Evergreen Podcast Keith J. Foisy

 Message: Exodus 3:13-15 "Names of God"  God revealed his sacred, divine Name to Moses and the Israelites as He called them to follow Him into the wilderness. This is the Name everyone was careful not to speak in vain. God is known by many other Names as well, which reveal His nature and Who is is for us in so many different circumstances. What is God's Name for you in this season of your life?   

 Message: 2 Peter 3:8-9 “Sayings of Saints: Mary of Egypt” “Blessed is God who cares for the salvation of all Souls” In this message we’ll look at God’s heart for all humanity. God does not like how our sin destroys one another, but He love us endlessly. We can cultivate our attitudes to be the same as God’s, who does not desire that any should perish, but truly desires the healing and restoration of even our enemies. There is great freedom in overcoming love with hate.  

 Message: Psalm 42:1-8 “Sayings of Saints: Augustine of Hippo”  “Our heart is restless until it finds its rest in You” We are often unsatisfied in life because we are looking for life in all the wrong places, or we are needing life to be some certain way. The cure for finding fullness of life is to find ourselves in God. In God we already have everything we need, including unconditional love and meaning.  

Message: Romans 8:12-17 “Sayings of Saints: St. Benedict” St. Benedict encourages us to “Listen and attend with the ear of your Heart” We are often searching outside ourselves for God’s wisdom and direction. But God is often speaking to us in a more personal, inner way. He shows up in many ways throughout any given day. He usually speaks to us more about ourselves and our own inner thoughts than He does about other people or external situations. He is always calling us toward Christlikeness. He is often showing us who we truly are and helping us to shed our False selves and judgments. How is God speaking to and shaping your heart these days? 

 Message: Psalm 139:1-12 “Sayings of Saints: Amma Theodora” Amma Theodora tells the story of a monk who thought if he left his monastery he would leave all his troubles and struggles behind, but he discovers this is not the case. There was something he was not considering. Amma Theodora’s word to us is “Wherever you go, there you are.” In this message we discover that we cannot run from our own issues and there is usually more to be learned by ‘staying’ than ‘leaving.’ Not only can we not outrun ourselves, but thankfully, God gladly finds us wherever we find ourselves.

 Message: Luke 5:15-16 “Sayings of Saints: Abba Moses”   As we begin this new series, “Sayings of Saints”, we start off with the Desert Father Abba Moses, who lived in Egypt between 330AD – 405AD. Abba Moses instructs followers of Jesus saying, “Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.” The “cell” was the monks place of silence and solitude, where he or she would be confronted by the inner life, which would direct their conversation with God. For the Christian who desires to grow in Christlikeness, silence and solitude are essential. Only there are we able to pay attention to our inner thoughts and feelings. Only there are we able to reflect on our actions and motivations. And it is there that we are able to connect most intentionally with God in prayer. The Gospels tell us that “Jesus often withdrew to deserted places to pray.” It was in silence and solitude with the Father that Jesus found his center and guidance for his life.