Peace & Strong Coffee: Recent Episodes
Jordan Kellicut
We believe in peace with God and a good cup of coffee. The purpose of this podcast is to engage in the fundamentals of Christianity from a Biblical worldview.
Some thoughts on “what’s next” when things, especially of the metaphysical variety, fall apart.
Today I want to expose one of the ways that Christians misrepresent the Bible and use it to oppress women.
The last time we disagreed with the pope today we take on Abe Lincoln, John Calvin, Martin Luther…. kind of everyone. Does the racism and sexism of our church fathers affect our present? Check out today our spiciest episode yet.
Two amazing book recommendations from which I took some of my info today.
Today I court controversy as we ponder if you have a choice between little or big sins, which is better?
The Bible describes us as sinners and saints. We, humans, are a paradox, a true mixture of light and dark. How do we live with this reality? Tune in to get some direction.
Tigger warning: There is a brief discussion of sexual violence.
Today we think about what it looks like to live with humility, obstacles to it, and the gratitude that flows from it as a gift.
I had a hard time titling this: Terror of Demons?, Joseph the Just; Controversial Christmas… I’m not good with titles. It is about all those things though. Merry Christmas!
Today I encourage us to be more uncertain. Shout out to Birdtalker and their song One which I quote and posted below. (Content warning for parents, the song posted has some light cussing.)
Matthew 11:25-30 teaches us that God moves much more slowly and patiently than we think. Today we learn that God offers us grace in our imperfections, in fact when we walk with God our yoke is easier not harder, lighter not heavier, restful not labor. If your religion is too heavy, maybe it isn’t grace.
Today we talk about the importance of little humiliations, and how important it is to say, “I was wrong.”
Today is the celebration of Pentecost the commemoration of the giving of the Holy Spirit. I want to challenge us to ask a different question about the Holy Spirit today, and ask where is the Spirit going? Because as we reflect on the work of the Spirit I believe that the Spirit is going to the pain of the world. If we want to be with God then we must go to the pain as well.
Today is the traditional observance of the Ascension of the Lord. This day is often forgotten, but remembering the ascension is a critical component of the gospel.
Today I want to do a very short introduction to how we got the Bible. I obviously can’t cover it all, but after our time you will have a better understanding of how the Old and New Testament developed and were brought together into one collection.
The video link below is the same as the podcast audio. But if you prefer the video experience it is available.
Don’t forget Paul’s curated music setlist to help guide your praise and worship.
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
Today I discuss a few examples of Proof-Texting and how not to do it. Three simple exercises/rules can be helpful: 1. Book, Chapter, Verse, 2. Context is King, and 3. The PUBLIC Reading of Scripture.
Today Paul Funk takes us through Jesus’ conversation with Peter post denial (John 21). Had I been denied by my closest friend I might be a little testy - let’s see what Jesus has to say.
In this podcast I take the first verse of 2 Samuel 11 and try to illustrate how we make sense of it. Namely I bring out two important lessons about interpretation: 1. We bring our prior bias/thought/interpretations to the text; 2. If we know this we can more wisely choose how to read a text in light of it’s larger context.
In John 20 Jesus talks to Mary Magdalene and “Doubting” Thomas. Today we challenge the way we treat Mary, Thomas, and doubt.
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
How do you hear the voice of God? How might that affect the way you hear Luke 8:41-48? Why does it matter that Luke recorded this situation, and what has this to do with the great tampon war of 2017? Tune in to find out.
Last time we talked about Jesus conversation with a person that shared his religious and cultural experience. This morning we look at how Jesus talked to a person that was very different from him. Grab a Bible and follow along in John 4.
Some thoughts inspired by morning conversations about identity with friends. If you wrestle with purpose or worth here are some thoughts I have for you.
This starts a new series in which we reflect on the conversations Jesus had with different kinds of people. Today we reflect on how Jesus spoke to the already religious, namely Nicodemus in John 3. As always check the notes for Paul’s worship playlist.
Happy Easter! He is risen! Today we spend a lot of time reading scripture so you may want a Bible. Specifically there are large sections from Luke 24 and Isaiah 53-55.
Today we lament the darkness of evil, as we behold the Lord of Glory crucified by it so that through it we might know the fullness of God’s peace.
Today we reflect on Jesus rejection of the Temple system, and we reorient our understanding of the old story of the widows mite found in Luke 21:1-5-9.
This is the first day of Holy Week. Today we explore the way that John marks the story of Jesus triumphal entry differently, and how even here we are shocked by the wideness of God’s mercy.
This morning we conclude our series on John 13-17. We focus on Jesus prayer for unity of his people, which is the natural outflow of anyone who is living in self-giving love. Put another way, if we live the love of John 13 our lives will easily reflect the unity of John 17.
Today is really the second part of the last episode: Broken Blessings. Your best experience is to follow up the podcast with the song (link below) I Will Find a Way by Andy Gullahorn. It narrates very beautifully what I try to describe today as we reflect on Genesis 32 and Matthew 1.
A simple, and I hope fitting, setting of this great song from the album Christmas by Jill Phllips and Andy Gullahorn. I do not own the copyright to the music...
Today we reflect on the story of the beginning of Jacob’s second journey, but it begins with his breaking. If you want to follow along the story takes place in Genesis 32:22-32.
Today we reflect on John 13 and 14, with the end goal of understanding the work of the Holy Spirit better in John 14: 15-20, 25-27. Below is Paul’s curated worship set.
Today we re-imagine the meaning of James 5:14-16, and what the connection is between sickness, sin, confession, and healing. Special thanks to Dr. Ron Peters for his paper on the subject.
Discover & share this Shower GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.
Today Paul encourages us to have a confident faith as he concludes the first part of John 14. Attached is the music set we were planning for the week. Feel free to play that before and get lost in musical worship before you tune into the message.
Today Paul reflects on what Jesus means when he talks about God’s “Big House” in John 14. To kick it off though check out this (terrible quality sorry) 90’s Contemporary Christian music video “Big House” by Audio Adrenaline.
Video to the song Big House by Audio Adrenaline
Today Paul Funk reflects on John 14:1 in which Jesus encourages his disciples to trust in him rather than sit in fear. Though times will be difficult Jesus overcomes the world.
Special announcement about upcoming podcasts to be released over the next several weeks.
Today we reflect upon the radical generosity of the early church as exemplified in Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37.
Was the mark put on Cain a curse, or a blessing? What do we learn about God and his perspective toward good and evil through this crazy story?
Today’s podcast was sparked by a new commentary by Dr. John Nugent. It is cutting edge, interesting, and accessible. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/33KSpLK
Today I reflect on a bizarre Bible story that functions like a parody of power , and how Jesus death and resurrection despoil the powers - past and present - so that we as the children of God can be free from their authority. Texts mentioned are found in 1 Samuel 18 and Colossians 2:15.
Hilarious meme that inspired the thought below from @epicchristianmemes.
Today I want to correct the misapplication of Wisdom literature - Proverbs in particular - that fails to understand the difference between that and other genres in the Bible.
Today I want to challenge the church to stop putting up with bad behavior from fellow Christians and start actually loving each other enough to confront what we see going on - because it is our responsibility to do so.
Passages quoted from Proverbs 27:5-6; St. Augustine’s sermon on 1 John 4:4-12 found here: https://bit.ly/2EKp0nc
After a long hiatus we think about how Jesus is the Wisdom from God. We look at several passages in brief (in case you want to look them up): Proverbs 1:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:30-2:16; Luke 10:20-21.
Also this gif makes me laugh.
Today we reflect on the post resurrection experiences of Jesus followers.
The painting below The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by the painter Caravaggio ca. 1602.
Happy Maundy Thursday! Today we reflect upon the “Last Supper” it’s relationship to Passover, and the command to love the church.
Though a quiet day for Holy Week, it was busy for the authorities and Judas Iscariot who plan together to kill Jesus. We reflect on this and the story of the anointing of Jesus.
Tuesday of Holy Week Jesus engages in “Temple Debates” and gives us the “Olivet Discourse.” I spend a little extra time talking about the parable of the 10 Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13.
After a hiatus I am back at it. Follow along this week as we reflect on the events of Holy Week. Today we consider the meaning of the cursed fig tree from Mark 11.
Today we explore the apostles Matthew and Simon, and what had to die in order for them to follow Jesus. Also I manage a blatant D & D reference.
Today I want to challenge how we read the “Fisher’s of Men” story in light of Amos 4:1-3 (shout out to the books Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels, and Binding the Strong Man for giving this insight), especially as it relates to how we think about following Jesus.
New Series: Radical Discipleship.
Today discuss the intersection of Bob the Tomato who says, “You’re special and God loves you,” and the Apostle Paul who says, “We are the scum of the earth.”
Some thought’s on Martin Luther King, Jr. day that I hope honor the complex struggle for peace.
I advocate something crazy today: we need to ask others to weigh in on the health of our souls.
Today I challenge you to think about the ways of God, and as the New Year commences how well you might keep them!
This past Sunday was called the Sunday of Peace, because the Prince of Peace has come. What does that mean, and why does it matter to us? I reflect on this utilizing the story of the “Good Samaritan.” (Luke 10:25-37)
As we think about how Christians practice their faith - repentance is key. How we practice repentance, however, is shockingly simple. You’d think God wants more, but he doesn’t.
Today we consider the second most seen practice in scripture, and how it might make a positive difference in the world.
Prayer is the most common practice of the people of God found in scripture. Today we consider how that’s kind of a big deal.
Today we talk about Philip the Evangelist and how sometimes it’s ok do something different.
Revelation 14:4, “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” But where he goes is a life of service to God and to others. Are you willing to follow him there?
Today we consider the “holy kiss” passages and what they might mean for us today. Also the Full House gif (lol) reminds me of my daughters who teach me that true affection has a physical component.
Today we think about Galatians 3:26-27 (NOTE: I accidentally said 2 in the podcast) and how baptism is like putting on Birkenstocks with socks.
https://bit.ly/2yY4Qp3
I tackle a misunderstanding about what God wants us to do according to passages about Hosea 6:6 and Micah 6:8. Does God want us to be kind or does he want us to be faithful? (Though God probably wants us to be kind too.)
Put down your phone, read a book, have a face-to-face conversation, pray for a lost cause. In this way we practice resistance against the tyranny of right now and build the virtue of patience.
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I just entered to win a free mug from Peace and Strong Coffee. You can too: https://peaceandstrongcoffee.com/ 3. Leave a comment below confirming you subscribe and link/screenshot your post before 12pm ET Wednesday Oct 3rd. (Leaving the comment is essential because we will draw winners from the comments below.)
(Sorry, we can only ship inside the U.S.)
There is no such thing as a “Daniel fast,” unless that fast in some way resists the cultural pressure to be “of the world.” Today we consider how
Today we take a few lessons from muscle memory to think about how we can make prayer as natural and unforgettable as riding a bike. So with intentionality and effort we can be the Arnold’s of prayer.
We continue thinking about how Jesus prayed. I noticed that there are a lot of emotion words used in relationship with Jesus and prayer. Perhaps our words matter less than our "heart" when it comes to prayer.
Today we consider the strange book of Song of Solomon, which breaks up the Bible with a reminder to enjoy life.
We think about the Wisdom Literature today, and about how it teaches us that Christians take heed to good advice. So listen to good advice, especially from the Bible or Robocop.
Are Christians rebels? Are Christians to trust themselves? If not who or what do we trust? (Also isn't that gif hilarious?)
The perfect Starwars Animated GIF for your conversation. Discover and Share the best GIFs on Tenor.
Sometimes I think the Heavens must look at me like that puppy. Also the puppy is cute, which made me feel better about the conviction I feel as I post this podcast. My friends it is a high calling to which we have been called and empowered. We must strive toward holiness, so don't forget to blush.
Shout out to Jordan Ickes and his sermon found here: http://www.etnachurch.com/sermons-3/
Smh Really GIF from Smh GIFs
Today we consider the Christian virtue of chill by realizing that we live in a long line of chaotic times, and thus we don't panic - especially when everyone else is. To quote Jesus (loosely), "Who cares, follow me." (John 21:22)
Special guest Tommy Moehlman shares some thoughts about whether or not the "good news/ gospel" is appropriately titled. Though we translate the word Jesus uses as "good news", is it good for everyone?
What about civility? How does the Christian speak and act in a time of outrage and hostility? Meditating on 1 Timothy 2:2 and the meaning of a "dignified life." (Maybe something like the gif below?)
In this and the next episode we consider 1 Timothy 2:1, which exhorts us to live a "peaceful and quiet life." I translate that into modern parlance with an admonition: live a boring life! (Even Will and Jack recommend it.)
via GIPHY
Thinking about confession and it's power to heal us from James 5:16, "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."
Today we think about how all music from Death Metal to Church Hymns is praising something. Music is also instructive, in that what we praise is also what we will increase our love for. So the Christian should think critically about music.
Also, just for fun, one of my favorite SNL skits with Garth and Kat below.
"Preach at all times and when necessary use words." A famous phrase, but is it biblical? Today we finish our three part series on Dr. Nugent's book Endangered Gospel.
Link to Dr. Nugent's podcast: http://afterclass.libsyn.com/
Link to the book: https://amzn.to/2tLys7q
Today we have part 2 of my interview with Dr. John Nugent about his book Endangered Gospel. We talk about how we can display the Gospel in our communities.
For the 50th episode, we have a short series of interviews with Dr. John Nugent about the gospel, and his book Endangered Gospel. Today John describes the gospel, and how we embrace it.
Some audio issues because it was my first foray into recording off of Skype.
How do we summarize all the clean/unclean and holy/unholy? I suggest that we are to be a reverent people, and that is difficult to cultivate in our society. I also suggest that this reverence emerges from a core belief that everything is more than the sum of it's parts.
In this episode I compare the Holy Spirit to a demotivational poster, which I don't think classifies as blasphemy. Also a couple audio problems so I can live up to the demotivational poster below. Also the importance of conviction in the Christian life.
Thinking about what sacrifice means, especially in light of the coming of Jesus. It seems to have more to do with the ethics of a redeemed people. In short we are to be a people of sincerity and truth.
Today we remember back to our experience of God, which functioned as a catalyst for our following him because remembering back will create in you a deepening experience of joy and love. Also noted is a new coffee blend check it out at https://www.fmsc.org/.
One of the first and most common practices in the Bible is that of blessing. We will talk a bit about blessings in the Bible, but also what it might mean for us to bless others. One of the biggest blessings in scripture is children. So enjoy this baby gif. Blessings.
Thoughts from James 4:11-12, "Do not speech evil against one another." We often assume the best of ourselves and the worst of others, and this is reflected in our speech. Let's be more generous with one another.
Why aren't Christians known for being glad and generous? Why aren't we known for our parties? Israel was, Jesus was, the early church was... maybe you should throw a BBQ with your church friends.
Who in your life is able to say "you are doing it wrong?" Some thoughts on how we grow into more faithful Christians. The Bible text mentioned is taken from Ephesians 2:11-22.
I want to spend a little time thinking about the need and benefits of sharing more deeply in community. I think that there is something deeply Biblical about this. Today we pose that question thinking about whether the current Christian practices match the Biblical patterns.
On the danger of getting caught up in controversy, and the intersection of the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Denzel Washington.
Jesus throughout his passion are exemplary of two central topics of his preaching, first his trust in God and second his practice of forgiving love. (Below the earliest picture of crucifixion in an illustrated (illuminated) Bible c. 586.)
Today is the day Jesus celebrates the Passover feast with the Disciples. I talk about the specific prophetic act of the washing of the disciple's feet. An act which highlights the new commandment to love one another.
(Below an ancient painting of Jesus washing feet.)