MIGHTY FINE MOSAIC

Life is a mighty fine mosaic.  A Van Gogh canvas exploding with glory and fervency.  Impressions layered on thick by a cacophony of word and thought.    Spinning at a blur.  Always saying something if you but dare to listen.  God’s whispers wisp all around.

Today’s conversation with Christian Life Coach (and occasional Guest Co-Host) Steph Cherry froths with whimsy and wisp.  From country roads to Palm Sunday donkey butts, to gleanings from Steph’s visit at a recent Writer’s Conference.  You might think this is much ado about nothing, but we dare imagine there’s a sentence here, or two, that might prompt a resurrection within.  Skye Peterson’s wonderful song alone is worth the table stop.

Featuring “Resurrection In you” by Singer-Songwriter Skye Peterson

 (Used by Permission)

GETH·​SEM·​A·​NE

It was the Thursday night before Jesus was arrested, tried, and nailed to a cross.  In less than 24 hours, He would be dead.  His last hours of freedom were spent in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Gethsemane means “oil press.”

Jesus confesses to His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow.”  The forces of darkness and evil are already descending on Him.  The snake is in the garden again.  The boa constrictor of distress is circling His whereabouts and is dangling from the olive trees.

Step with us into “the place” where the cross was settled.

The snake is in the garden.

Gethsemane is the oil press.

And Jesus is the olive.

Featuring “Celebrity” by Singer-Songwriter Ross King (Used by Permission)

LENT AND LAMENT

For many of our listeners, it is the season of Lent.  Lent is a time when Jesus’ followers reflect on His life, death, and resurrection.  It is also a season of identifying with sorrow, brokenness, and sacrifice.  Lent is a desert season.

On any given day, today’s episode would be timely.  In the past few days, our hearts have been stunned once again by senseless tragedy in Nashville, Tennessee.  Over the weekend, tornados literally blew entire communities off the map.  And on and on our stories unravel.  Not a single day goes by where we could not pray for someone presently experiencing loss.  We live in a world of perpetual Lent and lament.

On today’s episode, I share three brief essays I wrote ten years ago during a prolonged season of personal grief:  When Prayer Becomes Breath, A Warning to Jesus On His Last Night on Earth,” and Epic.  And we will also hear another great song from J Lind.  So, have a seat at the Table and lean in to lament.

Featuring “Lean Into It” by Singer-Songwriter J Lind   (Used by Permission)

CURATE YOUR LIFE

To curate is to bring together something unique – sometimes, something that has never been brought together before or has been apart for a long, long time.  It may have all originated from the same source, from the same Creator, but it has been a long time in coming back around to one specific place.  And sometimes that place is you.

Today’s appetizer episode explores the curiosity, wonder, and surprise of being invited by our Creator to chase Him into the art of curation.  Like stepping into a sidewalk chalk masterpiece and rekindling your inner 3-year-old self.  Like following bread crumbs sown by the Bread of Life.

Featuring “So It Goes” by Singer-Songwriter J Lind   (Used by Permission)

REMBRANDT IS IN THE WIND: RUSS RAMSEY

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Russ Ramsey

Art is often the surprise I did not expect.  In 2022, the surprise swept from canvas to page with the discovery of Russ Ramsey’s wondrously titled book – Rembrandt Is in the Wind.  This was one of my favorite books last year.  And I could hardly wait to bring Russ to the Table for this week’s conversation.

Russ is a pastor and an author with the added gift of storytelling.  He encourages listeners and readers to learn to love art through the eyes of faith.  By the time we finished talking, it felt like Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Vincent were gathered around the Table with us.

Rembrandt is still in the wind.  Redemption is still in the air.  And there is always a chair for you to join in.

https://www.russ-ramsey.com

Dr Who and Van Gogh – https://youtu.be/ubTJI_UphPk

Featuring “Sandcastles” by Singer-Songwriter Skye Peterson (Used by Permission)

HOMELESS HEARTS

There’s a reverence and rhythm to life on the streets, where worship and party mingle with joy and affliction. It is a good thing to walk where any one of us could be; it is a good thing to be where Jesus already is.

Guest co-host Steph Cherry and I have both walked alongside sidewalk parishioners and broke bread in the cathedrals of the street.  We have been taught by the wisdom of homeless hearts and been blessed in the learning.  I was a chaplain in a downtown mission for a season; Steph continues to serve through the Boho Table where tacos and tears are standard fare.  Come, listen to the beat and songs of homeless hearts.

                        In Memory of our friends, Sonya Spotts and Robbie Collins

Featuring “The Rock I’m On” by Singer-Songwriter Ross King

 (Used by Permission)

https://www.thebohotable.org

THE BOX

We’ve all heard about The Box.  Most of us probably have a Box collection.  Everybody wants us to have one.  Or if we don’t have one yet, they encourage us to make one.  But they would really rather prefer we took one of theirs.  Their boxes usually tell us how to believe and what to believe and sometimes even convey their most important rule – “stay in the box.”

Today’s episode flips those boxes upside down with a challenging question about getting outside the box and an incredible story about one of my favorite heroes of faith – Clarence Jordan.  Dare to overturn a box and join us at today’s Table.

Featuring “Cedar of Lebanon” by Singer-Songwriter Skye Peterson

 (Used by Permission)

SKYE PETERSON: THE WONDER OF A SONG

Lunch and Conversation at Ladybird Taco in Nashville, Tennessee

                        Featuring Special Guest:  Skye Peterson

I don’t find songs so much as songs find me.  Out of the blue they walk up to me and introduce themselves like long lost friends.  That is exactly how I would describe meeting today’s feature song, “Searching For Us,” by today’s special table guest, singer-songwriter Skye Peterson.

When Skye and I met for lunch at Ladybird Taco, I was already a fan of her music.  But from the get-go – in the pre-conversation over great tacos to the spontaneous high five after recording today’s podcast conversation, I became a fan of Skye Peterson, the person.  

Join us for good food, music, and conversation.  Skye recommends the Salsa Verde Braised Chicken Taco and I like the Brisket with Avocado Taco.  Both are winners.  We saved you a seat.

https://skyepetersonmusic.com

Featuring “Searching For Us” by Singer-Songwriter Skye Peterson  (Used by Permission)

GOD’S MIDDLE NAME

Welcome to the 100th setting of the Table!

There is so much good awaiting you here today.  

A tasty banquet of thought, music, and treasure await.

Do you know God’s middle name?

Do you know where the Garden of Eden is?

Can you remember the last time you were wowed by God?

Get ready, ‘cos it might just happen in the next 24 minutes!

Our very first Table guest – Johnny Mount – returns for a special cameo visit, along with a couple of other guests.

And Featuring “Wonder Of It All”- a brand new song by Singer-Songwriter Skye Peterson (Used by Permission)

DELIVERANCE – GAME ON

A Conversation With Special Guest:  Andrew Lowen

Are you a gamer?  Check your closet.  The average gamer owns 1-25 board games.  You may be a gamer and not even know it!  And there’s a new game coming out this spring that is already proven to be a game changer.

Guest co-host Steph Cherry and I converse with game designer Andrew Lowen about his upcoming board game Deliverance – the highest crowdfunded Christian game ever.   Deliverance is a cooperative game for 1-4 players of angels, demons, and saints caught up in a battle between opposing spiritual forces.  

A former professional gamer, Andrew also shares how his life transitioned from video games to board games and how his journey to bring Deliverance to your table began 6 years ago.  Choose your hero – check your sword -it’s game on!

Featuring “Things That I’m Afraid Of” by Singer-Songwriter Ross King (Used by Permission)