Commons Church Podcast

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss.In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib.Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it.Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Clear, simple words about Christ as a way of life. Life anchored in joy. Joy that defies prison chains, cruel empires, petty disagreements, and nagging opposition.Paul has heard his friends’ story and wants them to know his. We are listening in on a conversation of profound mutual care.When everything is awful, we need caring words that name the reality of our suffering without bitterness. Words that awake us to the possibility of joy. ★ Support this podcast ★

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss.In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib.Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it.Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Clear, simple words about Christ as a way of life. Life anchored in joy. Joy that defies prison chains, cruel empires, petty disagreements, and nagging opposition.Paul has heard his friends’ story and wants them to know his. We are listening in on a conversation of profound mutual care.When everything is awful, we need caring words that name the reality of our suffering without bitterness. Words that awake us to the possibility of joy. ★ Support this podcast ★

What feelings grip us when everything is awful? Resentment. Fear. Isolation. Loss.In those moments, such words of encouragement as “do not be anxious about anything” or “I can do everything in him who gives me strength” may sound almost glib.Except...when they come from a friend who’s been though awful and does not sidestep it.Writing to his friends in Philippi, Paul speaks words of comfort. Clear, simple words about Christ as a way of life. Life anchored in joy. Joy that defies prison chains, cruel empires, petty disagreements, and nagging opposition.Paul has heard his friends’ story and wants them to know his. We are listening in on a conversation of profound mutual care.When everything is awful, we need caring words that name the reality of our suffering without bitterness. Words that awake us to the possibility of joy. ★ Support this podcast ★

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the times we are outnumbered but aren’t ruined, bullied but not overwhelmed, pushed to the sidelines only to find our voice needed at the centre of the story. In and amongst a great story is the human predicament of what we become when we are threatened. Will we rise to become greater than we thought we could be? Or will threat turn us against those we love and those we are meant to serve? The book of Esther isn’t explicit in its language of God. But you will find wisdom in the workings of relationships, in the challenge of power that abuses, and in the strength of a young woman who shouldn’t be anyone’s hero ... but is.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the times we are outnumbered but aren’t ruined, bullied but not overwhelmed, pushed to the sidelines only to find our voice needed at the centre of the story. In and amongst a great story is the human predicament of what we become when we are threatened. Will we rise to become greater than we thought we could be? Or will threat turn us against those we love and those we are meant to serve? The book of Esther isn’t explicit in its language of God. But you will find wisdom in the workings of relationships, in the challenge of power that abuses, and in the strength of a young woman who shouldn’t be anyone’s hero ... but is.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the times we are outnumbered but aren’t ruined, bullied but not overwhelmed, pushed to the sidelines only to find our voice needed at the centre of the story. In and amongst a great story is the human predicament of what we become when we are threatened. Will we rise to become greater than we thought we could be? Or will threat turn us against those we love and those we are meant to serve? The book of Esther isn’t explicit in its language of God. But you will find wisdom in the workings of relationships, in the challenge of power that abuses, and in the strength of a young woman who shouldn’t be anyone’s hero ... but is.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the times we are outnumbered but aren’t ruined, bullied but not overwhelmed, pushed to the sidelines only to find our voice needed at the centre of the story. In and amongst a great story is the human predicament of what we become when we are threatened. Will we rise to become greater than we thought we could be? Or will threat turn us against those we love and those we are meant to serve? The book of Esther isn’t explicit in its language of God. But you will find wisdom in the workings of relationships, in the challenge of power that abuses, and in the strength of a young woman who shouldn’t be anyone’s hero ... but is.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The legend of Esther is about a Jewish queen in the Persian empire. It’s a story of imperial power, wise beauty, and devious plots. It’s got lavish banquets, rebel queens, and conniving court officials. The story of Queen Esther is found in the Hebrew Festival Scroll. The Book of Esther is tied to the Feast of Purim. It’s a feast that celebrates the near-miss of disaster. It celebrates all the times we are outnumbered but aren’t ruined, bullied but not overwhelmed, pushed to the sidelines only to find our voice needed at the centre of the story. In and amongst a great story is the human predicament of what we become when we are threatened. Will we rise to become greater than we thought we could be? Or will threat turn us against those we love and those we are meant to serve? The book of Esther isn’t explicit in its language of God. But you will find wisdom in the workings of relationships, in the challenge of power that abuses, and in the strength of a young woman who shouldn’t be anyone’s hero ... but is.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Easter Sunday is here. We have arrived. This morning, we woke up knowing that this is not the end of the story. On Easter Sunday we hear this resounding response: “Love is always stronger than death, and unto love you have now returned.” So, welcome to Easter! To the Feast of Feasts! The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world. Feel it, savour it, allow it to renew you too. Hear God sing over you: “I order you, o sleeper, to awake! I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you. Together we form only one person and we cannot be separated!”  ★ Support this podcast ★

In the narrative of Palm Sunday, the crowds surround Jesus as he enters Jerusalem. There’s so much enthusiasm for a new kind of king. Could it be that their liberator is finally here? The crowd shouts, “Hosanna! Hosanna!” It’s a cry for salvation from Psalm 118. It’s a cry to be saved. The Palm Sunday celebration is an ancient tradition. Just a few centuries after Jesus’ death and resurrection, pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem to rehearse Jesus’ entry into the city. The Palm procession meant a lot to these ancient worshippers of Jesus. Thousands of years later, we enact the story of Jesus’ provocative entrance into the city all over again. We wave palm branches, we welcome the children to lead us, we cry out from our own lives, “Save us! Never stop saving us.” May Palm Sunday welcome you into the holiest of weeks. May you not fear your suffering, but sense God’s desire to confront and transform your pain.  ★ Support this podcast ★