Ronnie McBrayer
266 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsPodcast of author, speaker, pastor, and spiritual teacher Ronnie McBrayer. This is his collection of talks, interviews, insights from the Enneagram, and conversations with friends on the ever-changing, ever-evolving nature of faith. It is especially for those who are “burned out on religion” - to quote Eugene Peterson’s marvelous paraphrase; for spiritual exiles; and those whose faith is in transition.
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Episodes
Grace and Gratitude
October 15, 2019 13:31 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBIn a unique tribute to a friend, Ronnie delivers a message to us all about grace, gratitude, and living a life empowered by thanksgiving.
By the Rivers of Babylon
October 07, 2019 11:30 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MB"Taking a musical approach to this difficult Psalm might the way to get the most out of it," Ronnie says, "because the Psalms were made to be sung." Mixing spoken word with familiar and new songs Ronnie talks the longing we all have for home.
Stop. Drop. Run.
October 02, 2019 14:44 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MB"The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil," said the Apostle Paul, with words not original with him. This warning is as old as humanity, for little is as corrosive to the soul as greed.
Too Proud to Beg
September 24, 2019 16:23 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBTaking on what might be Jesus' most bewildering story, in this talk Ronnie addresses the lessons found in "The Parable of the Shrewd Servant." The story's "hero" is an obvious crook, but one who still has a much to teach.
Everything is Broken
September 13, 2019 14:04 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB"As clay in the potter's hands," the prophet Jeremiah wrote. Ronnie picks up this theme to talk about the benefits of brokenness.
The Voice of Rage and Ruin
September 02, 2019 15:18 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBSpeaking from Psalm 81 and his recent experience in Central America, in this talk Ronnie McBrayer talks about a "Bad Moon Rising," consequences, and how God is not "out to get anyone," but we are often our own worst enemy.
By Degrees
August 14, 2019 00:37 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBReflecting upon the anniversary of "The Crisis of Confidence" speech by former president, Jimmy Carter, and using the Lectionary reading from Isaiah 1, Ronnie delivers an impassioned plea to resist the degree by degree collapse of compassion, justice, and doing good.
Living on a Prayer
August 01, 2019 14:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB"Living on a Prayer" is more than a Bon Jovi song. It is a trusting way of life.
Being Still
July 23, 2019 10:23 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBUsing the comparative text of Mary and Martha, in this talk Ronnie speaks about the differences between "Do-Ers" and "Be-Ers." So much of our "doing" is to avoid being still and looking within.
You Can Love Yourself
July 17, 2019 04:26 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBIn this talk, Ronnie takes on personal identity, asking the question, “Who Are You?” The only answer is found in accepting that we are beloved of God, making us capable of loving others.
Expectations
July 09, 2019 10:10 - 23 minutes - 22 MBWith this deeply personal talk, Ronnie addresses our expectations, and how life never quite goes the way we planned. The Bible story is that of Naaman, and how his healing was far different than he expected.
The Beloved Community
June 27, 2019 15:14 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBWith a Scripture reading from Galatians regarding our Oneness in Christ, Ronnie speaks on the holy ambition of The Beloved Community.
The Wondrous More
June 18, 2019 16:48 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBFor Trinity Sunday, Ronnie turns to Psalm 8, the inspiration for the hymn, "How Great Thou Art," and reminds us that there are words about God, and then there is God. God is beyond all description.
Trading Horses
June 03, 2019 23:14 - 24 minutes - 22 MBWith a creative look at Simon Peter's encounter on a Joppa rooftop, Ronnie offers the same challenge Peter was given: To change our minds about what we believe about others and about God.
Consider the Lilies
May 13, 2019 19:49 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBWith a unique look at the story of Tabitha being raised from the dead by St. Peter (Acts 9), Ronnie talks about the importance of "choosing life" as a form of resisting the soul-crushing culture around us.
"Ants in the Pants of Faith"
May 02, 2019 13:52 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MBBorrow a phrase from Frederick Buchner for the title, "Ants in the Pants of Faith" is Ronnie's take on "Doubting Thomas." Rather than driving God away, doubt can be the catalyst to bring Christ to us.
May The Road Rise To Meet You
April 02, 2019 01:53 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBTaking an excerpt from the Old Testament book of Job on St. Patrick's Day, and using the prayer of Thomas Merton, Ronnie addresses the confusion that is bound to come when we try to decipher which way to go with our lives.
The Life of Jesus, Part 8: Doubt
March 12, 2019 14:43 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBIn the final talk of the series, Ronnie uses the last words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew to remind us, that when it comes to faith, doubt is as essential as conviction.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 8
March 12, 2019 14:39 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 8 of 8.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 7
March 05, 2019 18:08 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 7 of 8.
The Life of Jesus, Part 7: Divine Nobodies
March 04, 2019 14:47 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBIn part 7 of Ronnie's current series of Sunday talks, he speaks about being a nobody - the freedom and satisfaction of being an unknown. Using a minor event from Jesus' last week, he shows how those history may not remember can be a part of something much greater than themselves.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 6
February 27, 2019 22:01 - 1 hour - 35.1 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 6 of 8.
The Life of Jesus, Part 6: Free for God...Free for People
February 27, 2019 02:24 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBIn Part 6 of Ronnie's series of talks on the life of Jesus, we follow Jesus to the Temple where is cleanses it of the money-changers. It was Jesus' effort, to quote Father Richard Rohr, "To keep people free for God, and to keep God free for people."
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 5
February 18, 2019 21:10 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 5 of 8.
The Life of Jesus, Part 5: On the Jericho Road
February 18, 2019 20:57 - 21 minutes - 20 MBIn Part 5 of Ronnie's series of talks on the life of Jesus, he shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan, giving it a contemporary twist.
The Life of Jesus, Part 4: To the Mountain
February 12, 2019 14:43 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this episode Ronnie talks about the Transfiguration of Jesus, its meaning, its lesson, and its power to help us "take the world as it is, not as we would have it."
The Life of Jesus: Part 3: Won't Back Down
February 07, 2019 19:26 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBIn his continuing series of talks on Jesus of Nazareth, Ronnie highlights Jesus' first public sermon, its impact, and continuing challenge.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 4
February 07, 2019 19:21 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 4 of 8.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 3
February 07, 2019 19:18 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 3 of 8.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 2
January 30, 2019 15:15 - 57 minutes - 53 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 2 of 8.
Winter Bible Study, 2019: Jesus of Nazareth, Part 1
January 30, 2019 15:11 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBThough he is the most studied person in human history, every generation is drawn to know more about Jesus. With his annual 2019 Winter Bible Study, Ronnie leads an eight-week exploration of Jesus of Nazareth. Part 1 of 8.
The Life of Jesus, Part 2: The Missing Years
January 28, 2019 15:27 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWith a tip of the hat to the legendary John Prine, Ronnie talks about Jesus' "Missing Years," and leads us to discover that Jesus wasn't missing at all, but found what his mission would be.
The Life of Jesus: Part 1: That You Might Believe
January 28, 2019 15:25 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBIntroducing a series of talks on the life of Jesus of Nazareth, Ronnie addresses how we often create Jesus in our own image.
What We Take Away
January 14, 2019 17:25 - 21 minutes - 20 MBRonnie tells the tale of Mephibosheth - a young man with an impossible name and a more improbable story, a story of grace.
I Saw the Light
December 31, 2018 16:49 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBWith a refreshing take on the Magi (Wise Men) who came to visit Jesus, Ronnie McBrayer challenges listeners to be open to all seekers - no matter who they are, or where they come from.
Advent: Let Peace Rule
December 29, 2018 17:09 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBTaking Paul's admonition to the Colossians for an Advent text, Ronnie speaks about peace within leading to a more peaceful world.
Advent: Be Full of Joy
December 18, 2018 23:59 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBWith readings from Isaiah and the book of Philippians, Ronnie speaks about JOY, the third theme of Advent.
Advent: The Hope of Glory
December 04, 2018 15:43 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBIn this talk, marking the first Sunday of Advent 2018, Ronnie speaks about hope and invites listeners to share it with others.
Armistice: Hope for Peace
November 20, 2018 15:36 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBRonnie speaks about the centennial anniversary of the Armistice that ended Word War 1, and the resulting holiday of Veteran's Day. His emphasis is on the possibility for peace in a violent world.
"In Scorn of the Consequences"
November 05, 2018 20:12 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBRonnie profiles one of his greatest influencers, Dr. Clarence Jordan: Theologian, Civil Rights leader, Author of "The Cotton Patch Gospel" and founder of Koinonia Farms.
Serve Somebody, Part 2
October 30, 2018 15:41 - 25 minutes - 14.3 MBSpeaking from Mark 10, Ronnie talks about service, ambition, and the corruption of power in the conclusion of a two-part talk entitled, "Serve Somebody."
Serve Somebody, Part 1
October 30, 2018 15:24 - 28 minutes - 26 MBSpeaking from Mark 10, Ronnie talks about service, ambition, and the corruption of power in this first of a two-part talk entitled, "Serve Somebody."
Eve of Destruction: Putting Out the Fire of Anger
October 02, 2018 17:41 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBWith wisdom from the book of Proverbs, Ronnie speaks about the subject of unresolved, unleashed anger and its impact on the world.
Good Faith in Good Conscience, Part 2
October 02, 2018 17:38 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBThe second part in Ronnie's talk exploring the relationship between faith and conscience.
Good Faith in Good Conscience, Part 1
September 17, 2018 15:22 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBIn the first of a two-part talk, Ronnie speaks about the tension between external faith and internal conscience.
"Like A Broken Pot:" National Suicide Prevention Week
September 13, 2018 13:30 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBIn a deeply personal talk, and reflecting upong Psalm 31, Ronnie addresses the epidemic of suicide in the United States.
Eat. Drink. Work. Live.
September 11, 2018 15:07 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB"Meaningless, meaningless!" is the lament of Ecclesiastes. But in this exploration of King Solomon's wisdom, Ronnie highlights the simplicity of finding satisfaction in good food, good drink, hard work, and love.
After God's Own Heart (For Danny)
August 30, 2018 19:12 - 27 minutes - 25 MBIn both a tribute to his friend Danny Durham and a fresh exploration of the phrase, "a man after God's own heart," Ronnie talks about the urgency of living one's life with purpose.
Always On My Mind, Part 10: Through Christ
August 28, 2018 12:14 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBIn the conclusion to this study of Philippians, Ronnie compares the stoic, self-centered attempts at sufficiency to the Christ-empowered approach.
Always On My Mind: Part 9: Think On These Things
August 17, 2018 18:40 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBIn what Ronnie describes as a "rerun," because it is the text he has most often spoken from over the last few years, the study of Philippians continues with chapter 4:4-8.