Skip to main content
Steven Kurtz's Podcast

Steven Kurtz's Podcast

By Steven Kurts

Rooted in faith, open to the Spirit, curious about everything
Available on
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

A Song From the Jesus Movement

Steven Kurtz's PodcastDec 19, 2021

00:00
15:22
A Song From the Jesus Movement
Dec 19, 202115:22
Preparation (overcoming obstacles)

Preparation (overcoming obstacles)

What if the next right thing we need to do is hard?  What makes it hard?  Reflections on Luke 3:1-6

Text is here

Video will be available at the YouTube channel of the Central Presbyterian Church, Fort Smith, AR, after the Sunday Service. Click on the Tradtional Services playlist.

Dec 04, 202113:21
Nevertheless, Hope
Nov 27, 202112:03
The Christian Citizen
Nov 20, 202111:45
Come, Serve with us
Nov 12, 202111:39
Following the Money with Jesus
Nov 06, 202111:07
The Main Thing

The Main Thing

The future is uncertain, humans are mortal.  Why are we here?  Why not despair?  There are options.  The spiritual formation process presents us with some alternatives.   This is a reflection on Jesus understanding of those alternatives.

Text is at my blogsite

Video may be here, at the YouTube channel of the Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, AR,  if we can get the camera to work. We've had lots of issues.  Look for the Traditional Services playlist, after Sunday morning.

Oct 30, 202113:45
Jesus' Question
Oct 23, 202111:22
Servant Style
Oct 16, 202111:14
Enjoy Life
Oct 09, 202112:16
Loving God
Oct 02, 202109:07
Embracing Diversity
Sep 25, 202112:05
Forgiveness is our Superpower
Aug 28, 202109:35
Jesus' Final Instructions
Aug 21, 202110:57
Loving God’s and Our Neighbors’ Earth

Loving God’s and Our Neighbors’ Earth

Climate change: what is the story we are telling ourselves?  A horror story?  Probably.  Is that the only story we should be telling?  What if we told a love story instead?  My reflections, in light of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and Matthew 22:34-40 in which Jesus reflects on the twin "greatest" commandments: Love of God and neighbor.

The text is here

Video is here (at the YouTube channel of the Central Presbyterian Church, Fort Smith, AR, after the Sunday service)

Aug 14, 202111:25
Live in Love: Our Survival Depends on it.
Aug 07, 202112:29
It's Not Your Fault (Suffering and God)
Jul 24, 202110:24
People of the Crossing
Jul 17, 202113:05
The Price of Speaking Truth to Power
Jul 10, 202109:30
The Jesus Issue -- for July 4, 2021
Jul 04, 202108:26
Seeds of the Kingdom
Jun 12, 202110:09
Family Values: the devil is in the details
Jun 04, 202109:10
Conversations in the Dark: mysticism and transformation

Conversations in the Dark: mysticism and transformation

The famous story (and famously mis-read) of Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night in which Jesus says he must be born again is meant to be read mystically (like all of the Gospel of John is meant to be read).  It is a story about going from religion (morals, duty, rituals) to a truly transformed state of selflessness.  

May 29, 202109:42
Rejoicing in the Spirit
May 22, 202109:59
One-ing
May 16, 202114:48
Love in Action
May 08, 202111:52
Fruitfulness or Firewood

Fruitfulness or Firewood

Reflections on the question: Why are we here?  Provoked by John 15:1-8 in which the metaphor of a branch being connected to a grapevine stands for our union with God which is the source of fruitfulness.  Then, an illustration of good fruit, in the life of abolitionist John Ranken whose hard work, in spite of great opposition, helped many people escape slavery.

May 01, 202111:16
Good Shepherding: Jesus and Activism
Apr 24, 202111:37
Necessary Doubt: Faith, Suffering, and Risk

Necessary Doubt: Faith, Suffering, and Risk

This is on John 20:19-31, the story of "doubting Thomas" -- which I take to be a parable (not literal history); a story of the post-crucifixion Jesus appearing (twice) in a locked room to the disciples, first when Thomas was not there, and the second time when he was present.  In between, they had reported the first appearance to Thomas who famously said he would not believe without seeing and touching Jesus' wounds.  This is a parable about how to have faith that the message of Jesus -- that the Kingdom of God was present --- could be believed, even in his absence.  But it brings up the issue of pain, evil and suffering, which are perpetual challenges to faith.  In fact, even to Jesus' faith.  Jesus too doubted. 

Apr 10, 202110:19
Mockery and Salvation

Mockery and Salvation

Sermon for March 28, 2021, Palm Sunday, Year B

Jesus rode a donkey into his country's capital city on the day they celebrated National Independance (from slavery in Egypt, centuries ago) while being subjects of the Roman Empire's domination and oppression.  The donkey ride was intentional mockery of Roman Governor Pilate's entry into Jerusalem with troops to tamp down any new independence movements.  

That is what we celebrate on Palm Sunday: mocking the unjust powers that be which seek to oppress and dominate.  We proclaim allegiance to an alternative "kingdom."  

Mar 27, 202114:30
The Ultimate Conundrum

The Ultimate Conundrum

This is a reflection on John 12:20-33. In John's gospel (a collage made of memories of Jesus and theological reflections) we hear Jesus talk in either-or terms (characteristic of John's gospel) about finding/loosing, loving/hating life.  The point is that a life clung to, for the sake of self, is as fruitless as an unplanted (unhurried) seed, but a life lived for others is like a planted (buried) seed: it bears fruit.

Mar 22, 202113:34
Looking into Love and Life

Looking into Love and Life

This is about what the Historical Jesus believed, how the early church in some ways subverted his message about a God of Love, and then it segues into a question about the mandate to love and asks if it applies to the unborn?  Yes,  it's about abortion, and how I changed my mind.

Mar 13, 202116:10
Jesus-Inspired Gospel-Shaped Hope
Feb 22, 202124:38