Podcast appearances and mentions of paul thomason

In this episode, we hear from Erin McComas, who tells us about her remarkable story of how she came to faith in Christ, along with how that faith shapes her role as a mother and teacher who seeks to love children and inject positivity and light into their lives. Our theme song is "Follow You" by Ben Rector. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason and recorded and edited by Jonah Wilson.

In this episode, we talk with Jessica Birky about her role on staff at Gibson City Bible Church, how her faith impacts all she does, and life as a Christian and mother. Our theme song from the episode is "Sweetly Broken" by Jeremy Riddle. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason and edited by Jonah Wilson.

In this episode, we talked with Justin Kean about this experiences as a teacher, coach, and administrator. We explored topics like building relationships with children, the relationship between sports and faith, and how following Jesus impacts all we do. Our theme song is "Follow You" by Ben Rector. Farming with Jesus is recorded and edited by Jonah Wilson, and hosted by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason. Any questions about the podcast can be sent to jonah@gibsoncitybible.org.

This week, we talk with Sarah Dickey about her faith in Jesus has impacted her work as a nurse, role as a mother, and the difficulties she has faced in her life. Farming with Jesus is produced by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason. Our theme song is "Follow You," by Ben Rector. Any questions or comments about the podcast can be directed to jonah@gibsoncitybible.org.

This week, we talk to Matt Lorenzen about the role of his work in his life, what flourishing looks like, and how we can serve the Lord in all that we do. Farming with Jesus is produced by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason. Our theme song is "Follow You," by Ben Rector. Any questions or comments about the podcast can be directed to jonah@gibsoncitybible.org.

This week, we talk with Lynn Metz about her work as a teacher, hearing the Lord work in her life, and serving God in all we do. Farming with Jesus is produced by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason. Our theme song is "Follow You," by Ben Rector. Any questions or comments about the podcast can be directed to jonah@gibsoncitybible.org.

This week, we begin season 2 with a new theme: what does it mean to flourish in what we do? How do the seeds of faith grow in various areas of life? How does that faith inform what we do in our daily tasks? This week, we speak with Greg Kerber about how he answers these questions, through the lens of his role as a farmer. Farming with Jesus is produced by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason. Our theme song is "Follow You," by Ben Rector. Any questions or comments about the podcast can be directed to jonah@gibsoncitybible.org.

In this episode, we talk about the complex topic of transgenderism. We discuss different frameworks for understanding the topic, a Christian perspective of sexuality, and how we can enter conversations about transgenderism with the heart of Jesus. Our recommendation from this episode is Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Mark Yarhouse. If you have any questions or comments about the episode or the podcast, please email us at jonah@gibsoncitybible.org. Farming with Jesus is hosted and recorded by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason.

The young Composer in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos is one of opera's great trouser roles -- a female singer playing the part of a young man.  He is set to premiere his new opera at the home of the richest man in Vienna, only to learn moments before the performance that a bawdy comedy troupe will be performing at the same time.  As his plans collapse around him, the Composer falls in love with Zerbinetta, the leader of the commedia dell'arte troupe, and his whole world changes in a flash. In his aria “Sein wir wieder gut,” he sings about how he now sees everything with new eyes. Host Rhiannon Giddens and her guests explore the transformational power of love, music and putting on a pair of pants. The Guests Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato is a multi Grammy Award-winner and a fierce advocate for the arts. She's also kind of a hero, bringing her talents to classrooms, prisons, and refugee camps, and sharing the transformative power of music. She loves playing trouser roles, and finds singing the Composer in particular to be an experience of discovery and total joy.  Writer Paul Thomason is a die-hard Strauss fan and is writing a book about the composer. He sees Strauss as the great humanist among composers, because he presents his characters exactly as they are. He studied conducting and worked with maestros Thomas Schippers and Peter Maag. He has also appeared on the Met Opera's intermission quizzes during their Saturday broadcasts. Mo B. Dick is a founding father of the drag king movement. He started performing in drag in 1995 and founded Club Cassanova, the first weekly party dedicated to drag kings, and has made appearances in movies and television. He is also one of the cofounders of the website dragkinghistory.com, which archives the history of drag kings and crossdressers dating all the way back to the Tang dynasty.

This week, we explore the common dichotomy of conservative/liberal. These terms are prominent in our society, and it is important to address how they impact Christians. Should we use the terms? Is one better than the other? How can we relate to them? We unpack these questions and more in this episode. Recommendations: Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview by Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheenw Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News by Jeffrey Bilbro The Church Politics Podcast Farming with Jesus is recorded and hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson. Questions or comments? Reach out to us at jonah@gibsoncitybible.org.

Should Christians be concerned about the environment? What role does stewardship play in our lives as Christians? This week, we unpack these questions, exploring how our relationship to the environment should impact how we follow Jesus. Recommended resources: Salvation Means Creation Healed by Howard Snyder Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World by Doug Moo and Jonathan Moo Involvement: Being a Responsible Christian in a Non-Christian Society by John Stott Our theme song is "Follow You" by Ben Rector. Farming with Jesus is recorded and hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson.

Our series of "ISMs" continues as we discuss racism. We speak with our guest, Gaelin Elmore, as he helps us unpack racism, prejudice, and discrimination. We explore each, along with what it looks like to talk about and view these topics as Christians. Though a potentially polarizing topic, we pray this episode acts as a catalyst for growth as followers of Jesus as we discuss how we can view racism as followers of Jesus. Link to the AND Campaign, as discussed in the episode: https://www.andcampaign.org Farming with Jesus is hosted and recorded by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson. Our theme song is "Follow You" by Ben Rector.

This week, we discuss what it means to be "woke" in today's culture. We invite Lucas Pulley to help us explore this idea. We discuss how we can view the idea of being "woke" as a Christian, along with some biblical principles that are important when considering the idea. The recommended book from the episode is Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice by Eric Mason. Farming with Jesus is hosted and recorded by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason.

This week, we unpack a word we often hear used in different ways in our society: secular. We discuss where this term came from, how it's used today in different ways, and what it means for us as Christians. Farming with Jesus is recorded and hosted by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason

We continue our series on topics in the society in which we live with a special conversation with Tim Totten. He speaks about relativism, its impact on our society, and how we can interact with others who may hold a relativistic perspective. Book recommendations from the episode: Uncommon Ground, edited by John Inazu and Tim Keller The Intolerance of Tolerance by D. A. Carson Our theme song is "Follow You" by Ben Rector Special thanks to Tim Totten for joining us in this episode. Farming with Jesus is hosted and recorded by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason.

Are we consumers? Should we consume? What is it about consumerism that is normal, and what can be dangerous for us in our lives of faith? We unpack these questions and more this week, as we explore a faithful way to view consumerism in our lives as Christians. Our theme song is "Follow You" by Ben Rector. Farming with Jesus is hosted and recorded by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason.

We continue to explore the environment in which we "farm with Jesus" in our lives by discussing legalism. What is legalism? How does it relate to our faith? What role does it play, if any, in growth as Christians? These questions and more are unpacked this week. Book recommendation from the episode: Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God by Gordon Fee Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we begin our discussion on the environment in which the seeds of faith grow in our lives by discussing something that is prominent in our society: individualism. We discuss ways we can view individualism, the importance of community, and what the gospel has to say about being individualistic. Book recommendation from the episode: Living into Community by Christine Pohl Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

In our new series of episodes, we will unpack the way that we get to know our "environment" as we explore how the seeds of faith grow in our lives. Farming with Jesus is recorded by Conlan Cymbalak and hosted by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason.

We explore a more traditional spiritual discipline this week: prayer. But, we take a look at it in a way we may not often think about. How do we pray without ceasing? This is our question of this week's episode. The book recommended in the episode is Prayer by Richard Foster. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

How do you feel about waiting? Are you frustrated when you have to wait for other people or circumstances? Why is waiting so uncomfortable, and what is its role in our lives as Christians? This week's song: "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we expand upon something we mentioned briefly two weeks ago: hospitality. Why is hospitality something that is important for us as Christians? How do we actually practice hospitality? We explore these questions and more. Theme song: "Follow You" by Ben Rector Full discussion by Barbara Lang can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDammirnAcc&t=339s Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we explore how the way that we engage music can be a spiritual discipline. We are joined by a special guest, Conlan Cymbalak, who helps us unpack what music is, how it points us to God, and how it impacts our lives. The song from this episode is called "Appalachian Spring" by Aaron Copland. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we take a look at the spiritual discipline of eating. While one may expect that this refers to the way that we engage the discipline of fasting, we provide a potentially unexpected perspective. We talk about meals, hospitality, and the offer that Jesus provides us all. Songs in the episode include: "Come to the Table" by Sidewalk Prophets "Africa" by Toto Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we continue to explore aspects of time as a spiritual discipline. We unpack the idea of sabbath and how it impacts our lives as Christians today. The video clip of Jordan Peterson from this episode can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsNzAuYDgy0&t=89s. The song from the episode is called "Follow You" by Ben Rector. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

How do you spend your days? All of us pass our time somehow, and how we do so is important, whether we realize that or not. This week, we explore the idea of time as a spiritual discipline and how it can have a significant impact on our lives. The song from this week's episode is "Time Is" by DC Talk Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

In this episode, we unpack an unexpected spiritual discipline: gratitude. Gratitude shapes us in powerful ways. This week, we explore how we can cultivate a posture of gratitude in our lives. The song from this episode is called "Thank You Lord," by Chris Tomlin. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

We answer a few questions from our listeners in a bonus episode. If you are experiencing feelings of prolonged sadness that we mentioned in this episode, please reach out for help. You can call 1-800-273-8255, or you can reach out to the church with any questions you may have. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we introduce a new series on the spiritual disciplines. We talk about what spiritual disciplines are, why we need them, and how they are important in our lives. While exploring these ideas, we also give a sneak peak about the spiritual disciplines that we will be discussing in future weeks. Video clip from the episode found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eswv5buMepI Song from the episode is "Follow You" by Ben Rector Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we talk about a listener's question regarding how the psalms give voice to our emotions in surprising, bold ways. Video clip comes from David Taylor, Eugene Peterson and Bono. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l40S5e90KY Song from this episode is called "Psalm 58" by 3 Youth Farming with Jesus is hosted by Jonah Wilson and Paul Thomason and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

This week, we explore sadness. It's something that many of us have become deeply acquainted with over the past twelve months. And, though it's not something any of us enjoy, it impacts our lives in significant ways. Jonah and guest, Jenni Casey, unpack how sadness plays into our lives of faith. Recommendations Songs from the episode: "When a Heart Breaks" by Ben Rector "I Don't Have the Answers" by We Are Messengers Podcast: Everything Happens with Kate Bowler If you are experiencing feelings of prolonged sadness that we mentioned in this episode, please reach out for help. You can call 1-800-273-8255, or you can reach out to the church with any questions you may have. Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

We're often told that we shouldn't worry. And, if we're honest, no one likes to worry. But sometimes, it can be so tempting. This week, we unpack why that is the case and explore how worry impacts our lives. Recommended resource: Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd Jones Songs played: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFarin "The Worry Song" by Joe Walsh Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

Anger impacts our lives in many ways. Last week, we looked at the anger we often feel towards one another. This week, we explore anger in another dimension: with God. There are times that we are angry with God and that God is angry about things happening in the world. This week, we explore how these types of anger impact our lives as Christians. Recommended Resources: A Serious Man (movie) Disappointment with God and Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey Knowing God by J. I. Packer Introduction movie clip from A Monster Calls Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

What happens when someone wrongs you? How do you feel? Do you want to pick up a baseball bat and smash that person's most prized possession? We explore these questions and more this week as we discuss anger. Recommended responses to anger: Express our feelings to other people Maintain a biblical view of suffering and hope Go to the psalms, and bring angry feelings before God Books: Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung Answering God by Eugene Peterson Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

What happens when you have joy? Do you feel like joy comes and goes in your life? Can joy be stolen? How do you have true joy? We unpack these questions and more in our episode on joy. Recommendations: Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd Jones Hot Tub Religion by J. I. Packer Enjoying God's gifts! Songs referenced: "Old Church Choir" by Zach Williams "Joy of the Lord" by Rend Collective Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

Fear can be something that grips us, motivating us to action. It's also something that can paralyze us, causing us to worry about what is ahead. How should we view fear? Is it good or bad? This week, we explore these questions and more. Recommended Resources: Psalms Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah The Wounded Healer by J.B. Phillips Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

No one wants to experience it, but grief is something that is unavoidable in our lives. What do we do when we experience grief? How can we respond in a way that grounds us in our relationship with God? Recommended resources: GriefShare Ministry: Contact Bonnie Arends at 217-784-5702 or visit https://www.griefshare.org A Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard A Grief Observed by Jerry Sittser Farming with Jesus is hosted by Paul Thomason and Jonah Wilson and recorded by Conlan Cymbalak.

It’s not easy to accept the changes that come with time and age. For Strauss’s Marschallin, the trick is simply learning to let go. When the curtain comes up on Der Rosenkavalier, she is having an affair with the young Count Octavian, but she quickly comes to realize that she will one day lose him to a woman his own age. Throughout Act I, she reflects on her lost youth, her desire to stop all the clocks, and on the fleeting nature of beauty and love.   In this episode, host Rhiannon Giddens and her guests ruminate on the passage of time as the Marschallin learns to let go of her younger lover, and her younger self. At the end of the show, soprano Renée Fleming sings, “Da geht er hin” from the Metropolitan Opera stage. The Guests Soprano Renée Fleming made the Marschallin one of her signature roles. Over the years, she explored many facets of this complex character, from her youthful impetuousness to her world-weariness. In her final performance of the Marschallin at the Met in 2017, Fleming expected to feel sadness, but instead, she was overcome with joy and gratitude.  Writer Paul Thomason is currently writing a book on the music of Richard Strauss. He is in love with the music in Der Rosenkavalier, calling it “deep soul music.”  Wendy Doniger is a writer and retired professor from the University of Chicago who shared a special love of opera with her mother. In fact, opera was more or less their form of religion, and Der Rosenkavalier was a particular favorite. Dara Poznar is a life coach with her own story to tell about a relationship with a younger man, as well as her process of coming to terms with their age difference. In writing about this experience, she received an outpouring of camaraderie and support from other women who were also asking themselves the same questions about how their age would affect their relationships. 

You’ve probably been there: in love for the first time and enchanted by the very sound of your sweetheart’s name. The problem for Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto is that her new love isn’t who he says he is. The worst will come (it’s opera), but for a few brief moments in Act I, Gilda’s innocence sweeps you away. She’s young and head over heels and obsessing over the “caro nome,” the “dear name” of her new love.  In this episode, host Rhiannon Giddens and her guests consider the dizzying thrill of your first love, Verdi’s brilliant powers of orchestration and why Gilda’s infatuation rings so true even today. You’ll hear soprano Nadine Sierra reminisce about her own formative experiences and then fall in love with the so-called “Gualtier Maldè” onstage at the Metropolitan Opera. The Guests Before Nadine Sierra could be accurately described as one of the most talented young artists in opera, she was a self-described “opera nerd.” She had a protective family – like Gilda – but that couldn’t stop her from secretly riding to high school in her boyfriend’s car. Paul Thomason has combined his lifelong passion for music, colorful storytelling skills and a knack for mid-century slang to become one of the most insightful writers and lecturers on opera. He’s written for far too many publications to list. Carl Pickhardt is a psychologist and author who has spent decades helping parents and children navigate the challenges of adolescence. His most recent book is titled Who Stole My Child? Parenting Through the Four Stages of Adolescence. 

Wagner's Tristan und Isolde is an extraordinary journey through the human psyche, and through the two most powerful forces guiding our lives: love and death. From the opening bars of the Prelude, the music draws us in with an intense and restless longing that doesn't loosen its grip until the final, transcendent moments of the opera.  This week on He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan speaks with writer Paul Thomason about the intoxicating magnetism of Tristan und Isolde, and tenor Stuart Skelton compares singing the role of Tristan to climbing the Himalayas.  Paul's YouTube pick (Kirsten Flagstad): Merrin's YouTube pick (Birgit Nilsson):  This episode features excerpts from the following album: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (EMI Classics, 2005)— Plácido Domingo, tenor; Nina Stemme, soprano; Mihoko Fujimura, mezzo-soprano; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden conducted by Antonio Pappano

Sermon Series: Gaining Perspective - Revelation When God Pulls Back The Curtain Revelation 14 Dr. Paul Thomason

A message to begin the New Year! Dr. Paul Thomason

On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by soprano Patricia Racette and music writer Paul Thomason to discuss Salome. Hear how an innocent princess transforms into a deranged psychopath, the scandals surrounding the opera's premieres and why it's more fun to play a nasty character than a nice one. Plus, hear all about these YouTube picks of the week: Nadja Michael, the Royal Opera, London: Lubja Welitsch, Fritz Reiner, Met Opera Orchestra: Salome directed by Götz Friedrich, starring Teresa Stratas and Bernd Weikl, Karl Böhm conducts the Vienna Philharmonic:   This episode features excerpts from the following album: • Salome (London/Decca, 1995)— Catherine Malfitano, soprano; Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone; Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Christoph von Dohnányi