The Good News From The Gardens Podcast

Alive in the Aftershock!

An Easter message weaving the resurrection of Jesus, the awe and wonder of faith, and the iconic "Earthrise" photo of astronaut Bill Anders while aboard Apollo 8.
Matthew 28:1-10
At dawn, the earth trembles, and so do our hearts. The women run from the tomb “with fear and great joy,” carrying the echo of heaven: “Do not be afraid.” When do you feel most alive—when everything is certain, or when hope breaks in unexpectedly? The stone rolled away, just as he said. A promise kept. Resurrection is not only then—it is now: in forgiveness offered, in courage rising, in love that refuses to stay buried. Miracles ripple through ordinary moments like aftershocks of grace. Do not be afraid. Go and tell. He is alive—and so are we.
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Trembling With, For, and Because of Christ - A Good Friday Reading and Meditation

Mark 14:26 to 15:47
Meditation begins at 17:17. 
The Passion of Christ narrative, meditation, and cross interactive experience centered in the hymn Were You There? 
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At The Table, On Our Knees - A Maundy Thursday Message

1st Cor. 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 34b-35
On the night of betrayal and love, Jesus speaks not from a distance but from the floor, turning a final heart-to-heart conversation into a living command to love one another as he has loved us. A service featuring the Lord's Supper, and Stripping of the Altar in preparation of Christ on the cross.
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Reading Our Palms: A Palm Sunday Message

Part of a sermon series on Heart to Heart Talks
Crowds gather, cloaks spread, branches wave, and voices rise: “Hosanna!” In Matthew 21:1–11, Jesus enters Jerusalem not with force, but humility—riding a donkey, fulfilling hope in an unexpected way. The city asks, “Who is this?” It’s the same question that echoes within us. Is he a distant figure, a wise teacher, a disruptor—or the Savior who meets us in our deepest need? This Palm Sunday, beneath celebration and noise, we are invited inward. Who is Jesus—to the crowd, to the world, and most importantly, to you?
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So Many Questions

Part four of seven part sermon series on Heart-to-Heart Talks.
John 9:1-41
In this gospel story from John, the disciples assume someone’s sin must explain a man’s blindness. But Jesus redirects the question. Instead of blame, he points to God’s work being revealed. The deeper issue in the story isn’t physical sight—it’s spiritual vision. While the man gradually sees, the religious leaders refuse to see what is right in front of them. Their questions become defenses against truth. The story invites us to look inward: Whom do we refuse to hear or truly see? Jesus comes so that God’s love might be revealed—yet recognizing that love requires hearts willing to see beyond assumptions and fear.
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Well, Actually...

Part three of seven part sermon series on Heart-to-Heart Talks.
John 4:5-42
Most encounters with strangers stay on the surface—a polite smile, a quick thank-you, a quiet moment shared without words. But sometimes a simple meeting becomes something deeper. At a well at noon, Jesus begins an unexpected conversation with a Samaritan woman. What starts as small talk becomes a moment of truth, revelation, and living water. Jesus sees her fully—not as others judged her, but as someone capable of faith and witness. The same is true for us. The one who knows our whole story still meets us with grace. Is being fully known by God frightening… or freeing? Either way, living water is offered to all.
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Hush-Hush

Part two of seven part sermon series on Heart-to-Heart Talks.
John 3:1-17
Have you ever slipped into a place quietly, hoping no one would notice what you were curious about? In Gospel of John, Nicodemus does just that. After Jesus overturns tables in Jerusalem, igniting controversy, this respected leader comes by night—protecting his reputation while reaching toward the light. He believes Jesus is from God, but he does not yet understand who stands before him. Across three encounters, his cautious curiosity grows into courageous devotion. What about us? If we had a hush-hush heart-to-heart with Jesus, what would we risk to truly know him—and would we stay when we discover he is more than we imagined?
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Not Today, Satan

Part one of seven part sermon series on Heart-to-Heart Talks.
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus enters the wilderness hungry, exposed, and fully human. After forty days of fasting, the tempter strikes at his emptiness, urging an easy fix. This sermon explores how temptation so often meets us when we are tired, hollow, shaky, or “hangry”—when impulse feels stronger than wisdom. Jesus doesn't deny his hunger or escape his humanity. Instead, he prepares, listens, and puts God first. His heart-to-heart struggle shows us that temptation is rarely dramatic but deeply personal. In our own ordinary battles, Jesus teaches us how to face them faithfully, one choice at a time, and say, “Not today.”
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Heart to Heart with Jesus: An Ash Wednesday Message

Heart to Heart with Jesus
On this Ash Wednesday, Jesus speaks to us about prayer, fasting, and treasure—not as religious obligations, but as an intimate conversation that reveals what we truly love and who we are becoming.
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21
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The Gift of the Unpredictable Jesus

Conclusion of sermon series on Gifts That Keep on Giving.
Matthew 17:1-9
On the mountain of Transfiguration, the disciples respond logically—preserving glory, offering hospitality. Jesus interrupts. This moment asks us to examine how often we react from habit or expectation. Faithful living may mean pausing, discerning, and staying open, so Christ shapes us by surprising grace and reveals himself through us.
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