Episodes
Feeling overwhelmed, yet finding prayer daunting? Join us for part one of the Prayer Practice series and discover that God delights in your raw, honest prayers. Learn why fears of imperfection and silence shouldn't hinder your communication with a loving, ever-present Father. "Pray as you can"—a simple practice that unlocks joy, peace, and intimacy with God.
Published 06/10/24
You're invited to Jesus' better party, but it doesn't look like Republican or Democratic conventions. This final teaching in our series on politics crashes through partisan boxes to uncover biblical mentors modeling creative options for faithful political engagement. From the prophet's bold imagination to the monk's countercultural community, you'll be inspired by Kingdom citizens throughout history who pursued human flourishing while resisting idolatry and toxic tribalism. Discover your role...
Published 05/26/24
How do we navigate the polarized world as a faithful follower of Jesus? In this teaching we examine how the rhythms and practices of the Christian faith can form us into mature disciples and citizens of God's Kingdom. From gathered worship to personal spiritual disciplines, these ancient formational practices cultivate a countercultural way of life that moves beyond divisiveness to embody Christ's upside-down wisdom.
Published 05/20/24
Forget surface-level niceness that ignores real conflict. Today we dig into the radical call to be active peacemakers, not passive peacefakers. Unpack the implications of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" and what it means to join God's reconciling work. Get equipped with a practical process for pursuing justice, restoring broken relationships, and extending forgiveness - even to enemies. As elections near, be inspired to make a countercultural commitment to Christian peacemaking amidst...
Published 05/16/24
Are we consumed by the "selling of news" or living as citizens of God's upside-down Kingdom? Join us as we explore Jesus as the ultimate "party crasher" - disrupting oppressive systems to usher in radical values like loving neighbors and showing kindness amid division. Drawing parallels with America's founding fathers, it inspires us to embody Jesus' countercultural, peacemaking presence.
Published 05/13/24
Fed up with the bitter partisan bickering? Worried about how to engage politics faithfully as a Christian? Part three of our Party Crashers series lays out ten candid "political commandments" from Scripture - like putting ultimate allegiance in King Jesus, loving your neighbor through civic engagement, and speaking with the fruit of the Spirit. Drawing courage from Jesus' response to the devil's corrupt power temptation, you'll be re-centered on your primary identity in Christ amidst this...
Published 04/29/24
Does your political leaning ever feel like an unhealthy obsession or false religion? In part two of this series we explore how Jesus called a politically diverse group of disciples to follow him, showing the church is meant to be a reconciled community that brings different perspectives under Christ's Lordship. Like the earliest disciples, we too are invited to bring our various perspectives to the King's reconciling table while submitting our highest devotion to Him alone.
Published 04/21/24
Feeling like you don't fully fit in any political party these days? Welcome to The Party Crasher a series on politics in America. In part one we break down the four major value systems - Progress, Responsibility, Identity, and Security - that are basically becoming political religions for a lot of people today. However, for Christians, full devotion belongs to King Jesus alone. He's the only one who can really fulfill our hunger for a better world.
Published 04/14/24
In the final teaching in this series, we explore the vital role of physical touch for human flourishing and connection. See how God's transformative touches in scripture model his desire to connect with humanity through physical means. We discover the story of "Doubting Thomas" touching the risen Jesus, allowing him to confess "My Lord and my God!" and providing a model for how we can experience God's touch and extend his compassionate, healing touch to others.
Published 04/08/24
Are seeing and believing the same? This Easter we explore the interplay of vision, perception, and faith through Jesus' post-resurrection encounter on the road to Emmaus. We'll unpack how our senses can deceive us, confront the biases clouding spiritual sight, and unveil the divine enablement required to truly "see" Christ. Get ready to have your vision realigned as we journey from the disciples' uncertainty to the burning revelation at the breaking of bread. Discover how believing precedes...
Published 04/01/24
What does it truly mean to hear God? This episode contrasts the sounds of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the jarring noise of the crowd condemning Him before Pilate. As we explore these auditory bookends of Easter, we'll unpack profound truths about spiritual hearing. It's not merely detecting sounds, but understanding and obeying God's voice. Prepare to have your spiritual ears attuned as we learn to separate truth from noise and respond in faithful obedience to the God who...
Published 03/24/24
Taste the Goodness of God's Gift: From the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into fine wine, to the Last Supper where He offered bread and cup as symbols of His body and blood, taste played a pivotal role. In this teaching, we'll explore how the universal experience of savoring flavor invites us to partake of the soul-satisfying gift of Christ's sacrifice. Prepare to have your spiritual taste buds awakened as we unpack the depths of God's goodness revealed through Jesus' life, death,...
Published 03/18/24
Experience the profound truths of Easter in a whole new way through this immersive teaching series that explores the resurrection narrative through the lens of our five senses. Join us as we dive deep into the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches that surrounded Jesus during His final days, death, and triumphant resurrection.
As we approach Easter, we begin our journey by considering the sense of smell. In this teaching, we'll unpack how the apostle Paul exhorts us to be "the...
Published 03/11/24
In this final teaching on the Sabbath Practice, we revisit the ancient idea an practice to set one day apart each week for intentional rest and worship of God. Despite its dismissal by much of the modern church and society, Sabbath remains timeless wisdom from God awaiting rediscovery. Join us as we explore the transformative power of embracing Sabbath as a sacred rhythm in our lives, helping us to orient and reorient our lives around God, our Creator and our Center.
Published 03/04/24
In this teaching, we reframe the practice of Sabbath as a joyous invitation to embrace God's goodness. Discover the transformative power of delighting in God, His creation, and our place within it. Uncover the profound joy found in Sabbath, as we learn to embrace this sacred rhythm, cultivating a life marked by gratitude, contentment, and a deepening relationship with God. Join us in exploring the beauty and joy of Sabbath, and the transformative power it holds in our lives.
Published 02/26/24
We continue our series on the Sabbath practice, a counter-cultural and sacred act of resistance against our culture's relentless demands. Unveiling the transformative power of rest as an antidote to never-ending desires, we explore how embracing Sabbath becomes an intentional act of resistance. Join us as we navigate the significance of Sabbath in reclaiming our time, nourishing our souls, and forging a life marked by balance, restoration, and spiritual growth.
Published 02/18/24
In this second teaching in our series, we begin to discover the sabbath practice from one of four movements, the first being to stop. We explore the profound invitation of Sabbath – a sacred pause amidst life's busyness. Reflecting on God's own example in creation, we delve into the significance of stopping and embracing a rhythm of rest. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of Sabbath, discovering its ability to refresh, rejuvenate, and realign our lives with the divine rhythm of...
Published 02/13/24
Luke 6:39-40 - In this first teaching in our series on the Sabbath practice, we explore the profound journey of personal transformation. We all follow someone or something, shaping who we become. Delve into the question of becoming like Jesus – is it possible, and if so, how? Join us in uncovering the transformative power of intentional spiritual formation and the practical steps to align our lives with the both the teachings and the lifestyle of Jesus, as we navigate the path of authentic...
Published 02/05/24
In the final teaching in our Better Decisions, Better Life series, we delve into the profound impact of consistency. Discover that it's not occasional actions but consistent choices that truly make a difference. Drawing inspiration from the biblical model of Daniel, living amidst challenges, we explore how trust in God is cultivated through unwavering consistency rather than isolated powerful encounters. Join us to uncover the transformative power of steady commitment in forging a resilient...
Published 01/29/24
In part 2 of our Better Decisions, Better Life series, we explore the art of overcoming temptations by adopting a strategic approach. Instead of relying solely on our strength, we explore the wisdom of readiness when temptation arises. Drawing insights from Joseph's example in Genesis 39:6-12, discover how to successfully navigate and resist temptations. Join us in learning practical ways to be prepared, ensuring victory in the face of temptation and fostering a life aligned with God's...
Published 01/23/24
In today's teaching, we begin a three part series on discovering the transformative power of making better decisions for a better life. Acknowledging our inherent struggle with decision-making, we explore the wisdom of pre-deciding with God's guidance. Drawing inspiration from Joshua 24:14-15, where Israel is challenged to pre-decide to worship God alone, we unpack the profound impact of intentional choices on our journey. Join us in learning how proactive decision-making, grounded in faith,...
Published 01/15/24
In this episode, we explore the universal experience of waiting and the transformative power of embracing God's peace amid anticipation. Drawing inspiration from Simeon in Luke 2:25-35, we delve into the art of waiting well. Join us to discover how cultivating the peace of God in the midst of waiting can turn the journey of anticipation into a profound opportunity for growth, revelation, and deepening our connection with Jesus, the salvation of God.
Published 01/08/24
2023 has been a tremendous year for our church family. As we head into the new year, take a moment to reflect on all that this past year contained. We can't know fully what lies ahed, but we do know that God and his faithfulness will be with us every step of the way. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Many blessings and peace to you!
Published 12/31/23
In this final week of Advent, we delve into the profound theme of love from 1 John 4:9-10. Unveiling the heart of the season, we explore Advent as the tangible expression of God's relentless and pursuing love. Christmas, at its core, represents the divine in-breaking of love into our world and lives. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of this extraordinary love, discovering how the essence of Advent lies in God's eternal commitment to draw close, wrap us in love, and bring...
Published 12/28/23
In this Advent teaching, we're diving into Luke 2:8-20, unpacking the sheer joy embedded in the Christmas narrative. This isn't just any joy—it's personal, for each of us, and it's not fleeting. Come along as we explore the art of cultivating joy, discovering that its roots go deep into the very essence of God. The shepherds teach us that joy isn't just an emotion; it's a constant, an eternal presence when we anchor it in the boundless joy emanating from the heart of our Creator. Get ready...
Published 12/18/23