The Clergy Chick: Recent Episodes
Rev. Rhonda Abbott Blevins
Why did Luke include this strange story of the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts, and what might it mean for us today?
How can we grow in our capacity to love others? The Clergy Chick offers this practical prayer exercise to grow in the grace of compassion.
Like the disciples on the evening after the resurrection, most of us have spent time this past year "behind locked doors." What can we learn from the story of Thomas and the disciples for the world in which we live?
The resurrected Jesus told Mary Magdalene, "Don't Hold On." Why? What might that mean for us today?
Jesus promised to draw all people to himself . . . the Clergy Chick wonders if that's such a good idea!
The Clergy Chick explores the meaning of Jesus turning over the money changers' tables and what it means for us today.
The Clergy Chick explores the story of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Mark, and what it means for our lives.
Inspired by the Jan Richardson poem, "Beloved is Where We Begin," the Clergy Chick begins a Lenten series entitled, "Beloved," by exploring the source of perseverance through trials and difficulty.
How important is ritual during times of transition and can we create a ritual to help usher us into a post-COVID way of life? Find out what the Clergy Chick has to say about this in her message entitled, "Ring the Bell!"
Can we be alone without feeling lonely? Is there a way to emerge from aloneness strengthened and greater vitality? Discover the answer in this episode of Clergy Chick.
What needs to "come out" of our lives that we might be more whole? What can we learn from one of the craziest stories from church history? Find out in this episode of the Clergy Chick podcast!
Jesus goes around Galilee talking of Deep Time and Deep Truth, inviting people to a Deep Turn and a Deep Trust. Will we find it in ourselves to follow?
How do we be the people of God in tumultuous times? The Clergy Chick offers three things faithful people can do in light of national unrest following the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.
A message for the New Year! Following the star, the wise men showed tremendous grit to accomplish their goals. Those who dream must have that same grit.
Like a new father handing out cigars at the birth of a son, we rejoice in the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world and into our hearts!
The Clergy Chick explores the concept that God's house is not made of brick and mortar, and offers a little surprise at the end
How do we sow joy in those around us? What if joy is difficult to find? The Clergy Chick tackles these questions in a message entitled, "Those Who Dream Sow Joy."
Where do we find hope in 2020? How do we prepare our hearts and minds for Christ to be born anew in us?
How does the Dream of God align with the "American Dream?" How do we participate in manifesting the Dream of God? The Clergy Chick addresses these questions in her message entitled, "Livin' the Dream."
The Clergy Chick explores the famous line from Joshua 24, "Choose you this day whom you will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
On All Saints Day, the Clergy Chick explores the ancient Celtic idea of "Thin Places," inviting listeners to recognize the "Thin Place" in every moment.
How would you condense the Gospel to the most basic teaching? This is the question posed by the Clergy Chick as she offers a lesson based on Matthew 22:34-40.
The Clergy Chick explores what it means to "Thrive Financially" through the lens of faith.
The Clergy Chick explores what it means to "Thrive Socially" especially during COVID-19.
What does the Bible have to say about thriving intellectually? The Clergy Chick explores the difference between intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom, and challenges us to become the sages we were born to be.
God wants us to flourish; emotional health is a part of that. What does the Bible say about how we might find greater emotional wellness? The Clergy Chick explores this question in the second installment of her "Thrive!" sermon series.
Letting go of our many attachments is a primary pathway for spiritual growth. The Clergy Chick explores this concept through several passages of scripture from the New Testament in the series, "Thrive! Be Well. Do Good."
Jesus was a master of Third Way thinking. We would do well to learn this remarkable skill for the facing of these days.
The Clergy Chick explores the Old Testament book of Haggai in which the prophet urges the people to rebuild after a time of exile.
Is the story of Jonah just a fish tale or is there something we can learn from this Old Testament story?
The mighty Elijah finds himself weak and weary from the journey, a universal human experience. What can we learn from Elijah taking shelter under a broom tree?
Can our action be a form of "embodied prayer?" The Clergy Chick ponders this as she explores Rahab's actions in Joshua 2.
Moses spent 40 years as a shepherd in the desert before God called him to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt. But those 40 years weren't wasted. God was forming Moses for what came next. In the same way, God may be forming us for whatever comes next.
Continuing a series with biblical characters who find themselves "in between," the Clergy Chick explores the story of Joseph and the importance of dreams and hope.
Some people are wresting with God in light of pandemic, much like Jacob wrestled a mysterious stranger on his way home.
Recounting the story of Sarah and Abraham, the Clergy Chick explores our options when we find ourselves "Between Want and Fulfillment."
"A little place to shine, a little corner on the boat." The Clergy Chick suggests that people of faith are called to build a boat that works for all people.
The Clergy Chick considers the presence of God in the chaos before the beginning of creation, as well as the presence of God in this current chaos.
Drawing inspiration from a Disney film, the Clergy Chick explores how we often ask the wrong question and what we must do in the in-between times.
When Jesus told his disciples, "you will see me," what does that mean? How are we learning to see differently in 2020?
"Don't let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said to comfort his disciples. The Clergy Chick offers realism and hope during the COVID-19 crisis.
What does it mean for Jesus to be our protector during a pandemic? The Clergy Chick tackles this question as she unpacks a favorite passage from John 10:1-10.
The Clergy Chick reveals that we can find Jesus in the "In-Between" as she preaches from Luke 24:13-25 and the story of the Emmaus Road.
What does the story of "Doubting Thomas" mean in the age of fake news and conspiracy theories? Find out how the Clergy Chick applies an ancient story to contemporary life.
On Easter Sunday, the Clergy Chick encourages her listeners to "be the garden" in which the hope of Christ is born anew.
A message delivered while "social distancing," the Clergy Chick presents a Palm Sunday message revealing ways in which Jesus' courage is revealed.
Preaching from within the tomb of Lazarus, the Clergy Chick offers a word of hope during difficult days.
The Clergy Chick asks "What might God be trying to teach us through the COVID-19 pandemic?"
Solitude can be a pathway to experiencing the living water that comes from experiencing the presence of God.
The Clergy Chick offers a different take on one of the most popular verses of scripture in the New Testament, John 3:16.
Jesus' strength was revealed when he withstood temptation in the wilderness. Your strength can be revealed too!
The voice of God had something to say about Jesus, and about each of us, if we can learn to listen.
As Moses delivers his farewell address to the people, he challenges them to "choose life!"
The Clergy Chick interviews Rev. Fritz Gutwein of Bread for the World as together they explore, "What is biblical justice?"
Wondering what the Lord requires, the Clergy Chick prays and finds meaning in a beloved passage of scripture, Micah 6:8.
The Clergy Chick looks at the calling of the first disciples from the perspective of the net they left behind.
Drawing inspiration from the hit series, "Mission Impossible," the Clergy Chick suggests that our mission is no less clear than the mission given in the movies.
At the beginning of a new year and a new decade, the Clergy Chick encourages people to shine the light of Christ ever more brightly.
"How do we see God?" This is the question posed by the Clergy Chick on the 4th Sunday of Advent, 2019. Text: Isaiah 7:10-17
A word of hope for a discouraged people on the third Sunday of Advent from Isaiah 35:1-10.
During a service with an emphasis on children's participation, the Clergy Chick leads the children and congregation in the ancient Advent custom called The Jesse Tree.
The Clergy Chick explores what really matters for the church (hint: it's not doctrine or dogma).
The story of Zacchaeus "grows up" in in this homiletic interpretation by the Clergy Chick.
The Clergy suggests that a lack of humility may be part of what's driving division; Jesus prompts us to "get over ourselves."
With the backdrop of a small sailboat, the Clergy Chick compares the life of prayer to hoisting a sail to catch the wind of God's Spirit.
How do we live more gratefully and why does it matter? The Clergy Chick explores this question in her sermon entitled, "Minority Report."
The disciples wanted big, impressive faith. Find out why it was the wrong thing to ask of Jesus.
On "Care for Creation Sunday," the Clergy Chick wonders if the prophets are being ignored in the same way Jesus described in the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
How do you make the angels happy? Listen to this message from the Clergy Chick to find out!
The Clergy Chick tackles the tricky passage in which Jesus says you must hate your family to follow him—and she quotes Jeff Foxworthy for fun.
Inspired by the song from the Broadway musical, "Rent," the Clergy Chick explores what matters to Jesus, given that we have only 525,600 minutes in a year.
The Clergy Chick explores what it takes to learn to trust God more in the fourth and final episode of her series, "The Four Secrets of Life Abundant."
The Clergy Chick unpacks the first part of chapter four of Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, and how we might enjoy more peace in our lives. The first in a four-part series entitled, "The Four Secrets of Life Abundant."
In her message from August 11, 2019, the Clergy Chick explores how to find joy, and offers a practical step for choosing more joy in your daily life.
Part three in the four-part series, "The Four Secrets to Life Abundant." Exploring Philippians 4:10-13, the Clergy Chick tackles what it takes to find contentment.