Scripture Episodes

“If you humble yourself before the Lord” ... you will be in the perfect position for Lent. In this Ash Wednesday episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith turn to Psalm 51 – the ultimate example of humility and repentance, to think about the importance of self-reflection and turning our hearts toward God for a good “cleaning.” But beware, cleaning the heart takes on special meaning in the Hebrew scriptures. Asking for a clean heart is asking for a whole lot more than just gettin...

A little more time on the mountain, and a lot more light! In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith invite listeners into the luminous mystery of Transfiguration Sunday, the powerful turning point that bridges the season of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. Join Karin and Blake on the mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, John, and a couple of unexpected guests. See how God’s glory is illuminated in Jesus. And then, spend some time exploring what God is illuminating in yo...

Christians always have to look out for the welfare of others, but they don’t always have to be sweet. According to the Bible, being “salty” is actually a good thing...especially when it adds “flavor!” After all, no one likes a “tasteless” Christian. You can take that for what it’s worth. And, while you're at it, don’t forget to shine a little light along the way... on others so that their value might be uplifted, and on the injustices of the world so that they might be called out and eliminated....

You are blessed... and you are blessed, but thoughts, prayers and blessings may not be enough. At least not for the poor and the marginalized and the outcast ... and, well you get the idea. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a walk through the beatitudes found in the fifth chapter of Matthew. Pay close attention to whom Jesus says is blessed, and why. We’ll give you a hint ... he’s not talking to the rich and powerful. He’s talking to those who are living and acting in the middle of the ...

What are you willing to risk for the mission of Christ? The price was pretty high for John the Baptist, the disciples, and especially for Jesus himself. Going against the grain is rarely easy. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation that touches on the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' Kingdom, the marginalized status of the first disciples, and the urgency of taking risks for restoration, reconciliation, and healing. Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Downl...

If we could learn one thing from John the Baptist, it ought to be that being a disciple means pointing others toward Jesus ... with our actions, with our words, and with the way we treat others. It’s not about drawing the attention of others toward us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith focus on how John points toward Jesus ... the one who takes away the sin of the world ... the one of whom John said, “after me comas a man who ranks ahead of me because he was befo...

Walk towards the light!! Don’t worry, not “that” light... the star in the East. Join Karin Peter, Blake Smith, and the Magi on a trip to see the one who has been promised. On this Sunday of Epiphany we walk toward the light that is Jesus ... a light that is for all people and draws them to follow on a journey that symbolizes seeking and honoring God. Once you’ve made this trip, you’ll likely go home a “different way,” seeing the world from a different perspective. At least we hope so. Learn mor...

In the beginning was the Word ... and the Word was God. He was most definitely not a book. The book didn’t come until much later! We all know that words have the power to lift up and to tear down. Jesus was fully human and fully divine, but we are only human. We are not the Word, and yet our words hold power too. Listen in as Karin and Blake talk about the importance of making your words a light in the darkness. What you say and how you say it can make a difference. Listen to more episodes in t...

Merry Christmas again! That’s right, it’s still the Christmas season. And, in the passage for this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Mary and Joseph on the move... fleeing an oppressive empire for safety’s sake. The story for those who remain is gruesome, but such is often the case when those in power will do anything to maintain their power. In this case, we find Herod slaughtering all infants who might fit the description of the rumored “savior.” Rather than fleeing, join hosts Karin Peter and ...

Merry Christmas! After a brief hiatus through Advent, Karin and Blake are back in the host seat with a new episode of Coffee to Go ... just in time for Christmas. Join Karin and Blake and all of the familiar characters of the very familiar Christmas story. Rejoice with the angels and the shepherds... for unto YOU is born this day ... a savior. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! ...

Somebody’s got some explaining to do. Mary may not doubt like Zechariah, but she’s not taking this without a little pushback. A baby. Are you kidding me? Well, in fact, Gabriel wasn’t kidding. Join Coffee to Go co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into Mary’s angel encounter and what that meant for her, and for us. It could be that there is more going on here than what you find in a Precious Moments nativity. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download Transcript T...

On this third Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves journeying with someone other than Jesus. Instead, we’re hanging out with the camel hair-wearing, locust-eating John the Baptist. It seems that Jesus wasn’t the only one the religious leaders were willing to interrogate. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they wander with John … clearly NOT Jesus, but rather the one that points to him. Perhaps we can pick up a few pointers from John as we wait for the true “light” to come. Listen to more...

Are you ready to be fully immersed in something new? Put on your seatbelts and hold on to your hats. Today’s lectionary passage comes from Mark and he doesn’t waste any time with a beautiful birth narrative or an account of divine lineage. It’s straight to the business of preparing the way for the one greater than I/us. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a closer look at the task given to John the Baptist, and to us. You’ll get a chance to consider what opportunities you ought to conside...

In this Extra Shot episode, originally posted in December of 2016, author and former pastor, Debbie Blue, shares a sermon on “Mary the Magnificat.” Debbie is the author of Magnificat: A God Who Never Stopped Considering Women. Grab a cup of your favorite brew and listen in as Debbie shakes things up a little. It’s a perfect way to start the Advent season. Listen to other episodes in the Extra Shot series. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and ...

It may be the beginning of a season of waiting, but not here at Project Zion! Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith jump right into the new Lectionary year … journeying with Jesus through the gospel narratives. That’s right, we’re journeying with Jesus and waiting for him to be born. The important thing is that, on this First Sunday of Advent, as the world around us seems to be awash in darkness, we know that just around the corner, the light is coming! Be awake!! Listen to more episodes in the ...

“Did I do that?!” When Urkel asked that question in the TV show “Family Matters,” it was usually because he had done something wrong. But that is not the case when referring to Christ’s mission and the Reign of Christ. As a matter of fact, we should hope that the answer would be a resounding “Yes.” Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they discuss this week’s journey with Jesus, where Jesus is summarizing through parable what really separates the “sheep” from the “goats.” Then ask yourse...

Doing nothing is an unacceptable response! What’s the worst thing that can happen if you take a risk here or there? The treasure that we have been given … the Gospel story … won’t do anyone any good if we “bury” it for safekeeping. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at the parable of the talents and the importance of becoming a risk-taker. Accept the challenge to share the treasure you’ve been given. You’re not in this alone. Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series. ...

In need of an “oil change?” Or, perhaps your oil is just running a little low and you need to top it off. Either way, the time is now... don’t wait! What’s all this talk about oil, you ask? Well, join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith … along with the wise and foolish bridesmaids (hint... hint) for this episode of Coffee to Go to hear about how oil is a metaphor for our commitment to follow Jesus... at least in this week’s text. And, for the record, when it comes to discipleship, having a backup...

Do you have phylacteries and long tassels (fancy cars, designer clothing and accessories, etc.) that you like to show off as a symbol of your status? Though there’s nothing wrong with having those things, how you display them, and for what reason, might matter. The same is true for your life as a disciple. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they discuss what Jesus had to say about those who choose status and power over humility and servanthood. No judgment here. Just honest reflection in ...

Who are the “Saints” in your life? You know, the ones that have been a positive influence in your life. The ones who have modeled grace and generosity and unconditional love. In this special episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith talk a bit about the importance of honoring those who have gone before us and remembering the impact they’ve had in our lives. But wait, being a disciple calls us to the same responsibility with regard to others. Where might your name fall in the lis...

Are you more like the judgmental Pharisee or the humble tax collector? This week on Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith dive into Jesus' challenge to those who regard others with contempt. Learn why self-righteousness is different from true righteousness and how to choose mercy. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Eve...

An unjust judge and the persistent widow walk into the Gospel of Luke, and guess who gets served... well, that depends on your perspective. For hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, the unjust judge got served (called out) and the persistent woman got served (blessed). As always, Jesus stands on the side of the oppressed and marginalized. True justice requires both prayer and action in a world where justice means being in harmony with God’s created order. Listen in this week and then take some time...

More often than we’d probably like to admit, it’s an “outsider” who gets Jesus and his mission before we ... his disciples and followers ... we do. We’re the ones who are supposed to follow in his footsteps and do what he did, but too often we are more like his original disciples who kept getting tripped up by the “law” and miss the lesson behind it. Perhaps it’s time for us to spend less time worrying about who’s crossing our borders and thinking about what borders we need to cross in order to ...

If you can’t take it with you, how will you spend it? That goes for time as well as money. Today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke challenges our willingness to be radical in how we use our “wealth.” How often do we consider the needs and welfare of others when determining how to use what we have? The rich man in the parable found in today’s scripture not only takes it with him, but expects to continue to be served even after his death. The cost ... well, you’ll just have to listen in. If you wo...