Commons Church Podcast

When a story is true, not just in fact but in its connection to life as it really is, it becomes a source of life. We get carried along with gracious surprise, finding pieces of ourselves, and who God is for us. This fall we follow the story of Jacob, that conflicted and restless man who wrestled with God. One of our favourite theologians, Abraham Heschel, teaches us that the Bible is more about God’s search for us than our search for God. Jacob’s story is proof of that concept. For what we see here, in vibrant detail, is how God chases Jacob, pursuing him through his wanderings and failures until at the end of his story we see him fully caught by grace. He realizes all that has happened: “[Jacob] worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” (Gen 47:31) This story has it all. The mystery of birth order, the stress of sibling rivalry, the common seeds of relational breakdown, the consequences of falsity, the hope of romance, the long years of labour, the burden of an unreconciled past, the glory of forgiveness, the life- changing effect of wrestling with God. It’s all here. ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s our third birthday! And we’re excited. September always feels like a new start. School is back in session, the pause of summer vacation has come to an end, and there is a fresh focus on moving forward with renewed vigour. It’s no different for us at Commons. And so every year we like to start September with a reflection on the central concepts that guide our community. This year however, being on mission is even more important than ever because this year we hope to launch a new parish community in the city. To replicate what has made Commons so unique means we need to remind ourselves about the vision God gave us when we started. Intellectually honest. Spiritually passionate. Jesus at the centre. Can’t wait! ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s our third birthday! And we’re excited. September always feels like a new start. School is back in session, the pause of summer vacation has come to an end, and there is a fresh focus on moving forward with renewed vigour. It’s no different for us at Commons. And so every year we like to start September with a reflection on the central concepts that guide our community. This year however, being on mission is even more important than ever because this year we hope to launch a new parish community in the city. To replicate what has made Commons so unique means we need to remind ourselves about the vision God gave us when we started. Intellectually honest. Spiritually passionate. Jesus at the centre. Can’t wait! ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s our third birthday! And we’re excited. September always feels like a new start. School is back in session, the pause of summer vacation has come to an end, and there is a fresh focus on moving forward with renewed vigour. It’s no di erent for us at Commons. And so every year we like to start September with a re ection on the central concepts that guide our community. This year however, being on mission is even more important than ever because this year we hope to launch a new parish community in the city. To replicate what has made Commons so unique means we need to remind ourselves about the vision God gave us when we started. Intellectually honest. Spiritually passionate. Jesus at the centre. Can’t wait! ★ Support this podcast ★

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand this most gracious mystery. ★ Support this podcast ★

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand this most gracious mystery. ★ Support this podcast ★

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand this most gracious mystery. ★ Support this podcast ★

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand this most gracious mystery. ★ Support this podcast ★

Obviously there is much work to be done but it starts with the courage to resist evil with the nonviolence of Christ. ★ Support this podcast ★

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand this most gracious mystery. ★ Support this podcast ★