SEEK Christian Podcast

  What have you shared lately?  Your time, your talent, your possessions? 
     Jesus tells the story of a poor man, Lazarus, and a rich man (unnamed) and their relationship before and after death.  In doing so, Jesus points to God's concern that all people would have enough in this world. 
    Luke 16:19-31

  Who do you like to hang out with?  At a party or event, is there a group that you gravitate toward?  When Jesus is critiqued for hanging out with the "undesirables", he shares 2 stories about how God sees the world and its social layers.  Will it change who you hang out with?  Listen and see.
  Gospel reading:  Luke 15:1-10

   Jesus challenges his followers saying, "Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple".  Those are pretty intimidating words.  But what do they mean?  What does it mean to carry the cross?  What does it mean to follow?  
  Luke 14:25-33

 If you're planning an event, who are you likely to invite?  Friends, family, neighbors?  Today, while at an event himself, Jesus critiques who was invited and where they were asked to sit at the party.  Jesus reminds the disciples that their first call is to invite those who are the "least of these" my brothers and sisters. 
  Gospel reading:  Luke 14:1, 7-14

  Do you have a story of when you followed "the rules" perfectly, only to have somebody else totally ignore them? Doesn't that feel really unfair? A man in today's gospel would say, "Yes, it is unfair".  But does Jesus agree?
  Gospel reading:  Luke 13:10-17

  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

  On Pentecost, the promised Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples and gives them gifts--to be able to speak about the resurrected Jesus without fear.  How does the spirit continue to gift us?

Acts 2:1-21

In today's reading, Peter says, "Who was I that I could hinder God?". That's an intriguing question.....do we hinder God's work? Do we get in the way of God's intentions for the world? To be honest, I think sometimes we do. Sometimes we let our agendas and our fears get in the way.
In Acts 11, God is trying to be more and more inclusive, welcoming more and more diverse peoples into the early church. The disciples aren't so sure that this is the way things should work. But Peter, the disciple who occasionally blurts out the wrong thing, has it right this time. Do you see parallels with today's world?
Bible reading: Acts 11: 1-18

   In 10 years, what will you remember about this day? this year? this point in your life? Remembering is an odd thing, as we call to mind experiences from the past and examine them from various angles.
   On Easter day, the women are at the tomb, but they're not sure what they're seeing and experiencing. The angels tell them to remember. When they do, their experience makes sense. What do they do next? Listen and find out...
Gospel reading: Luke 24:1-12