Cocktails with Beers: Recent Episodes
Matthew Beers
Matt is a pastor in Maryland. Merry is professor of history. We get together in this virtual happy hour to chat about issues in Christianity and culture, as well as current events and trending issues. We are a married couple who try to keep things fun and light hearted as we banter about things as dumb as women wearing leggings or as serious as the war in Ukraine.
We chat about the Gospel of Thomas, and whether or not it can tell us anything about Jesus. This is an ancient gospel that didn't make it into the Bible, but may have been a contemporary to the gospels that did. That is, it likely existed side by side Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Even more, it likely competed with them to become the dominant view of Christianity. Here's the thing, though. While it shares many sayings and parables with the Bible, there are many sayings that are very peculiar. We take a look at both the familiar and strange, and consider what Thomas can tell us about the Jesus of Nazareth who roamed the earth so many years ago.
We chat about the history between Palestine and Israel. Israel and Palestine are in another war...or rather, continue the war that began over 70 years ago. The history of between these two peoples is complicated. You wouldn't think that looking at the black and white versions of reality plastered all over social media. Merry and I explore the gray zone, the no man's land of the conflict. We sit within the tension. And we ponder what everyday-folk can do, if we can, indeed, do anything.
We chat about the Gospel of Mary, another book that didn't make it into the Bible. The book is a wee bit weird. It has language and symbols that are hard to understand. And then pages are missing, so we are left to fill in a lot of blans. But, it gives us a peak at the interesting, early centuries, religious movement we now know as Gnosticism. More importantly, this book tells us how important Mary (Magdalene?) was to the early Christian movements.
We chat about the Infancy Gospel of James. What do we know about Joseph and Mary? We know they are the parets of Jesus? But what about their lives before all that Jesus stuff started happening? What was Mary like as a child? How and when did she meet Joseph? What was Joseph like? What's this I hear about an Immaculate Conception? The Infancy Gospel of James tackles alot of these questions, and tries to provide us with answers. But did the authors of this gospel really think people would take their stories as facts? Or did they, and their readres, know that they were merely commenting on the Bible? Why did they write this Gospel? What was their point? We explore all this, and much more, in this week's episode.
We chat about a gospel account that didn't make it into the Bible, The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. This book tells us about Jesus' childhood. What was it like to be a God-Man discovering one's own power? What was it like to know more than all your teachers? What happens if you accidentally bump into the shoulder of a young Jesus? Well...you die, that's what happens. So what can we learn from this interesting book? Do we take it seriously? Was it ancient commentary on more authoritative gospel account? Perhaps it was just fireside entertainment--like modern day movies or tv? Listen in as we chat about all this.
We chat about the story of Peter trying to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem. Everyone knows what will happen to him if he goes there. Even Jesus knows what will happen to him. He will be arrested, tried, and executed. Naturally, Peter tries to stop him from going. Jesus calls him a stumbling block, and tells him that he is thinking about human things and not divine things. We chat about why this story was told among early Jesus followers, and why Matthew may have included it in his Gospel account.
We cover a lot in this episode. First we chat about our fall plans to participate in a charity golf tournament-- last place wins a canister of tennis balls. By the end of September, we will be richer by one canister of tennis balls. We then, unplanned, process the trauma of sending our eldest daughter to kindergarten. We then get to our subject at hand--Peter confesses to Jesus that he is the king, the savior of ancient Israel that they have been waiting for. But then Jesus orders his disciples not to tell anyone what Peter just said. We ask the question, "why?" Why can't they tell the world this good news? And we also look at how Peter's confession has more to do with the political then the spiritual identity of Jesus. Enoy!
We chat about the story of Jesus healing a Canaanite woman's daughter. This is one of those tought stories. Why? She asks Jesus for a favor, and he ignores her. The disciples ask Jesus to address her. She keeps bugging them. But instead of advocating for the healing she is asking for, they ask Jesus to send her away. Then Jesus tells the disciples that he won't throw food intended for children to the dogs. Ouch! But she persists. She runs up to Jesus and says that even the dogs get the scraps. Picture the dogs eating from the trash, not under the table. What a tough passage. Jesus doesn't look that good here. But in the end, he heals the woman's daughter, and is awe struck by her faith. Join us as we chat about what this teaches us today.
The gospel of Matthew has a lot to say about Jesus. And each thing we learn about him is even better than the last. You could say that Matthew is the Ron Popeil of the New Testament. We learn that Jesus is teacher. But wait, there's more. Jesus is a king. But wait, there's more. Jesus is a savior. But wait.....! This week, we talk about Jesus as our savior. But what is Jesus saving us from? The answer will surprise you.
Jesus feeds over 5000 people at once. We chat about what this story meant back then, that it was a way of saying "Jesus is our king, not you!" without really saying it. Merry also talks about her book, The Diplomacy of Migration. We then apply her thesis theologically to the the Biblical story to see how we can apply these lessons today in our lives and in our world.
We chat about the parables that appear in Matthew 13. There are seven of them put side by side. Sunday communities rarely read them all together. We tend to divide them over mulitiple Sundays. And so we miss the big picture significance of them that Matthew is trying to paint. We chat about these seven parables--why these seven together, and why do they appear where they do? The answer couldn't be clearer.
We chat about Jesus' parable we call The Wheat and the Weed. A farmer plants good seed in a field. Then that night, his enemy sows imposter seed in the same field. The whole season, no one realizes that there are weeds among the wheat. By the time they realize what happened, its too late, because it is nearly harvest time. So, the reapers come and do their job. They gather the weed and burn it. Then, they gather the wheat and put it in the barn. So, what the heck is Jesus talking about? And along the way, we talk about a new strategy Chesapeake Bay locals are using to keep beach vacationers off their backroads.
We chat about Jesus' famous parable. You can find it in Matthew 13. It goes by many names, the parable of the soil, the parable of the seeds, and the parable of the sower. We also chat about how Jesus used parables, and how this story is a commentary on Isaiah.
Paul wrote a letter to the Romans many years ago. It was such a good letter that it made it into the Bible. But what on earth is Paul going on about? We give an overview of Paul's letter, his motivations for writing it, and what he sought to accomplish. We also focus on ch. 7: 15-25 when he laments that he is not able to stop sinning. We put these words in the context of an ancient Jewish man struggling to live out God's will in his life, and lamenting that he cannot live up to people's expectations of him. We then ask how we can apply this to our lives today.
Our world is full of tough choices. Some of these are innocuous. Some have consequences for ourselves and other people. Here's an example. A few weeks ago, a Christian denomination voted to ordain women into pastoral ministry. Then, another denomination voted to affirm their stance to not involve women in leadership. But both point to the Bible to support their claim. These truth claims compete with one another, and we are asked to choose between them. Which one is right? Which one is on the side of God? Matt and Merry explore this and other similar competing truth claims we faced throughout history and ones we face today. How do we know we are supporting the right ones? How do we know we are on God's side of any given issue?
We chat about a difficult saying of Jesus. "You think I came to bring peace. No, I came not with peace, but with a sword." What the heck? We chat about how this saying has been used by Christians, ane how some are using it today. We also discuss why we think this is something Jesus actually said. And then we change the tone of the saying. What if Jesus wasn't being aggressive, but was lamenting. He wanted peace and unity, but saw violence and division instead. Would this then change how we hear this saying, and change how we apply it to our lives?
We sit with our own co-host, scholar in Chinese-American diplomatic history, and author of The Diplomacy of Migration, Dr. Meredith Oyen, to chat about the different contemporary expressions of the Church in China. We then, well Pr. Matt, consider how the Church in China can inform how we read the Bible. We look at Matthew 10, and we consider why the ancient Jesus movement was being persecuted by the powers-that-be. The point here isn't to draw a parallel between the contempoary Church in China and the ancient Jesus movement, but to give us one more skill in our hermeneutical toolbox as we both interpret and apply ancient scriptures to our modern lives.
We chat about that one time when Jesus healed a woman and then raised a dead person on the same day. You can read it in Matthew 9: 18-26. Why does Matthew tell the story like this? Why these two miracles at the same time? What is Matthew trying to tell us about Jesus? And what does this all mean for us today?
We chat about one of Jesus' most famous saying. "All y'all are the salt of the earth. And y'all are a light shining into the world." But who is he talking about? Is it you? The answer has been right there under our noses for 2000 years. And we talk about it this week.
A new website has emerged claiming that it can write a term paper, or even a sermon, using aritificial intelligence. We chat about the ethics of this. Knee jerk reaction says it is clearly and distinctly wrong. But, what if a student used it as a resource? What if the student cited the work? Or, if a pastor has a hectic week filled with visits, funerals, and the typical surprises of congregation ministry? Maybe they can use it then? (with that said, any pastor with their salt can shoot from the hip every once in a while and sound good doing it). But, we dig deep into this emerging technology and how it will eventually mean that computers will become our overlords.
We're back after three months off to welcome a new addition to our family. And we come back swinging. This week we give you an update on the past three months, we chat about what pastors is and what they should do, and we chat about a textual variant in John's gospel account that questions how unified the early church was on the question of who Jesus is- Son of God, God's chosen one, or both.
We chat about one of Jesus’ parables. In it Jesus tells the story of an estate manager who was fired by the owner. He was accused of wasting the owner’s money. Facing unemployment and bankruptcy, he cuts deals with the folk that owe his boss money. His boss finds out about his trickery. So what does he do? He praises him! Whhaattt! We also chat about The Taiwan Relations Act and also football.
We chat about pastors plagiarizing in the pulpit. Another mega-church pastor has been caught doing something fishy. He allegedly uses other people's ideas and words, doesn't cite them, and then says he doesn't have to. So, we chat about what plagiarism looks like behind the pulpit. We also discuss MLK's "I Have a Dream Speech," and what that event teaches us about the do's and don't's of employing someone else's ideas and words when preaching.
What does the BIble have to say about forgiving student loan debt? There's a lot of people quoting the Bible in the wake of Biden's announcement about forgiving student loan debt. Some say you have to repay. Others say the Bibel says otherwise. We chat about all that, and give our take on things. We also chat about yet another mega-church scandal involving the alleged misbehaviors of a big name pastor. And we debate when the fall season begins-- after Labor Day or at the kickoff of the first football game?
What does the BIble have to say about forgiving student loan debt? There's a lot of people quoting the Bible in the wake of Biden's announcement about forgiving student loan debt. Some say you have to repay. Others say the Bibel says otherwise. We chat about all that, and give our take on things. We also chat about yet another mega-church scandal involving the alleged misbehaviors of a big name pastor. And we debate when the fall season begins-- after Labor Day or at the kickoff of the first football game?
In the stories about Jesus, there's a lot of talk about when it is ok to heal someone. May you heal someone on the Sabbath? Why was this such a big deal? Why was Jesus so insistent on it? And what does any of this have to do with today? Along the way, we chat about visits to the dentist, names of generic cereals, and bane of social media.
Merry and I chat about a recent twitter debate over the role of children in church. Do they even belong there? We also chat about a recent vacation Bible school we participated in. We then share memories of our childhood VBS experiences, and we recognize the advanced level crafts Merry did in the days of yore.
Merry and I chat about a recent twitter debate over the role of children in church. Do they even belong there? We also chat about a recent vacation Bible school we participated in. We then share memories of our childhood VBS experiences, and we recognize the advanced level crafts Merry did in the days of yore.
Diana Butler Bass recently gave a sermon about Mary Magdalene. She raises the research of a student at Duke who recently discovered that the story from the Bible of Jesus raising Lazarus had been edited in an early transmission. Did Lazarus have two sisters? Or was the second woman watching Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead Mary Magdalene? And if so, what does this mean? We read the sermon, and we have some thoughts about it. Follow this link to read the sermon with us.
We chat about the possibility of a strategic and friendly competition between the U.S. and China. We also talk about a new BBQ joint that opened down the street, and the merits of putting slaw on a pulled pork sandwich.
In the last year, a movememt called the Reawaken America Tour has doubled down on the idea that the U.S. Constitution was inspired by God. One prominent person is even calling on pastors to preach on the U.S. constitution just as much as they do the Bible. We chat about this, and compare this movement to some of the early Jesus movements.
We've tested positive for Covid, and share some of our experience with you. We also go back into the archives to present our take on Jesus' parable commonly known as The Good Sarmaritan.
Matt and Merry chat about conflicts in the early years of the Jesus movement, and how they worked through them. We also chat about tv shows, predictable plots, jumping the shark, and avoiding social media.
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently overturned the 1973 ruling on Roe V. Wade. Now laws regarding abortions have been returned to the state and local governments. Matt and Merry crack open that big ol' can of worms and chat about what a Christian reponse to this may look like.
Billy Graham had a rule about never being alone in a room with a woman that wasn't his wife. We chat about how this rule has been adopted, revised, and distorted by some spiritual leaders today. We also chat about what it takes to be a college professor. And we also ponder how many times Jesus said, "Baby!"
Matt and Merry chat about the oral tradition of Jesus of Nazareth before people started writing things down about him and his movement. How were the early stories of Jesus spread throughout Galilee and beyond? How were they passed down from one generation to the next? Why were they written down? We also chat about the January 6th hearings, our political leanings, and cheesy jokes about Matt's last name (Beers).
Matt and Merry chat about a new book called The Flag and the Cross. It is written by two sociologist, Philip Gorski & Samuel Perry, who look at the recent surge of "white Christian nationalism." We also chat about the making lapel pins, a game called "Pin the Flame Game," and discuss yet another church scandal.
Matt and Merry talk about mass shootings and gun control. We look at how some callous Christians are responding to recent events, how gun culture in rural areas has changed, and commas in the second amendment make it very difficult to interpret and apply to our current day (and few people ever mention the "well regulated" clause of the amendment).
Matt and Merry review the recent report released by the Southern Baptist Convention on their investigation into abuse. What they found surprised even them, but none of us. Also, a popular Sunday newspaper appears to be participating in plagarism and intellectual theft. We also chat about a new bourbon Matt tried recently, and what made it taste so weird.
Matt and Merry spent part of their week at the beach. But it was a bummer. It rained the whole time. Nevertheless, we lived our best life, and our daughter had the time of her life. We also got to see folks called Bronies who were attending a My Little Pony convention. Matt also went to church meetings for an annual assembly, and experienced how political divisions are affecting churches in your neighborhood.
We used to be known as Life on the Water, but now we're Cocktails with Beers. This newly named show is all about a husband and a wife carving out time in a busy week to catch up over a cocktail and chat with one another about both lighthearted and important issues. And for some reason we decided the first step of our newly named show should be right on the land mine that is the abortion issue. Enjoy.
Matt and Merry chat about a critical debate happening on social media over what women can wear to the grocery store. We also talk about the carnal feelings that arise when watching a Tom Cruise movie. How can we protect ourselves from this relentless assault on our freedom and moral virtues? And, Matt tries out his new sound board, which proves rather annoying to Merry.
What if archaeologists discovered a box full of bones, and they could prove conclusively that they were the bones of Jesus? How would that change your faith? Would it change the way you lived? Matt and Merry wrestle with this questions, and chat about how we are so focused on Jesus living again that we lose sight of the good news of what Jesus’ living had for us to begin with. If the empty tomb doesn’t change the way we live today, then Jesus rose from the dead in vain.
Matt and Merry talk about the season of Lent. Both of us grew up in a tradition that didn't practice this season, so we didn't go to a Lent serice at a church until we were well into adulthood. We chat about what we, two folk who grew up evangelical, think about Lent today.
Matt and Merry chat about Hillsong, their recent scandals, and whether or not they should be considered a church.
Matt and Merry chat about folks called TheoBros, their social media presence, and their counterparts, The Exvangelicals.
In our final installment to our Joseph series, Joe reconciles with his family. We also weigh in on the determinism vs. free will debate, and chat a little about gas prices, globalism, and the war in Ukraine.
We talk about the war in Ukraine and what Christians should think about it all. We chat about chaos and creation, Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood, and how much God hates violence and war. We ask where God is when humanity insists on perpetuating violence, and ask what we should be doing when evil seizes the day.
Jospeh overcame so much, but he couldn’t overcome the world. This week, Matt and Merry explain what they mean about that. Along the way, we talk about getting old, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s arms, and what the world would look like if we paid our taxes in ducks.
Matt and Merry chat about Joseph's rise to power in Egypt. We also discover the Egyptian book of dreams, an old text kept by one of Pharaoh's priests in the temple of the sun. And we use it to interpret some of our own dreams. You'd be surprised how hard it is to do that, butalso how coherent an interpretation could be.
Matt and Merry begin a four part series on the story of Joseph. Not the Christmas Joseph, but the guy who wore the Technicolor dream coat. In part one, we chat about how Joseph's inflated ego and sense of entitlement got him into trouble with his brothers. Along the way, we chat about the best actors to hire for an audio edition of the Bible, as well as the importance of sibling position in determining success.
Matt and Merry try some fruity and tart beers from two of their favorite brewers. We're not big fans of sour beers. So, we're trying these to see if our favorite brewers can make a sour beer that we can actually like.
Matt and Merry conclude their two part series on the role of women and men in American Evangelical Christianity. Last week, we covered the women, and this week we turn toward the men. We read Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s book called Jesus and John Wayne. In it, she talks about how the secular ideas of what it means to be a man have been largely adopted by American Evangelical Christianity. What has risen is an interesting blend of Christianity/ American Nationalism defined by aggression and militancy. In a century dominated by wars and rumors of wars, we lament that for some people being a Christian man means looking for something to resist and someone to fight.
What is the role of women in our society today? Some think that women should be just as free as men to choose to do what gives meaning to their lives. Others think women are subordinate to men, that women belong in the home being mothers and submissive wives. Then, there are those who are called "complementarians," who believe in divinely assigned family and societal roles for both men and women. We chat about all this as we discuss a new book called The Making of Biblical Womanhood. And listen to the end as we give our Biblically based view of where God has placed women in our church, in our society, and in our families.
Matt and Merry chat about the good things that happened this year, and we wonder how your year went. What are three positive things you experienced this year. That can be tougher than you think, especially two years into our current pandemic. We also look forward to what 2022 has to offer.
Matt and Merry try three cookie flavored and Christmas themed brews. We try Guiness' Gingerbread Stout, Southern Tier's Frosted Sugar Cookie, and Lexington's Bourbon Barrel Peppermint Porter. Along the way, we discover that everything tastes good when accompanied by a big plate of cookies.
Matt and Merry taste Southern Tier's 2xmas Double Ale and Great Lakes Brewing's Christmas Ale. This should be interesting considering that Matt has an aversion to ginger ever since he had that run in with pickled ginger at a restaurant. He'll tell the story, and we'll figure out if either of these two beers are worth precious room in you stomach this Christmas.
Matt and Merry chat about the 2021 Christmas movie called Dear Christmas. A woman who has a podcast about love and relationships has never found true love herself. But this year, when she goes home for the holidays it finds her. She keeps bumping into an old classmate, Chris Massy, aka Mr. Christmas. And what did we think of this movie? We'll tell you all about it. Along the way, we chat about holiday office parties, local productions of the Nutcracker, and who makes the best spicy chicken.
Matt and Merry try some seasonal beer favorites. This week, we try Victory's Merry Monkey and Troeg's Mad Elf. Both are Belgian style ales brewed with all things Christmassy.
Matt and Merry chat about the new made-for-tv Christmas movie “The Santa Stakeout.” We got a winner on this one. Joey Pantoliano didn’t disappoint, and neither did the rest of the crew. In short, we loved it, and we’re gonna tell you why. Along the way, we tell you how the Festival of Trains went, something called Santa Con, and the most famous actor to have appeared in a made-for-tv movie.
Matt and Merry review a popular Christmas movie from last year called A California Christmas. We are flabbergasted as to how this movie is so popular. It even has a sequel! Even the mouse in our house stopped watching 30 minutes in, and he loves cheesy things. The only thing we can think of is that the protagonist is a soap opera star who removes his shirt often, and the love interest wears daisy dukes, even when working in s@#$ stompers. A brave fashion choice. This is proof of how low a bar Christmas movies have to clear in order to get made.
Matt and Merry chat about one of a 2021 made-for-tv cheesy movie release called Love Hard. A woman unlucky in love tries to find love on a dating app. None of the dates goes very well. Then, she falls head over heals for a guy named Tag. But when she meets him, he hilariously looks nothing like his picture. Predictably, they end up falling in love in the end. Along the way, we also chat about our Thanksgiving meal, why Advent gets in the way of Christmas, and how hard it is to celebrate Christmas in a church.
Matt and Merry talk about the Infancy Gospel of Jesus. This book was written as early as the 2nd century CE, and claims to be stories from Jesus' childhood from his own brother. You might think that Jesus was a little angel, but he was kind of a brat. We share some of these stories, and try to figure out why people wrote and published them. Along the way, we chat about a flavored coffee creation, Christmas themed beers, and a weird show airing on the Smithsonian Channel.
Matt and Merry talk about a lost gospel discovered in the 20th century, the Gospel of Mary. They chat about who Mary was, why the book was written, and the ancient debates it reveals among the early Christian communities. Along the way, they talk about the joys of home ownership when things start to break, and about getting ready for Christmas.
Matt and Merry start a new series where we look at books that didn't make it into the Bible. This week, we chat about the Gospel of Thomas. Along the way, we chat about beef, bonfires, cigars, and the resurgence of Abba.
Matt and Merry talk about the recent exodus from conservative evangelical churches. Why do people leave, and where do they go? Along the way, we chat about running across the Chesapeake Bay, trick or treating, and our awesome family costume theme.
Matt and Merry reflect on the story of Jesus healing a blind man. What did it mean back then when the blind received sight, and what does that mean for us today? Along the way we chat about what happens when pumpkins stay outside too long, our halloween costumes, and a strange new take on Joshua’s battle for Jericho.
Do we live in a world that provides abundantly for everyone, or in a world where resources are scarce? Matt and Merry examine humanity's "default position," a mindset of scarcity. This leads to unnecessary conflicts, divisions, and self-imposed suffering. We chat about how developing a mindset of abundance may not only improve our own quality of life, but also of those around us. We then lean on the promise of God that creation produces resources in abundance so that all people can have enough. The trick is getting out of our own way.
Matt and Merry chat about a strange saying by Jesus about how we can get eternal life. Sell everything?! Along the way we talk about the confusing world of social media, classes on Zoom, and meeting a few people from Palestine.
Star Wars a parable? If Jesus was here today, would he have used the popular movie series to communicate deeper truths? Matt and Merry think so. We chat talk about how we can use popular stories of today the way Jesus used popular stories in his day. Along the way, we chat about pumpkin patches, hay rides, and winning money at a casino.
Matt and Merry chat about quarter auctions, sick days, and what a modern retelling of the story of the Good Samaritan might look like.
Did Jesus have a wife? Years ago, a professor at Harvard claimed to have found an ancient book that claimed he did. Matt and Merry chat about the strange story of this discovery. Along the way, they chat about one of their first dates, doppelgängers, and #toddlerlife.
What do you picture when you think of two people being reconciled? This week, Matt and Merry talk about what reconciliation is, what it looks like, and how people who can’t stand being around each other may still be reconciled. Along the way, they talk about carpeted grocery stores, flowriding, and why they never exchange anniversary gifts.
Matt and Merry continue their series about the complicated relationship between two brother, Jacob and Esau. This week, they are locked in a feud, and Esau has vowed to kill his brother the next time he sees him. So, Jacob runs away to his Uncle Laban’s house, and he stays there for 14 years. While there, he finds the love of his life, and becomes immensely wealthy. But now, he is ready to return home, face his fears, and try reconciling to his brother. Along the way, Matt and Merry chat about rail trails, long bike rides, and their take on the internet show The Chosen.
Matt and Merry begin 3 part series about Esau and Jacob from the book of Genesis. Esau is set to inherit his father’s wealth and position in the family. But Jacob has ambition, and he wants to be top dog. What happens when these two brothers clash over who will succeed their father? Along the way, they chat about Chinese vegetables, co-op farms, and the uncanny ability of Merry’s family to make new friends.
Beware the lone and solitary voice behind a pulpit. The Good News of God is heard most in community—in conversation, in discussion, in debate, in interaction—that is where the voice of God echoes loudly. Matt and Merry chat about what is was like when Jesus preached, and how it may have been very different than what we see in churches today. Along the way, they talk about petting zoos, giraffes, how to get better at golf, and why “mansplaining” should be renamed “aggressive sharing."
Matt and Merry chat about how to plan an unplanned vacation, the ever changing sleeping habits of toddlers, the impossibility of ever gettin good at golf, and the cool thing coming up on the podcast in the next few months.
Matt and Merry wrap up their series, Exiles, by talking about God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth, and how this promise is as much about today as it is about tomorrow. Along the way they chat about chocolate eggs, princess birthday parties, and Independence Day the movie.
Matt and Merry continue their series, Exiles, by focusing on the experience of the ancient Israelites who lived under Roman Occupation. We reflect on the ways the ancient people resisted Rome, and reflect on how the things we do today help or hurt our chances of emerging from our own exile moments in life. Along the way, we chat about our first visit to a restaurant in over a year, having people over to our house, and seeing family for the first time in a while.
Sometimes life can be tough, and we find ourselves fighting with feelings of sadness and grief. Our culture tends to devalue these feelings, and encourages us to push them away or push them deep down inside. Matt and Merry take a look at some of the laments that appear in the Bible, chat about dealing with our negative emotions, and the importance of praying our laments as a spiritual practice. Along the way, they talk about running 5k’s, having team spirit, and the sore muscles that come with both.
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about the purpose of prayer. Why do we pray? What’s the point? They look at the story of the ancient Israelites escaping from Egypt by crossing the Red Sea. How did they pray so many years ago, and what does that teach us about how we ought to pray today? Along the way, they talk about forgetting what’s on the calendar, bird songs, and the start of Pr. Matt’s brand new avian congregation.
Matt and Merry continue their series, Exiles. This week, they talk about the Adam and Eve story, and how they managed to lose paradise. But they weren't victims. They chose to know the difference between right and wrong. What are the consequences? From their time to ours, when we choose to do the wrong thing, we lose a little bit more of paradise, and feel exiled from ourselves, each other, and from God. Matt and Merry reflect on the power we have to make the world a better place when we choose to embrace good.
Matt and Merry begin a new series called Exiles. They will take a look at the exile experiences of the Ancient Israelites, where they found hope in it all, and what we can take from that today. They start off by looking at an important road that made ancient Israel an important piece of land to control. While that seems like good news for them, it was quite the opposite. Year after year they were left wondering why they were always under the thumb of a foreign power, and where God was through it all.
Pr. Matt and Merry wrap up their spring series, Raised to Life, with some reflections on seemingly small events that changed the world. They draw some parallels between these things and the small things we do today, and encourage us to trust that God is changing the world through us, even through the seemingly small things we do everyday. Along the way, they share the fashion genius of their daughter, bring-your-own-toilet-paper culture of Taiwan, and a new use for fanny packs.
Some say that good things come to those who wait. But those good things are usually what’s left behind by those who hustled. Matt and Merry chat about this proverb, and what this has to do with the tradition that Jesus’ resurrection happened exclusively in Jerusalem. Along the way, they chat about yacht clubs, pirate cruises in the Chesapeake Bay, and classic rock cover bands.
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about two resurrection traditions in the Bible. One happens in Jerusalem, and the other in Galilee. This week, they focus on Jesus’s resurrection appearances around the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, they talk about Mother’s Day, popcorn poppers, and an unexpected and life changing event that happened in the drive-thru of a Chick-fil-A.
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about what salvation is all about. Why was Jesus’ tomb empty? Why did he appear to his followers? Was it all for eternal life? Or is something else going on here? We look at the Gospel of John to help us understand God’s emphasis on saving and transforming our lives and our world here and now on this wide of eternity. Along the way, we chat about birthdays, the appropriate amount of gifts to get, and the glories of ice cream cake.
Pr. Matt and Merry look at Jesus’ resurrection through Luke’s gospel, and they ask where Jesus is alive for us today. They look at a story called The Road to Emmaus, where Jesus is revealed to a couple people who share a meal together. Turns out, that Jesus is still alive today through communities that share a meal together in his name—Indeed!—Jesus is alive through you. Along the way, they chat about food allergies, hospital visits, and show us how to use an excessive amount of sports analogies to make a simple point.
Matt and Merry dive into the resurrection in Matthew's gospel account. But, before they get there, they chat about softball teams, kickball leagues, and making real the dream of Living Water's new mascot, The Fightin' Crabs. Then, they chat about Jesus appearing in Galilee to his followers. Some of them trusted in Jesus' movement even after he had to leave them, but some doubted and hesitated. They look at how for almost everyone who has ever existed, faith and doubt go together like PB&J, copy and paste, and Campfires and S’mores.
Matt and Merry kickoff their series, Raised to Life. This week, they talk about the Jesus’ resurrection account from Mark. Along the way, they chat about a few popular cliffhangers from books and movies, reading on planes, and they come up with a great mascot for members of Living Water.
Matt and Merry chat about what worries them in life, and about people's ultimate concern. They then ponder about what God worries about, and what God's ultimate concern is. They talk about all of this through the lens of Jesus' resurrection, and the report of the empty tomb on Easter morning.
Matt and Merry sit down with long time colleague and friend, Rev. James Retallack. Both Matt and Jamie have a few years under their belts being regular, Joe 6-pack, pastors at your local church. So, they sit down to chat about what it means for the local congregation to remain relevant and continue to make an impact in the life of the average person and community, so that the good news we all have to share will never go silent.
Pr. Matt and Merry sit down with the Rev. Dr. Fred Lehr, author of the book Becoming a 21st Century Church. We look at the reforms the church goes through every 500 years, and how we are due for one now. We also chat about how congregations can better partner with the communities where they are situated, and finding ways to do something "with" others instead of "for" others. Dr. Lehr also talks about those who have had no religious afiliation for generations, and how many folk could be called "1st generation" Christians again. He also discusses his model for a 21st century church that centers around worship and has a robust 501c3 outreach program partnered with people from the community.
Pr. Matt takes to the airwaves solo for our final installment of our Lent 2021 series, Dark Night of the Soul. This week, we focus on Jonah. He's the guy who was eaten by a fish and survived! His dark night is a wee-bit self imposed. There's something about God he simply can't accept. We look at the little bit of Jonah that is in all of us, and search for the hope and good news in his story for each one of us.
Pr. Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. David Shank, Assistant to the Bishop for Development in the DE-MD Synod of the ELCA, to chat about developing into a 21st century church. Indeed, we talk about how the church is emerging in a new era, but we also chat about the nuts and bolts of it all. What is the practical side of being a 21st century church?
Pr. Matt and Merry continue our mid-week Lent 2021 reflections, Dark Night of the Soul, by focusing on the troubles experienced by both Noami and Ruth. You can find their story in the book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible. A four chapter rom-com, yet it is quite serious in the hope that is found in the relationship between two friends who are loyal to each other even unto death. What can Noami and Ruth teach us today about ourselves and our God?
Pr. Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Laura Sinche, campus pastor at Towson, UMBC, and Morgan St. They chat about how young adults express their faith today, how they engage in faith based communities, what this teaches us about what the 21st century church is, and what this means for the congregation down the street from you.
Pr. Matt and Merry reflect on Job's dark night. He suffered tragidies and traumas one after the other. Still, he stood tall and wrestled with God, and asked why bad things happen to good people. He didn't remain silence, even in darkness. But where is the hope in Job's story for us today?
Pr Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Bill Gohl, Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA. We chat about what it means to be a 21st century church, the steps we can take to move in that direction, and some success stories of congregations engaging their community, adapting to their context, and even growing again.
Matt and Merry reflect on the dark night experienced by Hagar. A slave of Abraham and Sarah, she is forced to bear them a child. To add insult to injury, they then kick her out of their home, and she is forced to wander through the wilderness. Both she and the child, Ishmael, nearly die. But God hears them just in time. God resceus them. God gives them the same promises God gave Abraham, Sarah, and their children. Through Ishamel will come a mighty nation. We reflect on a God who hears, a relational God who learns right along with us, who hopes and dreams for a new world right along with us, who adjusts and makes new promises every day based on what we experience everyday.
Matt and Merry introduce their new series, Being a 21st Century Church. Is this important part of our culture and society dying or coming to life? They go over some numbers that look grim for the institution. But, they then go over numbers that help us better understand where people find hope for today and promise for tomorrow. They conclude by saying that congregations should focus less on the survival of the institution and more on building relationships within the communities they are situated. Along the way, they chat about Matt getting another year older, and fall into a bit of a blooper real trying to introduce their new subject.
Pr. Matt takes the mic solo to introduce a new mid-week series, Dark Night of the Soul. He reflects on what Lent means for us during a pandemic, how lent 2020 has yet to end, how much it looks different from years past, and what remains the same.
Pr. Matt and Merry reflect on our need to take breaks in life. This week, they chat about listening for God’s voice in moments of silence and solitude. Along the way, Pr. Matt talks about his experience getting the Covid vaccine, Merry reminisces about working at the JC Penney catalogue department (what’s a catalogue?), and they chat about the importance of President’s day by remembering all the “one term-ers” out there.
Pr Matt and Merry come to you live from halftime of the super bowl. The reminisce about halftime’s from the past when music made more sense to them. They also talk about our need to take breaks to recover, reenergize, and connect with God and one another. This is especially true after Living Water’s recent food/fundraiser. And, they also remember a great ol’ hymn called Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Matt and Merry talk like hippies when they advocate that everyone should have enough. They also talk about some newcomers who taught the same thing. Their names are James, John, Peter, a punk named Paul, and some guy named Jesus…all people who proclaimed the good news of God’s dominion by, first and foremost, making sure everyone had enough.
Matt and Merry sit down to chat about the end of one era and the birth of a new one. There are events in life that change the course of history, whether our personal history or our culture's history. We can think of those big events; 09/11, sudden loss, the current pandemic, those events that change things for us. We are living in one of those times right now. One era is passing away, and another is emerging. Matt and Merry look at the story of Tabitha in Acts 9:36-42, how this was the shift of one era to another, and the ever present promise of God to guide us into brand new and resurrected life. Along the way, we give an update on our souperbowl, all the while trying to remain undistracted from the NFL championship games happening in the next room.
Matt and Merry chat about a guy named Philip who shared the good news by giving away food. How ought we to share the good news today? They also chat about how depressing Lent is, vacations to Civil War battlefields, and struggling over feeling thankful during a rough year.
Matt and Merry update on our Souperbowl food/fund raiser to support local food banks. They also talk about the end of the world as we know it. When and how will the world end? And what is our role in it?
Pr. Matt and Merry give us an update on our souperbowl food/fund drive competition with our church friends down the street, Centerpoint. Who is in the lead? And by how much? They also look at a few things coming up on The Water this winter, like the series How to become a 21st Century Church.
Pr. Matt and Merry wrap up our December series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This week, we look at one of our favorite Christmas movies...the many versions of A Christmas Carol. Which one is the best? Which one is our favorite? And where does the moral of A Christmas Carol intersect with the good news in the original Christmas story?
Pr. Matt and Merry review another favorite Christmas movie for many of us...Miracle on 34th Street. For the characters in the movie, Kris Kringle confronts them with a new reality...that he is the real Santa Claus. We see people's hearts changed, folks lives enriched, and a city living into the fullness of life. It is similar to the new reality the angels confronted the shepherds with. A new king is born who will change the world for the better. In both cases, people are curious enough to go and see the amazing thing now happening in the world. And we ask, aren't you curious too?
Pr. Matt and Merry continue our series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This week, chat about the popular Christmas movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. They also reflect the good news for us in the Christmas Story told through the eyes of Jospeh. Along the way, they talk about charity competitions, something called the "souperbowl," the current shutdown, and why ninjas will be present in their nativity scene this year.
Matt and Merry open their December series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This month, they watch some classic Christmas movies, and give you their take on it. This week they watch White Christmas. What is the lesson in that movie? And does it overlap with the true meaning of Christmas? While they answer these questions, they reminisce about Seinfeld episodes, talk about upcoming birthdays, and explore the glorious world of hot chocolate bombs.
Pr. Matt and Merry finish up our series, Reformation: Being Lutheran Today. They ask where the church is, and where God is at work in the world. Is it through an institution, or through our own lives? They look at what Martin Luther had to say about all this. Along the way they chat about turkey shaped turkey loaves for Thanksgiving, how excited they are for Christmas this year, some holiday themed cocktails they want to try, and a few must watch classic Christmas movies that must be watched this year.
Matt and Merry encourage you to "sin boldly." But wait! What does that mean? We explore what Martin Luther meant when he wrote that, and what that means for us today. Along the way they talk about cheesy Christmas movies, cat adoptions, and Henri, le Chat Noir.
Matt and Merry talk about being stuck between two worlds, the world as it is now and the world as it's going to be. Along the way, they chat about listening to Christmas music already, what our holidays will be like in the chaos that is the year 2020, and the fate of Schrodinger's cat.
Pr. Matt and Merry continue our series, Reformation: Being Lutheran Today, with part 2. We talk about the recent election, our frustration at potential winter shutdowns from covid, and even discuss the nuances of the Minnesota accent. We then chat about Lutheran's obsession with grace without works, and talk about what God expects of us in return for grace. Grace is a gift, to be sure. Yet, God calls us to live a certain way in response. Listen in to hear more about this.
Matt and Merry kick off their November series, Reformation. Over the next five episodes, we will look at what it means to be a Christian in our modern world. This week, we talk about Martin Luther's call to reform the church of his day. That happened 500 years ago, but the call to reform continues to this day. We are asked to reform ourselves, our institutions, our societies, our cultures, our world each and every day. And God has our back as we do this. Along the way, we talk about Halloween fun we had this year, and some of our favorite costumes from our pasts.
Pr. Matt and Merry give us a preview of what's coming to Life on the Water between now and Christmas.
Matt and Merry wrap up their fall series, Life on the Water. They chat about running 5k's, baseball playoffs, and folks who support us through thick and thin. This week, Jesus sends out messengers before him as he makes his way to Jerusalem. Knowing they will have failures along with successes in their mission, he sends them out in pairs so they always know someone has their back. Find out the good news for us today....
Matt and Merry keep going with their series, Life on the Water, with part 5, Jesus calms a storm. They chat about infomercial stars like Billy Mays, The ShamWow guy, and the most famous of them all, Ron Popeil. Matt refuses to believe Merry has never heard of him, and then recalls the time Ron P. convinced him to buy a set of knives with his "Wait! There's more!" routine. Jesus' disciples have a similar experience with Jesus. What do we mean? Listen to find out.
The quickest way to someone's heart is through their stomach. This is certainly true of the large crowd that were fed by Jesus many years ago. After a fine meal, they wanted to make him a king. Matt and Merry talk about why so many people ended up hiding in the desert so many years ago, what they thought of their political leaders, and why they wanted to make a change. Along the way, they also share some stories of the best meals they've ever had.
Pr. Matt and Merry talk about feeling normal again, trips to target, the chaos of shopping for kids clothes, and current events. They talk about what "liberty and justice for all" means for us today, especially in light of death of the Breonna Taylor. They also chat about God being a God of liberty and justice. and talk about the day Jesus discovered this when a woman asked for help with her daughter.
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about books and stories that didn't make it into the Bible. This time, they look at a 2nd century book called The Acts of John. An exciting book, there are more resurrections than you can count, a tale of self castration, a love triangle between two men and a dead woman, and bedbugs that obey John's command. And the reason this one didn't it into the Bible is?.....
Every time we make plans, life laughs in our faces. You may even have heard it said, "no plan survives first contact with the enemy." Pr. Matt and Merry talk about that today. They chat about times in their lives when they made the best plans but had to adjust when life happened. Pr. Matt talks about coaching a JV soccer team, and Merry recalls an embarrassing moment teaching in China. They then tell the story of the first few days of the community Jesus, Peter, and crew set up. It started as a small-time community, but grew quickly into a big-time movement. They had to adjust. Discover that the good news is for you when life happens and you need to adjust.
Pr. Matt and Merry kick-off their series called Life on the Water. In the series opener, they chat about when they felt normal for the first time in 2020...a week filled with football and golf. They then chat about this week's story about the time Jesus met Peter on the shore of the lake in Galilee. Both embark on a brand new way of living in community in the midst of a rough time in history. Everyone is just trying to make the best of our own 2020's.
Pr. Matt and Merry chat about a 2nd century book called The Acts of Thecla. This is a story of a woman named Thecla who claimed ownership of herself, and tried Jesus' good news of the empowerment of women in the ancient Jesus movement.
Matt and Merry finish up their series, Cool under Fire, where they tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's captivity in Babylon. God saves the trio when the king throws them into a fiery furnace. Along the way, they talk about Jeff Foxwothry's illustrious career, share some "hold my beer" moments of their own, and chat about redneck culture.
Matt and Merry introduce a new fall series. Every other work, they will chat about a book that almost made it into the Bible, but didn't quite make the cut. Discover some cool books and whacky stories that some folk way back then held as sacred texts. This series will also challenge you, since some things Christians believe today come from these apocryphal books rather than the Bible. Entertaining, educational, fun, challenging, and most importantly, each episode comes in around 10 minutes. See you throughout the fall.
Pr. Matt and Merry continue their series, Cool under Fire, with part #2. They bring up that old saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." They chat about times when folks made the best of bad situations. They then tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego...and also Daniel, as they try to make something good come out of being taken captive by a king. They use their talents to bring about good in the face of bad, when they interpret a king's dream for him. We discover the good news for us today through this story.
Pr. Matt and Merry begin the first part of their three part series, Cool under Fire. They tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the Biblical book of Daniel. These three fellows are famous for surviving a fiery furnace, but they have a back story. In this episode, we hear how these three guys were taken from their homes, exiled to a far away land, and enslaved by the king. Pr. Matt and Merry talk about losses we experience in life, and reflect on the good news this story has for us today.
Pr. Matt and Merry conclude their summer series, Out of the Wilderness, with episode four. Moses is within eyesight of the promised land. He's there, but still has a few more miles to go. He is already there, but not quite yet. Pr Matt and Merry explore those already-not-yet moments in our own lives, and explore the good news for us today.
Pr. Matt and Merry talk about spiritual self care during the wilderness experiences we have in our lives. They continue their summer series, Out of the Wilderness, by following the ancient Israelites into the desert on their way to freedom from slavery. But they get lost along the way, and then they run out of food and water. Find out what God does for them, and the good news this has for our lives today!
Pr. Matt and Merry continue their summer series, Out of the Wilderness. This week, they look at the story of Moses and the Red Sea. Pharaoh has released the ancient Hebrew people from slavery, but then changes his mind. His army chases them down, and traps them against the Red Sea. The only thing Moses and the people can do is pray. So they do. On the way to hearing what happens next, and the good news for us today, Pr. Matt and Merry talk about the return of baseball, last minute field goals, purple mama, and how we are the power of God in this world when we put prayer into action.
Matt and Merry begin their summer series, Out of the Wilderness. This week, they look at the story of God calling Moses to go to the Pharaoh and demand that he release the ancient Hebrew people from slavery. They also chat about the prevalence of something called Imposter Syndrome, and how we along with Moses may feel that God is calling the wrong person for the job. Listen in to discover what the good news is for us today.
What is God's will for your life? And what is God calling you to do? These questions perplex a lot of folk, and these folk have given a ton of money to self-help gurus to help them answer these questions. Pr. Matt and Merry talk about our vocation as Christians and as seekers of God. After opening with a haunting rendition of 16 Tons, they chat about shift work, finding a dream job, and reflect on Jesus' story of The Good Samaritan to help us discover what God is really calling us to do with our life.
Matt and Merry talk about the Church in China. Merry also serves as this week's special guest to discuss this issue, as she is a doctor in Chinese/American diplomatic history and professor of Asian Studies at UMBC in Baltimore, MD . Dr. Meredith Oyen gives us her insights into the Church in China and ways the communist party tolerates some churches but outlaws others. Then, they discuss the parallels between house churches in China and the ancient Jesus movement in Jerusalem.
Matt and Merry conclude their series, Wild Rides, with a look at the story in Acts about Paul being shipwrecked on an island. Along the way, they reminisce about one of their first dates when they took a tour on a pirate ship through the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Then, they chat about what led to Paul being on a ship headed to Rome, and what happened when the ship crashed into an island. They share the good news of God's persistent love for this world.
Matt and Merry continue their series, Wild Rides, with a look at Paul's visit to a city called Ephesus (Acts 19). In this story, Paul discovers that someone has already set up a Jesus community there. He stays a few days with them, and prays with them before he left. Just as he was praying, the Holy Spirit plops down on everyone's head, and they begin doing and saying all sorts of uplifting things for one another. Matt and Merry discuss the good news for us that God never stops speaking to us and through us. And along the way, they talk about their favorite cliffhangers, and the person in Matt's life honoring him with the title "Big Daddy."
Matt and Merry talk about the story of Peter welcoming a Roman family into the Jesus movement (Acts 10). Along the way, they chat about newly arrived furniture, look at groups and out groups, share times in their lives when they felt welcomed by strangers, and reflect on Peter's acceptance of a Roman family into his community, and the good news God has through it for us today.
Matt and Merry continue their Wild Ride series when they look at times in life when life has led us in a different direction than we thought we were headed. They reminisce about times in their own lives when they were headed to one place and found themselves in another--like an Oz museum and a wrestling match. Then, they look at the story of Philip (from Acts 6&8) as he went from premodern social worker to early church evangelist. They conclude by reflecting on the good news that no matter what life throws at us, God walks by our side, empowering and equipping us for the next thing around the corner.
Matt and Merry remember some of their favorite sitcom will-they-or-won't-they moments, one's that worked and ones that didn't. They then talk about the creation story, and discuss how it is like a love story itself between God and creation. They also get their nerd on by discussion some ancient Hebrew words. And then they conclude with the good news that God is closer to us than even our breath, closer than we are to ourselves.
Matt and Merry start a new series called Wild Rides. In their first episode, they lament the seeming demise of the 2020 football season, argue over the virtue of gator tot hot dish and other Minnesota related comfort foods, chat about their favorite amusement park rides...riding roller coasters, and discuss how wild it must have been on the day of Pentecost so many years ago when the Jesus movement restarted in Jerusalem.
Matt and Merry talk about family feuds. They chat about their obsession with the hit game show, reminisce about a family feud from their youth, and discuss a conflict from the earliest days of the church.
Matt and Merry celebrate the lifting of the stay-at-home order in their area (they are no longer grounded!), lament with graduates that there will still be no commencement in their honor this year, and then wax philosophical about the story of Jesus' transfiguration (a story they say is a resurrection story).
Matt and Merry continue their series Ghost Stories. This week, JC appears to Peter on a lake. Along the way, they talk about the first concerts they went to, the best encores they've seen, and how excited people get to see their favorite band retake the stage. They compare this experience to Peter's reaction to seeing Jesus again, and discover the good news this story still tells us still today.
Matt and Merry continue their Ghost Stories with Thomas seeing Jesus again. They chat about how hard it is to trust in what some people tell you, how hard it is to believe in God, and how God stays with us even when we simply don't buy into it. Along the way, they discuss, FOMO, the fear-of-missing-out, and give their weekly update on life in the coronavirus era.
Matt and Merry continue their spring series, Ghost Stories. They talk about the story of Jesus breathing his spirit into his disciples. Along the way, they share their favorite ghost stories from years past, talk about the game pudgy bunnies, discuss the electoral college, how we know we're over the coronavirus hump, and Arthur Fonzarelli even makes an appearance. All this and more on Ghost Stories, pt 2.
Matt and Merry open a new series called Ghost Stories about the resurrection appearances of Jesus so many years ago. This week, they discuss the story of Mary Magdalene seeing a living Jesus at his tomb. Along the way, the chat about the latest in life during the pandemic, end of the world predictions, and talk about the apocalypse. Spoiler alert...Matt believes the world has already ended, and we are now living in God's brand new creation.
Matt and Merry walk down memory lane and share Easter memories from days of yore. They also talk about how much it stinks that Easter is cancelled this year, and how we can still celebrate it in our own homes.
Matt and Merry tell the story of a couple finding true love when they bump into each other at a brunch buffet. Along the way, they talk about awkward first dates, life in the coronavirus era, and buying a house. They also chat about an important ritual to remember the promises God has made to us, the life we've been called to live, and the commitments we made to one another. Fry up a batch of pancakes, set one aside as the special one, and listen along as Matt and Merry tell the story of the special pancake.
Matt and Merry discuss Jesus' parable, The Great Banquet. A man throws a party, but no one he invites shows up. So, he goes out into the street and invite anyone he sees. Come hell or high water, he will fill his house with party goers. Why is he so desperate? What does this say about God? About Ourselves? And who will you invite to your next party?
Matt Beers and Merry Oyen try a new podcast. Large gatherings are banned, so church is cancelled. But Living Water Church is trying a a new way of gathering...online. Matt and Merry talk about what the parable of the mustard seed and the corona virus have in common. Both are a good metaphor for the Kingdom of God among us.