Conversate: Recent Episodes
Saints Peter and Paul - Houghton, MI
Join the Pastors and staff of Saints Peter and Paul church, Houghton, MI, and various individuals for Conversate. Each week, we will sit down and have conversations that generally start from the sermon theme of the week. Join us as we model to you how you too can have Spiritual conversations with those you come in contact with. We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Warren Weingarten as they discuss his 90 years of life. Warren tells many stories from learning morse code, to working on nuclear weapons, teaching students, and all along growing deeper and deeper in his faith and love of God's Word.
Warren is a great encourager of others and we hope that this conversation encourages you to start another spiritual conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In Psalm 150 we hear the words: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Those ancient words were sung by the people of Israel in their communal worship. And those same ancient words find expression in songs released in the last 10 years!
What's up with "praise"? Why do we do it? Who is it for?
In this conversation, Pastor Kevin sits down with Amanda Kilpela as they reflect on their experiences "praising." Their experiences represent just a sliver of the wide, historic, and varied forms of praise that exist around the world.
What has your experience looked like? Do you still "praise" today?
Listen and consider when you've been moved to praise (or moved by it!), and consider inviting someone else to share their experience with you!
We hope you enjoy it!
In the Psalms (and in various parts of the Old Testament) - we hear some uncommon words. Whether they are terms regarding rituals that the people of Israel engaged in or terms like "Zion" - which seem to be geographic regions of some importance...the question remains:
What does "Zion" (or any of these terms) have to do with us?
In this conversation, Pastor Kevin sits down with Alex Dewald as they discuss Psalm 48 and other Old Testament Scriptures. Through their conversation they demonstrate the "Christology" of Scripture (how it points to Jesus). But they also ponder this radical, Christian truth: God's Word is "living and active" and applies to our lives today too.
How do you see God's Word impacting your life today?
Listen as the guys share their own experiences and as always: consider starting another conversation based on what you're learning!
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about thanking God for all of the simple things in life. This conversation is centered around Psalm 118 that begins and ends with the words "Oh give thanks to the LORD for he is good for his steadfast love endures forever."
It is very easy for us to neglect the good and simple gifts of God that He daily and richly provides to support this body and life.
This psalm continues to call us back to God's activity in our lives in real ways, which then draws and compels us to praise and thank Him.
Psalm 118 also contains many other significant verses and themes which connect to the greater Biblical narrative. The guys dabble in a variety of those topics as well.
Consider starting a conversation with someone else about something you hear in this episode.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about what it looks like to seek justice. There is, built into all of us a desire for the wrongs in the world to be righted, and for the evil to be stopped. The question becomes, is it up to us to do that, or will God actually take care of it?
We're studying the Psalms, and there's a type of psalm called the Imprecatory Psalm. This means to invoke divine judgement against someone else. This kind of prayer can be particularly meaningful when someone is being abused, oppressed, or attacked. It gives language for the human emotions we will experience, but it directs them in the appropriate place -- to God.
We hope, as always, that this conversation will inspire you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about lament. Lament is an ancient, Biblical form of prayer where one cries out to God to speak honestly with him. It's not mere complaint, but lament does have elements of complaint. Yet, in the lament, we are desiring to draw closer to the God in whom we trust and not just bicker about the things that upset us.
This conversation centers around what it looks like to lament and the freedom that it can bring to the troubled soul.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Bailey Symington to discuss his journey of growing up in a Christian church, de-converting to become a proponent of new atheism, and then his journey back into Christianity and his eventual baptism and growth in following Jesus.
This conversation will be an encouragement to anyone looking at ways to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to people who are trying to look for meaning in what can seem like a meaningless world to those living apart from Jesus.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
Have you ever heard people talk about meditation? We wonder what sort of picture you have of that. Meditation is often seen as an individual endeavor where you sit quietly and think about things. In Psalm 1, we are encouraged to meditate on the law of God day and night.
But, this doesn't mean to simply think about God's law quietly. It actually means to be drawn into action. Our thinking directly affects our actions and therefore the entirety of our lives.
How does one go about meditating on God's law, and what's even meant by "God's law?" That's what this conversation is all about.
We hope that pondering these words from Psalm 1 will strengthen your faith so that you will be like a fruit-bearing tree planted by streams of water with your leaves nice and strong.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Trinity. Very likely, you've heard this word before in its associate with the God that's worshipped by Christians. But, where did the title come from? If it's not in the Bible, then, is it just a man made construct, or does the Bible actually say that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
The Bible does indeed talk about God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In addition to that, the Christian Church has always talked about God in such a way through its creedal statements.
The guys share some of the history behind the Creeds of the Christian Church, particularly, the history of the Athanasian Creed and some of the uniqueness of it.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Day of Pentecost. This is one of the celebrations that happens annually in the church calendar, but what's so significant about it?
In this conversation, the guys break down some of the events that took place, but more than that, what it means for us living now.
As always, we hope it inspires you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about 1 Peter 5. In the concluding words of 1 Peter, Peter reminds us that "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion" and also, "resist the devil."
So, how much power does the devil actually have to affect Christian people? What does spiritual warfare look like? Is it only when we're in the really tough times, or can spiritual warfare also be present with things are seemingly good?
We hope this conversation will open your eyes to see that all around you, all the time, there is a greater reality of what is going on than simply just what you see with your own eyes. But, also, at all times, we can claim and live into the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ.
This conversation will be encouraging and strengthening for you in your faith as you seek to draw nearer to Him!
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Kevin sits down with Elder and long time member of Saints Peter & Paul: John Pemberton. The focus of their conversation centers around the "flood of debauchery" that Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 4, and how we're all "swayed" in this life - in one direction or another.
John shares personally from his own life story about what that "flood" looked like. Yet, how God patiently endured + decisively acted in John's life. We also consider how even longtime Christians - even Peter himself(!) - face the challenge of "going with the flow."
How are you navigating the "waters" of your life? What would it look like for Christ to enter the equation? We consider that, and more, in this week's episode.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about suffering for righteousness' sake. What are we to do as Christian people when suffering comes to us on account of our faith in Jesus? Are we to fight back? Do nothing? Or, something totally different.
In this conversation, the guys also discuss what this looks like when it comes to interactions with the government if they were to dictate to Christians to act contrary to God's Word. Again, do we fight back? Do nothing? Or, something totally different.
We hope this conversation is enlightening to you and that you will understand that suffering is inevitable in this life, so thinking through how you'll handle it is a good thing to consider.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. This conversation has its roots in 1 Peter 2 where Peter quotes one of the most quoted Psalms (118:22).
1 Peter 2 has a lot of different images regarding the Christian life and Old Testament references. It may seem like Peter is jumping from one thing to the next, but they are all tied together to demonstrate what our calling is to be.
If you've struggled to find purpose in your life, this conversation and the Biblical truths contained in it will point you to your God given purpose.
Take a listen and as always, we hope you enjoy it!
Last week, we had a conversation about hope, and now this week Aaron and Kevin discuss hopefully. It's a word that gets tossed around in our English language often without even thinking about what we mean.
In this conversation, the guys contrast the firm and secure hope that is ours in Jesus Christ versus the kinds of flippant hope in the world.
Throw in a few details about Mario and Aaron's most recent trip to California for a discipleship workshop as well.
In this week's episode, Marcus Huff joins Pastor Kevin as they discuss hope.
Ellis "Red" Redding once said: "Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane." And yet, as Dr. Frankl - the author of "Man's Search for Meaning" - discovered: we all need something to put our hopes in to face the difficulties of our lives. So...what do we hope in?
Kevin and Marcus share their own experiences of placing "hope" in various places - and what the outcomes of those hopes looked like. They also talk define "hope" as it is expressed in our culture compared to what "biblical hope" really is.
As always, we hope you'll take something that we talk about in this conversation and start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin discuss the different events that occur in the final week of Jesus' life that we now call Holy Week.
If you're not familiar with Holy Week, this will certainly bee a blessing for you as the guys describe many of the details. But, even if you've been a Christian your whole life and followed closely the events of this week year after year, the Living Word of God still fills us with life as we follow Jesus.
May you have a blessed Holy Week, and as always, take something you hear in this conversation and start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
It's our 250 episode! Thanks for sticking with us on this journey of having conversations about Jesus. In every episode, we've been trying to model Christian conversation and it's our goal that you'll start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
That means, we've had almost a weekly faith conversation for the last 5.5 years. If you're then starting faith conversations each week, you're having way more faith conversations than most Christians.
"27% of Christians say they have had 10 or more spiritual conversations in the past year" (barna.com)
We sure hope that you're having those faith conversations and perhaps that this podcast can serve a weekly encouragement for you to go and do that.
So, is there anything special the guys did to celebrate 250? Well, you'll just have to listen and find out.
But more than that, we hope this conversation inspires you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about suffering in light of Jesus' authority to overcome death itself as we see in John 11 with the raising of Lazarus.
In that situation, both of Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha say to Jesus, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." Many of us say or at least feel that same feeling towards God in the midst of our suffering. "Where are you God? If you were really here, I wouldn't be going through _________."
Is Jesus aloof to our suffering? No. Not at all. He's well acquainted. And he's present with us in it.
We hope you are encouraged by this conversation and that you take something you hear and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about faith and good works and the role that both of them play in the Christian life.
The guys discuss this in light of John 8 where Jesus is having a conversation with Jews about whether being part of the family of Abraham is enough to be given entrance into God's family. Jesus is clear that belief is what's important, not bloodline.
But, Jesus doesn't simply end with belief, he demonstrates that what you believe will affect your actions. Or, better yet, your actions will be animated by what you believe.
So, listen to this conversation to learn what Jesus is inviting us into when he says, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31).
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss what it means to look to Jesus.
In our lives, in this world, we're so quick to say things like, "If I just had _____" then life would be so much better. But, Jesus invites us to look to him not only for provisions in the temporary, but in the eternal.
During the time that this is recorded, in early March 2026, the war in Iran was just a few days old. The guys dabble in this conversation as well by pointing out, Biblically, where we can look and learn how to think through our response in light of the Scriptures. It's no easy, straightforward task, but at the end of the day, our eyes need to be on Jesus.
We hope you'll take something that we talk about in this conversation and start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Marcus sit down for a conversation that revolves around John chapter 1. They get into a discussion about how and why John begins his Gospel the way that he does. He looks back to the very beginning in order to help us look forward and orient ourselves with God's promises in the present.
Aaron and Marcus also look back in their own lives even telling a story of a prank they pulled in college. They also look forward to what's coming up in Marcus' life regarding a sabbatical in the summer of 2026.
As always we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In a world that is full of death and decay, what can it look like to truly live, fully alive in Christ?
We hear the words "from dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Gen. 3:19), but those words don't just apply to a future state. Without Christ, we are spiritually dead, even in this life. But, that's not what Jesus wants for us.
Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10).
Join us for this conversation as we reflect on what it looks like to live truly alive in Christ in this life.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Shane Kleiman, a member of SSPP who first attended while a student at Michigan Tech and oversees the Media Booth.
While at Tech, Shane earned two Master's degrees - one in Forestry and the other in "Geographic Information Science" (GIS). But Shane's passion for nature extends beyond his professional life.
In this conversation we talk about humanity's relationship to Creation. Shane brings real-world examples from his experience working in the forests of the U.P. and around the country.
Listen and consider your own relationship to Creation. What aspects of Creation point you back in gratefulness to your Creator? Which aspects are difficult to navigate faithfully? We'll explore these same questions as we seek to live as the human creatures God created us to be.
As always we hope you enjoy it.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about our God given purpose, and how even that has been broken because of our fall into sin.
Because we are separated from our purpose, we end up stepping out of line, we get frustrated with others who we don't think are doing a good job, and in general, there's much conflict.
If you've ever wondered about what we should do when we disagree with government, or spouses, or our parents, then this conversation will be helpful as you think through those relationships.
As always we hope you enjoy it.
In this week’s episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the effects of being separated from God. When sin enters the world, it puts humanity in an oppositional position to God. Yet, God still continues to come searching after Adam and Eve, asking “Where are you?”
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin talk about some of the practical results of this separation and how it turns into blame, anger, and hostility between people and God.
Perhaps you’ve had interactions with people (maybe online) where you see something they post about a social issue in very strong language, and you sense yourself beginning to craft a particular image of those people because of their viewpoint. There is a lot of hostility and blaming that takes place in these kinds of environments. The guys help us to think through how we should and should not react to these situations.
As always, we hope that you will hear something in this conversation that inspires you to start another conversation with someone else about Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin begin a discussion on Genesis chapter 3 that will continue for the next 4 weeks. In this first conversation, they're discussing the fall into sin and its first effect.
The first thing that happened when Adam and Eve sinned was that their eyes were opened, they realized they were naked, and they covered up.
So, we have a conversation about this issue of nakedness, both in the physical sense and the metaphorical sense, and then the response that we so often have -- covering up.
As always, we hope you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another spiritual conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Dr. Jason Carter the Dean of the the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University in Waco, TX. Jason is a former member of Saints Peter and Paul in Houghton, MI and former faculty member at Michigan Tech.
Jason's primary field of expertise is as a sleep researcher. In this conversation, Aaron and Jason discuss all things sleep as it relates to our existence as humans, but even more so as it relates to us as Christian people.
The Bible is full of passages about sleep, rest, etc. It is built into the fabric of our lives and the rhythm that God has created. We even spend 1/3 of our lives asleep! But, why? What's going on when we sleep?
We hope that, as always, you'll find something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Lauren Stigers to talk about a specific part of God's creative activity on the 5th day: fish!
Did you know that there are over 70 Bible Verses that reference fish? Did you know that the early church used the image of a fish to represent their faith - - like we often do with the cross? What's up with fish?!
Listen as Lauren shares her experience in the field of "ichthyology" (the study of fish), and how she has come to integrate her faith in her particular line of work.
As always, we hope you enjoy it.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation about the 3rd day of creation and how God brought about the land from the waters and filled the land with vegetation. As part of this conversation, they discuss how the Ancient Israelites pictured the earth as a flat disc shape. Why would they have that perspective, and does it matter for what we believe today?
This conversation centers around the what we believe about our Creator God and this creation that we live in, and are part of.
We hope you hear something in this conversation that inspires you to start another conversation with someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the first day of creation. For the next couple weeks, we'll be discussing Genesis 1 as we consider the reality that what we believe about creation affects what we believe about Christ and ourselves.
In this first conversation regarding creation, we're discussing light. Light is all around us. In our modern age, we're pretty good at fighting the darkness with our energy efficient LEDs. And yet, darkness is still real. It's all around us. Literally and figuratively. So is light.
Listen to the guys as they discuss light and all its implications throughout Scripture and our lives.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing the apocalypse of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1). Many people associate apocalypse with end of the world, cataclysmic destruction, but actually the word apocalypse is the same word as revelation. It means to unveil.
In this final conversation on the end times the guys want to remind the listener that the return of Jesus Christ is good news. For those who are in Jesus Christ, we look forward to the day of Christ's return. It is not fear or dread or worry. We don't need to interpret the signs. Stay focused on Jesus and be about His work until the day of His return.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Millennium. When you start paying attention to the different "end times" preachers and books, the concept of the millennium plays a big role in their doctrine. The idea comes from Revelation 20 which talks about a 1000 year reign. Millennium means "1000" and that's where the whole idea gets its origin.
BUT - what does the Bible really say about this? Is Jesus really going to reign in the city of Jerusalem in the nation of Israel (where it stands today) for a literal 1000 years before he restores all things and brings about the new creation? Or, 1000 years a symbolic number like all of the other symbolic ideas throughout the Book of Revelation?
We follow the orthodox/historical reading of the Bible which reads 1000 years as a symbolic number describing Jesus' CURRENT ruling and reigning at the right hand of God the Father.
We hope you listen closely to this conversation as you, too, are part of God's ruling and reigning people even this day.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin are talking about Armageddon. And, we're not just talking about the 1998 movie featuring Bruce Willis. Although, to say it doesn't get mentioned would be a lie. But, what is Armageddon? Where does this idea come from? Is it Biblical?
This conversation will ground us in the Scriptural reality that battles are real. Armageddon is a battle site. And every battle on this earth is a reminder that there is evil and we would like evil to end. The promise of Armageddon is the promise that Christ is victorious over every evil. And his victory is ours. It is ours now, and it will be fully realized when he returns in triumph.
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin open up a conversation about the Book of Revelation. It's quite popular in our culture to discuss the end times. Most people will throw around ideas about wars, and natural disasters. You'll see movies and books about the apocalypse or armageddon. But, where do these ideas come from? And, what does having an appropriate view of the end mean for my life now?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss that the end of death means that we have eternal life now.
We hope that you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation with someone else about the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ!
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Reformation. Maybe you've heard of the Reformation, or Martin Luther, but might not have any knowledge about the historical events.
In this conversation, the guys trace some church history that led to the events of the Reformation and the consequences that followed.
As always, we hope that this conversation is enlightening to you and that it inspires you to go and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin discuss how it was that they learned how to be generous financial givers. They have varied stories in their experiences and so this conversation should be relatable to a number of different situations.
We hope that you will hear something the guys discuss which will inspire you to start another Spiritual Conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin is chatting with his father - Harold Bender - about "Money Matters". That's the title of the 3-week sermon series we're currently walking in as we consider the relationship between God, faith, and money.
In this conversation Harold (who is also a pastor) will share some of his life experience related to the dynamic of giving and contentment. These "episodes" helped frame Kevin's understanding - as he has also (though, imperfectly!) sought to apply them in his life. Harold will also share some practical ways to get started near the end of the episode.
Listen and consider your own "money matters." How might God be calling you to step out in faith in order to experience His blessing? What challenges have you faced in this area of your life?
We hope, as always, that you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Marcus Huff for a conversation on how to reach the next ones.
Prior to working as the Director of Youth and Campus Ministry at Saints Peter and Paul in Houghton, MI, Marcus served as the executive director for the British Columbia Mission Boat Society. He would help lead mission trips into native villages along the pacific coast of Canada. Through these experiences, and now working with youth and college students, he's learned how key it is to build good relationships with people if you desire to share the good news of Jesus with them.
Aaron and Marcus discuss some things to do, and NOT to do when it comes to reaching the next ones.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation about serving others. The Biblical story is one that demonstrates we have a God who serves us. Jesus said he came not to be served but to serve. The Bible is also clear that we ought to serve our neighbors as Christ first served us.
But, what does it look like for us to actually carry this out. Do we always want to serve others? What if we don't want to, should we still do it?
We'll discuss these kinds of questions in the conversation today.
As always we hope that you will take something you hear us talk about and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation about discipleship. We talk about discipleship on this podcast, but in this week's episode, the conversation takes a turn to talk about the benefits of discipleship during difficulty. This world will be troublesome, even for the Christian. But, we were not created to live life alone or fight through the difficulties individually.
God has given each of us for the other so that we are never alone. This is the blessing of discipleship and walking together with others through this life.
We pray that you will hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation surrounding the question "Who's Next?" Do we live life with blinders on simply focused on the task at hand and the things that we have to accomplish, or, do we pay attention to the people around us and how we have opportunities to invest in others?
We believe that, like Jesus, we should be people who are more focused on others than on ourselves. For that reason, we are asking the question "Who's Next" as we consider all of the opportunities to invest in intentionally raising up those around us. Or, also, perhaps we are the ones who are being called to take a step up, or step in to deepen our own faith and participation in the body of Christ.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about the wind. Why the wind? Well, because in many ways the wind is like the Holy Spirit. And as we round out our sermon series on the book of Acts, we are reflecting back on the activity of the Holy Spirit throughout Acts, but also in our own lives.
Using the metaphor of the wind, we will unpack many different ways to see, experience, and share the Holy Spirit and the message of Jesus Christ with those around us.
We hope you enjoy it!
At the end of the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul is facing what seems like insurmountable obstacles. Between his arrest, shipwreck, and imprisonment in Rome, it certainly seems like this is the end of the road. Lock him up and throw away the key. And yet, that's not at all what happens.
God works through these obstacles to bring about His Will so that His Word would be proclaimed before kings and emperors.
What about the obstacles in your life? Do they feel insurmountable? Is it possible that you could see how God is working even in the midst of it?
We hope you hear us speak about something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down for a conversation with Maura Leinonen and Karyn Fay - leaders of a group called "Joyfully Following Jesus." JFJ - as the group is commonly called - is a 12 week program for women to connect with other women as they grow deeper in their faith and with one another. But, it's more than just a "program." As you'll hear in the conversation - it's really a space that affords women a chance to "get in on what God is doing" - in their lives and the lives of others.
There's a new 12 week session starting September 15th on Mondays @ 6pm. If you'd like to learn more or sign up - head over to copperluth.org/JFJ.
A big thanks to Maura + Karyn for making the time to sit down with me! As always, we hope you enjoy the conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about telling our stories. Maybe you've heard this called "giving your testimony" before, but we want to nuance this conversation for you. Because, we do believe that your story matters and you should not be afraid to share it. But, learning to do this well, so that you don't worry about having to have a major dramatic conversion event, or, you don't want all your hope to be on your story and sticking to it.
Your story is one that is not yet over. It's a story that God continues to write. Because your story is one of His activity in your life.
Have you considered how the death and resurrection of Jesus play a central and pivotal role in your life and the hope that you have?
We hope this conversation will inspire you to think about your story, and then to go ahead and share it with other people. Your story does matter.
For more information head to: sspp.church/mystorymatters
In this week's conversation Aaron and Kevin are talking about what it looks like for a Christian to live a life that demans of an explanation. The life of the Christian ought to shine brightly in this world that is so often clouded in the darkness of sin. We love, sacrifice, are generous, forgive, etc. - or, at least that's what Christ has worked into us by his spirit.
We hope that this conversation is inspiring to you and that you would be so filled with the Spirit of the living God that your life would demand an explanation.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this episode, Aaron and Kevin are back on the brown couch having a conversation about the beautiful thing that is the Christian Community. When it is at its best, the Christian Community is the place where we are connected to one another in the grace of Jesus Christ, united with one another, forgiving and loving like Christ. We hope that all of you have had the opportunity to experience the best side of the Christian Community.
Yet, perhaps, our experience of the Christian Community has not been all that great. Maybe we've been burned. Perhaps we haven't felt like we belonged or that people didn't care about us.
In this conversation we'll talk about many of the best parts of the Christian Community and help you think through ways to experience it if that hasn't been your experience in the past.
We hope this conversation inspires you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this episode, Aaron and Kevin are coming to you from the streets of New Orleans, LA outside of the convention center where 20,000 LCMS high school students are learning about "Enduring" based on Hebrews 12:1-2.
In this conversation, the guys share some things about what's happening at this gathering, unpack this theme, and also share how the topic of endurance was lived out in the life of Paul throughout the book of Acts.
We hope this conversation inspires you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about when the Apostle Paul went to the Areopagus in Acts 17 and talked to people who were "very religious" and yet they didn't know Jesus. Paul walks them through a logical progression of understanding that some things they are looking for in an "unknown god" are fulfilled in the "known God" Jesus Christ.
This is a helpful modeling for us who live in a skeptical age. There are many people we know who are looking for the things that God offers, but not looking to the giver of those things.
We hope this conversation will inspire you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing the great blessing of living life in the freedom of Jesus Christ! In the book of Acts, chapter 15, there is a major discussion that the early Christians have to figure out. Basically, what is necessary for salvation? They understood that the forgiveness of sins was solely based in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, yet for the formerly Jewish Christians, they struggled to give up all of the previous laws and customs that made them who they were.
This is a conversation that the Christian Church throughout the world has continued to wrestle with and from time to time wades too much into claiming there is more to salvation than simply believing in Jesus Christ.
As always we hope this conversation inspires you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about mission trips in light of the first missionary journey that Paul and Barnabas took in Acts 13 & 14. Aaron and Kevin share some of the stories from mission trips that they have been on and how they've been impactful. But, the general direction of this conversation moves to the reality that if we consider ourselves Christians, then we are called to live life as everyday missionaries in all of the places and to all of the people God sends us.
We hope this conversation inspires you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this conversation, Aaron has a conversation with his discipler, the Rev. Dr. David Kim who he has been meeting with for the last 9 years. Dr. Kim is the founder and lead pastor of Glocal Mission (glocalmission.org) based in Houston, TX and he is passionate about raising up multiplying generations of disciple-makers and evangelists.
We hope you enjoy this conversation and that it inspires you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else!
In this week's episode, Aaron is chatting with his dad, Bob, about fatherhood. They tell stories of childhood, fatherhood, etc. You'll get some behind the scenes looks at Aaron's life growing up, and the wonderful relationship between these two Christian men.
We hope, as always, that you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss what it is like when people convert from a life apart from (or opposed to) Jesus, to living a life connected to Jesus. This conversation is inspired by one of the most significant conversions we have heard about and that is Saul turned into the Apostle Paul recorded for us in Acts 9.
We hope this conversation inspires you to start another conversation with someone else about Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing Acts 8 and how the gospel spreads throughout the world. It's fascinating to watch the story of Acts play out and now through a martyrdom and a great persecution the gospel spreads.
When we go through difficult, unwanted, unexpected events in our lives, what is our attitude? Have you ever considered how God might work out His purpose through that event so that you may be a living witness to the people and places that event sends you?
That's exactly what happened to Philip in Acts 8. He was scattered from Jerusalem due to a great persecution. It was not a welcome event, yet through it, the gospel spread to Samaria and even to the ends of the earth through the Ethiopian eunuch.
We hope you hear something in this conversation that inspires you to start another one with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the reality of Christian persecution and martyrdom. To this day there are thousands of Christians who annually have their lives taken for simply believing in Jesus Christ. In addition to that, in 2024, 380 million Christians were constantly under persecution in such ways as threats, job loss, abduction, homes and churches destroyed, etc.
We pray that you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about truth. In a cultural time, such as ours, that has essentially abandoned the idea of objective truth in exchange for truth that is determined by an individual's preferences or beliefs, it can be hard to know what really is true.
Call us old fashioned, but as Biblical Christians, we hold to absolute truths. We believe that there are things that are true simply because they're true. In the context of this conversation, we believe that everything recorded in the Bible about Jesus is true. Therefore what he has done is true. What he has said is true. And what he promises to do is true.
Truth always wins out at the end of the day.
Our goal is that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and go start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin are discussing the name Jesus. The Bible tells us that the name of Jesus is power, that it is salvation, and that there is no other name that is above his name.
So, what does it look like for us to cling to the name of Jesus and speak it into reality in our own lives and the lives of others. There's a very practical question that the guys discuss which is, "How often do we actually speak, out loud, the name of Jesus?"
We hope you find something in the conversation that inspires you to start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Pastor Kevin sits down with Elder and long time member: John Pemberton to talk about the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 2 an incredible thing happened. God poured out His Holy Spirit on Jesus' disciples. This was a watershed moment in history. Before this time, the Holy Spirit was only given to a select few. After this moment, God would continue to pour it out onto the many.
If you are a follower of Jesus. If you have repented and received His forgiveness. If you have been baptized --- receiving the Holy Spirit is your expectation too. It's God's promise!
But what does that look like? How do we know if/when we're hearing from Him? In this conversation John and Kevin share their own spiritual experiences and offer guidance and encouragement for trusting the working of God's Spirit in every Christian's life.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about how the Book of Acts begins. Having just finished up a sermon series on Luke, we're turning the page into Luke's 2nd book of the Bible, "Acts."
This is the story of what happened after Jesus' ascension into heaven. Therefore, we are still part of this ongoing story as well.
In this conversation Aaron and Kevin talk about the ascension of Jesus as a key event in Jesus' (and the apostles') life, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the sending of the apostles into Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin sit down with Austin Krautheim. Austin is a farming father of four girls who loves his little hobby farm when he's not working as the facilities manager at Saints Peter and Paul. Oh, and he's got a rockin' beard.
This conversation is a dive into the joys of living on this side of Easter.
As always our goal is that you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to go start another spiritual conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's conversation, Aaron and Kevin talk about Palm Sunday (and the rest of Holy Week as well) as they share our own experiences walking through this journey with Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
Have you heard of the character in the Bible named "Zacchaeus?" His story only shows up in the Gospel of Luke. It's not in Matthew, Mark, or John. And, it's just a quick 10 verses. Yet, it's quite common to find Zacchaeus' story in many children's Bible stories and Sunday School Curriculums. But, why?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin unpack this beloved story and draw many connections to our lives today.
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation and it inspires you to go start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
P.S. We're sorry about our audio quality today... it's not what you're normally used to. It was human error! We got excited about improved video quality and forgot to press a button to make our microphones work! "Can't win 'em all," they say. :)
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are joined by guest Alex Dewald. Alex has been a member of Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton, MI for basically his entire life from the time he was adopted at age 3 from Russia. Alex shares his story of growing up in the church, but how he fell away from active engagement with his church community and his faith, replacing that with a pursuit of the things in this world. He had a moment where he sensed God calling out to him to return, and from there, he followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and got involved in a discipleship relationship with Pastor Kevin which has drastically changed his life and walk with Jesus.
As always, this is a faith-filled conversation which we hope will inspire you to go and start another conversation about Jesus with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a beloved story. Perhaps it's the best known of all the parables that Jesus tells. It's one thing to know the story, it's another to let it affect you and change your heart and behavior.
That's the reason Jesus told it in the first place. There was a lawyer who was trying to put Jesus to the test and the man wanted to justify his behaviors. He was pretty certain he was keeping the law of God just fine. But, Jesus forced him to think differently.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss this parable, give some more Scriptural background to the events and characters included, and apply it to our modern context.
As always we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the time that Jesus forgave a prostitute of her sins.
It's very easy for us to quickly judge and determine the seriousness of people's sins (according to our own understanding). We're quick to acknowledge that someone like a prostitute must be a serious sinner, while I, who has never done anything close to prostitution, am not as much of a sinner.
But, what we learn in this story from Luke 7 is that Jesus offers his grace to everyone. Everyone is given the same opportunity to be forgiven! AND, more than that, sin is not just about what we do wrong. But, we're also sinning when we claim that we are without sin, because that's just a lie.
As always, we hope you hear something in this conversation that encourages you to go and start another Spiritual conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
It's our 200th episode! Thanks for hanging with us all these years week after week. It's truly our joy to have these conversations and we just pray that they are edifying for you and inspiring you to start Spiritual conversations with those you have relationships with.
In this conversation, we're talking about young Jesus. What do we know? What don't know we know?
We'll take a look at these questions and much more.
We hope you enjoy it!
For the past 8 weeks, Saints Peter & Paul has been working through 1 Corinthians 10-14, discovering their "Spiritual Giftedness" - as Paul once shared with that Corinthian congregation.
But, this was no mere reality for the Christians in Corinth. As the rest of the New Testament makes evident (Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:11-16, and 1 Peter 4:10-11) - these gifts are for ALL Christians at ALL times and ALL places!
So...how are you "gifted for good"?
In this conversation, Pastor Kevin and Marcus Huff discuss their own journeys to discovering their gifts, and encourage the listener to explore their gifts in community.
Are you a member of Saints Peter & Paul? Listen and consider what opportunities you might be gifted for! That we all might share in the joy of connecting our God-given talents, to a God-given purpose.
We hope you enjoy it!
One of the things that Christian churches (and Christians in general) are most known for is their public worship. For a lot of people, that's all that they know about Christians. "Those are the people who go to the church on Sunday mornings." Obviously, if you're a Christian, you know that our Christian walk is all-encompassing of our life. It's not just relegated to the one hour on Sunday mornings.
And yet, that one hour on Sunday mornings is still VERY significant. But, why?
Perhaps you've heard people say, or even said yourself, "Why do I need to go to church on Sunday to be a Christian? I can believe in Jesus and just worship him on my own." Is that really possible?
In this week's conversation, we're going to discuss ideas like that and others that people have about Christian public worship.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin depart a little bit from the norm of discussing the sermon theme to talk about their most recent trip to the Best Practices for Ministry Conference.
What did they do? What did they learn? How did they contribute?
Much more about that in this week's conversation.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss what it looks like to live as the body of Christ.
They share some real life examples of how people can come together in their unique giftedness to be a blessing to one another and be built up together into Christ.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the beginning of 1 Corinthians 12 where we learn about spiritual gifts.
What sort of exposure have you had to the teaching about spiritual gifts? Perhaps you have been involved in a church that really emphasized the gifts. Perhaps you've taken a spiritual gifts inventory. But, what is the point of the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. Why did the Apostle Paul write to them about these things. And, what about us?
Should we pursue spiritual gifts? Do we have them? If we do, what should we do with them?
We discuss all these questions in this week's episode.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing the Lord's Supper: what is it and what are its benefits.
The Lord's Supper is celebrated across the board at different Christian churches. But, what is believed and practiced differs greatly. We all do it because Jesus said, "Do it." Yet, there is so much variance in doctrine and practice that it can get a little confusing.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about these differences, and hope to point us to the key central blessings that God promises to deliver.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's conversation, Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation about Christian freedom. What are we free from, and what are we free for? As Americans, and... perhaps just as people in general... we tend to focus on our own individual freedom. We want to believe that we are our own boss and that things are best when we have the say over our lives. Yet, that's not the fullness of what God gives to us when he frees us from sin, death, and the devil.
When we are freed from those enemies, we are actually free FOR the good of our neighbors and the building up of the body of Christ.
In this conversation, we discuss this and the practical, modern day examples of how we encounter this dilemma.
We hope you find something to put into practice and discuss with others in this conversation.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with office manager - Carrie Rich. In this conversation they chat about New Years Eve and New Years Resolutions, as well as the story from Luke 2 - where the boy Jesus is found in the temple in Jerusalem.
What significance does that story have in the lives of Christians? Why should our ears be "struck" when we hear people call God "Father" (or use that term ourselves!)? Listen and consider your own relationship to God...and what it means to be called His child.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Xin grew up in Beijing China in a religiously secular home. In her pursuit of science and engineering, she came to the United States for continuing education. It was upon her arrival to the US that she was introduced to Christianity. At the time, this was not a positive experience for her, and she continued to keep distance from Christian people. Eventually, she and her husband were looking for childcare in the Copper Country for their daughters. A place they had hoped to attend rejected them, and by the grace of God led them to the Early Learning Center at Saints Peter and Paul. It was here, then, that conversations about Christianity started happening again, and everything began changing.
Listen to Xin eloquently tell her story of life and journey to follow Jesus.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. In this scene, John (inside Elizabeth's womb) leaps for joy because Jesus is there!
Think about that. It's amazing that these children are interacting within the wombs of their own mothers.
What role does joy play in your life? Do you have a joyful life?
There are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to live a life of joy. The guys will discuss those in this conversation and help us to get to a Biblical understanding of joy.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
Have you ever heard that phrase "in the shadows" before? What sort of image does that conjure up in your mind? Likely, you think of the activity of criminals or secret societies. In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel tells Mary that the "power of the most high will overshadow her." What do you think? Is that a negative comment or a positive one?
In this week's conversation, Aaron and Kevin are talking about this announcement to Mary, and the metaphorical language of light and shadows.
We hope that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about waiting. Why is it so hard for us to patiently wait? Is there something we're missing by rushing through the waiting? What if God is showing up and giving us unique opportunities in those daily interruptions?
We'll discuss this and more as we enter the season of Advent and longingly, and eagerly wait for the coming of Christ into our lives.
The Greek word "Apocalypse" is the name of the last book of the Bible. Sometimes when we hear that word - Apocalypse - we think of catastrophe and destruction and chaos. But the word actually means what it's translated into in our Bibles: "Revelation" or "revealing."
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Nancy Smith - a long time member of Saints Peter & Paul. Nancy "reveals" stories of her life, and how the Gospel - and the grace that it teaches - shaped her marriage, her family relationships, and her life.
Through her sharing you might notice the courage she has to share her life stories. Because, as Nancy knows, she is not defined by the "Old Adam" (the sinful flesh that manifests in our lives), but by the "New Adam" (the new creation that she is - as one fundamentally defined by Christ and His grace).
Blessings to you as you hear Nancy's stories, and consider the story God is writing in your life - and how His grace changes it all.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing what it means to be new people. The new testament often describes the Christian life as being "new." "The old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). But what does it mean to "be new?"
The guys talk practically about this and share stories of people's lives who have drastically changed as they found freedom in the newness of life Christ offers.
If you're struggling to let go of your past sins, and the guilt associated with them, or if you're still harboring anger towards those who have offended you, then this conversation is going to be good for you.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about Jesus. You might think...but...don't you always talk about Jesus? And you're right, we do. Want to know why? Because, without Jesus, Christianity is nothing. He's the one guy on which the whole thing stands and falls.
Every page of the Bible is pointing to Jesus and is fulfilled in Jesus.
As we've been looking at the story line of the Scriptures the last few weeks, in this episode we see how Jesus is at the climax of the story. Just like in any good book or movie, a story line arc hits that climactic moment. That's Jesus in the story of the Bible.
Throw in a few comments about the weather and a few random dad jokes and you've got yourself a nice new episode of Conversate.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss what the Bible tells us about the rise of the Kingdom of Israel. It wasn't necessarily a good idea for the people to demand a king. They were expressly warned against how it might not go so well. God relented and still gave them what they wanted. And, it certainly didn't go perfectly. Yet, God still worked through an imperfect system and imperfect people.
This conversation was recorded on November 6th, 2024 after the national elections in the United States. There are certainly connections to how we respond to our elected officials as well in light of what we learn from the Biblical account of kings.
As always, it's our goal that you'll hear something in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
The stories of Moses' life are well told throughout movies, children's books, Sunday school lessons, etc. Many of the events that unfolded in his life play a pivotal role throughout the entirety of the Bible in the Old and New Testaments.
One of the things that he was involved in, which is a huge part of the Scriptural story is the giving of the Law of God to the people.
In this week's conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss the role that the law plays in our lives. That leads into further discussion about different ideas about salvation, works, grace, and so on. This is an incredibly helpful conversation as we live in a world which seems to stress salvation by works, and not by grace.
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing God's call to Abram.
How do you know if God has called out to you? What does his voice sound like? How do you know it's him and not someone/something else?
In this conversation we'll give you some helpful ideas to think through and apply in your own life.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the fall into sin and all of its horrible effects.
I'm sure you've asked questions like, "Why does God allow so much suffering?" Or, "Why would God allow Adam and Eve to even be tempted in the first place?"
In this week's conversation, the guys discuss these questions and many others in order that we might find hope in Jesus and his victory over sin for us for all of eternity.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about what the Bible says regarding creation. In a modern society like ours, that is dominated by data and scientific proofs, is there any possibility of us still believing that God is the Creator?
Does it even matter what we believe about how everything came to be?
In this conversation, the guys discuss the reality that we all have a story that we believe. We have a story we believe about where we came from, why we're here, what's the purpose of living. Even if that story is, "I don't know the answers to these questions and I'm searching for them," then that is the story you believe.
The story that you believe is the story that shapes your understanding of your place in this world.
So, do you believe that God is the Creator? Because, believing this, or not believing it, will have drastically different outcomes in your experience of life even today.
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this conversation Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about finding peace in politics.
When this podcast was recorded, it was a month away from the 2024 presidential election. In a political season that seems to be more polarized and divided than anything we've experienced, it may seem that this idea is foolish. But it's not.
We have a theology that reminds us that God is sovereign over all things. In particular, within Lutheran theology, we hold to a doctrine called the Two Kingdoms. In this, we are reminded that the left hand kingdom is the kingdom of the world (politics, government, business, etc) and God is in charge of it. The left hand kingdom is God's way of ordering societies. The right hand kingdom is the kingdom of the church where forgiveness and grace are proclaimed and the Word of God is prominent. And, God is in charge of this as well.
As citizens of the world, we live and operate in both kingdoms. But, how do we navigate them. What role does our faith play in our politics? And, vice versa?
That's what we're talking about in this conversation today.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about how to find peace in our relationships.
Even in the best relationships, there are strains and struggles that we need to learn to communicate and ultimately forgive. But then, there are other relationships that are totally broken.
Is there a path towards peace for broken relationships? Yes. The way of Jesus. The way of forgiveness.
In this conversation, the guys talk very practically about the freedom that forgiveness is and really challenge the listeners to put into practice the gift that Jesus has given us.
We hope you enjoy it!
Is life hectic? Do you feel like you're running around with too much to do? When people ask you: "How are you?" Do you often respond: "Busy."?
In the world today, we are faced with all sorts of schedule challenges that busy up our lives. But, time management has always been a challenge. We see the same tendency of the ancient people of Israel to struggle with finding "rest" within their schedules.
This is why God invented the "Sabbath." What is the Sabbath? In this conversation, Pastor Kevin and Marcus Huff discuss the origin, meaning, and value of the Sabbath. And they invite the listener to consider engaging in it - in order to find "peace in schedules."
We hope you enjoy it!
Peace and finances. Those are two words that we don't often speak in the same sentence. For most of us, peace is something nice, easy, quiet, relaxing. Finances are stressful, frustrating, anxiety-inducing.
Did you know that the Bible speaks about money often? Even Jesus, speaks about money almost more than anything else. It's because money is part of almost every single decision we make. So, is money a peaceful thing in our lives?
In this conversation, the guys discuss the ways the hardships they've had with money and the way towards peace in their own lives.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing 1 John chapter 5 where John says that God's laws are not burdensome.
That is hard for us to imagine. We always imagine that laws will be a burden on us. So, what does it meant that God's laws are not burdensome?
It means that we will actually love God's laws and want to do them because we recognize that they're good for us and good for the world. But, this change of heart will not come of our own doing, it will only come through the transformation by the Holy Spirit.
As always, it's our goal that you'll hear something in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
1 John 4:8 tells us, "God IS love." It is in his nature. It is in his character. He just IS love.
What does this say then about how we ought to love one another? It begins with the fact that we are God's "beloved." We are, literally, his loved ones. Because he first loved us, we have to love one another. Love is not a suggestion. Love is not an option. If you consider yourself to be someone who loves God, than you must love one another.
We hope that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, the guys discuss what it means to be children of God. 1 John 3:1 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."
This is a bold declarative statement. How are we children of God? Because God says so. God calls. God claims. God recreates us as His very own children. You are!
We hope you hear something in this conversation that motivates you to go and start another spiritual conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing the Christian's place in the world. Every human knows that this world is broken and that our human existence is not perfect. But, what do we do about it? How do we interact with the world around us. As Christians, we believe that God has rescued us from the world in which we live. But, this is still the world in which we live.
This conversation is based in a sermon that was preached on 1 John 2:15-17.
It's our goal that you'll hear something in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
We're back! It's been a 3 month hiatus for the podcast while Pastor Aaron was away on Sabbatical, but we're ready to rock in this new episode.
We'll discuss a little bit about the Sabbatical, but primarily we'll talk about God's love for us. We started a new sermon series called What is Love based on the epistle of 1 John.
We hope that you'll hear something in this conversation that will inspire you to start another spiritual conversation with someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
During Pastor Aaron's 3 month sabbatical, the Conversate podcast is taking a little rest as well. Listen to the guys explain the rationale behind this decision.
Thank you all for being loyal listeners and starting faith-filled conversations with those in your lives as well!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the final verb in Mark 1:17, "Become." Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men."
This conversation revolves what it looks like to become the kind of people that God wants us to be and how that becoming takes place.
As always, our goal is that you'll hear something in this podcast and start another spiritual conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the reality that God is our Maker. Too often, too many people operate as though they are their own source of authority. We like to think that we are autonomous individuals. But, there is a simple reality - we have been made, by a maker, who has also made a way for us!
In an age where many people are wrestling to find their identity and purpose and make a way for themselves in this world, our hope is this conversation shines light on the reality that you're better off having a maker. This is not oppressive or limiting, but it is true freedom.
As always, it's our goal that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else about it.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the words of Jesus to the first disciples, "Follow me." How do you think about this concept of following Jesus? Have you ever really considered what Jesus is calling you to do?
Aaron and Kevin talk about what it practically means to follow Jesus. This involves following and imitating other people, and it also means living in such a way that in us and through us people will get to see and hear Jesus and imitate him.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and how Jesus is our coming King. He is our ruler and Lord and his kingdom has no end. So, in this conversation the guys talk about what it looks like to have Jesus as our Lord and what it is that we need salvation from.
On Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted, "Hosanna, Hosanna" which means "save us now." So, do we cry, "Hosanna?" If so, from what do we need saving? And, to whom do we even cry Hosanna?
As always, it's our goal that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and start another conversation with somebody else.
We hope you enjoy it!
Aaron and Kevin discuss Mark chapter 12 where Jesus is in the temple in Jerusalem in the last week of his life. He's being challenged by many opponents regarding his teaching. But, he doesn't back down.
In this conversation we'll talk about the courage and strength of Jesus and what it looks like for us to live with courage having our identity rooted in Jesus.
It's our goal that you'll hear something in this conversation and go start another conversation with someone else about something you heard.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
Mark's Gospel is unique (as they all are!). Particularly, the pace of Mark's Gospel is "harried." Immediately this. Suddenly that. It's action-packed and brimming with excitement.
All throughout - the narrative continues to drive forward by returning to "the way" of Jesus. The roads that He traveled. The path He is headed down. The way of His salvation.
In this week's conversation, Pastor Kevin sits down with new member - Trish Brewer - as they discuss "The Way" in Mark. Trish teaches philosophy at Michigan Tech and has a background in Early Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. She has a wealth of knowledge and dips into it during our conversation on Mark this week.
Learn more about these new additions (Trish and family) to our faith family here at SSPP and consider "The Way" that Jesus has called us together to follow Him, as you listen to this week's episode.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss the importance of understanding Biblical places, dates, and names that we encounter when reading the Scriptures.
We often skip over these important historical pieces and jump right to "what does this Bible passage mean for my life" instead of first reading the Bible in the context to which it was written.
With that in mind, this conversation talks about some important historical facts in the Gospel of Mark, particularly who Herod is as we read in Mark 6.
We hope you enjoy it!
There are many ways to respond to Jesus. But, there's one way that's not possible: apathy. When it comes down to it, you either have to receive Jesus for who he is, or you have to deny him. There's no middle ground with Jesus. We see this reality in the Gospel of Mark as different people respond to Jesus in different ways.
In this week's conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss this reality, but they also take on issues like spiritual warfare, demonic possession, and the role that discipleship plays in combating those things.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin sit down to discuss Mark chapter 1. For the next number of episodes, we'll be walking through the Gospel according to Mark.
In this episode, the guys discuss some of the unique ways that Mark writes his Gospel. They all discuss demon-possession and our modern understanding of it.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the first Christian martyr Stephen. Stephen was a man who was described in Acts 6 as being full of the Holy Spirit and of faith and wisdom. As he was being persecuted for his bold proclamation of Jesus, he took that as an opportunity to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus.
In this conversation Aaron and Kevin talk about what it means to "bear witness" and how often that won't be the most popular thing. It might not gain us notoriety. Instead, it may even cause people to walk away from us. Are we okay with that?
The guys discuss the importance of discipleship - that is, real, true, relational, long lasting walking together in the faith with other people as the thing that especially gives us strength and courage to continue bearing witness to Jesus even when that makes life difficult.
We hope that this discussion is empowering and encouraging for you.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the reality that wisdom is all around us. But sometimes we don't notice it. They discuss the fact that Jesus is wisdom incarnate - that is, wisdom has come into the flesh.
This also means that the wisdom of God is in our flesh as well. Do you see it? Do you notice it? Do you live according to it?
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation with their moms. That's right, these are the women who raised them. This conversation takes place as we've been discussing characters in the Bible who have been given wisdom.
Proverbs 31 describes the wise words of a mom, to King Lemuel, about how he should live as a faithful man of God, and what to look for in a faithful woman of God.
Lynn and Jo share their stories of being raised up, their own marriages, the raising of Aaron and Kevin, and also give encouragement to other women today.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
It's very likely you have not heard of these two "wise guys" named Heman and Ethan.
But, after this conversation, we hope that you will learn from them.
In particular, during this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss the faithful practice of lament (as demonstrated by Heman and Ethan). As we endure hardship in this life, we cry out to God - in faith - and thereby deepen our relationship with him. This deepened relationship then leads to a growth in wisdom to patiently endure, and even rejoice in our sufferings.
As always we hope you enjoy this conversation!
Out of all the "wise guys" in the Bible, Solomon is probably the best known out of all of them. But, how did he get his wisdom, and what did he do to exercise that wisdom?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss their understanding of wisdom and how to grow into it like Solomon.
As always we hope you enjoy this conversation.
Who were the Magi? What was their "wisdom" all about? How did it differ from the wisdom of King Herod or of God?
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin is joined by Carrie Rich - the Office Manager of SSPP - as they dive into these questions surrounding the birth of Jesus. Carrie also shares about her background and upbringing and they both engage in dissecting the "wisdom" of the world and how it differs from the "foolish wisdom of God."
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the good news of salvation!
As we wrap up our study of Isaiah 40:1-11, the people of God are beckoned to get up on a high mountain, lift up their voices, and proclaim the good news of salvation that they have. But, to do it without fear.
Why is it included that they should lift up their voices without fear?
Because, most people are fearful about putting themselves out there and proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
And yet, that's the reason that we have been saved. We've been saved for a purpose. To proclaim the name of Jesus Christ!
We hope you'll listen to this conversation and then start another faith filled conversation with someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation about Isaiah 40:6-8 where Isaiah describes how everything in this world is transitory. It breaks. It falls apart. It doesn't last. Even in physics there's the concept of entropy which states that there is a gradual decline of all things into disorder.
But there is one thing that lasts forever. One thing that endures even when things are falling apart. That is the Word of our God.
We hope that you'll take something you hear and go start another faith-filled conversation with someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Glory of God. More specifically, the talk about their own personal experiences with God's presence. When he shows up. How he shows up. How we can be certain that God actually is with us always.
As always, there's also random singing, jokes, and fun things like that.
We hope you enjoy it!
In Isaiah 40:1-2, God speaks a word of "comfort" to the people of Israel - who are enduring very uncomfortable circumstances. The comfort He offers Israel is the same comfort He offers us - His Divine Presence, Power, and Healing that can transform us in the midst of difficult circumstances.
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Sierra Juntty - one of the teachers of the ELC - to talk about comfort. Sierra and Kevin share stories from their lives where they were uncomfortable and what it looked like to persevere through them.
As you listen, consider those situations that may be causing you discomfort in the present. How might you face them, using the "resources" shared in this conversation?
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about Ruth chapter 4. As we get to the end of Ruth 4, we finally see that Boaz is the redeemer of Ruth, Naomi, their land, and the future generations (including Jesus himself!).
But, what is redemption? That's one of those church words that gets thrown around with others like salvation, justification, etc. It is a Biblical word/concept. As a matter of fact, it's all throughout the Bible. And, Jesus is called our "redeemer."
But, what have we been redeemed from? Redeemed to? How does that affect our daily living?
Well, those are all things talked about in this week's episode.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss Ruth chapter 3. Here, we have Ruth expressing to Boaz her desire for him to be her redeemer.
In this conversation, the guys discuss what it looks like to lay it all at the feet of Jesus.
Jesus uses the line in Luke 10 that he is the, "One thing necessary." So, is Jesus our "one thing necessary?"
Oh - and it's the 150th episode of Conversate! Thanks for watching/listening and being part of this.
Keep having faith-filled conversations!
We hope you enjoy this one.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss Ruth chapter 2. In this chapter, we see that Ruth (the outcast) is welcomed in.
Aaron and Kevin have an honest discussion talking about times in their lives where they've either felt like the outcast, or even been on the side of keeping people out.
This is something that, likely, we can all relate to in one way or another.
So, as always, we hope that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and start another faith-filled conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about Ruth chapter 1. Primarily, the conversation turns towards a discussion of rest, the troubles to find rest in this world, and the ultimate rest that we find in Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing what it looks like to multiply disciple-makers. Jesus' command in the Great Commission is to "make disciples," so what's different about "making disciples" vs. "multiplying disciple-makers?"
That's what what this episode is all about!
We hope you enjoy it!
One of the most popular words in the Christian language is "grace." But, what is it? How does it come to us? How do we give it to other people?
One of our Core Values is, "Give Grace Upon Grace" based on John 1:16.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss times that we have received grace, and even times where it may be difficult to give grace upon grace.
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron, Kevin, and Marcus have a conversation about the Core Value at Saints Peter and Paul: "Pursue Health."
the Bible speaks of "Shalom" - the Hebrew word for "peace." But this word connotes more than just a feeling of tranquility or the absence of difficulty in life. Instead, it pictures a world of "wholeness", where everything "fits" just right.
In this conversation, the guys share personal stories of their pursuit of health in their lives, the difficulties they have faced, and the refreshing reality of God's "shalom" that helps to foster health in all areas.
As always, we hope you take something from this conversation and start another one with someone else. We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Core Value at Saints Peter and Paul, "Honor Relationships."
Many of us think that life revolves around us. Even if we don't truly believe that, we certainly act like it. But, the reality is that we live in relationships with many people. So, what role do those people play in our life? Why is it that we have all these people? Are they for our benefit? Are we for their benefit?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin flesh this core value out, share their own experiences of honoring relationships with other people, and how we try to live this out at Saints Peter and Paul.
As always, we hope you take something from this conversation and start another one with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the Core Value "Love Life."
In a world that is saturated with death, how do we boldly advocate for life? Aaron and Kevin discuss in this conversation how mixed up our world's ethic is on the value of human life.
If you remove God from your worldview, you will end up with a confused ethic on life and not a consistent ethic on life. As Christians, we ought to have a consistent value of human life. And we do! We love life!
In this conversation, the guys will discuss many practical implications for what this means as we go about advocating for life, and being life-givers in this world.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Bryant Weathers, a member of Saints Peter and Paul and disciple-maker of others. Aaron and Bryant discuss the core value that is held at Saints Peter and Paul called "Treasure the Word." They discuss their own experiences getting familiar with God's Word and the benefit we receive when we teach others the Word of God.
As always, it's our goal that you'll take something from this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin reflect back on the Ask sermon series that they've been preaching in the summer of 2023 based on questions that the congregation asked.
During this conversation, they each share what some of the most interesting questions were and the research that they did in pursuing answers to those questions.
They also briefly share where Saints Peter and Paul will be heading in the next sermon series as well.
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about communion. We have a God who communes with us as his people and he desires that we live in unity with one another.
This is different than the individualistic tendencies we have in our American culture where we often involve ourselves in things based on what we're going to get out of them. In the church, we involve ourselves, not just on an individualistic/consumeristic way, but as a fellowship of believers. We commune WITH God and we commune WITH one another.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin also discuss what we, as Lutheran Christians, believe about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which is often called "Communion." What is happening there? What do we believe about the bread and wine? All of that is discussed and explained in this conversation.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are back together once again to have a conversation about this wonderful gift that God has given us in prayer.
Prayer - it's THE spiritual discipline that potentially is the most utilized by Christian people. Prayer is your open invitation to talk to the creator of the universe - your Heavenly Father whenever you want!
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss all the beautiful aspects of prayer and they even share what they do on a daily basis in their personal and family prayers.
We hope that you can take something from this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Are you aware that you also have a relationship with the Devil? If you're not, that's one sign that the Devil's tactics are working.
In this conversation Pastor Kevin sits down with Ben Steinbach - a student at Michigan Tech and attender at Saints Peter & Paul, and they discuss this "relationship" with the Devil.
How do we navigate this relationship? How do we have our eyes opened to see it at work? What has God given us in order to equip us to work against the Devil?
We'll talk about this and more on today's episode. We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron is sitting down once again with Marcus Huff to discuss raising faithful children in this post-Christian world. Marcus works with the youth and college students at our congregation so he has a good pulse on the current struggles that our young people are facing.
He also has a passion for the parents who are raising children during these days.
Both Pastor Aaron and Marcus have young kids and what they share in this episode are their own struggles and joys in their work to raise faithful children in this post-Christian culture.
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron is sitting down with Marcus Huff (Director of Youth and Campus Ministry at Saints Peter and Paul) and they discuss what the Christian life should look like in light of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5).
We hope you enjoy it!
Do you ever wonder if you're saved? Sure, you've heard people tell you that you are. Maybe they've even boldly declared it to you. But, we often find ourselves wondering...am I? What if I'm not?
In this conversation, as we discuss justification, we want you to know that there is nothing you can do to earn your justification. Jesus does it all! You are saved, you are forgiven, you are made new all because of what Christ has accomplished FOR you.
Listen closely to this conversation. Because rightly understanding justification will set you free!
Is the Bible reliable?
You'll hear all kinds of things in this culture.
"The Bible is just an ancient book with old, outdated information."
"We can't trust the Bible. It's been translated so many times, who knows what the original meaning was."
"The Bible might have some good teaching, but that's about it."
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin deal with a number of the realistic data points in which we can look to to see that the Bible is historically way more accurate than any other ancient piece of literature. But, even more than that, the arc of the Biblical story points to Jesus. So... whether you want to be critical of the Bible, at the end of the day, you still have to deal with Jesus.
What do you say about Him?
We hope that this conversation will fill you with information that will only increase your trust in the reliability of the Bible.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are discussing the reality of the suffering we face in this life. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding suffering. One of the biggest ones is that people think their suffering comes as a punishment for their sins. Some other people think that the absence of their suffering comes because of their faithfulness to God. Neither of these things are true.
Suffering exists in this world because the world is broken and sinful. It has been since the day Adam and Eve rebelled against God. It will be until the day that Jesus returns. However, in the meantime, Jesus has already taken on the total sum of humanity's sins on the cross. We have a Savior who suffers with us and for us.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin also get really practical at the end helping us to think through how to help other people when they are suffering, and how we should go about understanding our own suffering.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Amy Fanta, Executive Director of Camp Restore Detroit. In this conversation, Amy shares about the ministry of Camp Restore and the role that hope plays in restoring people's lives and communities.
Learn more: https://www.detroitcamprestore.org
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the justice of God. First and foremost, it's good for us to acknowledge that God is perfectly just (we are not). We are recipients of God's perfect justice and we are recipients of his perfect mercy.
As we live in this world, we will be faced with countless situations where we make judgments. We may be naturally inclined to think and respond to certain people and situations based on where we were born, and what kind of family we were born into. Our perspective may be based on where we were raised, and the events we have experienced.
It can be hard to be patient, understanding, and compassionate as we sort through the nuances of any given situation.
It is our hope in this conversation that you can see us try to balance on this line, while constantly looking to Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
Do you enjoy getting out into nature? What experiences in nature have left you longing for more (or hoping for less!)? How do we navigate our relationship with nature?
In the beginning God placed Adam and Eve into a Garden "to work and keep it." We are tasked with the same role in our world today - to care for God's creation...but how do we do that?
In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with Taylor Piering as they discuss God's creation. They share their experiences and offer some simple ways to get involved in "caring for creation."
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin sit down to discuss heaven, hell, and what the Bible has to say about these things.
Did you know that there are multiple words in the Greek and Hebrew languages that all get translated as "hell" in the King James Version of the Bible, but then later got translated in different ways? Some of this kind of historic understanding, can help us to understand why it is that we have so many different ideas about heaven and hell in the church and in popular culture.
But, at the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves, "Why are we so concerned about heaven and hell? What's our fixation with these things? Is this what's most important?" And even more so, "Is this the way that the Bible speaks?"
We want to be people who are faithful to God's word and focus on proclaiming his Word faithfully in the ways that it is recorded for us.
It's our goal that you'll take something you hear in this conversation and start another faith conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the resurrection of the body. As we've been discussing for the last few weeks, God is the creating God. He is creator, and everything else is creation. Including us!
But - who are we? We are humans. We are body and soul knit beautifully together in an intricate, unique way. God created us to be human beings and that, he said, was very good!
But, just like all of creation, our bodies will wither and die. That is the end result of the sin in this world. However, death is not the end of the story!
Life is the end of the story. And, you can't have true human life without a body!
Therefore, our Christian hope is, as we say as the last words of the Apostles' Creed, "I believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about Judgment Day. How do you feel when you think about Judgment Day? If you're like most people, just the idea of judgment conjures up negative emotions. Or, perhaps it makes you afraid.
Aaron and Kevin discuss their own experiences thinking through judgment. And, what we find out when we look at the whole of the Bible is that the judgment of God is actually a good thing for those of us who are in Christ. Judgment actually means we will be delivered from all of the evil things that enslave us. That's good news!
But, what about for those who are outside of Christ - those who have rejected him? Well, the guys talk about this too. They discuss the kind of urgency we should live with in witnessing those who do not believe in Jesus, but how an appropriate view of the coming judgment affects our witness.
As always, we hope you take something from this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about the return of Christ.
It's our Christian faith. It's all throughout the Bible. We confess it in the Creeds. There is a simple, Biblical, and historic belief about the return of Christ. He will come again. Once and for all. In the meantime, he's not far away. He's making himself known to us. He reveals himself in His Word, in His Sacraments, in His Church. He's ruling and reigning over all things even right now.
On the day that Christ returns, it will be a welcome relief for those of us who are in Christ. Our Savior and King will return to set all things right, raise the dead, and make the creation all new.
This is the historic, Biblical teaching about the return of Christ. But, there are also many teachers who profess a different sort of "end times" theology. In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about some of these other teachings and help to understand why they're not Biblically accurate and can actually be damaging for people's faith and walk with Jesus.
As always, it's our goal you'll listen to this conversation and then start another conversation with someone else about something you heard.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin are having a conversation about the ascension of Jesus into heaven. We confess this in the creed, "He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."
In Acts 1, we see Jesus lifted up on a cloud which took him out of sight. The disciples who were with him looked up at the sky wondering where Jesus had went when two angels appeared and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
So, it begs the question, "Where is Jesus now?" We talk like Jesus is with us. But, is he really? Or did he leave the creation for awhile and he'll come back again some day. How active is he? How close to us is he?
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin sit down with Jesse Johnson and discuss the practical implications of Jesus' resurrection on daily living.
Jesse and his wife Michelle, along with their four children, are active members at Saints Peter and Paul. Jesse is also the proud owner of Gartner's Gallery in Hancock, MI.
In light of "Surprised by Hope," these three guys discuss how the fact Jesus rose from the dead 2000+ years ago affects our daily lives now.
As always, it's our goal that you will take what you hear in this conversation and start a conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the importance of having a Biblical worldview that's centered in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that changes everything including our worldview.
Many people in this world operate from a worldview of progress. They think that things are getting better and better and give it enough time and human ingenuity and things will continue to get better.
Others have a worldview of despair where they think that this material world is all falling apart. Some would even say that the material world is evil and we just can't wait to get out of these bags of flesh and get onto our spiritual existence.
Each of these worldviews borrow from Christianity so sometimes they look a bit Christian. And other times, the Christian church has mistakenly adopted these worldviews.
In this podcast, Aaron and Kevin work on sorting this out for us. They also practically demonstrate how each worldview has results in this world. That conversation leads Aaron and Kevin to talk about issues like abortion, euthanasia, social justice, and more.
As always, it's our goal that you will take what you hear in this conversation and start a conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin begin a discussion about the Biblical hope we have in the resurrection of the dead.
This is a topic that (perhaps) you've heard about before. Or, if you've spent any time in a Creed-confessing church you've spoken these words many times, "I believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."
So, what is this resurrection? When is this resurrection?
Is this the same thing as "dying and going to heaven?"
Do we die and go to heaven?
What is our Christian hope as the Bible teaches?
And, does hope in the resurrection mean anything for my life today?
These are the questions Aaron and Kevin talk about in this episode of the podcast.
As always, take something that you hear in this conversation and start another conversation with someone else.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about Palm Sunday. There were a lot of perceptions and expectations about who Jesus was and why he was riding a donkey into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. But, no one really fully understood the depth of the problem and the extent of Jesus' solution to the problems of sin, death, and the devil.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss 3 misconceptions that many Americans have about who Jesus is and what it means to believe in him.
Take a listen to this conversation and see if you resonate with what they have to say.
It's our goal that you will listen to this conversation and then take the topic and start a conversation with someone else in light of what you have heard.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the phrase of Jesus, "The first will be last and the last first."
How do we know if we're in last or if we're in first? Is it bad to live a life in which we come in first place? Some people might think this phrase means, "Don't ever compete. Or, if you do, make sure you lose." But, that's not what Jesus is getting after.
Jesus is getting after our hearts. Do our hearts place Jesus first? Or do they place ourselves first?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss these questions and many more.
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the words of Jesus "if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
What does this mean, and how do we live it out?
Does it mean I have to sell everything, give up my family, and move to Africa to become a missionary? Is that it? Or, is there a way to continue doing what I'm doing, but do it in light of these words of Jesus?
What we hope to demonstrate to you in this conversation is that denying yourself, and taking up your cross (while it may seem scary) is actually the only way to true freedom and life.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the ways that Jesus is offensive. Now... maybe you hear that and you're offended. You might think, "Jesus isn't offensive!" Well, what about when he doesn't tell you what you want to hear? What about when he says he's the only way to salvation?
Now, it's not our goal for you to be offended by Jesus. We don't think you should strive to be offended. And, we'll certainly clarify some of that for you in this conversation. But, at the same time, we also want you to recognize and acknowledge that it's okay (good even) to have Jesus speak the truth to you. And, sometimes, we might not like that truth in the moment.
So, take a listen to this conversation, and as always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are joined by Shane Kleiman. Shane has been active at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton, MI since his time as a student at Michigan Tech, and now serves in a variety of ways in the congregation.
During this conversation, the guys talk with Shane about his involvement in intentional disciple-making efforts in his own life. Shane has both been discipled and is actively discipling other people as well.
How does a young guy like Shane get involved in this kind of work? What motivated him to do so, and how has it transformed his life and the lives of others?
These are things that are talked about in this conversation.
We hope that you are inspired by this conversation and that it will lead you into having Jesus-centered conversations and intentional relationships in your life as well.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about how God is prepared for everything. He perfectly prepared for the arrival of Jesus into the world "at the fullness of time." He has also prepared us for the lives that we are to live. He has put us in certain situations, with specific people, that we might walk in His love and share His good news.
We hope that you are inspired and encouraged by this conversation.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin talk about the ways that we are impacted by God's dwelling within us and how we can continue to nurture this reality. Not only for our sake, but for the sake of those that we encounter on a daily basis.
What would it look like if every Christian lived in such a way that they looked like a temple. Do people know that in you, they can meet Jesus? Do you know that?
Take a listen.
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with Annikka Chrestensen for a conversation on Spiritual Growth. Annikka shares her own experience of faith growth, including those who "planted seeds" in her walk with Jesus.
As you listen to this conversation - consider the people who have planted seeds in your life. Who might God be you to tend to spiritually? How can you help "plant" or "water" their walk with Jesus?
We hope you know that God is at work, cultivating your spiritual growth, wherever you are and however you go.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are joined by Marcus Huff and they talk about witnessing and wisdom. How do we develop a wisdom and understanding to trust in God? And, how does that affect the way that we witness about Jesus Christ to other people.
In this conversation, the guys also talk about the importance of deepening our wisdom. Even though we can approach conversations "weakly" and humbly, it doesn't mean we have to be intellectually dumb. It's okay - good even - to grow in our knowledge of the Scriptures and Doctrine. But, we can't trust in our own intellect, or our persuasive speech in our witnessing. God gets all that credit, and our wisdom needs to be shaped from the wisdom on high.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Kevin Olson to talk about the Cross.
The Cross has been described as a diamond. It is (oddly) and image of beauty - but one that is multi-faceted. Whether we're talking about greatness, ugliness, service, or strength - the cross has much to tell us.
The Kevins talk about their own experience of the cross in worship, movies, and what it means - very practically - to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about following Jesus. They talk practically about what it means to follow Jesus in modern America by comparing it to the ways that we follow many other people/voices/things in this world.
In this honest conversation, we will examine the beauty of following Jesus because where he leads is good for all of us.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about the upside down nature of God's Kingdom - in particular, this thing called grace.
What is grace, though? If you've spent any time in the church, you've heard the word grace. Grace is even a concept that's used to talk about how smoothly someone moves on the dance floor.
But, what does grace mean for us as the people of God?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin unpack this thing called grace and talk about all the ways that grace transforms our lives.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin "unbox" Christmas by talking about the fulfillment of what Christmas brings - death and life.
In Christ we die to sin and we rise to new life. What does that look like? How do we get access to it? When does this new life begin?
These are the things that Aaron and Kevin discuss in this week's episode of Conversate.
Happy New Year!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Maura Leinonen to talk about "Jesus as our Peace." (Ephesians 2:14)
Maura shares stories of her life where Jesus showed up, and gives some practical advice on how to invest in your relationship with Jesus.
We hope that you are encouraged by your sister in Christ, that you recognize Jesus' own investment (& activity!) in your life, and that we continue to grow together in our walk with Him.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the popular Bible verse, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious (even about all the good opportunities in life), we think this conversation would be beneficial to you.
Be still does not mean sit back and do nothing. But it is an attitude adjustment. So that as we enter the storms of life, the chaos, and all of the opportunities, we will do it with the right perspective - God is God and we are His!
We hope you enjoy it!
In this world that is chaotic and distracting, is there still a place for calm? How do we find it?
In verses 4-7 of Psalm 46, the Psalmist moves from describing the chaotic waters in verses 2-3, to describing a life-giving river that brings joy and gladness. It's a reminder to us that God can change chaos to calm.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss this and much more.
We hope you enjoy it!
This world is chaotic, noisy, filled with distractions, and storms pop up constantly.
God promises in Psalm 46 to be our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin (in matching red flannels) take us on a conversation into Psalm 46 as we begin the Advent season. Advent is a time for us to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. Yet, too often, we live distracted lives and hardly even see God at work on a daily basis.
This Advent we're encouraging to take stock of all the ways that God is present in your lives and Be Still.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
What does it mean to be part of the church? At Saints Peter and Paul we say it like this, "We are a vibrant and multiplying family of God that is truly and fully alive in Christ."
We like the family language that the Bible uses to describe the church because it helps us understand the beauty of both giving and receiving. There is a joy that comes in the mutual generosity of the church, but unfortunately a lot of times pride gets in the way of us truly receiving (or maybe even giving).
We hope that whether you consider Saints Peter and Paul your church, or you belong to a different Christian church, that we would all see ourselves as the one big Family of God!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about imitating.
Who do you imitate?
You do know that you imitate other people, right? Are you intentionally surrounding yourself with voices and ideas that reflect Christ?
And, are you living in a way that you could confidently say to someone else, "Imitate me," and know that you would actually be leading them to Jesus?
Consider these questions as we dive into this conversation together.
Oh... and just for fun, a few dad jokes are thrown in as well.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week’s episode, Aaron and Kevin are talking about the humility of Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about the incredible lengths that God has gone for you? He has come to you in your lowest of lows, in your deepest of deeps in your darkest of darks. That’s where Jesus meets you. He humbles himself to your lowest point so that he can pick you up.
And then he tells us to have this same kind of mind among ourselves with one another.
It’s our prayer that we would be people who live lives of humility - thinking of others more often than we think of ourselves.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin open up a discussion on the letter of Philippians. This is a letter where the Apostle Paul exudes joy in his writing to the church.
What sorts of things bring joy to your life? Is joy different than happiness? Can (or should) Christians be stoic, or should they look happy all the time?
These are questions that Aaron and Kevin talk about in this week's episode.
Plus, it's the week of Halloween, so - costumes are certainly welcome in this week's episode!
This is the 100th episode of the Conversate podcast. Thanks for being with us on this ride! It's been a joy to be in conversation with you each week as we ponder God's Word and model how to have normal conversations about Jesus.
In this 100th episode, we're talking about the Good Word "Sent." God is a sending God. He sent Jesus to die and rise for us. And Jesus sent us, as his disciples to go and make more and more disciples who then make more and more disciples.
Listen to this conversation as Aaron and Kevin talk about the birth of the Christian Church, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and share examples of people who have been influential in their walk with Jesus.
We hope you enjoy it!
This is an encouraging conversation between Aaron and Kevin as they discuss the victory that Jesus has won for us over sin, death, and the devil.
It's easy to feel like the world is winning when we look around and see the mess that is all around. We may even feel defeated or like giving up hope.
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin remind us that the victory is already won. The war is over. Sure, skirmishes and little battles pop up, but the war is done. Christ has won! And His victory is yours!
We hope you enjoy it.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about cleansing. Have you ever noticed when reading through the Bible, how much talk there is about whether or not things are clean or unclean? Have you ever wondered what that's all about?
Well, that's what this conversation gets after. The Bible is filled with imagery regarding cleanliness and uncleanliness. Jesus, in his ministry, goes way outside the norm in the way that he ministers, and to whom he ministers.
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are joined by a special guest from the congregation who was adopted when she was four years old. You'll have to watch this episode to find out who it is!
Adoption is a Biblical word to describe our status with our heavenly Father. We are His children. He has chosen us to be his very own. As his adopted children, we are part of his family now and forever. We have full rights to the inheritance of heaven, and we also have the opportunity (and obligation) to live according to his family rules.
We hope you enjoy this conversation about adoption and hearing a story from our special guest!
Have you ever considered yourself God's property? What do you think of that concept?
It can be a little bit off-putting at first. Property? I don't want to be "property!"
If that's what you're thinking, we encourage you to listen to this conversation and reconsider. We believe that being God's property is actually a really good thing for us.
Aaron and Kevin explore this topic this week!
Life is a huge word/concept in the Bible and...well... in our lives.
At the end of the day, the basic reality of our existence is one of life and death. Physically, and spiritually. But, what does the Bible have to say about this thing we call life? Is there more to our life than simply existing? What does Jesus really mean when he says that he came that we may have life and have it to the full?
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin open up this discussion.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin round our our time in the Beatitudes by talking about Jesus' last statement, "Blessed are the persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
What does persecution look like in our current context as Americans? Does it mean death threats, or is the persecution simply build up in our own minds?
Aaron and Kevin get into this topic today but also discuss which Beatitudes resonate with both of them as we finish our time in Matthew 5.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about peacemaking. They discuss the Biblical concept of peace and how to practically go about making peace with other people.
In a world that is hungry for peace, but doesn't know where to find it, let us people people who bring the other-worldly peace of Jesus to them.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Mercy. It's one of those "church words." But what does it mean? What does it look like? And why should our lives be lives of mercy?
In this conversation, Pastor Kevin talks with Dala Beard - longtime member of Saints Peter & Paul - about mercy. Dala draws on her experience as a transplant to the UP from Indiana and as a teacher to demonstrate how she has seen mercy in her life.
We also talk about God's mercy and how it gives us the motivation and model for how to share mercy in our own lives.
All this and more as we consider Jesus' words to us: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matt 5:7).
We hope you enjoy it!
How do you respond when you experience that things aren't right in the world?
Do you get angry, frustrated or sad? Do you long for days gone by that you look back on and think, "If only the world could look like that again." Or, do you look forward and think, "With a little more human achievement, things will be so much better."
Are either of these our Christian reality? Or is there something bigger and more profound about the way God has created us to work on the unrighteousness of the world.
Take a listen to this conversation between Pastor Aaron and Pastor Kevin as they discuss Jesus words in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied."
In Matthew 5:5 Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This is a surprising statement; don't nice guys finish last?
In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with John Pemberton - Elder and member of Saints Peter & Paul to talk about this backwards way of Jesus. They explore what humility is, what it isn't, and why pride is the fool's way.
But what we find when we lower ourselves (or find ourselves in a lowly state!) - is that Jesus is there to meet us. Exalt us. And lift us up to the heavens.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about mourning. We live in a culture that doesn't like to mourn all that much. Even as Christians, we're often tempted to shorten the mourning process, or think that to be a Christian means we have to be "good" and "happy" all the time. But, Jesus says in the beatitudes, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
There is comfort for those who mourn. And we, also, can comfort others who are mourning. But, are we saying the right words?
Listen to Aaron and Kevin talk about this reality and we pray that you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about how music can be a spiritual discipline. Music is all around us all the time. Are we being attentive to the messaging in the music or how it makes us feel?
Ultimately, music is a gift from God to learn his Word and to respond to him in thanks and praise. How is music playing a role in your life to help you grow in your faith and deepen your relationship to God?
In this week's episode Aaron and Marcus talk about the importance of memorizing portions of the Bible. Why would we want to do this in an age where we can simply access any information we want at the push of a button? Is there still merit to memorization in a world like this?
We think so.
We'll share with you some of our stories with memorization and some helpful tools that we've found along the way.
You can check copperluth.org/resources for resources that are mentioned in this podcast.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss generosity. It seems most people consider themselves to be generous people. But, how do they demonstrate it and what does generosity look like from a Biblical perspective?
In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin share their own experiences and and stories of how they've grown in their own generosity.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about fasting. Maybe you've heard about this concept before, but do you know why anyone would want to fast? What does intentionally abstaining from food have anything to do with our spiritual life and growth in relationship with God?
Listen to this conversation because Aaron and Kevin both admit they don't have much experience fasting, but having learned more about it are considering ways to implement it in their lives.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Marcus discuss prayer. They share different examples of how they pray on a daily basis and how they teach prayer to others.
Most likely, you've spent time in prayer during your lifetime, but what sort of form(s) has it taken. Perhaps you'll hear something new in this conversation and be able to implement it in your life, or give it as advice to someone else.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
On this week's episode Aaron and Kevin talk about Bible reading. How do we get into God's Word and why would we want to do this as Christians? They talk about their own struggles trying to get God's Word into their daily lives, but also talk about practical tips about how do to it and why we would want to. They share the joys and benefits that come with regularly and intentionally engaging with God's Word.
We hope you enjoy it!
We know you've all got ideas about Heaven. But, where did you get them from? The Bible? Or... your favorite book or tv show about Heaven?
What you believe about Heaven affects your life today. At least... it should!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin get into all of the reasons having a Biblical understanding of the end affects everything about the way we live life now!
We hope you enjoy it!
What's your story? Have you ever asked or been asked that question? How'd you respond? Or, were you caught off guard?
We all have a story to tell. And, hopefully, we can tell our story as part of God's overarching story of salvation.
Listen to Aaron and Kevin talk about stories, and how we can practice learning our own story in light of the Bible.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the mission of the church. How can we, simply and practically carry the name of Jesus to people and places who have never heard?
The guys talk about their own experiences struggling to know how or when to talk about Jesus, but they also share how having a deepened relationship with Jesus makes it easier to share his name.
We hope you enjoy it!
We're back! After a little hiatus in April, Aaron and Kevin are back on the brown couch with a conversation about the early church. What can we learn from the way that the apostles suffered for the sake of the Gospel?
Since it's been a little while since we had a podcast episode, Kevin also gives us a little update on the new baby in his family and Aaron and Kevin spend some time pondering about the things they've learned about God by being fathers.
We hope you enjoy it!
We're taking a short break for Conversate during the month of April. We'll be back with fresh episodes each week starting the first week of May! See you then!
In this week’s episode, Aaron and Kevin, engage in a conversation about the Parable of the Prodigal Son and what it tells us about evangelism, reaching out to those who are lost, but also the father’s welcome for us into his loving arms. In this conversation, they get real practical about how to go about having evangelistic conversations and seeking after those are lost. So, if you’re wondering about how to do this, and how to have those conversations, then this episode is for you.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the beginning of Jesus' ministry and how unconventional (according to worldly standards) it was. From the calling of a rag-tag bunch of disciples, to his ministry with Samaritans, his welcoming of women, and the sending of the Holy Spirit.
So, what about us? Is Jesus still at work now in our lives? How?
We discuss this and so much more - even pondering why woodpeckers would pound on the metal cap of Aaron's chimney.
As always, we hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, special guest Jaime Schuldt (director of Saints P&P's Early Learning Center) joins Pastor Kevin for a discussion about "pondering."
In Luke 2, we hear twice that Mary "treasured up" moments with Jesus "in her heart." She pondered them. There are all sorts of moments we experience in life - moments where Jesus may be present (He is always with us!). What does it look like for us to ponder them? How might pondering change our daily view of the world? Of ourselves?
Listen as Jaime and Kevin ponder about pondering, reflect on their own experiences in their relationship with Jesus, and talk practically about how to implement times of pondering in our daily walk.
As a bonus: learn about the Early Learning Center (ELC) and all the opportunities available to work with kids at Saints Peter & Paul! If you're interested in serving at the ELC reach out to Jaime Schuldt:
jaimeschuldt@copperluth.org // (928) 231-1268
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss time. Time is an interesting thing. We are all bound by time as we live here on this earth. But, God is not bound by time because God created time. He doesn't have to play by its rules.
But, God is involved in time. God has us alive for such a time as this. So, how do we align ourselves to God's timing of things? Or, how can we pay attention to what God is doing at certain times so that we can be sure to seize those opportunities to participate in what he's doing?
These are big questions worth pondering, and this week Aaron and Kevin do their best to deal with these deep topics while also telling stories and keeping it practical for all our listeners.
As always, we hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about what it's like when reality doesn't match our expectations. There are so many real world examples where this happens and the guys share some personal stories.
But where is God in all of it? When things just aren't working out the way that we hoped or desired, what can we do to find contentment?
All this and more in this week's conversation.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about the Book of Daniel. In Daniel, we encounter Daniel and his 3 friends who remain faithful to God in spite of what the world throws at them. This conversation leads Aaron and Kevin to talk about identity, what it means to be a child of God, and how to be aware about whether we are paying attention to Jesus' truth, or the devil's lies.
This world throws a lot at us, and we can look to the Book of Daniel to find hope and encouragement to remain faithful.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin sit down to talk about humility. There are many episodes in life, challenging as they might be, where God can bring us to a place of humility and dependence on Him.
Aaron and Kevin talk about the realities of how difficult it can be to be vulnerable, humble, and dependent on other people. But, through practical examples in this conversation, they help to remind us that it is good to always be at a place where we say to God, "Lord, I need you."
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
In this week's episode, Aaron is back to join Kevin in a conversation about identity. As Aaron had been out sick for a few weeks, he shares a bit about what that was like and how he is doing. Kevin talks about Hezekiah and the identity that he has as a child of God. And finally, we tell a story about a local man who was without any idea of his identity at all, but is now finding it once again.
We hope you enjoy it!
Live and let live! Worship what you want to worship. There is no "one right way." All paths are equally valid. These are statements of a pluralistic and "tolerant" society.
And these statements are revered as "Truth" in America today. People squirm (at best) when someone claims religious authority, and condemn and crucify (at worst) those who claim it.
But once came a man who said, "I am THE way, THE truth." How do we reconcile the words of Jesus with the words we encounter in the world?
Take a listen - as Pastor Kevin & Don Kuiper jump into the world of Elijah - who also dealt with pluralistic notions of "tolerance." See the outcome of this story, and consider your response to the question: "What makes Christianity better than other religions? What makes it true?"
We hope you find this episode challenging and thought provoking.
In this week's episode, Kevin and Marcus talk about the "Groundhog Day" effect. You know - that Bill Murray movie, where every day is the same. Sometimes, following The Story of the Israelites feels that way. Golden calves...again? Really?
Sometimes are lives feel that way too. I'm experiencing this again? Really?
This conversation takes it lead from a sermon preached 5 years ago on 1 Kings, chapter 12. Even though Israel repeats itself, we hope you see we are not doomed to the same fate. Listen & find out why!
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Don Kuiper - facilities manager of Saints Peter & Paul - to have a conversation about God's Kingdom. In Mark, chapter 10, Jesus speaks about God's Kingdom and how it comes to children and even comes like a child. What does that mean?
Kevin & Don dive in and explore how God's Kingdom is childlike.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin are both back once again as we hop back in to studying The Story. This conversation follows up with Saints Peter and Paul's Sunday worship from January 9th, 2021 where Pastor Kevin preached about Solomon and the wisdom that God had given him.
Is it possible for us to live lives with wisdom just like Solomon? How do we attain such wisdom? Listen to this conversation for more.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron sits down with his college friend and missionary in Cambodia, Greg Holz. Aaron and Greg discuss how it is that he came to be interested in overseas missions, the development of his organization, Crossing Cambodia, and even some of the history that makes Cambodia a unique place to be a missionary.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
If you want to learn more about Greg's ministry or help to support it, visit www.crossingcambodia.org.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about confession. What do you think of when you think of confession? Is it the booth where you go and sit with a priest listening to you? That certainly is one version of it. But, there is certainly much more.
The reason we have this conversation is because of King David's sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. David fell into sin and then he committed more sins in his quest to cover his tracks. When, what he really needed to do was confess his sins.
This is ultimately what he did, and then he received forgiveness from God.
As you listen to this episode, you will recognize the frequency of your own sin and your attempts to cover it up. But, more than that, we want you to hear about the freedom from sin that Jesus has promised you. Jesus is the one who forgives you all your sins and promises you a new life in him!
We hope you enjoy this conversation.
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about King David. King David is one of the most well known and influential characters throughout Scripture. As we read through the Bible, we see that his influence carries over even into the life of Jesus. Actually, much of what Jesus does and says (and even who he is) ties back to David. So, if we want to get a good idea of who Jesus is and why he did things certain ways, we also need to understand David.
Also, we throw in some references to Christmas music, Lord of the Rings, and other fun tidbits.
We hope you enjoy it!
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the heart. The Bible speaks often about the heart, and it's most often not talking about the blood pumping organ. When the Bible speaks about the heart, it's talking about the core character of a person.
In addition to "the heart," the guys also talk and teach about Advent. As this episode is being release, we are now in the season of Advent which is the beginning of the church year. If you're not familiar with Advent, or what the significance of this tradition is, listen to the first part of this episode.
We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #60
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about pride. What is an appropriate amount of pride? Is it okay to be proud of yourself or your children? When does pride turn into arrogance?
This discussion is based in Pastor Kevin's sermon at Saints Peter and Paul from 11.21.2021 based on the first 15 chapters of 1 Samuel. Here, we learn about Hannah, the mother of Samuel and how, originally, she didn't think too highly of herself. Yet, God heard her cries.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #59
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the Book of Ruth and what it teaches us about following and leading. Do you ever consider who it is that is having an affect on the way that you think, speak, and act? Do you intentionally follow anyone with the sole purpose of teaching you like Jesus teaches? And, on the flip side, do you ever consider the influence that you have on other people's lives. Whether you think about it or not, you are having an influence on people. So, are you leading them to Jesus, or to something totally different? Take a listen to this episode, and we really hope you enjoy it!
Episode #58
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss what it means to be a witness, and the important role that all Christians have of testifying to what we have seen and heard about Jesus. This is an important discussion in connection with the book of Judges and our practical living. In Judges, we see a cycle repeated where a generation falls away from obedience to Holy living. They become oppressed, then they cry out to God in repentance, and He delivers them from the hand of their enemies. They live at peace for awhile. But then, the next generation does the same thing again. We are witnesses of Jesus. Therefore, we have the responsibility to testify to the next generation about what we have seen and heard. Sit down with Aaron and Kevin and listen to this conversation, then take something from it, and put it into your own faith conversations with others. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #57
In this week's episode, Kevin speaks with special guest: Art Pontynen about "Reality." We live in a world that tends to consider only what "Science" says about the world to be reality. But what if Science only explores part of reality. What if it can only tell us certain "how's" but not "why" to the bigger questions we face?In this conversation - Art walks us through the difference between "facts" (that Science reveals) and the greater "Reality" (that God has created & which Scripture attests to). We hope you find this conversation invigorating, explorative, and maybe even challenging! If you do, please feel free to email questions to pastorbender@copperluth.org -- as we seek to discover The Truth - who is Jesus - together. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #56
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in a conversation about signs. God has clearly established signage for us in our lives to show us where to go, where not to go, what to do, and what not to do. Too often, we're distracted by the other signs from the world to notice what God has put before us. They also talk about how people oftentimes look for signs or ask God for signs. Is this right to do? How do we know if we've noticed correctly? Well, listen to this conversation and we hope it will help. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #55
In this week's episode, Kevin & Marcus talk about: THE LAW. Sometimes people see God as a Cosmic Killjoy. Or as an overbearing father who limits what we can do, and then punishes us severely when we disobey. But in this conversation - we see that the Law is about so much more. It actually serves to give us life! To help us live better lives. And is not the basis for earning God's Love.Marcus and Kevin share personal experiences and stories of their encounters with "the Law" and explain its uses as a "curb," "mirror," and "guide."We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #53
There are a lot of unanswerable questions that we have in this life. Of all of them, perhaps one of the hardest for us to grasp is, "Why do we suffer?" In this week's episode of the podcast, Aaron and Kevin engage in a conversation about this question. They offer some different imagery that can be used to help explain, and they simply share their own stories about suffering and how they've learned to see God's activity and presence through it all. We hope you enjoy it.
Episode #52
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about God's ability to carry out His plan and promise even when it seems like things are falling apart and perhaps even dead. Even when we get in the way and mess things up, God still gets His plan accomplished. We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #51
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Biblical account of creation and how having an appropriate understanding of it enhances the way we read the rest of the Scriptures. In this conversation, they also talk about the church and science and how these two things are not mutually exclusive, but when happily married make each one even more meaningful. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #50
In this week's episode, Kevin sits down with Marcus Huff as they engage in a conversation about "stories." This episode occurs after the kickoff of "The Story" - a 31 week journey through the grand narrative of Scripture.In this conversation, Kevin and Marcus talk about the challenge of story-telling in a world often too busy for stories. Yet, they acknowledge the deep impact stories have had them - from family and friends, to the stories of our own lives - when we stop to consider them. Through it all - God is inviting us to be a part of His Story, as He works in & through our stories.We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #49
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in a conversation about the conclusion to our sermon series Rubble Restoration: Rebuilding God's Way. In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin talk about how often we work so hard to keep everything together. We try to keep every brick in the wall. We strive to not let anything decay or fall apart. But, we know that eventually things fall apart. Even our own lives fall apart. So, when all is coming undone, even when it feels like we are simply done, God is not done. God will follow through on all of his promises to you and finally, fully restore you! We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #48
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about stories. We're all part of stories. We tell stories. We love stories. But, when we think about our own lives, what does the story look like? Who are the main characters? What are we up to? How does it all get resolved? If we aren't keenly aware that we're part of God's bigger story, our stories can often seem frivolous. But, when we seen our lives aligned with God's story, everything starts to make a lot more sense. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #47
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in a wide ranging conversation about relationships. They discuss being husbands, fathers, and friends and how every one of those relationships give us the opportunity to live as Christ and put His love into practice. They also have a conversation about how quick we are to build walls of hostility between us and other people, but how quick Jesus is to tear down those walls and invite us to live together in hope. We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #46
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in a conversation about the presence of God in our lives. In big ways and small ways, God has his hand upon our lives. That's a popular phrase in the book of Ezra, "The hand of God was upon him." And, the hand of God is upon us. Join Aaron and Kevin as they share stories from life about ways they have experienced the hand of God in their lives.
Episode #45
On this week's episode, Pastor Aaron is joined by guest Joe Battisfore. Joe is a member of Saints Peter and Paul and serves on our volunteer ministry staff as Director of Community Outreach. Joe joins Pastor Aaron on this episode to conversate about worship based on Pastor Aaron's sermon from 8.1.2021 on Ezra 3-6. Joe is retired from the United States Army and in this conversation talks about what it was like to be apart from a gathered congregation while serving on the battlefield. Yet, he also shares how he and his fellow soldiers still gathered together to seek solace from God's Word. We pray that this is an encouraging conversation to you to help you realize the real importance of the gathered congregation for worship.
Episode #44
In this week's episode, Kevin conversates with special guest: Marcus Huff about the Exile. This is a significant moment in the history of God's people: Israel, and is the backdrop to the books of Ezra & Nehemiah. By putting ourselves in Israel's shoes -- we get a greater appreciation for the "list of names" in Ezra, chapter 2 -- and all that is unfolding in Israel's greater story.We all have stories that we live in as well -- with high points, low points, and everything in between. The Israelites pattern of looking backward, to God's faithful action in their history, gives us a model to follow when we are in the midst of difficulty and devastation in our own stories.We pray this conversation leads you to consider your own life & God's faithful activity within it; even as you look to what He is up to in your life today. Just as God had a plan for the Israelites (Jer 29:13) - so He has a plan for you. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #43
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin kick off a conversation about our newest sermon series during the summer of 2021 called "Rubble Restoration: Rebuilding God's Way" based on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. This first conversation revolves around the practical realities of restoration. We see restoration happening all around us. There are people who devote their lives to purchasing and restoring things that are old and giving them new life. Aaron and Kevin also talk about the reality of rubble and how our own sin leads to our lives often looking like rubble. We think if you listen to Pastor Aaron's sermon from 7.18.2021 in combination with this episode that you will have a great framework for how this sermon series will play out and the realization that each of us are restoration projects of God. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #42
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about neighboring. The word "neighbor" in the Bible can be used to talk about the people who live right next door to you and can also be used to refer to people in general. When the Bible says, "Love your neighbor as yourself," it certainly means that we ought to love all people as ourselves. Yet, it's quite easy to say, "Yes, I of course I love all people." That's why we need to ask ourselves a super practical question, "How well do I know the people who live next door to me?" In this episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss their own joys and challenges with neighboring, and also go deeper into a conversation about the 5 keys to better neighboring that Aaron shared in his sermon on 7.11.2021. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #41
On this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about citizenship. Most everyone listening to this podcast is likely an American citizen. Perhaps you have dual citizenship. But, what we need to learn is that we are all technically dual citizens. We are citizens in our country where we live, but as Christians we are also citizens in the Kingdom of God. Listen to this conversation where Aaron and Kevin have a very practical yet theological conversation about citizenship. In this episode they discuss the concept of freedom and how our American understanding doesn't necessarily align with the Biblical concept of freedom. They talk about how having an appropriate understanding of the Kingdom of God also shapes the way that we see our role, and God's role, at work in the realm of citizenship. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #40
On this week's episode Aaron and Kevin conversate about work. The average person spends about 90,000 hours of their life at work. That's about 1/3 of your life! So the question is, do you believe that God gave you that work to do? If so, what kind of attitude will you have about your work? How will you approach your work? Will it just be a place that gives you a paycheck, or is there a way for you to work at work like God works in your life? Aaron and Kevin discuss this, and share their own stories about work. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #39
On this week's episode Aaron and Kevin conversate about Family. Family is the place that we all originate. For better or for worse, we are shaped by our families of origin. In the best case, from a Christian perspective, God has commanded us to disciple our families. And, the truth is, we are discipling our families. The question simply becomes, in what are we discipling them? Is it simply in family traditions and favorite sports teams, or is it in saving faith in Jesus Christ? Aaron and Kevin share some stories about their own discipleship experiences from their families of origin and how their parents helped to shape their faith. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #38
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about all things "discipleship". In his sermon, Pastor Aaron explained that a "disciple" is simply a "learner." As followers of Jesus, with always something new to learn as we walk with Jesus, that makes us ALL disciples. But what does it look like to practice "discipleship?" What is the motivation and attitude of someone who wants to be a "disciple-maker." And am I qualified to go and "disciple" others?All these questions (and more!) are discussed in this week's episode.We hope you enjoy it!***We experienced some technical difficulties with the video in the creation of this week's episode. It will only be available in audio form. Plus, a bonus blooper reel mid-stream. We apologize for these errors & ask your forgiveness as you walk with us! We are still being "discipled" in the way of podcast making.
Episode #37
In this week's episode, Aaron engages in a conversation with a special guest Bryant Weathers. They discuss the connections between mountain biking and discipleship. Aaron has been discipling Bryant for the last 3 years and they share stories about how that started, what it has looked like, and how Bryant has begun discipling others now. In addition to that, Bryant took Aaron on one of his first mountain bike rides a few days prior to this episode. In this conversation they connect the dots between mountain biking and discipleship.
Episode #36
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about the concluding chapter of 1 Corinthians. These kinds of words are generally glossed over in our casual Bible reading, because we think, "What does this have to do with me, or my faith in Jesus?" 1 Corinthians 16, sort of reads like a travel log with a few final instructions. However, when seen in context with the rest of the letter, we see that Paul writes these words because he was on a mission!What mission? The Great Commission of Jesus! "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."That's it. That's what he was doing. What about us? What are we doing here? Is this Great Commission also for us? How do we live it out? Listen to this episode to join the conversation. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #35
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about 1 Corinthians 12 as the Apostle Paul uses the image of the body as an image for the church. It's really a simple image, yet the comparisons are rich and deep. Aaron and Kevin tell stories about their own struggles and temptations to feeling inferior or arrogant based on certain seasons and situations. We all daily struggle to live life in humility truly appreciating the uniquenesses of other people and seeing how living life with others can be a benefit to ourselves and to the building up of the body. We hope you find this conversation beneficial, challenging, and that you can take something from it to start another conversation with someone else. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #34
In this week's episode Aaron and Kevin conversate about 1 Corinthians 11 in particular. The problem of division rears its ugly head again in Corinth in the way that they have been celebrating the Lord's Supper. However, it's so bad that Paul says what they're doing is not even having the Lord's Supper. Some of them are just getting drunk and others are going away hungry. Aaron and Kevin get talking about the uniting power that eating together has. They share personal stories and experiences about times where food was the uniting factor between races, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and then they even get into the particulars about what Lutheran Christians believe, teach, and confess when it comes to the Lord's Supper. We think you'll really enjoy this conversation.
Episode #32
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin have a conversation about the Church. This is a big conversation that was started in Pastor Aaron's sermon on April 25th, 2021 while preaching about 1 Corinthians 3-4. Aaron and Kevin's conversation goes in lots of different directions from our connection to the saints in heaven, to the ways that we utilize our bodies, to why we even participate in churches in the first place. There is even more to be said about the Church than can be encapsulated in one 30 minute conversation, but we think that this will help reframe some of your thoughts about the Church. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #31
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversation about 1 Corinthians 2 in which the Apostle Paul speaks a lot about the Spirit of God. This conversation takes us into the Scriptures to learn about who the Spirit is, when the Spirit shows up, what does the Spirit do, etc. Because we don't often talk about the Spirit and maybe even have a hard time relating to the Spirit, we hope that this conversation will shed some light and give you practical ways to engage with the Spirit of the living God. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #30
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate about 1 Corinthians chapter 1. In particular, the conversation circulates around this idea of who we follow. What influence do these people have in our lives? How do their voices affect our minds? Did Jesus mean something different when he said "follow me?" This conversation follows up Pastor Kevin's sermon on 1 Corinthians 1, which was titled "One for All... Name." The day he preached that sermon (4.11.2021) was also confirmation Sunday at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton, MI. There were 7 young people who stood before the church and confirmed that they believe in Jesus and want to follow him alone. In a day and age where following certain "influencers" on social media is a cultural norm, the message about only following the name of Jesus is much different. We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #29
On this week's episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Sam Kilpela for a conversation about Easter. Easter is the biggest day of the year for Christians. It is the pinnacle of the Gospel - the highpoint to which all four Gospel writers point.Now that we are past Easter - you might be wondering...what impact does Easter have in my life, really? What are the day-to-day implications? Kevin & Sam reflect on some of the impact Easter has had in their own lives.Then think on your own life. What are your "Easter moments?" How do the hard times in life - those times when you were really "down" - give you a chance to connect with others, even those outside the faith? How do these moments give us a chance to share about "rising" from such challenges and the ultimate rising they point to?Take a listen, reflect, and share with those in your life.
Episode #28
On this week's episode, Aaron, Kevin, and Marcus all sit down together to have a conversation about Holy Week. These 3 guys all grew up in homes where participating in Lent and Holy Week was a big part of their traditions. Holy Week may or may not be part of your tradition or faith walk, but we think it ought to be. Listen to this conversation about some of the impactful memories and faith foundations that have been laid in the lives of these 3 men by walking closely with Jesus during Holy Week. Maybe it will spur on new thoughts for you and encourage you to add new traditions to your life and the life of your family. **disclaimer -Unfortunately, we did not realize until the recording was completed and on the editing table that we had issues with our microphones. You will still be able to hear the conversation, but we want to apologize that the quality is not near what it normally is. Bear with us.
Episode #27
On this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin discuss the conclusion to the Book of Daniel by reflecting again on who this man Daniel is, where he is living, and the things that he is enduring. Daniel was an exile in a foreign land. And yet, he did as Jeremiah encouraged him "seek the welfare of the city and pray to the LORD on its behalf" (Jeremiah 29:7). Daniel, through faith and a bold witness to God helped to bring the name of the LORD to the land of Babylon. We, all, have been sent to the place where God has us living. Sometimes as Christians, we may feel that the culture around us has shifted and we are exiles living in this land. If that's the case for you, you can learn from Daniel how to work towards the transformation of your community in the name of Jesus. We think that this podcast will be both challenging and encouraging for you. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #26
In this week's episode, Aaron and Marcus engage in a conversation about Daniel 10. This is a chapter in the Bible where the curtain is peeled back to witness spiritual warfare that is going on all around us all the time. This is a topic that we don't often talk about - probably because we don't know a lot about it in the Scriptures. However, spiritual warfare is real and practically speaking, it is constant in our lives. Join Aaron and Marcus for this conversation which opens up the door to necessary conversations about mental health, physical health, and how these things are actually spiritual battles as well. We want this conversation to be helpful and hopeful for you and anyone who may be battling these kinds of struggles.
Episode #25
In this week's episode Aaron is joined by Marcus Huff (Director of Youth and Campus Ministry @ Saints Peter and Paul). Their conversation revolves around the content of Daniel 9. In Aaron's sermon on March 7th, he preached primarily about Daniel's practice of Scripture reading and prayer in obedience to God's Word. So, naturally, Aaron and Marcus have a conversation about spiritual disciplines we can put in place in our own lives. They offer some practical tips and suggestions and even share their own stories and struggles trying to implement regular rhythms of Scripture reading in prayer into their habits. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #24
On this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin break down Daniel chapter 8. They converse about the importance of understanding history and how looking at Biblical prophecy, fulfilled in history, gives evidence to God's faithfulness. They also talk about many modern day critics of the Scriptures say that Daniel is a myth because it's not possible for him to have been so accurate in his prophecies. What should we do when we encounter these kinds of interpretations, and how can we trust that Biblical prophecy is true. Well, take a listen to this conversation. As always, we really hope you enjoy it!
Episode #23
In this episode, Aaron and Kevin converse about Daniel 7. Daniel 7 is classified as "apocalyptic literature" which is a certain type of writing genre in the Bible. In Pastor Aaron's sermon on 2.21, he address four helpful hints about how to interpret apocalyptic literature. So, in this episode, Aaron and Kevin has a more full-fledged conversation about Biblical genre, how to read the Bible (in general), and lots of other things as well. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #22
On this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in a conversation about Daniel chapter 6 which includes the story of Daniel and the lions' den. This may be a familiar story to people, but what are the implications of Daniel's experience for us? In this conversation, we not only discuss Daniel and the lions, but also the realities of heaven and hell, judgment and delivery. We think that this conversation will be encouraging, challenging, and enlightening for you. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #21
On this week's episode, Pastors Aaron and Kevin begin their conversation by looking at Daniel chapter 5. Pastor Kevin preached on this text on 2.7.2021, and so their conversation begins there. There's a phrase we use in our English language, "The writing is on the wall," which comes from this chapter of the Bible. That phrase has commonly come to mean that impending destruction is evident. "It's obvious," you could say. But, there is another story in the New Testament where Jesus uses his handwriting to write in the sand (Luke 18). There is a woman who was caught in adultery and the Pharisees wanted to kill her because that's what their law said to do. You could say, "The writing was on the wall in her life." But, instead of condemning her, Jesus forgave her. He placed a different handwriting on her life. In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin have a practical conversation about how we have been called not to judge other people. Yet, we also, at the same time, need to call out the sin of the world when we see it. So, how do we actually do that without coming across as somehow thinking or looking like we are better than the person we're trying to help? It can be confusing. It can be hard. But, we hope this podcast episode will help. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #20
On this week's episode, Pastor Aaron is joined once again by Marcus Huff (Director of Youth and Campus Ministry at Saints Peter and Paul). They engage in a conversation starting in Daniel chapter 4 where King Nebuchadnezzar has a humbling experience. This conversation between Marcus and Aaron explores the difference between being simply proud and being sinfully prideful. They also practically walk through 5 tips for living a life of humility. These tips were shared by Pastor Aaron in his sermon on January 31st, but this conversation unpacks them even more. Finally, Marcus and Aaron even share some personal experiences that truly taught them humility. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #19
This conversation is very practical and gets into a lot of things that we all struggle with on a daily basis. Do you notice all the "gods" that are trying to get you to conform? Or, do you even admit that there are other gods that you often fall down and worship? How do we define a "god?" This podcast episode ends with a conversation about suffering. What role does suffering play in the life of the Christian? Many people think that suffering is the consequence of sin. However, Jesus is very clear that suffering is not the direct result of our sin. So, then, what is the point of suffering? How should we go about dealing with our suffering? This is a multi-faceted conversation that we believe will be helpful for you in your daily Christian living. If you find it helpful please make sure to pass it on and share it with others.We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #18
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin begin with a conversation of Daniel 2. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar finds out that his kingdom will not last forever, but the Kingdom of God will. In a practical conversation about this, Aaron and Kevin also relate this to our own nation. On the day that this episode airs, it is inauguration day for President Joe Biden. What does this dream of Nebuchadnezzar say about our current state of affairs and how we should participate in and pray for the government of our nation. Take a listen, let us know if you have any questions, and we really hope you enjoy it!
Episode #17
A conversation about Daniel 1. Join Pastor Aaron and Pastor Kevin for a wide ranging conversation surrounding the background of Daniel. This conversation is partially Bible study, history lesson, and interpretation of modern events all rolled into one. If you ever read your Bible and you wonder "when did this event happen," "how does this tie in with other stories," and other sorts of questions, we give some helpful hints and resources for you. We really think you'll enjoy it.
Episode #16
On this episode, Pastor Kevin sits down with Don Kuiper - Facilities Manager of Saints Peter & Paul to talk about life "under the sun." This is a phrase from Ecclesiastes, used to describe our every day life - the normal experiences of life "down here" - on Earth.When we only consider life on the daily, it can feel a little...well, meaningless. It's wake up, work, eat, sleep, and repeat. It's tedious. But if we're able to ascend a bit, and view it from a higher perspective - we begin to see much more meaning in life.Consider your own life - and the ways God has touched it, moved in it, and weaved together a bigger story than you would have imagined - as you listen to Don & Kevin conversate about their own stories.We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #15
In this episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in conversation about a little thing called love. This is one of those words we use in the English language to mean many different things. From simply something you really like, to the way you feel about your spouse, to the way God feels about you. But, the Biblical definition of love - that is, the kind of love God has for us - is significant. This conversation revolves around part of the Christmas story in Luke 1 where Mary finds out from the angel Gabriel that she will give birth to Jesus. We really hope you enjoy it!
Episode #14
In this episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in conversation about joy. Is joy the same as happiness? What if nothing is going right in my life, can I still have joy? This conversation takes us from rush hour traffic, to sleepless nights with young children, to the joys of a new baby. We pray that our conversation would cause you to think differently about the joy of the Lord and that you would, ultimately, live in your default setting - JOY. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #13
On this episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about waiting with patience. There's a reason they say that patience is a virtue and that patience is listed as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Do you find it easier to wait when you know what you're waiting for and how long it will take? We often wonder why God didn't tell us when he'd come back. What's the point of him leaving us hanging in wait? Aaron and Kevin get into all of these things and even throw back some memories to childhood of having to wait for anticipated Christmas presents! We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #12
In this podcast, Kevin is joined by Marcus Huff (Director of Youth and Campus Ministry at Saints Peter and Paul in Houghton, MI). They engage in a conversation about Noah and the flood, Advent, and what it means to "wait in hope."They share their own joys and difficulties in times of waiting and they consider a way to see times of waiting as opportunities.We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #10
We made it to the tenth episode! To those of you who have listened to them all, thank you! If you're listening on iTunes or Google podcasts, would you be so kind as to give the podcast a rating or a review? That helps so others can find this also. Well, on this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin engage in conversation about Ephesians 6, in particular what it means to put on the Whole Armor of God to withstand the schemes of the devil. In this episode, we get into conversation about the tactics of the devil and the spiritual warfare that is very real in our lives. It seems that not often do we speak about the devil's work. Perhaps to a fault. We don't want to speak about the devil in order to legitimize him. But, if we don't speak about his work and point it out, we may also be more apt to fall into his traps. Take a listen to this podcast, and if you've got any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'd love to engage in this conversation with you as well!
Episode #9
On this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin talk about what it means to live as the light in a dark world. The image of light and dark is one that is prevalent all throughout Scripture and even in popular culture. It's such a poignant image for us as we consider our place as Christians in this world. The world can often feel like a very dark place. However, if you don't know about the light of Jesus Christ, you may not even know that you are in darkness. That's how it goes, right? When you're in a dark room, with minimal light, your eyes start to adjust. You sort of get used to it. Until the light switch is flipped on and you realize how much you couldn't see. The light of Jesus does the same thing in the world. Once we are in the light of Christ, we start to see how dark the darkness of the world is. We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Episode #8:
On this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin get into a conversation about Ephesians 4. Like always, the unscripted conversation is freewheeling and off the cuff filled with deep theology, critical thinking, bad jokes, and awkward transitions. In particular this week, Ephesians 4 calls Christians to Godly living with the virtues of humility, gentleness, and patience. This podcast was recorded on the eve of the 2020 presidential election. So, Aaron and Kevin bring in insights regarding our Christian response to the divisiveness in this world and making sure we place our hope in Christ while still being intricately involved in the civic affairs of the places we live. We hope you enjoy it!
Episode #7
Aaron and Kevin converse about Ephesians 3 as they taking a winding road thinking through the practicalities of what it means to understand our connection to our past and our future as Christian people. Knowing our past, and understanding our future ought to shape our present reality and the way we see ourselves in the world. But, so often we get caught up in whatever we're dealing with in the moment.
Episode #6
On this episode, Aaron and Kevin primarily discuss some info that Aaron shared in his sermon on 10/18/2020 regarding what marriage researcher John Gottmann calls the "4 deadly horsemen of the apocalypse." Or, in not so dramatic terms, "the 4 big red flags in marital communication that left untreated will end in marital failure." Aaron and Kevin walk through each of the 4 at length drawing in practical applications and also looking towards positive communication options instead of these negative ones. This is helpful information not only for married couples but for any relationship you care about and will inevitably deal with conflict in.
Episode #5
In this episode Aaron and Kevin get talking about Ephesians chapter 1. Our church is making a special emphasis on what it means to be One in Christ. In such a hotly divided country and world that we're living in, we sometimes wonder if unity is even a possibility. In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin help us to see that unity is a real possibility, but it's nothing we can achieve on our own. It's something only God can do. Yet, there are some practical ways we are involved. We hope you enjoy it.
Episode #4
On this episode, Pastor Aaron sits down to conversate with Marcus Huff who serves as our Director of Youth and Campus Ministry at Saints Peter and Paul. Their conversation revolves around the idea of hospitality and how we have been created by God to notice other people and welcome (even the stranger) into our households. If you've struggled to open up your home, either because of Covid, or just in general, these guys sympathize with you and share their own struggles to live lives of Biblical hospitality.
Episode #3
In this week's episode, Aaron and Kevin conversate (that is, engage in conversation) about the book The Spiritually Vibrant Home. In particular, the conversation revolves around the chapter titled "Loud Tables." What does it look like for us to turn any conversation into a spiritual conversation? And what is it that God is speaking into our lives during this season of our world? The podcast gets into all of this and also spends some time explaining the heart and rationale behind the church's most recent decision to suspend in person worship services for 3 weeks. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
Episode #2
In this episode of the Podcast, Aaron and Kevin, engage in conversation about Messy Prayers (AKA spiritual disciplines). The theme of this conversation is based in chapter 4 of the book The Spiritually Vibrant Home by Lutheran Hour Ministries with research by the Barna Group. We hope you enjoy this conversation!
This is Episode #1 of our new podcast "Conversate." Pastor Aaron Gehrke and Pastor Kevin Bender will be having weekly spiritual conversations regarding the themes from worship sharing deeper scriptural insights, takeaways, stories behind the stories, etc. In this first episode we discuss the introductory chapters to the book The Spiritually Vibrant Home - the power of messy prayers, loud tables and open doors. This is a book by Lutheran Hour Ministries with research by The Barna Group. Enjoy this light-hearted, yet spiritual conversation between two friends who happen to also serve as pastors together.