What if I told you that the Christmas story you know—Mary, Joseph, a manger, and a baby—wasn’t a surprise to God… not even close? In fact, He announced it centuries in advance, hiding jaw-dropping clues in plain sight all throughout the Old Testament. Some scholars say there are as many as 300 specific prophecies about the Messiah written hundreds, even thousands of years before Jesus was born.
On this special Christmas episode, author and scholar Chad Bird sits down with Ed Blonski to pull back the curtain on four of the most astonishing prophecies. We’re talking precise details—where He’d be born, how He’d arrive, what His mission would be—that are so accurate they’ll make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
If you’ve ever wondered whether the Christmas story is more than just a sweet tradition… if you want proof that blows the lid off coincidence… you do NOT want to miss this one.Hit play right now and discover why the first Christmas was the most predicted moment in human history.
Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517.org. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites.
Reflection Episodes Featuring Chad Bird
Connection Between Passover and The Lord's Supper
Podcasts featuring Chad Bird
40 Minutes in the Old Testament
Books by Chad Bird can be found at 1517.org
To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here:
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Today you'll get a little insight into how a preacher learns how to preach from one of the men responsible for teaching preaching!
He grew up in a church worker family, became a parish pastor himself and then was called to teach homiletics at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
To find out more about Peter Nafzger, click here.
Book recommendation:
The Genius of Luther's Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Thinking for the Contemporary Church by Robert Kolb & Charles P. Arand
Just Words: Understanding the Fullness of the Gospel by J. A. O. Preus
Loving Jesus by Mark Allan Powell
To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here
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From small town Iowa to the capital of the United States, Mark Shaltanis serves as pastor in one of the most contentious but also exciting places in the world!
He will inspire you to reflect God's light and love in this world!
Book Recommendations
Fearful Breakers by Janice Sebring
The Story of Civilization: The Reformation by Will Durant
Martin Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
The Lutheran Service Book (hymnal)
To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here.
Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. Those stars really help others discover us. Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference. Finally, share this episode! Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.
A public school teacher who ends up serving as a missionary in Europe then comes back to America to lead Deaconess studies in the U.S.
This is the inspiring story of Dr. Jennie Asher, Deaconess and Director of Deaconess Studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
To find out more about the Deaconess Program at Concordia Seminary, click here.
Books recommended by Dr. Asher:
The Lutheran Service Book (hymnal)
Cottage Decorating Books from Amazon
To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here:
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Sometimes we have a plan for our lives and then God comes along and says, "Have I got something for you!"
That's what happened to Jamie Crustals.
And you are about to hear her story.
Books recommend by Jamie:
Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
Spark by John J. Ratey MD and Eric Hagerman
The Spark of Learning by Sarah Rose Cavanagh
To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here:
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Dreams are a reflection of what is in our heart. And if our heart belongs to God then our dreams can be anchored in God!
Today's conversation is with Dave Ficken, who is the Chicago City Director for LINC - Leaders in every Community (the "e" is silent).
The dream of LINC is that there will come a day when everyone on every corner of our cities can experience the Gospel in terms they can understand from someone they know.
To find out more about LINC click here.
Some books that Dave recommends to help you catch their dream:
The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living by Chip Dodd
Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger
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The Latin Phrase "Extra Nos" means "outside myself."
This is the theme of the life of Flame, a rap music artist who was taught about Jesus from his grandmother and grew up in the Reformed Church tradition.
But then he discovered God's grace comes outside of himself and found a home in Lutheranism.
Now he composes music, hosts a podcast, and writes books telling his story and leading others to find the grace of Jesus Christ outside themselves!
To find out more about Flame
Extra Nos: Discovering Grace outside Myself by Flame
Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. Those stars really help others discover us. Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference. Finally, share this episode! Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.For more about St. Matthew, click here.
Untamed Prayers will take you out of your spiritual comfort zone. On this episode we’ll leave behind the boring, predictable prayers that so many Christians are stuck in and dive into ones full of praise, despair, joy, and lament.
Based on The Book of Psalms, these prayers cover all parts of life—the good times and the tough ones—and what better way to find the right words to say to God than the very prayers He gave us to pray?
But wait! There’s more! Chad Bird shows how these ancient prayers are connected to Jesus as you go through the Psalms. You'll discover that you're not just talking to God by yourself; Jesus is right there with you, praying alongside you.
This is part 2 of a conversation with Chad Bird about his new book Untamed Prayers. A conversation that will help you feel a closeness to God, freeing you to speak to the Father with complete honesty.
Find out more about Chad Bird and 1517, where he is Scholar in Residence, here.
For a reading plan to read through the Book of Psalms in 30 days, Ed Blonski recommends this plan based on the Book of Common Prayer here.
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For more about St. Matthew, click here.
Untamed Prayers will take you out of your spiritual comfort zone. On this episode we’ll leave behind the boring, predictable prayers that so many Christians are stuck in and dive into ones full of praise, despair, joy, and lament.
Based on The Book of Psalms, these prayers cover all parts of life—the good times and the tough ones—and what better way to find the right words to say to God than the very prayers He gave us to pray?
But wait! There’s more! Chad Bird shows how these ancient prayers are connected to Jesus as you go through the Psalms. You'll discover that you're not just talking to God by yourself; Jesus is right there with you, praying alongside you.
This is part 1 of a conversation with Chad Bird about his new book Untamed Prayers. A conversation that will help you feel a closeness to God, freeing you to speak to the Father with complete honesty.
Find out more about Chad Bird and 1517, where he is Scholar in Residence, here.
For a reading plan to read through the Book of Psalms in 30 days, Ed Blonski recommends this plan based on the Book of Common Prayer here.
Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. Those stars really help others discover us.
Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.
Finally, share this episode! Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.
For more about St. Matthew, click here.
Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Pastor Matt Peeples of the Kairos Network in Saint Louis, MO, as he shares the journey of creating The Missionary Pathway.
Born from a passion for making disciples and connecting the disconnected to Jesus, this project builds on Matt’s ministry experience that began in 2011 at The Point in Knoxville, TN. There, he pioneered innovative outreach strategies—like advertising on hard rock radio, hosting Bar Church, and engaging at beer festivals and tattoo conventions—reaching people who hadn’t attended church in 10-20 years.
Hear how these experiences shaped a new vision for church planting, equipping everyday Christians to be missionaries in their daily lives. From launching the Kairos Network in post-Christian Ridgewood, NJ, in 2017 to making it his full focus in 2022, Matt’s path led to the development of The Missionary Pathway.
Launched in September 2022, this training has already empowered 80 disciples across 8 countries in just four months to plant the gospel and make disciples where they live, work, learn, and play.
Tune in to discover how Matt is reimagining ministry to reach the disconnected in today’s world!
Find out more about Matt Peeples and the Missionary Pathway here: https://thekairosnetwork.com
Books, Videos, and other things mentioned by Matt
God is on the Mic – Louis Giglio
AND: The Gathered and Sacattered Church – Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. Those stars really help others discover us.
Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.
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For more about St. Matthew, click here
Ever feel like your own worst enemy when chasing your dreams?
Those nagging voices in your head whispering, "Your purpose is too big," or "Your dreams will never come true"?
In this electrifying episode, Jeff Meyer unveils a game-changing mindset shift: transforming those inner critics into your personal Internal Board of Directors!
Discover how to harness these voices, align them with your purpose, and turn your biggest dreams into reality.
Tune in and learn how to make your mind your greatest ally!
#DreamBig #MindsetMastery
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Links to resources and previous episodes with Jeff.
Your Internal Board of Directors by Jeff Meyer
You Are a Co-Creator with Your Creator, the episode Jeff Meyer talks about his previous book Fear Not, Dream Big and Execute!
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/r0EeEtZIPVb
There is Unity in Harmony, the episode that includes Jeff Meyer and the other men in the music group The Master’s Voice
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/wpjGDPXIPVb
Boundaries for Your Soul by Alison Cook & Kimberly Miller
A Still and Quiet Mind by Esther Smith
Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
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Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. Those stars really help others discover us.
Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.
Finally, share this episode! Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.
For more about St. Matthew, click here
The "Sermon." It has been a part of the Christian Church forever.
But how does a preacher craft a sermon?
On this episode, I talk with three preachers and collectively, we have over 120 years of experience crafting and preaching sermons!
To find out more about these pastors, here is there contact information:
Kurt Taylor - https://blog.cuw.edu/dcm/
Steve Kline - https://www.shepherdhills.org
Mark Shaltanis - https://stpaulsfallschurch.org
And to find out more about Jeff Meyer - who is also a member of The Master's Voice (but couldn't join us for this conversation today) - https://livelifetogether.com
Book mentioned:
Preaching by Heart: How a Classical Practice Helps Contemporary Pastors to Preach without Notes by Ryan P. Tinneti
Preachers mentioned by the guys:
Craig Goeschel - https://www.craiggroeschel.com
Francis Rossow - https://www.csl.edu/emeritus-faculty/rossow-francis-c/
Matt Popovits - https://stmarkhouston.org
Max Lucado - https://maxlucado.com
Kyle Idleman - https://www.kyleidleman.com
For more information about St. Matthew Lutheran - https://www.stmatts.net
God took the son of a milkman from the Southside of Chicago and used him to reflect His light and love via parish ministry, teaching, a speaker on the longest-running religious radio program in the world, and as president of a prestigious theological institution.
Now you'll hear his story - this is Dale Meyer who tells us, "Tomorrow needs you!"
Books recommended by Dale
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language by Oswald Chambers
The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Poetry and music go together! On this episode you'll get both!
The poetry and stories of Tanner Olson.
The music and stories of Blake Flattley.Rate, comment and share the show!
Tanner’s Website
https://www.writtentospeak.com
Tanner’s Merch (including published books)
https://www.writtentospeak.com/store
Pre-Order All The Things I Say to God: Learning to Pray Anytime, Anywhere by Tanner Olson
Blake’s Website
For more about St. Matthew Lutheran
The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election was historic! And there was - and is - a lot to say about it!But what do Christians do now?
Greg Seltz, leader of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington D.C. talks about the Christian's response to the election and to the government.
Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty
Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
While starting from a humble beginning, Lewis became known as a writer, speaker, radio broadcaster, apologist, and educator, and his books have sold more than two hundred and fifty million copies to this day.
Dr. Joel Heck currently serves as the Interim President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta.
He is the author or editor of sixteen books, five of them on C. S. Lewis, and 42 articles on Lewis.
Dr. Joel Heck’s Website
From Atheism to Christianity: The Story of C. S. Lewis by Joel Heck
No Ordinary People: Twenty-One Friendships of C.S. Lewis by Joel Heck
The Lion That Roared by Joel Heck and Brenda Nauss
His world came into focus when he picked up his first comic book.
He developed his art and was all set to spend the rest of his life drawing comic books and graphic novels.
Then Jesus found him!
He became a teacher and now a teacher of teachers who shares his art and his love of Jesus with others!
Find out more about Brad and his ministry at http://bradallesprod.wpengine.com
Books mentioned by Brad
You Will Own Nothing by Carol Roth
Letter to the American Church by Eric Metaxas
Pat played basketball at what he called "one of the worst college basketball programs in the country."
But this is where Jesus found him and gave him a new direction for his life.
He runs marathons, writes books, and shares Jesus as his reflection of God's light and love in this world.
Books mentioned by Pat:
Life After Power by Jared Cohen
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers
How to Do the Right Thing by Seneca
Magisteria: The Entangled Histories of Science & Religion – Nicholas Spencer
Are you a good listener? Many people believe that they are but, when asked if they believe others are a good listener, the answer is usually no.
Perhaps we all can learn to be better listeners. And there's no better model than Jesus Christ Himself.
Pastor Brian Davies' new book "Captivating Conversations" is available (see link below) and talks with Ed Blonski about opening your heart and learning how to truly hear what others are saying.
Captivating Conversations with Brian Davies
https://www.cph.org/captivating-conversations-how-christians-can-reclaim-the-lost-art-of-listening
Think Again by Adam Grant