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In this episode of Retreat Radio, we discuss the topic of joyful living. We believe God wants us to live joyfully. What is joy? What is joyful living? How do you maintain a state of joy when you are experiencing loss, pain, frustration, financial setbacks, and other difficult life situations? That’s what we discuss in this episode.
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We often underestimate our faults but overestimate others’ faults. Before you pass judgment on others, pause and think before you say or do something you might regret later. Understand there is only one true judgment, and that comes when we exit this world. Try to be more humble, and accept some humility. None of us are perfect, we are all still trying to pass our daily test. It is a constant project and through prayer, we ask for our Lord’s help in choosing the right path to choose to help us become stronger better Christians.
We — and the Retreat Radio Community — would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this subject. Please share your comments. It helps all of us grow!
Matthew 7:1-5
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. 2 For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. 3 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? 5 You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.
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We — and the Retreat Radio Community — would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this subject. Please share your comments. It helps all of us grow!
What are you doing to strengthen your relationship with God? What might God be calling you to do — or do more of — on your journey? Where might God be leading you? What routine do you have? If you don’t have a routine, what can you start doing tomorrow?
Psalm 23 (Continued from Episode 3
This was a tough week for Mike as he was dealing with a bad cold. We had to stop our recording several times to allow him to recover from coughing attacks. Jay had a good week as Karen and he celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary.
Jay and Mike Share More About Their Faith Journeys
Jay shared with the community that this podcast has really helped him along his faith journey with preparing for each episode with reading and research. He also shared how he utilizes the time on his walks to become closer to God through prayer, and listening to other religious-based podcasts. Other times he finds inspiration from songs. Last week during one of his walks he listened to the Depeche Mode song “Personal Jesus” and shared on the show how every day is a test. God is who grades our test, and the good news is tomorrow is a new day with an opportunity to Ace the test.
Mike shared with the community his favorite aid to assist him on his faith journey. Mike said that he has been keeping a journal for the past twenty years. His journaling has matured over the years from the early days. Mike finds it helpful in writing his daily journal as writing a letter to Jesus. He always starts the entry by giving God thanks and listing things that he is grateful for. Mike said that he likes to include his challenges, asks for advice, and guidance from God. Mike also has started a new routine of saying the rosary each morning on his drive to work. It helps him face the challenges of the day, and also helps reduce any possible road rage.
Reading Discussion
On last week’s episode, we shared psalm 23 but didn’t have a whole lot of time to discuss it. Mike again brought up the fact that this psalm is more about living than dying. He also commented that God is always walking beside us. It is we who veer away from God. Mike also shared that fearfulness was a center point of his faith journey. We think that is true for a lot of our community, that we are always worried about something or someone. Worried about our job, a client, a meeting. Sometimes it is hard to let go and put our trust in God, but when we do we find peace. Mike said all we need to do is to try to live a holy life. We aren’t always perfect, and that’s okay because God knows we are trying. Jay talked about “My cup overflows” and how he feels blessed with everything God has provided. He feels grateful for his family, friends, church, and community. We also spoke about comparing ourselves to others. Someone who may appear to have everything, likely have a large void in their life. They use material things to fill the God-shaped hole in their life. Like the shepherd in this psalm, God always pursues us. He never gives up on us and will search tirelessly for us.
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Where are you in your faith journey right now? Are you in a fog? Are you moving or standing still? What do you think God is calling you to do different — if anything?
Go to our comment section and share your story. We will share some of these stories on a future episode with our community.
Every show features a discussion of one or two readings. We discuss how we think God is speaking to us — what he wants to teach us or lead us. This show’s readings are:
So the first section of today’s episode we shared some background information as to how Mike and Jay met. Yep, you guessed it, they met while on retreat. All the way back in 2003 Jay, Mike, Dave, and Jim were all seated at the same faith sharing table on our retreat weekend. None of us knew each other, or that each of us shared musical talents. God really does have a master plan, doesn’t he!
On this episode, Jay explained how the “Four Amigo’s” had a jam session that first night, provided the music on the next (Taste & See tour) retreat and over ten other retreats since.
Jay shared his love for radio and how he was intrigued by this new digital format called Podcasts. Jay shared his vision of the Retreat Radio show with Mike, who said that he was already doing some podcast work. We both believe that it was a calling from God for us to provide this program to the Retreat Radio faith community.
Today’s episode is part 1 on faith journey. Jay shared the analogy of our faith journey to driving on the highway. Jay and Mike talked about how all these cars together at one point in time on the highway, but with different starting points, and different travel times to get to their destination. We all are at different points in our faith journey, be we are all here together looking for help to navigate our way to Christ. Mike said that some cars are in front of us, leading the way. While other cars are behind, following us. So sometimes others are showing us the way, and at times we are guiding others. Sometimes we are broken down on the side of the highway, other times we may be lost, or barely able to drive because we are in a thick fog.
Reading Discussion – Matthew 11: 1-6; 28-30
The first bible reading we shared was from Matthew 11: 1-6; 28-30. This reading goes back to when John the Baptist was in jail and hear about Jesus building a large following. He sent two disciples on a journey to observe and report back. Jesus knew who they were and told them to report back to John that “The blind can see; The lame can walk, and the dead raised up.
Neither Jay or Mike would have wanted to be one of these disciples who had to report this back to John. We both agreed that we might just have hung with Jesus since the person we were following was in jail. Jesus had it going on!!
Reading Discussion – Psalm 23
Mike brought up that this psalm is used a lot at funerals. He thinks people are using this, but really don’t understand the true meaning of this psalm. It is a very powerful and uplifting poem written by King David when he was a young shepherd. David shares how God is walking side by side with him. David tells how God will protect, comfort, and guide him.
We will have to circle back around next season to devote an entire episode on this psalm.
Today’s episode went by too quickly and didn’t allow Jay and Mike time to go further into the topic of our faith journey. So they agreed to break this topic up into two episodes. So if you haven’t listened to episode #3, make sure you do so before you download episode #4.
May God bless and keep you, may God’s light shine on you, may God be kind to you and bring you peace!
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Share a time in your life where God’s help provided awesome results. Also, tell us how God prepared you for something that followed.
Go to our comment section and share your story. We will share some of these stories on a future episode with our community.
We’re all on this journey back home to our Father. And, all of us have experiences in life that can help others along that journey. We believe that God set it up that way. So, please share with us and other members of our community, experiences from your journey. We would love to hear from you!
Scripture Reading
Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have provided in our lives. In times when we feel helpless, you are there to lift us up. When we are weak, you make us strong. Be patient with us while we are still learning. Provide me the strength of the Holy Spirit to seek out your hope and love, in your name, Amen.
In this episode of Retreat Radio, we began our show by welcoming our faith community. We look at the listeners of Retreat Radio as a community. We are all in this together, seeking and looking to strengthen our relationship with God. Mike shared how having hope requires patience. However, patience isn’t easy. We all are often impatience, not willing to wait regardless if it is with work, our relationship, or material things…
In the first reading that we shared (Romans 8) it states: Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Often times we take what we already have for granted. Do you as part of your normal prayers thank God for what you already have? We tend to pray for what we don’t have, what we want, what our desires are, or the outcome we are seeking.
Mike talked about having the patience to wait. He said there is a real blessing in waiting. By waiting we allow God to prepare us for our challenges, the final outcome that we seek.
The second reading (Romans 5) we shared that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. We all face different struggles in life, and by waiting, God prepares us, he builds our character so we have the perseverance to deal with our struggles. Only through God’s grace is our hope obtained.
Jay shared a story of the backpacking trip he went on with his two kids. Preparing, waiting, a bit of suffering and having the perseverance to climb the mountains. Looking back on his AT hike Jay said the challenges that the trail presented produced character, and the accomplishment provided a sense of pride. We can relate this story to our faith, and our hope in God.
Mike shared his story of the mile swim from Boy Scouts back when he was eleven years old. He shared that at the time was the most exhausting, challenging thing he had done in his life up until that time. The staff keeps encouraging him “you can do it”. God too is constantly pushing us. Telling us we can do it, we just need to believe! Let go, and let God!
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It took two years from conception to production, but “Retreat Radio” is on the air!!
Mike and Jay feel so blessed to be able to bring you this weekly program. We hope that you enjoy listening to the show, and reading our blog posts. If you haven’t listened to episode #1, we suggest you find time to download it on your favorite listening device.
So let’s dig into today’s show on beliefs. Our show started with the teaser asking the question; what does all religions have in common? The answer is belief.
Our belief isn’t just a yes or no response to the question do you believe in God. Rather it is the level to which we place our trust in God!
Think back to a time in your life where you felt alone, or overwhelm by something. Did you pray for God’s help? Sometimes our fears take over and we forget that God is always with us to provide direction. Looking back at that situation in your life, can you now see how God played a role in the outcome?
Jay shared a story that his daughter told him while she was doing one of her rotations for her pharmacy degree. She was schedule to work at a local hospital’s oncology department for a month. She was worried that the patients would be depressed, negative, and rude since they were dealing with a terminal illness, cancer. But to her amazement all of the patients were very positive, and welcoming. Patient after patient she discovered were totally at peace. Why? Because they put their total faith in God. She said that was the most rewarding and inspiring month of her clinical rotation. It is amazing isn’t it! Putting our faith in God provides us so much peace and power.
The first reading today was John 3:16. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” In our intro to this bible verse we talked about the sports fan who had the rainbow colored wig on and was always holding a John 3:16 sign, what an awesome display of his faith, proclaiming God’s love.
Who did this guy know to get such great seats to all those major sporting events?
In the second reading we discussed old doubting Thomas. We both understood where Thomas was coming from, and I’m sure most of you would have felt the same way. Jesus comes into the room where they were after being dead for over a week. Not surprising that they didn’t recognize him. I can only imagine how bad Jesus looked and smelled!
I just love the verse from John 20:29… Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me” Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”.
Our call to action from this episode is for you to think back to a time in your life where you were challenged and how God helped you through it. We would also like for you to spend some time in self reflection this week and examine your level of belief. What can you do to deepen your faith in God? Some ideas for you to consider would be to set aside daily prayer time. Look into, and get involved in some sort of volunteer opportunity. Join, or start a faith sharing group.
Okay, that’s it for this week. We hope you subscribe to our podcast so you’re notified when the next episode is available for download.
Also, help us expand the Retreat Radio community by sharing this website and our podcast to family, friends, and members at your place of worship.
May God bless and keep you. May God’s faith shine on you. May God be kind to you and bring you peace!