FPC Podcast

Literary Roundtable: Earth and Ecology

April 18, 2024

Our hosts Gregory Glover and Joey Grisham discuss earth and ecology in "A Children's Bible" by Lydia Millet and "Farming: A Hand Book" by Wendell Berry.

Faith Focus: "Children in Foster Care: A Christian Perspective" by Dr. Quentin Humberd

April 17, 2024 • Quentin Humberd

Dr. Quentin Humberd speaks on mental health challenges, foster care, and how we can help children in Clarksville.

Faith Focus: "A Diversity of Truths" by Susan Steen

April 10, 2024 • Susan Steen • Romans 14:13, 1 Corinthians 13:2, Micah 6:8

In "A Diversity of Truths," local Clarksville author Susan Steen explores the vastness of human experience and how we can be more compassionate listeners. Practicing Our Faith Exercise: In the week ahead, make it a goal to engage in at least one meaningful conversation, even if just 10 minutes, with someone who holds a different perspective than you do on a topic of shared interest. Approach the conversation with an open heart and mind, making your goal to understand rather than be understood.

Faith Focus: “Human Flourishing: Communing with God in Creation” by Clifford Syner

April 3, 2024 • Clifford Syner • Genesis 1:28, Colossians 3:1–4

Listen to “Human Flourishing: Communing with God in Creation” by local Anglican priest, paramedic, and non-profit clinic founder Clifford Syner. Practicing Our Faith Exercise: This week, mindfully become aware of God’s loving presence as you prepare and eat each meal. Consider how the process can draw you closer to God–perhaps by slowing down to appreciate all of creation, choosing healthier ingredients for your body, or sharing a nutritious meal with loved ones.

Literary Roundtable: Memoir and Truth

March 21, 2024 • Joey Grisham, Greg Glover

Greg Glover and Joey Grisham lead a discussion about memoir and truth in "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi and "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri.

Faith Focus: “Positive Psychology and Faith: Discovering the Key to Happiness” by Stephani Cook

March 20, 2024 • Stephani Cook • Matthew 6:9–13, Matthew 22:37–40, Galatians 5:17, Joshua 24:15

School psychologist, founder of On Purpose Coaching, and author Stephani Cook illuminates how we can deepen our relationships and prevent creating distance with people we care about, all from the perspective of positive psychology and Christian faith. Practicing Our Faith Exercise: Consider one of the activities below to help you with gratitude this week. 1. Look for the good in each day and write it down. 2. Write a letter to someone who has made a difference in your life. 3. Complete intentional random acts of kindness. 4. Send an encouraging or complimentary text to someone first thing each morning. 5. Keep a prayer and/or gratitude journal.

Faith Focus: “God Moments: Embracing the World through a Lens of Love” by Tyler Nolting

February 28, 2024 • Tyler Nolting • John 15:12–17, Romans 13:8–10, Luke 10:25–37, Colossians 3:12–17

APSU professor and FPC member Tyler Nolting shares about leaving one’s comfort zone, embracing diverse peoples, and staying cognizant of God’s presence in ordinary and extraordinary moments. Looking at life through a Christ-like lens of love provides more possibilities to uplift others and develop deeper, more loving relationships. The Practicing Our Faith Exercise: By the end of the week, demonstrate at least one Christ-like act of love to someone of a different language and/or culture.

Faith Focus: "Faith in the Digital Age" by Jenny Harris

March 13, 2024 • Jenn • James 1:5, Philippians 4:8–9

This presentation encourages bridging the gap between faith and the digital world, fostering a community that is not only aware of the challenges but also equipped to address them with love, wisdom, and action. Our speaker, Jenny Harris, is the Assessment and Information Literacy Librarian and Associate Professor at APSU as well as library liaison to African American studies, education, and women’s and gender studies. Practicing Our Faith Exercise: Think about one specific online interaction or platform you engage with regularly. It could be social media, news websites, search engines, or any other digital space. Consider how your digital interactions impact your faith and your view of others. How can we apply our faith to navigate the digital world with integrity?

Literary Roundtable: Race and Passing

February 15, 2024 • Joey Grisham, Greg Glover

Our hosts Greg Glover and Joey Grisham lead a discussion about race and passing in the books "Vanishing Half" and "Antiracist Baby."

Faith Focus: "Experiencing God, the Wilderness" by Blake Tindle

February 21, 2024

Army flight paramedic and member of our congregation Blake Tindle talks about how and where you can experience God. For him, that's the wilderness. Practicing Our Faith Exercise: Open your eyes to experiences with God you may not have noticed before. At least one time this week, go to your place and spend some time experiencing God in your way.

Faith Focus: "A Spiritual Solution to a Physical Problem" by Matt Shaw

January 31, 2024 • Matt Shaw • James 2:26

Matt Shaw discusses the methodology behind Alcoholics Anonymous and how its principles can help anyone heal from selfishness and fear. This week's Practicing our Faith Exercise: The foreword to the Big Book suggests that "And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all." This week, try this prayerful exercise suggested for alcoholics: "Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code."

Faith Focus: "Joy, Play, and Gratitude" with Hannah Cruse

January 24, 2024 • Hannah Cruse • Psalm 150, Philippians 4:6–7, Ecclesiastes 8:15

Hannah Cruse talks about how playfulness as adults can lead us to appreciate the present moment more and find our joy in the Lord. Practicing Our Faith Exercise: Carve out at least 30 mins this week to do something playful–an activity with no expectations or motivations other than personal enjoyment! Even better, involve someone you love in a place that brings you joy.

Literary Roundtable: Choice and Consequence in "This Time Tomorrow" & "Dead Men's Path"

Greg Glover, Joey Grisham

Our hosts Greg Glover and Joey Grisham lead a discussion about choice and consequences and time travel in "This Time Tomorrow" (Emma Straub) and "Dead Men's Path" (Chinua Achebe, Girls at War and Other Stories).

Faith Focus: "Communicating with Different Personality Types" by Mary Johnson

December 6, 2023 • Mary Johnson • Genesis 11:6–9, Ephesians 4:15–16

FPC member and social worker Mary Johnson speaks about the Enneagram personality types, communication styles, and how to work with people better. POF Exercise: Take the enneagram test online (https://personalitypath.com/free-enneagram-personality-test). Are you surprised by the results? Reflect on your weaknesses when trying to communicate with others. This week, try a new approach while interacting with someone you struggle with in the workplace or community.

Faith Focus: "Setting Meaningful Resolutions with Silence and Creativity" by Joey Grisham

January 10, 2024 • Joey Grisham • Ecclesiastes 3:1–7, Psalm 37:4

APSU Prof. and FPC member Joanna Grisham leads us in a creative writing exercise partly inspired by poet CAConrad’s "Equinox Eve, Silent Meeting Group" to help us develop New Year's Resolutions. Exercise: Come up with at least one New Year’s resolution that will bring you closer to God, your neighbors, your friends, your church, or your community. (Examples may include starting a gratitude journal, sitting in silence with God for 10 mins a day, giving a compliment to someone every day, reducing social media usage, volunteering with an organization, doing one random act of kindness every week, making a meal for a neighbor, participating in a new church activity, etc.)

First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville, TN

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