In this episode - Bill’s message reminds us that it is not always easy to focus on the Divine – even Peter was called “Satan” by Jesus. In his message today, grounded in the gospel Mark, Chapter 8, verses 27-38, Bill explores why Jesus called Peter “Satan” through theological and historical foundations such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This message was originally presented on Sunday, September 15, 2024 with the community of St. Peter United Church of Christ in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode Bill shares a Time for All God’s Children with the community of St Peters United Church of Christ in Lake Zurich, IL. Bill was initially perplexed trying to weave the Sunday scripture with the Sunday School teaching. The question kept playing in his head: What does Peter and Joseph have in common? Then the answer became clearly visible – a thinking hat can help! Listen and hear as Bill shares his answer presented during a time for all of God’s children. Grounded in the gospel of Mark, Chapter 8, verses 27-38 and the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, verses 37-50, Bill shared this message during a time for all of God’s Children with the community of St Peter’s United Church of Christ in Lake Zurich, Illinois on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode Penny explores the reality of being guided by the Spirit, listening for God’s Spirit, and being driven to do amazing things through Divine Love. Penny unpacks meeting Spirit guided people in a sacred space through the stories of Simeon and Anna as Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to the temple to dedicate him to God. In this episode Penny shares a message grounded in the gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 22-40 with the community of Westchester Community Church, United Church of Christ in Westchester, Illinois on Sunday, December 31, 2023. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode Bill asks if you know the type… What type? Those type… the type Jesus talks about in today’s scripture. One that says yes – but does nothing. And the other type that Jesus talks about – the one who says “no way” but actually does what they have been asked. Bill also explores the space, functions, and people within the Temple in Jesus’ time as well as our God talk and God walk in today’s world. In this episode Bill shares a message grounded in the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 23-32 with the community of Westchester Community Church, United Church of Christ in Westchester, Illinois on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode Penny and Bill examine being human and the challenge of being bothered by others and the realities of the persistence of asking and prayer. Think about living a prayer-filled life each and every day as well as each and every moment. Penny and Bill share a message grounded in Psalm 138 and the gospel of Luke, Chapter 11, verses 1-13 with the community of St Peter’s United Church of Christ in Skokie, Illinois on Sunday, July 24, 2022. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode - Penny helps to see the time is now. Imagine a world filled with love – a love that fills people physically and spiritually. Penny looks at Jesus’ agenda – grounded in the movement of social justice and love. Yes, Jesus’ ministry was one of social justice, sharing love, and empowering people to stop social oppression while joining together to grow in love and justice. In this episode Penny shares a message grounded in the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 14, verses 13-21 originally presented during online Sunday worship. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode - Bill examines the dynamics and forms of life leading to growth or destruction – which do we value? Today we meet Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Judas who questions Mary’s actions of “wasting” expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. Mary had an intentionality to her actions – focused on love and Jesus that at times can seem a bit strange to the forms of society then and now. Bill shares a message grounded in the gospel of John, Chapter 12, verses 1-8 originally presented during online Sunday worship. Come, let us explore the potentials of vitality and growth as well as all the possibilities around us.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.

In this episode - Penny and Bill delve deep into wine – Jesus’ first miracle changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana. Concerns can often arise at a wedding – and it did at a wedding at Cana that Jesus was at when the wine ran out. At first, he simply wanted to continue enjoying the wedding, but his mother encouraged him to create some wine. Jesus made the finest wine out of water. Feeling a little low – and who doesn’t once in a while? Be filled with God’s grace. Know that God can fill you with grace – accept it – believe it and enjoy the amazing journey… and live it. Penny and Bill share a message grounded in the gospel of John, Chapter 2, verses 1-11 originally presented online. Come, explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.