On the Road Week 5 - Guess Where?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio. 

Where are we?

The scripture we're discussing this week is Luke 9:51-62, as well as 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25.
This week's scripture finds us with a lot to discuss . . .

This summer's theme for the podcasts and our sermon series, "On the Road" was inspired by Jesus' travels in each week's reading, and also ones like this week's, where Jesus talks about being on the journey itself.

Do you think of your faith as a "journey?"  How does this metaphor work/not work for you?  Where are you on the journey?  Certainly everyone who has been on a family car trip knows that some journeys are better than others and that they have their highlights and low points as well...   

How does this scripture impact your view of Jesus' journey - he "set his face to go to Jerusalem," and there seems to be a great urgency in his invitation to follow - saying to the disciples that they can't even wait to bury their father or say goodbye!  It seems to imply that following Jesus means dropping everything else - how do you hear these verses?

In the Galatians reading we have the powerful verse "For freedom Christ has set us free."  This passage speaks volumes about what freedom in Christ is - not so much a freedom from but a freedom for . . .  These two texts taken together make me think of the spiritual "Ain't Got Time to Die" which often gets stuck in my head while going about my day.  Have you experienced ways in which your faith calls you to serve such that you don't have time for anything negative - as the song here goes "keep so busy workin' for the kingdom, when I'm feeding the poor, I ain't got time to die."

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As always, we welcome your thoughts, feedback, questions, conversation!

On the Road Week 4

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.




The sign for Western State Hospital (above) - have you noticed
this faded sign on your way into Staunton?

This week, we're discussing Luke 8:26-39, the story of Jesus healing the man suffering from demons in the land of the Gerasenes.

Listen in as we discuss some powerful concepts Christ encounters on the road - isolation, recovery, and fear.  How have you encountered these on your road this week?

How have you encountered healing?

Have you ever had a transformative experience, and then found it hard to go home and talk about it?  Would you have rather simply stayed away, like this man Jesus heals who wants to follow him - but Jesus sends him home, to tell about what God has done.

The man Jesus encounters suffered and clearly was in mental distress.  We don't have to go far from this powerful story to find ways it might strike us in our real world - in our real lives...
Take the anonymous poll below:

I know someone who struggles with: (check all that apply)
	Depression
	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
	Addiction
	Any (other) Mental Illness
	None of the Above
pollcode.com free polls

On the Road Week 3

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Read the text first or as you listen, by clicking here, Luke 7:36-8:3.
Where's the fanciest place you've ever eaten dinner?  What would happen if someone uninvited, someone unsavory came and waltzed right past the host and made a beeline to your table, pulling up a chair right next to you?
Who have you glanced past in life or made a snap judgment about, only to realize upon an encounter with them that you really didn't see the man or woman for who they are, like Jesus says to Simon, "Do you see this woman?"
In this text we an amazing contrast of women - one, unnamed, "a sinner" who has nothing to offer in response for her forgiveness but gives all that she has - her tears, her appreciation.  Others, at the beginning of chapter 8, who are named.  These women were disciples, who in thanksgiving response to what Christ has done for them, support the ministries of Jesus financially.  (Funny to think that even Jesus' ministry wasn't free and needed supporters - did Jesus have an annual meeting and budget?)
It seems that these provide a balance - each giving out of what she has.

On the Road Week 2

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Where have you been on the road this week?  The scripture for this week is Luke 7:11-17 - click to read it in another window while you listen.


On the Road at Woodbine Cemetery

When you're on the road, every now and then you'll pass a long line of cars, lights on, led by a police officer.  It's clear from the hearse and maybe the placards on the cars that this a funeral procession.  What do you think when you see this?
This is the closest parallel to where today's scripture takes place. 
So leave us a comment, let us know what questions this text raises for you.

And - we're curious - right now, hearing this story, with whom do you most identify?  Take a moment and vote anonymously:

Who do you identify with in this text?
	the grieving widow
	the young man - you feel new life
	the disciples - that's just what Jesus does
	the widow - rejoicing that her son has been raised
	the crowd - amazed, seeing blessing in this
	the crowd - wondering why Jesus doesn't do this all the time
pollcode.com free polls

Join us Sunday for worship as we continue this discussion in preaching and worship and see where God leads us, on the road!