Redemption's Table

I first met Peter Scott when I walked into his place of business in Montgomery Alabama almost 10 years ago. His office wall was filled with photographs he had taken from Yellowstone National Park.  We struck up a conversation and became fast friends.  

Pete worked in Yellowstone back during his college days.  He has since visited our first National Park multiple times and spent decades studying this incredibly diverse place.  Now, Ranger Pete is quick to tell you he’s not an actual Park Ranger, but he does have intimate, first-hand knowledge of Yellowstone and he loves sharing the wonder he has found in this very special place where our creator God has some spectacular artwork on display.

Pete and I both spent time in Yellowstone this fall on separate trips.  And it’s an honor to bring him to this wild conversation recorded live at El Taco Shop Restaurant in Montgomery.  Pete had the Pollo Loco and I had the best Sincronizada I’ve ever tasted. 

Featuring “Let’s Go Outside – Campfire Version” by The National Parks (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

http://www.rangerpete.org

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

There’s a phenomenon that takes place within us when we spend three days in the great outdoors.  It’s called “the 3-day effect.”  Three days in nature can reset our brains.  And after those three days, our ability to problem solve goes up, our inductive reasoning goes up, and we become more creative.  When we step out of life as we know it and into life as we were meant to live it, it changes us.  And whenever I vacation in the wilderness, I always know when “the 3-day effect” kicks in.  It’s that noticeable.  

Last month I spent eight days in Yellowstone National Park.  “The 3-Day Effect” prompted me to write the following entry in my journal:

            “Dying is a hard process.

            Staying dead is a hard process.

            And when the third day comes, you don’t will yourself back to life.

            Only the resurrection can do that.”

Featuring “Waiting For Lightning” by The National Parks (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“Everybody I know says they need just one thing

 And what they really mean is they need just one thing more.” – Rich Mullins.

Everyone has a life song.  Or if you’re like me, you have dozens of life songs.  But through the years, one seems to keep rising to the top.  Rich Mullins’ My One Thing is that song for me.  It’s a song about Jesus – my one thing.

Who or what is your one thing?  The one thing that sets the table for all the other things in your life.  That’s today’s big question on this special fall Table that is all about my favorite person who has ever lived.  If Jesus is not yet your favorite person, I encourage you to give a listen to discover why He might should be.

Today’s episode is dedicated to the First Baptist Church of Warner Robins Youth Group – 1986-1992.  

Featuring “Son of God” by Chris Renzema (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Confluence.  A place where two or more rivers or streams merge together.  Confluences fill me with wonder.  I want to journey upstream to find the headwaters of every tributary.  A confluence is kind of like a reversed fork in the road made of water.  Wherever you are right now is a confluence.

Think back over your summer.  What were your favorite tables and favorite moments?  What has God been trying to whisper to your spirit these past three months?  Perhaps you heard it, but maybe you didn’t.

Perhaps your current confluence looks more like a desert.  Perhaps you have run aground because life has become spiritually dry.  Take heart.  There is water to be found in your desert.  You only need know where to look.

Featuring “Summer of Memories” by The National Parks (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The Holy Trinity is a wondrous mystery.  You know the certainty of the Truth of it – and yet, it blows your mind.  Absolutely amazing how Truth and Wonder come together in the glorious reality of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

But there is also an unholy trinity that lurks beneath the surface of enough churches and denominations, it needs to be recognized for what it is – the unholy threesome of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and Religion. Because Holy Spirit has often been tossed because He cannot be controlled and replaced by a more reasonable idol we can control – our Religion.

Have you ever presumed to be Holy Spirit in someone else’s life?  Have you ever presumed to be Holy Spirit while following His lead?

Featuring “Stronger” by Ellie Holcomb (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Do you hear the song?

The song that is all around you right now.

Do you hear that?

It’s a song being sung especially over you.

It’s a Voice that never ceases to sing to you.

And when you hear it, it makes all the difference in how you live your life.

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

The music is real.  The dance is joyous.

What is there that you do not know is there?

Listen and you will hear.

Featuring “Spirit” by Judah & the Lion (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A Conversation with Special Guest:  Steph Cherry

It is always a delight to bring Steph Cherry to the Table.  You never know what or who might wander through the conversation.  There might be a tornado in the backyard or a birthday visit with a capybara at a local petting zoo or the art of being an uncommon friend during someone else’s difficult season.  

There is beauty, wit, wisdom, and hope here at the Table today.  Have we missed anything yet?  Listen to see.

Life.  You must be fully present to win.

Featuring “We’ve Got This Hope” by Ellie Holcomb (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Your soul has a unique speed. It is not in a hurry. It does not travel at the speed of the world nor our culture. It travels at the speed of Light – the Light of the world.

Your soul is in need of nourishment.  It must be fed and there is only one real source of food.  C.S. Lewis wrote, “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”

As you evaluate the first half of 2024, how are you managing the pace of your life?  How has your pace affected your soul?

Join us for a few moments of soul refreshment and let your soul catch up with your body.  They both will thank you for it and you will notice the difference immediately. 

Featuring “In Need” by Singer-Songwriter Ross King (Used by Permission)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It’s intermission!

The curtain has dropped on the first half of the movie.

The band has stepped off the stage to take a break.

The first half of this year’s journey is about to pass the baton to the second half.

It’s the perfect time to re-examine where we’ve come from and fine tune where we’re going.

And all are encouraged to do just that.

Let’s all come to the table and go to the lobby to get ourselves a treat.

Featuring “Rock My Soul” by Josh Garrels (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Courtney Ellis is a bird enthusiast, a pastor, and an author. Her newest book is Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope through Grief. She also hosts a wonderful podcast called The Thing with Feathers.  

Today’s episode is a whimsical, ornithological, and theological swoop through Jesus’ beatitudes from His Sermon on the Mount.  I asked Courtney to pair a bird to match each of Jesus’ eight exclamations and she soared to the challenge.  What a fun way to kick off Summer Solstice! 

You can find Courtney at https://courtneybellis.com and also on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (now called X, but birders still prefer sending Tweets).  

Featuring “Songbird” by J.J. Heller (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS