The NorthWord
NorthWord is a daily Christian podcast from St. John's Fort Smith in collaboration with the Anglican Family. Hosted by Father Aaron from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.
Here's how it works: Every Sunday we release the full sermon preached that morning. Then Monday through Saturday, you get 3-5 minute daily reflections based on that sermon - one thought you can actually use each day. Every Wednesday we explore the rhythm of Jesus' life and how his followers have lived it out for 2,000 years.
Whether you're Pentecostal, Orthodox, Baptist, Catholic, or just curious about faith - this is for you. Ancient faith. Real life. No fluff.
The Word. The North. Your Week.
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The NorthWord
Open Hands | the Master
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On Sunday Father Aaron closed with this: "Not your resolution. Not your performance. Your surrender." Today he gives the week a specific practice — something physical to do this weekend before Palm Sunday.
Good morning. This is Northworth.
SPEAKER_00You need to open your hands. Good morning, this is Northword, the word the North, your week, a daily podcast from St. John's Fort Smith in collaboration with the Anglican family. I'm your host, Father Aaron. When I was preaching on Sunday, I closed my sermon with what are you still holding on to from the old master? What are you still earning wages from? Name it quietly, honestly before God. That is what surrender looks like. Not a feeling, but an open hand. And I want to come back to that today, because it's Friday. Tomorrow is Saturday, and Sunday is Palm Sunday. Jesus enters Jerusalem, and the road to the cross begins in earnest. This weekend, I want to invite you to do something physical. Sit down somewhere quiet. This morning, tonight, doesn't matter. And literally open your hands, palm up, and name the thing. Not a general confession, something specific. The habit you identified on Monday, the salt water you named on Tuesday, the thing that has been your master. Say it out loud or write it down. And then hold it out, palms up and give it to God. Not your resolution, not your performance, not your best effort, your surrender. That is the posture Paul was describing. That is what sanctification actually looks like. Not a heavier burden, a lighter one. You don't earn it, you receive it. But you have to stop serving the old master long enough to open your hands and take what the new one is already holding out. The rope comes down the moment you let go of the one you've been climbing down. You become what you serve. The only question is which master has you? This weekend, let the answer to that question be Let it be Jesus. This has been Northword the Word, the North Your Week, a daily podcast from St. John's Fort Smith in collaboration with the Anglican family. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend, and send us a message and let us know how your journey is coming along with the text us link in the description. Until tomorrow, God be with you.
SPEAKER_01Amen.