The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Confessing Jesus | Molly Lackey Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Molly Lackey discusses what it means to confess Jesus and explains how we find our identity in our Creator.

Molly's book, Confessing Jesus: The Heart of Being a Lutheran, will be available to pre-order soon at cph.org.

Show Notes:

Molly Lackey offers a unique perspective on what it means to be a Lutheran. She reminds listeners that their true identity is found only in Christ Jesus. This brings us great joy as our Creator has control over our lives and calls us His own.

Molly's book dives into five big questions: Who is Jesus? What did Jesus do? Where is Jesus now? When is Jesus coming back? And why did Jesus do all of this? This podcast episode touches on a few of these as well as the blessings that come from Jesus in the Sacraments.

Questions Covered

Before we can know ourselves, we need to know Jesus. Who is Jesus?

What can we find out about God from nature, reason, and the world around us? What can we find out only from the Bible?

What did Jesus do? What is that important?

Let’s talk about the Ascension. What does it tell us?

How does Jesus’ presence in the Sacraments affect us?

What does Jesus’ return tell us about our identity?

What joy comes from putting our identity in Jesus rather than anything else?

What are some of the things that can distract us from Confessing Jesus?

How can we take our re-found identity in Jesus, along with the full trust in Him, and proclaim this good news to people who may not be totally open to Christianity/Lutheranism?

What does confessing Jesus look like in day-to-day life?

In Chapter 4, in the section "Jesus Cares for You When You Die," Molly writes that "The dead do not appear to send us messages -- we don't even really know if the dead are aware of what is going on in our lives back here on earth. While their bodies slumber in the ground below, their souls are carried by the angels up to Christ, where they rest and are comforted..." My question is what is the Lutheran response to explaining people who claim to have received or experienced receiving a message from a deceased loved ones and hauntings with ghost sightings?

When we struggle to remember the blessings of Jesus, what are some things that we can do to remind ourselves of all that He does for us?

Why did Jesus do all of this? Why does that matter?

About the Guest

Molly Lackey is a wife, author, and church historian. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama with a triple major in History, German, and Latin and a Master of Arts in Early Modern European History, with an emphasis on the Reformation in Germany, from Saint Louis University. Molly has contributed to Words of Strength and Promise: Devotions for Youth (CPH, 2021), has written for Higher Things Magazine, and has appeared on KFUO. She enjoys reading and talking theology with other laypeople, creating art, and drinking tea with her husband. You can read her online at her blog abovetowne.com.

Emotions & the Gospel | Part 1 | Heidi Goehmann Aug 20, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Heidi Goehmann discusses the complexities of our emotions and how they connect us to our Creator.

Pre-order her upcoming book Emotions & the Gospel: Created for Connection by visiting cph.org. Download a preview by visiting books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel.

Show Notes:

God is emotional – but we don’t always think of Him that way.
To begin this first part of a three-part miniseries, Heidi Goehmann explains how hard it can be to discuss and analyze our emotions from a Christian perspective. Heidi also looks into how God leans into us and our emotions, and how we are filled with His grace through all different emotions.

In these episodes Heidi will talk listeners through what God says about our emotions. Keep up with Heidi’s episodes to find out all of these lessons and more found in Heidi’s upcoming book.

Heidi’s website: heidigoehmann.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidigoehmannwrites
Instagram: @heidigoehmann
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeidiGoehmannWrites

Questions Covered

What are some of the questions you hear from people about emotions and faith and our relationship with God?
Why is it important to understand the ‘emotions foundation’ you mention in your book and know what we are resting on?
Is it helpful for us to consider emotions apart from how we are experiencing them day to day?
Should we consider our emotions as a gift from God?
How can our emotions connect us to our Creator?
Your describe a process-oriented approach to our emotions. What does that mean in a nutshell?

About the Guest

Heidi Goehmann is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health provider, deaconess, writer, speaker, wife, mom, and advocate. She can always be found at heidigoehmann.com advocating and providing resources for mental health and genuine relationship. Heidi loves her family, sticky notes, Jesus, adventure, Star Wars, Star Trek, and new ideas.... not necessarily in that order.

Besides Emotions & the Gospel, Heidi has also published Altogether Beautiful: A Study of the Songs of Songsand Finding Hope: From Brokenness to Restorationwith Concordia Publishing House.

Generosity | Rev. Philip Krupski, LCMS Foundation Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

Show Notes
Rev. Philip Krupski, Senior Vice President of Gift Planning Services for the LCMS Foundation, discusses what it looks like for Christians to be faithful and thoughtful stewards of God’s gifts. He also shares a fresh perspective on generosity and its implications on our daily life, as well as some ideas about vocation in terms of being god stewards with both our physical and spiritual gifts.

Questions Covered:

Tell us about the work of the LCMS Foundation.

Define generosity. How can the term “generosity” be misleading?

What does it look like for Christian to be faithful stewards of God’s gifts? Can you share an example or two of this?

How does the Foundation equip people to be faithful stewards?

If someone wants to learn more about creating a gift plan, where should they start?

About the Guest:

Rev. Philip Krupski serves as Senior Vice President of Gift Planning Services for the LCMS Foundation. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading the deployed gift planning team across the Synod in assisting God’s faithful stewards in planning their gifts to show love to family and to support ministry. He also looks to create and support relationships with ministries across the Synod, assisting them in discovering opportunity to plan for solid, future, ministry support through gift planning.

Phil has served the Church his whole life. Being raised in a pastor’s family, he attended Concordia University, Ann Arbor, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne. For more than 26 years he served three congregations as pastor; he served at First Lutheran in Kingsley, Iowa, St. John’s in Peru, Indiana and St. John in Indianapolis, Indiana. Twenty-four of those years of ministry were in parishes with Lutheran Schools. Before accepting his current role at the Foundation, Phil served as a gift planning counselor in the Indiana District.

Phil and his wife Maridee have three daughters: Bethany Krupski (Milwaukee, WI), Rebekah Krupski (Cleveland, OH) and Katherine Krupski (Indianapolis, IN).

A Closer Look at Baptism Hymns | Peter Reske Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

Peter Reske returns to the Podcast to take in an in-depth look at themes found in Baptismal hymns.
Learn more about the Lutheran Service Book and the Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns.
Abut the Guest

Peter C. Reske, senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, holds degrees in English literature and historical musicology from Marquette University and The Pennsylvania State University. He was the editor of Lutheran Service Book and its attendant resources.

Deliver Us | Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing to discuss his upcoming book, Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus.

Reed talks about the greatest parts of the book of Exodus, how we can relate it to our lives, and what the freedom described in Exodus means for us today.

Find out more about Reed’s work and pre-order his book by visiting books.cph.org/deliver-us.

Show Notes:

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing and host Elizabeth Pittman sit down to discuss Reed’s upcoming book, Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus, during this episode. Our host asks Reed about his insight into the rescue story and what it means for Christians today. He also explains his insight into different aspects of teachings found in the book of Exodus, such as what the books says about shame and worry. Reed also wraps up by speaking about how the story in Exodus ends with asking readers to look forward and what it gives us to strive for in our own lives.
Reed’s Bio: https://www.cph.org/m-137-r-reed-lessing.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lessingr

Instagram: @lessingr
Questions Covered

· What are some lessons you’ve learned from students?

· What’s your favorite part of teaching?

· Tell us about Christ present, predicted, and patterned in Exodus.

· You describe Exodus as one of the greatest books ever written. Why?

· How is the exodus story our story?

· Describe the historical context of Exodus.

· What does Exodus have to say to us about shame and worry?

· Tell us about “miraculous manna”.

· What does “freedom” mean in Exodus?

· When faced with our idolatry, what can we do?

· Exodus ends by looking forward. Why should we stive for “todays” rather than somedays?

About the Guest

Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing serves as Professor of Theology and Ministry at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. Previously he was Senior Pastor at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and before that, Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and received the B.A. in pre-seminary studies from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, in 1981. He earned his M.Div. (1985), S.T.M. (1989), and Ph.D. (2001) degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry on June 29, 1986. From 1986 to 1999, he served pastorates in West Monroe, Louisiana, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Measured by Grace | Sharla Fritz Jul 09, 2022

Show notes

Measured by Grace | Sharla Fritz

Author Sharla Fritz joins host Elizabeth Pittman during this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss the ideas behind her upcoming Bible study, Measured by Grace: How God Defines Success. When we feel lost or like we are failing, Sharla encourages Christians to remember how God values us as His children.

Find out more about Measured by Grace and pre-order your own copy by visiting https://books.cph.org/measured-by-grace.

Show Notes:

Failure doesn’t mean God will permanently withdraw His love from us. Success doesn’t depend on us – it’s all about Jesus’ love and grace. In Sharla Fritz’s upcoming book Measured by Grace: How God Defines Success, she shows us that when our failures make us feel worthless, God’s Word tells us He loves us even when we mess up.

Sharla Fritz’s writing shows us that God's measuring stick is nothing at all like the world’s idea of success.

Sharla’s Website: https://www.sharlafritz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharlafritzauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharlafritz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQmWAAfpLzkKM8OrVYy5zlA
Questions Covered

· What drew you to the topic of perfection?

· How does God’s measuring stick differ from the worlds? Why should this matter to us?

· When we catch ourselves judging and tearing down ourselves, how can we refocus to Christ?

· What helps you the most when you feel like a failure?

· Tell us about the Greatest Success Story?

· God uses broken and people who are “failures” over and over to do His will. How does this give us hope?

· How can we train ourselves to stay away from the comparison game?

· In your book, you use the examples of many Biblical figures and their failures. From Joseph to Rahab, and even Peter, how are these people just like us?

· You call David the “Supersize Sinner.” What are the takeaways from his story?

· The Samaritan Woman provides such an amazing image of the grace of God. What do we learn from her story?

· You have written several books and studies. How does the process look the same yet different for each book?

· What inspired you to start writing?

About the Guest

Sharla Fritz loves to speak with women’s groups and to share about her own struggles, victories, and failures, speaking about how God is miraculously present through them all. In doing so, she hopes to share a few laughs and meet new sisters in Christ. Sharla is a Lutheran author, musician and speaker. She has published multiple books through Concordia Publishing House, including most recently Measured by Grace: How God Defines Success and God’s Relentless Love: A Study of Hosea.

Grace Under Pressure | Rev. Dr. Chris Kennedy Jun 18, 2022

Show notes

During this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Rev. Dr. Chris Kennedy discusses his upcoming book, Grace Under Pressure: Responding Faithfully to Stress, with host Elizabeth Pittman. Chris talks about releasing his second book with CPH and shares what led him to write about the grace Jesus showed on the cross.

Find out more about Chris on his website at pastorchriskennedy.com.

Show Notes:

Rev. Dr. Chris Kennedy speaks about how he used Christ’s experience on the cross as an example to guide how Christians talk about grace and dealing with stress in his upcoming book, Grace Under Pressure: Responding Faithfully to Stress. Chris also speaks of grace as an undeserved gift and how stress is becoming a national epidemic.

So, how should all Christians approach stress? Chris provides his insight on this and more in this episode of the CPH podcast. Pre-order Grace Under Pressure by visiting https://books.cph.org/grace.
Chris’s Website: pastorchriskennedy.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/chris.kennedy.16940599
Instagram: @pastorchriskennedy

Questions Covered:

Pressure is such a large part of today’s society. Pressure to measure up and be enough. How do you approach this from a Christ-centered perspective?
Lutherans often talk about grace as an undeserved gift. Can you explain this further?
In your book you describe four types of grace: common, saving, sanctifying, and sustaining. Can you define these for us?
How do we live with the grace of Christ while we constantly fail because of our sinful nature?
In your first chapter you describe a performer who remains cool under pressure: Nik Wallenda (tightrope walker). What do you hope readers take away from this example?
Stress is a real thing. Your second chapter opens with a story of a speaker talking about how stress is increasing. You called it a “national epidemic.” However the word stress is never spoken in the Bible. How do we approach stress as Christians?
How have you learned to deal with stress in a healthy way?
Stress is not necessarily sinful, its how we choose to deal with it and react to it. How can we follow Jesus’ example?
How can we train ourselves to give ourselves grace when we feel immense pressure?

About the Guest:

Christopher M. Kennedy is a blogger, podcaster, and pastor, serving a large congregation in
San Antonio, Texas. He is also the author of Equipped: The Armor of God for Everyday Struggles. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, a master’s of theology, and a doctorate in ministry. Kennedy and his wife are parents of four children.

Continue Part 2 | Tanner Olson of Written to Speak Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

During this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast, listen as Tanner Olson returns and speaks with host Elizabeth Pittman about his new book, Continue: Poems & Prayers of Hope. Olson exclusively shares several of his poems from his book and digs into the themes surrounding his work.

Tanner is the voice behind writtentospeak.com and @writtentospeak on Instagram.

Show Notes:

Tanner Olson returns after appearing on the CPH Podcast in April 2022. Listeners are given a special sneak peek into Continueas Olson does a live reading of some of his poems found in the book. He also shares what it’s been like publishing his third book and what he hopes readers can take away from this piece during their everyday faith lives.

Tanner’s Website: https://www.writtentospeak.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writtentospeak
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tannerJolson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writtentospeak/
Written to Speak on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VSXq2yYD3n5MFZ5ahIUDZ?si=Mpg3E66ZQcq_wmikYy8ktQ

Questions Covered:

Poems used in this podcast are found in Continue on pages 92, 90, 22, and 79

About the Guest:

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker living in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Sarah, and dog, Pancake. For the last decade, Tanner has been writing and speaking about hope, faith, and love to audiences online and across the US. When he isn’t writing, Tanner spends most of his time watching NBA basketball, drinking coffee, being outside, and catching up with friends. For more from Tanner, visit writtentospeak.com or @writtentospeak on Instagram.

Promised Rest | Michelle Diercks Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

During this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast, listen as Michelle Diercks reflects on different names of the Lord and the peace His names give to believers with host Elizabeth Pittman. Author Michelle Diercks introduces her new study, Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence, and digs into the relief that is found from God’s unique characteristics during times of hardship. Find out more about Michelle by visiting https://michellediercks.com/ and listen to her podcast Peace in His Presence on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/3vsvyS7ofPL5b5V96pz1eS.
Show Notes:

In this episode, Elizabeth and Michelle discuss her new women’s Bible study, Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence. Michelle gives a preview of eight of the names of God covered in her book and speaks about her own experience of learning how to find peace in who God is rather than her own strength. She also touches on God’s continual presence in our lives and how she set out to remind readers who they are as His children: cared for and loved. Learn more about Michelle and her Peace in His Presence podcast at https://michellediercks.com/.

Michelle’s Website: https://michellediercks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diercksmichelle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellediercks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_diercks/
Peace in His Presence on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3vsvyS7ofPL5b5V96pz1eS
Peace in His Presence on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-in-his-presence/id1443248237

Questions Covered:
> What drew you to the names of God as a topic for study?
> Let’s talk about the 5 R’s…what are they and how can they help us?
> As you talk to women, what questions/topics do you hear the most about their lack of/need for peace?
> Let’s pick a couple names of God to talk about…Elohim and Immanuel
> What are some ways that we can be intentional about spending time in His presence?
> What surprised you about writing a bible study?
> How can listeners connect with you?

About the Guest:
Michelle Diercks received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. Her majors were in the director of Christian education program and elementary education, with minors in youth and family ministry. She served The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as a director of Christian education for nine years, and as a professional and a volunteer, she has taught God's Word for 32 years. She is also the podcast host of Peace in His Presence.

Deuteronomy | Rev. Adie Harstad May 21, 2022

Show notes

On this episode, Rev. Adie Harstad joins us to discuss themes found in the Book of Deuteronomy.
Rev. Harstad is the author of Deuteronomy: Concordia Commentary.
Questions covered:

Harstad recaps the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land and tells us where the Book of Deuteronomy falls in that journey.
Deuteronomy seems to repeat a lot of themes found in Exodus and Leviticus. What is the significance of this?
Deuteronomy begins with Moses repeating the journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. Moses sent 12 spies to investigate the Promised Land. When they returned, 10 of these spies gave a bad report about the land, that the people living there were too powerful for the Israelites to conquer. The Israelites did not trust God's promise to fight for them and refused to go up and enter the land. How does Moses strengthen the next generation of Israelites against those same fears?
Deuteronomy 6 is referenced a lot in regards to God's plan for teaching the faith in households. Harstad explains the significance of the first part of Deuteronomy 6 for households today.
What are some key passages in Deuteronomy that predict Christ's coming? ("a Prophet like me" (18:15) and "a man who is hanged on a tree is cursed" (21:22-23))
What does the "A choice between life and death" in Deuteronomy 30 mean? How should we properly interpret this as Lutherans today?
Why are the defeats of two kings, Sihon and Og in chapters 2 and 3 so significant? They are often mentioned in the psalms.
Why didn't God let Moses lead Israel into the Promised Land? Didn't He forgive him?
Does Joshua being appointed leader in Moses' place point to Jesus?
What does Deuteronomy say to Christians today?

About the guest:
Adolph L. Harstad is Professor of Exegetical Theology, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota. He studied at Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisconsin (B.A.), Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (M.Div.), and the University of Wisconsin—Madison (M.A., Hebrew and Semitic Studies). He has also served as a parish pastor and missionary in Zambia, Africa.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected