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Dennis Shaw is a musician, marathoner (Boston!), retired military officer, math modeler, muse, and United Methodist Pastor. A keen observer of the human condition, he has degrees in music, quantitative methods (don’t ask!), theology and leadership. He will discuss with other leaders how to become engaged and present in our current leadership opportunities. Critical to leadership is strong self-awareness. Becoming authentic, empathetic, and aware will form the framework of all discussions. You can access and follow this podcast on Apple, Podbean, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Episodes
Monday Oct 02, 2017
Monday Oct 02, 2017
Exodus 16: 1-25 -- a quick trip in the wilderness focusing on needs and how God provides. Points toward John 6 -- Jesus as the Bread of Life. The Children of Israel sit in the wilderness between already and not-yet, slavery and freedom. God will provide ...
Thursday Sep 28, 2017
Thursday Sep 28, 2017
Exodus 3 -- Moses is called, and he balks. I treated this as "Good News, Bad News" but being called by God is actually good news, because God will be with us on this journey.
From minute 1 to minute 6 is a Ministry Moment on how we are going to do Stewardship this Fall. Heart talk!
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Two readings, 1 Kings 19 where Elijah is given a demonstration of God, and Genesis 11/12 with the Call of Abraham.
Abraham is called to be a blessing. Important. Elijah has the advantage of history and knowledge of what God has done, but Abraham is starting out cold.
We are like Abraham, called to be a blessing. Often however we are like Elijah, the testimony of the "small, still voice" or "the sound of silence" is insufficent to move us from our own self-focus. We need to keep remembering, God will Provide!
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Monday Sep 18, 2017
This a mix of Genesis 1 and Psalm 8. Both the choir and the praise band focused on the themes of creation and who are we? My idea was to focus on the idea of through remembering, we are saying we believe. I then moved to several "Continuity of God" ideas that connected our remembrance with anticipation ...
Monday Sep 04, 2017
Monday Sep 04, 2017
First Sunday back after nine weeks gone. The sermon was from 1 Corinthians 11: 24-27 or so and focused on the "big idea" of communion itself. Take, bless, break, give. This is also the Sunday where Eugene Peterson (of The Message) meets Ned Flanders (of The Simpsons). Little longer than I meant for it to be -- was shooting for more like ten to twelve minutes, but ... it takes a while to get the pace and feel back, right? At least that is the story and I am sticking to it!
Monday Aug 28, 2017
Monday Aug 28, 2017
Our Scritpure reading this morning came from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-29). Jesus finishes this great sermon with a parable concerning two builders: One wise and the other foolish. Pastor Mario encoruaged us that it is possible to live like Jesus. Admittedly, putting Jesus words into action takes practice. We were challenged to consider what foundation we are currenlty building our lives on, to take heed to Jesus' teaches again in order to build our lives on a foundation that is sure to last.
Thursday Aug 24, 2017
Thursday Aug 24, 2017
Our Scritpure reading this morning was from John 1:1-5. Pastor Mario discussed John's integration of philosophy and theology as he described Jesus as the eternal Logos (Word). We were encouraged to consider what it might look like if we understood Jesus to be a man of extraordinary ability, who is still as relevant to us today as he was to the people he touched during his earthly ministry 2,000 years ago. Pastor Mario concluded his sermon by sharing some thougths from Dr. S.M. Lockridge's famous, "That's My King." You can find a PDF of one of the variations of his famous sermon here. There is truly no one, quite like Jesus!
Tuesday Aug 15, 2017
Tuesday Aug 15, 2017
Our Scripture reading was from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. Pastor Mario connected this passage of Scripture back to our series on Luke 15. We looked at our high calling as ambassadors of Christ, and were encouraged to live and lean into the reality of new creation as we live out our ministry of reconciliation. We are comforted by this fact: While it may be hard to see others, ourselves and the world from the perspective of new creation, we can do it. Why? Paul reminds us: He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf so we can become the righteousness of God. We live in a world in need of reconciliation. How will we respond?
Monday Aug 07, 2017
Monday Aug 07, 2017
Pastor Mario continued his journey into the heart of Luke's Gospel. Our Scritpure reading this morning was from Chapter 24, verses 25-35. As we prepared our hearts to receive from the Lord's Table this Communion Sunday, we journeyed back to Cleopas and his companion's walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus, where Jesus finds them in the midst of their disappoinment, bewilderment and unmet expectations. A fresh reading of Scripture and a sense of awe at the invitation to the Table, with the Spirit as our guide, is needed to point us to a fresh reality of who Jesus is. What better way to live into our sense of call to be a church with open hearts, open minds and open doors? For further reading, check out the UMC's document regarding The Lord's Table, entitled, This Holy Mystery.
Monday Jul 31, 2017
Monday Jul 31, 2017
Our Scripture for today is from 1 Peter 3:13-16. We invite you to listen as Susan Dunlap encouraged us to face our fears and to live wholeheartedly as followers of Jesus. Our calling to live free from fear is a call to serve and love our world. Trust, pray and act! Thank you for this timely reminder, Susan.