The Garden Bellingham: Recent Episodes
The Garden
This Spring the Garden is going to learn to live in to ten words that God gave us to live by together. Fred and Ali introduce in this episode how we're invited into lawfulness, how rules actually enable relationships, and what the overall hope for this quarter is. We hope you enjoy this conversation and begin to build an understanding of what it is to live in to God-honoring lawfulness as we look to deepen our relationship with him.
Come hang out with us on Tuesday nights at 7PM for the full conversation on Zoom HERE.
Follow the Garden on Instagram @thegardenbellingham
The Garden's very own "Ted-Talk" Taylor Costin talks with Fred and Ali in this episode about what he's been learning about being rooted and formed in faith. He invites us into how journaling, Scripture and prayer have grounded him as he navigated big life changes this last year including graduation, a post-grad job, and getting engaged... all in the midst of the pandemic. We hope you enjoy this conversation with our good friend as he leads us in learning about some key faith and business leadership lessons that you didn't know you needed but definitely do, including why everyone needs a red circle Ted Talk rug to-go.
Connect with Taylor on instagram at @tcostin3 for more business tips and quality conversation.
TL;DR Recap of The Garden March 9 Gathering - Formed for Good Work Special episode and old friend alert! This week, good friend of the Garden, Evan Bryant leads us in conversation about what it means to be formed for Good Work. He offers a new perspective of striving to live IN Christ rather than living LIKE Christ, and the true freedom that God offers in our lives. As a bonus, hear about some social-distanced summer camp dance parties that you'll want to be a part of this next summer.
Join us on Tuesday nights for the full conversation at 7pm on Zoom HERE.
TL;DR Recap of The Garden March 2 Gathering- Formed By Praxis This week at the Garden Fred lead the community through 9 Spiritual Pathways (by Gary Thomas) that are daily practices, or praxis, to experience God. In this TL;DR recap episode, Ali and Fred talk about why Steph Curry shoots thousands of 3-pointers a day and how that relates to God forming each of us in practice, and not just in the game.
Join us on Tuesday nights for the full conversation at 7pm on Zoom HERE.
In this week's episode, Fred and Ali recap what we've been learning about being Rooted and Formed in faith this quarter so far. We've been shaken this last year and found ourselves asking big questions of God. This quarter the Garden is invited into deeper exploration of our faiths to grow deeper and more rooted in our understanding and relationship with Christ.
Whether you've been around every week this quarter and need a refresh, or haven't been able to come to weekly gatherings, this episode will catch you up to speed about why we look to Scripture for gospel stories, how they form our own personal faiths, and how our faith is rooted in Christ but formed in relationship. We hope you're encouraged by this conversation and find assurance in God meeting you right now wherever you're at in your faith story.
Join us on Tuesday nights for more conversations about being Rooted and Formed at 7pm on Zoom HERE and in our bio on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thegardenbellingham/
TL;DR Recap of February 16 Tuesday Night Gathering | Formed by Scripture
Welcome to our first ever TL;DR (too long, didn't read) episode of the Garden Podcast! Listen as Fred and Ali recap this week's Tuesday night conversation about how Scripture helps us be deeply rooted in Christ and be continually formed by Him. Also, in case you missed it on Tuesday, we talked a lot about eggs...and learned that none of us actually know how to cook them. Important egg talk.
Join us on Tuesday nights for the full conversation at 7pm on Zoom HERE.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer offers us an invitation in rethinking the way that we approach and receive scripture:
“The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love. And just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart, as Mary did. That is all… Do not ask ‘How shall I pass this on?’ but ‘What does it say to me?’ Then ponder this word long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer - (Life Together)
Two Ways of Engaging with Scripture:
- Lectio Divina - “Sacred” or “divine” reading to slow ourselves down to receive the Scripture
- Inductive Study - Read and Ask: What is this passage about? What does this say about what it's about?
References for a deeper dive into the question: "What is the Bible about, and why/how should I read it?"
The Drama of Scripture by Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen
https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Scripture-Finding-Place-Biblical/dp/0801049563
Eat this Book by Eugene Peterson
https://www.amazon.com/Eat-This-Book-Conversation-Spiritual/dp/0802864902
The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Parakeet-2nd-Rethinking-Bible/dp/0310538920/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UQQL1MY4KF22&dchild=1&keywords=the+blue+parakeet&qid=1613519368&s=books&sprefix=the+blue+parak%2Cstripbooks%2C449&sr=1-1
How the Bible (Actually) Works by Pete Enns
https://www.amazon.com/How-Bible-Actually-Works-Answers_and/dp/0062686755/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=peter+enns&qid=1613519408&s=books&sr=1-1
Inspired by Rachel Held Evans
https://www.amazon.com/Inspired-Slaying-Giants-Walking-Loving/dp/0718022319/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1613519445&sr=1-1-spons
The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight
https://www.amazon.com/Eat-This-Book-Conversation-Spiritual/dp/0802864902
We're back! We're so excited to relaunch the Garden podcast this quarter. This teaser episode introduces what's new this time as Fred and new co-host Ali Raetz talk about what's coming up on the podcast. We'll be focusing on the "Rooted and Formed" theme on Tuesday nights on Zoom as a community and now on the podcast with TL:DR recap episodes and interviews with friends of the Garden. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Fred and Ali as we map out what's coming up soon.
This bonus episode is the audio from an impromptu Facebook Live video that Fred did on Saturday, May 23rd.
May 10 - 17 | We Are Not Brains on a Stick This week's episode features a conversation that Fred and Sydney had with Garret Shelsta and Geoff Mumley about what it means to Seek the Kingdom, specifically during a pandemic. It's a huge topic, and they both offer deep yet accessible ideas for all of us who are curious about what it all could mean.
Garret Shelsta is the pastor of Ekklesia, a young adult ministry in Bellingham. Garret and his wife Aubrey have four young kids, a big white dog named Atreyu, and a Kendrick Lamar-style minivan.
Geoff Mumley is the director of Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF), a campus ministry at WWU. Geoff and his wife Jessica have three kids, three younger brothers, and a younger sister Fred briefly dated 10 years ago.
In this episode, Garret and Geoff explore what it means in the big picture to be a part of any kingdom, what it could look like to move beyond a gnostic-influenced approach to Christian community, and how Edgar Martinez' chronic eye disease invites us to see the inverted small work of the kingdom of Jesus.
Prompts:
1.) What are your key takeaways/stand-out moments from listening to this episode?
2.) What is confusing or challenging about the idea of "seeking the kingdom?"
3.) "Zoom in" on something small that looks like the kingdom. A small act, something said or written, something small that makes a big difference. Maybe participate in On Earth Service Day on Saturday and look for God in the small work.
Contact Garret: @gshelsta
Contact Geoff by email
This week's episode may be a little longer than usual, but only because there was just no way we could leave out any of this great conversation with two people who care deeply about our community leaning in to Imagining a Hopeful Future while Resting in God's Presence.
Lindsay Anderson, MA, LMHCA, is a Mental Health Specialist for Children and Families in the Nooksack Valley School District, served on Inn staff for a combined 8 years, is married to Kyle, and they have two awesome kids, Rory and Max. Lindsay is also a Practicum Facilitator for The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, supporting first-year Masters students as they begin their post-graduate education journey.
Reverend Seth Thomas, MDiv, is the Pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, served on Inn staff for 7 years, is married to Stacy, and they have an awesome son, Asher.
In this episode, Lindsay and Seth offer many invitations for the Garden to be authentic in our experience of shelter-in-place, to find hope for the future in remembering God's faithfulness in our past, and to rest in God's presence by reclaiming what we may have lost in the shuffle of "growing up." We know you'll be encouraged and blessed by what these two have to offer this week.
Prompts:
1.) What are your key takeaways/stand-out moments from listening to this episode?
2.) Remember: when was a time in your life you can remember God was faithful to you?
3.) Reclaim: what's something that gives you joy that you could pick back up again?
Practices:
1.) Do something this week that gives you true joy and laughter.
2.) Reach out to someone who may be missing you this week.
Contact Lindsay: Email Lindsay or add her on Facebook
Contact Seth: Email Seth, add him on Facebook, and check out St. James Presbyterian Church.
The Slap of the Week: American Privilege by Allen Stone
This week, we get to have our ideas and beliefs of what "Nature" is and how we are a part of it expanded by our very special guest, Ryan Chace, M.A. Ryan is a husband, father, farmer of 8 acres here in Bellingham, a mentor, a coach, and was formerly the Youth & Family Director at First Presbyterian Church, a breadmaker, and coach of Olympic-level gymnasts.
In this episode, you'll be invited to view nature possibly as you never have before; and, as a result, receive an invitation to know God by way of nature in way you never have before. Prepare yourself to be present in listening for God's invitation in this conversation.
As you listen and as a follow-up, consider these Prompts and Practices for your week:
Prompts:
1.) What are your key takeaways/stand-out moments from listening to this episode?
2.) How have your ideas and beliefs about nature been changed or challenged?
3.) What would it be like for you to treat nature as an experience to be savored with God rather than a commodity?
Practices:
In the categories of Body, Food, and Outdoors, do one Familiar (or regular) activity and try to be aware of how God invites you to love him through nature.
In the same categories do one Unfamilar (or new) and try to be aware of how God invites you to love him through nature.
Contact Ryan @ wholelifementor@gmail.com, and check out his website at ryanchace.com.
Slap of the week: CATCH by Peter CottonTale.
April 19-25, 2020 Click here to listen to the podcast!
This week, we’ll focus on the importance of Gathering, a part of our S.P.R.I.N.G. rhythm, and we have two special guests who shared their experience and encouragement with us on the podcast. You already know Anh Johnson—pastor of New Legacy Lynden—a house church in Lynden, from when she spoke at our March worship gathering. You’ll also meet Sean Taylor, who is a long-time Whatcom County youth pastor, Fred’s house group pastor, and now the man behind the beard at The Houseless Pastor. Both Anh and Sean are multivocational ministers, working a day job and pastoring all at once. You can follow-up with both of them on Instagram: @anhjohnson0724 and @heyitsseantaylor.
Anh and Sean will share about how they’ve sought out God’s direction for gatherings in their community, how they’ve seen God working in the lives of their people, and how they hope God would move in the lives of Garden students in this weird season of coronavirus. You’ll also hear Anh sauté vegetables and Fred roast her for it.
We hope you are encouraged by Anh and Sean, and we look forward to seeing you this week!
Here are your reflection and conversation prompts for this week:
1.) What are your key takeaways/stand-out moments from listening to this episode?
2.) What do you hope to get out of gatherings in this community this quarter? What are you willing to put it in to them?
3.) What new habits do you want to develop this Spring? What ones do you hope to strengthen?
Pray, reflect, and talk on these! See you Tuesday night.
Our first ever bonus episode is a conversation with a good friend of The Garden (and now a friend of the podcast), the one and only Harrison Jones.
We hope you enjoy listening in on this conversation with Fred and Harrison as they explore '90s country music, the example of Dave Chappelle, and the opportunities that coronavirus is giving the church to grow. If you do, let us know--there may or may not be enough extra content for a Part 2...
For more Harrison in your life, follow and message him on Instagram @harrison__jones.
April 12 - 18 | S.P.R.I.N.G. Rhythm Click here to listen to the podcast!
Seek
Let us seek how God is at work in this crazy time. Let’s look beyond our worries about our day-to-day lives and be curious for how God’s kingdom is coming even now, and how we can participate.
Matthew 6: 31-34 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Pray
Let us pray for the world, pray for each other, pray for ourselves, pray in faith that Jesus even today intercedes on our behalf.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Rest
Let us give ourselves permission and encouragement to rest from the concerns of the world and enter--with intentionality--the Sabbath rest of God: let us Stop, Rest, Play, Delight, and Love, with the sole purpose of “wasting time with God.”
Hebrews 4:9-11 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
Imagine
Let us in solitude and in relationship open ourselves to hopeful imagination for how God is moving in this current time and changing us for the better for the next season.
Ruth Haley Barton, An Invitation to Silence and Solitude “The struggle is real because the danger is real. It is the danger of living the whole of our life as one long defense against the reality of our condition.”
Nature
Let us be present with the world outside our homes, breathing fresh air, observing his creation, and letting it be a witness to us about God’s faithfulness and creativity.
Frederic Gros, A Philosophy of Walking None of your knowledge, your reading, your connections will be of any use here: two legs suffice, and big eyes to see with. Walk alone, across mountains or through forests. You are nobody to the hills or the thick boughs heavy with greenery. You are no longer a role, or a status, not even an individual, but a body, a body that feels sharp stones on the paths, the caress of long grass and the freshness of the wind. When you walk, the world has neither present nor future: nothing but the cycle of mornings and evenings. Always the same thing to do all day: walk. But the walker who marvels while walking (the blue of the rocks in a July evening light, the silvery green of olive leaves at noon, the violet morning hills) has no past, no plans, no experience. He has within him the eternal child.
Gather
Let us not neglect to be together in any ways we can--even via screens. Let’s continue to eat together, laugh together, encourage each other, and support each other.
Hebrews 10:23-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Sundays: new content by podcast and website to be shared among our community Mondays: 9AM Instagram Live prayer time with Riley + Nicole Tuesdays: 6:30PM Dinner Together on Zoom with everybody. Click here! Thursdays: Small Groups, guys with Taylor and gals with Michelle Fridays: 9AM Coffee with Fred on Zoom. Click here!
Your Prompts for Reflection + Conversation:
How have you felt in adjusting to your new rhythm of life this Spring? What has been easy? What has been challenging?
What does it look like for you to structure the SPRING rhythms in to your week? What are the actions or activities you associate with each of Seek, Pray, Rest, Imagine, Nature, and Gather?
What or Who are you praying for right now? What or Who would you like this community to be praying for with you?