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EPISODE · Feb 2, 2026 · 18 MIN

Time Out

from Hearts Open to the Word · host Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe

Micah 6:8 is often treated as a comforting quote for a cross-stitch sampler, but in its original context, it is the dramatic verdict of a cosmic lawsuit where God pleads a case against humanity before the mountains. In this sermon, we explore why we are so tempted to offer God "ten thousand rivers of oil"—transactional sacrifices to buy our way out of guilt—rather than the intimacy of a relationship. Connecting the prophet’s call to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1–12, we discover that God doesn't want our "stuff"; God wants our walk. Join us as we move from the exhaustion of transactional religion to the freedom of walking humbly with the God of hesed—a sticky, loyal love that refuses to let us go.

Micah 6:8 is often treated as a comforting quote for a cross-stitch sampler, but in its original context, it is the dramatic verdict of a cosmic lawsuit where God pleads a case against humanity before the mountains. In this sermon, we explore why we are so tempted to offer God "ten thousand rivers of oil"—transactional sacrifices to buy our way out of guilt—rather than the intimacy of a relationship. Connecting the prophet’s call to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1–12, we discover that God doesn't want our "stuff"; God wants our walk. Join us as we move from the exhaustion of transactional religion to the freedom of walking humbly with the God of hesed—a sticky, loyal love that refuses to let us go.

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This episode was published on February 2, 2026.

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Micah 6:8 is often treated as a comforting quote for a cross-stitch sampler, but in its original context, it is the dramatic verdict of a cosmic lawsuit where God pleads a case against humanity before the mountains. In this sermon, we explore why we...

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