PODCAST · religion
Just Sitting Here Thinking
by J. Vance Eastridge
Over 40 years in ministry and 16 more in biblical teaching has made Rev. J. Vance Eastridge a much beloved pastor and spiritual resource for many hundreds. This is an archive featuring sermons, lessons and study series.
Episodes
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The Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel
Wednesday night presentation on the history of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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09-25-88 Living In An Unfenced World
Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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6-17-07 Swords Into Ploughshares (Isaiah)
Lesson on Isaiah, the beautiful language of prophecy, and the hope of the world to study war no more. How the in-fighting between the Northern and Southern kingdom weakened the people while Assyria was growing stronger. Challenging the people of Judah with the ways in which they were not…
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6-10-07 The Harvest Depends On Us (Amos & Hosea)
The challenges of the prophets Amos and Hosea, and their messages to the people from God. What did God mean then, and what the message mean today? Condemning the people's raising of personal riches while neglecting the poor in their community. Resisting hypocrisy and practicing a life of love...
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INDEPENDENCE DAY - One Nation Under God: The Foundations of Religious Liberty (7-01-07)
Urgent lesson for Independence Day on the religious groups crossing the Atlantic Ocean to worship freely, the faith of the individual founders such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington. How the separation of church and state preserves religious liberty, and how the danger of…
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INDEPENDENCE DAY - The Role of the Church in the Development of America + Q&A (2007)
In honor of Independence Day, we return to this timely discussion on the history of the church from the Holy Roman Empire to the Reformation, and the foundation of religious freedom in the American colonies up to today. (with Q&A) The origins of Christian Nationalism in Rome through the 1600s…
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6-26-05 The Resurrection as told by Mark (Reprise)
For Easter, we revisit this lesson on St. Mark's account of Jesus' resurrection and the history of its translation and revision. The importance of the three women who discovered the empty tomb and the enigma of Joseph of Arimathea. The closeness of Mark and Peter, and ending the story with the...
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7-29-90 Be Proud Of Your Failures
An inspiring sermon on embracing risk over our fear of failure. The importance of striving for what is out of reach. Shying away from our talents out of insecurity, while our talents are gifts given from God for a unique purpose to serve God. How failure can be healthy, to be used and overcome…
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7-22-90 It's Our Padlock That Bars The Door
Sermon on the invitation of Christ and the excuses we make to avoid the call, the lure of material attachments and our passions for other pursuits ahead of God. The false expectations we place on God and ourselves. And how we can find the greatest joy by unlocking the barriers between us and...
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10-07-90 Bread Broken For A Hungry World (Reprise)
Sermon for World Communion Sunday on behaving like Christ toward one another in a culture where we often condone dishonesty, unkindness, and aggression. Remaining steadfast in the core of Jesus' teachings of peace, love, and giving, while fighting the false gods of nationalism and greed. Trusting...
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4-29-90 God Tore Down The Walls Around Eden (Reprise)
Sermon on Eden, earth, creation, and how greed and selfishness prevent us from sharing God's gifts with each other. God has made us caretakers, and we have become claim-jumpers claiming God's creation for our own. Because we are the caretakers also of one another, how racism, prejudice, violence...
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11-04-90 Life Is Forever (Reprise)
Inspiring All Saints Day sermon on the ultimate question of mortality and the reassurance we have in living on through Christ. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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07-15-90 Living In A Room With A Low Ceiling
Paul's message to give affection for what is above. Not living on autopilot, with only the minimum effort required. Always challenging ourselves and setting goals beyond our ability in order to grow and to stay humble. Building a relationship with God, and standing with courage and conviction for...
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4-11-07 The Role of the Church in the Development of America
In honor of Independence Day, here is this discussion referenced in the previous episode on the history of the church from the Holy Roman Empire to the Reformation, and the foundation of religious freedom in the American colonies up to today. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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7-01-07 One Nation Under God
Lesson for Independence Day on the religious groups crossing the Atlantic Ocean to worship freely, the faith of the individual founders such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington, how the separation of church and state preserves religious liberty, and danger of ignoring the history…
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6-10-90 Hiking the Asbury Trail
Sermon on pioneers in faith, Francis Asbury, the story of the circuit rider, and the urgent vitality of the United Methodist Church. The needs of people for us to minister have been constant, from arriving in colonial days to the Pittman Center in the twentieth century, and Methodists have always...
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6-03-90 The Flame That Will Not Go Out
Brief sermon on being the light and peace of Christ, and the power and importance of the Holy Spirit. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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The Prophecy of the Messiah in the Kingdom of David
Brief lesson on the promise of the coming savior in the 1st century A.D. Jesus' contemporaries under foreign oppression concentrated on the abundance of material blessing, not the spiritual awakening. Judea under Roman occupation envisioned the Messiah primarily as a military ruler. Some…
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5-19-96 The Tap On The Shoulder
Sermon for a pastoral dedication on the call to ministry and feeling God's voice. The need for conviction to remain steadfast in your conscience, while keeping an open mind and submitting to trust in God. Being informed, be able to be trusted, but not intellectualizing, meeting the needs of…
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Easter Special: Introspective of the Apostle Simon Peter (Rev. J. Vance Eastridge, Just Sitting Here Thinking)
To celebrate Easter, we revisit this introspective monologue on the apostle Simon Peter from 2003. As always, no notes - just an extemporized yet structured meditation based on heavy research. Also available in VIDEO at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjwG-eUhOOw&t=1329s
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12-05-04 Abraham and Faith
Lesson on the fundamental importance of grace and faith. Faith is our response to God. It must be a two-way relationship in order to deepen our connection and reveal God's presence in our lives. Abraham is the father of our concept of faith, the first to make a covenant with God. God's call to...
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11-21-04 Rebirth In Christ
Lesson on Paul and the church at Corinth, and reconciling with God in our lives. Paul's journey to live with the values he preached, his need to gain the peoples' trust, and the need for all of us to lead by example. In Christ, there is a new life. But it comes differently, at different times for...
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1-23-05 Jesus Charges His Disciples
"Who do you say that I am?" Lesson on Jesus' great question to the apostles and Peter's answer, "You are the Messiah, Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16) The true meaning of being the Messiah and fulfilling the prophecy. The difficulty for the apostles to accept the ultimate sacrifice, and...
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09-30-90 Then Keep The Lamps Burning
Sermon on the vital importance of education and guiding children early with Jesus' example. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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10-07-90 Bread Broken For A Hungry World
Sermon for World Communion Sunday on behaving like Christ toward one another in a culture where we often condone dishonesty, unkindness, and aggression. Remaining steadfast in the core of Jesus' teachings of peace, love, and giving, while fighting the false gods of nationalism and greed. Trusting...
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11-04-90 Life Is Forever
Inspiring All Saints Day sermon on the ultimate question of mortality and the reassurance we have in living on through Christ. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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12-31-06 NEW YEAR REPRISE: Keeping Balance
A New Year's Eve lesson on finding and keeping balance in our lives. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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12-18-05 CLASSIC: Making Christmas Match The Christmas Card
Classic and often-requested sermon of Rev. Eastridge's, always remade fresh and contemporary with the time of its telling. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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10-30-88 Your Religion Is Marked By Nail Holes
Sermon on Christ's purpose for the church. A call for each of us to take a stand for our faith and let our light shine, using the nails of loyalty, obedience, visibility, and evangelism. The constant temptation of the church toward worldly interests instead of Christ's message of love and grace,...
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11-06-88 Giving Thanks With A Grateful Heart
Happy Thanksgiving! Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.…
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11-11-90 The Tiger In You (Reprise)
Sermon on becoming who we were born to be. Having the faith to boldly pursue living deliberately rather than eking out a fringe material existence. And finding in our reflection the image of God in which we were created. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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10-14-90 A Living God For Living People
Emory University's J.J. Altizer once postulated to TIME magazine that "God is Dead." How we sometimes live as if God were dead or perhaps just fading away... The comfort and the power of God's everlasting presence in the world and the universe. And how God continues working through Christ today…
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6-09-91 ”And Are We Yet Alive?” - John Wesley and the Role of United Methodism in the World
The meaning and purpose of the United Methodist Annual Conference. The foundation of Methodism and John Wesley's convictions, and the vibrance of the Holy Spirit that calls us to love and to serve. The rugged life of circuit rider and the sacrifices of discipleship. "And are we yet alive?" The…
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6-02-91 Content To Drink Well Water
The story of the Samaritan woman and the importance of truly knowing Jesus to share the Gospel. "I don't know who you are, but I'm glad you came." Learning to accept the differences of others to share in fellowship and accept the gift of grace. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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Putting Your Hand In The Hand Of God
Sermon on how we were created to use our hands. The joy and blessing of work, allowing God to guide us in our actions. Our awareness of the suffering and injustices of others and honoring God by working to help others. Jesus' call for social activism and the example of John Wesley. Standing as a...
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5-06-90 The Dinosaur Was Big...And He’s Extinct
Sermon on the ways we measure ourselves and our material judgments about life. How the discoveries of outer space and inner space puts into perspective our size and place in the universe. Thinking big in tackling the challenges we face together, and thinking small in the actionable power of...
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4-29-90 God Tore Down The Walls Around Eden
Sermon on Eden, earth, creation, and how greed and selfishness prevent us from sharing God's gifts with each other. God has made us caretakers, and we have become claim-jumpers claiming God's creation for our own. Because we are the caretakers also of one another, how racism, prejudice, violence...
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Live In Peace
Lesson on Isaiah awaiting the messiah and the coming of peace. The meanings of peace outside of conflict, between individuals, and within ourselves. The importance of forgiveness over hatred, and the walls hatred puts up between us and God. The story of St. Francis, and our role as peacemakers to...
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6-26-05 The Resurrection as told by Mark
For the second Sunday of Easter, we revisit this lesson on St. Mark's account of Jesus' resurrection and the history of its translation and revision. The importance of the three women who discovered the empty tomb and the enigma of Joseph of Arimathea. The closeness of Mark and Peter, and ending...
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Easter - He Is Risen! The Triumph Over Death
For Easter we revisit this lesson about how, on that day, the pain and grief of Jesus' mother and disciples was transformed into joy. The Resurrection of Jesus means the resurrection of all and triumph over death through the love of God. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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4-14-90 Easter - Introspective on Simon Peter
In the continuing tradition of Rev. Eastridge's introspective character monologues, here is an earlier, different take on the character and experience of the father of the church, Simon Peter, and his witness to the ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. Find the full playlist on…
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4-01-90 Maker of Peace
For Palm Sunday, we finish the journey to Jerusalem with the question of how to follow and spread the peace that Jesus knows and brings, to beat swords into ploughshares and ourselves become peacemakers. The Prayer of St. Francis, and Luke 19:42 - "If only you knew the things which make for…
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3-25-90 Jesus, Man Of Peace
Sermon on our collective journey through Lent and the gift of peace through Jesus. How we hesitate to seriously open our hearts to Jesus because of our subconscious resistance to change. Knowing that change is painful but that our relationship with Christ transforms us, making all things new....
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3-20-05 Romans - Justification by Faith
Lesson on Paul's letter to the church at Rome and his vital message which lies at the core of Christianity. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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3-11-90 A Gift Of The Spirit
Sermon on living in the way of peace and the meaning of shalom.. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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3-04-90 It’s All In Your Mind
Sermon on the power of faith in healing and Jesus' reflections on Jerusalem. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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2-25-90 Mistaking Pebbles For Pearls
The parable of the pearl, the story of the magic stone, the danger of overlooking true joy and meaning in our lives while trying to conquer our aspirations. In today's world it's hard to tell the difference between the stones and the pearls. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website
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2-18-90 Burning Up The Cargo To Make The Trip
Sermon on the simple life that gives fulfillment. Parsing through all the voices in society competing for our attention and the values they hold. The sacrifices we make to get ahead, the danger of burning through the good parts of life in order to satisfy artificial goals and grab meaningless...
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2-11-90 That’s The Way It Is
Sermon on the story of Jesus making the blind beggar see. Who do we trust in a world of vested interests and ulterior motives? Where do we find a credibile source after being continually disappointed by our leaders in society, work, and politics? The values we need to anchor us in an ever more...
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2-04-90 Use It Or Lose It
Sermon on using our God-given gifts in life. The importance of exercising our talents to keep them honed, and exercising our faith to keep our spiritual life fresh and renewed. The importance of taking time in the busyness of life for our spiritual health, and the joy that comes into everyday…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Over 40 years in ministry and 16 more in biblical teaching has made Rev. J. Vance Eastridge a much beloved pastor and spiritual resource for many hundreds. This is an archive featuring sermons, lessons and study series.
HOSTED BY
J. Vance Eastridge
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How many episodes does Just Sitting Here Thinking have?
Just Sitting Here Thinking currently has 93 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Just Sitting Here Thinking about?
Over 40 years in ministry and 16 more in biblical teaching has made Rev. J. Vance Eastridge a much beloved pastor and spiritual resource for many hundreds. This is an archive featuring sermons, lessons and study series.
How often does Just Sitting Here Thinking release new episodes?
Just Sitting Here Thinking has 93 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Just Sitting Here Thinking?
You can listen to Just Sitting Here Thinking on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Just Sitting Here Thinking?
Just Sitting Here Thinking is created and hosted by J. Vance Eastridge.
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