The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

(A revisit from July 19, 2024)

Text for discussion:  Luke 14.  

Jesus was constantly being scrutinized by the Pharisees.  For us, following Him will not be easy.  It may put us at odds with family and friends.  It may mean persecution.  Being salt is not easy.  What does this mean?  

 

The hymn: Savior Again, To Thy Dear Name we Raise

(A revisit from January 12, 2024)

Text for discussion: Luke 13

God does not will that tragedies happen, they are a result of life in the Fallen world where God's rain falls on the just and the unjust.  In this world, the safety nets are taken down, though in certain instances God will intervene.  In Luke 13, Jesus speaks of two tragedies, and what they mean.  

Hymn: The Day Thou Gavest (public domain hymn).

(A revisit from January 5, 2024)

Text for discussion: Luke 12.  

The world can be a rat race.  We may live our lives caught in a constant cycle of doing: of eating, sleeping, working, and repeating the cycle day after day.  Yet, it is God who provides for us, and Jesus urges us to look to higher things, keeping our eyes on the God who not only provides, but is preparing a place for us in His Kingdom.  

The hymn:  The People that In Darkness Sat.  

The painting: The Last Judgement, by Rogier van Der. Weyden.  1445-1450.  (public domain).  

(A revisit from November 17, 2023)

Text for discussion: Luke 11. 

The way of operating in the world is different from the kingdom to come.  

In the world we see the pain and perils of Fallenness, the brokenness of society.  In this dark and difficult situation, God hears our prayers, and answers them, and when this life is over, promises to bring us to Himself.  

This week’s hymns: 

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

(A revisit from November 10, 2023)

Text for discussion: Luke 10.

There are many paradoxes to the way God operates in this world.  The rich and powerful will struggle to see God’s Work in this world, and indeed may willfully disobey it.  They may succeed on this earth, but eternity is a different thing than earthly success.  It is the meek, the innocent, the poor in spirit for whom God’s Kingdom and ways will most clearly come into focus.  When we set aside worldly attitudes, different priorities come into focus.

 

Hymn: My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker (Public domain hymn).

Image: Christ in the House of Martha and Mary (Johannes Vermeer, 1654, public domain).

 

(A revisit from November 3, 2023)

Text for discussion: Luke 9.  

God will no longer tolerate the power of Fallenness over His creation.  His Son brings with Him the Kingdom and will break the power of sin, death and the devil . . . .

Painting: Karl Bloch - The Transfiguration of Jesus.  (Public domain.)

Hymn: For All the Saints.  (Public domain hymn).  

(A revisit from October 27, 2023) 

Text for discussion: Luke 8.  

Happy week of the Lutheran Reformation! 

Luke 8 covers the Parable of the Sower, a powerful parable, but powerful events also ensue.  Jesus calms the storm, frees a man of a "legion" of demons, and He raises a child from the dead.  Who is this who calms the storm, who the demons must obey, and even death itself must yield?  This Jesus is none other than God Himself, clothed in human flesh . . . .  

The hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God 

The picture: by Rembrandt.  1633. "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee."

(A revisit from October 13, 2023) 

Luke 7.  

Jesus heals a centurion's servant in Capernaum, raises a young man at Nain, and makes waves felt in Judea.  

His mercy and forgiveness abounds.  

The hymn: We Praise you O God.  Public domain.

The image: Palma il Giovane, "Penitent Woman Anointing the Feet of Christ at the Table of Simon the Pharisee."  Late Renaissance.  Public domain.  

(a revisit from September 8, 2023) 

Text for discussion: Luke 6

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, and in Him we build a firm foundation for our lives.  

 

Hymn: Built on the Rock

Image: Sheaf of Grain, Franz Marc, 1907.  Public domain.  

 

To the Savior (INRI) 

Just wanted to share a song that I wrote and recorded.  It is called "To the Savior. (INRI)." It is a paraphrasing and retelling of events in the Gospels.  

Music by Chris Truelsen (Copyright 2026) 

with lyrics based on Scripture. 

Painting: Christ in the Storm by Rembrandt.  (public domain).