Redemption's Table

A Very Special 5th Birthday Table Episode 

Featuring Special Guest:  Chris McLane

Originally Recorded July 19th, 2019 – Dinner and Conversation at Mooyah’s Burgers in Birmingham, Alabama.                                                                                          

Originally Released July 22nd, 2019

Redemption’s Table was launched 5 Years Ago today – April 22, 2019.  And since then, 146 episodes have been released.  The original idea was simple.  Invite a special guest each week to share a meal at a restaurant of their choosing and record a conversation with them in the restaurant after the meal.  That idea and this podcast almost didn’t happen – until I had a conversation with one very special person I already knew.  My good friend – Chris McLane.

I met Chris at Brother Bryan Mission in downtown Birmingham. He was truly one of a kind. A brilliant mind and sharp wit. I saw a theologian or a Christian apologist within. We often met at Vulcan Park to walk the trail from Vulcan to Green Springs and back.  Those walks were good, rich conversation. I was grateful to have been present when Chris went under the waters of baptism at Redeemer Church in Avondale.

Chris stepped into the presence of Jesus last summer.  And I’m one of many who miss him.  But I know Who Chris knew, I know Who Chris trusted, and I know where Chris is because Chris surrendered to Jesus.

I owe Chris an enormous debt. I think of him almost every week as each new podcast episode is released. Without Chris, this podcast idea would probably still be sitting on the runway. His computer expertise made it happen and he co-produced and edited the first 36 episodes. And somewhere in the archives, waiting to be found again, was Chris’ own episode – “If I Don’t Have to Be Me Anymore.”  

It suddenly came to me last night where Chris’ story might possibly be.  And when I checked, there it was.  So on this 5th anniversary of the Table, I can think of no other story that represents better what Redemption’s Table has always aspired to be.  I believe this release honors Chris and honors Jesus.  It’s Chris’ authentic account of his story and how Jesus redeemed him.

I think of something often said by author Brennan Manning – “God loves you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be.”  That’s especially true for me.  That’s my story.  That’s Chris’ story.  That’s all of our stories.

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Lunch and Conversation with Special Guest:  Larry Cobb

Recorded Live at Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill in Montgomery, Alabama.

I believe my good friend Larry Cobb has discovered the secret sauce of fatherhood.  During today’s live table over Salsarita’s two taco special, Larry never uses the term “secret sauce,” but I think he’s found what it is.  He’s a 3-D dad.  His three children were born in 3 different decades.  Twenty years of continual fatherhood has gifted Larry with perspective and one particular parenting skill every child craves from their father.  Larry listens to his children.

And you’re invited to listen as well.  Grab a taco and some tomatillo sauce.  We saved you a seat.

Featuring “Only You” by Antoine Bradford (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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Thomas was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples.  He has unfortunately been labeled as a doubter.  He missed Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearance to His disciples.  He had a backstage VIP pass to the greatest event in all of history and he didn’t even show up.  One Sunday later, Jesus and Thomas finally came face to face.

Thank God for the oddball and the outlier.  Otherwise, we all would have missed one of Jesus’ final blessings.  A resurrection beatitude that potentially has our names written all over it.

“O the bliss of everyone who has not seen Jesus walking around resurrected with their own eyes, and yet have believed.” (John 21:29)

Featuring “I Will Never Be the Same” by Ellie Holcomb (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

Painting – The Incredulity of Saint Thomas – by Caravaggio.

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SURPRISE WIDE OPEN

All around the world tonight the ultimate Table of Redemption will be remembered and celebrated.  The bread and the wine Jesus shared with His disciples would become the flesh and the blood sacrificed for all, less than 24 hours after they shared the meal.

It’s Holy Week!  A week full of surprise.  Surprise wide open.

When it comes to the biblical accounts of Jesus, there will always be surprises.  In our 21st century encounters with Him, how could we think it would be any less different?

Featuring “There Will Be Surprises” by Singer-Songwriter Drew Miller (Used by Permission).

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Spring arrived a little early this year.  It happened Tuesday night – March 19 at 10:06 pm CST.

We crossed the equatorial line once again where day and night are everywhere on earth, for just a brief moment, of approximate equal length.  Of course, we didn’t literally step across that line.  Earth glided across like a curling stone, and you & I – well, we’re just along for the ride.

Spring is already whispering and bringing gifts.  

What gifts will Spring bring you this season?

The birds are singing its song.

The flowers are dancing its rhythm.

And the Lamb is preparing a welcome banquet for all who will accept His invitation.

Featuring “Deliver Me” by John Mark McMillan (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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Today is March 14, 2024.  It’s just an ordinary day.  It’s not the Oscars.  Not yet the Ides of March or St. Patrick’s Day.  A little too early for Spring Equinox or Palm Sunday.  It’s just an ordinary day in your life.  Or is it?

Do you know what happened on all the March 14ths of your life?

Because what you can do today, you can do the other 365 days as well.

Take a day – any ordinary day – and go on a treasure hunt into the back pages of your journey.  You might just be reminded how extraordinary an ordinary day can be.

Featuring “Brand New Day” by Ellie Holcomb (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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Complete this sentence: I delight in ……..

I posed this open-ended declaration to several of my friends.  And as their responses came tumbling in, I knew today’s Table was gonna truly be something special!

Delight is a word most of us don’t use often enough.  Gratitude is like the map of our entire journey; delight is the buried treasure.

So, come along with us as we get high on Life with a little help from my friends!

(With: Michael Adler – Jimmy Baker – Kristen Buchner – Lisa Lee Burke – Mark Brown – Larry Cobb – Jeff Gore – Lori Harris – Lynn Higbe.)

Featuring “Love With a Crown” by John Mark McMillan (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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All of us find ourselves in seasons where it seems our lives are struggling upward through the dark.

Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park is often considered one of the most dangerous trails in the National Park System.  I hiked it in the dark with rain in the forecast at a time when my climbing legs were not in peak physical condition.  I almost didn’t, and if I hadn’t. I would have missed one of my best hiking days ever.  I would have also missed a trail lesson that continues to change the way I live my every day.

It is difficult trudging upward through the pitch with just enough light to chase the daunting up the trail a few feet beyond your beam.  But such is life if you are ever really going anywhere worth arriving.  Come join us for this high table adventure.

Featuring “Canyons” by Cory Asbury (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a curio is “something considered novel, rare, or bizarre.”  A memento is “something that serves to warn or remind.”

Today’s light hearted episode encourages you to look around; go on a treasure hunt and search for curios, mementos, and everyday Ebenezers.  Don’t know what an Ebenezer is?  We’re glad you asked.

Today’s podcast also includes two special guest cameos – my brother Dwight Kidd and one of my best friends, Jeff Gore.  And hopefully, after coming to today’s Table, your souvenirs will start speaking to you every time you look their way. 

Featuring “Look For Miracles” by JJ Heller (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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Before you awakened this morning, God was in His kitchen preparing fresh, new recipes of steadfast love and mercy, and Jesus was already setting the table for your day as it began. Don’t miss the meal.  The greatest opportunity you may have to taste something unbelievably wonderful this week, could be the one you far too readily overlook.  

Let Jesus set the table of your day with Himself.  Allow yourself plenteous opportunity to fill yourself with the best dish this life has to offer.  This table is for everyone.  There is a place card with your name on it.  Come join the party!

Featuring “At the Table” by Josh Garrels (Used by Permission through Musicbed).

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