Just Sitting Here Thinking
A collection of sermons and lessons by Rev. J. Vance Eastridge of the United Methodist Church, including study series and ”introspective” character monologues. After more than 40 years as a pastor in the Holston Conference, Rev. Eastridge continued his ministry through the Virgil Anderson Sunday school class at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church from 1995 to 2012.
Episodes

Friday Apr 08, 2022
4-11-07 The Role of the Church in the Development of America + Q&A
Friday Apr 08, 2022
Friday Apr 08, 2022
The history of the church from the Holy Roman Empire to the Reformation, and the foundation of religious freedom in the American colonies which led to the war of independence.

Friday Apr 01, 2022
4-01-07 Palm Sunday and the Book of Revelation
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Lesson on the history, authorship, metaphors and context of the Book of Revelation on Palm Sunday. Fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah and Jesus as the sacrificial lamb.

Friday Mar 25, 2022
3-25-07 Agape Love (1 John - part 2)
Friday Mar 25, 2022
Friday Mar 25, 2022
Lesson continues with 1 John and the theme of love as a spiritual gift, the power and challenge of "Agape" love (love of God for us, and of us for God) that allows anyone from Mother Teresa to each of us every day to more deeply care for each other in the world and see each other with grace through Christ.

Thursday Mar 17, 2022
3-18-07 God is Love (1 John - part 1)
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Lesson on the many ways the Bible shows, and many different religions agree that God is Love. Discussion of the "gospel of Love," the Apostle John, and the response of the John the Evangelist of the epistle of 1 John.

Friday Mar 11, 2022
3-11-07 Choosing Between Loving God and Loving the World
Friday Mar 11, 2022
Friday Mar 11, 2022
Lesson on Jesus' temptations in the desert - to live for oneself, fame, wealth and power. Living for others, for joy rather than possession, and finding true purpose and calling that gives a person real satisfaction and joy. The power of giving back blessings you reap in worldly rewards.

Friday Mar 04, 2022
3-20-05 Romans: Justification by Faith
Friday Mar 04, 2022
Friday Mar 04, 2022
Lesson on Paul's letter to the church at Rome and his vital message which lies at the core of Christianity.

Friday Feb 25, 2022
2-25-07 ”I Am The True Vine, You Are The Branches”
Friday Feb 25, 2022
Friday Feb 25, 2022
Lesson on John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Monday Feb 21, 2022
The Story of Ruth and Naomi (Part 1) + John Wesley Q&A
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
One of the most intimate personal bonds between characters in the Bible is that of Ruth and Naomi, as told in the Book of Ruth. Lesson on trust, friendship, family, bravery and loyalty through seemingly insurmountable struggles.
But first, it's open floor for questions and discussion following the introspective on John Wesley.

Wednesday Feb 16, 2022
Introspective on John Wesley
Wednesday Feb 16, 2022
Wednesday Feb 16, 2022
John Wesley tells the intimate story of his own life and spiritual journey, as well as the birth of Methodism in this inspiring and candid introspective monologue. As always, no notes - just an extemporized yet structured meditation based on heavy research.

Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
2-08-04 Hope, Thankfulness and Peace in Ecclesiastes
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Lesson on finding the positive and life-affirming in the teachings of the book of Ecclesiastes.

Friday Feb 04, 2022
Isaiah - A New Creation
Friday Feb 04, 2022
Friday Feb 04, 2022
Lesson on the Babylonian Captivity, destruction and rebirth, mourning and hope. God is not one to turn his back upon the people.

Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
1-26-08 Jesus at the Temple at age twelve
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Lesson examining Jesus' exchange with the elders of the Temple at 12, the yearning of everyone to set out beyond their home and embark on life's journey, and the need later in life to find home again.

Monday Jan 17, 2022
Birthday Special - Introspective on Simon Peter
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
In celebration of Rev. Eastridge's 95th birthday, here is a special Easter introspective monologue as the apostle Simon Peter from 2003. As always, no notes - just an extemporized yet structured meditation based on heavy research.
Also available in VIDEO at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjwG-eUhOOw&t=1329s

Thursday Jan 06, 2022
1-28-07 ”I Am the Light of the World”
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Thursday Jan 06, 2022
Lesson discussing John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Saturday Jan 01, 2022
1-21-07 The Bread of Life
Saturday Jan 01, 2022
Saturday Jan 01, 2022
Lesson on the meanings of Matthew 6:11 - "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Friday Dec 24, 2021
1-14-07 The Trilogy of Faith, Judgment and Eternal Life
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Lesson on the journey through - and intersection of - faith, judgment and eternal life .

Friday Dec 24, 2021
1-07-07 Freedom
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Sunday school lesson on freedom, its importance, and what it really means - through a Biblical and historical perspective.

Friday Dec 24, 2021
12-31-06 Keeping Balance
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
A New Year's Eve lesson on finding and keeping balance in our lives.

Thursday Dec 23, 2021
12-25 Christmas Introspection on Joseph
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
A brief history followed by a thoughtful character introspection of Joseph, the father of Jesus, told through his own eyes in monologue.

J. Vance Eastridge
From 1955 to 1994, Rev. Eastridge served as senior pastor of over a dozen churches throughout Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. Upon retirement, Rev. Eastridge found a new ministry as a writer and teacher of the Virgil Anderson Sunday school class at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee. His books include a memoir, I Don't Know Who You Are...But I'm Glad You Came, a brief history of Methodism A Man Named Wesley Passed This Way, and a collection of essays, meditations, poems and photographs Just Sitting Here... Thinking, for which this podcast is named.