Scripture Episodes

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...

Enough is enough! We can hesitate. We can procrastinate. We can make excuses. The reality is, like Jesus’ first disciples, we have what we need to get the job done. You know... the one we committed to when we became disciples ourselves. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke. See if you look at the scripture from a more pastoral perspective or from a more, dare we say, realistic perspective. Could it be that sometimes Jesus just wants to knoc...

How do we use our skills and resources for "Kingdom purposes?" This week on "Coffee to Go," we're talking about money, blessing, and the political implications of the Gospel with two challenging parables from the book of Luke. The discussion centers on the themes of financial stewardship, social justice, and radical discipleship. Blake and Karin question the notion that financial success is a divine blessing, instead suggesting that true blessings lie in using one's skills and resources for "...

Celebrating is always fun, but it’s even better when shared with family and friends. In today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus intervenes amidst criticism from religious leaders for dining with sinners and tax collectors, whom society considered traitors. Through parables of a shepherd finding his lost sheep and a woman recovering a lost coin, Jesus illustrates the joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents compared to 99 righteous individuals. And, in both stories, a crowd is invited to ...

It’s not uncommon to sing songs or participate in activities in which we talk about laying down our burdens. And yet, Jesus says, “take up your cross and follow me.” What’s it going to be... or is it a little of both? Well, in this week’s Gospel passage from the 14th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, it seems that the cross wins. No one ever said being a disciple was going to be easy, but Jesus did say we wouldn’t have to do it alone. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they consider what it ...

Take a couple of minutes out of your day to breathe, rest, and reflect. Focus on the positive things around you and the hope that lies before you. God’s spirit is always with us, but sometimes hard to sense until we take the time to slow down and listen with intention. Awaken to God’s Presence provides you that opportunity through guided reflections and spiritual practices allow you to be still. So, find a quiet spot or a place that just makes you feel safe and spend some time with yourself and ...

The “H” words of the day and not honor or homage, but rather, humility and hospitality. Of such is the upside-down Kingdom of God. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation on the passage from Luke 14 that challenges social norms by inviting diverse individuals to meals and encourages us to consider our personal social obligations. Grab a seat ... just be careful which one you choose ... and a cup of coffee and get ready to be honest with yourself. Don’t get too comfortable, you ...

Laws have their place, but when it comes to following a law ... especially “God’s law” ... at the expense of someone’s dignity, we may need to look deeper into the intent of the law. In today’s text from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus pushes the religious leaders to think carefully about the true meaning of Sabbath, and to consider how a legalistic view can actually cause harm which is never God’s intent. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation about Sabbath as Jesus suggests it is ...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: 1 Peter Download the Transcript. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Int...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: The Pastoral Letters. Download the Transcript. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and I...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: Philippians. Download the Transcript. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: Galatians. Watch this podcast here: https://youtu.be/VTof1vgKA2c Download the Transcript. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project ...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: First Corinthians. Download the Transcript. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Inst...