The Good News From The Gardens Podcast

Dwelling In Wisdom| Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

On this Holy Trinity Sunday we dwell in wisdom. In the Bible wisdom is portrayed in terms sometimes human and sometimes divine. Often, wisdom is personified as feminine. In this passage, Woman Wisdom is depicted not only as the first creation of God, but also as God’s helper, rejoicing in God’s creation, especially in human beings. In this message we hear the Trinity's wisdom for what our call to holy living looks like.
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The Spirit of Spontaneity | Acts 2:1-21

On this Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, amid signs of fire, wind, and a variety of languages, the people were amazed and astonished at Jesus’ promise coming true. During this message we pondered and then engaged in some spiritual spontaneity! All thanks to the Holy Spirit!
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A Holy Flow of Events | Acts 16:16-34

Through a divine chain of events Paul and Silas offer liberation in Christ to a slave girl, are unjustly jailed then liberated, and in the end bring a jailer and his household to Christ. Listen to this message for a peek into how one thing in Christ, leads to another. 
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An Amazing Detour | Acts 16:9-15

A vision compels Paul to move his ministry into Greece. There he meets Lydia, an important person in the business community, whose heart has been opened by God to receive the gospel. Her conversion and baptism provide the impetus for the founding of the church at Philippi. But it’s the question she poses to Paul that might give us pause, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” What does faithfulness to the Lord look like to you? In this message we ponder the Spirit's guidance, providence and its accessibility to those new and old to the faith.
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Would You Like to Try One of Our Specials? | Acts 11:1-18

Would You Like to Try One of Our Specials? | Acts 11:1-18
In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. This revelation came to Peter through an odd dream involving food. Listen to this message about embracing God’s menu of special interests.
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Gone Fishing | John 21:1-19

This week guest preacher Mary Winsor shares her thoughts on holy patience, those times when we find ourselves living in uncomfortable, in-between spaces of our lives. After the resurrection, Peter and the disciples slip-slide back into doing what they think they know best, fishing. Jesus then challenges Peter to get busy living, by tending to, and feeding God's people. Step into the unknown good people. Resurrection, new and abundant life opportunities have been prepared for you by way of the cross. 
Mary serves as Director for Discipleship at Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran in Naples FL. Click here to explore and support the ministry of Shepherd of the Glades
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Is What You're Seeing, What You're Believing? | John 20:19-31

Artwork by Thomas Ribble of Alison, Iowa
The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus, Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who “have not seen and yet believe.” In this message Pastor Steve challenges the congregation to see their personal and communal future with eyes of the past and hearts for the future.  
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Tombs, Ooze, and Transformation: An Easter Sunday Message | Luke 24:1-12

What does the pupae stage of a butterfly's life, the resurrection of Christ and our individual and communal transformation have in common? A lot more than you may think. In this message Pastor Steve connects the metamorphosis of a butterfly, and our future selves in a way that you may never have considered. Listen to the message to be affirmed that God's image of life is alive and well within you, and what that means in this day and age, that aches for hope. 
Listen to the Radio Lab podcast Goo and You credited in this podcast.
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An Ironic Friday | Luke 23:32-47, 50-53

A Good Friday message featuring hymns and short reflections surrounding our life giving event of Jesus Christ's death on the cross.
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A Meal Meant to Make You Feel | 1st Cor. 11:23-26

In this Maundy Thursday message Pastor Steve shares a number of Holy Communion occasions as a guest, a parishioner, a seminary student, and pastor that have shaped his faith life. Each occasion was an opportunity to reflect on the centrality of the sacrament to our faith, and understanding of God's grace for us in Jesus Christ. On any given Sunday, how does the Lord's Supper make you feel and why is that important to your faith journey?
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