Celtic Preacher

Today, we look at Jesus' teaching on the habit we all fall into of the comparing mind, the subtle habit of lifting ourselves when we look at others who offend or frustrate us.   Luke 18: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Pod 280 

Jesus said, Blessed are those who mourn and those who weep.  This wisdom invites us to linger where the world tells us to move on, to honor the ache instead of trying to outrun it. Honest grief opens the heart, softens the soul, and opens us to God’s healing touch.  Text Matthew 5. 

You already have enough faith —that’s not the problem.

It’s not that we lack faith and trust in God, Jesus teaches; we don’t know how to apply it effectively. In this episode, we’ll explore what blocks our trust in God and how to activate mustard-seed size (tiny) faith.   Luke's 17. 

Why does contentment so often slip through our fingers? Scripture teaches that contentment is not our natural state, but something we must learn. The apostle Paul discovered that contentment is found along a quieter path, one that challenges our instincts and reshapes our perspective of the world. Text 1 Timothy 6.  

“Religion does not consist in showing us where we are right, but showing us that we are wrong.”   G.K. Chesterton.  In a world fractured by judgment and division, Jesus calls us to something deeper. Luke 15

You can’t walk past a church without seeing a cross, and have you noticed millions of people wear a cross around their necks—but what does Jesus mean when he speaks about the cross?  For Jesus, the cross isn’t just a symbol, but a way of life. Like clay on the potters' wheel, “carrying the cross” is all about God’s healing in our lives and how God works in this world.  Text:  Luke 14 and Jeremiah 18 Pod 275

Conflict at home, at work, or with friends? Division hurts-but it’s often the price of growth. Jesus taught that true integrity demands breaking free from toxic patterns and relationships that hold us back. Luke12:49-56 Pod 274

Money isn’t the real problem for most of us-greed is. Often disguised as “need” or the desire for just a little more, greed quietly drives our discontentment and keeps us chasing after more opportunities, possessions, and security. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to recognize how our subtle cravings for ‘more’ shape our lives.  The Parable of the Rich Fool,  Luke 12:13-21

The Gift of Irritation

Life is full of moments that rattle us-stress, frustration, interruptions, and people who get under our skin. Jesus teaches that our daily frustrations aren’t just obstacles-they are signals, showing us where our hearts need healing, attention, and grace.  Luke 10: Mary and Martha. 

What does it cost us to avoid the uncomfortable, the inconvenient, or the painful? In this teaching, we explore the hidden toll avoidance takes on our personal growth, relationships, and spiritual life, using the parable of, The  Samaritan as a starting point, we reflect on Jesus' wisdom that challenges us to confront what we'd rather walk past – the wounded places in others and ourselves.  Text Luke 10.   

You may feel uncertain, frustrated and blocked. It can be uncomfortable before any big change. This is a liminal space, a threshold between what it was and what is yet to be. Something has ended, and the new thing isn’t quite here. God’s timing is not like ours.   Text Acts 1:1-11

What if God's guidance doesn't always come as we expect it? This teaching explores the surprising ways God leads us, often gently, sometimes dramatically, inviting us to change our expectations and how we live. Text Acts 11  

In a world filled with numerous voices, opinions, and beliefs, how can we recognize the voice of God? Today, Jesus offers a straightforward, soul-centered practice that can help you discern God's guidance for your life. (John 10) 

We've all heard the phrase "just get over it," but what if you're unable to? When we find ourselves trapped in feelings of shame, failure, or grief, Jesus reaches out to us in many ways, helping us break free from the past. This isn't about erasing our history but reframing it to offer a way forward, beyond our painful memories. The text is John 21, Peter, and the dreaded charcoal fire. 

Today, we explore the quiet, often hidden, struggle of doubt – the common dilemma we face when trusting God feels nearly impossible. Like Thomas, who needed to see and touch before he could believe, many of us wrestle with uncertainty, unanswered prayers, and the silence of God. But doubt isn't the end of the story. John 20 

On that first Easter morning, something new began. The risen Christ came not with a fanfare, but with tenderness, meeting each heart's need. He says he has no trouble finding you!  Luke 24:1-12. 

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It's challenging when our plans fall apart, our expectations go unmet, and every door seems closed. Jesus' friends faced this in the final week of His life. We face this too. How do we navigate the tension between our hopes and what God is doing? Palm Sunday text: Luke 19:28-40 

In a world driven by opinions and approval, Jesus shows us another way to live. If you have ever felt the tension between doing what is right and being accepted, you are not alone—the Text: Gospel of John 12—lessons from Jesus' friend, Mary of Bethany.

When We Lose Our Way-How, Did I End Up In This Mess? We all lose our way at times. We make poor decisions, feel uncertain about our purpose, and may lack direction, leading us down the wrong paths. Sometimes, our choices are deliberate and well thought out; other times, we might not even understand why our lives feel chaotic. Jesus reminds us that God relentlessly pursues and finds us, no matter our challenges. Luke 15