Burden and Blessing Podcast
Episodes
Thursday May 25, 2017
Review - Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels by Jaroslav Vajda
Thursday May 25, 2017
Thursday May 25, 2017
As we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus today, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers review and discuss the modern Ascension Day hymn, "Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels" (Hymn 737 in "Worship Supplement 2000"). The author of this hymn was a 20th Century Lutheran Hymn writer who is probably best known for writing "Go My Children with My Blessing" (Hymn 800 in "Worship Supplement 2000"). This hymn depicts the ascension of Jesus after completing the work of salvation for sinners and highlights beautifully the nature of Christ as true Man and as our acceptable sacrifice before God. It also brings out the Holy Spirit's work of Sanctification in our lives today as we await the return of our ascended Savior and look forward to the day when we will be with our Triune God for eternity.
Friday Apr 14, 2017
REVIEW: Batman vs. Superman Movie (Good Friday?)
Friday Apr 14, 2017
Friday Apr 14, 2017
On Good Friday in 2016, the movie Batman vs Superman was released and made quite a stir among Christians. Why was this movie released on Good Friday? Tune in to hear Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Mark Tiefel discuss both the obvious and subtle religious and Christian themes throughout this movie. In the epic battle between good and evil, who makes the decisions about what is morally right and wrong? Are both characters presented to be of a Messianic type nature? What philisophical truths are being made in this film? Should the Christian even watch it? These are some of the questions that are tackled in this episode as we review the challenges the Christian faces with modern day messages in movies and medias today.
Friday Mar 24, 2017
Review - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts
Friday Mar 24, 2017
Friday Mar 24, 2017
In our Review segment this week, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers look at another Lenten Hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" by Isaac Watts. This hymn (number 175 in The Lutheran Hymnal) was composed in English by the prolific hymnwriter, Isaac Watts, who wrote over 700 other hymns, some of which are found in our hymnal and other hymnals. Watts had a natural talent for meter and rhyme at a very early age, and put it to work in pointing people to his Savior. This hymn is rich in Biblical pictures and based largely on Paul's words in Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." He points sinners to the cross of Jesus which is the means of our salvation, and our only hope in this world of sin. We are reminded of the danger of our pride and posessions which we are tempted to value above Christ and His cross. In the final verse, after we have viewed the gift of God's salvation in Christ's sacrifice for us, we are motivated to respond by giving our life to Christ and in His service. We give thanks to God for the salvation He has won for us in Christ and the forgiveness of our sins.
Friday Mar 10, 2017
Review - A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth by Paul Gerhardt
Friday Mar 10, 2017
Friday Mar 10, 2017
In our Review segment this week, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers dig into the Lenten Hymn, "A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth" by Paul Gerhardt. This hymn (number 142 in The Lutheran Hymnal) was written by Paul Gerhardt, who was a faithful Lutheran pastor in Germany who lived about 100 years after Martin Luther. In this hymn Gerhardt wonderfully depicts the purpose of Christ's suffering and death, His willingness to carry out mankind's salvation, and the great cost which He paid to accomplish it. He also describes the resulting effect of Christ's atonement for sin in the life of the Christian, both now and in eternity. He describes how the Christian, in view of the Savior's sacrifice for us, offers his life as a sacrifice for Christ. Because of Jesus' redemption, we need not fear death or the Devil, but confidently trust in our Savior, who comforts us in our earthly afflictions. We also look forward to the joy of eternal life which is ours, by faith, because Jesus has purchased our release from sin and death. What a rich spiritual heritage we have in such Scriptural Lutheran hymns as this!
Friday Jan 20, 2017
Review - "God is on the move" by 7eventh Time Down
Friday Jan 20, 2017
Friday Jan 20, 2017
In this music review episode Pastors Neal Radichel and Mark Tiefel discuss and review 7eventh Time Down's new song, "God is on the Move." They will be using their ABC's: Is it Appropriate? Is it Biblical? and Does it Direct us to Christ? This song is very popular in Contemporary Christian Music and has been in the top 10. Listen to the song and their evaluation and learn how to apply the ABC's to music you listen to as well.
Friday Dec 30, 2016
Review - Already Gone by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer
Friday Dec 30, 2016
Friday Dec 30, 2016
In this episode Pastors Neal Radichel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and review Ken Ham and Britt Beemer's book, "Already Gone." This book looks at statistics which show why less people are going to church and give some solutions to this epidemic in the Church. He points out how churches in Europe have closed at an astounding rate, and this is carrying over into America. Surveys reveal why people aren't going to church. For example: Boring services, chruch is too legalistic, too political, hypocrisy in the church, too far to go; not relevant; etc. But the problem is that the culture has infiltrated the church and undermined the truth of God's Word and the church has stopped being the church. What is the solution? First, the church needs to reteach and emphasize the authority of God's Word. We see this in the creation account and the rejection of God's desire for marriage, in the truth of the resurrection and the conception of Jesus. Once you start down the road of rejection of God's Word, there is a very dark end. Our purpose is to preach the Gospel which changes hearts. God's Word, His Law and His Gospel is always relevant in our world, because it is what we need to hear. The responsibilty for this lies first and foremost with PARENTS and not with the church! The solution starts with the Word of God in the home and supported by the church. This book is a must read for parents and church leaders alike to help see the problem in our society and in our homes and as an encouragement to be faithful in our use and proclamation of God's Word of Truth to the next generation.
Friday Dec 09, 2016
Review - The Spirituality of the Cross by Gene Veith
Friday Dec 09, 2016
Friday Dec 09, 2016
In this episode Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and review Gene Veith's book, "The Spirituality of the Cross." Veith presents the truth of how Christianity differs from the religions of the world, and how Lutheranism emphasizes the truths of God's Word better than other Christian denominations. Veith writes about the doctrines that separate Christianity from false religions and what distinguishes Lutheranism from the rest: Justification, the Means of Grace, the Theology of the Cross, Vocation, and the Two Kingdoms. Veith warns of moralism (earning salvation by your works), speculation (earning salvation through knowledge) and mysticism (gaining salvation through emotion). God works outside of sinners in the person of Christ to accomplish salvation for sinners. This book is a must read for those who are searching for the truth of God's salvation, or who would like to grow in their understanding of God's work of salvation.
Wednesday Oct 19, 2016
Review - Trust in You by Lauren Daigle
Wednesday Oct 19, 2016
Wednesday Oct 19, 2016
In this episode Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Neal Radichel discuss and
review Lauren Daigle's new song, "Trust in You." They will also offer a
framework that listeners can use to analyze music they listen to at
home. It's called the ABC's. Is it Appropriate? Is it Biblical? and Does
it Direct us to Christ? Listen to their evaluation of this song which
is popular on Christian Radio today.
Friday Sep 30, 2016
Review - The Defense Never Rests by Craig Parton
Friday Sep 30, 2016
Friday Sep 30, 2016
In this episode Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and
review Craig Parton's book, "The Defense Never Rests." This book is
apologetic in nature, meaning that it is a defense of the Christian
faith. In this book Parton discusses the importance of the Biblical teachings of the Law and the Gospel, the need to emphasize God's teaching of sin, and the importance of the true teaching of the Sacraments. He says that while these teachings are lost in modern evangelicalism, they are found and clearly taught in true Lutheranism. This is a valuable read for any Christian who is looking for the truth of God's Word.
Wednesday Sep 14, 2016
Review - Breathe by Jonny Diaz
Wednesday Sep 14, 2016
Wednesday Sep 14, 2016
In this episode Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Neal Radichel discuss and
review Jonny Diaz's new song, "Breathe." They will also offer a framework that listeners can use to analyze music they listen to at home. It's call the ABC's. Is it Appropriate; Is it Biblical; and Does it Direct us to Christ. Listen to their evaluation of this song which is popular on Christian Radio today.