Unexpected Direction Galilee of the Gentiles
Flipping Tables
Season 4, Episode 10 — Matthew: The Way of the Kingdom of Heaven Text: Matthew 4:12–17 In this episode, Kimberly and I finally arrive at the moment when Jesus begins his public ministry. As we step into Matthew 4, we talk about Jesus leaving Nazareth for Capernaum and why Galilee—called Galilee of the Gentiles—matters so much to the story of the kingdom of heaven. We reflect on Jesus’ rejection in his hometown, the way he flips expectations, and how the kingdom challenges our small worldviews. This conversation invites us to wrestle with nuance, loosen our grip on control, and...
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Matthew 4: Standing Firm Against the Enemy
Flipping Tables
Welcome to the table! In this episode, we explore Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4 and what it reveals about spiritual warfare, identity, and endurance. As followers of Jesus, we are not merely passing through the wilderness — we live here. But this is not a place of defeat. Because Jesus triumphed, we can stand firm in His victory. What We Cover in This Episode Why the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness The parallels between: Jesus and Israel in the wilderness Jesus and Adam & Eve in the garden The three categories of temptation: Lust of the flesh Lust of the eyes ...
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Anxiety, Panic, and the Faith That Held On
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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The Baptism of Jesus: A New Beginning
Flipping Tables
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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Matthew 3: Fruit in Keeping with Repentance
Flipping Tables
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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Matthew 2: Exile, Grief, the Way of the Kingdom
Flipping Tables
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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Matthew 2: The Way of the Kingdom (Part 1)
Flipping Tables
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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Joseph and the Way of the Kingdom: When God Interrupts Your Plans
Flipping Tables
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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The Family Tree of Jesus: Finding Hope in Our Messy Stories
Flipping Tables
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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Introducing study of Matthew: The Way of the Kingdom of Heaven
Flipping Tables
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...
info_outlineWelcome 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 true gospel freedom.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
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Kim’s early experience with faith and how fear distorted her view of God
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How people-pleasing and anxiety shaped her spiritual life
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A pivotal gospel conversation with a Campus Crusade (Cru) leader named Adele
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Why hearing the gospel didn’t immediately change everything—but planted a seed
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Kim’s descent into severe panic attacks and hopelessness after college
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A season of suffering that led to surrender and renewed dependence on God
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How God answered prayers in unexpected (and unwanted) ways
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Kim’s journey through graduate school, Washington D.C., and deep Christian community
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The power of Christian friendship, Bible study, and faithful presence
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How God now uses Kim’s story in her work as a university professor
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Why faith the size of a mustard seed is more than enough
If you are walking through anxiety, fear, or despair—or if peace feels unfamiliar or even frightening—this episode is for you. Kim’s story is a reminder to never give up, to cling to Jesus even when faith feels small, and to trust that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it.
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