Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast

Pentecost: The Spirit is Present Through Us: Educators Share Stories of Resilience and Beauty

When the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples on that first Pentecost, the results were immediate, obvious and startling. Normally, we don't see the effects of the Holy Spirit that directly, but God is present in the world around us through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Today's message comes to us from Pastor Sarah. She interviews Olivia Tolzin and Zach Prowell, who are both educators. The three discuss the beauty and lament of the past year in education, and share how their faith made a difference. You’ll hear how the Spirit showed up through them. Today's lesson comes from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 verses 1, 4-11.

The Ascension: Gazing at the Sky or Engaging with the World?

Luke writes the story of the ascension twice. The main elements of the two match up, but differ in some of the details., but why? We explore the stories and how the perspective may change depending upon the audience. This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gosple comes from Luke, Chapter 24, versess 44 - 53, and is compared to the story of ascension from Acts Chapter 1 Verses 6 -11.

The Road To Emmaus: Recruited

Have you ever been recruited for a job, a team, a role that you didn't really know was coming your way? Those disciples on the road to Emmaus were. They didn't know it at the time, but Jesus appeared to them and recruited them into his grand design. They invited him into their home for the evening, offered him food and drink. It was only after he took charge and blessed the meal that they realized who Jesus actually was. Then they became an even bigger part of the story by immediately turning around to go back to Jerusalem and share the good news of Jesus' resurrection with the Eleven.  God often recruits us be leaders in the same way. We may want to have others in the limelight because it can be hard to see ourselves as leaders, but we all have the capacity within us.  Today's message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our Gospel lesson is from Luke, Chapter 24, verses 28 - 35.

The Road to Emmaus: Stories Matter

As the disciples walked away from Jerusalem after the crucifixtion, their internal story of the event was limiting their ability to see a future for Christ and Christianity. As Jesus walked with them, he helped explain how their story was an incomplete telling of the events of the past days. We too can allow our stories to be limiting vs. enlivening.  We need to remember that a Savior is with us at all times.  Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. Our Gosple is from Luke, Chapter 24, verses 18-27.

The Road to Emmaus: Leadership

The Road to Leadership. In a story often called “The Road to Emmaus,” followers of Jesus express the disappointment and heartbreak of Jesus' crucifixion. When we experience disappointment on life's road, it can lead to cynicism, lost hope, and dead ends. This road is hard and the journey is difficult, but it can also be revealing. The road of disappointment can show us our passions and deepest desires. We meet Jesus there, and that road can become the place we discover our call to leadership. This message comes to us from Pastor Sarah. Our gospel comes from Luke, Chapter 24 verses 13 - 18.