Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast

The Ascension: Gazing at the Sky, or Engaging with the World?

Luke writes the story of the ascension twice. The main elements of the two match up, but differ in some of the details., but why? We explore the stories and how the perspective may change depending upon the audience.

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gosple comes from Luke, Chapter 24, versess 44 - 53, and is complared to the story of ascension from Acts Chapter 1 Verses 6 -11.

The Road To Emmaus: Recruited

Have you ever been recruited for a job, a team, a role that you didn't really know was coming your way? Those disciples on the road to Emmaus were. They didn't know it at the time, but Jesus appeared to them and recruited them into his grand design. They invited him into their home for the evening, offered him food and drink. It was only after he took charge and blessed the meal that they realized who Jesus actually was. Then they became an even bigger part of the story by immediately turning around to go back to Jerusalem and share the good news of Jesus' resurrection with the Eleven. 

God often recruits us be leaders in the same way. We may want to have others in the limelight because it can be hard to see ourselves as leaders, but we all have the capacity within us. 

Today's message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our Gospel lesson is from Luke, Chapter 24, verses 28 - 35.

The Road to Emmaus: Stories Matter

As the disciples walked away from Jerusalem after the crucifixtion, their internal story of the event was limiting their ability to see a future for Christ and Christianity. As Jesus walked with them, he helped explain how their story was an incomplete telling of the events of the past days. We too can allow our stories to be limiting vs. enlivening.  We need to remember that a Savior is with us at all times. 

Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. Our Gosple is from Luke, Chapter 24, verses 18-27.

The Road to Emmaus: Leadership

The Road to Leadership. In a story often called “The Road to Emmaus,” followers of Jesus express the disappointment and heartbreak of Jesus' crucifixion. When we experience disappointment on life's road, it can lead to cynicism, lost hope, and dead ends. This road is hard and the journey is difficult, but it can also be revealing. The road of disappointment can show us our passions and deepest desires. We meet Jesus there, and that road can become the place we discover our call to leadership.

This message comes to us from Pastor Sarah. Our gospel comes from Luke, Chapter 24 verses 13 - 18.

Culture of Grace, What Footprints Are You Leaving?

When we create a legacy, it is the small things that build the story. One way to think about this is you are leaving footprints, whether you are intentional about them or not.  Our legacy, our story or footprint is created every day by our choices, our priorities, our commitments on how we spend our time and money.  This legacy looks different for each of us, but we can also create a ‘shared footprint’ in our church community, by supporting and participating in opportunities that match our values.

Today's message comes from Pastor Tania. Our Gospel is from John, Chapter 21, verses 15 - 19.

 

Agency: Choosing, With Scars

The scars that Jesus showed to his disciples behind those locked doors were the most visible, but not the only scars in the room. The disciples were dealing with their own scars, both named and unnamed. We have the choice to allow our scars to define us, or to get beyond them, and God celebrates our choices. 

Today's message comes from Pastor Jason. The Gospel is from John Chapter 20, verses 24 to 31.

 

Culture of Grace: Our Experience of A Culture of Grace

Culture is made up of things seen and unseen. It is what is obvious, but also that which isn't as obvious, and is sometimes invisible. Culture is made up of both the external markers as well as that which is at the core. While hardship, fear and shame can infuse and inform our culture in negative situations, we can actively build a culture around hope, love and inclusion.

Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Sarah.  Our Gospel lesson is from John Chapter 20, verses 19 - 23.

What's Up With An Earthquake?

Today we hear the resurrection story from Matthew, which is the only Gospel to describe an earthquake when the two Marys went to the tomb. In the recent past, we've experienced our own earthquakes. From school shootings and  killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, to the most recent wars and partisan divides, it can feel like we are under assault.  However the good news of the resurrection is that sin and death do not have the last word. God does and he shares that good news with us. 

Today's message comes to us from Pastor Jason. The Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 28, verses 1 - 10, and the Scripture is from Romans Chapter 6, verses 3 - 5.