The Good News From The Gardens Podcast

100624 | The Upside Down Kingdom: All Are Blessed

The Upside Down Kingdom: All Are Blessed
Mark 10:2-16
The Gospel of Mark is a tough one this week. Biblical interpretation is at the center of Jesus being questioned by Pharisees. It is for us as well. In this Gospel passage there appears to be unsettling language from Jesus about marriage, divorce and a woman’s freedom in first century Holy Land. Using children as an example, Jesus flips the conventional understanding of who is in line with God, and who is not. Join us this Sunday at 9AM as we encounter a text that has long been used to oppress and shame, when in fact, that is not what Jesus was up to at all. 
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092924 | Powerful Prayer

A Faith That Works: Powerful Prayer
Part 5 of a 5 part series in book of James
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
 
The conclusion of the Book of James gives advice to the early Christian community about the power of prayer and the necessity of confession of sins. In Mark, the disciples are concerned about a person who is casting out demons in Jesus names. Prayer and healing. Healing and prayer. They are inextricably linked. In prayer we call upon God to address something our Christian sensibilities deems as needing tending to. When we pray we exercise our understanding (faith) that God will address a person/situation as God’s wills. All are called upon to be vessels of healing and prayer. Listen to this message if you wish to ponder the many benefits of prayer to yourself and God's people.
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092224 | The Good Life

A Faith That Works: The Good Life
Part 4 of 5 part series in book of James
James 3:13
Mark 8:27-38
Mary Winsor shares her year in Mexico City at a migrant shelter through the (YAGM) Young Adult in Global Mission program and a story of shared hope and joy. This followed by a message on a verse from James and a passage in Mark that zeros in on the human condition. James decries selfish ambition and calls on the community to live in wisdom, and in Mark Jesus corrects the selfish ambition of the disciples and gathers them around himself, who is servant of all and the Wisdom of God. Listen to this podcast and hopefully be all the wiser in knowing how the "good life" is born out of community centered in serving the needs of others.
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091524 | Taming the Tongue

A Faith That Works: Taming the Tongue
Part 3 of a 5 part series in the book of James
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38
In both the Mark and James readings, there is an emphasis in truthful, life giving speech. James warns of the dangers of language, and in Mark Jesus seeks to draw the truth out of Peter in asking him, “Who do you say that I am?” If we say Jesus is Lord, then what flows from our mouths should be life giving truths. Take a few minutes of your day to ponder the idea that language creates reality. What kind of reality do you wish to cultivate for us all to live in?  
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090824 | A Faith That Works: Body and Soul

 
A Faith That Works: Body and Soul
Week two of five on a series in the book of James.
James 2:1-17
Mark 7:24-37
This Sunday James makes a case that our bodies matter when it comes to exercising our faith. He argues that the love of God in Jesus Christ is made tangible for those in need when we use our physical means to meet physical needs. Does God’s grace move you to do good works? Responding to God’s gracious gift of life through Jesus Christ is a great way to demonstrate the power of God still at work in the world. In this message you are invited to ponder the benefits of good works in the name of Jesus.
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Listen! A Conversation with Doris Karlik

Long time Nativity member Doris Karlik sits down with Pastor Steve for a conversation about her youth as a Lutheran, her many roles in the local and national church, her love of God and love of Nativity. You don't want to miss this 93 year young woman's recollection of her upbringing in New Jersey, her 55 years as a member of Nativity, and her hope for its future. 
 
Listen!  is an occasional series of conversations with members of Nativity Lutheran. Both God and Jesus said, “Listen”. It was a heads up that what they were about to say was important. I believe everyone has something important to say. Everyone has a story, an event that helps to define who they are, and possess the power to connect us to one another in ways that only the Holy Spirit can. 
Who will we hear from next? Maybe you! Contact Pastor Steve at pastor@pbnativity.combefore he contacts you!
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090124 | Just Do It!

A Faith That Works: Just Do It!
James 1:17-27
Part 1 of a 5 week series in the book of James. Martin Luther was not a fan of the book of James, calling it, “an epistle of straw”. He believed its grace was not sturdy enough to be included in the canon. He insisted that James relied too heavily on the works of an  individual as their saving grace, and not faith in God alone. Wherein Mark has claims that sin comes from within: James says it comes from the outside world, which Christians need to avoid. Churches have taught that both are true. in this message we faithfully seek to understand our sin, God’s grace, and our response to it.
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082524 | God’s “Offensive” Armor

God’s “Offensive” Armor
Ephesians 6:10-20 
This Sunday we end our trip through the book of Ephesians with the well-known Armor of God discourse. Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus uses military garb as a metaphor for how to protect one’s self from the evils of the world. Because of Jesus we are equipped to go on the offensive. Because of Jesus, our faith and actions might be offensive. Join us this Sunday at 9AM as we consider how when it comes to matters of faith, our best offense is a strong defense.
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081824 | Filled with the Spirit!

Ephesians 5:15-20
Filled with the Spirit!
 We continue our series in Ephesians wherein the Apostle Paul writes to the congregation in Ephesus about living wisely, and praising God in, and through all things. What does wise living look like to you in these days? Paul asks us to understand the will of the Lord. Might that be where we encounter wisdom? Might a working definition of wisdom be utilizing the experiences of the past, so as to understand and face the present, and to be increasingly better equipped for the future. Said like that, might wisdom be akin to faith? Have a listen and, explore our God and his Son Jesus as our source of wise, praise-filled living.
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081124 | Put Away Malice, Live in Love

Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Put Away Malice, Live in Love
In this Sunday’s reading from Ephesians we hear the Apostle Paul state what the behavior of a Christian community is to look like. In short, they are to be living demonstrations of the revolutionary “new humanity” forged in Jesus’ death and resurrection. In what ways can we put away what is not life-giving, and live in ways that promote and give life? How might you go higher, for the one who went high upon the cross for you? Have a listen of this message and consider ways in which you can embrace an improved humanity for the sake of Christ and the world we live in. 
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