Rev. Dr. Charissa Howe brings vibrant energy and deep theological insight to her preaching ministry. A Presbyterian pastor of a vibrant Pittsburgh congregation and the former Director of Chaplaincy at an urban county jail, she weaves together academic wisdom with real-world pastoral experience. Her engaging style combines thoughtful biblical interpretation with practical applications for daily life. Drawing from her diverse background in both institutional and congregational ministry, she offers…
Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Live Last read · last published · next check
Saves to your Listen queue, to pick up on another day or another device.
What happens when our own human patience, compassion, and endurance run completely dry, leaving us staring at a blank space where our grace used to be? This Sunday, we explore the jarring, scandalous, and wonderfully witty encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, discovering how her bold faith deconstructs our zero-sum myth of scarcity and reveals a Savior who is utterly delighted to have…
Have you ever tried to fix a crumbling wall by simply slapping some trendy wallpaper over the damage? We all have a natural instinct to hide our deepest vulnerabilities and systemic failures behind the flashy, polished display of performative religion. When Jesus encounters a leafy but fruitless fig tree by the side of the road, He doesn't curse it out of anger—He performs a merciful act of…
How often do we burn through our relationships and peace just to win an argument or prove that we’re "in the right"? In a hair-trigger world that urges us to stand our ground at all costs, yielding is often mistaken for weakness. When tax collectors confront Peter in Capernaum, Jesus reveals a counterintuitive master strategy of Kingdom living. As children of the King, our true Gospel freedom…
Have you ever been so starved for connection, meaning, or security that you grabbed onto the first thing that looked helpful, without realizing it was actually toxic? When we are exhausted and living with a scarcity mindset, how do we keep from consuming the world's poisonous outrage? This week, we explore a bizarre Old Testament story about a group of hungry prophets who accidentally ruin their…
Have you ever noticed how quickly a minor annoyance—like being cut off in traffic or a neighborhood dispute—can escalate into an all-out war? Why is our cultural default setting always to fight back and exact vengeance the moment our egos are bruised? This week, we explore a tense standoff between a foolish landowner, a hot-headed future King David, and a wise woman named Abigail who steps…
Have you ever noticed how easily a careless comment or a short online clip can be stripped of its context and escalate into a toxic attack? What happens when our culture loses control of its tongue and words are weaponized for sport? This week, we dive into one of the most bizarre and misunderstood stories in the Bible: the prophet Elisha, a gang of mocking youths, and two hungry she-bears. We…
On Independence Day weekend, we are bombarded with messages about patriotism, but for Christians, the line between a healthy love of country and dangerous, idolatrous nationalism can be incredibly delicate. This week, we dig into Daniel chapter 6—the familiar story of the lions' den—to uncover a profound act of subversive faith. Discover how we can rescue the word "patriotism" from those who use…
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the crushing weight of systemic oppression, or noticed how society tends to push its most difficult problems "out of sight, out of mind" beneath the floorboards? As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, Pastor Charissa explores the terrifying reality of the Gerasene demoniac and the occupying "Legion" that torments him. Discover why Jesus refuses to turn a blind eye…
What happens when stepping into the beautiful truth of your God-given identity costs you your entire safety net? Pastor Charissa explores the terrifying leap of faith it takes to leave our familiar origins behind. Looking at an ancient patriarch's journey into the unknown, we discover a profound challenge for the church today to become a new, radical community of grace for those who have lost…
Do you ever find yourself preferring a domesticated, predictable faith over one that pushes you out of your comfort zone? Why is it so terrifying to truly listen to people who are completely different from us? This Pentecost, Pastor Charissa challenges our tendency to stay in our safe silos and demand that others learn our "Christianese" to belong. We explore how the Holy Spirit breaks in to…
