sundaymorningsleepin

This episode is all about the joyful practice of giving - with a story about how Kris' fatal gift giving flaw leads to lots of laughs - and a reminder that God gets just as much excitement out of giving us gifts as we do out of giving gifts to each other. Check out this episode and John 3:11-17.

Christmas is right around the corner so we're getting in spiritual shape by practicing JOY all month long! This week, we rearrange a Christmas tree, build some LEGO, and watching a Christmas animated classic as we discuss the spiritual practice of Imagination and Isaiah 61.

We have talked about how we relate to money: remembering, releasing, reimagining our stories, and now, restoration! In the uncertainty of “what’s next?” Jesus’ disciples try to go back to their familiar, ordinary lives… but perhaps that’s where the miracles are always hiding. We talk about saints, fishing, an episode of The Office (US) and unintentional faith in the context of John 21.

Content Warning! Hi guys, we tend to keep it G on this podcast, but this episode does talk about a fairy tale that includes sexual violence and regular violence, so we wanted to let you know before you hit play! Happy Halloween, a few weeks late! What do Cruella DeVil, a group of humble Christians singing praise songs, and you all have in common? Well, probably a lot more than nothing, but for today’s purposes, we’re talking about how we re-write our own stories, and how we use our imagination to do it! We have been remembering our stories, releasing the parts that don’t serve us anymore, and now we will reimagine them with compassion, for healing, and transformation! Scripture (not included in the episode) is about the Year of Jubilee continued – Leviticus 19:9-10 and 25:8-12.

As we go through wildernesses and promised lands, there come endings and beginnings – times to rethink which parts of our story we will carry forward, and what we need to let go of. As we consider our Money Stories, some of the things we need to release may be causing us pain or shame, or just not working anymore! Susan and Kris discuss Deuteronomy 15:1-11, and how we practice letting go so we can live into our purpose.

Most people we know don't like talking about money. Maybe they have it, maybe they don't, but it's uncomfortable to bring up! It's good to know we didn't invent complaining--the Hebrew people perfected it long ago and it served them well! They complained about slavery and God led them to freedom; they complained about not having enough to live on, and God provided and also invited them to think about living differently. (Check out the story in Exodus!) They had a money story, and so do we-- and it's important to be able to remember it! So we are kicking off our series on stewardship with remembering our own money stories. No shame allowed!

How can loving God and loving your neighbor be the same thing? And why on earth would it taste like chicken? Kris dives into Luke 10:25-37 and finding what is holy on the ground.

And perhaps manners are not Jesus' first priority when it comes to you living a fully awakened, fully loving, fully engaged life? Just a thought. Susan tackles the tale of the ten lepers from Luke 17:11-19, and what OTHER things (besides saying "please" and "thank you") might be working in this story and in our lives.

Priority #1 according to Jesus in the Bible is to love God... but what does that mean? How do we love what we cannot see? Kris has some ideas. Check out Mark 12:28-34 and Jesus' way of prioritizing our lives of faith.

We're back! After a multi-year hiatus, we're bringing the sermons back to the podcast waves. Susan launches season four with a look into 2 Timothy 1:1-14, and answering the unasked question: what have I been given, really?

In the midst of protests and riots, what good is Easter? Why bother with Pentecost? Kris starts a conversation with Susan based in Acts 2 about why it is important for the church to engage in antiracism work.

"Not all who wander are lost," according to Tolkein. What's your journey? Join us as Susan discusses all the ways we discover God along the road, including in the relationships we form and let go of as we travel, in the story of Ruth and Naomi.

"Not all who wander are lost," according to Tolkein. What's your journey? Join us as Susan discusses the journey of the magi from Matthew 2 in this Epiphany message,  and continues to meditate on the image of journey for the next six episodes.

In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to find and be Home for Christmas in the gospel of Luke and Galatians.

In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of Isaiah 9:2-7.

In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of the nativity scenes from the gospel of Luke as we talk about preparing for Jesus’ incarnate.

In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of the nativity scenes from the gospel of Luke as we talk about preparing for Jesus’ incarnate.

In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12.

In the midst of chasing that warm fuzzy feeling during the holiday season, what if the fierce and flurrying preparations were more of a distraction than a vehicle for finding the presence of the holy among us? Kris talks about what it means to be Home for Christmas in the discussion of Isaiah 2:1-5 and Psalm 122.

In the season of hustle and bustle, there are a few things that just can't wait. God couldn’t wait to be love in the flesh, and we can’t either. Susan shares the urgency of the story in this Christmas Eve reflection.

In the season of hustle and bustle, there are a few things that just can't wait. Love is one of them, and the fourth and final one discussed by Susan during her sermon on Matthew 1:18-25 on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

In the season of hustle and bustle, there are a few things that just can't wait. Joy is one of them, and the third one discussed by Susan during her sermon on the Magnificat in Luke 1 on the third Sunday of Advent.

In the season of hustle and bustle, there are a few things that just can't wait. Peace is one of them, and the second one discussed by Susan during her sermon on Isaiah 11 and Matthew 3 on the second Sunday of Advent.

In the season of hustle and bustle, there are a few things that just can't wait. Hope is one of them, and the first one discussed by Susan during her sermon on Isaiah 2 and Matthew 24 on the first Sunday of Advent.

Ever felt like you were too little and too scared to really make a difference? Here's why Christ the King Sunday is for you! Kris and Susan discuss Luke 1:68-79, rollercoasters, and angels who get fed up with us just not believing them.

Everything that is alive breathes... both in, and out. When we limit one of those movements, we suffocate. The same goes with a healthy spiritual life and a life of recovery -- we have to keep drawing breath into ourselves, and we have to share our breath with others. Kris and Susan wrap up the series on addiction and recovery based on the book _Breathing Under Water_ by Richard Rohr.

Prayer isn't just a telephone line to God; it's a zoom lens, a trip to the beach, an alternative operating system for your everyday life. When we are in the process of living into a healthier, more mature self, this kind of meditative practice can help us find a new way through the mazes and mysteries of our lives. Kris and Susan continue their series on addiction and recovery based on on Richard Rohr's _Breathing Under Water_.

If making amends is the most well-known step in the recovery process, step 10 is probably the most overlooked. How do we take ongoing personal inventory without driving ourselves crazy with criticism? Kris and Susan continue to explore the themes of addiction, recovery, and salvation based on Richard Rohr's book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps.

How do you make amends for a past injury without retraumatizing yourself or someone else? Making amends is important in every life and relationship. Kris and Susan continue their series on Richard Rohr's Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps.

How do we move away from navel gazing in the recovery process and move toward reconnecting with the world around us? Kris and Susan continue their series on Richard Rohr's book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps, and discuss step 8: "We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

Ever thought you knew exactly what God needed to do, and you kept telling God about, but it just wasn't happening? What's that about, eh? Kris and Susan continue their series on Richard Rohr's Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps, with a discussion of Step 7, humbly asking God to remove our shortcomings.

What comes first - grace or responsibility? Kris and Susan continue their series on Richard Rohr's Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps with Step 6. The full step says "We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."

Do you have a person you trust with your secrets, with even the things you're most ashamed of? How does bearing each other's burdens help us experience the transforming power of the truth? Kris and Susan continue their sermon series on Spirituality and the Twelve Steps based on Richard Rohr's _Breathing Under Water_.

We continue our sermon series on Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr with Step 4. Have you the courage to look at yourself in the light? What do you think you'll find there?

What can recovery teach us about faith? Well.... a whole lot, actually. Recovery, enlightenment, and salvation are all similar concepts and are deeply interrelated. Susan and Kris continue a series based on Richard Rohr's book _Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps_ with step 3: surrender, or giving up on being in control of everything.

What can recovery teach us about faith? Well.... a whole lot, actually. Recovery, enlightenment, and salvation are all similar concepts and are deeply interrelated. Susan and Kris embark on a new series based on Richard Rohr's book _Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps_.

What can parades teach us about what we value, who we are, and how we relate to one another? Well, a whole lot. Kris talks about Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Mark 11, and Reno's LBTGQ Pride Parade.

Ever feel like too much is going on and you just never have time to process? Susan tells us about a time when Jesus tries to retreat with his disciples and keeps getting interrupted in Mark 6:30-34, 54-56.

Sometimes it's okay not to be okay. In the midst of big moments of grief, we often want to rush the healing process. But like babies growing up, like Jesus maturing before he began his ministry, we have to let the healing work of God have time to bloom in us. The waiting can be difficult, but when we rush it, it doesn't work. Kris takes a look at Isaiah 9:2-7 for the Longest Night Christmas service.

Construction zones are rampant, annoying, and ultimately incredibly important for how we live together in safe community. Kris analyzes Amos 7:7-9 and Psalm 85:8-13 for a look at how God's work and construction work can be painful and also essential for how we build strong.

Turns out, most things shouldn't surprise us. If we're paying attention, we will notice and be able to respond compassionately to the warning signs around us. Kris spends a little time thinking about death, disaster, and the lessons of Pompeii as we look at Mark 13:24-37.

You better watch out, you better not cry... Actually, Advent is about watching out AND crying. Crying in the wilderness, that is! Changes we make because someone else ("Santa-God"?) might be watching rarely stick around. Changes we make because we are living into a preferred future have a much better chance. Susan digs into Luke 3:1-19 and helps us check our internal whiny children in this 3rd Sunday of Advent message.

John the Baptist gets invited to a party in the worst possible way: by losing his head. King Herod's family dynamics might make yours look tame... but what does this have to do with us now? Susan serves up Mark 6:14-29.

There are some things it is simple too taboo, too awkward, or too embarassing to talk about. And yet... in every question, there is a promise tucked away. Kris reflects on Malachi 3:1-4, and the prophets who are willing to help us look for the promises of God, even in our big, scary questions.

What stories have you heard about yourself, or told about yourself, that give glimpses of key elements of who you believe you are? Whether accolades and affirmation, or tales of infamy, it's amazing how quickly we attach labels to ourselves and others. Perhaps one way to capture the bigger, fuller picture of who we are and who we are called to be, we need to find some quiet, and listen. Susan retells the tale of John the Baptist's dad in Luke 1:68-79 in this Second Week of Advent sermon.

Times change, trends come and go, and navigating the serially new world can be challenging. But change is hard! Susan talks about Jesus's tips for adapting in Mark 3:1-16.

It's hard to hear an unpleasant truth, but it's nearly impossible to hear a beautiful one. Why do we insist on making Christmas so tender and mild, and what happens if we let it speak to us an uglier truth? Kris delves into Jeremiah 33:14-16 in this Advent episode of the podcast.

What does the second coming of Christ look like to you? Is it more Armageddon or Hunger Games? Does the world go out with a bang or a whimper? Glimpses of God in the world aren't reserved to calm, quiet moments; sometimes God is present when it feels like our whole world is crumbling around us. Susan invites us to take a look at Luke 21: 25-36 and VanGogh's A Starry Night.

What do you think about when you pass a hospital, pharmacy, or health clinic? What if we let our surroundings inspire us to find ways to create true healing - space for people of all ability levels in our community? Kris dives into Mark 5:21-43 and its practical implications for us today.

Whether it's out loud or in the quietest corner of your heart, at some point in your life, you've probably needed healing from something: medical, psychologiacl, relational, spiritual. So... have you gotten it? What does it look like? What do you need healing from now? Susan dives into the mysterious ways of Jesus in Mark 5:21-43.