Shepherd Of The Desert Podcast

Have you ever struggled to dive into God's Word? Maybe you've tried every reading plan on the internet and you still can't seem to get into the groove of studying Scripture. You're certainly not alone. As we look at the second keystone habit in the Being Challenge - Study Scripture - we discover that being in the Word means so much more than simply following an obligatory reading plan or posting Bible verse memes on social media. Studying Scripture means finding our story in THE story - the greatest story ever told. When we dig into God's Word, we learn more about who God is and what he set out to accomplish through his Son, Jesus. And as we learn more about Jesus, in turn we learn more about who God has created us to be on this earth. #shepherdazonline #beingchallenge

Jesus prized being with people.  And it wasn't just him being a Middle Eastern extrovert!  Jesus knew that his human life on earth needed to have other human beings in it.  Companions of faith that like him looked to His, their, heavenly Father.  This weekend, Pastor Scott along with the rest of Shepherd's ministry team plumbs the depths of Christian community and invites from our Shepherd family a greater commitment to it.  Nearly a dozen small group communities are walking through this Being Challenge together.  There are still opportunities to lay a strong foundation--for faith and for the forward progress of this worship series. #shepherdazonline

We hope you have gotten a chance to order your books, sign-up for a small group or even volunteer to lead one! Check out some helpful hints we have outlined for you below.Here’s what you need to do to say “yes” to this challenge that will change and grow you, your family and our church:Take the provided assessment to make the most of your Being Challenge journey.Worship every week online or in-person and learn from the sermons. Get the “BEING CHALLENGE” book and start your 40-day journey toward being more like Jesus.Register for a 6-week, staff-led small group or start one on your own. Small groups are a critical source of strength for discovering these new disciplines and habits that help us become more like Jesus.Access the additional videos and other resources for bonus material to spur you on to greater success in this Being Challenge adventure.We are so ready to take on this challenge with you. Let's go! #shepherdazonline #beingchallenge

This weekend, Pastor Scott get us ready for next week and the Being Challenge.  For now, we dig into Matthew Chapter 7, versus 24-27, and learn how important it is to do something, not just be something, but always with the blessing of Jesus Christ.  #shepherdazonline #beingchallenge #redletterchallenge

Work -- do you see it as a blessing or a curse? What does the Bible say about work? Did God intend for people to labor, or is labor a part of God’s curse on humanity? This Labor Day Weekend, what is your personal view of labor? Pastor Alan Rosnau explores a Biblical view of work under the theme: “Take This Job and Love It.” #shepherdazonline

All good things must come to an end.  On the one hand, our August study of the Book of Revelation concludes this weekend.  On the other hand, God's gracious plans for history and humanity will end as well.  Revelation concludes with a final vision of victory for God and his people.  This last chapter also places on us a final call to continue in persevering hope and faith with the full confidence that rest will come at last to souls wearied by sin in all its wicked glory.  As Summer 2020 comes to a close, come and rest once more in Revelation. #shepherdazonline

In our second-last week of our Strange Things: Rest for the Soul in Revelation worship series Pastor Scott ushers us into the Rest of the Reward we find in Revelation 19-21.  Over three weeks we've heard the invitation for weary Christians to rest in the vision of God's authority, to rest in the correction and affirmation of God's judgment, and to rest in the glorious vision of the Lamb who sits on heaven's throne and receives earth's praise.  Now we get a taste of the goodness that is in store for us who have persevered.  After slogging through sin and enduring evil, there is a reward that comes to God's people.  Take some time to re-read Revelation this week and especially chapters 19-21. #shepherdazonline

This week we learn a new song by way of an old text:  Revelations 4 and 5 are filled with songs of the end times...and we'll learn not just to sing them but to see how they magnify the Lamb that sits on Heaven's throne. #shepherdazonline

There are hundreds of thousands of churches following Jesus throughout the world.  Probably millions.  Some of are faithful to the call of Christ.  Some, not so much.  This weekend we are given VIP access to seven churches that found themselves at various points between faithful- and faithless-ness.  As Shepherd enters its second week of studying the book of Revelation, Pastor Scott helps us navigate the demands God makes of his church with the rest-giving mercy of Jesus that covers over a multitude of their congregational sins.  Plan on tuning in and turning out a more faithful kind of Christianity as we study Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

Usually strange times make for restless, unsettled souls.  In the case of the New Testament book of Revelation, strange things are meant to bring rest.  This unexpected and blessed rest is so important for Christians who daily stare down the wickedness in both soul and circumstance that mars God's beautiful creation.  In our August worship series, Strange Things: Finding Rest for the Soul in Revelation, Pastor Scott helps settle us into the strange but life-giving visions of the Bible's final book, from its very first chapter which does not delay our meeting the strange vision of the Son of God who will lead us through the rest of its pages.#shepherdazonline

Okay, so the relationship is strained.  Someone acted badly.  Someone stepped away.  Someone is resentful.  When relationships are shattered, what hope is there for healing?  How do the broken pieces get put back together?  And what about when the relationship is between you and God, and you're the one who stepped away?  #shepherdazonlineCLUES:  REturn, REceive, and REjoice

Did you know that if a sheep flips over on its back it will die unless someone sets it back on its feet?  In what ways are you feeling "upside-down?"  In need of REscue?  Is it time to make a spiritual 9-1-1 call?  True REscue is right around the corner.  #shepherdazonlineCLUES:  REstore, REvive, REdirect

Are you stuck?  Stuck in old habits, old tired patterns of behavior that leave you feeling lifeless, worthless, hopeless?  Are you ready for real change?  Is it time for REnewal?  Good News!  God can make it happen, and He wants to!  How?   #shepherdazonlineCLUES:  REalize, REfresh, and REcreate

Week 1 | Rest  #shepherdazonlineWe all recognize the need for rest.  We have a pretty good idea of how to rest the body and the mind.  But how does one find rest for the soul?  CLUES:  REmember, REmain, and RElyAfter over three months of upset and unrest, we could all use some R & R, don’t you think?  In our July worship series, Pastors Alan Rosnau and Scott Seidler, in the footsteps of The Good Shepherd, will “lead us beside still waters in order to REstore our souls.”  Over these four weekends we’ll REturn to some familiar themes of God’s grace toward us:  REST, RENEWAL, RESCUE and RECONCILIATION.  Who couldn’t use a bit of a REfresher on any and all of these?  Set yourself a REminder to tune in each Sunday for what will be a welcome REspite from the heat of this 2020 summer.  #shepherdazonline

America affords us the greatest blessings a country can provide. It’s easy to love America along with all the many blessings that America contains. We love many things, to be sure. Our families, the 'dream', apple pie, a sports team. Loving is not the problem. The key question is, “What do we love most.” This weekend, Pastor Scott challenges us to be ready to hold softly the love of our country’s culture in favor of the greater call to love God above all things. Are you ready to enter the gap between heaven and earth? That’s where we are going this weekend in worship. #shepherdazonline

In this latest installment of our Shepard podcast, Pastor Scott Seidler talks about mission, ministry, and the future of the church with Reverend Dr. Jerry Kieschnick, former president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and currently the Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Deo, an organization that channels financial generosity into the next season of gospel ministry. #shepherdazonline

This weekend in worship, Pastor Scott introduces us to the question which should be on the lips of every Christian.  As we re-open Christianity after this shelter-in-place Jesus invites us “to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers” out to do the mission of the Gospel.  You are that laborer...the very question we ask has its immediate answer in us.  Listen in as Pastor Scott rehearses Matthew 9:35-38 for us and teaches us a new question by which to live faithfully for Christ.   #shepherdazonline

Whose kingdom are you living in? Most weekends at Shepherd we share a prayer and ask God “may your kingdom come.” And it did when Jesus Christ was hoisted up on a cross. That kingdom is obscured these days by the kingdoms we create. The homes we live in, the jobs we have, the families we raise, the facades we erect…all these outward offerings to the world tell a story about the kingdoms we possess. This weekend, Pastor Scott shares a vision of God’s kingdom shining through each of ours. #shepherdazonline

Am I playing spiritual defense or missional offense? When the going gets tough, sometimes it’s prudent to circle the wagons and hunker down. In Scripture, God doesn’t know how to circle wagons or the meaning of “hunker.”This weekend in worship Pastor Scott takes us to the familiar playing field of David andGoliath. If ever there was a boy who should have scrapped the fight, David was thatboy. But David’s spirit pursued God’s and, so, there was no defensive play in hisplaybook. David was playing offense and an entire nation was looking to him for hope.Join us this weekend and become an agent of hope for others.Talk about how when you have something good you use it.  Good news of Jesus isgood.  Take what God has given to you and use it.David and Goliath…I won’t sit back.  Not with God on my side.  Everyone else wasafraid and playing defense…why are we playing defense?We cannot just sit back and let status quo happen in our country.  Not after all that Godhas done for us.  He’s given you a gift.  He’s given you

Pastor Scott talks with Rev. Dr. John Nunes, President of Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, and a thought leader and influencer on #race, #social justice and the #Gospel of Jesus Christ and its #Pentecost mission.  Dr. Nunes offers insight for #Christians in #America and across the world regarding the death of #GeorgeFloyd and the social unrest that has gripped our nation from #NewYork to #Louisville to #LosAngeles, even crossing the threshold of our Shepherd family here in #Scottsdale, #Arizona.@sotdaz @Concordiany #shepherdazonline