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Take a moment to slow down and consider what it means to be enough and have enough. In this second of six guided meditations created for the Generosity Cycle, Community of Christ member and hypnotherapist Christian Skoorsmith uses mindfulness meditation to invite us to move from worry toward trust, finding contentment in what we have and who we are.  Find out more about the Generosity Cycle.  Listen to other episodes in the Awaken to God’s Presence series.  Download the Transcript.    Christian Skoorsmith is a clinical hypnotherapist, writer, and researcher in Seattle, WA. You can find out more about him at www.Skoorsmith.com.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

What happens when even the apostle Paul’s best efforts don’t go according to plan? This week on Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8, reflecting on the challenges faced by the early Christian community and Paul’s reminder that faithfulness is often forged through struggle. Together, they consider how easily we can lose perspective on our own hardships, overlook the suffering of others, and forget the importance of acknowledging those who have helped us along the way. Through Paul’s tender image of nurturing care, we’re invited to consider how we can embody God’s compassion and remind others that they are deeply loved and cared for.  Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Take a moment to slow down and notice the connections that sustain you. In this first of six guided meditations created for the Generosity Cycle, Community of Christ member and hypnotherapist Christian Skoorsmith* uses mindfulness to invite us to recognize how we are held by others and how we, in turn, help hold one another.  Find out more about the Generosity Cycle.  Listen to more episodes in the Awaken to God’s Presence series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Where Does Your Ultimate Allegiance Belong? What happens when faith and politics collide? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Matthew 22:15–22, where Jesus faces a tricky question about paying taxes to Caesar and challenges his listeners to think more deeply about the relationship between religion, government, and power. Together, they invite us to examine where we place our faith and allegiance—and whether our political perspectives sometimes overshadow our commitment to God. Through thoughtful reflection and a practical spiritual exercise, discover how the simple reminder “Today I belong to God” can help align our words, choices, and actions with God’s purposes of love, compassion, and justice.  Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript.    Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

We’re bringing this episode of Climate Brewing back just in time for the 2026 Community of Christ Peace Forum as a reminder that it’s never too late. In this inspiring episode, host Susan Oxley sits down with Justice Manning, an 89-year-old retired environmental engineer from Daphne, Alabama. Once a committed climate change denier, Justice shares his remarkable journey—shaped by a career in environmental work, shifts in scientific data, lived experience with extreme weather, and the influence of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principle Sacredness of Creation.  Listen to other episodes in the Climate Brewing series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

What are the golden calves in our lives—and what happens when we start worshiping what we treasure most? This week on Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Exodus 32:1–14, where the Israelites grow impatient, turn to a golden calf, and discover the consequences of losing trust in the God they cannot see. Connecting this ancient story to modern nationalism, Christian exceptionalism, and the ways fear and power can marginalize others, Karin and Blake invite us to examine our own allegiances and ask where we stand when people are oppressed. Join the conversation as we reflect on what it means to recognize the holy beyond what we can see, challenge the idols competing for our attention, and live out Christ’s call to love one another.  Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

What happens to the things we leave behind—and how can our legacy reflect what matters most to us? On this Extra Shot episode of Faith Unfiltered, guest host Carla Long welcomes Jared Fears, a certified financial planner and longtime Community of Christ minister, for a practical conversation about estate planning, wills, trusts, and charitable giving. Jared explains how thoughtful planning can help care for loved ones, provide peace of mind, and support the church and other organizations that hold a special place in our hearts. Discover how the church’s estate-planning ministry helps members navigate these important decisions and create a legacy that reflects their values, their faith, and their hopes for the future.   Listen to other episodes in the Extra Shot series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

October invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover our connection to the sacred world around us. In this guided meditation, Robin Linkhart invites us to notice the changing seasons, honor the goodness of creation, and gently acknowledge the places where Earth is hurting. Rather than carrying the weight of saving the whole world, we are encouraged to consider one small, faithful choice we can make to live more gently and responsibly. As gratitude becomes responsibility and awareness becomes compassion, may this practice help us recognize that we are not separate from creation—we belong to it.    Listen to other episodes in the Awaken To God’s Presence series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Are the Ten Commandments a rigid tool for control or a roadmap for sacred community and liberation? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin and Blake explore Exodus 20 and the story of Mount Sinai. They unpack how foundational laws were given to shape a wandering group of former slaves into a healthy, fair community—and how those same scriptures have been used both to manipulate and to inspire major societal change, such as the abolitionist movement.     Join the conversation as they examine the interplay of liberation, law, and worship, discuss overcoming fear-based faith, and offer a practical homework challenge comparing the Ten Commandments with Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles.    Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

One can never get too much prayer... especially in today’s world, so today we’re reaching back into the Project Zion Podcast archives to bring you this Holy Grounds episode that originally aired in October of 2021. Here, host Carla Long and guest Katie Harmon-McLaughlin talk about the spiritual practice of prayer.  How does our image of God change the way we pray? Do we need to be faithful or free of doubt in order to pray? What can we do if we're struggling with prayer? These questions and more are explored as part of our Holy Grounds series.    Listen to more episodes in the Holy Grounds series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

What happens when we’re thirsty and God doesn’t seem to be providing what we need? In Exodus 17, the Israelites’ physical thirst becomes a deeper question of faith: “Is the Lord among us or not?” Karin and Blake explore how suffering can make us forget what we’ve already experienced of God, while also challenging us to move beyond asking “Where is God?” to “How do I respond?” From humanitarian organizations to the everyday ways we embody God’s presence, this episode invites us to notice the holy at work—and become part of relieving the suffering around us.  Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Are spirituality and theology dependent on one another? Although there are many in today’s world who would say they are “spiritual but not religious,” it would seem that spirituality would at least be closely connected with theology. In this episode of Percolating on Faith, taken from the old Project Zion Podcast archives, Carla Long sits down with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith to talk about spirituality and theology, where they intersect, and why they are, in fact, dependent on each other.  Listen to more episodes in the Percolating on Faith series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

What if the bread we need each day is more than food—it’s a reminder of God’s presence? In this episode of Coffee to Go, manna in the wilderness becomes an invitation to notice divine care, cultivate daily practices, and become that presence for others—especially those who hunger. Together, Karin and Blake ask how our own lives can become a reflection of God’s presence for others, especially those experiencing hunger and suffering. The episode invites us to move beyond remembering God’s care to becoming that care in the world through concrete choices and daily practices.    Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

As we prepare for the 2026 Peace Forum, we are again digging back into the Project Zion Podcast archives to bring you this episode in which Karin Peter sits down with Rick Sarre to explore how Community of Christ’s understanding and practice of justice has evolved—and how justice is inseparable from peace, empowerment, and discipleship. Rick reflects on how the tradition continues to grow through dialogue, grassroots participation, and self-critique. The conversation also considers how climate change, migration, poverty, and human rights are deeply interconnected—and why the church cannot remain on the sidelines. At the heart of it all is a simple but challenging conviction: if all are one in Christ, then our faith calls us to keep wrestling with what justice looks like in practice.  Listen to other episodes in the Grounds for Peace series.  Download the transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

How many times are we really supposed to forgive someone—seven times, seventy times seven, or until we finally get the point? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Jesus’ challenging—and slightly exasperated—response to Peter’s question about forgiveness in Matthew 18. Beyond counting offenses, the conversation invites us to consider how every word, choice, and interaction sends energy into our communities, either contributing to what is life-giving or what is harmful. So this week, check your vibes: What are you sending out into the world, and are you creating more space for forgiveness, connection, and goodness?  Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. [email protected]  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.