60 Podcast Station 2.1.02 http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/www/podcasts Weekly Sermon Podcast of Rev. Danny Spears at Holy Covenant MCC Church in Brookfield, IL. This Podcast is best viewed by using Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox. You can also access the sermon podcasts at the ITunes Store under Podcasts. EN Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:05:27 GMT Religious and Spiritual 2008 Holy Covenant MCC chitownbarb@yahoo.com chitownbarb@yahoo.com http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/Holy Covenant.jpg http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/www/podcasts 144 144 clean chitownbarb@yahoo.com Barbara Adams Sermons from Holy Covenant MCC Weekly Sermon from the pulpit of Holy Covenant Mcc in Brookfield, IL Rev. Danny Spears gay,sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Rockin' For God.mp3 Rockin' for God does not mean dancing for God to headbanging music. It is sitting in your spiritual rocking chairs, mediating, praying, a starting place for your spiritual journey, a place to take a break. Some forms of rocking chairs, are reflection, prayer, discussion, worship with people, meditation and praying. It gives you a holistic vision of yourself and your family of faith. Do you have a spiritual rocking chair? 1/4/09 {6D02B0DE-9F5D-402D-8A54-5D74CD21E0C5} Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:05:27 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears revdanny@holycovenantmcc.org no no Are you sitting in your rocking chair being comfortable? Rockin' for God does not mean dancing for God to headbanging music. It is sitting in your spiritual rocking chairs, mediating, praying, a starting place for your spiritual journey, a place to take a break. Some forms of rocking chairs, are reflection, prayer, discussion, worship with people, meditation and praying. It gives you a holistic vision of yourself and your family of faith. Do you have a spiritual rocking chair? 1/4/09 Rev. Danny spears sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up!.mp3 Just about everyone has his or her own favorite version of Jesus. Americans, in particular, have a long history of recreating Jesus in the images of their heroes of the time period. But, just how accurate are these depictions? And with so many images from which to choose, we might be tempted to throw our hands up in frustration and say, "Will the REAL Jesus please stand up?" 12/28/08 {43580E45-F43F-423E-9BC2-C1BA3E1DCD3B} Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:34:42 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no What is your favorite version of Jesus? Just about everyone has his or her own favorite version of Jesus. Americans, in particular, have a long history of recreating Jesus in the images of their heroes of the time period. But, just how accurate are these depictions? And with so many images from which to choose, we might be tempted to throw our hands up in frustration and say, "Will the REAL Jesus please stand up?" 12/28/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Billboards for Jesus.mp3 Billboards for Jesus: There are all kinds of flashy billboards across the country proclaiming all types of things about God and Jesus. Sometimes, however, it is often the people who call themselves followers of Jesus that are the most-or least-effective billboards for Jesus. 12/14/08 {BAE557C6-2438-457E-A7AC-864119360A93} Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:11:21 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Billboards for Jesus Billboards for Jesus: There are all kinds of flashy billboards across the country proclaiming all types of things about God and Jesus. Sometimes, however, it is often the people who call themselves followers of Jesus that are the most-or least-effective billboards for Jesus. 12/14/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/WWJSL.mp3 WWJSL: So, what WOULD Jesus smell like? So often during Advent we love to sanitize Jesus - baby Jesus meek and mild in whiter than white swaddling clothes complete with halo. While these images are great for art, they are not, however, based in reality. 12/7/08 {3A3E71BD-A405-44FC-8B9C-3FB8B149A34E} Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:59:40 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no What Would Jesus Smell Like? WWJSL: So, what WOULD Jesus smell like? So often during Advent we love to sanitize Jesus - baby Jesus meek and mild in whiter than white swaddling clothes complete with halo. While these images are great for art, they are not, however, based in reality. 12/7/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Advent Interventions.mp3 It is a disease a lot of us share. We’re information addicts. Whether it is the computer or the television, we tend to fall prey to the never-ending loop of news. The problem is, while we ingest this information, we don’t always digest it - —we’re addicted to the information itself. The challenge of Advent is to break this cycle of addiction. 11/30 {2EDDA47A-2703-4273-99FA-7A1E5F16BE95} Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:39:29 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Digest the information! It is a disease a lot of us share. We’re information addicts. Whether it is the computer or the television, we tend to fall prey to the never-ending loop of news. The problem is, while we ingest this information, we don’t always digest it - —we’re addicted to the information itself. The challenge of Advent is to break this cycle of addiction. 11/30 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/To Close for Comfort.mp3 Enhanced Vision Systems help aircraft avoid other objects called "proximity perils," which can result in catastrophic accidents if they crash into one another. Wouldn’t it be great if we had "Spiritual Enhanced Vision Systems" to help us avoid some of life’s proximity perils? {C3F45198-E8C1-46AF-98D2-60BFEADC8182} Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:07:41 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Do you have an enhanced vision system - sure you do listen and find out how! Enhanced Vision Systems help aircraft avoid other objects called "proximity perils," which can result in catastrophic accidents if they crash into one another. Wouldn’t it be great if we had "Spiritual Enhanced Vision Systems" to help us avoid some of life’s proximity perils? sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Power Naps.mp3 For some people, power naps can be just what they need to recharge for that final push of the day. For others, however, these naps can result in a type of mental "atrophy" that leaves us unprepared to meet challenges that often arrive when we least expect them. Good thing we have enough mental "oil reserves" to see us through those times. Or, do we? 11/9/08 {731897DF-3D86-457B-934D-DF125C54F3A8} Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:41:35 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Did you ever take that Disco Nap before going out to party? For some people, power naps can be just what they need to recharge for that final push of the day. For others, however, these naps can result in a type of mental "atrophy" that leaves us unprepared to meet challenges that often arrive when we least expect them. Good thing we have enough mental "oil reserves" to see us through those times. Or, do we? 11/9/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Wet Faith.mp3 "Wet Faith": Transitions of any type can be scary. Moving to a different part of the county, changing careers, entering - or leaving - a relationship, all challenge our faith. Often we need someone else to "go first," to dip their toes in the waters of change, and to let us know that we can cross our own "Jordan Rivers" with confidence. Sometimes, that "someone" is us. 11/2/08 {95BC49D7-5EF7-4B12-8985-AFB3159BC67C} Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:04:48 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Dip your feet in the waters of change, go first "Wet Faith": Transitions of any type can be scary. Moving to a different part of the county, changing careers, entering - or leaving - a relationship, all challenge our faith. Often we need someone else to "go first," to dip their toes in the waters of change, and to let us know that we can cross our own "Jordan Rivers" with confidence. Sometimes, that "someone" is us. 11/2/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Juggling for Jesus.mp3 Juggling for Jesus: You think you have a lot of stuff to juggle in your life? Try juggling 613 laws! There has to be an easier way, right? Well, according to Jesus, while we can condense these 613 laws into 2, those 2 can still be a bit challenging to juggle at times. But why? 10/26/08 {7760A753-FFBB-4E8B-B596-138BE98EE784} Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:02:30 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Could you juggle 613 laws into 2? Juggling for Jesus: You think you have a lot of stuff to juggle in your life? Try juggling 613 laws! There has to be an easier way, right? Well, according to Jesus, while we can condense these 613 laws into 2, those 2 can still be a bit challenging to juggle at times. But why? 10/26/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Imitation Christianity.mp3 Imitation Christianity: Halloween is less than 2 weeks away. It is a holiday that encourages mostly harmless imitations through the creative use of costuming. There are, however, serious forms of imitation in life, as well. For examples, as Christians, who are our role models? Who do we imitate? 10/19/08 {D6E9EAF0-8E04-4F14-BB33-2B381C2055D2} Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:20:53 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Who do we imitate or are you a roll model for someone? Imitation Christianity: Halloween is less than 2 weeks away. It is a holiday that encourages mostly harmless imitations through the creative use of costuming. There are, however, serious forms of imitation in life, as well. For examples, as Christians, who are our role models? Who do we imitate? 10/19/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/www/HolyCovenantMCCSermonPodcast.xm "The Naked Dream" If you have ever had the "Naked Dream" (yes. you know the one where you show up somewhere in public seriously underdressed), you can take heart that in most of these dreams we are the only ones who notice. But, here’s a question: "What happens when we are spiritually underdressed, someone DOES notice, and it is NOT a dream?" 10/12/08 {89385CB1-9BF5-41A1-9DB2-CA80C506ADFF} Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:23:03 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no The Naked Dream - are you spiritually undressed? "The Naked Dream" If you have ever had the "Naked Dream" (yes. you know the one where you show up somewhere in public seriously underdressed), you can take heart that in most of these dreams we are the only ones who notice. But, here’s a question: "What happens when we are spiritually underdressed, someone DOES notice, and it is NOT a dream?" sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Picky Picky Picky.mp3 "Picky, Picky, Picky!" Picky people often seem so negative to us that we sometimes we try to avoid them and their viewpoints like the plague. After all, they're such buzz kills--and who needs that? Sounds a lot like the 10 Commandments, doesn't it? All those "thou shalt not do this" and "thou shalt not do that's". But are the commandments REALLY negative? {11785A68-3184-4FFB-8B24-A4F5AC44AA3E} Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:36:04 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Are the commandments really negative? "Picky, Picky, Picky!" Picky people often seem so negative to us that we sometimes we try to avoid them and their viewpoints like the plague. After all, they're such buzz kills--and who needs that? Sounds a lot like the 10 Commandments, doesn't it? All those "thou shalt not do this" and "thou shalt not do that's". But are the commandments REALLY negative? sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Thinking Inside the Box.mp3 "Thinking INSIDE the Box" The early church in Acts is an excellent model of holistic stewardship in a community setting. They incorporated "out of the box" thinking with "in the box" values. This community appears to pay attention to their relationship with God through worship, with one another through fellowship, and the sharing of their time, talent, and financial resources. What would such a model look like today? 9/28/08 {CAE2A6C6-9AF2-4053-BF4C-5E377F385D22} Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:08:02 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Holistic Stewardship - Thinking Inside the Box "Thinking INSIDE the Box" The early church in Acts is an excellent model of holistic stewardship in a community setting. They incorporated "out of the box" thinking with "in the box" values. This community appears to pay attention to their relationship with God through worship, with one another through fellowship, and the sharing of their time, talent, and financial resources. What would such a model look like today? 9/28/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Christianity's First Pledge Drive.mp3 "Christianity’s First Pledge Drive" Historically, churches have either overemphasized financial giving to the point of practically tying a person’s eternal destination to the amount of their financial gifts to the church; or they have avoided discussing the "m" word at all - at least until there is a financial crisis in the church. Is it possible to strike a balance between these two extremes? 9/21/08 {CB66FC62-4A5F-4BB9-8155-2988BE7DE613} Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:37:21 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Does the word "Money" make you nervous when mentioned in church? "Christianity’s First Pledge Drive" Historically, churches have either overemphasized financial giving to the point of practically tying a person’s eternal destination to the amount of their financial gifts to the church; or they have avoided discussing the "m" word at all - at least until there is a financial crisis in the church. Is it possible to strike a balance between these two extremes? 9/21/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Breakfast at Grandma Polly's.mp3 "Breakfast at Grandma Polly’s" How we organize our time says a lot about our priorities. Do we allow adequate time for work, rest, play -God? Or, do we live by the Martyr’s Mantra: - Well, if I don’t do it, WHO will? 9/14/08 {6FF29F95-1BE3-42F9-8E6B-21BCCF70AC94} Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:18:56 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Do you have God in your priority list? "Breakfast at Grandma Polly’s" How we organize our time says a lot about our priorities. Do we allow adequate time for work, rest, play -God? Or, do we live by the Martyr’s Mantra: - Well, if I don’t do it, WHO will? 9/14/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/In The Beginning.mp3 "In the Beginning" At its most basic level, holistic stewardship is about our relationship with both creation and the Creator. Everything belongs to God. God is our Source. In other words, how we do "or do not" practice holistic stewardship says a lot about who we ARE. 9/7/08 {143FB464-B725-4B82-996B-A664BAA5F0BA} Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:51:31 GMT Religion Rev. Danny spears no no Restore your relaionship with both creation and the Creator "In the Beginning" At its most basic level, holistic stewardship is about our relationship with both creation and the Creator. Everything belongs to God. God is our Source. In other words, how we do "or do not" practice holistic stewardship says a lot about who we ARE. 9/7/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Will You Be Their Crossing Guard.mp3 Help that person near you and be their Crossing Guard in life. 8/30/08 {AE6B0077-DF9D-4759-BF78-A9BEE2C0CFF1} Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:20:55 GMT Religion Rev. Gordon McCoy no no Help one another cross the streets of life. Help that person near you and be their Crossing Guard in life. 8/30/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/People Are Talking.mp3 "People are Talking." Jesus certainly caused people to talk when he walked the planet over 2,000 years ago—and with good reason. People were saying all kinds of things about Jesus. They still are. The question Jesus has for each of us, however, is, “Who do YOU say that I am?” And our answer is…" 8/24/08 {F61137A2-146C-4643-8441-C253ABE67DF1} Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:01:47 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears no no People are talking, are you? “People are Talking.” Jesus certainly caused people to talk when he walked the planet over 2,000 years ago—and with good reason. People were saying all kinds of things about Jesus. They still are. The question Jesus has for each of us, however, is, “Who do YOU say that I am?” And our answer is…" 8/24/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/But we've Never Done It Like That Before.mp3 Tradition. Time-honored, "we’re not quite sure why we do it that way, but that’s the way we’ve always done it" tradition. Tradition is important. It can give us a sense of identity. Yet, when tradition results in the unhealthy exclusion of others, it is time to let it go. But how do we do that? After all, "we’ve never done it that way before!" 8/17/08 {3160E7D5-86F0-4271-9481-2427FD95B5E7} Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:42:56 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears no no Why are we doing it that way! Tradition. Time-honored, "we’re not quite sure why we do it that way, but that’s the way we’ve always done it" tradition. Tradition is important. It can give us a sense of identity. Yet, when tradition results in the unhealthy exclusion of others, it is time to let it go. But how do we do that? After all, "we’ve never done it that way before!" 8/17/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Abandon Ship.mp3 “Abandon Ship?” Many of us have heard the phrase, “If you want to walk on the water, you have to get out of the boat.” There is something to be said for having the faith to leave the safety of the boats of our lives to challenge the storms that threatens us. At the same time, are there times when it actually takes more faith to stay in the boat? 8/10/08 {5180935F-7666-4404-AF7E-7B5ACD91C8C5} Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:42:06 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears no no Will you abandon ship when you are needed? Jesus didn't... “Abandon Ship?” Many of us have heard the phrase, “If you want to walk on the water, you have to get out of the boat.” There is something to be said for having the faith to leave the safety of the boats of our lives to challenge the storms that threatens us. At the same time, are there times when it actually takes more faith to stay in the boat? 8/10/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/The Longest Yard.mp3 "The Longest Yard." With his back up against the wall, Jacob had to decide whether to risk his life for the possibility of a new start in life, or to play it safe and keep running from his problems. In our lives, we too, have to decide whether to go that last yard The longest yard or risk our lives in faith and face our fears to be part of the "new things" that God is constantly doing in our midst. 8/4 {5DF2B989-0034-444A-A5F8-40F091BE1A21} Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:50:56 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears no no Can you go The Longest Yard with your faith? "The Longest Yard." With his back up against the wall, Jacob had to decide whether to risk his life for the possibility of a new start in life, or to play it safe and keep running from his problems. In our lives, we too, have to decide whether to go that last yard?he longest yard?o risk our lives in faith and face our fears to be part of the "new things" that God is constantly doing in our midst. 8/4/08/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Dysfunctional Family of God.mp3 “The Dysfunctional Family of God” Some of the families we read about in the Old Testament seem to have put the “Funk” in “Dysfunctional.” Yet, these are still the chosen people—the covenant people—of God. What gives? What—if anything—can we learn from these “family” members? 7/27/08 {A481B38B-4A56-4A51-B56C-9EF351745D0B} Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:47:18 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears no no The Dysfunctional Family of God “The Dysfunctional Family of God” Some of the families we read about in the Old Testament seem to have put the “Funk” in “Dysfunctional.” Yet, these are still the chosen people—the covenant people—of God. What gives? What—if anything—can we learn from these “family” members? 7/27/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/I Think I Can.mp3 Always give your problems, issues and other things in your life a try and say to yourself I Think I can. 7/20/08 {6D0F6F8D-1819-4BD1-A2E2-39980D3FC9A7} Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:06:28 GMT Religion Rev, Danny Spears no no I Think I Can Always give your problems, issues and other things in your life a try and say to yourself I Think I can. 7/20/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Compost Christianity.mp3 "Compost Christianity" What does it take for communities of faith to become rich, deep, fertile soil where people can come and grow into positive, strong, people of faith? How about trying the spiritual practice of Compost Christianity? 7/13/08 {6F5192BF-049D-419D-972B-02373F91CB51} Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:30:29 GMT Religion Rev. Danny Spears no no Enjoy your time "in the garden" this week! "Compost Christianity" What does it take for communities of faith to become rich, deep, fertile soil where people can come and grow into positive, strong, people of faith? How about trying the spiritual practice of Compost Christianity? 7/13/08 sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality http://www.holycovenantmcc.org/podcasts/Oops! I Did It Again.mp3 "Oops! I Did It Again" What is it with us sometimes? Most of the time we really do know what we should do, and we really, really want to do the right thing. But then, oops! We did it again? The wrong thing. Why do we keep doing that? And if we keep doing the wrong thing despite our best intentions, should we even bother trying to do the right thing? 7/6/08 {068913E6-CD0D-4759-883E-5D59B4156A67} Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:49:14 GMT Religion Rev. Ruth Sutter no no Did you try to do it right but it came out wrong? "Oops! I Did It Again" What is it with us sometimes? Most of the time we really do know what we should do, and we really, really want to do the right thing. But then, oops! We did it again? The wrong thing. Why do we keep doing that? And if we keep doing the wrong thing despite our best intentions, should we even bother trying to do the right thing? sermons, holy covenant, mcc, church, lgbt, spears,christianity,religion,holy spirit, holy covenant, holy,danny, Reverend,gay,spirituality