The Stories of Faith Project
By Deacon Denise Maier Pawliuk
Through reflection, wondering, and open-ended questions Denise empowers the listener to unpack complex ideas to support a broader and deeper understanding of Bible stories and faith all through the lens of the Lutheran tradition.
The Stories of Faith ProjectNov 08, 2023
00:00
10:32
Advent - More than A Time in the Church Yea
How do we find balance during the transitions and changes of life?
Dec 06, 202309:24
In the Dark We Keep Awake
This reflection on the first reading of Advent, Mark 13, encourages us to keep awake, keep open to the possibilities of God.
Nov 29, 202311:51
Reconciliation - Making room for the Spirit and our own Curiosity and Discomfort
A devotion based on Matthew 25:31-46
Nov 27, 202310:15
I Just Can’t Turn Away
A reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 that nudges us to be rebellious like Jesus and love.
Nov 15, 202312:24
Fractures and Fissures. The Complexity of Relationships
The Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids from Matthew 25:1-13 reminds us that life and faith are all about relationships.
Nov 08, 202310:32
It’s All About Relationships
God is always with us. That is all we gotta remember.
Nov 01, 202309:28
Mystery and understanding: entwined together.
The parable of Matthew 21:33-46 can be challenging if we see God as the landowner.
Oct 08, 202309:50
Fear. Going it Alone isn’t the Answer !
The reading from Exodus 17:1-7 describes the fear of the ancient Israelites. How do we deal with fear and what would happen if we leaned on the Creator.
Oct 01, 202310:45
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 - Reach Out for the Cloak
Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes the weariness and the weight overcome us. But God is with us.
Jun 14, 202310:23
When Life Has Us Off the Grid - A reflection on Acts 1:6-14
There is a sense of not being in control when the power goes out. You are powerless (pun intended) to change your circumstances. Yes, you can alter your experience if you have a generator or a battery bank but the reality is you are disconnected from the grid.
May 21, 202311:26
Where is God Found? A reflection on Acts 17:22-31.
Paul told the Athenians that God was not found within a specific building. Have we forgotten that? And what happens when life fills us with fear and lament? Are we alone in that?
May 13, 202312:39
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 - The Grace of God is Right There
Sometimes we get a little bit off kilter due to holidays or some other change in routine. How do we get out of that liminal space?
Apr 19, 202309:38
A New Way to See Ourselves
What happens when we set aside “doubting Thomas” and instead focus on how Jesus returned to earth looking different…looking imperfect?
Apr 14, 202311:37
Maunday Thursday - The “Foot Washing Thing”
How do we make sense of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, particularly through the lens of now?
Apr 05, 202309:37
We Are To Love The Vulnerable
We each have so many gifts and opportunities. How do we put down our privilege and lift up others? Start by listening.
Feb 14, 202312:47
We Keep Forming
Just like children we continue to grow and develop, well our faith and spirituality continues to form.
Feb 09, 202310:45
Checking the Weather
We want to know, and be prepared for, emergency situations. But life doesn’t always work that way.
Nov 23, 202211:36
Caring for the Widows and Orphans
Jeremiah 23:1-6 reminds us that the role of all leaders, the role of all people of faith, is to care for the widows and orphans, of every time.
Nov 17, 202210:14
Liminal, In-between, Waiting for the Next Time.
In Isaiah 65 we hear of the new heavens and the earth, but it is hard to wait.
Nov 14, 202209:56
The weather is a changing!
Jesus calls us to transformation but we have trouble with the changing seasons. Thankfully, we are not in this alone.
Nov 03, 202210:47
What Are YOU Wrestling With?
Jacob wrestles the whole night long and in the end is both injured but blessed. How are we changed and blessed by our wrestling?
Oct 13, 202209:29
Luke 17:11-19. Jesus Heals the Lepers
Jesus cares for and cares about the people on the margins. I wonder, does that make him a deacon?
Oct 05, 202209:18
Oh my weak faith. A Devotion for the 17th Sunday of Pentecost
The reading this week, Luke 17:5-10 calls us to ask God to strengthen our faith. But sometimes, we get caught up in being human.
Sep 29, 202208:22
Devotion for the 16th Sunday in Pentecost. Luke 16:19-31
Parables are stories that are windows into the kingdom of God. This parable contrasts the rich and poor and it urges us too lean into God. But what does THAT look like?
Sep 21, 202210:31
A Devotion Based open 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Where we are from and where we live now shape us. Places influence our formation. How does your prayerful approach reflect where you were born and raised?
Sep 14, 202209:10
Putting it all down. Letting go of our weary ways.
As we face climate crisis, the continuing pandemic, and sheer exhaustion there is really only one thing to do. Put it all down!
Sep 07, 202210:32
An expedition with Jesus
The reading from Luke 14:25-33 calls us to follow Jesus. To go on an expedition. What are we going to bring?
Aug 30, 202209:11
They Will Know We Are Christians
As people of faith we are asked to serve one another. To care for others. Sometimes that is hard to do but Jesus the Rebel has there with us.
Aug 25, 202209:35
A Devotion for the 11th Sunday in Pentecost
The reading of Jeremiah 1:4-10 is a gift for us. It reminds us, awakens us, nudges us to know….God is always alongside.
Aug 16, 202209:14
A Devotion Based On - Luke 12:49-56
We are called to respond to crisis, to address injustice, because we believe. Not for a reward. Some pretty challenging stuff.
Aug 09, 202209:39
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Two sons, a father, and the division of wealth. This story seems to be about money but what is is really about? Love and loss.
Mar 26, 202212:27
Tested in the wilderness
Jesus experiences is in the wilderness…but he is not alone.
Mar 07, 202212:38
The Transfiguration, or Jesus Changed by Prayer
Jesus, Peter, James, and John travel to the top of a mountain. Then some surprising things happen, including the arrival of some visitors.
Mar 01, 202212:34
God was with him. The story of Joseph.
How forgiveness can be a journey.
Feb 20, 202209:51
On Level Ground
Jesus is not on a mountain, or a boat, he is on level ground to engage with humanity. He asks us to meet him there!
Feb 12, 202212:08
Fishers Wanted
The story of Peter, James, and John being called to ministry.
Feb 06, 202208:52
A Prophet is Not Accepted in Their Home Town
The people of Jesus’ home town were hoping they would have the same benefits as all the places Jesus visited…but that is not the case.
Jan 30, 202209:37
The Commandments, the Law, the Gospel
An reflection on Nehemiah 8 and Luke 6
Jan 21, 202210:42
John 6:24-35. All that He has Done
The Bread Discourse continues. How do we receive it?
Aug 01, 202106:07
Feeding the mini according to the gospel of John
Jesus has become well-known, people are following him, they want to be near him. But sometimes, people need to eat. How do you do that when you don’t have a lot of money?
Jul 24, 202105:22
Five loaves and two fish
How does Jesus feed about 10,000 people and get 12 baskets of leftovers? Why with 5 fish and 2 bread loaves of course!!
Jul 18, 202105:37
The Arrival of the Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant carries the 10 Commandments, the 10 best ways to live. David, decides to move it to Jerusalem.
Jul 10, 202106:40
The sending out of the 12.
Jesus sends out the 12, to go into the world and heal, and preach, and anoint.
Jul 03, 202105:47
July 1, 2021
Jul 01, 202100:60
David, Goliath, Saul, and Jonathan.
David fight Goliath, David becomes king, and David laments.
Jun 26, 202109:23
Who IS this Guy?
The disciples have been hanging out with Jesus for a while. They have seen miracles and heard preaching. But, it is their own experience with Jesus that really causes them to wonder...who is Jesus?
Jun 19, 202107:21
Why do I acknowledge the land I live on?
An explanation of the territory acknowledgement at the beginning of every podcast.
Jun 14, 202102:35
The Gift of the Mustard Seed
Parables are gifts to us. Gifts that tell us about the Kingdom of God. But, what does a mustard seed have to do with God?
Jun 12, 202105:12
Growing Up in Eden
God created the world. God created woman and man. While the man and woman live in Eden their story is a story of growing up.
Jun 05, 202106:19
Three in One-Mind Blowing
The Trinity is a unique thing. Let’s try to understand it.
May 28, 202107:37