Commons Church Podcast

There’s no way around the challenging work of rebuilding and reconstructing relationships. Because most of us have been there— Needing to forgive.Wanting to lash out.Caught in the awkward middle ground of owning what’s happened and trying to move forward. Which is why—over the next few weeks—we want to reorient ourselves in this work. To consider the ways our broken hearts can be comforted. How broken connections are restored. But also, how the way of Jesus leads us into health in unexpected ways.  Where we start to imagine that God’s renewal of all things might even include our friendships, families, and most intimate relationships. ***January 3: What’s ForgivenessJanuary 10: Practicing Forgiveness January 17: The Myth of RevengeJanuary 24: Boundary Setting ★ Support this podcast ★

There’s no way around the challenging work of rebuilding and reconstructing relationships. Because most of us have been there— Needing to forgive.Wanting to lash out.Caught in the awkward middle ground of owning what’s happened and trying to move forward. Which is why—over the next few weeks—we want to reorient ourselves in this work. To consider the ways our broken hearts can be comforted. How broken connections are restored. But also, how the way of Jesus leads us into health in unexpected ways.  Where we start to imagine that God’s renewal of all things might even include our friendships, families, and most intimate relationships. ***January 3: What’s ForgivenessJanuary 10: Forgiving January 17: RevengingJanuary 24: Boundary Setting ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

1. Don't try to stay busy2. Feel what you feel3. Don't be afriad ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

Originally part of an online interactive lecture. ★ Support this podcast ★

We believe in a God who wants us to know that we are welcome. The narrative arc of the gospel—from creation to a restored earth—keeps expanding to include individuals, families, tribes, kingdoms, and finally, the multitudes of nations. God never stops making more room. Last year we talked about different ways our hospitality reflects our room— making God. This year we want to build on that conversation and explore God’s vision for what we create as we gather. How we move from isolation into connectedness, from caring for some to caring for the whole. Peter Block writes that the hard part of building community is that it is always a custom job. It is born of local people, with unique gifts, deciding what to create together. How do we show up for each other, you and I? How do we build relatedness one room at a time? God, how can I make a bit more room?  ★ Support this podcast ★