Know God

We introduce spiritual odyssey by following the unique journey of naturalist John Muir. Season 6 starts by considering the obstacles of faith and ways others are able to clear the way to faith. Our conversation in this podcast starts with Muir’s shift from a regimented church upbringing to his embrace of life in a natural, wild environment. His sense of place reflects his experience of the “natural revelation” of the Creator. Muir’s conviction was “you need to take more time in nature.” In nature he experienced solace and connection with God. Passages include Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:17-20, Acts 15:19, Mark 1:1, and Micah 6:8. Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka] TonyKafka on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka?fan_landing=true&view_as=public]

This podcast is for Earth Day. And this podcast is a call to Christians about our  responsibility and call to take care of the planet. Since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, people around the world have been called to do something to take care of the earth.  In one of our recent podcasts, The Science of Awe, we talked about the 1968 “Earthrise” photo taken by the Apollo 8 astronauts. A new perspective - the long perspective of seeing the great blue planet in its beauty and its vulnerability. The “Earthrise” photo was also a catalyst for the first Earth Day. This makes the desolation of the planet unbearable to think about. Landfills overflowing. Air and water pollution. Microplastics. Forever chemicals. Climate change. Deforestation and desertification. War with massive waste of resources and the desolation of regions of the earth.  In this podcast we challenge ourselves from a biblical perspective. Scriptures referenced include Genesis chapters 1-2, Psalm 24, and Romans 8:19-22. Happy Earth Day! Take care of the planet! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka] TonyKafka on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka?fan_landing=true&view_as=public]

How did Jesus live out his own teachings? This question is addressed with a meditative guide designed for the week before Easter - “Holy Week.” We read from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and from a few moments during the last week of his life found in the gospels. It’s a meditation to help each one of us see Jesus’ way of life. Five readings are provided that may be listened to consecutively as a whole “hour of prayer,” or as 5 devotional segments separated by short musical interludes. Each segment is two and one-half to three minutes playtime. Listen altogether or over a period of days. The scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible. Each meditation segment follows an order: Micah will read from the Sermon on the Mount, then Sandy follows with a gospel reading, with Tony ending each segment with a meditative prayer.  These are the five meditation segments: * Meditation 1: The meek will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5. Matthew 21:1-11. * Meditation 2: Father, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:5-13. Matthew 26:36-44. * Meditation 3: Turn the other cheek. Matthew 5:38-40. Matthew 27:1-2, 11-31. * Meditation 4: Love your enemies and pray for them. Matthew 5:43-45. Luke 23:3, 14-23, 33-34. * Meditation 5: The persecuted will rejoice. Matthew 5:10-12. Matthew 28:1-10. Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka] TonyKafka on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka?fan_landing=true&view_as=public]

Listen in on this third episode on AWE - the anticipation of awe at the end of time. Awe comes from a spiritual experience - wrestling with life and death.  A focus on apocalyptic scenarios misses the essence of the renewal of all things in the future. We may expect to be more impressed with the physicality of end times rather than the inner experience, and in the spirit realm.  The awe at the end of times  is a future based on the experience of the presence of God making his home among people. God has been introducing that new experience all along the way. This is the basis of experiencing awe in the end of times. Scriptures discussed include Romans 8:18-23, 1 Corinthians 15:35-55, Philippians 3:20-21, Revelation 21:1-6, and Colossians 1:15-20. Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka] TonyKafka on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka?fan_landing=true&view_as=public]

This Know God episode is our second  on AWE. We demonstrate finding awe in the texts and stories of the Bible. We discussed 8 pathways to awe as presented in the book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, by Dr. Dacher Keltner.  Scriptures discussed include Psalm 23, Genesis 28:12-18, 1 Kings 3:23-28, Luke 23:46-48, and Hebrews 12:25-29. Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka] TonyKafka on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tonykafka?fan_landing=true&view_as=public]