Coffee To Go Episodes
Coffee to Go is a regular feature on Faith Unfiltered Podcast that invites listeners into the sacred rhythm of the Christian liturgical year. Hosted by Karin Peter and Blake Smith, each episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the seasons, scriptures, and holy days that shape our spiritual journey.
Whether you’re on your morning commute, taking a walk, or pausing for a quiet moment, Coffee to Go provides a companionable space for grounding yourself in the story of God — one sacred moment at a time.
Because sometimes, the Spirit speaks best in the spaces between… and a little coffee doesn’t hurt, either.
Whether you’re on your morning commute, taking a walk, or pausing for a quiet moment, Coffee to Go provides a companionable space for grounding yourself in the story of God — one sacred moment at a time.
Because sometimes, the Spirit speaks best in the spaces between… and a little coffee doesn’t hurt, either.
Sept. 15, 2024
756 | Coffee to Go | Proper 19 Year B
Jesus’ ministry is taking a turn ... toward Jerusalem, and anyone who wants to be a follower will need to “take up [their] cross” and follow him. With each step toward “Jerusalem,” the cost of following gets more and more costly. That’s right... some things in life may be free, but discipleship is not one of them. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for a closer look at this week’s passage from the Gospel of Mark (8:27-38). Before you pick up your cross... spend some time thinking about who...
Sept. 8, 2024
753 | Coffee to Go | Proper 18 Year B
Dive into the heart of the Christian tradition with us on "Coffee to Go." This week, we're in Mark's Gospel, witnessing Jesus' encounters with a Syrophoenician woman and a deaf man. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they unpack the complexity of Jesus' actions, the coexistence of our best intentions and flaws, and the assertiveness of faith. 💭 Reflect with us on how we balance our divine presence with our human moments. How do we assert our faith in a world that often tells us to be ...
Sept. 1, 2024
751 | Coffee to Go | Proper 17 Year B
Leave it to the Pharisees to pick and choose which laws they want to follow while forgetting something a little more important ... the greatest commandments ... love God, and love one another. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this week’s “journey with Jesus” in the Gospel of Mark. As is his way, Jesus is ready to set the Pharisees straight on what types of things make the top of his “what matters most” list. When all else fails... focus on relationships. Hand out floaters ... not sink...
Aug. 25, 2024
748 | Coffee to Go | Proper 16 Year B
Hopefully, followers of Jesus can say, without hesitation, that they believe in Jesus, but is that enough? The world is crazy, and we are faced with so much that can challenge or even scare us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith suggest that it is not enough to simply believe. What Jesus calls us to do is abide in him. When we abide in him, we are transformed. How we see the world and act in the world... the very course of our life... is forever changed. Download...
Aug. 18, 2024
745 | Coffee to Go | Proper 15 Year B
But I don’t want to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Do I really have to? Thank goodness Jesus talks in metaphor. What he really wants is for us to “abide” in him... to be so closely aligned with him that he becomes for us a life source. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they explore what it means to abide in Christ. Then, take time to this week to figure out for yourself what abiding means for you. Just know, that you’re probably going to ask and answer some pretty hard questions ab...
Aug. 11, 2024
742 | Coffee to Go | Proper 14 Year B
Believing things about Jesus is good. As a matter of fact, knowing what you believe about Jesus is a great place to start, but it’s not necessarily life-changing. It’s when you come to the point of believing in Jesus that things begin to change within you. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they explore what it means to “partake” of the “bread” that Jesus offers. It will do more than fill your stomach... it will change your heart. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfil...
Aug. 4, 2024
741 | Coffee to Go | Proper 13 Year B
What happens when we’re hungry for something, and it’s not what Jesus is serving? Many, if not all, have been in that place where we’re so hungry that, until we are fed physically, we can’t think about anything else...at least that’s what it feels like. In this week’s episode of Coffee to Go, Jesus is serving up a helping of deeper relationship with God, and the crowd is wanting something more. They’re so focused on getting what they think they need, they miss what they truly need. Sound familia...
July 28, 2024
738 | Coffee to Go | Proper 12 | Year B
Which came first, the chicken or the egg ... abundance or blessing. You may have what you believe is THE correct answer, but apparently, there are sound arguments for both. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, join Jesus and the disciples on a mountainside and in a boat, both of which lead them to ponder whether or not these were literal miracles, or if that even matters. Maybe it is simply the fact that God sustains in all circumstances that matter. Either way, th...
July 21, 2024
735 | Coffee to Go | Proper 11 Year B
“Come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Oh wait, there are crowds of people gathering who need our help first!” Have you ever felt like just when you were about to get a chance to enjoy some much-needed rest, something “more pressing” came up? Well, you’re not alone! In this week’s episode of Coffee to Go, that is exactly the situation in which Jesus and the disciples find themselves. Join host Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at the importance of balancing blessing and s...
July 14, 2024
732 | Coffee to Go | Proper 10, Year B
The desire to gain power and to keep it can make people do crazy, if not awful, things... even when they don’t really want to do them. Such is the case in today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into the story of Herod and John the Baptist. See what is possible when power is at stake. Think deeply about how to recognize systems of power in your everyday life and find encouragement to speak truth to those systems. Download Transcript Thanks fo...
July 7, 2024
729 | Coffee to Go | Proper 9
Who does he think he is? Jesus, that’s who! This week we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue, and the people are astounded. How could this “son of a carpenter” know all of these things? Well, besides the fact that he’s the Son of God, he’s taken the time to be with people where they are... to experience “the world” with fresh eyes ... and to push on with the work to which he has been called ... in spite of the naysayers and critics. Grab your sandals (no need for bag, bread, or money), and shak...
June 30, 2024
727 | Coffee to Go | Proper 8
Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they dive into a captivating exploration of faith, healing, and the transformative power of Jesus' presence in this episode of "Coffee to Go." Delving into the Gospel of Mark, they unpack two miraculous stories that not only showcase the incredible faith of those who encountered Jesus but also remind us of the boundless love and grace available to all. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! I...
June 23, 2024
724 | Coffee to Go | Proper 7
This week on "Coffee to Go," Blake Smith and Karin Peter explore the theme of faith in the face of life's storms, drawing from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus calms a raging sea. The hosts discuss the misconceptions surrounding faith and challenge the idea that it should be used to compare oneself to others or as a measure of personal strength. They emphasize that true faith is about trusting in God's love and presence through all circumstances, and that it is nurtured through community and pe...
June 16, 2024
721 | Coffee to Go | Proper 6
Holy Invasion... doesn’t that sound intriguing? Perhaps a bit scary or creepy rather. In this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Jesus speaking in parables. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider the importance of approaching those parables as a heart project versus a head project. Like poetry, sometimes it’s good to just “experience” the parables ... rest in them ... allow that to which they point, the reign of God, to invade our spirits. Recommended Readings/Poems for experiencing “invasion...
June 9, 2024
718 | Coffee to Go | Proper 5
Turn down the noise! (After you listen to this episode of Coffee to Go, of course). Sometimes the chaos that results from large gatherings can get a bit overwhelming... and Jesus did not get a “pass” when it came to crowds. Add to that the cacophony of questions, challenges of authority, and requests for healing, and, well... no wonder Jesus enjoyed a little time alone on the mountain with God. Join co-hosts Karin Peter for an interesting conversation about why a little peace and quiet can do us...
June 2, 2024
716 | Coffee to Go | Proper 4
Take a break. Put your feet up. Grab some coffee. Whatever it is you do to rest. Just don’t confuse that kind of rest with Sabbath. In this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Jesus and his disciples clashing with the religious leaders over the issue of Sabbath. Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a discussion on the concept of rest in the Christian tradition, emphasizing its importance in creating space for divine healing and wholeness. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith...
May 26, 2024
713 | Coffee to Go | Trinity Sunday
What’s more confusing than the old, “Who’s on First?” Abbot and Costello routine? If you have no idea what ... or who ... we’re talking about ... Google it! Then, grab your coffee and your thinking cap because today is Trinity Sunday, and little in this world is more confusing than the Trinity. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, along with Nicodemus as they journey with Jesus into the “completeness of God and God’s love for us. And, for the record, it doesn’t matter who is on first. God lov...
May 19, 2024
710 | Coffee to Go | Pentecost Sunday
Goodness, gracious, great tongues of fire! It’s Pentecost, and anything is possible when the Holy Spirit is on the loose and seeking to infiltrate your heart. By the way, if the thought of people from all over the world speaking in their own language and you understanding without a translator being present is confusing, intriguing and maybe even a little frightening ... fear not ... you’re not alone. That kind of thing has been happening since way back “in the day” ... Jesus’ day! Grab a cup of ...
May 12, 2024
708 | Coffee to Go | Ascension Sunday
Wait. Rest. Bless. Repeat. What if Ascension Sunday was about more than Jesus leaving to be with God? What if the disciples just needed a break ... a time to rest ... a time to make space for the coming of the Holy Spirit? Imagine how exhausted the disciples must have been, physically and emotionally following what we call Holy Week. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation about the importance of rest so that we might have the capacity to receive the Holy Spirit who is to be ou...
May 5, 2024
706 | Coffee to Go | Sixth Sunday of Easter
Live, eat, breathe, speak, act in love toward one another ... even those who seem unlovable. That’s a tall order, but that is what is expected of one who “journeys with Jesus.” Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for another week of “abiding.” Be prepared for a week of deep and abiding love. We’ve said it before and it bears saying again... “nobody said being a disciple would be easy.” But don’t be discouraged. We’re all in this together, and we can do it!! Download Transcript Thanks for li...
April 28, 2024
703 | Coffee to Go | Fifth Sunday of Easter
WARNING: This episode may make those with small personal space a little uncomfortable because things are going to get a little “clingy.” That’s right, this week Jesus tells his disciples (and us) that he is the vine and we are the branches. The goal ... bearing fruit. And, in order to bear fruit, the branches need to cling to (a.k.a. abide in) the vine. Those who don’t ... well, we hear tell that the vine grower is not afraid to use the pruning shears... just sayin’. Grab a cup of your favorite ...
April 21, 2024
702 | Coffee to Go | Fourth Sunday of Easter
Could it be that Christianity drew some of its images from surrounding culture? Of course! Not only could it, it did! And, the Good Shepherd seems to be one of those images. How else might we know what Jesus meant by using “good” as a descriptor here in today’s passage? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this week’s Coffee to Go, as they encourage listeners to identify images and characteristics in today’s culture that serve as guides for the journey of discipleship. Download Transcript...
April 14, 2024
701 | Coffee to Go | Third Sunday of Easter
Invite, eat, open, send! Four easy steps to being a witness ... or, if you prefer, a storyteller. Nothing to be afraid of, right? And yet, the disciples were just that ... afraid. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for another look at the post-resurrection encounter between Jesus and his first disciples. This time from Luke’s perspective. Get a glimpse into the ways that Jesus encouraged, empowered, challenged and sent them (and sends us) into the world to continue his mission. Download T...
April 7, 2024
700 | Coffee to Go | Second Sunday of Easter
Jesus shows up. On this Second Sunday of Easter, join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into the passage from the Gospel According to John too often referred to as the “Doubting Thomas” passage. See how the passage emphasizes Jesus' presence in times of fear and doubt and highlights the idea that Jesus breathes life into those who are afraid and without power, offering hope and reassurance. It's a powerful reminder of the enduring presence of Jesus in our lives. Download Transcript ...