Superhero movies are always fun. Watching people, who look totally normal on the outside, get to do super cool things, and even do some good in the process, is just awesome. The truth, however, is that all of the superhero stories are born out of a great personal struggle. Through their triumphant stories of overcoming hardship, can we really change our own real lives?
Easter is a really big deal. If the resurrection is true, then everything hangs on this. The resurrection of Jesus is what launched the church. It is what birthed all of Christianity. History points to this remarkable moment and invites us to ask the question, “What do you believe?” Was Jesus the Son of God, overcoming the grave? This Easter we invite you to, “Believe Again.”
From the fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, God’s incredible plan to bring a savior is seen throughout history. Palm Sunday was a celebration that was hoped for by generations. The Passion week begins with an amazing picture of a creative and loving God orchestrating events in perfect timing to demonstrate His love for all of us. - Hosanna ©2006 Hillsong Music Publishing
Some games are fun and life giving. Others have the potential to disrupt unity and create unwanted tension in our relationships. No one wants to be in a relationship with someone who is playing mind games with them. Assuming the worst in others or trying to manipulate them to gain the upper hand is a recipe for disaster. This morning let’s look at a strategy to end the Mind Game in our relationships.
Since Adam and Eve first attempted to divert blame, mankind has been consistently playing the “Blame Game.” When we know we are guilty, it's tempting to blame others for our choices. However, putting the blame on others is toxic to any relationship. This week, we explore the secret to quitting the “Blame Game”.
We all love games. However, playing games in our relationships is a dangerous practice. Approaching any relationship as though there must be a winner and a loser is a bad idea. One game we tend to play in our relationships is The Change Game. No one wants to feel manipulated. When we secretly try to change someone, we end up creating something toxic for everyone involved. It simply does not work. And it will eventually destroy the relationship. The good news is God’s Word points us towards a bet...
Mankind has always celebrated milestones of maturity. Birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, etc. As we journey in faith with Jesus, the Bible encourages us to be mature in Christ. (Col 1:28) What does that look like? How do we know if we are moving towards maturity? Join us as we explore what it means to be “Real Mature."
Mankind has always celebrated milestones of maturity. Birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, etc. As we journey in faith with Jesus, the bible encourages us to be mature in Christ. (Col 1:28) What does that look like? How do we know if we are moving towards maturity? Join us as we explore what it means to be “Real Mature.”
Mankind has always celebrated milestones of maturity. Birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, etc. As we journey in faith with Jesus, the bible encourages us to be mature in Christ. (Col 1:28) What does that look like? How do we know if we are moving towards maturity? Join us as we explore what it means to be “Real Mature.”
Mankind has always celebrated milestones of maturity. Birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, etc. As we journey in faith with Jesus, the Bible encourages us to be mature in Christ. (Col 1:28) What does that look like? How do we know if we are moving towards maturity? Join us as we explore what it means to be “Real Mature
The bible reveals incredible truth about God. He loves us, he designed us in his image, he wants relationship with us. All relationships require time and proximity to thrive. So what can we do in order to foster a great relationship with God? This week we will explore one of the great tools God gives us in order to develop an intimate and personal relationship with him. Fasting, when less is more.
"Happy New Years! A kind phrase… but do we mean it? Are we really expecting to be happy this year? We all long for a life of abundant joy and happiness. Why does it seem that many of our days end in anger, frustration, and tears? We try to fill our days with the things we think will make us happy, but it does not always work. What if we started 2018 making a decision to pursue the joy and freedom that only a personal relationship with God can bring?
Happy New Years! A kind phrase… but do we mean it? Are we really expecting to be happy this year? We all long for a life of abundant joy and happiness. Why does it seem that many of our days end in anger, frustration, and tears? We try to fill our days with the things we think will make us happy, but it does not always work. What if we started 2018 making a decision to pursue the joy and freedom that only a personal relationship with God can bring? The Pursuit of Happiness.
Happy New Years! A kind phrase… but do we mean it? Are we really expecting to be happy this year? We all long for a life of abundant joy and happiness. Why does it seem that many of our days end in anger, frustration, and tears? We try to fill our days with the things we think will make us happy, but it does not always work. What if we started 2018 making a decision to pursue the joy and freedom that only a personal relationship with God can bring?
Over this season, we’ve been unwrapping the gifts of Christmas as we have journeyed through the Advent season. It is our chance to listen to the stories, to remember the true meaning of Christmas, to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. As we more deeply experience the gifts of Christmas: the hope, love, peace, and joy of Jesus, we will also be challenged to give those gifts away.
Over this season, we will unwrap the gifts of Christmas as we journey through the Advent season. It is our chance to listen to the stories, to remember the true meaning of Christmas, to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. As we more deeply experience the gifts of Christmas: the hope, love, peace, and joy of Jesus, we will also be challenged to give those gifts away.
Over this season, we will unwrap the gifts of Christmas as we journey through the Advent season. It is our chance to listen to the stories, to remember the true meaning of Christmas, to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. As we more deeply experience the gifts of Christmas: the hope, love, peace, and joy of Jesus, we will also be challenged to give those gifts away.
Over this season, we will unwrap the gifts of Christmas as we journey through the Advent season. It is our chance to listen to the stories, to remember the true meaning of Christmas, to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. As we more deeply experience the gifts of Christmas: The Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy of Jesus, we will also be challenged to give those gifts away.
Over the next four weeks, we will unwrap the gifts of Christmas as we journey through the Advent season. It is our chance to listen to the stories, to remember the true meaning of Christmas, to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. As we more deeply experience the gifts of Christmas: the hope, love, peace, and joy of Jesus, we will also be challenged to give those gifts away.
Walking with God is a step by step process. In a time when no one else was committed to walking with God, Noah demonstrated that one person, willing to walk with God, can change the world. Even when we are not sure where all the steps will lead us, our best option is to keep walking with Him!
Walking with God when you don’t know the final destination takes faith. Without faith its impossible to please God, and it’s impossible to walk with God. Walking in faith, trusting God with your steps, could change your destiny.
One of the most powerful descriptions you can give of a person is “they walked with God.” The bible directs us to several individuals that demonstrate what a life that walks with God looks like. Hebrews tells us that Enoch walked with God in a way that pleased God. Perhaps we can too!
We live in a society steeped in the mindset of entitlement. Many believe we deserve or are owed certain benefits – from the government, our parents, the church, even God. This entitlement is the opposite of gratitude. A heart filled with gratitude lifts us beyond ourselves and provides a clear connection into His presence in every circumstance.
Before he delivered the Ten Commandments, God reminded Moses: “I am the LORD your God who brought you out...of slavery”. In other words, “I set you free, now here is the law!” Does that sound like a contradiction? The reality is that our soul longs to be free. Still, we find ourselves in conflict when things we desire ultimately desire to enslave us. God knows there is a path to true freedom.
We all get tired. Life is busy and stressful. Tiredness can cause negative consequences. But there is an antidote for the ill-effects of tiredness. A healthy, well-rested soul enables our total self to function at full capability and guards against the ill-effects of being tired.
Sometimes doing the right thing costs us. When others take the easy way out, it can be tempting to move away from what we know is right, in order to avoid potential pain or consequences. Our soul desires to move in alignment with God no matter what the circumstance, but those outside pressures can be hard to overcome!" Judges 16:16 “…she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death”
From soul music to soul food, we use the term soul to describe cars, people and preferences. Yet what is a soul? Do we have a soul? If we have a soul, what does it need? In Mark 8:36 Jesus says, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul?” Jesus implies we have a responsibility for our soul. What could that mean?
It’s amazing how often fear and anxiety are the deciding factors in our lives. When we’re overcome by fear, safety becomes our new god; a weight that mere safety cannot bear. Fear is an inevitable element of the world we live in, but it doesn’t have to rule our hearts.
We all face seasons where we wonder if anyone knows or cares about what we are going through. However we also know that God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) So how do we guard our heart against loneliness?"
The Bible is clear that our heart needs protecting. A firewall is an intentional layer of security, designed to keep out specific threats. This week, we will explore how anger presents a threat to our heart, and how managing our anger affects our heart and helps determine the direction of our lives.
