IN LAYMAN'S TERMS

7 Sayings of Jesus from the Cross: 2nd in the series

In the second of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Through this statement to a criminal on the cross, Jesus shares His love for all of us who fall short of God’s expectations of us and gives us the hope of a life with Jesus in paradise.

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7 Sayings of Jesus from the Cross — 1st in the series

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is the featured guest for a special series of episodes that explores the seven final sayings of Jesus from the cross. In this first episode, Bishop Saenz explains why Lent is special to him, and he provides some reflection on the first of the seven sayings: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

Reflection: Tempted in the Wilderness

Where does the 46 days (40 when we subtract the Sundays) of Lent come from? We trace it back to the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the Judean wilderness following his baptism in the Jordan River. Jesus spent time preparing for the critical ministry ahead. 

During that time, Jesus was tempted by the devil. He was offered food while He fasted. He was encouraged to jump from the Temple so people would see the power of God. He was offered all the kingdoms of the world. Yet Jesus accepted none of them. Todd explains that within those three temptations are three lessons for us: Avoid putting our needs in front of others, avoid taking advantage of others, and don't succumb to power and prestige.

Great Plains Laity Summit

Jesus tells his believers to make disciples. That's not a command just for clergy. Laity actually play the biggest part, but that important role requires leadership.

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church will host its first Laity Summit on March 21 in Kearney, Nebraska. In this episode, Todd talks with Shane Warta, conference coordinator for lay leadership, and David Teel, director of laity and spiritual leadership at Discipleship Ministries, who will serve as the keynote speaker for the event.

Culture of Call: Part 2 — Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford

In the second of two episodes exploring the concept of a culture of call, Todd talks with the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, coordinator of clergy recruitment and development for the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church.

In their discussion, Ashlee shares resources available to local churches, young adults and others to help them explore their call into ministry — whether that be pastoral ministry or as part of their secular vocation — and how everyday Christians can nurture their own calls as well as the calls of other people.

Culture of Call: Part 1 — The Madison Effect

Even smaller churches can make a big impact in the world for Christ. And there is an example tucked away in Madison, Kansas, about 22 miles south of Emporia, that serves as proof.

In his book "The Madison Effect," Gary Robbins writes about how a church in a town of 700 people has helped 16 people enter into pastoral ministry. And they did it by paying attention, listening for the Holy Spirit and working in partnership between clergy and laity. 

In this episode, Todd Seifert talks with Gary Robbins about why he wrote the book, some of the concepts he introduces and how Gary thinks churches can create a culture of call in their congregations.

Reflection: Parables of Lost Things

Some people feel lost. They don't think they deserve love or respect or any consideration from God. They know sin has taken over their lives, but they don't know what to do.

Jesus tells us through the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin that while we may be lost, He never stops searching for us. To Jesus, we are the valuable sheep that has wandered off. We are the highly valued coin that has been misplaced.

Through these parables, Jesus teaches that we are loved, we are highly desired, and we are of great value to God.

Reflection: Parable of the Good Samaritan

We continue our exploration of what Jesus taught by using parables. In this episode, we look at the widely known parable of the Good Samaritan. Even if you don't know the story, you probably know the term.

But what does it really mean? What was Jesus trying to teach us? And who, exactly, is our "neighbor"? 

Reflection: Parable of the Prodigal Son

We start a series of Bible-teaching episodes on some of Jesus' parables with a look at the Prodigal Son. This story teaches us many things and makes us ponder even more. But Todd shares in this reflection how the story of the younger son teaches that nobody is too far gone, too lost to find his or her way back to the God who yearns to see them appear over the horizon.

Reflection: The Christmas Story

As much as I love Santa Claus, Rudolph, Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and the redemption of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Christmas really is about the arrival of the Christ child, the Savior for all humankind.

The story is told primarily in the books of Matthew and Luke. So we’re going to spend some time in this episode going through the entire story, in order, by merging those two books together. Told in seven acts — or seven mini-stories within the larger birth story — we'll learn about how God paved the way for Jesus, remind ourselves of the familiar parts of the Christmas story, and learn a little bit more about Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and magi.

I hope you enjoy this telling of this precious, important story to our faith. Have a very merry Christmas!