Connecting Scripture and Life

Meditating in Color - Isaiah 40

This special podcast invites you to color your spiritual reflections as you listen to a passage from Isaiah 40. This passage reminds us that our lives are short but what we bring to the world is beauty and color to sustain creation. Rabbi Jason Fruithandler and Barbara Murphy invite you to enter into their reflections and express your spirit through art. You do not have to be an artist, but simply a child of God.

Episode 95: A Family Confronts its Brokenness - Genesis 42-44

In this episode we experience the brokenness of Joseph, his brothers, and Jacob as they come face to face after years of separation. In the face of starvation all the sons of Jacob save Benjamin travel to Egypt to procure food and there they come face to face with the brother they betrayed but they do not recognize him. Joseph recognizes them and throughout these chapters we share the pain and sadness of a family torn apart by betrayal, lies, cowardice, and inconsolable grief. We watch a family move from alienation to the hope of redemption and restoration. What can we learn from our relationships from this struggling family? Why has God told us this story if there is no hope for reconciliation? Can we hear ourselves in their experiences? Please join us.

Episode 94: Pharaoh's Dream - Genesis 41

In this chapter Pharaoh dreams of emaciated cows eating up healthy ones and rotted corn overcoming good corn. These dreams agitate his spirit and none of his magicians can tell him what they mean. Joseph is brought from prison and he tells Pharaoh that "God will see to Pharaoh's welfare." We see in this passage a God who cares for all of humanity. Joseph tells Pharaoh to prepare during times of abundance for a devastating famine and Pharaoh listens. In hearing the word of God and following it the world is saved. When we learn that God cares for our well being, how do we prepare?

Episode 93-: God the Interpreter - Genesis 40

We continue the saga of Joseph with him in prison, serving under the chief steward, put in charge of the care of the imprisoned chief cupbearer and baker. We are not told why the Pharaoh put the latter in jail but they play a significant role in our understanding of Joseph. They each have dreams that they cannot understand and Joseph telles them, "God will interpret." One has a fortunate outcome the other does not, but what is significant here is that in the midst of suffering, being lifted up to high position, then cast into prison, Joseph keeps his eyes on God. What can we understand about our own lives, the ups and downs, and where our focus remains? In good times and bad God is the interpreter of our salvation.

Episode 92 : Led Not Into Temptation - Genesis 39

In this chapter our hero Joseph is sold into slavery to Potiphar, the chief steward to Pharaoh, and given charge of the entire household. Potiphar trusts him so completely he pays no attention to anything but the food he eats. Joseph is described as fit and handsome and becomes the target of temptations by Potiphar's wife. We see here a young man who seems to have it all: the love of God and fortune of his slave owner. He is living a good life given his circumstances. Yet all the while he must fight off the advances of this woman. Finally she accuses him of rape and Potiphar, without question, lets his fury rule his reason and throwns Joseph into jail. Doing the right thing for the right reasons doesn't always make our lives easy. Jesus said blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness. Joseph resists temptation and is cast into the darkness and even there he rises to esteem because he is with God. Remaining with God is one of the great lessons of this story and remembering there is always redemption for the faithful.