SEEK Christian Podcast

  Sometimes Christianity is portrayed as a "nice" religion, where everything is all flowers and rainbows as people love and care for each other.  While that would be "nice", it isn't very realistic!  Christians, like all people, are sinners.  As sinners, we are not perfect.  Jesus' words remind us of our imperfection...and also challenge us to work through our sinful state....because God needs us!
   Gospel reading:  Luke 12: 49-56 

  What does God ask from us?  Does God ask for perfection? Or does God ask for faithfulness?  If this text from Hebrews is any indication, God is willing to use some pretty imperfect people---who are faithful--to do God's work.  What does that mean for you and me? 
  New Testament reading:  Hebrews 11: 8-16, 32-38

 Do you ever wonder why God blesses us with all that God does?  One theory is that God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.  This is so easy to say, and yet, it can be so difficult to live out.  Hear Jesus tell a story about a farmer and the decisions he makes about the blessings he has received. 
  Gospel reading:  Luke 12:13-21

  Do you ever feel so caught up in all the things that need doing that you'd do anything for another pair of hands to help out?  Martha feels that way as she hurries around to get a meal ready for Jesus and the disciples.  Where is her sister, Mary?  Why isn't she helping out?  What could she possibly be doing that would be more important!!
  Gospel reading:  Luke 10:38-42

  Jesus tells a story of a man who was beaten up and left for dead along the road  Three others, one at a time, walked by the man.  Two ignored him.  One stopped to help.  Why did the one stop?  How did he help? 
  Gospel reading:  Luke 10:25-37

  Have you ever gone on an adventure without packing a suitcase?  Have you ever been so welcomed into a home that you wanted to stay?  Jesus sends out 70 disciples, two by two, on an internship experience of sorts.  How do they do?  Pretty well!
  Gospel reading:  Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

  Have you ever been so determined to see something happen that it was your only focus?  In Luke's gospel, Jesus is so determined.  What's his goal?  Take a listen...
  Gospel reading:  Luke 9:51

  Sometimes it seems like the world is a pretty dark place.  Hatred, pain, suffering surround us.  We humans do hateful things to each other.  Seeing all this, some people find it hard to believe that God can be present here with us.  In today's gospel, Jesus reveals that he is the one with the power, not the forces of evil.  Jesus makes a difference in today's story and in today's world. 
  Gospel reading:  Luke 8:26-39 

  Have you ever felt judged and dismissed by someone?  Not a very fun experience, is it?  A woman, who enters a party uninvited, tends to Jesus's dirty, dusty feet, only to be judged unworthy by the homeowner, Simon.  What does Jesus say to her?  What does Jesus say to Simon? 
  Gospel reading: Luke 7:36-8:3

  When have you experienced compassion?  When have you shared compassion with others?  Here Jesus has compassion for a woman who has lost both her husband and now faces the loss of her only son.  Jesus responds in love to her, showing compassion. 
   Gospel reading:  Luke 7:11-17