Happy Birthday to the Untwisting Scripture podcast! In this special one-year anniversary episode, Jan and Lisa reflect on the podcast’s impact, audience feedback, and the power of creating space for honest biblical questions. Then, they dive into the next parable in their “Storytime with Jesus” series—unpacking the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:9–14.This episode explores what it really means to be “justified before God” and challenges listeners to examine where pride may be hiding in their walk of faith. Whether you relate more to the rule-following Pharisee or the desperate humility of the tax collector, this conversation invites you into a deeper understanding of mercy, prayer, and spiritual posture.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and tax collector was so radical in His dayHow self-righteousness subtly creeps into modern Christian lifeWhat it actually means to be “justified” and how it relates to righteousnessWhy humility is essential in prayer—and how to cultivate itHow this parable pairs with the story of the persistent widow to reshape how we prayThe importance of safe spaces to ask hard questions about the BibleKey Scriptures Discussed:Luke 18:1–8 (Parable of the Persistent Widow)Luke 18:9–14 (Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)Romans 3:10 – “There is no one righteous, not even one”Matthew 7:3–5 – The plank and the speckVarious parables from the “Storytime with Jesus” seriesTimestamps for Key Moments:00:00 – Celebrating one year of Untwisting Scripture03:10 – The unexpected impact of asking questions about the Bible06:45 – The “English garden vs wilderness” analogy for spiritual growth10:20 – Recap of the Parable of the Persistent Widow11:08 – Reading and exploring the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector15:00 – What “justified” means in a biblical context17:15 – How pride shows up in modern Christian behavior20:00 – The dangers of comparison and pious posturing23:00 – Why new believers often have the deepest joy24:08 – How this parable reshapes our understanding of prayerNotable Quotes:“There is no one righteous, no not one.”“Humility is a shy virtue—once you claim it, you lose it.”“We are all in a mess. But by the mercy of God, we have hope.”“Jesus challenges not just our actions, but the posture of our hearts.”Resources & Links:🎉 Celebrate with us by sharing the podcast with a friend!📱 Follow us on social media 📝 Don’t miss the bonus resources and veggie tale clips— https://youtu.be/3hfZK61eiC0?si=h-JzsOaDvgfg0XoW📩 Got questions? Message us or text us—your input might shape our next episode.Next Up:We’ll wrap up the “Storytime with Jesus” series with two more parables that challenge our assumptions and reframe how we see God's kingdom. Got a parable you’d love for us to unpack? Let us know!

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