Pondering Passages Podcast

Pondering Passages begins a new season diving into the first book of the Bible, Genesis. This week's episode is an introduction of our game plan and the approach we'll take in the coming days, weeks, weeks and months.

Like a Hallmark Movie, our hero finds themself in a rough spot: "...even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way."

That's a hard place to live! So what do you do when you find yourself in that same situation? Where do you turn?

Join us for the conversation during this week's episode of Pondering Passages, The Podcast!

Download. Listen. Live it. Repeat!

Some might sum up their spiritual journey with one verse from Psalm 30: “Nothing can stop me now!”

But what when things aren't exactly going your way? What do you say then? Where does your faith reside then?

Join us for the conversation. Download. Listen. Learn. Live. Repeat!

Listen, Learn, Live, Repeat.

Psalm 29 is a wonderful way to start the new year! Download this episode and take us along for the conversation. You won't regret it!

This beautiful Psalm is short and powerful. We pay special attention to the use of the Hand imagery and how this helps shape our own formation. 

Download the episode, take it along for a listen, and tell us what you think!

A beautiful passage that speaks to so many difficult situations and God's amazing grace through it all!

This is a relatable Psalm that can bring confidence to you.

Take us along. Listen, Live, Repeat!

Join us as we ponder Psalm 26! Read. Live. Repeat!!

In this episode, Curt and David take a closer look at Psalm 25.

Curt and David take a look at Psalm 24. Who will receive a blessing from the Lord? Why not join them as they ponder?

Psalm 20 is a powerful statement of God's awesome might and our need to worship only him!

We end the podcast with two important questions and we need your feedback: 

1) Should we do a casual Friday?

2) How should we handle Psalm 119? It's LONG and we'd never be able to do it in 20 minutes. Should we break it up into smaller sections, complete the entire Psalm in one 4-hour live-stream, or only focus on one or two sections and leave the rest untouched?

We would love your input.

Hidden Sins? Protect us from our known sinful patterns? God is there for it all!  

Join Curt and David as they talk about this powerful Psalm and how it can help in the formation of your own journey with God.

52 verses of excellence! Join David and Curt as they discuss the formative questions that arise from this beautiful song in the Old Testament.

Psalm 17 reminds us that seeing the face of God is enough! It is that view that satisfies!

Join the conversation as we dig deeper into this wonderful passage.

7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

Those words only begin the amazing discussion about this beautiful psalm. Join us as we discuss this wonderful passage.

Listen along to Curt and David as they discover wonderful truths about Psalm 14.

This episode covers Psalm 13 and gives an opportunity review this powerfully written Psalm. It is the ideal Psalm that offers a cry for help, an outline of the problem and a trust that God will answer.

Join us for the conversation!

You know it's tough when you're crying for help and asking God to cut off the lying lips of those who are your enemy. But what if you are just as guilty of those lies and deceit?

Join David and Curt as they think about the truth that the righteous may not vanish but might join the camp of those who lie.

Psalm 11 reminds us that God watches everyone on earth - the good and the bad. The good news is that the righteous will see God. The virtuous will see his face.

Curt and David ponder this truth and what it means for our lives, day to day.

Join the conversation!

Live on location in Flagstaff, Arizona, Curt and David record their first episode face-to-face! Technical difficulties mean that the audio came from their cell phone but Curt couldn't convince David to shoot the episode again!

Despite the struggle, the Psalm speaks volumes of the writer's anger against his enemies and reaffirms that God knows the plight of those who are helpless. If you're feeling powerless in the face of an uncertain world, this Psalm's for you.

Join the conversation!

Even during the hardest of times, you can still sing praises to God. You can still celebrate his power and grace. This Psalm is a wonderful example of the truth for our lives, just as it was for David's.

Join Curt and David as they reflect on this beautiful passage and how it applies to our own lives.

Our special guest this week is Quincy Bergman, pastor at The Meeting House www.themeetinghouse.com   

Quincy and Curt discuss "right sizing" in the context of the Psalmists words in Psalm 8. Are we kings and queens or are we zoo keepers? What does seeing the mountain look like when we view it for the first time? What does it mean to have your newborn wrap their hand around your finger? What is the truth behind this amazing Psalm: Are we to dominate or serve?  

Join us for the conversation!

Curt is joined by Shane Bennett as they discuss Psalm 7. It's an interesting conversation about what Justice might look like if you are living in middle America or in Ukraine or Israel. 

There's also a conversation about an age-old video game familiar to some of you: Intellivision! 

What is it like to live in grief? What is it like to drench our beds with tears? It is a terrible place to live. Looking to the future is very hard when you are mired down in a place where your eyes are blurred by grief.

Let's talk about that in this week's episode.

What a blessing this week's conversation is to Curt and David. How can you go wrong with a Psalm that cries out to God and ends with the promise that we are surrounded by a shield of God's love!

Download the episode and enjoy it today!

This week's episode has an interesting discussion about the them of laying down and waking up and the importance about offering sacrifices in the right spirit. If you've been struggling with finding peace, this episode might be for you!

Download the episode and take it along!

How wonderful to know we can lay down and sleep but awake in safety. Curt and David discuss Psalm 3 and gain some interesting insights along the way. Download the Podcast and take us along!

What joy to all those who take refuge in God! In this week's discussion, Curt and David ponder Psalm 2 and learn a little more about what it means to fear and honor God. Download the episode today and take it along!

What a beautiful Psalm with lovely imagery and a wonderful challenge to the reader. Join us as we take these words and apply them to life, enjoying a formational approach to the passage. 

And we end with a couple GREAT dad jokes, compliments of Alexa and Google.

We come to the end of the Psalms but certainly not the end of the discussion! Get out your favorite instrument, download the podcast and play along! We're praising God with everything we have. Join us for this week's episode.

We have a story of a cussing parrot and a fantastic conversation about empathy and love for those who are going through hard times. Download this week's podcast and take us along!

Curt and David celebrate beautiful Psalm 72. It's a passage about a king's blessing and the people's benefit of celebrating his rule. It isn't just for the people of Israel, but also our own hope! 

Download and enjoy the conversation!

On this week's episode, Curt and David discuss Psalm 71 and how these words help form our lives. Download the episode and take us along on your next walk or drive!

https://www.ponderingpassages.com

Of all the Psalms to introduce Allister Mad-Eye to our listeners, this is the one! David's grand-dog joins us for the conversation about all God's creation praising Him! How perfect for Allister to be a part of the conversation. Download the podcast and join the discussion, too!

https://www.ponderingpassages.com

As we dive into Psalm 70 together, we are reminded of the call to God for our assistance. In the psalmist's words, "May we all search for you."

Our very first episode of Pondering Passages began in Psalm 69. We didn't have fancy microphones or good lighting. We started with an idea and a dream. Curt and David cover Psalm 69 as they kick off what was to become an international sensation with more than a dozen listeners from around the globe! Download this week's conversation and join us as we ponder!

Curt and David explore a rating scale for Psalms and together we agree that Psalm 147 ranks 10 Harps! A beautiful psalm that leads us to into singing a new song! Download and take the conversation along with you!

Psalm 146 has an interesting challenge for us all: How will you use your last breath? Let's talk about it.

Perhaps one of the more beautiful Psalms in the entire Psalter, this passage gives us a LOT to think about. Join Curt & David as they think about what this passage means to them.

Also, stick around for the end. Curt's got a great joke about a 3-legged pig.

Join Curt & David as they ponder the wonderful Psalm 145. It's a great time to ponder God's goodness.

If for no other reason, listen to this episode for the first 45 seconds. But once you get in, you can join the full conversation of Psalm 144, where we review this Psalm of David and the power of God's mighty hand.

Psalm 143 is a beautiful Psalm that is perfect for meditation and mindfulness. Join Curt & Dave as they consider this Psalm and all it offers to our spiritual journey in discovering God.

Curt Austin & David Mullens ponder Psalm 142 in today's episode. This wonderful Psalm spoke to our hearts and lives and gave us hope as we think about God's presence...all we really want in life.

Curt & Dave reflect on the meaning of the last Psalm in the group considered "Psalms of Ascent". 

Do you take time to calm yourself? Do you find peace in your day? The Psalmist challenges us to think less about the mysteries of the world and more about God's graciousness. Join Curt & Dave as they dive into this short and wonderful passage.

The Israelite people understood hardship. It became part of their story. Let's be honest, it's also part of our story. We have difficult days and there are times when the world seems against us. But the Psalmist knew that God's strength was greater than anyone who persecuted them. Let's take a few moments to think about this passage and what it might mean for us, for our lives, for our trust in God.