b53ee824-5d2b-5458-abc3-09b7bdc0f8c3Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:30:26 +0000Captivate.fmV. Pickeringhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/155ce7f0-2403-4bd2-887a-2680db3303e1/paintastic20200414-203426.pngV. PickeringV. PickeringIn the midst of the world's chaos, the Christian Realist is a peaceful island of common sense and inspiration. Considering contemporary issues from a perspective of both open-minded rationality and devotion to God, podcasts may include a short sermon, scripture reading, a worship song to sing along with, and/or a time of prayer.https://christian-realist.captivate.fmfalseserialnopodcastCharlie Kirk and How to Respond to the "Authoritarian Impulse" with Grace and WisdomA "Christian Realist" perspective on the meaning of Charlie Kirk's assassination and a suggestion on how you can respond, personally, with grace and wisdom.

]]>A "Christian Realist" perspective on the meaning of Charlie Kirk's assassination and a suggestion on how you can respond, personally, with grace and wisdom.

]]>972849dd-9179-42ce-b8e4-e26a93d31b45Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:30:00 -070012:03falsefull41414What To Do BEFORE Society Collapses - Noah's Ark - Bridging the Divide, ep 3In this long-awaited third episode on "Bridging the Divide," we discuss the story of Noah's Ark as a teaching on how God works in the part of the story of civilizational collapse where we are now--i.e. shortly before the "Flood" (ecological and social collapse).

]]>In this long-awaited third episode on "Bridging the Divide," we discuss the story of Noah's Ark as a teaching on how God works in the part of the story of civilizational collapse where we are now--i.e. shortly before the "Flood" (ecological and social collapse).

]]>5aab08e8-48a3-4906-afab-8a2a6cc940e6Sat, 05 Feb 2022 19:15:00 -070027:37falsefull33333Why Society Is Breaking Down (with comments on recent Black Lives Matter protests)A discussion of how the story of Cain and Abel and describes the cycle of civilizations rising and falling, how that relates to social breakdown and Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S. today, and how to find calm and resolution in the midst of political crises. With music and prayer.

]]>A discussion of how the story of Cain and Abel and describes the cycle of civilizations rising and falling, how that relates to social breakdown and Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S. today, and how to find calm and resolution in the midst of political crises. With music and prayer.

]]>2e1084fa-7f4b-40db-a573-6bf2c0739d42Sat, 06 Jun 2020 14:15:00 -070022:03falsefull32323Bridging the Divide, Within and WithoutFirst episode in the series on bridging the political left/right divide. How the left/right political divide may reflect the left/right structure of the brain and how the historical-and-present trajectory of increasing left-hemisphere dominance relates to the story of Adam and Eve. Sermon, song, and prayer.

]]>First episode in the series on bridging the political left/right divide. How the left/right political divide may reflect the left/right structure of the brain and how the historical-and-present trajectory of increasing left-hemisphere dominance relates to the story of Adam and Eve. Sermon, song, and prayer.

]]>6b4ea3e0-ae6e-40f1-8d97-08d566e452daSat, 30 May 2020 10:15:00 -070025:13falsefull31313Priority #1 in Responding to the Current Crisis (and Future Ones)A short sermon on how accepting the evil of the situation we face enables us to respond appropriately. With a beloved classic hymn and a prayer.

]]>A short sermon on how accepting the evil of the situation we face enables us to respond appropriately. With a beloved classic hymn and a prayer.

]]>82869886-a4c2-4cec-8167-b60f4d98f5eaFri, 01 May 2020 23:00:00 -070017:49falsefull25252Sackcloth and Ashes: Soon-To-Be Hottest Fashion Trend?A short sermon on the depressing times we live in, why things are likely to get worse, and how we might respond. With a Taize chant and prayer.

]]>A short sermon on the depressing times we live in, why things are likely to get worse, and how we might respond. With a Taize chant and prayer.

]]>09a43bcc-7a44-4e80-a4f3-5e92cb0641fdThu, 30 Apr 2020 20:30:00 -070013:57falsefull14141Wish You Could Rule the World? Here's Something to Try InsteadWhat the bargaining stage of grief might look like in the pandemic, and a guided exercise in learning from the story of Job, with a worship song, and prayer.

]]>What the bargaining stage of grief might look like in the pandemic, and a guided exercise in learning from the story of Job, with a worship song, and prayer.

]]>cb185fb6-4759-4639-83ce-380f17bdeec0Wed, 29 Apr 2020 21:15:00 -070017:13falsefull23232What To Do With Your Anger (And What Not To Do, Too)Second episode in a series on the COVID-19 pandemic and stages of grief. This episode discusses what to do and what not to do with your anger, drawing on wisdom from the Bible, history, a very rough understanding of the Buddhist tradition, neuroscience, and, obviously, personal experience. Also shared is a song and prayer.

]]>Second episode in a series on the COVID-19 pandemic and stages of grief. This episode discusses what to do and what not to do with your anger, drawing on wisdom from the Bible, history, a very rough understanding of the Buddhist tradition, neuroscience, and, obviously, personal experience. Also shared is a song and prayer.

]]>03dceaf2-f0cd-4081-9957-fb04bec1ae1cTue, 28 Apr 2020 21:15:00 -070016:34falsefull12121Take the "Blow on the 'ead"!First episode in a series on grieving well during the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode explores the first stage of grief, denial, and includes a worship song and prayer. (The title is a reference to the Month Python sketch, "Take Your Pick.")

]]>First episode in a series on grieving well during the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode explores the first stage of grief, denial, and includes a worship song and prayer. (The title is a reference to the Month Python sketch, "Take Your Pick.")

]]>3608cde3-8905-48c7-be17-98f3a15a3210Mon, 27 Apr 2020 19:00:00 -070017:29falsefull21212Is Death the End?A sermon on what Paul didn't know, what he got wrong, and what he got right about the resurrection of Christ; with a stirring Easter hymn and a prayer.

]]>A sermon on what Paul didn't know, what he got wrong, and what he got right about the resurrection of Christ; with a stirring Easter hymn and a prayer.

]]>b28c235b-206c-4fc4-b98f-ddf00b4fd0adSun, 12 Apr 2020 00:15:00 -070019:40falsefull17171Jesus' Death and our Response to the COVID-19 PandemicA message about Jesus' self-sacrifice and our calling in a chaotic world, with an impressively-rhymed classic hymn and a prayer for those engaged in important work during this challenging time (that includes you, by the way!).

]]>A message about Jesus' self-sacrifice and our calling in a chaotic world, with an impressively-rhymed classic hymn and a prayer for those engaged in important work during this challenging time (that includes you, by the way!).

]]>441786a9-0181-4fe2-b938-11d962a06428Fri, 10 Apr 2020 00:15:00 -070014:07falsefull16161What Jesus' Life Means for Us 21st Century PeepsA mini sermon on Jesus washing the disciples' feet, with a *top-shelf* worship song and prayer.

]]>A mini sermon on Jesus washing the disciples' feet, with a *top-shelf* worship song and prayer.

]]>1005f73e-5518-408a-b7d7-b7d5181644ecThu, 09 Apr 2020 00:15:00 -070012:33falsefull15151A Journey into the UnknownThe story of my evolving understanding of the Atonement, with reflection on trusting God while following a path into uncharted territory. And an old-timey worship song to sing along with.

]]>The story of my evolving understanding of the Atonement, with reflection on trusting God while following a path into uncharted territory. And an old-timey worship song to sing along with.

]]>5fb028c4-0e6b-4065-bd0b-af70d877e615Tue, 07 Apr 2020 05:15:00 -070013:09falsefull14141Are the Stories in the Bible True?A short sermon on what it means (and doesn't mean) for the stories in the Bible to be true, with a classic hymn, and brief prayer.

]]>A short sermon on what it means (and doesn't mean) for the stories in the Bible to be true, with a classic hymn, and brief prayer.

]]>da114278-ef8e-43f4-84e7-5bf03fd17c38Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:15:00 -070017:47falsefull13131The Holy Spirit and the Right Hemisphere of the BrainA short sermon on what it means to be "born of the Spirit" from a neuroscientific perspective, with an inspiring worship song and brief prayer.

]]>A short sermon on what it means to be "born of the Spirit" from a neuroscientific perspective, with an inspiring worship song and brief prayer.

]]>c77477ff-b79a-490b-b104-152c618f4d2aMon, 06 Apr 2020 00:15:00 -070015:29falsefull12121Disappointing Savior, Disappointing PodcastA short message on how disappointment is actually very promising, with a reading from Isaiah and an awesome worship song.

]]>A short message on how disappointment is actually very promising, with a reading from Isaiah and an awesome worship song.

]]>80d1bd75-8e8f-47f5-a6dc-ec99a7183b33Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:15:00 -070013:53falsefull11111Welcome MessageA short welcome and introduction before the new series of episodes for Holy Week 2020.

]]>A short welcome and introduction before the new series of episodes for Holy Week 2020.

]]>04aa9efd-4950-4f4d-934d-b0b53647218fFri, 03 Apr 2020 21:00:00 -070002:40falsefull111