faith – Jesus @ 2 am blogs and podcast

Why Christmas Matters – Christmas 2014

April 15, 2015April 11, 2015Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

Do Christians really believe that Jesus was fully divine? And fully human? Simultaneously? It’s no easy pill to swallow, virgin births and all that… And why does it matter?

In this episode, my friend and mentor, Mark Roberts, takes on these questions and many others as he explores Christian doctrine of the incarnation. It is a fun, funny and deeply insightful look at the celebration of Christmas and why we all have reason to rejoice!

(In the intro I mentioned the Max De Pree Center for Leadership. Definitely worth checking out!)

This is a sermon that was originally presented at Canvas (a Presbyterian church in Irvine, CA), December 28, 2014. To learn more about Canvas, click here!

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Advent 2014, Part 4: The Gift of Peace and Rest

April 13, 2015April 11, 2015Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

Every December the decorations return – banners with doves, cards declaring “Peace on Earth”… And yet every year the headlines never change: hardship, loss, injustice…

How do we come to terms with the contradiction? Is the biblical promise that God’s shalom (peace, rest, wholeness) is taking over creation to be believed? Or is it (as it often feels) little more than a comforting ideal – a goal perhaps, but not one we ever expect to become real?

In this episode we examine the personal search for peace and rest, and how we take that gift of shalom and offer it to others.

This is a sermon that was originally presented at Canvas (a Presbyterian church in Irvine, CA), December 21, 2014. To learn more about Canvas, click here!

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The Resurrection: Why I Actually Believe (Sermon)

June 28, 2012February 21, 2013Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

There is probably no aspect of Christianity more difficult to accept intellectually than the bodily resurrection of Jesus. And one could hardly be blamed for approaching the idea with complete skepticism. It seems so much more plausible that the gospel accounts are speaking either metaphorically or just plain mistakenly. Perhaps the authors desired to have us carry on as if Jesus were still with us (in the same way that Plato is or George Washington is)? Or perhaps they themselves were victims of the limited understanding of their day (someone moved the body and they – shaped by Jewish expectation and mythology – chose to believe Jesus as raised from the dead)? Many smart people have argued for this and I believe that every person of faith should. I certainly have! I don’t come to my faith in the resurrection – which I really do have – lightly, nor do I hold it unreflectively. And yet, I do believe. And in this sermon, preached the week after Easter (2012), I offer my top 2 reasons why. I don’t offer them as proof or with any intent to convince. Merely to share how I have some to believe as I do. I hope it will be of some help in your journey of faith.