Half Truths - Part 3: God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It ???

Week 3 of a 5 week series on “Half Truths”, or what I call, “Bumper Sticker Christianity,” debunking common Christian cliche’s that tend to do more harm than good.

This week, my wife Rev. McKenzie Sefa reflects on the danger of using the “God Said It” line as a way of shutting down difficult conversations and manipulating Scripture to say whatever we want it to mean.

The Bible is a complex text that includes multiple voices wrestling together with how to discern God’s will in their context. Instead of taking random verses to use as weapons, perhaps we should first consider the larger narrative of scripture, and even more, how our particular claim aligns with the life and teachings of Jesus, the Living Word.

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Half Truths - Part 2: God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle ???

Week 2 of a 5 week series on “Half Truths”, or what I call, “Bumper Sticker Christianity,” debunking common Christian cliche’s that tend to do more harm than good.

This week we are looking at the saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle?”

Join us as we explore how this saying takes the biblical text out of context and creates significant problems in people’s understanding of God when things are indeed more than they can handle.

The truth: God helps us handle everything we’ve been given. God’s grace is sufficient for us.

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Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa

Half Truths - Part 1: Everything Happens for a Reason ???

This week begins a 5 week series on “Half Truths”, or what I call, “Bumper Sticker Christianity,” debunking common Christian cliche’s that tend to do more harm than good.

This week we begin with the famous line, “Everything Happens for a Reason”, exploring the nature of God’s will, especially when it comes to suffering and evil.

How do we make sense of pain and suffering in a world where a good God is presumably in charge?

Join me as we reflect on the truth that not everything happens for a reason, but God can make meaning out of everything that happens.

Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa

“It’s Complicated - Family as a Means of Grace” - Part 6

Spiritual growth isn’t about building something new, or adding more to our lives. It’s a stripping away of everything in us that’s not of God. The Spirit’s work in us is not to sculpt a masterpiece out of a human shaped pile of garbage and sin. Instead, the Spirt gently restores us to the image of God that we were always made to reflect.

We work hard to build protective barriers around our fragile lives and hearts. What if in our striving for self-preservation, we are actually resisting grace? What if the Spirit is simply trying to uncover the firm foundation God has already laid for us?

What might God be gently washing away in your life — not to destroy, but to restore?

Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa

“It’s Complicated - Family as a Means of Grace” - Part 5

“I will pour out my Spirit upon everyone… This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away — as many as the Lord invites.”

It has been said that the greatest scandal of Christianity is not who it excludes, but who it includes. If God is at the center of the circle, there are no boundaries. If Christ is at the head of the table, there is always an extra seat. If the Holy Spirit is poured out upon everyone, then who are we to say who is in or out, who belongs or doesn’t, who is welcome or who is not?

Join me this week as we reflect on the simple idea that ALL means ALL, especially when it comes to God’s grace.

Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa

“It’s Complicated - Family as a Means of Grace” - Part 4

Faith doesn’t always get passed down through perfect teaching or clear conversations. Sometimes it comes through presence — through someone showing up, holding space, or quietly living a life centered on God. That kind of faith may not look impressive, but it plants deep roots.

How are you modeling your faith to the next generation, in word and action, in your homes and in your public life?

Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa

“It’s Complicated - Family as a Means of Grace” - Part 3

This week we’re looking at the controversial text from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 5 on submission.

Paul begins with traditional hierarchical family codes from the culture of his day, but he doesn’t leave them there. In fact, he challenges the traditional power structure by declaring that those in power and authority should submit to those who are weaker in their social system as much as the weaker party is expected to submit to them. It is a call for mutual submission and serving one another as Christ served us and gave himself as a sacrifice.

May we likewise lay aside out sense of authority and privilege for the sake of Christ and become servants of all.

Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa

“It’s Complicated - Family as a Means of Grace” - Part 2

As we continue our series on family, we will look deeper at Jesus’ promise in John 14—“I go to prepare a place for you”— it isn’t just about some distant mansion in the sky, but about being welcomed into God’s household here and now. I explore how ancient family structures help us understand salvation as connection, not escape. Living as part of the household, whether with our biological families, our church families or our larger human family, is messy & complicated, but also full of grace.

Podcast Intro recorded by Ariana Sefa