Hope Springs Eternal

e examine Jesus questions of the disciples on his identity. We discuss not only the context of Jesus question then, but how Jesus identity forces us to examine who we are as disciples of Jesus Christ today. Why do we want to limit Jesus role in our lives?

The feeding of the masses, the calming of storms, et; are all examples of the miracles of Christ. What do these stories tell us about Jesus and his identity, authority, and meaning for us as disciples? What do these stories say about us as humans who aspire to be disciples?

We discuss this important compilation of Jesus' teachings and sayings. We explore how they inform and direct our lives toward the Kingdom of God and challenge us to see the world as God sees them. We also discuss how the SOM is more challenging to our lives than often we want it to be.

We explore the healings and exorcisms performed by Jesus and their meaning. We discuss how they point to Jesus’ authority and the Kingdom of God. We also discuss the aspects of discipleship that call us to wrestle with healing and when healing is perceived to not be offered. We even delve into the complementary nature of science with faith.

Pastors Kaiti & Ricky have a fun discussion on what discipleship means in their lives and how to fully live into that calling in big and small ways.

We explore in depth what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ. We discuss what it means to embrace discipleship as something we share and nurture as well as learn and practice.

As we reflect on Jesus’ call of disciples, we look beyond following to active participation in the activity of ministry. We talk about what it means to be fruitful and to understand that discipleship is challenging and rewarding in ways beyond personal gratification.

In this episode, Pastors Jay and Kaiti discuss what it means to live a life for the Kingdom that is both here & now and is to come.

This podcast episode explores test, trials, and temptations. We discuss different aspects and perspectives of temptation. We explore the internal and external aspects of challenge to our lives of faith. We relate this to Jesus and his wilderness experience after his baptism.

We discuss pathways of life and the people who have helped us find our way. We then explore the profound role of Jesus Christ as the Way and the one who has blazed the most profound pathway to God, God's Will, and Salvation. In this we also explore the role of John in preparing the way for Jesus and our role in participating God's gracious work in pointing and clearing paths for others.

We discuss new beginnings and the sense of celebration that accompanies that which is new. From a faith perspective we discuss how Jesus’ fulfillment of expectations and hopes represent a new beginning of celebration, just as the new beginning of  a people freed from captivity offered a source of celebration through the Exodus. We then relate new beginnings in our individual and communal journeys today in relation to the new beginning offered us through Jesus.

We discuss the way in which God seeks to make connections with each of us. We also discuss the connections between Jesus and the work of God before Jesus’ earthly life and with the continued work of Christians in the early church, as well as today.

This episode focuses on Good News that is different from how we typically understand good news. We think good news is about having things work as we desire and getting what we want. The Good News that God offers is about what we need and often is counter to what we want. We talk about Jesus and how all that God is and has done is Good News, but particularly in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also in all of God and even in our opportunity and participation in the things of God.

This week we welcome a new guest, Jerrod Allen, with pastors Ricky and Kaiti to wrap up our discussion on expectations of Jesus. Is Jesus strong, weak? How does Jesus enter into our humanity and be present with us? Where is God in human suffering and weakness and how are we to be with others in this light?

We discuss how expectations are often built out of nostalgic desires to return to the familiar, rather than openness to what God might be call us to that is new. We connect this with the expectations of a Messiah were deeply connected with memories of King David and a high tide of communal memory in that period in the people’s history.

We discuss the many ways where expectations are confused by the personal hopes and expectations of the recipient. We discuss how we latch onto what fits our personal desires and sometimes miss what is really being offered by God.

We discuss expectations and how what we expect can be far from what we really will experience. We explore immediate desires and perceptions versus longer term and ultimate hopes. We also explore how listening and closer examination of God and how God often works different than we expect can help us better align our expectations with the will of God. We more deeply examine unrealistic expectations of utopia that create dissonance with what we can experience from God and God’s action in our world.

*NOTE: The second segment video file was corrupted however the audio is included. Ricky, Kaiti, & Keven have some great thoughts on "Dive," stay tuned and listen!*As we continue to move through our brief series of favorite hymns and classic contemporary worship songs, we discuss “Blessed Assurance” and “Dive” in another 2 segment podcast. We discuss the stories behind these songs, their message, and their place in Christian worship.

As we continue to move through our brief series of favorite hymns and classic contemporary worship songs, we discuss “In The Garden” and “Friends” in another 2 segment podcast. We discuss the stories behind these songs, their message, and their place in Christian worship.

As we continue to move through our brief series of favorite hymns and classic contemporary worship songs, we discuss “Amazing Grace” and “Lord I Lift Your Name On High” in another 2 segment podcast. We discuss the stories behind these songs, their message, and their place in Christian worship.

As we continue to move through our brief series of favorite hymns and classic contemporary worship songs, we discuss “Lord of the Dance” and “Sanctuary” in another 2 segment podcast. We discuss the stories behind these songs, their message, and their place in Christian worship.

This episode is a 2-part Podcast on Hymn Favorites and “Old School” Christian Praise Music. It features our worship leaders for each worship setting, Keven Braswell and Paul Roberts. We discuss “El Shaddai” and “How Great Thou Art”, which will be featured this week, along with other insights regarding music and the deepening of our Faith.

Jay, Kaiti, and Worship Director Keven discuss how Contemporary Worship has taken a new generation of believers to deeper places of faith and community and its place in a Sunday morning worship context.

We discuss how our faith and ensuing hope is affirmed and expressed through our hymnody, the songs of our faith.

Today we explore how we engage in the life of the Faith through the church and beyond into the world. Methodists have understood this as Means of God’s Grace through Acts of Piety and Works of Mercy. When we stay close to God, we are better at sharing Christ with a hurting world.

In this episode, Pastors Jay, Ricky, & Kaiti discuss General Rule #2: Do All The Good You Can.

In this episode, Pastors Jay, Ricky, & Kaiti discuss General Rule #1: Do No Harm.

Apologies for the delay in the posting this week. There was a technical snafu that caused the latter half of the episode to be lost. Pastor Ricky and Pastor Kaiti give an intro into what was salvaged of the original conversation. Enjoy!

This episode is a deep exploration of The Judgment with a spirited discussion of perspectives and implications on how these matters are explored and received. The constructive tensions with grace are emphasized in exploring this challenging belief. The good news that the judge is also our advocate is also a focus.

This session explores what defines a Christian life and what is counter to a Christian life. It challenges us to have our actions match our words and have them both faithfully follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.

What does it really mean to live forever? In this episode, we dive into the promise of eternal life — not just as a future hope, but as a present reality shaping how we live today.

We still find ourselves marveling at the empty tomb. We struggle to comprehend life beyond death. However, through Easter faith that Jesus rose from the dead, we have the hope of abundant and eternal life.

It seems like an oxymoron to celebrate the Passion of Jesus Christ. However, this sacrificial act of God is the basis of our forgiveness of sin, redemption of our lives, and hope for eternity.

Hope Springs Eternal Episode 31: Christian Hope

This session explores the aspect of God's grace that leads us through changed lives that are in alignment with God's intention and will for each of us. We also discuss the human condition that settles for grace that rids us of our guilt and shame, but does not lead to changed lives. God's grace and our cooperation leads to a process of transformation that impacts the world in addition to our own lives.

Ricky and Kaiti discuss discipleship- who we follow and how we are distinct from the world.

We clarify who should be at the center of worship. We discuss the importance of both personal and communal worship. We also explore how both presence and participation are critical elements of worship.

In today's episode, we discuss what it means to Belong to God, the Body of Christ, and be a full participant in God's ongoing acts of grace. We discuss the importance of both full presence and active participation in God's work in the world. We also discuss concerns of self-centered desires instead of selfless servanthood and service.

Today we explore the two sacraments observed in the United Methodist Church - Baptism and Holy Communion. We discuss the meaning of each of these sacraments and how they are practiced in our faith tradition. We will also discuss other ordinances of the church and how other expressions of Christianity observe sacraments.

We discuss the call to be the church is such a way that Christ is embodied in its life. We also explore the human struggles to embrace this call as the church is too often defined by disunity and struggle. The Body of Christ is characterized by a unity and selflessness that is transformative to the members and the world.

This episode focuses on the aspects of the United Methodist Church that make it unique and appreciated by our team. We include stories from our personal journeys of faith in the Inited Methodist Tradition. We also dispel false accusations about this Faith tradition, as we celebrate accurate characterizations of what it means to be a United Methodist Christian.

This episode explores the Trinitarian understanding of God as One that is revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We discuss the relational nature of God experienced in loving relationship. We also discuss the way in which we are to live in loving relationship with one another.

In this episode, we discuss this action of the Holy Spirit. Among the actions of the Holy Spirit, we discuss the gifts of the spirit and how they are used for the good of the whole of the people, as well as the fruits of the spirit where we embody the attributes of God in our lives. We also discussed personal experiences of the Holy Spirit, especially where we have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit.

In this episode we discuss the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's role in the Trinity. We discuss the experiences of the Holy Spirit found in creation and in special moments in the movement of God in the Old Testament. We also explore where the Spirit was present in Jesus' life and ministry and how Jesus promised a coming of the Spirit broadly in what the church witnessed in Pentecost. We also talk about our experiences of the Holy Spirit as personal and intimate experience of God in our lives.

We explore Faith from the objective teachings of Scripture, particularly Hebrews 11, and other sources of theological reflection. We also discuss the subjective aspects of Faith that include our personal trust in God and approaches to Faith practice. Some of our insights are shaped by our various experiences of life, our personal spiritual journeys, and individual emphases regarding Christian Faith.

We discuss what it means to confess Jesus Christ is Lord. We discuss how the early faith community understood this to affirm the divinity of Jesus. We also discuss the challenges and blessings of embracing Jesus as our Lord.

We discuss how Jesus's death on the cross has offered a restoration to relationship with God that we can't achieve ourselves. We discuss how this act of God in Jesus is understood through traditions of atonement sacrifice from early Judaism. We also explore different perspectives on atonement. The human condition of sin and the guilt and shame associated with sin are closely associated with our understanding of atonement.

We discuss how Jesus' life mission was to save the world and to save each human soul. Jesus is both a personal savior and savior of all of creation. We discuss how this should impact how we live and direct our lives in responsive participation to what God has done and is doing.

The second recording is on the Significance of Jesus Christ as Savior. We will discuss how this is very personal and, at the same time, comprehensive for all of creation.

This episode explores the final Advent emphasis of Love. Love is at the heart of our understanding of God and our response to God’s call. We explore misconceptions and insights into Agape (selfless) Love.