Cocktails with Beers
167 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago -Matt is a pastor in Maryland. Merry is professor of history. We get together in this virtual happy hour to chat about issues in Christianity and culture, as well as current events and trending issues. We are a married couple who try to keep things fun and light hearted as we banter about things as dumb as women wearing leggings or as serious as the war in Ukraine.
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Episodes
Being a 21st Century Church #3. Campus Ministries
March 08, 2021 17:27 - 37 minutes - 43.1 MBPr. Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Laura Sinche, campus pastor at Towson, UMBC, and Morgan St. They chat about how young adults express their faith today, how they engage in faith based communities, what this teaches us about what the 21st century church is, and what this means for the congregation down the street from you.
Being a 21st Century Church #3: An interview with Rev. Laura Sinche, Campus Pastor
March 08, 2021 17:27 - 37 minutes - 43.1 MBPr. Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Laura Sinche, campus pastor at Towson, UMBC, and Morgan St. They chat about how young adults express their faith today, how they engage in faith based communities, what this teaches us about what the 21st century church is, and what this means for the congregation down the street from you.
Dark night #3. Job
March 03, 2021 21:39 - 23 minutes - 27.3 MBPr. Matt and Merry reflect on Job's dark night. He suffered tragidies and traumas one after the other. Still, he stood tall and wrestled with God, and asked why bad things happen to good people. He didn't remain silence, even in darkness. But where is the hope in Job's story for us today?
Being a 21st Century Church. Change or Die
March 01, 2021 15:47 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBPr Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Bill Gohl, Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA. We chat about what it means to be a 21st century church, the steps we can take to move in that direction, and some success stories of congregations engaging their community, adapting to their context, and even growing again.
Being a 21st Century Church #2: Interview with Bishop William Gohl, Jr.
March 01, 2021 15:47 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBPr Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Bill Gohl, Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA. We chat about what it means to be a 21st century church, the steps we can take to move in that direction, and some success stories of congregations engaging their community, adapting to their context, and even growing again.
Being a 21st Century Church #2
March 01, 2021 15:47 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBPr Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Bill Gohl, Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA. We chat about what it means to be a 21st century church, the steps we can take to move in that direction, and some success stories of congregations engaging their community, adapting to their context, and even growing again.
Being a 21st Century Church. Becoming a Movement.
March 01, 2021 15:47 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBPr Matt and Merry sit down with Rev. Bill Gohl, Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA. We chat about what it means to be a 21st century church, the steps we can take to move in that direction, and some success stories of congregations engaging their community, adapting to their context, and even growing again.
Dark Night #2. Hagar and Ishmael.
February 24, 2021 19:15 - 17 minutes - 19.5 MBMatt and Merry reflect on the dark night experienced by Hagar. A slave of Abraham and Sarah, she is forced to bear them a child. To add insult to injury, they then kick her out of their home, and she is forced to wander through the wilderness. Both she and the child, Ishmael, nearly die. But God hears them just in time. God resceus them. God gives them the same promises God gave Abraham, Sarah, and their children. Through Ishamel will come a mighty nation. We reflect on a God who hea...
21st Century Church #1. Dying or Coming to Life?
February 22, 2021 16:12 - 43 minutes - 50.2 MBMatt and Merry introduce their new series, Being a 21st Century Church. Is this important part of our culture and society dying or coming to life? They go over some numbers that look grim for the institution. But, they then go over numbers that help us better understand where people find hope for today and promise for tomorrow. They conclude by saying that congregations should focus less on the survival of the institution and more on building relationships within the communities they are...
Dark Night#1. Taking the road less traveled.
February 17, 2021 22:29 - 16 minutes - 18.8 MBPr. Matt takes the mic solo to introduce a new mid-week series, Dark Night of the Soul. He reflects on what Lent means for us during a pandemic, how lent 2020 has yet to end, how much it looks different from years past, and what remains the same.
Give me a Break! The Importance of Being Still.
February 15, 2021 16:27 - 46 minutes - 53.4 MBPr. Matt and Merry reflect on our need to take breaks in life. This week, they chat about listening for God’s voice in moments of silence and solitude. Along the way, Pr. Matt talks about his experience getting the Covid vaccine, Merry reminisces about working at the JC Penney catalogue department (what’s a catalogue?), and they chat about the importance of President’s day by remembering all the “one term-ers” out there.
Souper Bowl #5. A halftime show for the ages.
February 08, 2021 18:12 - 34 minutes - 39.9 MBPr Matt and Merry come to you live from halftime of the super bowl. The reminisce about halftime’s from the past when music made more sense to them. They also talk about our need to take breaks to recover, reenergize, and connect with God and one another. This is especially true after Living Water’s recent food/fundraiser. And, they also remember a great ol’ hymn called Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Souperbowl #4. Have You Had Enough? Paul’s Collection for the Poor
February 01, 2021 19:28 - 25 minutes - 28.8 MBMatt and Merry talk like hippies when they advocate that everyone should have enough. They also talk about some newcomers who taught the same thing. Their names are James, John, Peter, a punk named Paul, and some guy named Jesus…all people who proclaimed the good news of God’s dominion by, first and foremost, making sure everyone had enough.
Souperbowl #3. Promise of New Life and the Emerging Era.
January 25, 2021 15:46 - 34 minutes - 39.6 MBMatt and Merry sit down to chat about the end of one era and the birth of a new one. There are events in life that change the course of history, whether our personal history or our culture's history. We can think of those big events; 09/11, sudden loss, the current pandemic, those events that change things for us. We are living in one of those times right now. One era is passing away, and another is emerging. Matt and Merry look at the story of Tabitha in Acts 9:36-42, how this was the ...
Souperbowl #2. How to share good news in days like this.
January 18, 2021 15:43 - 41 minutes - 47.9 MBMatt and Merry chat about a guy named Philip who shared the good news by giving away food. How ought we to share the good news today? They also chat about how depressing Lent is, vacations to Civil War battlefields, and struggling over feeling thankful during a rough year.
Souperbowl #1. The end of the world. What's your role in it?
January 11, 2021 15:26 - 33 minutes - 38.8 MBMatt and Merry update on our Souperbowl food/fund raiser to support local food banks. They also talk about the end of the world as we know it. When and how will the world end? And what is our role in it?
Souperbowl update, what's coming up this winter, and more!
January 04, 2021 22:34 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBPr. Matt and Merry give us an update on our souperbowl food/fund drive competition with our church friends down the street, Centerpoint. Who is in the lead? And by how much? They also look at a few things coming up on The Water this winter, like the series How to become a 21st Century Church.
Christmas Isn't Cancelled #4. A Christmas Carol.
December 28, 2020 21:39 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBPr. Matt and Merry wrap up our December series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This week, we look at one of our favorite Christmas movies...the many versions of A Christmas Carol. Which one is the best? Which one is our favorite? And where does the moral of A Christmas Carol intersect with the good news in the original Christmas story?
Christmas Isn't Cancelled #3. Miracle on 34th Street
December 21, 2020 17:16 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBPr. Matt and Merry review another favorite Christmas movie for many of us...Miracle on 34th Street. For the characters in the movie, Kris Kringle confronts them with a new reality...that he is the real Santa Claus. We see people's hearts changed, folks lives enriched, and a city living into the fullness of life. It is similar to the new reality the angels confronted the shepherds with. A new king is born who will change the world for the better. In both cases, people are curious enough ...
Christmas Isn't Cancelled #2. Why Jospeh kicked a mule.
December 14, 2020 17:12 - 49 minutes - 56.6 MBPr. Matt and Merry continue our series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This week, chat about the popular Christmas movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. They also reflect the good news for us in the Christmas Story told through the eyes of Jospeh. Along the way, they talk about charity competitions, something called the "souperbowl," the current shutdown, and why ninjas will be present in their nativity scene this year.
Christmas Isn't Cancelled #2. Why Joseph kicked a mule.
December 14, 2020 17:12 - 49 minutes - 56.6 MBPr. Matt and Merry continue our series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This week, chat about the popular Christmas movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. They also reflect the good news for us in the Christmas Story told through the eyes of Jospeh. Along the way, they talk about charity competitions, something called the "souperbowl," the current shutdown, and why ninjas will be present in their nativity scene this year.
Christmas Isn't Cancelled. White Christmas
December 07, 2020 16:50 - 47 minutes - 54.1 MBMatt and Merry open their December series, Christmas Isn't Cancelled. This month, they watch some classic Christmas movies, and give you their take on it. This week they watch White Christmas. What is the lesson in that movie? And does it overlap with the true meaning of Christmas? While they answer these questions, they reminisce about Seinfeld episodes, talk about upcoming birthdays, and explore the glorious world of hot chocolate bombs.
Reformation #5. A God who milks the cows.
November 30, 2020 18:08 - 48 minutes - 91.8 MBPr. Matt and Merry finish up our series, Reformation: Being Lutheran Today. They ask where the church is, and where God is at work in the world. Is it through an institution, or through our own lives? They look at what Martin Luther had to say about all this. Along the way they chat about turkey shaped turkey loaves for Thanksgiving, how excited they are for Christmas this year, some holiday themed cocktails they want to try, and a few must watch classic Christmas movies that must be wat...
Reformation #4. Sin Boldly!
November 23, 2020 04:19 - 39 minutes - 75.8 MBMatt and Merry encourage you to "sin boldly." But wait! What does that mean? We explore what Martin Luther meant when he wrote that, and what that means for us today. Along the way they talk about cheesy Christmas movies, cat adoptions, and Henri, le Chat Noir.
Reformation #3. Stuck between two worlds
November 16, 2020 13:26 - 35 minutes - 67.6 MBMatt and Merry talk about being stuck between two worlds, the world as it is now and the world as it's going to be. Along the way, they chat about listening to Christmas music already, what our holidays will be like in the chaos that is the year 2020, and the fate of Schrodinger's cat.
Reformation #2. Let's Make a Deal. What God expects in return for grace.
November 09, 2020 03:49 - 47 minutes - 65.6 MBPr. Matt and Merry continue our series, Reformation: Being Lutheran Today, with part 2. We talk about the recent election, our frustration at potential winter shutdowns from covid, and even discuss the nuances of the Minnesota accent. We then chat about Lutheran's obsession with grace without works, and talk about what God expects of us in return for grace. Grace is a gift, to be sure. Yet, God calls us to live a certain way in response. Listen in to hear more about this.
Reformation #1- Making every day better than the last
November 03, 2020 12:51 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBMatt and Merry kick off their November series, Reformation. Over the next five episodes, we will look at what it means to be a Christian in our modern world. This week, we talk about Martin Luther's call to reform the church of his day. That happened 500 years ago, but the call to reform continues to this day. We are asked to reform ourselves, our institutions, our societies, our cultures, our world each and every day. And God has our back as we do this. Along the way, we talk about Ha...
What's Coming This Fall?
October 26, 2020 14:08 - 13 minutes - 17.9 MBPr. Matt and Merry give us a preview of what's coming to Life on the Water between now and Christmas.
Life on the Water #6. Who's Got Your Back?
October 18, 2020 23:11 - 33 minutes - 61.2 MBMatt and Merry wrap up their fall series, Life on the Water. They chat about running 5k's, baseball playoffs, and folks who support us through thick and thin. This week, Jesus sends out messengers before him as he makes his way to Jerusalem. Knowing they will have failures along with successes in their mission, he sends them out in pairs so they always know someone has their back. Find out the good news for us today....
Life on the Water #5. Wait! There's More!
October 12, 2020 00:52 - 36 minutes - 66.2 MBMatt and Merry keep going with their series, Life on the Water, with part 5, Jesus calms a storm. They chat about infomercial stars like Billy Mays, The ShamWow guy, and the most famous of them all, Ron Popeil. Matt refuses to believe Merry has never heard of him, and then recalls the time Ron P. convinced him to buy a set of knives with his "Wait! There's more!" routine. Jesus' disciples have a similar experience with Jesus. What do we mean? Listen to find out.
Life on the Water #4. How to become a king
October 05, 2020 00:37 - 40 minutes - 55.8 MBThe quickest way to someone's heart is through their stomach. This is certainly true of the large crowd that were fed by Jesus many years ago. After a fine meal, they wanted to make him a king. Matt and Merry talk about why so many people ended up hiding in the desert so many years ago, what they thought of their political leaders, and why they wanted to make a change. Along the way, they also share some stories of the best meals they've ever had.
Life on the Water #3. Liberty and Justice for All.
September 28, 2020 02:24 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBPr. Matt and Merry talk about feeling normal again, trips to target, the chaos of shopping for kids clothes, and current events. They talk about what "liberty and justice for all" means for us today, especially in light of death of the Breonna Taylor. They also chat about God being a God of liberty and justice. and talk about the day Jesus discovered this when a woman asked for help with her daughter.
Left Behind #2. Acts of John. Bedbugs, castrations, and resurrections galore.
September 24, 2020 15:50 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBPr. Matt and Merry chat about books and stories that didn't make it into the Bible. This time, they look at a 2nd century book called The Acts of John. An exciting book, there are more resurrections than you can count, a tale of self castration, a love triangle between two men and a dead woman, and bedbugs that obey John's command. And the reason this one didn't it into the Bible is?.....
Life on the Water #2. Every time I make plans, life happens.
September 21, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 84.6 MBEvery time we make plans, life laughs in our faces. You may even have heard it said, "no plan survives first contact with the enemy." Pr. Matt and Merry talk about that today. They chat about times in their lives when they made the best plans but had to adjust when life happened. Pr. Matt talks about coaching a JV soccer team, and Merry recalls an embarrassing moment teaching in China. They then tell the story of the first few days of the community Jesus, Peter, and crew set up. It sta...
Life on the Water #1. Making the best out fo 2020. JC meets Peter on the sea.
September 13, 2020 20:03 - 40 minutes - 77 MBPr. Matt and Merry kick-off their series called Life on the Water. In the series opener, they chat about when they felt normal for the first time in 2020...a week filled with football and golf. They then chat about this week's story about the time Jesus met Peter on the shore of the lake in Galilee. Both embark on a brand new way of living in community in the midst of a rough time in history. Everyone is just trying to make the best of our own 2020's.
Left Behind #1. Books that didn't make it into the Bible. Acts of Thecla
September 09, 2020 02:54 - 14 minutes - 27 MBPr. Matt and Merry chat about a 2nd century book called The Acts of Thecla. This is a story of a woman named Thecla who claimed ownership of herself, and tried Jesus' good news of the empowerment of women in the ancient Jesus movement.
Cool under Fire #3. God's "hold my beer" moment.
September 06, 2020 19:00 - 40 minutes - 76.7 MBMatt and Merry finish up their series, Cool under Fire, where they tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's captivity in Babylon. God saves the trio when the king throws them into a fiery furnace. Along the way, they talk about Jeff Foxwothry's illustrious career, share some "hold my beer" moments of their own, and chat about redneck culture.
Bonus Series-- Left Behind. Some books that didn't make it into the Bible
September 05, 2020 21:05 - 11 minutes - 21.2 MBMatt and Merry introduce a new fall series. Every other work, they will chat about a book that almost made it into the Bible, but didn't quite make the cut. Discover some cool books and whacky stories that some folk way back then held as sacred texts. This series will also challenge you, since some things Christians believe today come from these apocryphal books rather than the Bible. Entertaining, educational, fun, challenging, and most importantly, each episode comes in around 10 minut...
Cool under Fire #2. Lemons into Lemonade.
August 30, 2020 18:50 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBPr. Matt and Merry continue their series, Cool under Fire, with part #2. They bring up that old saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." They chat about times when folks made the best of bad situations. They then tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego...and also Daniel, as they try to make something good come out of being taken captive by a king. They use their talents to bring about good in the face of bad, when they interpret a king's dream for him. We discover ...
Cool under Fire #1. The beloved gift. God remembers who we are.
August 23, 2020 07:00 - 40 minutes - 77.4 MBPr. Matt and Merry begin the first part of their three part series, Cool under Fire. They tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the Biblical book of Daniel. These three fellows are famous for surviving a fiery furnace, but they have a back story. In this episode, we hear how these three guys were taken from their homes, exiled to a far away land, and enslaved by the king. Pr. Matt and Merry talk about losses we experience in life, and reflect on the good news this story ...
Out of the Wilderness #4. Already, not yet. Moses Reaches the Promised Land
August 16, 2020 19:00 - 31 minutes - 60.5 MBPr. Matt and Merry conclude their summer series, Out of the Wilderness, with episode four. Moses is within eyesight of the promised land. He's there, but still has a few more miles to go. He is already there, but not quite yet. Pr Matt and Merry explore those already-not-yet moments in our own lives, and explore the good news for us today.
Out of the Wilderness #3. Self care during desert experiences
August 09, 2020 19:00 - 40 minutes - 76.5 MBPr. Matt and Merry talk about spiritual self care during the wilderness experiences we have in our lives. They continue their summer series, Out of the Wilderness, by following the ancient Israelites into the desert on their way to freedom from slavery. But they get lost along the way, and then they run out of food and water. Find out what God does for them, and the good news this has for our lives today!
Out of the Wilderness #2. Putting Prayer into Action.
August 02, 2020 19:00 - 39 minutes - 74.4 MBPr. Matt and Merry continue their summer series, Out of the Wilderness. This week, they look at the story of Moses and the Red Sea. Pharaoh has released the ancient Hebrew people from slavery, but then changes his mind. His army chases them down, and traps them against the Red Sea. The only thing Moses and the people can do is pray. So they do. On the way to hearing what happens next, and the good news for us today, Pr. Matt and Merry talk about the return of baseball, last minute fiel...
Out of the Wilderness #1. Imposter syndrome.
July 26, 2020 19:00 - 39 minutes - 73.9 MBMatt and Merry begin their summer series, Out of the Wilderness. This week, they look at the story of God calling Moses to go to the Pharaoh and demand that he release the ancient Hebrew people from slavery. They also chat about the prevalence of something called Imposter Syndrome, and how we along with Moses may feel that God is calling the wrong person for the job. Listen in to discover what the good news is for us today.
Out of the Wilderness #1. Imposter syndrome.
July 26, 2020 19:00 - 39 minutes - 73.9 MBMatt and Merry begin their summer series, Out of the Wilderness. This week, they look at the story of God calling Moses to go to the Pharaoh and demand that he release the ancient Hebrew people from slavery. They also chat about the prevalence of something called Imposter Syndrome, and how we along with Moses may feel that God is calling the wrong person for the job. Listen in to discover what the good news is for us today.
Shift work and dream jobs. What God is calling you to do?
July 18, 2020 13:00 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBWhat is God's will for your life? And what is God calling you to do? These questions perplex a lot of folk, and these folk have given a ton of money to self-help gurus to help them answer these questions. Pr. Matt and Merry talk about our vocation as Christians and as seekers of God. After opening with a haunting rendition of 16 Tons, they chat about shift work, finding a dream job, and reflect on Jesus' story of The Good Samaritan to help us discover what God is really calling us to do ...
The Church in China. Parallels to the ancient Jesus movement.
July 11, 2020 03:09 - 54 minutes - 104 MBMatt and Merry talk about the Church in China. Merry also serves as this week's special guest to discuss this issue, as she is a doctor in Chinese/American diplomatic history and professor of Asian Studies at UMBC in Baltimore, MD . Dr. Meredith Oyen gives us her insights into the Church in China and ways the communist party tolerates some churches but outlaws others. Then, they discuss the parallels between house churches in China and the ancient Jesus movement in Jerusalem.
Wild Rides #6. The Persistence of Love.
July 04, 2020 03:30 - 40 minutes - 76.5 MBMatt and Merry conclude their series, Wild Rides, with a look at the story in Acts about Paul being shipwrecked on an island. Along the way, they reminisce about one of their first dates when they took a tour on a pirate ship through the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Then, they chat about what led to Paul being on a ship headed to Rome, and what happened when the ship crashed into an island. They share the good news of God's persistent love for this world.
Wild Rides #6. The Persistence of Love.
July 04, 2020 03:30 - 40 minutes - 76.5 MBMatt and Merry conclude their series, Wild Rides, with a look at the story in Acts about Paul being shipwrecked on an island. Along the way, they reminisce about one of their first dates when they took a tour on a pirate ship through the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Then, they chat about what led to Paul being on a ship headed to Rome, and what happened when the ship crashed into an island. They share the good news of God's persistent love for this world.
Wild Rides #5. To be continued...Does God still speak today?
June 27, 2020 17:41 - 31 minutes - 60.7 MBMatt and Merry continue their series, Wild Rides, with a look at Paul's visit to a city called Ephesus (Acts 19). In this story, Paul discovers that someone has already set up a Jesus community there. He stays a few days with them, and prays with them before he left. Just as he was praying, the Holy Spirit plops down on everyone's head, and they begin doing and saying all sorts of uplifting things for one another. Matt and Merry discuss the good news for us that God never stops speaking ...