The Bible is not some dusty textbook, but a veritable circus of humanity, with high-soaring saints, back-talking donkeys, left-handed kingslayers, and all the glory and gore you can fit inside the big top of this biblical tent.

And everywhere in this story is God who, in his wild and passionate love for humanity, is shepherding history toward the birth and ministry of Jesus the Messiah.

Chad Bird talks about his latest book and also reads an excerpt!

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Find out more about St. Matthew Lutheran Church www.stmatts.net

Explore the 1517.org website

https://www.1517.org

Hitchhiking with Prophets by Chad Bird

https://shop.1517.org/collections/paperback/products/9781956658866-hitchhiking-with-prophets

The Christ Key – Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament by Chad Bird

https://shop.1517.org/collections/paperback/products/9781962654876-the-christ-key

40 Minutes in the Old Testament podcast

https://www.1517.org/podcasts/40-minutes-in-the-old-testament

Hidden Streams podcast

https://www.1517.org/podcasts/hidden-streams

Jesus Died and Rose For You with Chad Bird – audio podcast

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/8O7HxUeQTLb

Jesus Died and Rose For You with Chad Bird – video podcast

https://youtu.be/V4RmaDlry7c

Connection between Passover & The Lord’s Supper with Chad Bird – audio podcast

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/80aa6TeQTLb

Connection between Passover & The Lord’s Supper with Chad Bird – video podcast

https://youtu.be/AE1x89HUQJ8

Ryan Ferguson was married one year ago and ordained two weeks later.

Ed Blonski checks in with Pastor Ryan one year later to see how things are going!

Find out more about St. Matthew at www.stmatts.net

Check out these recommendations from Pastor Ryan:

A Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul Maier

https://a.co/d/2t7Gkop

More than a Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul Maier

https://a.co/d/1pINX8g

Sacred Duty by Tom Cotton

https://a.co/d/bvlDwj0

How does a pastor or other church leader actually become an effective and successful leader?

Ben Haupt is the Global Executive Director of the Pastoral Leadership Institute, a uniquely equipped organization that provides immersive leadership development for pastors, ministry leaders, and their spouses to lead out the mission of God with grace, joy, influence, and impact, specific to a leader’s context.

The Reflection Podcast is produced by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois.

To connect with St. Matthew go to www.stmatts.net

Ben Haupt’s social media contacts

https://linktr.ee/benhaupt

PLI – Pastoral Leadership Institute

https://plileadreship.org/

Books Recommended by Ben

Concordia – The Lutheran Confessions

https://www.cph.org/concordia-the-lutheran-confessions-a-readers-edition-of-the-book-of-concord-2nd-edition

Book of Concord – Tappert Edition

https://www.cph.org/p-1065-book-of-concord

The Spirituality of the Cross – Gene Edward Veith

https://a.co/d/gVbUrOa

Grace Upon Grace – John Kleinig

https://a.co/d/dx6BWdo

The Square and the Tower – Niall Ferguson

https://a.co/d/dx6BWdo

The Great Debate – Yuval Levin

https://a.co/d/fYtRKxG

Answer God's call sometimes doesn't go as expected but usually leads to an adventure beyond imagination.

That's the story Tim Hetzner tells on this episode.

Our Podcast music was provided by ⁠The Podcast Host⁠ and ⁠Alitu: The Podcast Maker app⁠.

Books mentioned by Tim:

This Is My Body: A Call to Eucharistic Revival - Bishop Robert Barron

https://a.co/d/4FyMRIQ

New Testament Church Dynamics - Stephen E. Atkerson

https://a.co/d/2mZczU4

The Politics of Persecution: Middle Eastern Christians in an Age of Empire - Mitri Raheb

https://a.co/d/2Hk6zLe

The Dash: Making a Difference with Your Life - Linda Ellis

https://a.co/d/eQedM3S

The Cross and the Cries of Human Need: Messages for Lent and Every Season - Robert Howard Clausen

https://a.co/d/4E8avEg

Five guys who have been singing together for 40 years get together to talk about music and the harmony of life.

Music is an outstanding gift of God and next to theology. I would not want to give up my slight knowledge of music for a great consideration. And youth should be taught this art; for it makes fine, skillful people. – Martin Luther

Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.

Recently baptized in the Christian Church, Gary and his wife are "all in" in serving Christ in the Church.

Hear his amazing story of his search for purpose and meaning in Judaism and Buddhism before finally being found by Jesus Christ!

Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.

Gary’s Book

Busville: A Story about School Bus Drivers

https://a.co/d/fTOHdIN

Books mentioned by Gary:

A Conflict of Visions – Thomas Sowell

https://a.co/d/brNkqWl

Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything – Viktor E. Frankl

https://a.co/d/8HfUvKX

George F. Kennan: An American Life – John Lewis Gaddis

https://a.co/d/e5ejw4T

What do you do when you feel God's Call to serve in the Church but are struggling with anxiety and depression?

This conversation with David Conley can help you with this!

Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.

Books mentioned by David

The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310360838?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_HSN5M19EQM635BS7JT4R

Don’t Waste Your Sorrows: New Insight Into God's Eternal Purpose for Each Christian in the Midst of Life's Greatest Adversities by Paul E. Billheimer

https://a.co/d/9Dmv8d3

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature By Peter Scazzero

https://a.co/d/bnr1UHv

Brittany has answered God's call to be a servant in the church.

She recently graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin and received a call to serve as Youth & Family Minister at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois.

Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.

Books mentioned by Brittany

Captivating John & Stasi Eldredge

https://a.co/d/5HSanzM

Rest and War: Rhythms of a Well-Fought Life Ben Stuart

https://a.co/d/bSSyP7I

A Woman’s Place Katelyn Beatty

https://a.co/d/1dvs9H7