Tabor Church
824 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★ - 4 ratingsTabor Church is a church in the great city of Chicago. We live in a busy time and we want to help equip and encourage fellow Christ followers. Our goal is to have two different types of podcasts: one will be a quick devotion style for those who want a quick word to start or end their day...or anywhere in between. The second kind of podcast we will offer is an interview style conversation with people in different sectors of life that are learning to live out their faith. This will encourage each of us to find value in our everyday work and the people God puts in front of us.
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Episodes
"Used By God"
September 18, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 4.35 MBToday we are going to tackle a cliche that I have used, probably even recently. This wasn't one that was a pet peeve of mine, but after talking through it, maybe it should be. Do you see God using people? Even in that question it is almost as if God only needs a warm body and doesn't care about who we are. Let's explore this one today. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
"Just have faith" or "If you have enough faith..."
September 17, 2020 16:00 - 8 minutes - 5.7 MBToday we are going to hit a cliche that is also a pet peeve of mine. I think these are used to try and get us out of different conversations. Faith is good and having faith is good, but the cliche is really bad to say. We will discuss why I say that today. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
"Christianity is a relationship, not a religion"
September 16, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 4.71 MBToday we are going to talk about another cliche. Once again it is a cliche with half truth. We are going to break this one down and not always try and find the simplistic way of faith but a constant call to explore and find the depth. Hope this helps you explore further. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
"God will never give you more than you can handle"
September 15, 2020 13:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBToday we are hitting another Christian cliche. I'm sure that if you have been a follower of Jesus for any length of time you have heard it said or said it yourself...God will never give you more than you can handle. It is a half truth, but even a half truth is a full lie. We are going to explore this cliche today. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
"God will never give you more than you can handle"
September 15, 2020 13:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBToday we are hitting another Christian cliche. I'm sure that if you have been a follower of Jesus for any length of time you have heard it said or said it yourself...God will never give you more than you can handle. It is a half truth, but even a half truth is a full lie. We are going to explore this cliche today. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
"Give it to God"
September 14, 2020 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.63 MBI just decided at the end of the podcast today that we will be tackling some Christian cliches. So I'll put it out to you all and see if there are any cliches that you would like for me to tackle, break apart and then figure out what we can take from it. We'll hit Proverbs 3:5-6 today and learn what it means to trust God. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show (http://taborchicago.org...
"Give it to God"
September 14, 2020 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.63 MBI just decided at the end of the podcast today that we will be tackling some Christian cliches. So I'll put it out to you all and see if there are any cliches that you would like for me to tackle, break apart and then figure out what we can take from it. We'll hit Proverbs 3:5-6 today and learn what it means to trust God. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
God is Near...Never Forget
September 11, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 4.78 MBToday we look at a few passages in Scripture that remind us of God who is near to us, especially when we are broken hearted. On the 19th anniversary of 9-11 it is good for us to be reminded that God is near. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician, who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
God is Near...Never Forget
September 11, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 4.78 MBToday we look at a few passages in Scripture that remind us of God who is near to us, especially when we are broken hearted. On the 19th anniversary of 9-11 it is good for us to be reminded that God is near. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician, who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Confession
September 09, 2020 16:00 - 6 minutes - 4.69 MBToday we are talking about confession. This is a topic everyone can understand. Followers of Christ live lives filled with confession. But people outside the Church also understand what it means to have crippling guilt and anxious thoughts. Where do we go to lay these burdens down? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. He is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show (http://taborchicago.org/give/)
Confession
September 09, 2020 16:00 - 6 minutes - 4.69 MBToday we are talking about confession. This is a topic everyone can understand. Followers of Christ live lives filled with confession. But people outside the Church also understand what it means to have crippling guilt and anxious thoughts. Where do we go to lay these burdens down? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. He is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Religious Tax Exemption
September 03, 2020 22:00 - 6 minutes - 4.8 MBToday I am going to bring up another point about the church and state being tied together. Religious tax exempt is different from other non-profits in that religious houses of worship do not have to file any kind of tax return at the end of the year. Religious tax exemption has been argued by some as an infringement on the separation of Church and State. I bring up these issues not to argue but to show that we are tied up together and it would be difficult to separate. The music on the pod...
Religious Tax Exemption
September 03, 2020 22:00 - 6 minutes - 4.8 MBToday I am going to bring up another point about the church and state being tied together. Religious tax exempt is different from other non-profits in that religious houses of worship do not have to file any kind of tax return at the end of the year. Religious tax exemption has been argued by some as an infringement on the separation of Church and State. I bring up these issues not to argue but to show that we are tied up together and it would be difficult to separate. The music on the pod...
Prayer In School?
September 02, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 4.51 MBToday we will talk about prayer in schools. Really this means prayer in public schools because private schools do not have any regulations because many of them are religious in nature anyways. Should there be prayer in public schools? Here is the big secret...there always has been. Take a listen and hear what I have to say on this topic. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Prayer In School?
September 02, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 4.51 MBToday we will talk about prayer in schools. Really this means prayer in public schools because private schools do not have any regulations because many of them are religious in nature anyways. Should there be prayer in public schools? Here is the big secret...there always has been. Take a listen and hear what I have to say on this topic. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Separation of Church and State
September 01, 2020 16:00 - 8 minutes - 6.07 MBToday we are going to continue our conversation on politics and talk about the phrase Separation of Church and State. This is not in the constitution but has its roots in a conversation with Thomas Jefferson and the Baptists. The Church should not be absent the public arena but know where it can and can't be as an institution. We are going to unpack some of the ramifications of this in the next few days. Correction: The Luther quote I mention on the show today is actually, "I'd rather be r...
Separation of Church and State
September 01, 2020 16:00 - 8 minutes - 6.07 MBToday we are going to continue our conversation on politics and talk about the phrase Separation of Church and State. This is not in the constitution but has its roots in a conversation with Thomas Jefferson and the Baptists. The Church should not be absent the public arena but know where it can and can't be as an institution. We are going to unpack some of the ramifications of this in the next few days. Correction: The Luther quote I mention on the show today is actually, "I'd rather be r...
Sacrificial Service: A Conversation with Mike Lauer
August 28, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBAs I promised to you in the last few episodes that we would have a guest. So today we are talking to Mike Lauer. He is a friend of mine who I deeply respect as a person and a follower of Christ. Mike and I bring up a number of topics that I believe all go back to the central message of the Gospel in us and Christ works in us as we also bring it to the world. This episode is a little over an hour, so if you need to break it up and don't rush through it. Please interact with the discussion and...
Sacrificial Service: A Conversation with Mike Lauer
August 28, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBAs I promised to you in the last few episodes that we would have a guest. So today we are talking to Mike Lauer. He is a friend of mine who I deeply respect as a person and a follower of Christ. Mike and I bring up a number of topics that I believe all go back to the central message of the Gospel in us and Christ works in us as we also bring it to the world. This episode is a little over an hour, so if you need to break it up and don't rush through it. Please interact with the discussion and...
Voter Turnout...where is everyone?
August 27, 2020 14:00 - 7 minutes - 5.39 MBToday I want to talk about a big issue in our country...voter turnout. The United States is near the bottom of developing nations voter turnout. Why? Do we have half of our population that has ceased to care or is this intentional? You don't have to tell me it is you, but why are over half the population of eligible voters sitting it out? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show (http://t...
Voter Turnout...where is everyone?
August 27, 2020 14:00 - 7 minutes - 5.39 MBToday I want to talk about a big issue in our country...voter turnout. The United States is near the bottom of developing nations voter turnout. Why? Do we have half of our population that has ceased to care or is this intentional? You don't have to tell me it is you, but why are over half the population of eligible voters sitting it out? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Romans 13...any wiggle room?
August 26, 2020 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.33 MBToday we are looking at the Scripture that makes up the central part of our theology on government. Paul says they are put here by God, so obey or be punished. Yikes! Is there any wiggle room on that passage? We are going to talk through some of it today. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Two Kingdoms
August 25, 2020 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.89 MBToday we will continue our political talk by bringing in the Two Kingdoms concept. There have been multiple theologians who have talked about this (Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin) but I will bring in Luther's perspective. We are citizens of two kingdoms and God is over both kingdoms. What is our obligation to the kingdoms in which we inhabit? Feel free to jump in on the conversation. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a rea...
Two Kingdoms
August 25, 2020 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.89 MBToday we will continue our political talk by bringing in the Two Kingdoms concept. There have been multiple theologians who have talked about this (Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin) but I will bring in Luther's perspective. We are citizens of two kingdoms and God is over both kingdoms. What is our obligation to the kingdoms in which we inhabit? Feel free to jump in on the conversation. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a rea...
Let's Talk Politics
August 24, 2020 19:00 - 9 minutes - 6.38 MBApparently polite conversation doesn't ever bring up religion or politics...but we already talk about religion so why not bring up politics as well. This week we will explore the conversation of politics and God's people. Should we be involved or try our best to be apolitical? Should we just preach the Gospel and let God do the work? Tell me your thoughts. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Suppo...
Let's Talk Politics
August 24, 2020 19:00 - 9 minutes - 6.38 MBApparently polite conversation doesn't ever bring up religion or politics...but we already talk about religion so why not bring up politics as well. This week we will explore the conversation of politics and God's people. Should we be involved or try our best to be apolitical? Should we just preach the Gospel and let God do the work? Tell me your thoughts. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Suppor...
Give People Light
August 21, 2020 17:00 - 6 minutes - 4.44 MBToday we will finish the week with a charge, "Give people light!" God lights our way and in turn we give the light away. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Give this episode a listen to hear all that I have to say. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Give People Light
August 21, 2020 17:00 - 6 minutes - 4.44 MBToday we will finish the week with a charge, "Give people light!" God lights our way and in turn we give the light away. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Give this episode a listen to hear all that I have to say. The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Thick Darkness, You Can Feel
August 20, 2020 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBToday we are looking at three passages about darkness and light. I believe each passage looks at light and darkness and points us to the reality of light and light being good for us. Take a listen to the episode today. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a great blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Thick Darkness, You Can Feel
August 20, 2020 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBToday we are looking at three passages about darkness and light. I believe each passage looks at light and darkness and points us to the reality of light and light being good for us. Take a listen to the episode today. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a great blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show (http://taborchicago.org/give/)
Good and Evil
August 19, 2020 20:00 - 7 minutes - 5.09 MBToday we continue our talk about light and dark as we bring up the old debate whether humans are inherently good or inherently evil. I think when given the opportunity, people can be good but theologically we know that we were born into evil. So what do we do with all of that?? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show (http://taborchicago.org/give/)
Good and Evil
August 19, 2020 20:00 - 7 minutes - 5.09 MBToday we continue our talk about light and dark as we bring up the old debate whether humans are inherently good or inherently evil. I think when given the opportunity, people can be good but theologically we know that we were born into evil. So what do we do with all of that?? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Darkness In Me
August 18, 2020 17:00 - 6 minutes - 4.51 MBToday we are starting a conversation about light and darkness. It is a major theme in the Bible, so I figured why not talk about it. We will start this conversation in 1 John 1:5-9. The light and darkness conversation has to begin in us before we can ever call it out. Take a listen. The music on the podcast comes from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
Should we avoid controversy?
August 12, 2020 17:00 - 6 minutes - 4.39 MBI was trying to come up with topics for the podcast and found many articles saying the church should talk about controversial topics. I was thinking, I don't mind talking about things that people will think controversial but should we? Paul writes in 2 Timothy, that we should stay away from foolish controversy that will lead to quarrels. Controversy gets more clicks and listeners, but we are not all about that. So what do you think? The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chi...
Music as a Spiritual Practice
August 10, 2020 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.27 MBMusic is important to people. I really should have shared this episode before we went into all the songs, but better late than never. Music can be emotional and invoke feelings of happiness, sadness and everything in between. Let's see what God has to say about singing. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show (http://taborchicago.org/give/)
Music as a Spiritual Practice
August 10, 2020 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.27 MBMusic is important to people. I really should have shared this episode before we went into all the songs, but better late than never. Music can be emotional and invoke feelings of happiness, sadness and everything in between. Let's see what God has to say about singing. The music on the podcast is by John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support the show
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
August 07, 2020 20:00 - 7 minutes - 5.34 MBToday we will hear from the Irish Prophet, Bono. U2 is a band that has a lot of spiritual content in their songs. We will look at one of them from the Joshua Tree album called, I still haven't found what I'm looking for. Bono calls this song a gospel song with a restless spirit. What a great way to describe a song. The Christian life is all about the Gospel and the struggles we have. Let's take some time and dig into this song. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3-5YC_oHjE The music...
What's Going On?
August 06, 2020 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.84 MBToday we are going to look at What's Going On by Marvin Gaye. It was a protest song that Motown didn't want released. Marvin basically had to give them an ultimatum that they release the song or he wouldn't work with them anymore. I think they are glad they put it out because it was a hit. Let's listen to the heartbeat of the protest before dismissing it. Marvin Gaye, What's Going On?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M&feature=emb_logo The music on the podcast is from John Nugen...
Ants Marching
August 05, 2020 19:00 - 5 minutes - 4.13 MBToday, with the suggestion of podcast fan, we are going to talk about Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band. It is a fun song which might distract us from the fact that the lyrics are kind of fatalistic. Let's see what we can learn about this song and what it can teach us about our lives today. Ants Marching video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNgJBIx-hK8 The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Sup...
Ants Marching
August 05, 2020 19:00 - 5 minutes - 4.13 MBToday, with the suggestion of podcast fan, we are going to talk about Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band. It is a fun song which might distract us from the fact that the lyrics are kind of fatalistic. Let's see what we can learn about this song and what it can teach us about our lives today. Ants Marching video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNgJBIx-hK8 The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Supp...
One Love
August 04, 2020 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.07 MBToday we are going to explore the song One Love by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The reggae version of the song came out in 1977 but there was a ska version initially put out in 1965. There is a lot of great spiritual content in this song even though Bob was famously Rastafarian. But there have been some stories about him possibly becoming Christian later on in his life. You can make that call for yourself. Here is the reggae version of One Love- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g ...
One Love
August 04, 2020 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.07 MBToday we are going to explore the song One Love by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The reggae version of the song came out in 1977 but there was a ska version initially put out in 1965. There is a lot of great spiritual content in this song even though Bob was famously Rastafarian. But there have been some stories about him possibly becoming Christian later on in his life. You can make that call for yourself. Here is the reggae version of One Love- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g S...
Lean On Me
August 03, 2020 17:00 - 7 minutes - 4.92 MBThis week we will continue to explore some songs that were mentioned for the Summer Concert series. I still have a list of songs but if you want me to cover any songs this week let me know now. Today we are covering the 1972 hit from Bill Withers, Lean On Me. It is a great song with simple lyrics. What can we learn today? If you haven't heard this song (you must have been underground for the last 48 years) but here is a great version of it for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ-MySzA...
From A Distance
August 01, 2020 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.64 MBToday we are going to talk about the song that Bette Midler made famous with From a Distance. The song was written by Julie Gold in 1985. There are some conflicting interpretations of this song but I give you two. Let me know how you hear the lyrics and what do you learn. Bette Midler singing From a Distance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN4AcFzxtdE The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support t...
From A Distance
August 01, 2020 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.64 MBToday we are going to talk about the song that Bette Midler made famous with From a Distance. The song was written by Julie Gold in 1985. There are some conflicting interpretations of this song but I give you two. Let me know how you hear the lyrics and what do you learn. Bette Midler singing From a Distance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN4AcFzxtdE The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. Support ...
Jesus Walks
July 30, 2020 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.05 MBToday we will be discussing the song by Kanye West, Jesus Walks. It is off his 2004 album The College dropout. At this point in his life Kanye was not a self professed follower of Jesus, but you can definitely see that God was working on him. I would love to hear your feedback on this song on any other popular songs that have spoke to you. If you haven't listened to this song before here is a link to the clean version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPXbvFavFHo Support the show
Jesus Walks
July 30, 2020 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.05 MBToday we will be discussing the song by Kanye West, Jesus Walks. It is off his 2004 album The College dropout. At this point in his life Kanye was not a self professed follower of Jesus, but you can definitely see that God was working on him. I would love to hear your feedback on this song on any other popular songs that have spoke to you. If you haven't listened to this song before here is a link to the clean version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPXbvFavFHo Support the show
Hopeless Wanderer
July 29, 2020 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.8 MBToday we are going to do a quick exploration of the song Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons. It did not make the list for our series starting this Sunday but has a lot of great content. I do love this song, and many others by Mumford. I hope you enjoy. Link to the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId6PKlDXeU As you can see there are a few stars playing the parts in the video. Support the show
Hopeless Wanderer
July 29, 2020 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.8 MBToday we are going to do a quick exploration of the song Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons. It did not make the list for our series starting this Sunday but has a lot of great content. I do love this song, and many others by Mumford. I hope you enjoy. Link to the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId6PKlDXeU As you can see there are a few stars playing the parts in the video. Support the show (http://taborchicago.org/give/)
Interpreting Songs
July 28, 2020 17:00 - 5 minutes - 3.98 MBBefore we get into some examples of songs that have some deeper meaning, especially in a Christian context, we are going to talk about interpretation. Art can be interpreted differently by different people. When we hear songs we might like the music and not know the meaning of the song. Song lyrics might be the reason why we like a song. Listen today and understand where I am coming from as we approach songs coming up this week. The music on the episode is by John Nugent. John is a Chicago...