something altogether different. As the wine is poured and the rich food is savored, something more than good cooking is at work: hearts begin to soften, laughter replaces suspicion, and forgiveness flows as freely as the wine. What seemed impossible at the beginning of the meal—reconciliation— happened, all by the time dessert was served.There will be feasting in heaven and I think it will be like this feast. As Isaiah envisions, we will sit at the table with those with whom we've been estranged, even those we never imagined we could forgive—or be forgiven by. It will not happen in an instant. But as the feast unfolds, course by course, grace will work on us. Understanding will deepen. Forgiveness will be given and received. And by the time the great banquet reaches its end, all will be reconciled—fully, finally, and joyfully.I know I haven't answered all the questions: When do we go to heaven? Is it right away, or do we sleep first? What about our relationships — will they change? Will I still have to… you know poop!… since there will be all this feasting? There are more questions than I can count. But here's the promise I hold onto when the questions overwhelm me: fishing in paradise.Of all the images, metaphors, and concepts we have, the clearest promise comes from Jesus' words to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” That promise isn't just for one person, or one moment. It's for you, for me, for every sinner who has been crucified by their sin and raised to new life in Christ.I believe, then, what happens in heaven is this: it's you, and you, and you, and me, and Jesus will be there too. We'll learn, we'll grow, and grace will continue to work on us, until, like that John Prine song says, we forgive each other — over and over, until we both turn blue. And then, maybe, we'll whistle and go fishing in heaven. We will live together in harmony, all of us, all creation, with Jesus in paradise.You see, when it comes to paradise (heaven) it's not the questions that really matter, but the promises. And the perfect promise is “today you will be with me in paradise”. And that promise is better than any reverent best guess we can come up with.If only we celebrated each other now, if we worked toward healing now — for our neighbors, for our world, for ourselves — if we sought reconciliation today rather than waiting, then perhaps what we hope happens in heaven could happen right here on earth. Maybe then we wouldn't be so afraid to send our children to school because earth would be like those images, those promises we have of heaven.As you leave today, these images are laid out in the welcome area. Take the one you need for the week ahead — the one that encourages you, challenges you, or comforts you. Let it be the image that inspires you to make earth a little more like heaven.Amen.

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about the four F's: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss the four threat responses and how to move through tough situations and face what's in front of us. This episode is for anyone who feels trapped by their reactions or is left feeling overwhelmed by stressful situations. These responses are what make us human; it is better to embrace them and face them rather than become ruled by them.Got a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi!Follow us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Follow us on TikTok: @notatherapypodcastJake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimonOriginal music composed by Kat Burns and performed by KASHKA.

Co-Hosts Evan Semanco and Josh Mitchell are here to answer even more questions with the return of Bryan Reed, Care Pastor at the Simple Church and Masters of Divinity holder. The Simple Church is going through a series called "Asking for a Friend", and we've had more questions submitted then we could get to in a year, so we are answering more of your questions today.   We need your feedback! We're working on changes for the podcast, CLICK HERE to fill out our survey to hear from you what you'd like to hear more of going forward and we'll pick one entry to win a Do Good Prize Box! LINKS FROM THE EPISODE PODCAST SURVEY Bryan's Previous Podcast If you have feedback for the podcast, have a guest suggestion, or just want to talk to Evan, e-mail Evan@thesimplechurch.tv. You can also find out more about the Simple Church at www.theSimpleChurch.tv.

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo dive deep into the complexities of adult sibling relationships. This episode responds to previous discussions about relationships with aging parents and transitions into exploring the significance of sibling relationships in adulthood. Topics include the causes of strain, communication patterns, and the importance of these non-voluntary relationships. The hosts also share personal stories and research insights, setting the stage for the next episode, which will provide practical tools for managing and improving sibling dynamics. Tune in for real, honest, and practical advice to better your relationships!  Music by epidemic sound. SHOW NOTES: Experts :  Dr. Karl Pillemer, Stockner et al., Dr. John Gottman, Jeffrey Kluger Resources :  Journal of Family Psychology Article by Stockner, et al.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7012710/ Dr. Karl Pillemer's Book - Fault Lines https://www.karlpillemer.com/ Dr. John Gottman https://www.gottman.com/ Jeffrey Kluger from his TED Talk on the Sibling Bond “Our parents leave us too early, our spouses and children come along too late. Our siblings are the only ones who are with us for the entire ride". (Kluger)

Asking for a Friend – Week 3 How do I grow as a follower of Christ? This week, Pastor Shannon tackles one of the most common questions Christians ask: What does it really mean to grow as a disciple? Through John 16, Acts 2, and Galatians 5, we see that growth doesn't happen by trying harder—it happens by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual growth comes when we prayerfully expect the Spirit to move in every part of our lives. We also introduce 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, an opportunity for our church family to create space for God to work in powerful ways.

Why did Jesus shed His blood—and what does that mean for us today? In this powerful message, Pastor Jamie Wright unpacks the deep spiritual truth behind the blood of Jesus. Far from being a symbol of wrath or appeasement, the blood is a declaration of victory, reconciliation, and relentless love. You'll learn that Jesus didn't shed His blood to change God's mind about us—but to change our hearts, cleanse our conscience, and bridge the gap we could never cross on our own.

What were some of our favorite segments from this past week? Join Hoody as he goes through some of the best things from the past five days of the show, including: Second Date Update, Bad Dating App Poker, Asking For A Friend and more!Make sure to also keep up to date with ALL of our podcasts we do below that have new episodes every week:The Thought ShowerLet's Get WeirdCrisis on Infinite Podcasts

This Isn't Therapy... it's a long overdue convo about the two most essential skills in relationships. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a statistic about emotional availability: on average, we are only emotionally available for our partners about 9% of the time. With that in mind, they discuss how to get closer to the 9% using the two essential skills of attunement and repair. Throughout the episode, they discuss how to implement these skills through the development of micro-skills.Got a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi!Follow us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Follow us on TikTok: @notatherapypodcastJake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimonOriginal music composed by Kat Burns and performed by KASHKA.

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about one of the things that robs kids of a care-free childhood: being parentified. When kids are forced to grow up too soon and become adults in childhood, kids can take on adult-like responsibilities and burdens. In this episode, we talk about the difference between healthy responsibility for kids and parentification and talk about the impact of having childhood stolen from us and being burdened before we're developmentally ready.Article: Were you a ‘parentified child'? What happens when children have to behave like adults By Nivida ChandraGot a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi! Follow us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Jake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimonOriginal music composed by Kat Burns and performed by KASHKA.