Shows
Pomona Valley ChurchThe Mission of God, Week 9: JubileeIn this sermon, Curtis looks at the dominant storyline of the Bible, the Exodus, to help us understand how we can be a people who make God known.2021-10-2720 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Mission of God, Week 7: Making God KnownIn this week's sermon (we're all caught up!), Curtis considers how the Old Testament warnings and realities of judgment fit into The Mission of God. 2021-10-0817 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Mission of God, Week 5: YahwehIn this sermon, Curtis looks at the name God gives in the Exodus story, and what that name tells us about God and God's mission.2021-10-0614 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Mission of God, Week 3: Creation, Pt. 2In this sermon Curtis looks at the creation of humanity, asking: what if we both underestimate and overestimate our importance to God's mission?2021-10-0423 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Mission of God, Week 2: CreationIn the second week of our Mission of God series, Curtis looks at what we can learn about what God is up to in the world through the creation story in Genesis 1. 2021-08-3123 minPomona Valley ChurchFollowing Their Lead: Wall or WebCurtis wraps up our series learning from Black theologians by comparing two different images that could be used to describe our faith: a wall or a web. 2021-08-1714 minPomona Valley ChurchFollowing Their Lead: Collective SinAs part of our series learning from Black theologians, Curtis looks at the importance of a complete understanding of Sin. 2021-07-1813 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, The Backdrop, Chapters 26-28We are wrapping up our walk through Matthew with one final Backdrop episode. In this one, Curtis dives into the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. 2021-06-2537 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 28: Power, Mission, PresenceWe've come to the end of our journey through Matthew! In this sermon, Curtis looks at the words from Jesus that Matthew saw fit to end his gospel with, what is often called the Great Commission. 2021-06-0514 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 26: IdentityAs we arrive at the climactic chapters of Matthew, Curtis looks at the story of a woman anointing Jesus and asks why she "gets it", and how we can too. 2021-05-1711 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 24: ApocalypseAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis talks about the end of the world...sort of. Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am Pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch.com2021-05-0418 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 23: PhariseesAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at what exactly the Pharisees got wrong, and what that can teach us about following Jesus. Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am Pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch.com2021-05-0116 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 21: HellAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at the parables Jesus tells in chapters 21 and 22. Also, Hell.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am Pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch.com2021-04-1322 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Curtis Read, Black History Month, Episode 5On this final episode of our mini-series of pods, Curtis read about the Civil Rights movement and Black Theology. Also, Dr. King was brilliant.2021-04-1010 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Curtis Read, Black History Month, Episode 4For Black History Month (and maybe a little beyond), we are reviving "What Curtis Read This Week", using the book African American Religious History, a compilation of primary source documents from the history of the Black Church in America edited by Milton C. Sernett.In this fourth installment, some interesting items from the era of the Great Migration.2021-03-3106 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 19: King JesusAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at Jesus' 'triumphal entry' to Jerusalem, and what it means for the people of God.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch.com2021-03-3007 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Curtis Read, Black History Month, Episode 3For Black History Month (and maybe a little beyond), we are reviving "What Curtis Read This Week", using the book African American Religious History, a compilation of primary source documents from the history of the Black Church in America edited by Milton C. Sernett.In this third installment, a couple interesting and important things from the years between the Civil War and World War I.2021-03-1709 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 17: Pick Up Your CrossAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis asks what it means for us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-03-1613 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Curtis Read, Black History Month, Episode 2For Black History Month (and maybe a little beyond), we are reviving "What Curtis Read This Week", using the book African American Religious History, a compilation of primary source documents from the history of the Black Church in America edited by Milton C. Sernett.In this second installment, a couple interesting and important things from the pre-Civil War North.2021-03-1008 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 15: Weeds and WheatAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis finishes out the parables in chapter 13, considering the question: "why do bad things happen?".Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-03-0816 minPomona Valley ChurchBlack History Month: What Curtis ReadFor Black History Month (and maybe a little beyond), we are reviving "What Curtis Read This Week", using the book African American Religious History, a compilation of primary source documents from the history of the Black Church in America edited by Milton C. Sernett.In this first installment, a couple interesting and important things from the pre-Civil War South.2021-02-1707 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 13: Good SoilAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at the first, and longest, parable in the central chapter of Matthew's Gospel, ch. 13.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-02-1513 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 10: PowerIt's backlogged sermon release day!As we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at what Matthew 8-9 have to say about Jesus' power.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-02-0309 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 11: FamilyNow that we're caught up on sermons....As we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks the new family that Jesus is forming around himself, and what it might mean for us today.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-02-0312 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, The Backdrop: Chapters 1 and 2In this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis looks at the puzzling way Matthew uses the Old Testament in chapters 1 and 2, as well as some other odds and ends. 2021-01-0927 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 7: I Say to YouAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at Jesus' "hard teaching" in Matthew 5, and how it gives us practices to live in the Kingdom of God in our everyday, regular lives.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-01-0919 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 6: BeatitudesAs we continue our journey through Matthew, Curtis looks at what Jesus' words in the Beatitudes tell us about the life of the Kingdom of God.Connect with us on instagram [at]PomonaValleyChurch, or join us in "Zoom worship" Sundays at 9am pacific. Find a link on our website, PomonaValleyChurch [dotcom].2021-01-0115 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, ChristmasThis Christmas Eve, Curtis considers the smallness of Matthew's story of Jesus' birth, and what that means about how God's Kingdom comes. 2020-12-2604 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 4: PagansAs we continue our series on Matthew, Curtis looks at what we can learn from the story of the Magi who bring gifts to Jesus in Matthew 2. Find us Sunday mornings on Zoom, link is at pomonavalleychurch [dot com], or connect with us on Instagram, @pomonavalleychurch.2020-12-1911 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, The Backdrop: IntroductionThe Backdrop is back! It's the belated Backdrop! The Backdrop Begins!In this episode, Curtis gives an introduction to some of the themes and ideas that run through the gospel of Matthew. 2020-12-1926 minPomona Valley ChurchWhat Matthew Saw, Week 1: RepentIn this episode we begin our new series working our way through the Gospel of Matthew, asking ourselves What Matthew Saw about Jesus.This week, Curtis offers an introduction to a key concept that frames the whole of Matthew's Gospel: the Kingdom of God has come near, so repent!Find us on Sunday mornings online. A link is at our website pomonavalleychurch [dot com]. You can also find us on instagram, [at]pomonavalleychurch.2020-11-2316 minPomona Valley ChurchWorld Gone Mad: TrustWhat does it mean to follow Jesus into the world when the world's gone mad? In this sermon, Curtis looks at Jesus' words on the cross to help us answer that question.This is the first of a two sermon mini-series we preached the first two Sundays after the election. We had a few people ask for us to post these, and so here they are. 2020-11-2316 minPomona Valley ChurchWorld Gone Mad: ApocalypseWhat does it mean to follow Jesus into the world when the world's gone mad? In this sermon, Curtis looks at how the early Church answered that question and avoided the common responses of fear, hate, apathy, and self-righteousness.This is the second of a two sermon mini-series we preached the first two Sundays after the election. We had a few people ask for us to post these, and so here they are. 2020-11-2315 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 21: The BackdropIn this, the final episode of our walk (stroll? saunter?) through Jeremiah, Curtis looks at chapters 46-52, ancient geography, and also Revelation.2020-09-0915 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 21: The EndThis week we conclude our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis looks at the final chapters of Jeremiah, the prophecies of destruction for the nations, where we find one final reminder that Yahweh can be trusted, even in exile. Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-09-0714 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 20: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at the story in chapters 40-45 of Jeremiah, of the people reversing the Exodus, and going back to Egypt.2020-08-3117 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 19: The BackdropOn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at what Jeremiah chapters 37-39 can tell us about the factions in Jerusalem in the years leading up to the siege by Babylon. 2020-08-2715 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 19: SuccessThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis asks what success means for the follower of Jesus.Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-08-2317 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 18: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at Jeremiah chapters 33-36, which touch on God's faithfulness, people's fickleness, and two contrasting ways the powerful might react when confronted by the challenge of God's word. 2020-08-1719 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 17: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at the many, many reversals and connections in Jeremiah, chapters 30-32.2020-08-1119 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 17: FaithThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis looks at the invitation we receive in chapter 32 to make a risky investment in an unseen future.Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-08-1123 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 16: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at Jeremiah chapters 24, 25, and 29, and what Jeremiah has to say about the exile that Judah will experience. Then, he discusses what the proper place is for the Church in society. 2020-08-0325 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 14: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop Curtis looks at, among other things, the political machinations on display in Jeremiah, chapters 26-28.2020-07-2018 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 14: PerhapsThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis looks at Jeremiah, Chapter 26, to see what we can learn about the fundamental reason for prophets to exist in the first place. Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-07-2016 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 13: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at the words about false prophets in Jeremiah, chapter 23, God's Cabinet Meetings, and burdensome messages. 2020-07-1313 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 13: ExperienceAfter Meredith's sermon this week, Curtis led us through a practice of imaginative engagement with Jeremiah 27-28. 2020-07-1312 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 12: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop Curtis looks at references to the Torah in Jeremiah chapters 21-22, and dives a little deeper into what it means to say that following Jesus is political. 2020-07-0621 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 12: It's PoliticalThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis gets political, looking at what Jeremiah has to say to the powerful in Jerusalem, in chapter 21-22. Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-07-0520 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 11: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop Curtis looks at pottery, God's sovereignty, fruitfulness, and name-changes in Jeremiah chapters 18-20. 2020-06-2920 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 10: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at some miscellaneous notes from chapters 15-17 of Jeremiah, including a New Exodus, the Sabbath, Jeremiah's exclusion from society, and ancient anatomy. 2020-06-2218 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 10: TrustThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis looks at chapter 17, which asks THE central question of Jeremiah: Where do we put our trust?Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-06-2213 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 9: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis considers God's dirty laundry, the connection between people's sin and creation, and the cost of being a prophet.2020-06-1520 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 8: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks at some of the interesting aspects of Jeremiah chapters 8-11, including the covenant, chaism, and professional mourners.2020-06-0821 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 8: God WeptThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis looks at implications for us of the emotional life of God.Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-06-0717 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 7: The BackdropIn this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis looks more closely at Jeremiah chapter 4, where we find destruction, deception, and the un-doing of creation. But hey, it's not ALL bad! Well...maybe it is...2020-06-0118 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 6: The BackdropIn this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis looks more closely at Jeremiah chapter 7, the theme of 'listening' we find there, and the connections to the final days of Jesus' life, as recorded in Mark's Gospel.2020-05-2513 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 6: Trusting the TempleThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.In this sermon, Curtis considers Jeremiah's message in chapter 7 to a people who were putting more trust in their religious practices than in the God those practices were supposed to point them towards. Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-05-2415 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 5: The BackdropIn this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis looks more closely at Jeremiah chapter 3 and the historical context that clarifies what it means to "return". 2020-05-1821 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 4: The BackdropIn this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis looks more closely at what Jeremiah chapters 2 and 5 say about idolatry and "The Good Life"2020-05-1121 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 4: JusticeThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.This week, Curtis looks at Jeremiah's condemnation of a culture that doesn't allow the vulnerable to "be successful". Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-05-1117 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 3: ResponseCurtis leads us in a practice of Lectio Divina designed to help us experience deeply the reality that God is a fountain of water in a dry land.2020-05-0612 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 2:The BackdropIn this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis explores a little more of the marriage metaphor that is introduced in Jeremiah, chapters 2 and 3. 2020-05-0120 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 2: Intimacy with GodThis week we continue our series working through the book of Jeremiah, seeing what God's words to God's people in exile then might say to God's people in exile today.This week, Meredith and Curtis explore the metaphor of marriage in Jeremiah 2 and 3. What did it mean to the original hearers, what might it mean to us today, and how might we understand some of the more challenging implications of this passage?Find us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] com, connect with us on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail.2020-04-2825 minPomona Valley ChurchFaithful, Week 1: The BackdropIn this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis dives deep into the imagery and historical context of Jeremiah, chapter 1. 2020-04-2125 minPomona Valley ChurchGood News: JusticeThis week we celebrate Palm Sunday, continuing our series looking at the different ways the Bible talks about Jesus as Good News, asking the question "could this still be good news for me, and others around me, today?"In this sermon, Curtis looks at how the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem offers Good News to those who long for Justice. Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org, or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch2020-04-0716 minPomona Valley ChurchGood News: Hope ExperienceThis week, Curtis brings a three-part practice that helps us physically experience the reality of God's hope.2020-03-3113 minPomona Valley ChurchGood News: Peace BringersThis week we continued our series looking at the different ways the Bible talks about Jesus as Good News, asking the question "could this still be good news for me, and others around me, today?"In this sermon, Curtis looks at how Isaiah and Jesus both speak of the coming Good News that the followers of God will be bringers of peace, shalom, holistic well being, into the world around them. Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org, or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch2020-03-2817 minPomona Valley ChurchGood News: Peace ExperienceIn this episode, Curtis leads a practice designed to help us experience the peace of Christ in the midst of anxiety. 2020-03-1910 minPomona Valley ChurchGood News: FamilyThis week we started a new series looking at the different ways the Bible talks about Jesus as Good News, asking the question "could this still be good news for me, and others around me, today?"In this sermon, Curtis looks at Paul's words in Galatians, and how they communicate the good news that we all are welcome in God's family. Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org, or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch2020-03-0622 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Reconciliation PracticesIn this episode, Curtis and Meredith share a few ideas for practices that help us experience our identity as reconciled with God, and a few ideas for how we can join in the ministry of reconciliation.Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch. 2020-02-2214 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Do Justice, Be Holy PracticesIn this episode, Curtis and Meredith share a few ideas for communal practices that help us Do Justice and Be Holy.Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch. 2020-02-2113 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Do Justice, Be HolyThis week, Curtis considers the Bible's interconnected and in-tension commands to Do Justice and Be Holy, and why doing both within a community of Faith matters.Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch. 2020-02-1918 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Celebration and Mourning PracticesCurtis and Meredith share a few ideas for practices of celebration and mourning that might help you build your Rhythm of Life.2020-02-0713 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Openness PracticesCurtis and Meredith share a few ideas for practices of knowing God and knowing the world that might help you build your Rhythm of Life.2020-02-0714 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Engagement and Rest PracticesCurtis and Meredith share a few practices of engagement and rest that might help you build your Rhythm of Life. 2020-02-0714 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding our Rhythm: Engagement and RestThis week, Curtis looks at what Genesis tells us humanity was made to do and be: God's partners in the work of helping all creation to flourish.Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch. 2020-02-0418 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Solitude and Relationship PracticeMeredith and Curtis jump on the pod with some ideas of practices we might try to be more intentional about listening to God in solitude or engaging in and developing meaningful relationships. Follow us [at]PomonaValleyChurch, and get in touch at PomonaValleyChurch [at] gmail [dot] com.2020-01-2416 minPomona Valley ChurchFinding Our Rhythm: Solitude and RelationshipThis week, we asked whether following God is all about relationships, or about meeting with God in solitude. Curtis looked at creation, and the stories of Elijah and David, to say that most of us need more of both. 2020-01-2209 minPomona Valley ChurchIntroduction - Finding Our Rhythm: Un-BalancedSorry we didn't get this out last week!Curtis starts our 2020 series on Rhythm of Life talking about how following Jesus means being both fully a part of the world and fully separate at the same time. 2020-01-1514 minPomona Valley ChurchPrepare Him Room - Hospitality -Christmas 2019This week, Curtis began our look at the Christmas story, considering what it might mean to make room for Jesus by welcoming the stranger, both near and far. Meredith then led us through an exercise to equip us to practice welcome this week.Note: This week we have both the sermon and experience in one podcast.2019-12-1124 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Backdrop - 11/10/19In this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis looks at some of the cultural context in which the story of Jesus eating at the Pharisee's house takes place. Topics include Honor and Shame, the Patronage system, sin as a contagious force, and the worldview of the Pharisees.Resources mentioned in this podcast include:The Gospel of Luke (The New International Commentary on the New Testament Series) by Joel GreenThe New Testament and the People of God by N.T. WrightThe Social World of Luke-Acts edited by Jerome NeyreyBackgrounds of Early...2019-11-1526 minPomona Valley ChurchFoolish Generosity - Sermon 11/10/19This week, Curtis looks at the story from Luke 7 when a woman anoints Jesus' feet while he eats at the house of Simon the Pharisee. Why is she so foolishly generous, and what might that mean for us?Note: it didn't make sense for there to be a separate experience podcast this week, so instead there is a short epilogue to this sermon podcast explaining what we did together on Sunday. 2019-11-1219 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Backdrop - 10/20/19In this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis goes on tangents about condemnation, spiritual practices, and the Kingdom of God.Resources mentioned this episode:Celebration of Discipline by Richard FosterThe Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas WillardSpiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele CalhounThe Life You've Always Wanted by John OrtbergLiturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison WarrenJohn: A Commentary by Marianne Meye ThompsonKingdom Ethics by Glen Stassen and David GusheeThe Next Right Thing Podcast2019-10-2625 minPomona Valley ChurchShaped By The Spirit - Sermon 10/20/19This week Curtis preaches a sermon on John 3, where Jesus encourages us to open ourselves up to God's Spirit, so that we can be shaped, both as individuals and as a church.2019-10-2115 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Backdrop - 10/13/19In this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis talks about when exactly Jesus cleared out the temple, whether we follow culture, more about ancient temple building stories, and other odds and ends that flesh out John 2.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Lost World of Genesis One andAncient Near Eastern and the Old Testament, both by John Walton2019-10-2015 minPomona Valley ChurchJustice in God's House - Sermon 10/13/19In this week's sermon, Curtis looks at the story of Jesus clearing out the temple courts in John 2, asking what it might have to do with our commitment as a church to "do justice".2019-10-1417 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Backdrop - 09/29/19On this week's Backdrop Pod, Curtis takes a look at ten allusions that John makes in 1:35-51, and how understanding them helps flesh out our understanding of the passage. Resources mentioned in this Backdrop Pod:John: A Commentary by Marianne Meye Thompson2019-10-0219 minPomona Valley ChurchWitness - Sermon 9/29/2019As we continue to look at the opening chapters of the book of John, Curtis considers the calling of the first disciples in 1:35-51. John wants us to 'witness' to what we know about Jesus, but what does it mean to be a witness, and what doesn't it?2019-09-3015 minPomona Valley ChurchProximity Changes Everything - 9/22/19 ExperienceCurtis introduces a practice to help us see our neighbors--literal and otherwise. It can equip us to follow Jesus into the world by getting proximate to the people around us the way Jesus gets proximate to us. 2019-09-2305 minPomona Valley ChurchThe Backdrop - 09/15/19In this supplemental pod, Curtis gives some of the background context for John 1:1-9. Topics include the ancient understanding of creation, the culture of Ephesus, and why the Bible has authority in the first place.Let us know what you think at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.Resources mentioned include:John: A Commentary by Marianne Meye ThompsonScripture and the Authority of God by N.T. WrightThe World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts edited...2019-09-2024 minPomona Valley ChurchS2 Ep 6 - KinshipWe talk about kinship, a concept that helps us understand what it means to neighbor well and do justice, two things we want to equip people to do well at Pomona Valley Church. Also, updates on the move to California, and Curtis read an interview with David Bailey about racial reconciliation. Follow us on Instagram at pomonavalleychurch, get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, find show notes and subscribe to the newsletter at meredithannemiller [dot] com. Special thanks to Bible Bounce Houses.2019-06-0817 minPomona Valley ChurchS2 Ep4 - Life with GodIn this episode we give an update on our move to Claremont, and more importantly an update on the Champions League. Our main topic is about equipping people to experience the joy of everyday life with God. Fair warning: there's Latin.Plus, Curtis read about the tyranny of tech efficiency.Get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, follow us on instagram @pomonavalleychurch, find show notes at meredithannemiller [dot] com.Special thanks to UberPriests.2019-05-1413 minPomona Valley ChurchS2 Ep2 - Running Toward the WorldThis episode we talk about the consistent outward focus of the Bible. God's people are called to move toward the world, bringing reconciliation with them. Also in this episode, Meredith gives us an update on the house hunt, and Curtis read an interview about raising boys.Get in touch with us at PomonaValleyChurch [at] gmail [dot] com. Find show notes at MeredithAnneMiller [dot] com. Follow us on Instagram @pomonavalleychurch.Special thanks to PastorStylez.2019-04-3015 minPomona Valley ChurchEaster Week Devotionals: SaturdayIt's Easter week, and we decided to do a series of short devotionals to celebrate! Each day this week we will post a 5-ish minute reflection on a part of the Easter week story. We hope you find them meaningful, and a helpful starting point for some intentional reflection about what it means to follow Jesus into the world this Easter. (We'd encourage you to listen to these one per day, even if you're coming to them late, as opposed to binging them all at once, but it's your call)Today, Curtis reflects on...2019-04-2004 minPomona Valley ChurchEaster Week Devotionals: Good FridayIt's Easter week, and we decided to do a series of short devotionals to celebrate! Each day this week we will post a 5-ish minute reflection on a part of the Easter week story. We hope you find them meaningful, and a helpful starting point for some intentional reflection about what it means to follow Jesus into the world this Easter. (We'd encourage you to listen to these one per day, even if you're coming to them late, as opposed to binging them all at once, but it's your call)Today, Curtis reflects on...2019-04-1904 minPomona Valley ChurchEaster Week Devotionals: WednesdayIt's Easter week, and we decided to do a series of short devotionals to celebrate! Each day this week we will post a 5-ish minute reflection on a part of the Easter week story. We hope you find them meaningful, and a helpful starting point for some intentional reflection about what it means to follow Jesus into the world this Easter. (We'd encourage you to listen to these one per day, even if you're coming to them late, as opposed to binging them all at once, but it's your call)Today, Curtis talks ab...2019-04-1705 minPomona Valley ChurchEaster Week Devotionals: TuesdayIt's Easter week, and we decided to do a series of short devotionals to celebrate! Each day this week we will post a 5-ish minute reflection on a part of the Easter week story. We hope you find them meaningful, and a helpful starting point for some intentional reflection about what it means to follow Jesus into the world this Easter. (We'd encourage you to listen to these one per day, even if you're coming to them late, as opposed to binging them all at once, but it's your call)Today, Curtis reflects on...2019-04-1606 minPomona Valley ChurchS1 Ep10 - Values: DiversityNote: This is an updated version of Episode 10 based on some great feedback we got from friends around the country.We wanted to devote a whole episode to our final value, diversity, both because it is, in some ways, the most controversial of our values and also because it's the one that most benefits from a more thorough, nuanced discussion. We talk about our commitment to diversity in race, culture, gender, and sexual orientation in particular. There is also a decidedly more somber installment of "What Curtis Read This Week".Find sh...2019-03-0220 minPomona Valley ChurchS1 Ep8 - Neighboring and JusticeWe extend the conversation from episode 05 to talk about how we hope Pomona Valley Church will relate to those outside our church community.What does it mean to neighbor well and do justice? We tell some stories of how others have been good neighbors to us, give a framework for how we will equip one another to do this in our everyday lives, and talk about what it means to be engaged in doing justice in the world around us.There's also the next installment of "What Curtis Read This Week", in which C...2019-02-2221 minPomona Valley ChurchS1 Ep5 - One AnotheringIn which we unpack what it means to live the one anothers in a community.We share some stories of how we've experienced communities that do this well, by holding babies, cleaning up, setting us straight, and eating together.There is also the triumphant return of "What Curtis Read This Week", back by popular(?) demand.Find show notes at meredithannemiller [dot] com.Get in touch at pomonavalleychurch [at] gmail [dot] com2019-02-1316 min