Sun, July 06, 2025

When Being Blessed Feels Like Being Cursed

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered, “If I’m really blessed, why does it feel like everything is falling apart?” Maybe you’re facing loss, disappointment, or just the quiet ache that things aren’t how they should be. You’re in a moment when being blessed feels more like being cursed. In this message, we […]

Sun, June 29, 2025

Prayer is Protest

Ever feel like the world is falling apart and you’re stuck holding the receipt for a life you didn’t order? We wanted peace, progress, and purpose. Instead, we’re bombarded with chaos, war, injustice, and noise from every direction. It’s overwhelming. You try to care, but it’s all just too much. The truth is, we can’t […]

Sun, June 22, 2025

Jesus and the Math of Communion

For many people, communion feels like a quiet ritual that doesn’t mean much. But what if it’s more than that? What if Jesus can help us unlock a simple math behind this sacred act? A simple meal of bread and wine can help us see Jesus more clearly and bring clarity when life feels confusing. […]

Sun, June 15, 2025

Why the Story Behind Baptism Changes Everything

What if one of the most visible spiritual acts has lost its meaning, not because it’s outdated but because we’ve forgotten its story? Baptism is something many of us do without question. It’s what you are supposed to do if you follow Jesus. But does it really change anything? Should it If you have ever […]

Sun, June 08, 2025

Did We Misunderstand the Great Commission?

Did we misunderstand the Great Commission? Jesus’ command to go and make disciples is the foundation for christian evangelism, but it comes with baggage. It can feel like pressure instead of peace. What was intended to be about good news can instead feel like it’s about guilt and control. But what if the original words […]

Sun, June 01, 2025

More Than a Ghost Story

What happens after death according to Jesus? What really happened when he rose from the dead, and what does it mean for us today? In this message, we explore how Jesus’ physical resurrection wasn’t just proof of life after death but the beginning of something much bigger. From haunted cemeteries to ghost stories, we trace […]

Sun, May 25, 2025

Can You Be a Christian and Still Have Doubts?

Can You Be a Christian and Still Have Doubts? What do you do when your questions about God keep piling up and you become skeptical of what you once believed? Is it possible to be filled with doubt and still be filled with faith? In this honest and deeply personal message, we explore the story […]

Sun, May 18, 2025

Why the Old Testament Still Matters

Think the Old Testament is just outdated rules, weird stories, and a God who doesn’t seem like Jesus? You’re not alone. But what if the problem isn’t the Old Testament? What if it’s how we’ve been reading it? In this message, we break down how the Bible actually follows the same three-act story structure as […]

Sun, May 11, 2025

When Hope Dies

Have you ever prayed hard for something, truly believed it would work out, and then watched everything fall apart? The job, the relationship, the healing, the future you were counting on? What do you do when the hope you had in God ends in silence? The Road to Emmaus, one of the most underrated stories […]

Sun, May 04, 2025

Diagnosing a Hard Heart

There’s a spiritual condition spreading like wildfire. It numbs your compassion, blocks your purpose, and shuts out God’s voice. It’s called a hard heart, and it’s more common than you think. Whether you’re feeling emotionally shut down, spiritually stuck, or just not hearing from God like you used to, diagnosing and treating a hard heart […]

Sun, April 27, 2025

How Did Jesus Treat Women?

Was Jesus a feminist? For centuries, women have been pushed to the margins by culture, religion, and even the Bible. But what if God’s vision for women has always been radically different? Let’s look at the story of Jesus’ resurrection to unpack how he treated women and why it still matters today. If you’ve ever […]

Sun, April 20, 2025

Why the Resurrection Matters

Spiritual but not religious? You’re not alone. Nearly 70% of Americans say they’re open to God or spiritual truth — but many want nothing to do with organized religion. Between dogma, scandals, and the pain religion has caused, it’s no wonder so many people are walking away and asking: Can I find real truth without […]

Sun, April 13, 2025

How to Understand the Bible for Yourself

Let’s be real: the Bible can feel overwhelming. It’s ancient, complex, and sometimes just weird. But what if the issue isn’t the Bible… it’s how we’re reading it? In this message, Pastor Chris breaks down how to approach the Bible in a way that actually makes sense, and how the story it tells could change […]

Sun, April 06, 2025

What Does the Cross Mean?

What does the cross mean? The cross is central to the christian faith, a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. But if we’re being honest it’s hard to get our minds around why. It’s hard to fully articulate what it really means. Why did Jesus have to die? Is it just about the forgiveness of […]

Sun, March 30, 2025

The Humiliating Death of Jesus

Jesus’ death wasn’t just brutal; it was humiliating. He was stripped, insulted, spit on, and treated as less than human. But while the Gospels mention his suffering, they focus far more on the shame, mockery, and rejection he endured. Why is that? Why does the Bible emphasize the humiliation of Jesus more than his physical […]

Sun, March 23, 2025

The Church vs. The Crowd

Ever been caught up in a crowd? Maybe at a concert, a protest, or even just in the energy of a packed stadium? Crowds have power. They can inspire incredible generosity—think of people coming together to fundraise for a family in need. But they can also turn dangerous, fueling impulses we might never act on […]

Sun, March 16, 2025

Kingdom vs. Empire

Empires rise and fall. They promise justice, security, and order—but too often, they deliver oppression, corruption, and fear. Jesus stepped into a world ruled by empire, but he came proclaiming a different kind of kingdom. One that would challenge everything. What happens when there’s a clash between the kingdom of God and the empires of […]

Sun, March 09, 2025

Conscience vs. Shame

We all know what it’s like to do something we regret—but what happens when remorse turns into shame? One can lead us to healing, while the other can trap us in hopelessness. That’s exactly what happened to two of Jesus’ closest followers. Peter and Judas both betrayed Jesus, both felt deep remorse, but their stories […]

Mon, March 03, 2025

Community vs. Conformity

What Makes a Healthy Community? From small friend groups to entire societies, every community has the power to include, uplift, and care for its people—or to divide and exclude. Too often, communities fall into brokenness, pushing people away based on race, background, beliefs, or status. Even Christian communities aren’t immune to corruption. But what does […]

Sun, February 23, 2025

Jesus vs. Religion

Why do so many people say, “There’s no hate like Christian love”? How did the church—meant to reflect Jesus—become a source of pain for so many? Maybe the issue isn’t with Jesus himself, but with the religious systems we’ve built around him. What if faith was meant to bring life and love, not hurt and […]

Sun, February 16, 2025

We Live Open Handed

Does the Church Just Want Your Money? It’s a common complaint—“The church is only after my money.” But is that actually true? And if it is… should it be? Jesus and the early church embraced radical generosity, but is that the same as what many people experience today? In this message, we’ll uncover the difference […]

Sun, February 09, 2025

We Reproduce at Every Level

Jesus commanded His followers to go and make disciples—but what does that actually look like today? Is it street preaching? Inviting people to church? Asking where they’ll spend eternity? Or is there something deeper? Many think discipleship is just about getting someone to pray a prayer, but Jesus had something much bigger in mind. Join […]

Sun, February 02, 2025

Jesus and Immigration

Immigration is one of the most heated political debates in America today. Some argue that our nation is being overwhelmed by those who entered illegally, straining resources and breaking the law. Others passionately believe in welcoming those fleeing violence and oppression, seeing them as contributors to our society. For Christians, this isn’t just a political […]

Sun, January 26, 2025

There’s No Plan B

Why do millions of people gather every Sunday to sing songs and listen to a message? What’s the deeper purpose behind what the church does? For centuries, these gatherings have been part of something much bigger. But is there a plan guiding it all? Jesus started something 2,000 years ago that’s still unfolding today—and it’s […]

Sun, January 19, 2025

We Grow Grapes Not Pineapples

Is the church really a true community? You’ve probably heard it before: “The church isn’t a building; it’s the people.” A place where political, economic, social, and racial differences don’t divide us but unite us. But if that’s true, why does the church often feel so divided? Why do so many people still struggle with […]

Sun, January 12, 2025

Church Should Be Fun

Boring. Shame-filled. Irrelevant. If you asked people to describe church, those might be the first words that come to mind. Maybe that’s even been your experience—just going through the motions or feeling like it’s more about religious guilt than grace. But what if church could be different? What if it’s not about rules, shame, or […]

Sun, November 24, 2024

Saving Jesus

Do you ever feel like your faith or values are under attack? Many Christians do—but how should we respond? By looking at what happened when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, we uncover a surprising and challenging approach that redefines how we defend our beliefs. This fresh perspective might just change how you […]

Sun, November 17, 2024

The Garden of Gethsemane

Have you ever felt like you knew someone well, only to learn something surprising that changed how you see them? Sometimes, getting to know more about a person gives you a richer and more complete understanding of who they really are. Now, think about Jesus. What if the way we picture him is missing something […]

Sun, November 10, 2024

What is Taking Communion in an Unworthy Manner?

What does it really mean to take communion in an unworthy manner? For generations, this question has left Christians feeling confused and fearful, especially with the Apostle Paul’s warning about God’s judgment. But have we misunderstood the true meaning? We break down the surprising truth behind the Lord’s Supper and what it actually means to […]

Sun, November 03, 2024

The Pain of Betrayal

The pain of betrayal is something many of us know too well. Whether it’s the heartbreak of an unfaithful spouse, the hurt of a friend walking away, or the disappointment of a family member breaking your trust—these moments leave us wounded. But while betrayal may feel like the end of the story, it doesn’t have […]

Sun, October 27, 2024

Why Did Jesus Keep Judas Close?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus kept Judas close, even though he knew Judas would betray Him? Why would he let someone like that stay in his inner circle? In this one surprising act, Jesus shows us a powerful truth about betrayal, forgiveness, and his deep love for imperfect people—even those who turn against him. […]

Sun, October 20, 2024

Be Chocolate Milk

What does a jar of perfume have to do with Jesus’ betrayal? Why did an act of extravagant worship divide His followers? In one pivotal moment during Jesus’ final days, big questions arise about balancing love for God and love for others. Could focusing too much on one pull us away from the heart of […]

Sun, October 13, 2024

Love Hurts

Why did Jesus have to suffer? He lived a life of perfect love—loving God completely and loving others without fail. Yet, He faced unimaginable pain and death. Why? Because His way of love clashed so deeply with the brokenness of the world that it couldn’t be tolerated. The way of Jesus stood in stark contrast […]

Sun, September 29, 2024

Three Views of Hell

Hell is one of the most debated topics in spiritual conversations. Is it an eternal lake of fire? A place of endless torment? Or something else entirely? The concept of hell has led many to question, fear, or even reject God. Join us as we explore three key perspectives on hell that can deepen our […]

Sun, September 22, 2024

The Sheep and the Goats

In the story of the sheep and the goats, Jesus addresses a challenging topic: the judgment of God. Many of us feel uneasy when we think about God deciding who is worthy of life or death, or who deserves reward or punishment—it feels wrong, like a guitar that’s out of tune. In response to this […]

Sun, September 15, 2024

Babies and Bags of Gold

Jesus frequently spoke about the Kingdom of God—how it operates and where we fit in. While many focus on rewards and rules, God’s kingdom is more than that. It’s something he entrusts to us. But what are the responsibilities of being part of this kingdom, and how can we fulfill them? Matthew 25:14-30 | Chris […]

Sun, September 01, 2024

The Long Wait for Jesus

For nearly two thousand years, the church has eagerly awaited Jesus’ return. What was once a matter of urgent importance for first-century Christians has become a low priority for many today. How did something so vital then become almost irrelevant now? Explore what the early church can teach us about the significance of Jesus’ return […]

Sun, August 25, 2024

What About the Rapture?

When we think about the end times, one question often comes up: What about the rapture? Jesus warned that it will come like a thief in the night, with one person taken and another left behind. His disciples asked when this would happen, and many people today wonder the same thing. But is Jesus really […]

Sun, August 18, 2024

Jesus Gets Apocalyptic

There are sections in the gospels where Jesus gets apocalyptic. When He talks about the sun going dark, the heavens shaking, and a trumpet sounding, it sounds like the end times, or a scene straight out of a “Left Behind” novel. But is there something deeper behind His apocalyptic language? Gain a fresh perspective on […]

Sun, August 11, 2024

Warning Signs

We all appreciate a heads-up when something tough is coming our way—like when a nurse warns us of a slight pinch before a shot, or a chiropractor tells us to breathe deeply before aligning our neck. Sometimes, that warning can make all the difference. In Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples ask Him for a heads-up about […]

Sun, August 04, 2024

Misreading the Signs

Curious about what the Bible really says about the end times? Jesus spoke of wars, natural disasters, and false prophets. Many Christians believe these events will precede the second coming of Christ. But could these warnings be about something different than what we’ve always thought? What if Jesus is saying something different from what we’ve […]

Sun, July 28, 2024

Video Game Religion

Think of your favorite video game—the one that captures the essence of all gaming for you. Whether it’s Super Mario, Call of Duty, or Candy Crush, it represents your entire gaming experience. In a similar way, Jesus distilled the sin and rebellion of Israel’s history into the Pharisees’ corrupted religion. But this passage isn’t just […]

Sun, July 21, 2024

Prophets of Bad Bass Playing

Ever felt stung by negative feedback? It’s never easy to hear what we’re doing wrong, but sometimes, it’s exactly what we need. Often, we’re blind to the areas in our lives that need improvement, thinking that everything is just fine. This can be true in our spiritual lives as well. We may think we are […]

Sun, July 14, 2024

Getting Clean Inside Out

We all present a crafted image to the world through our clothes, music, and social media, shaping how others perceive us. However, the polished exterior often hides what’s really happening inside. Jesus emphasized the significance of inner transformation, but how do we achieve this? Join us as we explore the steps to clean ourselves from […]

Sun, July 07, 2024

God is in This Place and I Did Not Know

There are times in our lives when we realize we were wrong about what we thought we knew. Whether it’s song lyrics or facts about the Bible, it can be easy to assume what we know is right. But what if we are missing something? Are there things God wants to do in our lives […]

Sun, June 30, 2024

Overattention to Details

Ever wondered what really matters to God in our relationship with Him? God chooses to love us, even with all our imperfections. Instead of expecting us to be perfect, he values some qualities over others. But with so many ways to try and please God, how can we be sure we’re focusing on the right […]

Sun, June 23, 2024

The Logic of Toxic Religion

Diving into the world of religion can feel like navigating a maze of rules and expectations. Some systems enrich our understanding of God, shedding light on His plan for us. Yet, others can become toxic, distorting our view of who God truly is. How do we discern between the two? How can we recognize and […]

Sun, June 16, 2024

Why Are Christians So Hypocritical?

Have you ever wondered what non-Christians really think about Christians? A nationwide study in the United States reveals some surprising and challenging insights. While many Christians view themselves as generous and compassionate, the number one descriptor from non-religious people is “hypocritical.” Why is there such a stark contrast? What lies behind this perception, and how […]

Sun, June 09, 2024

God’s Upside Down Kingdom

Trendy clothes and the latest gadgets are two ways we use appearances to communicate to other people how they should think about us. In the same way, the Pharisees would exaggerate religious attire for honor and attention from their community. Instead of honoring God, they wanted honor for themselves. In the kingdom of Earth, people […]

Sun, June 02, 2024

How To Be a Religious Hypocrite

Have you ever felt like the people you look up to, especially spiritual leaders, might not be as genuine as they seem? It’s like they have a public persona and a private one, and sometimes, they don’t match up. We call this difference hypocrisy. It can leave us feeling confused and cause us to wonder […]

Sun, May 26, 2024

Poking Holes in Religious Certainty

We all want to be sure of our beliefs, especially when it comes to life’s big questions. But what happens when our certainty leads to disagreements, especially in religion? Join us as we unravel this common theme and delve into whether certainty is always a good thing. Discover Jesus’ perspective on religious certainty and how […]

Sun, May 19, 2024

The Good Samaritan

In today’s world, we often find ourselves on different sides of various issues. For every belief you have, there is someone who has an opposing viewpoint. Whether those differences are moral, religious, or political, there always seems to be a gap between us. Jesus calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, but what about […]

Sun, May 12, 2024

The Power of Love

Jesus showed us the power of love when he said that loving God and loving our neighbor are the core of all religion. Love is the guiding principle in God's kingdom. But here's the thing: we all see love in our own way. What love means to you might be totally different from what it means to me. So, if love is different for everyone, how do we figure out the right way to love God and love our neighbor? MATTHEW 22:34-40 | Chris Shandrow

Sun, May 12, 2024

The Power of Love

Jesus showed us the power of love when he said that loving God and loving our neighbor are the core of all religion. Love is the guiding principle in God’s kingdom. But here’s the thing: we all see love in our own way. What love means to you might be totally different from what it […]

Sun, April 28, 2024

Is There Marriage In Heaven?

Is there marriage in heaven? Jesus responded in a way that suggests our earthly marriage relationships won’t be the same. This passage has puzzled and troubled many, and some claim to have all the answers. The Bible contains many perplexing passages like this. How do we understand the questions they raise? How can we know […]

Sun, April 21, 2024

Give Caesar What Belongs to Caesar

Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? The Pharisees asked Jesus this trick question to trap him into saying something dangerous. This may sound like the debates today on whether the government takes too much or if everyone should chip in their fair share to help those in need. Jesus kept it […]

Sun, April 14, 2024

What Does Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth Mean?

Jesus frequently talked about God’s judgment. He devoted more attention to this topic than he did on getting into heaven. One troubling thing about these teachings is how he described the consequences of judgment. He often talked about a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This sounds a lot like suffering. […]

Sun, April 07, 2024

Does God Have a Dress Code?

God invites everyone to know Him and be part of His kingdom. However, while this inclusiveness is loving and full of grace, it raises a significant question: Can anyone enter regardless of their actions? What about abusers? What about those who harm children, exploit the weak, or revel in violence? What about people society considers […]

Sun, March 31, 2024

Easter for Skeptics

Every Easter, we remember the story of Jesus rising from the dead. But for some people, this story clashes with what we understand about how the world works. After all, people don’t typically come back to life once they’ve passed away. This clash with reality makes them skeptical. Many find it hard to believe in […]

Sun, March 17, 2024

The Invitation

Some invitations hold more significance than others. Think about it: getting an invitation through traditional mail somehow feels weightier than one through Facebook. Saying ‘no’ to a paper invite just feels harder. What about an invitation from God? What does it mean to accept or decline that invite? MATTHEW 22:1-10 | Chris Shandrow

Sun, March 10, 2024

Stories Within Stories

Jesus regularly used stories to talk to people, but sometimes they could be hard to understand. They often had hidden meanings and stories within stories. He frequently used subtext to communicate truth. We are told the stories of Jesus are still relevant for us today, but if the original listeners had trouble understanding them, how […]

Sun, February 18, 2024

Closing the Gap

In our world, it’s common to see inconsistencies between what Christians profess and how they behave. There often appear to be differences between their beliefs and their actions. Jesus frequently highlighted these disparities among the religious people of his day. So, what can we learn from looking at the gaps between what we believe and […]

Sun, February 11, 2024

Get What You Pray For

Have you ever come across a strange story in the Bible? One that was puzzling or hard to understand? These stories can leave us scratching our heads, wondering what they’re all about. Like, why did Jesus decide to curse a fig tree? And what exactly did he mean when he said we could have whatever […]

Sun, February 04, 2024

Get What You Deserve

We all have the innate feeling that we deserve good things. We might think, “I deserve a raise for all the hard work I put in,” or “I deserve a better grade after studying so diligently.” We can even think we deserve a warning instead of a speeding ticket. But if we’re truly honest with […]

Sun, January 28, 2024

Fundamentalism and Tradition

Religion is like a path we walk on as we try to connect with God. But sometimes, two things can mess up this journey: fundamentalism and tradition. They’re like strong winds that blow us off course. When we get too caught up in fundamentalism, we stick strictly to rules and forget about God’s love for […]

Sun, January 07, 2024

Mismatched Jesus

Who is Jesus? The answer varies based on our perception: He can be seen as a loving God, an enlightened teacher, a close friend, or an unknowable deity. Some view him through the lens of a social justice democrat, while others see him as a pro-life republican. People depict him as black, white, or Middle […]

Sun, December 17, 2023

Joy to the World

Every Christmas, we sing “Joy to the World,” but have you ever wondered where joy comes from? The Bible tells us that joy can be found in various things, from having wise children to enjoying a simple bottle of wine. As we follow the theme of joy in the Bible, it becomes clear that God […]

Sun, December 10, 2023

Peace on Earth

Christmas is the season for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. But what does that mean? Peace isn’t just the calm after a family squabble or the feeling we get watching a sunset – it’s deeper than that. Let’s unwrap the Christmas story to discover what peace means and how it can transform our […]

Sun, December 03, 2023

The Thrill of Hope

Why was Jesus born? Many people would say he came to save us from our sins so we can go to heaven when we die. That’s true, but there’s more to the Christmas story that we might be missing. To truly grasp the excitement and hope that Christmas brings, we’ve got to dig into the […]

Sun, November 26, 2023

Main Character Energy

God is a storyteller; much of what Jesus taught came in the form of stories. Furthermore, the stories of Jesus’ life reveal to us who he is and how his followers should live. While we often learn from these stories by identifying with the main characters, what if there are different characters to learn from? […]

Sun, November 12, 2023

The Old Switcheroo

What do I get out of following Jesus? This may not be a question we ask out loud, but it is one we have in common with Jesus’ disciples. Just like them, we want to know the reward we will get for our sacrifice. But to understand that, maybe we need to grasp who and […]

Sun, November 05, 2023

Non-Negotiable

We all have non-negotables that make us feel strong when life gets chaotic. Whether it’s wealth, comfort, success, or power, our non-negotiables give us a sense of security. But surprisingly, the very things that make us feel safe might stop us from experiencing something amazing. Discover how these things we won’t give up connect with […]

Sun, October 29, 2023

Know It All

In the life of a follower of Jesus sometimes it can feel like we need to know it all. We need to know all the right Bible verses. We need to know all the right doctrines and theology. We need to know all the right ways to live, think, and be in the world. But […]

Sun, October 22, 2023

Marriage vs. Singleness

Marriage vs. singleness…which is the best way to be a follower of Jesus? There are sections of the Bible that can be interpreted both ways. Churches are full ministries designed to connect singles and strengthen marriages. Our world is full of mixed messages about the value of marriage and the values of singleness. What is […]

Sun, October 15, 2023

Marriage or Singleness

Marriage or singleness...which is the best way to be a follower of Jesus? There are sections of the Bible that can be interpreted both ways. Churches are full ministries designed to connect singles and strengthen marriages. Our world is full of mixed messages about the value of marriage and the values of singleness. What is God's ideal path? Is there even an ideal path at all?

Sun, October 08, 2023

Jesus, Gender, and Equality

When is it okay to get divorced? It’s a question that has crossed the mind of everyone who’s ever been in a struggling marriage and one that has many different answers for different people. It comes with assumptions about the power structures and privileges that are part of our closest relationships. It’s also a question […]

Sun, October 01, 2023

Three Sides of Forgiveness

Forgive and forget. This saying has guided people through the hurts inflicted on them by other people for years. But is it really that simple? Find a path to complete forgiveness by discovering three different ways that forgiveness expresses itself in our lives. MATTHEW 18:15-17 | Meg Sanchez

Sun, September 24, 2023

Breathing Forgiveness

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith, serving as one of its best selling points. We love experiencing forgiveness, but extending it can be much harder. When we’ve been hurt by someone, letting them off the hook can challenging. How can we bridge the gap between the joy of receiving forgiveness and our […]

Sun, September 17, 2023

Punishing People Who Hurt Us

We’ve all been hurt by another person. It may have been a small offense that you can’t seem to let go of or something more traumatic. It could have happened years ago or just this morning. Whatever it was, we all want to see the people who hurt us held accountable. It’s human nature to […]

Sun, September 10, 2023

Is It a Heaven or Earth Problem?

There is a divide among many in the church about how the Christian life should be lived. Should it be about spiritual formation or social justice?

Sun, August 27, 2023

Going After Lost Sheep

When Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep he revealed that God’s heart is to always go after the one who’s lost even when it doesn’t make sense. But what does that look like in our lives? Who are the lost sheep in our world, and what does it look like to go after […]

Sun, August 20, 2023

Living the Flow

There are times in our lives when things seem off. We can’t feel God. Our relationships are struggling. Our difficult circumstances seem unbearable like the flow of life has become disrupted. If God wants us to have abundant life, why are there moments when that life seems out of reach? MATTHEW 18:6-9 | Luke Delong

Sun, August 13, 2023

Be Like Them

Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of God we must become like little children. But what does that mean? Are we supposed to look at the world with more innocence and wonder? Should we try to be less independent? Should we take a recess and play with toys more often? This statement of Jesus […]

Sun, August 06, 2023

How Do We Know What the Bible is Saying?

The Bible is rich and complex. It’s a collection of 66 books written by around 40 authors over the course of 1,500 years. It comprises different genres including history, poetry, personal letters, apocalyptic literature, and philosophy. It can also be a mystical, spiritual, and often mysterious book with parts that are difficult to understand, no […]

Sun, July 30, 2023

Penny Faith

Jesus said that if we have even a little bit of faith we can move mountains. But if that’s true, why are there things we prayed for that didn’t happen? Why didn’t my sick loved one get better, my financial crisis go away, or my broken marriage improve? When our prayers aren’t answered the way […]

Sun, July 23, 2023

Glory and Suffering

Sometimes we can be so focused on something important that we miss something that is more important. We can miss the forest for the trees. This may not be a big deal when it comes to driving directions but it can have a more significant impact on our spiritual lives. How can we know we […]

Sun, July 16, 2023

The Transfiguration

As important as it is to the Christian faith, the transfiguration of Jesus is a weird story. With so many strange occurrences it can be challenging to understand. Why was Jesus’ face shiny? Why did two presumably dead guys appear for a conversation with him on a mountain? What does this story have to do […]

Sun, July 09, 2023

Hidden Mickeys and the Kingdom of God

When Jesus taught he often said big, transformative things. He shared principles and ideas that were huge and revolutionary. But sometimes, hidden in plain sight among those teachings, were smaller, more subtle descriptions of the kingdom of God. Some of those small hidden teachings can challenge some of our big preconceptions. What can some of […]

Sun, July 02, 2023

Love and Fear

We all have negative ideas about life. We may not always see them, but they are there. They are in our relationships, how we think, and how we treat others. They affect our desires and the ways in which we see the world. Discover what drives those negative ways of thinking and how we can […]

Sun, June 25, 2023

The Messiah and Me

For two thousand years of church history, Jesus has been known as the Messiah, the world’s savior. This is a big statement that has universal implications for everyone. When Jesus confirmed this claim he was taking as stand against empire and legalism and declaring the entry of the new Kingdom of God in our world. […]

Sun, June 18, 2023

Religion and Politics

There are two things we aren’t supposed to talk about – religion and politics. But religion and politics are both issues that seem to have a huge influence on the modern church. Jesus taught a Kingdom of God way of being in the world, but it can be easy to misunderstand what Jesus is doing […]

Sun, June 11, 2023

Signs of the Times

Have you ever missed a turn because you didn’t see the street sign? Or sat at a green light because you didn’t see the light change? We have signs all around, pointing us to where we are supposed to go, but we don’t always see them. And when we do see them we don’t always […]

Sun, June 04, 2023

Dirty People

Did Jesus really call a woman a dog? It sounds very unlike Jesus, but in Matthew 15 we find him interacting with a woman who wasn’t like him. She was an outsider…dirty. What did Jesus mean? What can we learn from this interaction? Explore the deeper meaning in this complicated passage, and discover God’s heart […]

Sun, May 28, 2023

Dirty Mouth

Everyone has different opinions about what’s dirty. Some people like tattoos, while others don’t. Some are okay with flip-flops in public while others think seeing feet is gross. When we factor religion into all this, we have a mess of rights and wrongs that can be confusing. When the rules of religion are so varied […]

Sun, May 21, 2023

Dirty Hands

Throughout history, there have always been things Christians defined as dirty. It used to be sinful to play billiards or poker. It used to be wrong to wear a hat in church, or for women to wear pants. But culture changes and time passes. As it does things that were once forbidden by religion become […]

Sun, May 14, 2023

Desperation

When was the last time you felt desperation? Desperation so great it felt like everything could come to an end? Maybe someone you love was so sick there was nothing more the doctors could do. Or your financial situation fell apart so much that you weren’t sure when you would be able to eat again. […]

Sun, May 07, 2023

Overcoming Fear

We are all afraid of something. Spiders, snakes, heights…even dogs. Fear is an emotion everyone feels at some point in life. Whether that fear is manageable or crippling, people structure their lives so that they don’t have to be afraid. But what if the ways we manage our fear are actually keeping us from being […]

Sun, April 30, 2023

Insecurity

Insecurity is something that everyone battles. It’s the feeling that I’m not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough. That I can’t do what other people can. But, no matter how insecure you feel, you are not alone. God sees your insecurity very differently than you do. Rather than causing us to give up, discover […]

Sun, April 23, 2023

A God of Compassion

To understand what a person really wants, we have to really know them. We have to know what they like and don’t like, What motivates them, and what they care about. We need to understand how they feel about things. This is also true in our relationship with God. There’s one feeling that powerfully motivated […]

Sun, April 16, 2023

A God Who Grieves

If you’ve ever struggled with negative emotions like grief, depression, or anxiety, you know how difficult it can be. Maybe you looked for help in the church and were told, “You’re struggling because you need to pray more and give these feelings over to God.” Maybe you were treated as if your emotions were a […]

Sun, April 09, 2023

The Origins of Easter

Everything has a beginning. An origin story that explains our history and values. They are the myths and legends of the past that inform how we live today. And, while some legends fade over time, others gain strength in our imaginations and have the power to change the course of history. Some origin stories have […]

Sun, April 02, 2023

Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter

If you ask people if they believe in God, many of them would say yes. But their explanations of who God is and what he’s like would be radically different. Even in a church setting, we would find surprisingly different and varying beliefs about what God is like. And while belief is crucial to a […]

Sun, March 26, 2023

Cynical People

Being skeptical can be a good thing. It can protect us from believing things that aren’t true. But being skeptical is very different than being cynical. Cynicism is an attitude that distrusts the motives of others. It’s a negative outlook on life and relationships that makes it difficult to believe in anything. While curious skepticism […]

Sun, March 19, 2023

People Bite

Church hurt can come in many different shapes and sizes. Systemic problems and unethical leaders cause some church hurts. These hurts run deep and are highly damaging. But some church hurts are caused by people who unintentionally say or do things that cause pain without even realizing it. And while a sexual abuse scandal is […]

Sun, March 12, 2023

Line Dancing and Adultery

Church hurt isn’t only caused by the actions of other people. Sometimes it’s caused by religious structures. Sometimes the systems and rules of religion enable attitudes and behaviors that hurt people. Church hurt can come in many forms, but what do we do when the causes are built into our religious institutions? JOHN 8:1-11

Sun, March 05, 2023

Is It Worth the Risk?

There is a reality Christians need to face: People have been deeply hurt by the church. The stories of people who have been hurt by the church and its leaders have been bubbling to the surface for years into what now seems like an unstoppable flood. There are those who have been damaged by abusive […]

Sun, February 26, 2023

Where Belief Meets Understanding

The Bible is an ancient document that followers of Jesus use as a guide for living and knowing God. But as time has progressed modern advancements in science and culture have challenged how it is interpreted. This has created tension between what Christians believe and how we understand new information about the world. The Bible […]

Sun, February 19, 2023

Judgment Day

Judgment Day. It’s a term that conjures images of hell and punishment. It’s the day God judges everyone for how they lived their lives on earth. Being judged by God isn’t something we like talking about much, but it’s something Jesus talked about a lot. What did he mean when he said, “Judgment Day”? And […]

Sun, February 12, 2023

Seek Justice

In 2020, the killing of George Floyd brought intense national attention to the disproportionate killings of unarmed black people at the hands of police. With the worldwide protest came a demand for change and racial justice. In spite of that, the deaths of unarmed black people actually increased over the following two years. The response […]

Sun, January 29, 2023

Treasure Hunters

Human beings have always been obsessed with hidden treasure. We are fascinated by the idea that there may be priceless items hiding in plain sight, just waiting to be discovered. Jesus described the Kingdom of God as a hidden treasure; something of great value that people have trouble seeing. But if the Kingdom is so […]

Sun, January 22, 2023

Bad Mascots

Jesus said the Kingdom of God was like a mustard seed planted in the ground – small and imperceptible. While that may be true, it doesn’t speak very highly of the Kingdom. Great kingdoms should be strong, powerful, and insurmountable. Not tiny and unnoticeable. So what makes the Kingdom of God different? How can a […]

Sun, January 15, 2023

What Does Kingdom Justice Look Like?

How do you feel when someone hurts a child? Or enslaves and trafficks another human being? What about when someone kills another person in cold blood? We don’t just look past those things. We are moved to address them because our sense of justice demands it. Because whatever our culture, religion, or ideology, deep down […]

Sun, January 08, 2023

What is the Kingdom of God?

Jesus came to announce the Kingdom of God and invite people to be a part of it. But there’s a problem – many people don’t know what the Kingdom is. And without an understanding of what it is, we tend to start with our own understanding of the Kingdom of God and work from there. […]

Sun, December 11, 2022

Scriptures and Stars

People from different cultures celebrate Christmas in many different ways. From the food we eat to the way we give gifts, Christmas can look different from one family to the next. Your culture and traditions say something about you. They allow us to understand you better. The Christmas story is no different. While it may […]

Sun, December 04, 2022

Not In Control

No one wants to feel like they are not in control. But life happens. People get sick and lose their job. Marriages fall apart, and bills have to be paid. So much of what happens in life is out of our control. Because of that, it can feel like there’s nothing we can do to […]

Sun, November 27, 2022

Roots and Fruits

Life happens. We get overwhelmed by all the important things fighting for our attention. We are overcome with doubt when our faith in God doesn’t stand up to the crushing challenges of life. Jesus addressed these issues by describing two types of bad soil in the Parable of the Sower. The people represented by the […]

Sun, November 20, 2022

A Farmer’s Perspective

The parables Jesus used to teach were designed for specific people in a specific context. The stories and illustrations he used were immediately familiar to his audience. The Parable of the Sower captured the imagination of people because they lived in an agricultural society. Join us as we look at this parable through the eyes […]

Sun, November 13, 2022

Are You a Lost Cause to God?

Are you a lost cause to God? Are some people so bad that there is no hope of them ever being redeemed? There are certainly those who have been treated that way by religion, cut off, and left outside of religious community life. Even Jesus seems to imply in the Parable of the Sower that, […]

Sun, November 06, 2022

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time. It’s a phrase that has begun so many stories. It causes us to lean in, ready to hear what comes next because stories are powerful. Jesus told a lot of stories. His parables were a way of explaining the kingdom of God that he was ushering in. But sometimes his parables […]

Sun, October 30, 2022

A Big Happy Family?

Is the church really a family? Plenty of people have had experiences in the church that feel opposite to what we expect from family, but Jesus had a different view. He called God “Father” and his followers “brothers and sisters.” The challenge is that religion and family are two very different things. Is it possible […]

Sun, October 23, 2022

Why Are Christians So Mean?

A quick search of comments online reveals that sometimes Christians can just be mean. The experience of many people outside the church is that Christians can be harsh, cruel, and judgmental. This does not describe all followers of Jesus, but the reality is there is a behavior gap in how religious people express their Christianity. […]

Sun, October 16, 2022

When Religion Fails

Religion is the organization of principles and practices around the worship of something or someone. People develop the rules of religion to try and get their relationship with God right. But like any man-made system, people can disagree about how the rules of religion are interpreted and applied. People who follow the same religion can […]

Sun, October 09, 2022

Bad Religion

If you’ve ever looked for a new church or explored faith for the first time you know how complicated it can be. Religion that looks delicious on the surface can be awful once you take a big bite. Jesus was deeply concerned about this. He saved his harshest criticism for religion that looked good from […]

Sun, October 02, 2022

The Unforgivable Sin

We all have deal breakers in our relationships, unforgivable things that can damage our relationships beyond repair. But are there deal breakers in our relationship with God? Is there an unforgivable sin that we could commit that is so bad that God simply can’t get over it? If so what is it, and what does […]

Sun, September 11, 2022

The Justice of Jesus

It makes sense that just religion would be rooted in justice. But how that plays out depends on what your definition of justice is. That word can mean different things to different people, and our definitions can cause us to have totally different outcomes in our lives. Jesus had a different definition of justice than […]

Sun, September 04, 2022

Deformed By Religion

It makes sense that Christianity, the religion built around following Jesus, should be like he described – restful, easy to bear, light. So why isn’t that true for so many people? There’s so much tribalism, conflict, and division happening in large parts of the church that being a Christian can actually seem stressful. Why does […]

Sun, August 28, 2022

How Did Jesus Interpret Scripture?

The Bible is full of stories and commands that can be confusing and complicated. How we interpret those things can either determine how we live out our faith or whether we are willing to trust the Bible at all. How do we interpret problematic parts of the Bible when so many people have different opinions […]

Sun, August 21, 2022

Your Own Personal Apocalypse

When it comes to uncertainty about God, there is one question that remains for many people: How do we know any of this is real? How can we prove it? If God exists beyond the quantifiable ways we measure and understand our physical world, how could we ever be certain about him?

Sun, August 14, 2022

How Gratitude Changes Everything

When we think of gratitude we usually think of Thanksgiving. It’s the one time of year when we go around the table and say what we are thankful for before we can eat. But gratitude is more than just saying, “Thank you for this food.” Thankfulness has the power to improve your life in ways […]

Sun, August 07, 2022

Are You Weary?

Religion can be exhausting. The constant demands and expectations can leave us feeling burdened and weary, particularly when we are wrestling with spiritual doubt. How do we navigate this when the thing that’s supposed to give us hope is the very thing that is weighing us down? If you are weary and worn out by […]

Sun, July 31, 2022

What is God Like?

What is God like? It’s a question that people and religion have wrestled with forever. Is he an old man with a beard sitting on a cloud? Is he the vengeful and angry God of the Old Testament? Often our uncertainty about God is rooted in inconsistent ideas of what he’s like that we were […]

Sun, July 24, 2022

Missing Jesus

Religious people tend to have a lot of certainty about God, the Bible and how to follow Jesus. So how do we account for the sometimes conflicting beliefs that exist within the church? There are many contrasting views in the church related to things different people are very certain about. Is it possible that we […]

Sun, July 17, 2022

Letting Go of Certainty

We have all been handed a belief system – a way of understanding the things that allows us to have certainty in an uncertain world. Nothing promises certainty more than religion – the black and white of what’s wrong and right. But what happens when the things we are so certain about don’t hold up? […]

Sun, July 03, 2022

Is There Room For Doubt?

What do we do when we have doubts about God? Should we follow doubt down the rabbit hole wherever it leads? Should we cut doubt off like a cancer and just choose to blindly believe what we’ve been told? Is there room for doubt in the life of a Christian? Jesus shows us how we […]

Sun, June 26, 2022

What If Jesus Had Been Killed With a Gun?

Every time we turn on the news it seems like there is a new report of gun violence. Whether it’s our schools, churches or grocery stores, it seems inescapable. Everyone can agree that children should not be shot at in school, but we can’t seem to find agreement on the solution to the problem. That […]

Sun, June 19, 2022

Jesus and American Idol

We all love being recognized for our contributions and achievements. Whether you are called out by someone who is winning an academy award or by the bride giving a speech at her wedding reception, it is meaningful when someone acknowledges to the world that you played an important role in their lives. What would it […]

Sun, June 05, 2022

Be Afraid, But Don’t Be Afraid

Whether it’s at home, work, or at school, most of our environments have one foundational rule that is communicated more than any other. Don’t wear shoes in the house. Don’t touch the remote. No electronics after bedtime. That main rule communicates an important value. There is one command that God gives more than any other […]

Sun, May 29, 2022

A New Way of Winning

What does it look like for followers of Jesus to win? Jesus told the disciples they would face opposition. If there are people opposing us, someone has to come out on top. What does it look like when we win? Does it look like owning our enemies, crushing their culture and values? Does it look […]

Sun, May 22, 2022

What’s the Deal With Sodom and Gomorrah?

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the most horrific in the Bible, and it has been used to illustrate God’s judgment of homosexuality. But is that what it’s really about? Is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah really about people in the LGBTQ community? Or could it be about a totally different […]

Sun, May 15, 2022

Contaminated

Religion has always been concerned with keeping people pure, causing us to avoid the things and people that could contaminate our spiritual purity. We even use Jesus’ own figure of speech, “shake the dust off your feet,” to describe cutting loose those who aren’t receptive to our religion and threaten our spiritual purity. But is […]

Sun, May 08, 2022

First Time Drivers

The first time a person ever drives a car is scary. The controls are confusing, it’s hard to stay in the lines, and even something as simple as turning seems so complicated. We face scary moments of uncertainty all the time in life. Moments when we are afraid of losing what’s important to us, or […]

Sun, May 01, 2022

Picking Teams

The world we live in has never been more polarized. People self-select into ideological groups more quickly and intensely than ever before. The differences in values, politics and worldviews have made it feel like there are certain people who we just can’t have anything to do with anymore – who we have to oppose. Is […]

Sun, April 24, 2022

Lost Sheep and Stray Dogs

Understanding why a person does the things they do can change everything. It can change how we perceive their actions and even their character. It allows us to understand their motivations and desires. We know about all the miracles Jesus performed, but why did he do them? What was the point? We can learn a […]

Sun, April 17, 2022

First Impressions

It takes an average of seven seconds to make a first impression. Seven seconds to decide if someone is intelligent, trustworthy, and a good person. And once we make that first impression, it tends to stick. Even when we have evidence that shows we are wrong. When we are all making judgments about other people, […]

Sun, April 10, 2022

Qualifications

Have you ever felt unqualified for something? Like you didn’t measure up? Life is full of things that require qualifications – jobs, schools, sports, even government welfare programs. They are designed to let the right people in and keep the wrong people out. But what about the church? There must be some qualifications to let […]

Sun, April 03, 2022

Spirals

There are shapes and patterns repeated all throughout nature. Spirals, for example, are found in the smallest seashells and in the largest galaxies. There are also patterns found in the Bible, where the smallest and most human stories contain echoes of God’s cosmic plan. Discover what the small stories from the life of Jesus can […]

Sun, March 27, 2022

Forever Unclean

Jesus performed a lot of miracles in the gospels. And every miracle recorded was included for the purpose of showing people who Jesus was, how he lived, and what he taught. Matthew’s gospel contains a story of the healing of a very sick woman that, while it seems simple on the surface, has a complex […]

Sun, March 20, 2022

Proper Sin Management

Religious tradition is powerful. In addition to giving us a framework for navigating right and wrong, it shows us how to manage sin. But if that’s true, why are there so many different religious traditions, including some that even seem to contradict each other? Does our tradition of sin management work? And does it line […]

Sun, March 13, 2022

The Center of the Circle

Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving? Why does the tooth fairy trade money for teeth? Why can’t we wear white after labor day? We all do things that are based on tradition we don’t necessarily understand. The power of tradition can be so strong that, even when it doesn’t make sense, we will still […]

Sun, March 06, 2022

Forgiveness and Faith

What is the nature of forgiveness? We think of forgiveness from an emotional perspective. It’s a feeling. If someone does something to hurt me, it affects how I feel about them. So forgiveness is just changing that feeling from negative to positive. But if that’s true, what does it say about God? Is God’s forgiveness […]

Sun, February 27, 2022

Problem People

How far would you go to help someone. You might give a homeless person five dollars, but would you give them fifty? You might donate a kidney to a family member, but would you donate it to a complete stranger? What if they were a problem person in your life? How far we are willing […]

Sun, February 20, 2022

Authority Issues

When we need help with something, we go to the person who has authority in that area. When our car breaks down we go to a mechanic, not a carpenter. But authority is not something people blindly accept. Whether big or small, we want some evidence that we can trust someone – proof of authority. […]

Sun, February 13, 2022

This Does Not Represent Me

Jesus said some difficult things. He said if you want to be his disciple you must hate everyone else by comparison, including your family. He said you have to hate your own life to follow him. He said you have to take up your cross, which was a reference to walking to your own execution. […]

Sun, February 06, 2022

The Anti-Prosperity Gospel

There is an idea that some people call the Prosperity Gospel. It says that God wants us to be happy and prosperous. If we follow him the right way  have enough faith, good things will come to us. Because God wants only good things for us, we will have wealth, health, and all the comfort […]

Sun, January 30, 2022

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Everything has a cost when it comes to living the life you want. We decide what is worth investing in by doing a cost-benefit analysis – weighing the pros and cons of every expense and deciding if it’s worth the price. But a cost-benefit analysis is not just about your finances. Because our spiritual life […]

Sun, January 16, 2022

Cultural Complications

There are some things that don’t translate across cultures. What might make a person cool and interesting in one culture could make her an outsider in another. Often we are unaware of how the dictates and demands of our cultures can separate us. Jesus shows us how to bridge the cultural divide and come together with […]

Sun, January 09, 2022

Our Darth Vaders

Our perception of others affects how we relate to them, and how we categorize them – are they cool, are they safe, are they intimidating, are they a person to be avoided? Are they a person who I can bring into my life or someone I should keep at a distance? Jesus had an interaction […]

Sun, January 02, 2022

The Walking Dead

As kids we learn that it’s wrong to let anyone be left out of the group. To be an outsider. But are there people who maybe should be outsiders? What do you do with a person who’s part of the church but has radically different beliefs about key doctrines? What about the person who always […]

Sun, December 19, 2021

Christmas Playlist

We all respond to music…especially Christmas music. It surrounds us during the holiday season in stores, on the radio, and on our Christmas music playlists. It connects with some of our best memories and strongest emotions. Join us to discover how Christmas music can help us respond to God in life changing ways.

Sun, December 12, 2021

Christmas and the Outcast

The Christmas story is so familiar that for many of us it has almost become like a fairy tale. Two parents had a baby who would save the world, and everyone had a happy ending. But the story of Jesus’ birth happened in the lives of real people and had real consequences. You might be […]

Sun, November 21, 2021

Sand and Stone

Knowing the right thing to do is often pretty simple. Discovering how to eat well, exercise right, and manage your finances is just a Google search away. But having access to the right information doesn’t always translate into action. There is still a gulf between what we know we should do and actually doing it. […]

Sun, November 14, 2021

Lies and the People Who Believe Them

If we’ve learned anything from social media it’s that human beings are incredibly easy to deceive. Many people are willing to believe wild conspiracy theories that are questionable at best and demonstrably false at worst. Even if the deception is as small as Bigfoot, our willingness to keep believing things in spite of all evidence […]

Sun, November 07, 2021

Fruit Inspectors

Have you ever known someone who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Someone who wasn’t what they presented themselves to be? This is a saying that originated with Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount when he cautioned his followers to beware of people like that. But, is it possible to be a wolf and […]

Sun, October 31, 2021

The Narrow Path

“Walk the straight and narrow,” is a familiar phrase. It usually means living a good life or doing the right things. But what does that mean? If we each had to describe straight and narrow we would probably all describe it differently. Does walking the narrow road mean not drinking alcohol, not cussing, and only […]

Sun, October 24, 2021

As I Close…

Do to others what you would have them do to you. It’s a saying known as The Golden Rule. Even though it is credited to Jesus, it is found in all sorts of ancient religious traditions, many of which predated him. The Golden Rule exists in some form in nearly every religious, moral and philosophical […]

Sun, October 17, 2021

Open Invitation

Jesus tells us to “ask, seek and knock.” And he tells us that when we do we will receive what we ask for. But while this may be true sometimes, our experience tells us it isn’t true all the time. There are people who died of cancer instead of getting better. relationships that fell apart […]

Sun, October 10, 2021

I Love You, But…

We tend to look at judging others as a bad thing. But if that’s true, why do so many people still do it? Is it possible that when we think we are doing the right thing for people we are actually judging and condemning them? What if what we think is “loving others” is actually […]

Sun, October 03, 2021

Halloween Christianity

Halloween. Is it all good fun, or is it a celebration of all things evil? Christians are split on this, and even more deeply divided on many other issues. Some of those disagreements are rooted in deeply moral and religious beliefs, and yet genuine Christians still have differences of opinion about them. How do we […]

Sun, September 26, 2021

Plank Eye

Jesus said, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” But it seems more complicated than that, because some of the things others do are just wrong. What if people are doing things that should be judged? Isn’t it wrong to tolerate sin? Shouldn’t we call it out when we see it in […]

Sun, September 19, 2021

Judgmental Christians

We make nearly instant judgments about people every day. We judge their actions, attitudes, morality, and their lifestyles. These are the kinds of judgments that cause us to treat one person differently than we treat another. But are there consequences to looking at people with condemnation? What does it mean spiritually when we judge others?

Sun, September 12, 2021

No Worries

When it comes to anxiety and stress, money is a leading cause. It touches almost every part of our lives and every decision we make. It is the key that unlocks doors of opportunity and the ultimate safety net that keeps us from crashing to the ground. But no matter how much you have, it […]

Sun, September 05, 2021

Two Masters

Everyone has a certain amount of money and resources that they use regularly in life. But what determines how we use them? What values dictate what we invest in and why? Is there a right wrong way to look at our possessions and how they are leveraged? Jesus gives answers to all these questions and […]

Sun, August 29, 2021

Bad Eye

Everyone has a certain amount of money and resources that they use regularly in life. But what determines how we use them? What values dictate what we invest in and why? Is there a right wrong way to look at our possessions and how they are leveraged? Jesus gives answers to all these questions and […]

Sun, August 22, 2021

What Do You Desire?

We live with a nagging sense that we never have enough – enough time in the day or money in the bank. We feel torn in multiple directions. Tired of low-grade fatigue. Behind on everything. Beset by constant distraction. We all know the cliché that “the most important things in life aren’t things” is true, and yet time and again we fall for advertising’s ploy. What does Jesus have to say about our money and possessions? Is there freedom from the false promise that money and possessions can give us security and satisfaction?

Sun, August 08, 2021

Lessons in the Lesser Known

There are many super famous stories from the Bible that many of us have heard before—Jesus Walking on Water, Noah and the Ark, David and Goliath, Jesus’ Birth. But what about the other stories? The one’s we didn’t hear as kids? Do they have anything to teach us? And if so, what?

Sun, August 01, 2021

Two Sides of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not something that comes easy. When someone hurts us we want them to hurt back. And we certainly don’t want to let them off the hook. Jesus is the best model of forgiveness we have. How did he approach it? Is it really as important as some people make it out to be? […]

Sun, July 25, 2021

Big Picture Prayer

Do you ever feel like you don’t know what to say when you pray? You’re not alone. The awkwardness we feel when we pray can lead us to pray thoughtless, repetitious and sometimes weird prayers. But we don’t have to be uncomfortable. Jesus gave us a template for prayer to not only help us pray […]

Sun, July 18, 2021

The Purpose of Prayer

Christians pray a lot with others. We pray with our kids, over our meals, and when someone has a need. But Jesus said that when we pray we should go be alone. Why was praying alone so important to him? Why did Jesus say prayer should be practiced in private?

Sun, July 11, 2021

Love & Economics

Jesus talked about how to love other people often. It is at the heart of everything he taught. He also talked a lot about money. Where do the two meet up? How should love and economics make sense for followers of Jesus?

Sun, June 27, 2021

Center Stage

Human beings have a deep need to be recognized by the people we value the most. Whether it’s our friends, family, or literal strangers on the internet, there’s something incredibly powerful about the approval and praise of certain people. But is there a spiritual downside to playing to the people whose opinions we value most?

Sun, June 20, 2021

Deconstructed

Deconstruction is a term that defines when a Christian, or someone who was raised in a church tradition, begins to question what they believe and why they believe it. The process of deconstruction is to break apart the faith that was handed to us along with the assumptions that came with it. Some Christians don’t […]

Sun, June 13, 2021

Who Is Your Enemy?

We all have enemies of some kind. It could be people who believe and live differently than we do. It could be people who do hurtful things to us. It could be people who vote the other way. It could simply be people who are not like us. While it may be strange to use […]

Sun, June 06, 2021

Two Wrongs

We have an eye for an eye sense of justice. It says, “If you do something to me, I do the same thing back to you.” Whether we call it revenge, retribution, punishment, or tit-for-tat, we all share the feeling that if we are wronged it has to be made right by the equal suffering […]

Sun, May 30, 2021

New Rules for Telling a Lie

People lie all the time – to pad their resume, pay less taxes, sell a car, and to gain political power. We expect it…so we accept it. It’s a system built on the assumption of dishonesty. Should followers of Jesus be different? What should the truth look like in our world?

Sun, May 23, 2021

Jesus & Divorce

Divorce is something that many people have gone through and has touched nearly all of us. But it rarely happens without relational damage. Jesus had a lot to say about divorce, and how it is impacted by his kingdom ethic of radical love.

Sun, May 16, 2021

Lust and Human Desire

Religion tends to manage sexual issues with lots of rules. Don’t be in a room alone together. Don’t wear a two-piece swimsuit. Don’t look at him or her. But is this what Jesus intended? Was his plan was to make sure girls don’t wear yoga pants in public? Did he just want to make sure […]

Sun, May 09, 2021

Rules, Relationships and Reconciliation

We have all been angry. When someone cut us off on the highway. When the dishes are left in the sink. When we are late for a meeting. Most people would agree that anger isn’t a good thing, but why? Jesus gives us an extreme window into anger, and shows us why he has a […]

Sun, May 02, 2021

Follow the Rules

Rules. They may be different for everyone, but we all follow them. They define morality and give us sign posts for how to live. But what if following the rules doesn’t work? What if it never worked?

Sun, April 25, 2021

Light of the World

Any time the world needs direction we tend to look to famous, rich, and successful people. It’s simpler to trust these people to do things we feel like we could never do. That way of thinking might work for anyone else, but for Christians it’s complicated by something Jesus said. Something that redefines what we […]

Sun, April 18, 2021

Salt of the Earth

Jesus said his followers are the salt of the earth. But salt has a lot of different qualities. What did he mean by that? Discover how our understanding of our influence can radically change the world when we live out his purposes.

Sun, April 11, 2021

Out of the Box

Followers of Jesus have always felt a tension between being like the world and being protected from it. It’s never been easier for Christians to separate themselves from the world with Christian music, movies, schools, and stores. But does Jesus want something other than isolation for his followers?

Sun, April 04, 2021

Blessed Are the Persecuted

Jesus said God blesses those who are persecuted. This is very counterintuitive statement. Suffering doesn't make anyone happy. Jesus was persecuted so much that he was literally killed for his faith. So how can he say that people who are persecuted are blessed?

Sun, March 28, 2021

Blessed Are the Peace Makers

Sun, March 21, 2021

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

When we talk about purity most people think about sexual purity or being free from external sin. If you don’t have sex outside of God’s design, don’t drink, don’t gamble, don’t listen to bad music, and don’t watch mature rated tv shows and movies then you are pure. But Jesus had a different idea of purity that might surprise you.

Sun, March 14, 2021

Blessed Are the Merciful

Mercy. It's something we all want. We can ask for it, expect it, and even beg for it when we need it. But is mercy weakness? Is it just forgiveness? Discover how mercy plays out in the lives of followers of Jesus.

Sun, March 07, 2021

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Justice

Righteousness and Justice. Those are two very different things to different people. Righteousness for most people would signify a state of personal holiness or religious observance. If someone believes right, and lives right religiously, they are righteous. Justice on the other hand is equity and fairness. Where should righteousness and justice fit in the lives of Jesus followers, and how do they interact with each other?

Sun, February 28, 2021

Blessed Are the Humble

We've all heard the saying, "Pride goes before a fall." It's the idea that when people get proud things start to fall apart. But what if pride has a bigger reach than we thought? What if humility is more than just not thinking too highly of ourselves? And what if being humble has a much bigger impact on our lives than we realize?

Sun, February 21, 2021

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

We associate mourning with death and the loss of someone dear to us. Death brings separation from the one we love. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn." What does that mean for us? How deep is the separation he wants to bring healing to?

Sun, February 14, 2021

Blessed Are the Poor

Jesus said blessed are the poor. For us to really grasp what this means for us we need to understand what poverty means to God. What is his his heart for the poor, and how should that affect how we see poverty?

Sun, February 07, 2021

Blessed Or Cursed

What does it mean to be blessed? Does it mean being happy or fulfilled? If I’m happy I’m blessed, and if I’m unhappy I’m not blessed? Or does it mean lucky? That things just seem to be going my way? Jesus gives an answer that is as unexpected today as it was two thousand years ago.

Sun, January 31, 2021

Go Fish

We’ve all heard the popular saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” It’s talking about the importance of teaching someone to do something for themselves, rather than doing it for them. Jesus lived this out far before […]

Sun, January 24, 2021

The Right Way

Temptation is the choice between doing something right or wrong. Choosing the right way can be challenging. Jesus was tempted three times, and in those three temptations we get a really good look at what motivated him and how he made the right call.

Sun, January 17, 2021

When God Requires More

Throughout history there are a lot of people with big reputations. But are they accurate? Do we really know what the people we look up to stood for? What about Jesus?

Sun, January 10, 2021

Lenses

We all have lenses through which we see the world. They inform how we live, how we think and what we do. But what if our lenses don’t allow us to really see everything? What if our worldview is incomplete? What if the lenses we see the world through conflict with what God wants us […]

Sun, January 03, 2021

Dear 2020

How do we move on from a year like 2020? How do we process everything that happened and everything we went through? Jesus gives us a roadmap in how navigate the difficult past into a better future.

Sun, December 20, 2020

Messed Up Peace

Christmas is not always what we hope or expect it to be. Things get weird. You get a terrible present and have to pretend “it’s perfect.” People talk politics, and it gets ugly. The reality is though, it’s not just Christmas, life in general is not always what we expect it to be. Thankfully, it’s […]

Sun, December 13, 2020

Peace In Person

God’s plan for us is to experience peace that lasts. But peace like that can’t be made. It is found…in a person.

Sun, November 29, 2020

Practicing Peace

Peace comes from God and is available to us in every circumstance. But is there something we can to better experience it? When it comes to peace, practice makes perfect.