It's easy to make this the most magical time of the year, but Christmas was anything but magical. Pastor JD share a compelling message about "God With Us"; what it means to us, and what it means to the world. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better.
Dec 19, 2021•26 min•Ep. 369
On this last installment in this Series, Pastor JD shares a pondering message about the importance of generosity as a way of life. Generosity is not simply about giving things away, it's much deeper than that. Listen to the challenge, followed by 3 marks of a generous person. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better!
Dec 13, 2021•45 min•Ep. 368
What does it mean to be glad? You can explain it with words like joy, happiness, excitement... but is that what gladness is? There is a kind of gladness that is available to us that sustains us in the highs and lows of life. In this message, Pastor JD will share about this gladness, and how to have it. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better.
Dec 07, 2021•40 min•Ep. 367
In this episode, Pastor JD invites two leaders from ConnectCommunity to share a thought on gratitude. Katherin Obregon shares 2 insightful principles of gratitude. Dan DePaula shares personal experiences where gratitude grounded him amid challenges. Pastor JD ends with a challenge for all of us to end the year well. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better!
Dec 01, 2021•35 min•Ep. 366
Have you thought about the importance of genuineness in your life? We all deal with pressures put on us to present ourselves differently than we are; we are pressured to agree when we disagree, to behave and fit the mold, when we feel like we don't fit in. This goes beyond the healthy aspects of developing and growing, and it sometimes pushes many of us to lead a disingenuous life at work and at home. In this message, Pastor JD sits down with Jordan Brown to discuss the importance of genuineness...
Nov 21, 2021•45 min•Ep. 365
When was the last time you thought of Godliness? What kinds of thoughts come to mind when you think of that word? Religion? Accusations? Dogma? If you grew up irreligious, this is a word that is distant and completely disconnected from your vocabulary. It probably sounds like it belongs in a different era. But Godliness is closer to us than we think. In this message, pastor JD shares why godliness should matter, who it is for, and how to develop it. We hope this podcast blesses you and helps you...
Nov 17, 2021•40 min•Ep. 364
If you've been looking for wisdom to move forward and grow in your closest relationships, especially your marriage, Pastor JD shares 4 practical expressions that will help you heal, repair, and grow your marriage. These can be applied to all relationships, but it is communicated and focused on marriage. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better.
Nov 08, 2021•39 min•Ep. 363
Why do conflicts arise? Why do relationships–especially those that matter to us–have a tendency for conflict? In this message, we will discuss conflict and how it arises; how to face them, grow through them, and use them to better your relationships. We hope today's service blesses you and inspires you to live a better more fulfilling life. We aim to connect you to God, to others, and to your purpose. ConnectCommunity is a life-giving church in Stamford, CT. For more about ConnectCommunity, plea...
Nov 02, 2021•37 min•Ep. 362
We are all familiar with the term R&R (Rest & Recovery). But there is another set of R&R that is fundamental to relationships, and that is Respect & Responsibility. In this message, Pastors JD and Alini Müller sit down for a conversation about the importance of Respect and Responsibility, and they'll address one unhealthy emotion that tends to show up to undermine respect and justify our disregard for responsibility in relationships. We hope this conversation inspires you and hel...
Oct 26, 2021•53 min•Ep. 361
We all want to belong, we know we need to belong, but how? Pastor Alini shares a compelling message about the importance of a church community, and how to belong.
Oct 20, 2021•37 min•Ep. 360
It is safe to say that since March 2020 our relationships have suffered additional pressure and stress. Maybe some of your relationships have been damaged in a way that has been surprising to you. You thought you were prepared; you thought you were in a better situation. Pastor JD introduces our new relationship series titled "In Repair". It is time for healing, restoration, and peace. In this message, you will hear why this process must start with you. We hope this series blesses you and helps ...
Oct 12, 2021•39 min•Ep. 359
Sometimes we can lump the worst part of us in one big thing; our bad habits, our particular sensitivity to specific situations, a bad memory, that physical trait we don't like very much. These, and other things that make-up who we are, are not the same thing. Some of these things are inherited, others are part of our upbringing, others are genetic, and others yet are of our own doing. An even greater factor is our inability to properly differentiate things that are physical from things that are ...
Oct 04, 2021•47 min•Ep. 358
The reality that evil spirits are real is seldom an idea that is challenged. Exorcism has existed for at least 3,500 years. The search for the occult in our country is increasing. People are looking for spirituality in all sorts of places. How do you respond to the reality of evil spirits? Have you faced them in your life or in your family? We hope this message blesses you and inspires you to live a more fulfilling life. We aim to connect you to God, to others, and to your purpose. ConnectCommun...
Sep 29, 2021•40 min•Ep. 357
The primary place where we battle things like stress and anxiety is in the mind. Sure surrounding circumstances can affect us, but the battleground that is constantly in conflict is the mind. That space in you no one can see, but it determines how you feel, how you make decisions, and how you relate to others. Let's explore how to have a healthy mind in light of the Scriptures. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better.
Sep 22, 2021•40 min•Ep. 356
We all have come to a place where we have to face that part of us we don't really like. We call it "Facing Our Demons". But what are we actually facing? Is it an immutable part of us? Are we helpless in the face of these shortcomings and limitations? Pastor JD introduces this brand new series with a message titled "it was not by chance". We hope it blesses you, inspires you, and helps you live better!
Sep 12, 2021•37 min•Ep. 355
We live in an age when emotional connection is increasingly going virtual, and it seems that negative emotion and hostility are more prevalent in the virtual world than in the real world. Pastor JD concludes the Better Perspectives series with a message about how to be pleasant and kind without giving in to the wave of hostility and manipulation we face today. We hope this service blesses you and inspires you to live better.
Sep 07, 2021•33 min•Ep. 354
What does it mean to believe in God? Is arriving at the conclusion that it is plausible that a supreme being or intelligence has had a hand in the existence of the universe and creation to believe in God? Can you believe in something and do nothing about it? When someone believes in God, and opens their heart and senses to experience the divine, there is an awareness that sets in. If that person opens their heart, they will realize there is a divine call beseeching them toward a spiritual journe...
Aug 30, 2021•37 min•Ep. 353
What would your life look like if you lived as though you trust God. Many times we say and confess our trust, but how much better could our lives be if our actions reflected it? Pastor Alini Müller shares a compelling message about the heroes of faith and how their example leads us to trust God all the more.
Aug 23, 2021•26 min•Ep. 352
For many, the path to a better life means better circumstances – a better surrounding, a better situation, or even a better past. However, when there is improvement on two or three of those areas they realize life still doesn't feel better. Why? Whether you are an optimist stuck in the same mindset believing things will change, or you are a pessimist and you already saw the end coming, I want you to consider the idea that your perspective might be attached to untruths. Ideas, patterns of thinkin...
Aug 23, 2021•41 min•Ep. 351
We will all have moments and seasons when we will face the fire. In this message, Pastor JD shares a better perspective on how to face difficult situations beyond your control. We hope this message blesses you and helps you live better.
Aug 09, 2021•28 min•Ep. 350