Posts by Bob Rhodes (Page 4)

Introduction This week in God Is In the Radio, we turn to “Love Rescue Me,” a song written by U2 with Bob Dylan. It doesn’t shy away from sorrow or regret—but it also refuses to stay there. Beneath the ache runs a steady hope: the certainty that love can find us, lift us, and lead us home. That longing echoes in Psalm 23. These ancient words aren’t just meant for quiet comfort—they carry a promise. Even in the valleys, we’re…

Introduction This week in God Is In the Radio, we enter a quieter, more difficult space: the ache of loneliness, the weight of sorrow, the absence of answers. Psalm 22 opens with a cry that’s both ancient and familiar: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It’s a question that still echoes—not only in scripture, and in us. To help us sit with that question, we’re listening to “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” a song made famous…

Introduction This week’s message continues our God Is in the Radio series by pairing one of scripture’s most profound post-resurrection stories with Bruce Springsteen’s Thunder Road. In both, we meet people who are weary, searching, maybe even stuck. The disciples walk away from Jerusalem with hearts heavy from disappointment. The singer’s voice calls out to Mary from the porch—a voice offering invitation over certainty. Neither story gives us a clean resolution. What they offer instead is a chance: to step…

Introduction What if the Spirit doesn’t just speak—but moves? Last week, we launched a new series with the idea that God Is in the Radio—that divine presence might be pulsing through the static of everyday life, even in songs that never mention God’s name. This week, that theme deepens. It’s Pentecost, and instead of arriving quietly, the Spirit bursts into view like a rush of wind, tongues of fire, and voices that cannot be ignored. To mark this movement, we’re…

Introduction What if God is speaking through the songs we already know? That’s the question we’re exploring in this new series, God is In the Radio. For the next several weeks, we’ll be listening with theological curiosity to music that wasn’t written for church—but might still hold sacred echoes. By pairing secular songs with scripture, we’re practicing spiritual listening—tuning our hearts to hear grace breaking through the static. This week’s message launches the series with the Queens of the Stone…

Introduction It’s hard to know who’s telling the truth anymore. In an age of spin, soundbites, and algorithm-fed echo chambers, we’re constantly being asked to take sides—sometimes before we’ve even had a chance to think. And in a culture where truth is often twisted to serve the powerful, it can feel easier to stay quiet than to speak up. But Jesus doesn’t stay quiet. As we enter Holy Week with our #JesusTrending series, we find Jesus riding into Jerusalem in…

Introduction Our culture is deeply influenced by social media and selfies, encouraging perfection, polish, and performance. We filter our photos, edit our words, and present the version of ourselves we think will be most accepted. But every now and then, someone breaks through the noise with an act so honest, so vulnerable, it cuts through all the bravado and goes straight to the heart. As we continue our #JesusTrending series, we encounter Mary—who doesn’t hold back. She pours out expensive…

Introduction Some stories are meant to inspire. Others are meant to disturb. This week’s parable does both—just not in the way we might expect. As we continue our #JesusTrending series, we encounter one of Jesus’ most familiar stories: a son insults his father, burns through his inheritance, and returns home dirty, desperate, and undeserving. But rather than a lecture or a consequence, he gets a party. We often hear this as a heartwarming tale of forgiveness—but for listeners in Jesus’…

Introduction Social media gives us a lot of options when people become too much—unfollowing, unfriending, even blocking. But sometimes, we just need a break, so we hit the Snooze for 30 Days button. It gives people (including us) time to cool down, reflect, or maybe even change. As we continue our #JesusTrending series, we explore a story where a fig tree is about to be cut down. But instead of removing it completely, the gardener asks for more time—one last…

Introduction We continue our #JesusTrending series by looking at influence—who we follow, what shapes our decisions, and how external voices impact our identity. With just a few clicks, we can follow, like, and share voices that shape the way we see ourselves and the world. But how often do we stop to ask: Who am I really following? Social pressure isn’t new. Even in Jesus’ time, people tried to shape his path, urging him to avoid danger or fit into…

Introduction We live in a world where bigger is often considered better. Whether it’s the biggest catch, the grandest adventure, or the most impressive achievement, there’s a constant temptation to make things seem larger than life—even if reality tells a different story. Social media has made this easier than ever, allowing us to present carefully curated versions of ourselves, exaggerating the highlights while downplaying the ordinary. But this isn’t a new struggle. The desire to be seen as more impressive,…

Introduction We have spent the past several weeks exploring what it means to be grounded in faith while stepping forward into God’s future. From recognizing God’s presence in ordinary moments to embracing challenges beyond our comfort zones, this series has invited us to consider what it means to live as a people shaped by grace. Now, as we conclude Foundations & Futures, we come to the story of the Transfiguration—a moment of divine revelation that changes everything. On the mountaintop,…