The Parable of the Shrewd Manager with Pastor Michele Jones

On today’s episode, Pastor Keeyon’s message highlights Luke 18:1-8, CEB. Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him, asking, ‘Give me justice in this case against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused but finally said to himself, I don’t fear God or respect people, 5 but I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, there will be no end to her coming here and embarrassing me.” 6 The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? 8 I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Human One comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?”

Join pastor Keeyon as he leads us in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina

On Embodiment Sunday you are invite to engage in the sacred practice of Lectio Divina- an ancient practice that can help us slowly and prayerfully attend to and respond to Scripture. Check out the podcast to be guided in four postures of Lectio Divina on Embodiment Sunday. Read (or in our context - listen to the text!)Reflect upon the text and any words/phrases that stand out to you and why these may catch your attention and what feelings or thoughts surfaced. Allow time for the text to sink deeply into your soul!Respond by offering anything that rises up to God and listen for any inner nudging Rest in God’s loving presence and consider how you may return to God’s word throughout the day ahead

Join Alice Murray, Pastor of Care & Hospitality at FaithLife Church in Cedar Rapids as she dives into Luke 17:5-10.

On Embodiment Sunday you are invite to engage in the sacred practice of Lectio Divina- an ancient practice that can help us slowly and prayerfully attend to and respond to Scripture.

Michele is the Pastor of Missions at FaithLife. Growing up in a small farming community in Kansas, my grandmother instilled in me when I was a child to, "Love God and love others." I am a wife, mother and will be a grandma at the end of November. At FaithLife, I feel incredibly lucky to have a front seat to all of the incredible ways God is working through his people in our community and in our world. My hope is that the Holy Spirit continues to move and inspire more people to serve others in Jesus name and at the same time listen, learn and encourage others.The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is often considered one of Jesus' most perplexing teachings, especially in a world that's preoccupied with wealth. While our focus tends to be on using resources for immediate comfort and power, God calls us to be shrewd managers with an eternal perspective. This parable is a powerful call to action, urging us to use the resources we have been given to build his kingdom.

You are invite to engage in the sacred practice of Lectio Divina- an ancient practice that can help us slowly and prayerfully attend to and respond to Scripture. Check out the podcast to be guided in four postures of Lectio Divina with Ephesians 6:1-10, MSG.

Join guest Anthony Betters Jr. for a conversation on Reconciliation, Neighborhood Development, & Worship.Anthony is a Sales Specialist at American Family Insurance, aspiring to obtain his own agency one day. A proud Baylor University alum, that holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate Communications, achieving this while balancing the demands of being a student-athlete football walk-on.Originally from Waco, Texas, Anthony made the move to Cedar Rapids to start a senior in-home healthcare franchise. His dedication and impact in the community have been recognized with the Corridor Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 accolade. He is also a part of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., that is focused on developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.Beyond his professional role, Anthony actively engages with the community. He serves as the PTA Vice President at Washington High School, Vice President of the African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) Board of Directors, and Treasurer and Chaplin of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has also created a community initiative called GoodFellas, that helps bring black men together to network, and collaborate in a safe space environment.In his personal life, Anthony, alongside his fiancée Cynthia, embraces the role of being a dad to four kids: Amora, Brylee, Mariah, and Jacob. He considers it a privilege to pursue his passion for community service, while providing representation for youth who look up to him.

During his time as a minister overseeing small group leaders, Pastor Keeyon sat down for lunch with one leader who had been faithfully serving the church since its beginning. He and his wife had led over a dozen groups, often with 20 or more people gathering in their home. From the outside, it looked like a life filled with connection. But when Pastor Keeyon asked him about friendship, his answer was unforgettable: “I don’t have any friends.”In this episode, Pastor Keeyon explores The Friendship Crisis in Christianity.

On this podcast episode you will be guided through an imagination activity, to imagine, to hope, to dream what it looks like to embody all that we have learned throughout the Immerse sermon series.