Join us as we seek God's direction in living the abundant life of hope, reconciliation, and love. http://www.praisecast.com en-us Copyright 2006 Mon, 20 Jun 2005 07:45:00 -0500 Mon, 20 Jun 2005 07:45:00 -0500 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss support@praisecast.com http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0212_Mac_ANearKingdomExperience.mp3 We've made the Church so relevant that we have made the Gospel irrelevant. Sat Mar 11 01:48:30 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0219_Mac_RomancingLife.mp3 Living a faithful life is being adventurous, willing to risk for the sake of faith. Sat Mar 11 01:49:38 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0226_Mac_ACultureOfGenerosity.mp3 When you build your life on generosity, it becomes infections to others. Fri Mar 24 21:00:26 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0305_Mac_SelfDenialBlessedAreThoseWhoHungerAndThirstAfterRighteousness.mp3 Righteous living is not first and foremost about moral rectitude, but about being. Wed Mar 29 22:19:28 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0312_Mac_CourageBlessedAreThePersecuted.mp3 When you dance with God you will be dancing outside the circle and to a rhythm that is foreign to the world. Wed Mar 29 22:27:40 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0319_Mac_EmpathyBlessedAreThoseWhoMourn.mp3 Empathizing with another's grief means opening ourselves up to our own and the world around us. It is in so doing, however, that we find comfort for ourselves and for others. Wed Mar 29 22:32:14 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0326_Mac_PatienceBlessedAreTheMeek.mp3 Meekness is quiet perseverance in the face of brute rage; it is our staunch refusal either to lay down in submission or to rise up in violence. It has persevered in the face of empires and rulers. March 26, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0402_Mac_WholenessBlessedAreThePeacemakers_22-32.mp3 Peace is not achieved as an afterthought. It comes with a commitment to make it work on a daily basis, and in a very personal way. April 2, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0409_Mac_ ContritionBlessedAreTheMerciful24x24.mp3 Happiness grows out of receiving mercy in order that we might share it with others. Only contrition for our sins will open us to the mercy of God and give us something to share with others. April 9, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/Surrender- Blessed Are the Poor In Spirit-24x24.mp3 To whom or to what have you surrendered your soul? When you recognize that spiritual impoverishment can only be nurtured by the grace of God and not the possessions of life, you know a happiness that the world cannot give nor take away. April 16, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0423_Paul_LivingTheEasterHope24x24.mp3 You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Guest speaker is retired pastor Paul Kern. April 23, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0430_Mac_AChildShallLeadUs.mp3 Children offer the leadership for today and tomorrow because they model humility, and are not restricted by the same mental and creative restraints that we have placed in the muck in which we currently find ourselves. April 30, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0507_Mac_TheClinicalStudyIsInPrayerMakesNoDifference24x24.mp3 The power of prayer cannot be quantified in scientific enquiry since it is dependent upon us opening ourselves to the imagination of God and letting God work through us and others who may be God's instruments for achieving his purpose. May 7, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0521_Coyner_ALoveThatLasts_24x24.mp3 There are many kinds of love, but Christian love is the only one that lasts, because it is God driven. May 21, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0528_Mac_TryAndRemember24x24.mp3 When life challenges us we need to try and remember who stands beside us to guide and protect us. May 28, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0604_CheeksCloaksAndLovingOurEnemies_a_c_a_24x24.mp3 Jesus calls us to be nice people in a not very nice world. When in a fallen world this fails, we are called to do justice that is born of humility and tempered by mercy. June 4, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0618_Mac_FathersLikeUs_24x24.mp3 Fathers like us are at our best when we are present with our children, affirm them in the process of living, help them set boundaries, and give them the gift of faith. June 18, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0625_Mac_LivingInDifficultTimes_24x32.mp3 We all live at moments in our life and world in difficult times. Keeping our eyes on a broader vision, not being deluded by whose we are, and rejecting the mass movements that invite easy answers for difficults problems will be our salvation. June 25, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0702 ThePowerToEndure 32x32.mp3 There are so many people who have found beginnings as disciples of Christ but poor endings. It is because they do not endure. Endurance in anything in life, especially as a faithful disciple of Christ, is found in our willingness to sacrifice - to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. July 2, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0709_Mac_IfThingsAreSoGoodWhyDoIFeelSoBad_24x32.mp3 Life in our country with few exceptions has never been better. Yet a majority of Americans feel it is getting worse because they foucus their attention on only the things they see around them. July 9, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0716_Mac_TheThingsThatWillMakeUsFeelBetter_24x32.mp3 Our generation has it better than any other in the history of our country, yet a majority of people feel things are getting worse. Fixing our attention on temporary things has done this to us. The latest research in postive psychology, and the scriptures clearly indicate that people feel better about life who are forgiving, loving, and thankful. July 16, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0723_Bill_ForgettingWhatLiesBehind_24x32.mp3 We may fear memory loss - and as important as it is to remember some important things - there are times when it is best to forget. July 23, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0730_Bill_StrainingForwardToWhatLiesAhead_24x32.mp3 Because of God's promises, we always have hope, and that can enable us to anticipate the future with confidence. July 30, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0806_Mac_HowALossCanBeAFind_24x32.mp3 There is no loss when the find is better than what we have lost. So, it is with losing ourselves and our families as a top prority and replacing it with our love for Christ - it simply enriches the love we have for others and ourselves. Augus 6, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0813_Mac_AWorldWithoutChrist_24x32.mp3 Though too many of our lives in this semi-pagan culture seem to indicate that the world would be better off without Christ, if not for him we would be people witout a country - without a homeland for our souls. August 13, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0820_Mac_OpentoGodOpentotheWorld24x32.mp3 When we understand that God's imagination exceeds our own, and are truly open to the many ways it can work in this world rather than busy censoring it, we see God and the world in new and wonderful ways. August 20, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0827_Mac_IWishIWasDead24x32.mp3 Depression is something that also assaults the faithul. There are some specific things Christias can do to deal successfully with depression. August 27, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0903_Bill_ComeUntoMeAllYouWhoLabor24x32.mp3 Jesus invites us to experience some much-needed rest, but also to learn from Him how to have a better attitude about our work. September 3, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0910_Mac_WhyMustThePoorAlwaysBeWithUs24x32.mp3 The poor are defined as any who is in need. The gospel is a mandate to care for those in need no matter. September 10, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0917_Mac_APlaceToParty24x32.mp3 Wherever the people of faith gather to listen and talk with God is holy ground. September 17, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_0924_Mac_LearningHowToParty24x32.mp3 A vision of what it means to receive the grace of God gives a disciple of Christ the passion to follow. Without it, we approach Christ with ambivalent discipleship. September 24, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1001_Mac_APartyWithAVision24x32.mp3 We can have a great purpose in life, even dream about it, but without vision it will perish. Vision is the passion that drives our purpose and helps us realize our dreams. October 1, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1008_Bill_APartyWithAPurpose24x32.mp3 The purpose of the party is to bless the lives of the poor, captive, blind and oppressed. October 08, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1015_Mac_OnBeingTheLifeOfTheParty24x32.mp3 Whether we are a pain or a blessing in life is up to us. If we let the grace of Christ transform us then the fruits of His Spirit will make us a blessing. October 15, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1022_Mac_AfraidToParty24x32.mp3 When you are afraid to party with God's grace you are like a reservoir, afraid to share it with others. If you love to celebreate God's grace, you are like a river that let's the grace of God flow through you to others. Which one are you? October 22, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1029_Mac_APartyWithAPast-24x32.mp3 We do not have to celebrate alone, but are surrounded with those who have taught us how to celebrate life and the God in us all. October 29, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1105_Mac_WhoWouldYouRatherPartyWith24x32.mp3 There is no one with whom we may party in the world that brings us real hope than Christ. What the world offers us as a party partner is fear. November 5, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1112_Mac_MendingWalls24x32.mp3 There are times when broken trust like walls need to be mended. It is a process of rebuilding, that over time and with God's help, can be done. November 12, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1119_Mac_PuttingJesusOnADiet24x32.mp3 We think we find life when we fatten up Jesus and His teachings. Only when we follow Him and them will we find life. November 19, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1126_Bill_WhatIfHeReallyReigned24x32.mp3 Are there some ways that the concept of Christ the King still has relevance for us today? November 26, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1203_Mac_LetsJustSkipIt-24x32.mp3 Advent is about skipping the notion of skiipping Christmas. It helps us penetrate the din of commercial pitches with a ray of hope that God is with us, will heal us, will save us no matter the circumstances we are in. December 3, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1217_Mac_TheMysteryAndManureOfChristmas-24x32.mp3 The mystery of Christmas is how God takes the ordinary and works in it's midst the extraordinary. December 17, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1224am_Mac-Bill_TheHopesAndFearsOfAllTheYears-24x32.mp3 There are many fears in life, most of them unfounded. Whether we deal with them in hope or despair depends on who we ask to be with us. December 24, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1224pm_Mac_RememberingWhatItWasLike-24x32.mp3 Christmas is an invitation to recall the child in each of us, and what that means in being a child of God. December 24, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/06_1231_Mac_TheAfterChristmasSale-24x32.mp3 Just believing in God is like buying our religion at an after Christmas sale. When we are transformed by Christ, we follow, and that makes all the difference in our lives and the life of the world. December 31, 2006 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0107_Mac_BeginningAgainWhenThereIsNoClosure-24x32.mp3 In so many of life's tramatic events there is no closure. Living without closure requires a choice to live in the hope that the Christmas promise is not in the future, but has already happened. January 07, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0114_Rodney_WalkingOnRooftops-24x32.mp3 A call to active ministry in your friends' lives. January 14, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0121_Mac_TheDreamWeAreAfraidToAdmit-24x32.mp3 Helping others doesn't always mean doing something. Perhaps the highest kind of help we can be is sometimes to be simply present -- available to them. January 21, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0128_Mac_HoldingFamiliesTogetherWhenTheWorldIsTearingThemApart-24x32.mp3 Subtle and flagrant evils, anything that would suck the spirit out of our souls, are many in our day, and threaten at every hand to tear our familes apart. Realizing that we are all members of the family of God, inviting God's Spirit of sacrificial love, and discovering the power and mystery of that love to transform us will hold us together. January 28, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0204_Mac_WinOrLoseItsHowWePlayTheGame-24x32.mp3 Successful living is not about winning, but having the desire to win. February 4, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0211_DarrylTate_TransformingTheDisciplesToTheMissionField-24x32.mp3 Rev. Darryl Tate, Executive Director Louisiana Disaster Recovery Center talks about the call to discipleship. Many heard the call. They heard and came to help. Thank you. February 11, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0218_Matt_ChurchDoingVsBeing-24x32.mp3 Doing the motions of going to church is not the same as being the church for those around you. February 18, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0225_Mac_WhyGiveSomethingUpForLent-24x32.mp3 It is in giving something up ex. our time for worship, prayer, reading scripture, etc., that we gain faith strong enought to meet the challenges of life. February 25, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0304_Mac_DontAdmitAThing-24x32.mp3 When we confess our sins, we place our conscience under the compassionate gaze of God whose grace liberates us from the debilitating enslavement to our fears of condemnation. March 04, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0311_Mac_GiveInIdRatherDie-24x32.mp3 It is in the discipline of submission that we are liberated from the burden of always having to be right. March 11, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0318_Mac_WhenOneIsNotALonleyNumber24x32.mp3 We need solitude in order to make a difference in the world. March 18, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0325_Mac_RealReligion24x32.mp3 Real religion reaches out to the poorest of the poor and is not stained by materialism. March 25, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0401_Mac_PrayingWithoutCeasing24x32.mp3 Prayer without ceasing means lifting all of our thoughts before God, the good and the bad, beautiful and ugly, so that God can transform our lives into the people God has envisioned. April 1, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0408_Mac_TheObjectOfOurAffection24x32.mp3 We worship the object of our affections. If it is physical it can be lost, stollen, or even reject us. Worshippiing God frees us from enslavement to self-interest and the fears of life. April 8, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0415_Bill_EasierOrEaster24x32.mp3 Life is hard. God doesn't make it easier; God gives us Easter. April 15, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0422_Mac_TheBestGiftWeCanGiveThem24x32.mp3 We think we know how to give good gifts to our children, but so many are material in nature. The best gift we can give our children is wisdom which is knowledge joined with understanding and rooted in God. April 22, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0429_Bill_DancingOnATreadmill-24x32.mp3 God doesn't want our lives to be redundant. God wants our lives to be abundant. April 29, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0506_Mac_ItIsNoSecret-24x32.mp3 The secret to life is no secret at all. The burden Christ gives us of love, honesty, reconciliation and forgiveness is lighter than the confining burden of hatred, deception, division and revenge. May 06, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0513_Jackie_FamilyTies-24x32.mp3 The shortest path to peace in your life is to breath. Breath in the Spirit of God and exhale anxieties and pain. May 13, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0527_Mac_TheFinishLine-24x32.mp3 To cross the line and finish the race as a disciple of Christ, we need to accept him as Lord and Savior; practice the disciplines necessary to nurture our faith; and ask others to support us in the race. May 27, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0603_Mac_CommonGround-24x32.mp3 In the midst of the polarization of our age, for people of faith the presence and power of the Holy Spirit can be the common ground upon which we stand. June 03, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0610_Cantata-24x32.mp3 An end of season celebration of music by our Chancel Choir. June 10, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0617_Mac_FromLeapingToLimping-24x32.mp3 Perhaps the single most important thing to do to keep romance in marriages alive is to care for our souls as a gift to the one we love. June 17, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0624_Rodney_BeyondOrdinary-24x32.mp3 Ever get tired of feeling ordinary? God calls us to be extraordinary, but can we get there? Elijah teaches us through his own example. June 24, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0701_Mac_AndSomeDoubted-24x32.mp3 Learning to love the questions and gradually living into the answers leads us through doubt to faith. July 01, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0708_Mac_LettersFromTheFront-24x32.mp3 We make the mistake of identifying the great front as those overseas where indeed the enemies of peace may rest. However the great front is before us everyday as we do battle with those things that tempt us away from following Jesus Christ. July 08, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0715_Mac_TheMostSignificantQuestionOfAllTime-24x32.mp3 Do we live, especially in times of challenge when life is messy, in a way that is faithful to a God who is merciful and just? July 15, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0722_Rodney_AnyOneForFish-24x32.mp3 Is God so hard to understand? The answer may surprise you. July 22, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0729_Bill_KeepYourChinUp24x32.mp3 Everyone could use an encouraging word. July 29, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0805_Mac_ExtremeMakeover24x32.mp3 When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, we are in for an extreme makeover. It may happen in an instant, or as with so many of us, evolve over a lifetime. August 05, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0812_Mac_ABiblicalWorldViewTheFall24x32.mp3 Many Christians do not have a biblical world view and thus fail to recognize that while humankind may be good, it falls from God's grace whenever it chooses to be its own god. Such choices are made when we fail to live lives based upon God as the creator, fail the sacred trust to care for the world God has created, fail to love that which God has called very good, and fail to practice a humility that seeks to serve rather than be served. August 12, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0819_Mac_ABiblicalWorldViewTheDespair24x32.mp3 A biblical world view acknowledges the despair that arises from the struggle between competing saviors. The great lie of the Opposer is that being our own god is less confining and less heavy than the yoke and burden that goes with accepting and following Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. August 19, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0826_Mac_ABiblicalWorldviewHope24x32.mp3 Central to a biblical world view is hope, a dominate theme throughout scripture, the ministry of Jesus, and the resurrection itself. August 26, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0902_Bill_LaborPains24x32.mp3 There are times when what we perceive to be the end, may really be a new beginning. September 02, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0909_Mac_CleaningOutTheAttic24x32.mp3 Sometimes we treat our souls like our attics that become so full of stuff (sin, shame, guilt) we break beneath their weight. We can invite God into the attic of our souls and help us clean them out – let the old pass away that everything may become new. September 9, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0916_Mac_TheGiftOfAFreshStart24x32.mp3 Grace is a gift that not only helps us put the past behind, but gives us a gift of a fresh start - the old has passed away, behold everything has become new. September 16, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0923_Mac_GraceItsNotForSale-24x32.mp3 Grace is a gift, but it requires humility to receive it. It provides the courage and help for us to change those things in our lives that need to be changed so that we become the people God has created us to be. September 23, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_0930_Bill_NeedACreed-24x32.mp3 How would you complete this sentence: "I believe .... "? September 30, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1007_Mac_MovinOnInTheUncertaintyOfChange-24x32.mp3 Change is a given in life. It is how we choose to handle it that decides whether it will be successful or not. October 07, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1014_Mac_MovinOnInWhatToPack-32x24.mp3 Wherever we move, whether into a new house of living or house of worship, we need to take with us an attitude of balance lest we miss the joy of the experience. October 14, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1021_Mac_MovinOnInWhenWeDontWantToMove-24x32.mp3 When we are forced to move or change or adapt to something we did not want we have a choice on whether to face it with despondence and depression or faith and hope. When we choose faith we can look at what surrounds us differently, learn from others who have faced it, study the ways in which we can adapt to it, and respond to what may seem evil to us with good. October 21, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1028_Mac_MovinOnInLosingWhatsFamiliar-24x32.mp3 When change faces us in life that is good, the fear of making that change can scare us back to the familiar even when that means our own death. October 28, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1104_MovinOnInThanksForTheMemories-24x32.mp3 Memories in leaving can play an important role in who we are and what we shall become. November 4, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1111_Mac_MovinOnInCelebratingTheNewDigs-24x32.mp3 Let this new sanctuary be consecrated as a place of prayer, praise, reconciliation and discipleship. November 11, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1118_Mac_ReasonsACynicCanGiveThanks-24x32.mp3 In the midst of cynical times we discover that God is no cynic and is using a few people to make a difference in the world. November 18, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1125_Mac_LivingInBetween-24x32.mp3 Living the moments of life in between the joys and challenges successfully requires us to care for our souls, care for our relationships, saying "yes" to what is right , and choosing an attitude of hope. November 25, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1202_Mac_FindingJoyInMudvilleAtTheLostAndFound-24x32.mp3 Real Joy, contrary to what our culture says, is found in serving rather than being served. December 02, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1209_Christmas Cantata-24x32.mp3 A Carol Service by Hal H. Hopson performed by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra. December 09, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1216_Mac_FindingJoyInMudvilleAtTheObstetricians-24x32.mp3 Sometimes joy does not come to us in the immediate but in the patient waiting. December 16, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1223_Mac_FindingJoyInMudvilleAtDawn-24x32.mp3 “My tears may linger for the night but joy comes in the morning.” Christ has given the gift of salvation so that there is always joy and hope in the morning. December 23, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1224_Mac_AJoyIndescribable-24x32.mp3 The gift is beyond words - it is indescribable. December 24, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/07_1230_Bill_HowCanADreamLeaveFootprints-24x32.mp3 As we begin another Yew Year, it may be a good time for us to recall and act on our dreams. December 30, 2007 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0106_Mac_TheYearHasPassedThankGod-24x32.mp3 Rooting our lives in regular worship, prayer, and meditation can help us find the joy in living no matter what the year may hold for us. January 06, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0113_Mac_KnowingNDoingTheRightThing-24x32.mp3 When we know the right thing to do we can do it when we surrender ourselves to the power of God's grace to get us there. January 13, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0120_Mac_IsItImportantOurLeadersBeChristian-24x32.mp3 It is better that our political leaders wear their religions in their hearts than on their shirt sleeves. It is not so important that they be Christian than that they humbly seek to live by the teachings of Christ. January 20, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0127_Rodney_IveGotAGoldenTicket-24x12.mp3 Have you ever wondered what your role as a servant of God should be? This fresh look at an old parable may help answer that question for you. January 27, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0203_Bill_ItReallyIsAllAboutMeIsntIt-24x12.mp3 It's no coincidence that illness starts with "i" and wellness starts with 'we.' February 03, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0210_Mac_HasVictoriaSecretStolenOurInnocence-24x12.mp3 Innocence is stolen from us bit by bit in daily decisions about our children and ourselves that seem to us to be harmless. February 10, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0217_Mac_HaveWeForgottenHowToBlush-24x12.mp3 We've so lowered the bar for decency that we've forgotten the creative way in which shame can change our lives and the lives of those around us. February 17, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0224_Mac_WhereAreThey-24x12.mp3 Simple civility begins with us (Christians) and not them and is one of the many little things that will make us a better people. February 24, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0302_Mac_AReverenceForPlace-24x12.mp3 It is important that Christians observe and teach a reverence (respect, awe and affection for God) for the sanctuary where we go, as a gathered community, to meet God. March 02, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0309_Mac_AHealthyChoice-24x12.mp3 The verdict is in - people who choose to predicate their lives on being a forgiving person live longer and are healthier. Jesus indicated this two thousand years ago that though it is a narrow gate and a hard road, entering is the choice that leads to life. March 09, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0323_Mac_LivingWithoutFear-24x12.mp3 Living without fear requires a foundation rooted in a love so perfect that fear has no presence; inviting others to help you stand against your fear; and owning the power of the resurrection for yourself. March 23, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0316_Mac_ACityInHandIsWorthMoreThanAWormInABush-24x12.mp3 God is able to look at what we think is hopeless and redeem it because God's imagination and power is greater than our own. March 16, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0330_Bill_FromAnEmptyTombToAnEmptyPew-24x12.mp3 The Sunday after Easter may be a good time to think about worship attendance. March 30, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0406_KennKington_LiveToGive-24x12.mp3 There are two kinds of people; those who live to give and those who live to take. Your decision will define the quality of your life. April 6, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0413_YouthSunday_OstromNHetland-24x12.mp3 Growing relationships by Ali Ostrom and Jeff Hetland. April 13, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0420_Mac_WhyIAmAUnitedMethodistCChristain-24x12.mp3 The Top Ten Reasons I Am a United Methodist Christian. April 20, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0427_Mac_ThePowerOfFaith-24x12.mp3 The power of faith is expressed in seed-sized steps not in super-sized efforts April 27, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0504_Mac_EmbarassedByLifeMarriage-24x12.mp3 Marriage like so many events in our lives will embarrass us. We can work at it in all the right ways, but when marriage is broken or fails, we need to remember that God and the community of faith is with us. May 04, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0511_Mac_EmbarassedByLifeFamily-24x12.mp3 No matter how embarrassed we are by our family, God has suffered through it with us yet calls us his children. How does God do this, and what lessons might we learn in coping with our own families? May 11, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0518_Mac_EmbarassedByLifeEconomics-24x12.mp3 When our economic situation in life embarrasses us, it is an opportunity for us to make some changes in our life by knowing who we are (our real priorities), how we feel about money, looking for the lifeline that God will be throwing us, and tithing (10% before taxes) for our sake and the sake of others. May 18, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0525_EmbarassedByLifeHealth-24x12.mp3 So many people are embarrassed when they become sick. To overcome this embarrassment we need to reach out to others, let them embrace us, be sure caregivers take care of themselves and seek what God may expect of us during this time. May 25, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0601_AcceptingGodsChallenge-24x12.mp3 When we accept God's challenge to tithe, both as individuals and as a church, we avoid the curse of self-absorption and live the blessings that come from sharing with others. June 01, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0615_BecomingAContagiousChristianAgainTheStory-24x12.mp3 Christians have a great story to tell to the world that god is light and in God there is no darkness. This light brings hope where there is despair, reconciliation where there is division, peace where there is war, forgiveness where there is vengeance. Once we accept our need to receiver the gift of God's love we cannot but help share this with others. June 15, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0622_BecomingAContagiourChristianAgainTheStoryTeller-24x12.mp3 In this highly politically charged year we must be careful lest people hide their political views behind Christian language and preach a gospel based on fear rather then hope. In the midst of those who pander to our fears we need to preach the gospel of peace over war; reconciliation over division; love over hate; and hope over despair. June 22, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0629_Matt_BrandLoyality-24x12.mp3 When loyalty to the “Christian” brand pulls us away from the person and message of Christ. June 29, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0706_Mac_SummertimieAndTheLivinIsEasyDaylightSaving-24x12.mp3 Summertime is not easy living' when we are so busy we can’t observe a Sabbath that reminds us that we can simplify our lives, develop new relationships while caring for the old ones, and walk as children of the light. July 06, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0713_Mac_SummertimeAndTheLivinIsEasyPlay-24x12.mp3 If our living is to be easier during any season of the year it means we must play not obsessively but in a way that will help us interact with nature, laugh, and care for ourselves physically. July 13, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0720_Mac_SummertimeAndTheLivinIsEasyVacations-24x12.mp3 Faith journeys look like great vacations that make our summertime living easier, make our lives easier when we trust God for the good in life; accept God's confidence in us to succeed; know that God will sustain us along the way; and guide us to a destination that will delight us. July 20, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0727_Jackie_QueSeraSera-24x12.mp3 What will be, will be. Jesus stayed in the moment during His time on earth. In the moment, God's presence will provide. July 27, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0803_Bill_WhatAreYouGivingUp-24x12.mp3 God helps us hang on and hang in there. August 03, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0810_Mac_InGodWeTrust-12x24.mp3 Trusting in God permits us to let go of subjects and matters that have become too difficult for us and find contentment and peace in knowing we have done everything we can. August 10, 2008 http://www.praisecast.com/clients/castleton/files/08_0817_Mac_NotSeeingYetBelieving-24x12.mp3 Faith carries with it the willingness to take risks for what we believe; to trust what God envisions for us rather than what we envision for ourselves; and to tackle the what if, embrace the what is and move forward to the what will be. August 17, 2008