Flipping Tables
Welcome to the table! My Guest: Kim Stolzfus is a college instructor at the University of Kentucky. Kim shares her powerful testimony—one marked by early religious confusion, people-pleasing, debilitating panic attacks, and seasons of profound hopelessness. Through it all, Jesus continually meets her, flips her assumptions about God, and draws her into freedom, purpose, and joy in His upside-down kingdom. This conversation is an honest exploration of what it looks like to bring our religious thinking to Jesus and allow Him to transform it—slowly, faithfully, and sometimes painfully—into...
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In Episode 7, Twila and I slow down and sit with the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3—a moment that marks both an ending and a beginning in God’s story. As John the Baptist completes his role of preparing the way, Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan, fully identifying with humanity and choosing obedience, even though He has no sin of His own. We talk about why Jesus insists on being baptized “to fulfill all righteousness,” and how this moment launches His public ministry while revealing the heart of the kingdom of heaven. Together, we trace the Jordan River through Scripture—from...
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In this episode, we gather at the table to explore Matthew 3 and the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist—a bold, table-flipping voice calling God’s people to repentance and renewal. In this conversation we invite our listeners to begin the year with anticipation, humility, and openness to transformation. John’s message is urgent: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Matthew’s Gospel introduces this phrase, we unpack why Matthew speaks of the “kingdom of heaven,” how John prepares the way for Jesus, and why repentance is more than behavior...
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Welcome to the table! In this Christmas-season episode, we continue sitting in Matthew 2 and invite Jesus to flip our tables as we linger with the hard parts of His story. We explore the families urgent flight to Egypt, Jesus as a refugee, and what this passage reveals about God’s heart for the vulnerable. Matthew shows us how Jesus retraces Israel’s story—yet succeeds where Israel failed—fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and revealing the unity of Scripture. We also confront the brutality of Herod, the grief of Bethlehem’s mothers, and the truth that every life matters deeply to...
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In this episode of Flipping Tables, Julie and Twila explore Matthew 2 and the arrival of the Magi, highlighting Bethlehem’s deep biblical history and the prophetic signs surrounding Jesus’ birth. They discuss who the Magi were, why Herod felt threatened, and what their extravagant worship teaches us today. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation on Matthew 2. ✨ Bethlehem’s Deep Story ✨ Understanding the Magi ✨ Herod the Great ✨ The Mysterious Star ✨ Extravagant Worship ✨ What are you giving Jesus for Christmas? How can we sacrificially worship Jesus during the busy...
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In this episode, Julie and Kimberly continue their journey through Matthew in our series, The Way of the Kingdom of Heaven. Today, we step into one of the most surprising moments of the Gospel: Joseph’s dream and his quiet, courageous obedience. We begin with a candid conversation about how we each respond to unexpected news — anxiety, problem-solving, and control. We discuss: Joseph’s character: a young, just, compassionate man whose righteousness did not eclipse his mercy. The weight of the scandal: a pregnancy no one could explain, and the stigma Joseph quietly carried. The...
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Welcome to the table! In this episode, we’re pulling up a chair to explore the family tree of Jesus — and what it reveals about God’s heart for our own broken families. By getting to know the people in Jesus’ genealogy, we discover that there’s nothing in our stories too big for Him to redeem. Jesus understands our grief, our scandals, our trauma, and our mess. He gets it — because His own family line tells a story of grace breaking through generations of pain. Twila joins the conversation as we unpack Matthew’s genealogy, written to prove that Jesus is both the Son of David and...
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Welcome back to the table! It’s been a minute since I’ve sat here doing what I love—talking about Jesus, the Table Flipper, and learning His table-flipping ways. In this episode, my co-host Kimberly Daniels joins me as we reflect on the unexpected turns our lives have taken this year. We’re also launching a brand-new study: Matthew—The Way of the Kingdom of Heaven. Together, we’re asking God to teach us the ways of His Kingdom through Matthew’s unique perspective and personality. This episode is all about setting the tone for what’s ahead in our study! Like Matthew, we each...
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Welcome to the table! This is the last episode in the Ephesians series. Amy Crump is back to talk with me about the relationship landmines associated with parenting and work. We do not ignore slavery in this passage either. I also get to talk briefly about the armor of God. Paul brings all of the relationship landmines together by laying out the armor of God in the context of our relationship struggles. We do not have a people problem. We have a real enemy working to wreak havoc in our relationships. This makes complete sense especially in light of how our relationships are to reveal that we...
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Welcome to the table! My conversation with Amy Crump covers a lot of ground. We had a long set up of discussing our formative years growing up in the Church era where we learned a number of erroneous teachings on the subject of submission. Add in a word study, a trip back to Genesis, and you end up with a long on ramp to Ephesians 5. Instead of editing this episode down, we’re inviting you to spend some extra time with us at the table. This might be a good episode to listen to while you’re being active. I love to listen to long podcast episodes when I’m cooking, doing household work, or...
info_outlineIn Episode 7, Twila and I slow down and sit with the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3—a moment that marks both an ending and a beginning in God’s story. As John the Baptist completes his role of preparing the way, Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan, fully identifying with humanity and choosing obedience, even though He has no sin of His own.
We talk about why Jesus insists on being baptized “to fulfill all righteousness,” and how this moment launches His public ministry while revealing the heart of the kingdom of heaven. Together, we trace the Jordan River through Scripture—from creation, to Israel’s wilderness journey, to this powerful scene where the Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and the Son stands in humility.
This conversation invites us to reflect on wilderness seasons, waiting, and learning to trust God’s timing. My prayer is that as we listen for God’s voice in our own wilderness, we’ll be equipped to bring hope, light, and belonging to others as we walk together in the way of the kingdom of heaven.
Bible Text: Matthew 3:11–17
Whether you've been following Jesus for years, are just getting started, or are simply considering it, you're invited to join us at the study table. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to my Table 2 Newsletter for updates and study reflections, and visit Flourish Ministry for free resources and to learn more.