This is the second to last Sunday at St James and Micah takes another approach to Genesis 28 by discussing the significance of being surprised by God's presence and staying curious about the places and people we will come into contact with in our new church home.

The podcast dives into how God supports us during transitions, reflecting on Jacob's transformative dreams and struggles with identity. A heartfelt dinner conversation reveals a child's worries about global issues, blending despair with hope through songs of justice. Discussions also touch on the importance of compassion, challenging listeners to confront feelings of injustice and contemplate their choices. Overall, it’s a meaningful exploration of faith, community engagement, and the divine presence in our lives.

Pastor Jenna brings our Advent series to a close in preparation for Christmas Eve. She walks us through the ways the evangelical understanding of longing can be counter productive to an otherwise important revealing that can happen through our longings.

Discover the art of waiting as a transformative experience. The conversation explores how waiting reveals personal growth and deepens spiritual connections. It emphasizes finding purpose in uncertainty and turning patience into a pathway for joy. Personal anecdotes shed light on the emotional challenges of waiting, encouraging listeners to embrace these moments as opportunities for reflection and self-discovery. Learn how to navigate the complexities of waiting and enhance your journey with mindfulness and resilience.

Explore the emotional challenges of waiting and the power of vulnerability in navigating life's uncertainties. Through personal stories, the conversation highlights how community support can foster resilience and growth during tough times. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their feelings, express their struggles, and find hope in shared experiences. The biblical narrative of the Israelites showcases the profound connection between faith and the human experience, emphasizing that we are not alone in our cries for help.

Vanessa Lucius, an artist at Awaken Community, discusses her artwork inspired by themes of waiting and fertility during Advent. She explores the emotional journey through darkness and the rich symbolism it carries. The conversation emphasizes embracing patience and finding hope amidst uncertainty. Vanessa shares personal stories of resilience and community support, highlighting how moments of waiting can lead to transformative growth. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and recognize the strength found in shared struggles.

Micah closes out the Take Heart series by looking at Psalm 27 to help us navigate the difficulty of balancing hope for the world and the harsh realities we have to be reconciled to. 

Micah talks through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 and invites Awaken into the work of civil disobedience in the name of sacrificial love for others.

Micah brings us to Mark 6:45-52 when Jesus appears to the disciples in the midst of a storm on the sea. He points us to the ways that Jesus has proven himself a presence of peace and comfort to those in distress.

Awaken starts a new series this month as we find ourselves in a tumultuous political season. Micah kicks things off by adding context to Jesus words in John 16:33, "take heart for I have overcome the world". What does it mean to find peace in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty?