Today we have a special edition of the podcast for you as we bring you inside the sanctuary of East Brentwood Presbyterian Church from last Sunday’s service  remembering. Charlie Strobel, founder of the Room in the Inn. 

Room in the inn is a terrific program that gives churches the opportunity to provide the homeless men of Nashville with a hot meal and a place to sleep. East Brentwood is one of many churches in the Nashville area who are privileged to provide this ministry. 

Visiting with us last Sunday was Rachel Hester, Executive Director of the Campus for Human Development and Amanda Fernandez who along with pastor John and Leticia Tyler had a meaningful conversation talking about Charlie’s life and his still thriving ministry to the homeless of Nashville. 

Following the interview, you’ll hear"Let There Be Peace on Earth" sung by Briana Tyson and the praise band.

Are you a parent struggling with a youth or young adult who is suffering from substance addiction? This episode features Yarnell Beatty, a Tennessee parent who lost his oldest son, 24-year old Alex, to a drug overdose in 2016. Yarnell discusses the dos and don’ts for parents wishing to pierce the anger that substance use disorder and mental health challenges can impose on families and how to preserve a loving relationship with a child who is struggling. Parallelling the parable of the Prodigal Son, hear how this father found self-forgiveness and a way to honor the life of his son by helping other parents avoid his tragic mistakes. If you are a parent with a youth or young adult struggling through addiction, Yarnell knows what you are going through, but more importantly, what you will go through. If you are an addiction treatment facility with programs for parents of addicted children, Yarnell is willing to tell his story and help parents navigate through inevitable anger. He is not a licensed counselor or mental health provider, just a parent who knows the effect of the disease on families and grief for the loss of a beloved son. You may contact him through East Brentwood Presbyterian Church, jhilley@ebpctn.org or directly at yarnellbeatty2021@gmail.com.

Reality is most people do. Central to the Christian faith is a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to say: “Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…” Christians are to be a forgiving people; that is our identity to embrace. So why do we suck at it? In this episode we address the harmful myths of forgiveness and sketch out a path for better conceptions of forgiving. Pastor John has found the work of Dr.Chanequa Walker-Barnes, professor of practical theology and pastoral care at Columbia Theological Seminary very helpful along with the work of Dr. Everett Washington and his REACH model on forgiveness. Both talk about forgiveness as an “internal process” – and this will be a light bulb moment. Be sure to subscribe to Walker-Barnes’ substack No Trifling Matter and Washington’s REACH model on forgiveness.

Tags: #Forgiveness; #seventytimesseven; #(Matthew 18:15-22); #REACH

Would you cast your net again if you had already been fishing for hours with nothing to show? That’s a question that might make one think deeply about the habits in our everyday lives. This week John brings us into the story of Peter, who continued to cast his net though he had caught nothing all night long. John acknowledges in this week’s episode that much like Peter, we also encounter moments where we feel our nets are empty. However the story of Peter reminds us that, “Empty nets can catch what full ones can’t.” Luke 5:1-11; Psalm 25:1-10

If you could give your faith life a “tune up,” what would you focus on? What would you hope to strengthen or improve?

Ash Wednesday has historically been seen as the beginning of 40 days of deprivation - of giving up - chocolate, wine, choice words, social media. In today's episode, Pastor John Hilley asks what you might take on rather than give up this Lenten season. Music director Nate Strasser plays "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" as well as a surprise song at the end that you're 100% guaranteed not to hear in any other Ash Wednesday podcast.

#sanctifiedart

The start of a new year is a good time to look at our life and what is important. In this episode, John Hilley explores if a deeper understanding of our baptism can help us live into our truest selves. Everyone has a script. And everyone lives by one - even those expressly trying to avoid one. Baptism suggests a different script. Call it the biblical script, a particular story by which we make sense of our lives and find meaning. What is your script? Does it include your baptismal identity as beloved? This episode is the first in a three-part exploration to bring fresh understanding to what is seen by many as an archaic, ancient rite. Thanks to Kevin Adams for his work "Living Under Water: Baptism as a Way of Life" which is referenced in this episode. This episode includes the telling of the near drowning and "baptismal moment" of the Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher R. A. Dickey and includes a must listen of Briana Tyson singing Into the Jordan. Tags: II Kings 5:1-17; Luke 3:15-22; "Living Under Water"; R.A. Dickey Graphic: “Beloved” Artist: Lauren Wright Pittman @sanctifiedart llc

It’s a new year so it’s fitting that today Pastor John is discussing what rituals and habits we hope to establish in 2024. Rituals mark sacred turning points in our lives. They can help us make meaning of celebrations, losses, and transitions.

So let's evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage" (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let's also remember our dependence on our King who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Nate Strasser provides the music with a medley of “This is the Day of New Beginnings” and “Be Thou My Vision”.

When was the last time you were truly amazed? Amazement and awe are often precursors for joy. Pastor John has been thinking about how we can incite more joy in our lives and what are the needed practices. For starters, it helps to pay attention, which he wasn’t doing when Pastor John first met Major General (Ret. Marines) Charles F. Bolden, former astronaut and NASA Administrator. In this episode, John shares some awesome life lessons learned from the former astronaut, awesome encounters in the Scriptures, and how awe and wonder in our life leads to better health and overall awesomeness. (Check out Dacher Keltner’s Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life). As amazement goes in search of telling others, appropriately features “Go Tell It On the Mountain” (Will Coulam, Saxophone). (Some of this content was featured at our December 17, 2023 service.)

In this brief podcast the week before Christmas, Nate and John point you to a couple of treasured moments that will help you make room for joy this week. Here are links to the treasures they mention: Nate’s 12/17 Holiday Concert; Winter Solstice Night Reflection (Liturgy for the Weary); Mary’s Magnificat; Christmas Eve at our Barn, 3:30 p.m.; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 5:00 p.m.

How easy is it for us to seek our isolation or seclusion in response to the presence of an event that makes us feel weary? No need to worry, Luke 1:24-45 provides a clear picture of what that looked like for Elizabeth, as she had been unable to bring forth a child into the world.

Check out this week’s episode of Music, Hope, Word, and Prayer with John Hilley as he dives into seclusion as a response to weary seasons. There are many ways to maintain connection during seasons when it seems we’re best left alone — surely there’s a choice that fits us all! Artwork: Aaron Hilley, artist

“Can joy and pain coexist?” Is the question asked as we approach the 2nd Sunday in Advent.

On this week’s episode of Music, Hope, Word, & Prayer, John Hilley invites Coordinator of Faith Formation, Ajené Holmes, into discussion surrounding the coexistence of joy with pain.

As the 2nd Sunday in Advent approaches during a season characterized by joy but also pain for many, how do we maintain our connections to joy? Check it out on this week’s episode!

“Jesus in a new light,” is how some might describe the representation of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46.

On this week’s episode of Music, Hope, Word, & Prayer, John Hilley invites Coordinator of Faith Formation, Ajené Holmes, into a discussion around Jesus’ requirement of us to do unto the ‘least’ of us as we would do unto him. As the first Sunday in Advent approaches during a season characterized by giving, how can we meet the requirements of Jesus to feed the hungry, give to the poor, and visit those imprisoned? How can we live out what it means when we say we are a Matthew 25 Congregation?

Check out this episode and watch here on YouTube!

“...the eye within the eye” was advice given to John Muir, famous naturalist and early advocate for wilderness preservation upon hearing the news of his temporary blindness at the age of 28. Thanks to my friend Ken Kovacs for pointing me to James Hunt’s book on John Muir (Restless Fires) and for making a connection between young Muir’s religious experience and All Saints Day which the church celebrates the first week in November when it reads Revelation 7:9-17 and Matthew 5:1-12. In this episode John Hilley muses on the importance of “paying attention” to the world around us and what - and who - may be lost in the shuffle of survival. This includes paying attention to the “saints” who have gone before us, remembered and forgotten, known and unknown. Referenced in this episode is the amazing podcast Field Trip and my sermon of November 5, 2023 focused on Matthew 5:1-12.

Music, Word, Hope and Prayer welcomes The Rev. Dr. Mike Gregg to talk about generosity. Mike is a pastor in the Baptist Alliance and now a therapist at The Pastoral Center for Healing on the campus of East Brentwood. This episode is a broadcast of his talk “Rich Towards God” based on Luke 12:13-21 about the man who tore down his barns to build bigger barns. We know how to build bigger and bigger storage units to hold all of our stuff. Jesus, in Luke’s Gospel, says that bigger barns do not really help anyone. What matters is that we learn how to be rich towards God. What does that mean? Could Jesus be pointing listeners to invest in communities rather than commodities?

Every once in a while we come across terrible stories in Scripture. Matthew 22:1-14 is one such story. Jesus tells a story about a wedding banquet that went awry and of a King who has hardened his heart with violence and expulsion. All too often, we hear traumatic stories of humans causing tremendous violence. In this episode Pastor John visits this hard-to-stomach passage from Matthew’s Gospel and does so against the recent terrorist attack by Hamas and the unfolding response by Israel, the consequences yet to be known, will affect us for decades to come. Referenced in this episode is the outstanding article by Debie Thomas “The God Who Isn’t” on this text from Matthew’s Gospel. Other references include Jurgen Moltmann “Who is God for You?” and Ezra Klein’s podcast “Israel is Giving Hamas What it Wants.” . Music by Nate Strasser with guest Shoshana Kelner singing Shir Lamaalot (Psalm 121).

In this podcast, Rev. John Hilley explores Luke 24:13-27. It is there in verse 20 when the disciples said: “we had hoped he would be the one to redeem Israel.” There’s a crucial line in there that’s easy to miss. Will Willimon pointed it out. “We had hoped.”

In this passage, Jesus seems to be coming at the disciples. We had hoped. Is Jesus anti-hope? No, but in the exchange the risen Jesus has with his disciples it is good to look at our hopes. He is against “false hope.” He is our true hope. Such a true hope takes action, here, now.

Nate Strasser and flutist Max Dvorin provide the music for today’s episode with their rendition of “Bread for the World”.

We would like to think that the church can be a safe space. Many want, and with good reason, call into question whether it can be such a place – a place that is safe. After all, its history is uneven. It has a history of the gifts and leadership of some being celebrated denying others. Such as women. This episode affirms there should be no gender bias in the church when it comes to recognizing the contributions and leadership of women in the church. Pastor John looks at some of the biblical texts and textual criticism and incorporates the work of Diana Butler Bass and her sermon “All The Marys”; the scholarship of Dr. Elizabeth Schrader in the Peter Enns’ podcast The Bible for Normal People; Louisa Woosley; Anna Carter Florence’s Preaching as Testimony. Scripture: John 11 and Luke 10:38-52. Music provided by the Women’s Ensemble “We Will Rise Up Together.”

We’ve been thinking a lot about this space we call “Church” and what makes it a welcoming place; an interesting place; a safe space. And that has meant asking ourselves can it be? It seems a lot of our church cousins are more interested in being anti- than pro- in their dialing up anger against the LGBTQIA+ community. That has been an extremely hard and painful pill to swallow for people who are gay AND Christian. People like Dr. Dionne Boyice who we talk about in this episode - the episode title “Whosoever” is inspired by John 3:16 and a community of faith in Kansas City Dr. Boyice started - and for us at EBPC as we strive to be welcoming and accepting. This episode takes a look at how we read the Bible, particularly what we call the ‘clobber passages” and how the church might pursue ways to be more inclusive. Nate Strasser shares a relevant story about the anger out there as well as the fitting music by The Many’s “All Belong Here.” (Service Notes: Respectful Conversations: Looking at Scripture in Fresh Ways; Reflections on Gay Marriage.)

Can the Church be a “safe space?” From the looks and sounds of it, the church can come across as more anti- than pro- (…anti-women, anti-science, anti-LGBTQIA+) and more judgmental and more hypocritical. Yep, we can be judgemental and hypocritical because the church is made up of individuals who are imperfect. But that is not all we all the church is. We can be places of welcome and open doors and we can show up at doors when there is a crisis, armed with a casserole. In this episode Pastor John Hilley talks about trends, headwinds we are facing and longings. He shares a story he heard from Roger Nishioka about what happened when a church showed up with casseroles. Yep, we can be judgmental, but the church can be a safe space – a place of relationships, a place that heals and not traumatizes. We haven’t given up hope.

“Is the mic on?” is how Dr. David Dark begins his soon to be released book We Become What We Normalize. This episode builds upon an interview Pastor John did during a recent Sunday morning church service (9/3/2023) on the themes of bravery and truthfulness and accountability touched upon in his book, on whether the church can be a “safe space”, and on his being a featured speaker at the Greenbelt Festival in the UK. https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/artists/david-dark/. We keep the mic going as David reflects on two Scripture passages in light of our human-ness and culture. Music provided by Nate Strasser.

Tags: Exodus 3:1-15; Matthew 16:21-28; @jdaviddark

We like to think that the church is a “safe space.” We want it to be. But for many, there are too many traumas associated with church. And yet, we are hungry for safe spaces of connection, belonging, and growth. In this episode, Pastor John invites Tyler Spaid, a member at EBPC, to tell his and his family’s story (17 minute interview). Then John reflects on what it would be to gazes of grace rather than gazes of judgment. Nate Strasser provides the music that expresses our aim: All are welcome here/No divide, no fear /Of who you love or where you’re from /If you only knew/ God delights in you/ Just believe and freely come/ ‘Cause all are welcome here. This episode is part of our Church: A Safe Space was we seek to be a place that follows Jesus and is a local center of hope, love, and witness.

Tags: Matthew 16:13-20; #GregoryofNyssa; #belonging; #grace; #welcome; #GLTBQ

I think we can all agree parenting is getting harder all the time. Children are experiencing things we never imagined. How do we guide them? In the Bible it is written “When your children ask you why do you live the way you do, you are to tell them what matters to you” (Deuteronomy 6:20-25).

We explore the assumption in this episode that if a child is going to become a grown up in this confusing world and lead a mature life, the child needs teachers and mentors. Just as we all do, no matter our age. This is Pastor John’s yearly talk on parenting. And a word of caution: he shares how communities of faith like East Brentwood Presbyterian can plan a vital role in helping raise kids and positively shape our larger community. None of us can raise a family or heal, much less strengthen, alone. We have to do it together. Wanna glimpse of the service involving youth and Pastor John’s message, click here.

Tags: #whatmatterstoyou; #raisingkids; #mentors

Have you ever thought about the difference between power and authority? Often the words are interchangeable. But there is a difference. Maybe you got a whiff of power when you were a school crossing guard wearing the yellow sash, giving you power but not necessarily authority. We recognize the difference between those with power and those who, in living their lives, reflected the power of authority. People like Nashvillian Charlie Strobel whose life and witness we celebrated recently. In this episode, Pastor John and Nate Strasser touch upon the raw power of the father figure Logan Roy of the HBO hit Succession. Then John shares a great story -- a must listen -- about Louise Degrafinried and an escaped convict named Riley Arceneaux, reflects on the life of Charlie Strobel and the upcoming Special Session called by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee which was originally to focus upon sensible gun laws the majority of Tennesseans support. It is a longer than usual episode as John explores the difference between power and authority against the backdrop of the authority Jesus reflected – the power of love.

Rev. John Hilley is joined by two special guests, Dr. Stephen Loyd and Dr. Monty Burks. In addition to briefly sharing their personal stories, they discuss the science of addiction and the barriers to gaining and maintaining long-term recovery including stigma and shame, deep-seated trauma and how communities of faith can play a significant role in opening the doors to those who are struggling and the ones impacted by that struggle. Dr. Lloyd and Dr. Burks will also be available at the IOAD Middle TN 2023 overdose awareness event, hosted by EBPC, on August 31st with representatives and info on available mental health and substance misuse-related services. For more details, go to www.ebpctn.org/ioad-middle-tn-2023.

East Brentwood Presbyterian Church's Pastor John Hilley invites two incredible people who have helped hundreds of individuals and families navigate addiction and recovery. Join us as Tracey Levine of Healing Housing ( www.healinghousing.org) and Jaime Gibbons of Integrative Life Center (www.integrativelifecenter.com) share a wealth of wisdom around addressing misconceptions, barriers, and resources in this time when we are losing a generation of people due to mental health disorders and substance misuse. If you are a leader in a church community or if you are an individual who struggles with addiction and has faced religious trauma, Jaime and Tracey provide wise and accepting words of advice. Their organizations are just two of the 30 community organizations that will be available at the IOAD Middle TN 2023 overdose awareness event, hosted by EBPC, on August 31st with representatives and info on available mental health and substance misuse-related services. For more details, go to www.ebpctn.org/ioad-middle-tn-2023.

You will hear from clergy folks like Pastor John that God is graciously present all around us. We have stories that bear that out. But truth be told, we also have to admit that it’s often hard to recognize that presence and we ask, “where is God?” When we feel like we are in the wilderness, it is easy to wonder where God is. The biblical character Jacob is on the run, having been sent out on a journey across unfamiliar places. He finds himself out in the wilderness as the sun is going down, exhausted. He takes a rock for a pillow and falls asleep in a place he never wanted to be. He dreams of a ladder so big it rises from the earth to the heavens, and dreams of angels ascending and descending and he receives assurances of God’s presence. When Jacob wakes, he says, “Surely God is in this place . . . and I did not know it.”

This episode takes a look at the word mercy. In the Bible, the word “mercy” is usually used in association with forgiveness or withholding punishment. Nashville songwriter Mary Gauthier has a powerful song about how we could all use a little mercy now (“Mercy Now”). Jesus once said: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." That is mercy talk. Join us as Pastor John talks about mercy and Nate Strasser sings a rendition of Gauthier’s “Mercy Now.” Thank you to Matt Skinner for introducing me to Levine’s poem and reminding us that our God is “abundantly merciful.”

Behind this episode is the concern of how our faith in God makes a difference in our lives. And, in particular, when it comes to hospitality and welcoming others. Take for instance, where Jesus says to his disciples "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). John’s message is inspired by something Diana Butler Bass recently wrote: “Hospitality is not just welcoming or being nice; it is sharing who we are and at the same time opening ourselves for others to share themselves with us. Every heart and table is to be open. It might just be our greatest witness and activism – nothing less than the extravagant welcome of God.” Nate Strasser provides a great simple hymn of hospitality, “I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table.” The episode opens with Nate and John bantering on our tendency to overcomplicate life and even the teachings about Jesus on hospitality.

In today's episode, we are thrilled to bring in Rev Stacy Rector.

Reverend Stacy Rector is a native of Dyersburg, Tennessee, a graduate of Rhodes College and Columbia Theological Seminary. In 2006, she became Executive Director of Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, an organization whose mission is to honor life by abolishing the death penalty. Reverend Rector has served on the boards of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty and Community Shares Tennessee. She is also active in the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. Stacy gave an impassioned reflection on the importance of compassion so we're excited to share that with you in the podcast along with Nate Strasser's musical selection "Compassion Hymn."

Everyone will find something of interest in this episode, but especially men. Parents who have boys will, too. This episode covers a lot of ground as does Pastor John’s guest, Dan Davis, who has walked thousands of miles of trails in the North Carolina mountains. Dan is legendary in the professional camping world, a trusted mentor to young men. He is a sage guide to men and families, helping them navigate life’s transitions intentionally with wisdom and courage. With Father’s Day approaching, great timing for this conversation.

Tags: Animate Mentoring; #lifetransition; #connection; #sacredstories; #clarity; #commitment

June 4th is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Pastor John invited two high school students, Dara Kurbegov (rising Senior) and Owen Coulam (recent graduate), to be his guests and discuss the impact of gun violence upon their lives and the impact they were hoping to have as students when they recently marched to Tennessee’s Legislative Hill to call for sensible gun laws in light of the tragic shooting at a Nashville school and church. They share their perspectives and reflect on what all of us can do beyond thoughts and prayers. Let these two realities sink in: every year that Dara has been in school, she and her classmates have practiced active shooter drills. The total number of students who have been on K-12 campuses during a shooting is now over 350,000 students.

"It's Over...What Next?" is aimed at those who are facing a transition or uncertainty. Speaker Barbara Lundblad got John Hilley thinking with this line she used during a recent talk at the Festival of Homiletics as did an interview with organizational psychologist Adam Grant on uncertainty. The Scripture text draws from the 20th and 21st chapter of the Gospel of John, especially that wonderful story of Peter going fishing. Music by Nate Strasser: “This is the Day of New Beginnings.”

Tags: uncertainty; transition; retirement; rethinking something; redemption; Kate Bowler and Adam Grant podcast; Barbara Lundblad; John 20:19-23 and John 21:1-14

The Pentecost Story is a powerful story about how the gospel of Jesus Christ draws us together to hear the mighty works of God. It challenges us to ask ourselves: what barriers do we erect to limit its power to be at work in us? Why aren’t we together anymore? And what would it mean for others to see in our lives a witness that is apparent spiritually and practically. Pastor John's message is a little longer than normal because he came across such great voices to incorporate in his message such as Esau McCaulley, Willie James Jennings, and the life of the late Tim Keller who died this week. Texts: Ephesians 1: 16-23; Acts 2:1-21

Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:1-8). What a wonderful saying! But it is a poke in the eye to those of us self-sufficient types who will “do it myself.” This episode explores the feelings and thoughts prompted by this famous “I Am” saying of Jesus, particularly when it comes to our connectedness. Music by Nate Strasser with guest, Ellie Jones.

Tags: Debie Thomas’ Abide; John 15:1-8; “I can do it myself”; Connectedness; Surrender, not self-sufficiency.

There was this time when Jesus was talking to his disciples and he said: “I am the way and the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). If this was put as a question “Do you believe Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and that NO ONE comes to God except through him?” how would you answer? This verse can be problematic as it sounds so exclusive. Is Jesus the only way to God? This question you must answer yourself as to whether you believe it is true. Pastor John feels it is true, but here’s the thing: Jesus does not say how he is the way, the truth and the life—only that he is the way, the truth and the life and deep down that has something to say about how we accept and relate to others. And how we accept ourselves. Pastor John also believes it to be true what Richard Rohr writes in The Universal Christ: “there has never been a single soul who was not possessed by the (Universal) Christ, even in the ages when Jesus was not. Why would you want your religion, or your God, to be any smaller than that?” How can both be true and what does that mean for acceptance of ourselves and each other. Music by Nate Strasser.

What does belonging feel like to you? When have you sensed it? There’s something about belonging that’s hard to pin down. Belonging is more often felt before it can be described. But belonging is more than a feeling. Dustin Benac, writing as part of The Presbyterian Outlook’s “Belonging Project” writes that “Belonging is the condition of possibility for the life of faith to take material form.” That has Pastor John thinking about what Jesus may have meant when he said “I am the gate” and “I am the good shepherd” who protects them in the sheepfold and calls his own sheep and leads them out.” Belonging has a material form — relationship, shared life, and practices. Music: A special arrangement by Nate Strasser of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

From Pastor John's Easter Message: "The first Easter dawned on a world saturated with fear, haunted by death, shaken by God, and blessed by the loving actions of a few brave souls. All of which is to say, the first Easter feels a lot like this Easter in Nashville. And, for me, there is hope to be found in this comparison." Nate Strasser provides the music along with Briana Tyson playing and singing "Because He Lives".

Taken from a message shared on Palm Sunday in Nashville, TN but around here it feels like one long, crushing Good Friday following the recent tragic mass shooting. I got a text from a member of church that read: “It feels like we are in the wilderness with Jesus bewildered and depleted of energy…” Yep! It called to mind a series of devotional talks given in 1962 by the great Howard Thurman, regarded as the Chaplain of the Civil Rights Era. Called “At the Crossroad” Thurman portrays Jesus’ decision to go to Jerusalem for the last time as a crossroads dilemma. Should he go back home to a life of comfort? Or to Jerusalem where he will face the cross but also the crown of trusting God and following God’s divine will for his life. My “guest” is the words of Howard Thurman from his devotional talk as he asks the question: “Where are you headed?” It is a good question for us to ask of ourselves - and our community and nation - especially in light of these tragic and avoidable events. What is meant for us to decide if we will trust God and follow Jesus who parades into Jerusalem on a donkey?

This week’s podcast is different from our regular weekly format because this week is different. Nashville feels different and something has changed in our community and in our lives in light of the tragic shooting at Nashville’s Covenant Presbyterian Church and School. John Hilley invites Dr. Jon Roebuck, The Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership at Belmont University and the former Senior Minister of Woodmont Baptist Church for 17 years to join him as his guest. This episode names our collective sense of grief and the connective tissue that connects us as Nashvillians. We discuss how people in the faith community can better understand the effects of gun violence across our communities, especially on our children. And we discuss just how big the problem of guns and gun violence is in our culture and the range of responses for people and communities of faith. But, most of all this episode is a space to acknowledge our grief and the range of emotions we are feeling. Nate Strasser provides the musical composition.

Part of the current series “Seeking: Honest Questions for Deeper Faith” we visit the story of Jesus healing a blind man. It is a long story with its 44 verses. A meager 7 verses describe the empowerment and healing of a man born blind as Jesus takes on the identity of one who has experienced divine restoration. The lion’s share (33 verses) focuses upon the exhausting questions and bickering by the religious authorities of the day. This powerful story is a cautionary tale about how our certainty can prevent us from truly seeing people. It’s a cautionary tale about how, if we aren’t careful, our narrow imagination can harden into accusation and blame. It’s about how easily we can be threatened by new ideas or shifts in someone’s identity. Thankfully, this story is not just a cautionary tale, but a transformative one as Jesus’ encounter with the man meant that he was no longer required to live into the identity imposed upon him by a community who had no desire but to judge and condemn.

Jesus crosses all kinds of boundaries by leading his disciples through a place off their beaten path - Samaria - where Jesus has a conversation with an ostracized woman (John 4:5-42). His question to her, "Will you give me a drink?," at a well in the noonday heat becomes an invitation to her for a new way of life. For the woman, to respond is risky, but life changing and, as the story goes, she "runs and tells" the others. This week's episode features guest speaker Paul Rein who reflects on this story and touches upon his volunteer work. Following a career in executive leadership in health care and other industries, Paul is the founding director of Inner City Rugby of Nashville (ICRON), a non-profit that uses rugby to develop leadership and educational opportunities for urban youth. As we listen, we might imagine finding ourselves at the well. Are we willing to care for our neighbors, seeking to not just quench thirst, but to find living waters that sustain us all? Nate Strasser provides the music.

We are all looking for truths that bear up the weight of our lives. And in the flood of stories we hear - especially the spiritual stories - we don’t quite know which to take seriously. Same with the questions that are asked. Today's episode has in mind the question of how do we begin again and the great spiritual story of Nicodemus and the recent event/awakening known as The Asbury Revival. This episode features an original composition by Nate Strasser based on the story of Nicodemus.

What sources do you seek for news, information, and media? Whose voices—and what messages—take up too much space in your head? From the onslaught of messaging we receive, we are invited to choose carefully. What can help us listen and filter what we’re hearing to discern God’s voice. Nate Strasser sings his original composition “As You Leave this Place.” Scripture passages: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11.

The Journey Begins Episode Description: A 20-minute episode on Ash Wednesday about eternal and spiritual matters intended for listening while going about the daily tasks on this special day. Tags: Noticing; Humility; What’’s Your Legacy?’ Ashes and Dust. Music by Nate Strasser: “What Wondrous Love is This” and “Who Am I?”. Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12

Maybe we’re wrong, but we sense that a lot of us have fallen into patterns that aren’t working for us. Or the patterns that got us to where we are today will not get us to where we need to go. This episode explores how the ancient practice of Sabbath rest may be timely for us to hear when it comes to meaning, community, fun (yes fun) and of our need for a protective shell against the technological onslaught in our busy and often chaotic lives. John Hilley draws upon a little known gem of all of the thou shalt nots in the Bible (Leviticus 19) and is influenced by a wonderful podcast in which Ezra Klein and Jewish scholar Judith Shulevitz discuss the attraction the Sabbath holds for their life filled with busy work lives and young children. Here is the link to the Ezra Klein Show: Sabbath and the Art of Rest. Music in today’s episode is by Nate Strasser “Down to the River to Pray.” As always thank you for your comments and sharing and for your financial support of this ministry.

Pastor John shares reflections on the words of Jesus to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount while making connection to current events. For music ,the choir from EBPC sings “Prayers of the People” by Ben Johnston-Krase. Tags: Jesus and the Beatitudes; Micah 6:8; Advocate; Avi Poster; Professor Raj Nadella; Grief and Mourning; Memphis; Tyre Nichols; Kate Bowler’s Podcast with Bryan Stevenson]

To dream big, one has to be a little foolish, especially at first. There comes a time for crunching numbers and being practical, but you can’t truly think of all possibilities until you let go of your inhibitions for a bit and perhaps be a little foolish. Whatever big dreams we pursue hopefully are in line with what God calls us to do and who God calls us to be. You are called and you are enough to answer that call. John Hilley, looking at Jesus’ invitation for the first disciples to join him (Matthew 4:12-23), invites you to consider being a wise fool, even a fool for Christ. Musically, Nate Strasser plays his mashup of “Here’s to the Fools Who Dream” from La La Land with the old hymn “Trust and Obey.” Sources for today’s episode: Dr. Brian Blount (A Sermon for Every Sunday).

To see God in each other impacts how we live and move around. When people are going through the thresholds of life - a move, a new job, hardship - there are people and communities waiting on the other side, people and communities to anchor and hold a person in the nebulous spaces of change, uncertainty, and fear. It is a testimony to people seeing God in each other.

We hear the words do not be afraid said a lot in the Bible, especially this time of year.

“Fear” is one of the most popular keyword searches – for who of us doesn’t feel fear from time to time?

John Hilley reflects on parental advice recently given and how the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary, mother of Jesus, points us to the strongest antidote to fear: the knowledge that we are not alone (Luke 1:26-38).

This episode looking into Jesus’ family history was recorded just after Thanksgiving, a holiday known for family gatherings. You may find it of some comfort as John Hilley describes the messiness in the family history of Jesus. But no matter how messy the human story is, no matter how messy your family is, no matter how messy your life is, this Immanuel Child we welcome at Christmas has come to claim us. That we are no longer defined by the messiness in our lives, but by the one who writes our names into the branches of the family tree of the Immanuel Child - God with us - is good news.

In this podcast being recorded just before Thanksgiving, we are thinking about about thanking. We are thinking about gratitude and we are thinking about home. “Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior.” writes Anne Lamott. Today’s theme is on how we can set the table of our lives for a renewed practice of giving thanks. Our Thanksgiving List builds upon Romans 12:9-18.

How are the boys and men in our lives doing? Men, how are you doing? How would you complete the sentence? Join us as we attempt answers to this question. Richard Reeves’ bestseller Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to Do About It has its answer in its title: we are struggling. Yes and no.

The Rev. Edwin Arrison of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation joins us to talk about Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Four Loves: Justice, Jesus, Joy, and Jazz.

Reverend Arrison, an Anglican Priest ordained in 1992 by Archbishop Tutu, was an anti-apartheid activist and President of the Interchurch Youth (ICY).

Few people knew Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu better than Edwin, who walked beside “The Arch” through the turmoil and oppression of the Apartheid years.

Increasingly it feels like we are living in an either/or binary world on contentious issues and it is tearing us apart as we see people demean, dismiss and discount others who hold different views. Jesus tells a story and mentions a word we need to hear: humility.

This episode offers a bit of analysis and a bit of advice. There is a bit of bible study that may unsettle you as it challenges your view of who you think God accepts. These are unsettling times. If you are struggling to navigate in this broken world and you are interested in quelling the snark monster within you, then this episode has something for you.

How would you describe yourself right now, especially given all that we have faced the last couple of years: “Surviving” or as a “Survivor”? When we are in survival mode it is easy to see hope as wishful thinking. A survivor’s mindset, on the other hand, sees hope differently. It is active. It is practiced. We are calling it a Resurrected Hope in this episode and describe two ways survivors practice such hope: in friendships and in caring for others.

This episode explores the subject of prayer and losing heart and what can be a barrier: our tendency to be drawn into our smartphones, in pursuit of an interruption for something - anything - to happen.

Author Jeff Vogel calls this tendency to create an occurrence in our lives a “manufactured disruption.”

Pastor John talks about how this tendency is a problem that affects us all and has implications for faith particularly when it comes to prayer and our desire - and need - for the Divine Disruptions.

We welcome Dr. David Dark to this week’s podcast. His talk, “The Word of God is Not Chained,” is based on II Timothy 2:8-15 and was given on October 9, 2022. David shares with us about his recent conversation with Anthony Ray Hinton, who was wrongly convicted and imprisoned and served for over three decades on death row.

Today’s episode celebrates a new original song that came out of hardship and trauma. This song written by our own Liz Beatty and Nate Strasser is currently in the Top Ten of an International Song Contest that received over 20,000 submissions.

Liz Beatty joins John Hilley and Nate Strasser and they share about the process of creating this song as well as the moving personal experiences that led to it.

Description goes hereIf you make a name for yourself, you become well known for something. For instance: Aaron Judge as a home run slugger; Whitney Houston as a great singer. Once Jesus told a story about a rich man who made a name for himself and had everything, but we don’t know his name and a poor man who had nothing but who we know by the name Lazarus. It is a scary story with Jesus talking about money, death and hell, but we think there is something life altering and freeing as it challenges us to consider whether we believe more in what God finds worth in than we believe in the worth of our material lives.

Recorded with the anniversary of 9/11 in mind, we explore where we are Seeing Faith, taking us from a Little League baseball diamond to the 2001 World Series and to our own lives as we are looking for where we see faith in action. Seeing faith involves the outsized power of your small acts of kindness.

This episode has in mind those who find themselves trying to make sense of their lives, especially in terms of their work and their faith.

We explore the idea that God is a calling God and pose the question:

“do you feel that God has called you to anything?”

This podcast episode also draws back the curtain to speak about the faith of our ancestors who the writer of Hebrews appeals to, reminding us that we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” and to run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

This week we welcome Dr. Aaron Stauffer, Post Doctoral Fellow at Vanderbilt Divinity School.

He explores the frames of mind we walk through the world looking through and how our viewing the world holds us back and keeps us separate from one another and from God.

There is a connection between the importance of rest and your own life reflecting the abundance of God.

In this episode, we will provide you with a prompt followed by some wonderful music by Nate Strasser. It is our hope that you will use this gift of time and music to listen and look for God’s healing and restorative presence in your life.

You have permission to be larger than the people who surround you, greater than the expectations which bore you and more than than other people who are like you. You can be totally unique and absolutely special. You can flip the script and change the narrative. You can improvise and be creative. This is what doubt and fear don't want you to know!

In this podcast re-broadcast, we hear once again from two of our youth, Jasper Vasilevskis and Alex Kurbegov as well as a special music from Jasper Vasilevskis and Brynn Giantassio as they begin a new chapter of their lives.

Today, we visit a story in the Gospel of John where Jesus feeds the 5000. It is a very important story in the bible to understand Jesus as the “Bread of Life” and the answer to our anxiety over what I like to call “enoughness”. Of feeling like we have enough.

Nate Strasser brings in guest musician Matt Bogen to offer their arrangement of “ Here I Am Lord”.

There is a lot of interest in prayer these days. And there are a lot of questions surrounding prayer: How do I pray? What is the purpose of prayer? Does prayer work? There are a lot more questions and in this episode John explores these and other questions you’ve likely asked before. All these questions can make prayer a playground for doubt…and for growth.

Join us as we look at scripture passages (Psalm 139) and the experiences women face as John takes us to a needed, common ground: we trust women. Music Director Nate Strasser invites singer Ginny Swanson to join him to sing the song “Brave.”

This episode title is from a powerful talk Otis Moss III gave recently at The Festival of Homiletics in May in which he shared two images, an artful interpretation of this story in Luke, and a loving letter he wrote to his son. John and Nate play around with the two images of a life raft and a sailboat that Otis Moss III provided along with what Otis Moss meant by "consecrating the chaos."

This episode of word, prayer and music recalls the Apostle Paul’s words “For Christ has set us free” in Galatians 5 and a little known speech in which President-Elect Abraham Lincoln referred to the American people as “almost chosen.”

John Hilley reflects on what that peculiar ascription “almost chosen” might mean and speaks of the importance of character and self-control.

Also in this podcast, we’ll hear Nate Strasser’s version of“With Malice Toward None” from the movie Lincoln composed by John Williams.

In this episode Pastor John touches upon what is core to the church while acknowledging its pitfalls and of the Spirit of God that names our true identity and addresses our spiritual hunger. That has us going to the water’s edge as we follow Jesus to the Jordan River (Mark 1).

This episode features a medley of river-based themes (“River to Pray”) and “Into the Jordan” (Briana Tyson, vocalist)

Pastor John has heard from several listeners who wanted to know more about the matter of forgiveness. When you’ve been forgiven, all that is left is gratitude. And when you forgive others, all that’s left is freedom and possibility.

Nate plays "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy" for today's music.

This episode explores the encounter between the prophet Elijah - the Bible’s version of a Superhero - and a widow who becomes his safe haven and survival plan (I Kings 17:8-16).

Whether you are traveling or reading in your lazy boy, John Hilley considers how the stories that come from strangers we meet along the road or in the pages of a good book might be just what we need in 2022.

John shares a travel story from Guatemala, our need for certainty in our world of technology, and the gift of God’s unexpected ways & Nate provides a rousing rendition of Every Time I Feel the Spirit.

It's a music director takeover on this episode as Nate Strasser talks glamping, cadbury eggs, and sacrifice and how they're all related.

The passage for today's podcast is Romans 12 and Nate brings in guest violinist Kameron Myers for two beautiful songs.

This episode explores the promise of a very specific, utterly essential gift that is given us by Jesus:

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:23-29).

If you are planning a summer trip, add this to your podcast library.

I think we can all agree parenting is getting harder all the time. Children are experiencing things we never imagined. How do we guide them? If you were going to share advice with your kids or grandkids or a younger person who trusts and looks up to you, what would you say?

The Book of Deuteronomy (6:20-25) says: “When your children ask you why do you live the way you do, you are to tell them what matters to you.”

This episode takes content and music that was shared on Mother’s Day May 8, 2022 and introduces us to a heroine of the church – a woman who had two names. Some called her Tabitha; some knew her as Dorcas.

Music for today’s episode is an original composition honoring the life of Rachel Held Evans.

This episode is a little longer because the music is so good and the theme is so important and we DO need to talk about how God cares about our mental health and it is vital that we do, too.

Join us as we look at the characters of Luisa (“Surface Pressure” 10:18), Bruno (“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” 17:12 ), along with Mirabel (“Waiting on a Miracle” 35:10) and Arubela.

This week, we are thrilled to revisit our interview with Matthew Paul Turner, the New York Times best-selling author of What is God Like?. We discuss both the challenges children face and the gifts they offer us as a community of faith. Join us as we search for ways to inspire change that will improve the lives of ALL children.

A special episode for Easter (April 17, 2022) featuring "Because He Lives" and message by John Hilley, “An Expansive Life.”

There is nothing “expansive”, however, in the Resurrection story as told in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:1-8). It abruptly ends with the women’s fear and silence and being scared.

Scared for what?

Were they scared that if Jesus was not resurrected - their lives would become simpler again?

And if Jesus IS alive, if he has actually been raised like he promised would happen, then… How would YOU finish the sentence?

One way John answers this question is that if the power of the risen Jesus is still loose in our world, then that means our stories are nowhere near done.

This episode reflects on the story that begins Holy Week:

Jesus’ chaotic entry into Jerusalem riding on a colt. Artwork, title, and message themes from @sanctifiedart.org’s Lenten series.

Through music and spoken word Nate Strasser and John Hilley explore this theme in light of the vulnerable, beautiful story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with oil (John 12:1-8). Artwork, title, and message themes from @sanctifiedart.org’s Lenten series.

Join John Hilley and Nate Strasser as they reflect on the recent Academy Awards brouhaha and as John reflects on our relationship to money in light of the biblical stories from Isaiah 55 and a parable of Jesus (Luke 13). Artwork, title, and message themes from @sanctifiedart.org’s Lenten series.

This episode features two favorites: the famous story of King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant (II Samuel 6:1-20) and the much beloved song “Lord of the Dance.”

John Hilley revisits this famous story and takes to heart Adam Grant’s insightful words that it is time for some “collective effervescence.”

God is our refuge. There is nothing that can separate you from God, or could keep God from gathering you in, protecting you fiercely. Jesus once described himself as a mother hen, an image of fierce love and protection as he laments over Jerusalem (Luke 13:31-35).

In this episode we take a look at this odd metaphor and examine Jerusalem’s history as Pastor John also speaks to current events and to your life. Title and message themes from @sanctifiedart.org’s Lenten series.

Pastor John takes a look at the uncertainty we are feeling and what we can learn from Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). We have a chance to show resolve, sacrifice, resilience and humanity, just as Jesus did and just as the Ukrainian people are showing to the world.

We invite you to begin your journey with God this Lent by listening to this special podcast. We’re flipping the script on Lent from being understood as a perfectibility project or an imposed sacrifice of denial.

You are enough. Come as you are, with all that you are.

Expansive faith - a full to the brim kind - is possible when we break open old faith.

John Hilley provides the reflection. Nate Strasser provides the music. Lindsey Hinds-Brown enriches the conversation. Journey with us. Artwork, title, and message themes from @sanctifiedart.org’s Lenten series.

We are pleased to welcome as our guest Dr. David Dark, professor at Belmont University in Nashville, TN and also author, cultural critic, and friend.

David shares a hopeful and practical message of how we can react to toxic personalities and behaviors and become someone who more fully reflects the image of God that is in all of us.

In this episode, Pastor John looks at Luke’s version of the beatitudes, where Jesus proclaims blessings and woes. We claim God’s blessings. Yet, we cannot avoid the woes, those places and things we’d like to ignore or imagine don’t exist. Likely, we have found ourselves stretched between both categories and living in them both simultaneously.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “If Christ is not raised, then your faith is in vain” (I Corinthians 15).

Pastor John found himself thinking about this as he sat beside a church member who was in her final hours. It got him thinking about faith – his, yours, and ours. By faith, Paul was not talking about what we think. It’s more than what we believe; it is how we live. Resurrection is not just for life beyond the grave. Resurrection is new life now. That’s why Paul says, our labor is not in vain and it is what we want to share in this episode.

n this episode we are looking at the great “love chapter” of I Corinthians 13 and an important word that we might be known for: koinonia. Koinonia is life together in unity and where authentic love is expressed. These are things worthy of being known for.

We are underway with a series called EKKLESIA where we are examining what is the purpose and key functions of the church in these days.

EKKLESIA is the Greek word for church. In this series we are asking questions such as: What is our purpose? What is our use? Or maybe we could say like Amanda Gorman, Is the effort “still worth it”?

This series is important as we discern what purpose God has for us as we emerge from our own challenging time.

Pastor John reflects on our purpose, especially that of the church, which is to gather around the powerful texts of Scripture (John 2, I Corinthians 12, and Matthew 25), and then to “scatter” being Christ’s Body in service in the world.

In this episode Pastor John touches upon what is core to the church while acknowledging its pitfalls and of the Spirit of God that names our true identity and addresses our spiritual hunger. That has us going to the water’s edge as we follow Jesus to the Jordan River (Mark 1). This episode features a medley of river-based themes (“River to Pray”) and “Into the Jordan” (Briana Tyson, vocalist).

In this episode we explore the idea of paths forward - both those that seem easy but more importantly, the ones that are a little more ambiguous.

We are not always the best versions of ourselves when we are faced with uncertainty or changing plans. Facing the unknown pulls on every ounce of our anxiety and fear. Fortunately for us, we worship a God who is gracious beyond imagination and meets us on every twist and turn of the road home.

Home is not necessarily a place, but where we find authentic belonging. In this episode, we find Jesus pursuing his education in the synagogue, increasing in his wisdom even as a young man. After the Passover festival, he strays from his birth family to dwell in the Temple, listening to the Rabbis and asking questions. Jesus claims and takes up space, choosing to dwell where God has chosen him to be. Similarly, we all need homes of our choosing— people and places that welcome us just as we are.

Artwork by @sanctifiedart.

Today’s episode is about joy. It’s not always easy to find in this world and sometimes even in our own homes. But here’s what we hope you can come to believe about joy: that even on our worst days, even if we’re not choosing it, joy has a way of finding us, if only we’re open to it. And when we’re open to it, that little bit of joy can make all the difference. Because when love comes to visit, joy comes too. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth’s home (Luke 1:39-45) has us thinking about our own homes, potential travel home that awaits us this Christmas and most especially about joy.

Artwork by @sanctifiedart.

This episode invites you to take a look at your own home and our “church home” here at East Brentwood. We explore the beautiful ancient prophecy of Zechariah (Luke 1:57-80) announcing how God is making God’s home with us - a home saturated with hope, peace, love and joy.

Artwork by @sanctifiedart.

We all have a deep longing for our home to be made whole, made right, and made well. The world is not as it should be. Nor are we. We all know homesickness. John Hilley visits Luke 21:25-36 and interviews [watch] homeward bound travelers at the Bus Station the day before Thanksgiving as he reflects on the theme of “Homesickness” at the start of the journey of Advent. Nate Strasser performs an instrumental version of the famous song "Homeward Bound".

Artwork by @sanctifiedart.

In this podcast being recorded just before Thanksgiving, we are thinking about about thanking. We are thinking about gratitude and  we are thinking about home. “Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior.” writes Anne Lamott. Today’s theme is on how we can set the table of our lives  for a renewed practice of giving thanks.  Our Thanksgiving List builds upon Romans 12:9-18.

We have all heard the saying before, “There is Purpose in the Pain and Suffering.”

This episode explores how great love and “necessary” suffering can move us into a new stage of life. Jesus likened it to “birthpangs” (Mark 13:1-8).

In this episode we talk about dogs, caregivers, and who is caring for the caregivers. We welcome to this podcast Susan Rohleder - a member of our church, a caregiver, and a trainer of service dogs – to talk about her work with dogs and about how we can support the caregivers all around us.

This episode includes a monologue sermon from October 31st when Rev. John Hilley took on the persona and dress of John Calvin who lived in the 1500s. Saints – such as those like John Calvin or ordinary ones like those we know living today, and especially ourselves - are imperfect people. But Christians don’t remember these men and women because they were perfect. We remember them because, like us, they were broken, selfish and fearful, yet God wrought beauty and light through their lives.

Join us for Nate Strasser’s music and as Pastor John visits Jesus’ important question to Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?”

It is our hope that this episode helps you with living into the answer to this question or whatever important question that is being asked of you.

This Children's Sabbath we are thrilled to welcome Matthew Paul Turner, the New York Times best-selling author of What is God Like? to join in a conversation about both the challenges children face and the gifts they offer us as a community of faith. Join us as we search for ways to inspire change that will improve the lives of ALL children.

In this episode we continue our talk on how to feed joy and find peace with special guest, The Rev. Wilma Jakobsen.

Pastor John invites her to share memories of her deep friendship and working with Desmond Tutu who literally has written the book on "The Book of Joy."

Wilma has some pearls of advice on how each of us can build a house of joy.

Each year on the first Sunday in October, we observe World Communion Sunday, a day that is organized around the idea of sharing a meal together.

It is a remarkable claim that when we come to the table we move from being separate to being one, and for the whole worldwide community of faith to come together as one.

When we are in the “tombs” how we want Jesus to sit down beside us and hold our hands and to reassure us that everything is going to be ok. Over time it is easy to become comfortable in our despair and with how things are --- maybe because we have come to prefer the misery we know to the mystery we do not. This episode seizes on Jesus’ words to his friend: it is time to “come out!” of the tombs we have created to experience the joy that awaits us.

In this episode we look at James 5:13-20 and explore important questions about the matter of prayer and how prayer might matter for you.

In this episode Pastor John speaks to this reality but also how words matter because they can heal and build up. And he encourages us all not to wait around for someone else to step forward in this time of rancor and bitterness, but for good people to speak bravely and loudly words of hope, peace, and truth.

In this episode John Hilley plays with the age old tension between what is more important: our belief and our words or our actions.

Listening is s-o-o to do but it is necessary. For this podcast, the practical wisdom is “Listening Matters.” (James 1:17-21)

Have you ever considered how you - your behaviors, choices, and actions - are part of God’s redemptive activity in this world?

This episode is the final in a series of reflections on Jesus’ saying “I am the bread of life” (John 6) and in this episode we are looking at what it means to be the bread of life to a hungry world.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jaco Hamman Professor of Religion, Psychology and Culture and Director of the Program in Theology and Practice at Vanderbilt Divinity School, who introduces us to the scriptural witness of God and to six qualities of traveling.

In this episode, we look at the story of Elijah and his moment of exhaustion to understand how Jesus in his proclamation that he is the bread of life gives us an endless supply of the fuel we need for the road ahead to keep up sustained for the work we are invited to do.

Jesus gives us permission to take care of ourselves. It is our hope that you will use this gift of time and music to listen and look for God’s healing and restorative presence in your life.

In this episode, John Hilley builds upon two scripture passages - Isaiah 55 and John 6 – and invites us to recognize that our pantries are stocked with the bread of abundance and how we are invited to share the “good bread of abundance” with those who dwell in affliction by our ministries of compassion, by the good work of justice, by our embrace of neighbor.

Jesus gives us permission to take care of ourselves. Is this invitation to rest an invitation to laziness? Or is it a form of resistance? Rest is a gift from God that helps prepare and launch us into who and whose we are called to be...not a tool to use in a battle against what is.

This episode features two favorites: the famous story of King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant (II Samuel 6:1-20) and the much beloved song “Lord of the Dance.”

John Hilley revisits this famous story of king David and takes to heart Adam Grant’s insightful words that it is time for some “collective effervescence.”

This episode of word, prayer and music recalls the Apostle Paul’s words “For Christ has set us free” in Galatians 5 and a little known speech in which President-Elect Abraham Lincoln referred to the American people as “almost chosen.”

John Hilley reflects on what that peculiar ascription “almost chosen” might mean and speaks of the importance of character and self-control.

In this episode, listen as John Hilley speaks about the pressure we all face to live within the limitations people design about your life, about your call, and who you area as a human being as he recalls the story of a courageous woman in scripture (Mark 5:21-43) and the moving song “This is Me” from the movie The Greatest Showman.

Join Rev. John Hilley, Nate Strasser, and Lindsey Hinds-Brown as they offer a time of worship reflecting on the power of faith, prayer, and what it really means to have a life well-lived.

Hannah’s song I Samuel 2:1-10.

You have permission to be larger than the people who surround you, greater than the expectations which bore you and more than than other people who are like you. You can be totally unique and absolutely special. You can flip the script and change the narrative. You can improvise and be creative. This is what doubt and fear don't want you to know!

“Because the Christian God is not a lonely God, but rather a communion of three persons, faith leads human beings into the divine communion. One cannot, however, have a self-enclosed communion with the Triune God- a "foursome," as it were-- for the Christian God is not a private deity. Communion with this God is at once also communion with those others who have entrusted themselves in faith to the same God. Hence one and the same act of faith places a person into a new relationship both with God and with all others who stand in communion with God.” ― Miroslav Volf, After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity

Because the life of faith is a life that takes courage, it is important to confront the unknown with commitment and faith because, of course, we can never know now what we will know and experience at some point in the future, looking back!

So on the birthday of the church, we asked “If the first disciples knew what would happen, would they have embraced all that would come next? If they had known then what we know now, would they have stepped out in faith that day?

What about us? Are we ready to step out in faith?