Reflection

Each of us is the owner of a random collection of theologies, doctrines, and superstitions. It’s a junk drawer of religious ideas and influences. It’s the witticisms your grandmother tossed around with ease that sounded like they came from a religious text. It’s an insight gleaned about God from a half-heard sermon at a friend’s church. It’s the mental screenshot of a meme shared on social media. It’s the empowering idea you underlined in a book and wrote on a Post-it Note now forever affixed to your laptop. These are the things stuffed in our spiritual junk drawers. And as with that stash of old phone chargers, empty pens, and half-used batteries sitting in your kitchen drawer, something in us says, “I might need this.” And so we hold on. But should we? For many this junk drawer spirituality has become burdensome. We are worn down by the religious experience it creates and frustrated by a collection of traditions and “truths” that fail to deliver on their many promises. Find out more about St. Matthew Lutheran Church at www.stmatts.net Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovits Amazon: https://a.co/d/3jaaveE 1517.org https://shop.1517.org/collections/coming-soon/products/9781956658491-junk-drawer-jesus Tough Call by Matt Popovits https://a.co/d/0VENNEi   Seculosity by David Zahl https://a.co/d/j6I9L6x   What Matters Most Podcast with Matt Popovits https://open.spotify.com/show/42pQWZS0UirWPNDA8XNfYx?si=6d3fc013a340440c Make It Simple Podcast with Matt Popovits and Rachel Ryder https://open.spotify.com/show/5DgcGJkqIGLLsFKO2bcIWH?si=56604b27c81149e4

Hesham Shehab grew up in Beirut, a world of bitter animosity between Muslims and Christians, which he experienced personally in a physical attack when 7 years old. By age 13 he was recruited by the Muslim Brotherhood (Lebanese Chapter) and later fought against Christians in the 1975 war in Lebanon. His brother was killed by a Christian militia and his response was to study by day, and by night seek to take revenge in attacks on Christian members if the militia that killed his brother. However, hearing the Sermon on the Mount in a course of cultural studies (at American college in Beruit), the Holy Spirit brought him to faith. He heard the words “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Today, he's the founder of Salam Christian Fellowship in Chicago and reaches out to refugees and new immigrants from eight Middle Eastern countries, and shares the Gospel with Muslims in three languages. This is Hesham's story! ---- To find out more about St. Matthew Lutheran Church www.stmatts.net Salam Christian Fellowship https://salamchristianfellowship.org   To contact Hesham Shehab hicham@salamchristianfellowship.org   Guidelines for Sharing the Faith with Your Muslim Friends: The Dos and the Don’ts – Bernie Lutz http://pubsearch.lhfmissions.org   Christian Witness Among Muslims – Earnest Hahn https://www.ffmna.org/product-page/christian-witness-among-muslims-a-guide-to-understanding-the-muslim-religion   Between Allah & Jesus – Peter Kreeft https://a.co/d/hISrWcu

The Bible is not some dusty textbook, but a veritable circus of humanity, with high-soaring saints, back-talking donkeys, left-handed kingslayers, and all the glory and gore you can fit inside the big top of this biblical tent. And everywhere in this story is God who, in his wild and passionate love for humanity, is shepherding history toward the birth and ministry of Jesus the Messiah.   Chad Bird talks about his latest book and also reads an excerpt! ----- Find out more about St. Matthew Lutheran Church www.stmatts.net Explore the 1517.org website https://www.1517.org   Hitchhiking with Prophets by Chad Bird https://shop.1517.org/collections/paperback/products/9781956658866-hitchhiking-with-prophets   The Christ Key – Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament by Chad Bird https://shop.1517.org/collections/paperback/products/9781962654876-the-christ-key   40 Minutes in the Old Testament podcast https://www.1517.org/podcasts/40-minutes-in-the-old-testament   Hidden Streams podcast https://www.1517.org/podcasts/hidden-streams   Jesus Died and Rose For You with Chad Bird – audio podcast https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/8O7HxUeQTLb   Jesus Died and Rose For You with Chad Bird – video podcast https://youtu.be/V4RmaDlry7c   Connection between Passover & The Lord’s Supper with Chad Bird – audio podcast https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/80aa6TeQTLb   Connection between Passover & The Lord’s Supper with Chad Bird – video podcast https://youtu.be/AE1x89HUQJ8

Ryan Ferguson was married one year ago and ordained two weeks later. Ed Blonski checks in with Pastor Ryan one year later to see how things are going! Find out more about St. Matthew at www.stmatts.net Check out these recommendations from Pastor Ryan: A Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul Maier https://a.co/d/2t7Gkop More than a Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul Maier https://a.co/d/1pINX8g Sacred Duty by Tom Cotton https://a.co/d/bvlDwj0

How does a pastor or other church leader actually become an effective and successful leader?  Ben Haupt is the Global Executive Director of the Pastoral Leadership Institute, a uniquely equipped organization that provides immersive leadership development for pastors, ministry leaders, and their spouses to lead out the mission of God with grace, joy, influence, and impact, specific to a leader’s context. The Reflection Podcast is produced by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. To connect with St. Matthew go to www.stmatts.net Ben Haupt’s social media contacts  https://linktr.ee/benhaupt   PLI – Pastoral Leadership Institute https://plileadreship.org/   Books Recommended by Ben Concordia – The Lutheran Confessions https://www.cph.org/concordia-the-lutheran-confessions-a-readers-edition-of-the-book-of-concord-2nd-edition   Book of Concord – Tappert Edition https://www.cph.org/p-1065-book-of-concord   The Spirituality of the Cross – Gene Edward Veith https://a.co/d/gVbUrOa   Grace Upon Grace – John Kleinig https://a.co/d/dx6BWdo   The Square and the Tower – Niall Ferguson https://a.co/d/dx6BWdo   The Great Debate – Yuval Levin https://a.co/d/fYtRKxG

Answer God's call sometimes doesn't go as expected but usually leads to an adventure beyond imagination. That's the story Tim Hetzner tells on this episode. Our Podcast music was provided by ⁠The Podcast Host⁠ and ⁠Alitu: The Podcast Maker app⁠. Books mentioned by Tim: This Is My Body: A Call to Eucharistic Revival - Bishop Robert Barron https://a.co/d/4FyMRIQ New Testament Church Dynamics - Stephen E. Atkerson https://a.co/d/2mZczU4 The Politics of Persecution: Middle Eastern Christians in an Age of Empire - Mitri Raheb https://a.co/d/2Hk6zLe The Dash: Making a Difference with Your Life - Linda Ellis https://a.co/d/eQedM3S The Cross and the Cries of Human Need: Messages for Lent and Every Season - Robert Howard Clausen https://a.co/d/4E8avEg

Five guys who have been singing together for 40 years get together to talk about music and the harmony of life. Music is an outstanding gift of God and next to theology. I would not want to give up my slight knowledge of music for a great consideration. And youth should be taught this art; for it makes fine, skillful people. – Martin Luther Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.

Recently baptized in the Christian Church, Gary and his wife are "all in" in serving Christ in the Church. Hear his amazing story of his search for purpose and meaning in Judaism and Buddhism before finally being found by Jesus Christ! Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app. Gary’s Book Busville: A Story about School Bus Drivers https://a.co/d/fTOHdIN     Books mentioned by Gary:   A Conflict of Visions – Thomas Sowell https://a.co/d/brNkqWl   Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything – Viktor E. Frankl https://a.co/d/8HfUvKX   George F. Kennan: An American Life – John Lewis Gaddis https://a.co/d/e5ejw4T

What do you do when you feel God's Call to serve in the Church but are struggling with anxiety and depression? This conversation with David Conley can help you with this! Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app. Books mentioned by David The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310360838?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_HSN5M19EQM635BS7JT4R   Don’t Waste Your Sorrows: New Insight Into God's Eternal Purpose for Each Christian in the Midst of Life's Greatest Adversities by Paul E. Billheimer https://a.co/d/9Dmv8d3  Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature By Peter Scazzero https://a.co/d/bnr1UHv

Brittany has answered God's call to be a servant in the church. She recently graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin and received a call to serve as Youth & Family Minister at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. Our Podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app. Books mentioned by Brittany Captivating John & Stasi Eldredge https://a.co/d/5HSanzM Rest and War: Rhythms of a Well-Fought Life Ben Stuart https://a.co/d/bSSyP7I A Woman’s Place Katelyn Beatty https://a.co/d/1dvs9H7