Celtic Preacher

The Last Thing You Need Is More Information About God

Information is reasonable and necessary when we start off learning about God. Still, before too long, we can become very good at gathering information without putting much of it into practice. Growth, inner change, and transformation occur when our behavior changes; we need to access the Holy Spirit for any lasting change; otherwise, we keep doing the same things repeatedly. The Spirit is like the bridge between our head knowledge and our actual everyday living. Text Acts 2. Pentecost Pod 176

Elusive Joy

When life is unsettled, and we are waiting for things to change, most of us would not say we are living in joy. The whole experience of joy is often elusive. We manage, cope, and produce, but joy is something else. The first students of Jesus were marked by joy, which leads me to believe their focus was not on their present circumstances. Life lessons from the first followers of The Way. Pod 175 Text Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:44-53 Ascension. 

 

Where Do I Fit In And Belong?

Place, purpose, and belonging are basic needs of every person. Everyone wants to know their place; why am I here? How should I spend my life? Everyone wants to know their purpose and, of equal importance, have a sense of belonging. If anyone one of these needs is missing, we feel unsettled and out of sorts. In his letter to his congregation, Peter wants them (and us) to know God has all these needs covered. You have to look in the right place. Text 1 Peter 2 Pod 174

Second Guessing Decisions And Not Knowing What To Do

Why is it so hard for us to know what to do? Jesus said you can receive direction and wisdom from God, but listening takes practice. God leads only one Way, and once you know the Way, it gets far easier to recognize what is not God’s leading.  Text is John 10 1-10 Pod 173 

Charcoal Fires And Triggers Of Various Kinds

It's when we are under high stress our weaknesses show. It's under increased pressure when God meets us in powerful ways to free and heal us so we become stronger through what we call "our failures." Text John 21:15-20

The Gap Between Our Expectations And Our Reality

Following Jesus' resurrection, life does not return to life as usual for Jesus' students. Much like us, the first followers of Jesus had to learn how to pick up the pieces when their hopes and dreams were shattered. The text is The Walk To Emmaus—Gospel of Luke 23. Podcast 171

Courageous Living

Jesus didn't just teach about courageous living. He modeled it. He didn't avoid the difficult things to say or do and expected us to do the same. Avoidance holds us back and keeps us trapped. Face the difficult thing, and I will be with you, He promised. The text is Matthew 21:1-11. Palm Sunday Pod 170

Dreams and Visions - We Should Not Be Surprised By The Lengths God Goes To Get Our Attention

God uses dreams, visions, friends, coincidence, circumstances, music, scripture, and a hundred other things to communicate with us. The ancient people were familiar with God using visions and dreams to speak to them. Today we will look at Ezekiel's vision of The Valley of the Dry Bones and hear a timeless promise we all need to hold onto, especially when we find ourselves in a place or position we would rather not be. Pod 169

We Can’t Rush Spiritual/Emotional Growth

We Can't Rush Spiritual Growth.
Understanding ourselves and God's work in our world is a lifetime endeavor. We will go through times of questioning, and the answers will not be forthcoming. Rather than ask why something is happening, Jesus teaches us to ask, "Where can I see God work in this situation?" Insight is needed to bring new clarity to everyday conflicts and dilemmas. The text is the Gospel of John Chapter 9. The Healing of the Blind Man. Pod 168

Learning From The Things We Avoid

It's helpful to recognize our personal biases. Jesus never used such language, but he constantly models the need to go toward people, conflict, or suffering we would rather avoid. He dragged his reluctant students more than once into uncomfortable situations where they felt pretty out of their depth. It's during times when we lack confidence clarity is found. The text is John 4, The Women At The Well Pod 167