Category Archives: Podcast Episodes

The miracle of turning water into wine might seem trivial, but a closer look reveals how Jesus interacted with His mother as an adult while teaching us about transformation. The miracle also paved the way for Jesus’ first followers to buy into His ministry. Download the episode.

Todd shares the audio from a sermon he provided from his basement on the first Sunday in January 2022 — a cold, icy day in Lawrence, Kansas. Using the text from Ephesians 1, we explore how we are adopted into the family of God thanks to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. DownloadContinue reading “Adoption Into God’s Family”

Our short series on “The Redemption of Scrooge” concludes with an exploration of how our miserable miser of a character rediscovers joy. May we do so and keep Christmas all year round! Download the episode.

As we continue with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Present teaches our lead character three important aspects of love: Showing love by being part of a community, showing love by showing mercy to others, and showing love in true, genuine relationships with those closest to us. Download the episode.

Our advent series focused on redemption continues, as does our exploration of the classic story “A Christmas Carol.” In this episode, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, and the miser starts to recognize that his life doesn’t have to be as lonely and miserable as it has become. Scrooge is startingContinue reading “Advent 2021: The Redemption of Scrooge — Peace”

Advent is all about the anticipation of the arrival of the Christ child. But why did Jesus come to live among humans in the first place? To provide an opportunity for redemption for all of us. In this four-episode series, we explore our redemption by following the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge from the classic tale,Continue reading “Advent 2021: The Redemption of Scrooge — Hope”

Todd concludes a special three-part series on showing gratitude to God during the week of Thanksgiving 2021 with a study of how Jesus gave thanks. Unlike many of us, Jesus didn’t just give thanks for what already had happened, but He also thanked God prior to performing miracles and before willingly dying for humankind —Continue reading “Gratitude part 3 — Thanks … In Jesus’ Name”

Our special three-part series on giving thanks to God continues with an examination of how King David showed his gratitude toward God: Looking back at what God already had done for him and the Israelite people. Praising the traits and truths of God. Understanding God listens to our prayers. Having faith that God will answer.Continue reading “Gratitude part 2 — King David’s Guide to Giving Thanks: the Psalms”

In a special three-part series the week of Thanksgiving 2021, Todd studies how to show gratitude to God. The series starts with lessons from the prophet Daniel, who showed that we should give thanks to God when things are going really well for us, but also when times are tough. Download the episode.

Todd continues his series on certified lay ministry with an interview with the Rev. Dr. Carl Ellis. Besides being a retired elder serving two rural churches in southeast Kansas, Carl is the founder and leader of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries. In this episode, Carl shares his views on lay ministry and providesContinue reading “CLMs Part 3 — The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries”