It's one of the most famous stories in the Bible. Daniel is thrown into a lion's den by evil men. We all face lions in our lives. No, not literal hungry beasts trying to eat us, but we all face impossible situations, illnesses, addictions, disease, or lies from people who mean to do us harm. Rod Loy looks at how Daniel survived his night with the lions and what it has to tell us today as we face our lions.
Mar 12, 2007•33 min
There is a common theme in the Bible. People reject God and the Word of God. They don't want to hear any warnings or know that they are wrong. They want to do their thing, their way. The same pattern is apparent in people today: people fail and walk away from their relationship with God. How can you make sure that you stay close to God?
Mar 04, 2007•29 min
Pride is a dangerous sin. Pride is the underlying sin that causes many people to fail. It's easy to spot in others, but hard to admit in our ourselves. What happens when we let pride take over our lives?
Feb 28, 2007•31 min
If you are a parent, you've heard the excuse at one time or another: "But Dad, Mom, everyone is doing it." Every parent has a standard answer to that! But even if everyone is doing it, does that make it right? Unfortunately, this peer pressure is not limited to students. Everyone faces it at some point. In this message, Rod Loy looks at what you should do when "everyone else is doing it."
Feb 18, 2007•36 min
We are all born with names. But society, and sin, put different names on us. Liar, drunk, disappointment, rebel, junkie, loser. There are many names we can be tagged with in our lives. What name are you known by? By what name do you want to be known? God can give you a new name.
Feb 11, 2007•41 min
Fitness and health are topics not normally mentioned in church. After all, how we treat our bodies is a "secular" issue, right? It doesn't have anything to do with God or church. Or does it?
Jan 28, 2007•36 min
We live in a world where people are measured by what they have. If you drive the right car, wear the right clothes and have the right things you will be loved and accepted. That's the message our culture wants us to believe. We all know, however, that when you get caught in that mode, you can never escape. No matter what you have, you want a little bit more. But stuff doesn't make you happy. Isn't there a better way to live life?
Jan 21, 2007•31 min
The primary reason so many churches are struggling in America is that they are unhealthy. We hear a lot of talk about people concerned about the state of the church in America. What you don't hear is a lot of people saying "I am committed to changing. If the church is going to be healthy again in America, it starts with me. I am going to be a healthy part of a healthy church." In this message, Rod Loy looks at what it takes to be a healthy church.
Jan 14, 2007•34 min
Are you ready for change? Are you ready to find and fulfill God's purpose for your life? We're not talking about a New Year resolution - with God's help, living according to His Word and its principles, you can be radically changed - a brand new you!
Jan 08, 2007•35 min
Every January 1, millions of Americans will make their list of New Year's resolutions. A New Year's resolution is a vow to change, improve, or grow in a specific area in the coming year. But, life is busy and your busy schedule and packed priorities quickly edge out all those good intentions. Why is that? Why can't we change? Why do we keep giving up? Why is it another year--and same old me?
Dec 31, 2006•41 min
For a couple of days in December every year, everything focuses on one thing: Christmas. Offices are closed, the mail isn't delivered, stores shut down, schools are out. What's the big deal? In an increasingly secular society, why does everything shut down and everyone stop for Christmas?
Dec 27, 2006•41 min
You don't need anyone to teach you how to celebrate victory -- you've got that down. It comes naturally. You throw your arms in the air and run around the room. You shout. You high-five. You may even dance a little victory dance. You know what to do when you win. But, what do you do when you don't win? What do you do when not only do you not win, but you suffer a horrible defeat? What do you do when everything seems gone - there is no hope - when you've lost it all?
Dec 03, 2006•30 min
It's in our darkest hours that who we are really comes to light. Rod Loy looks at the story of Paul and Silas in prison and asks the questions: "Who am I chained to?" and "What song will I sing in the dark?"
Nov 26, 2006•33 min
David was a little guy - a young shepherd boy. Goliath was a big guy. It's the classic story of big problem, little me. But really, it's not David who had the big problem, even though everyone thought he did. Goliath was actually the underdog. In this message, Rod Loy looks at what happens when we face big problems.
Nov 19, 2006•40 min
These are challenging times to raise kids. While there are many excellent books for parents, the Bible remains the best guidebook. Rod Loy examines five principles for raising life-long followers of Jesus.
Nov 12, 2006•35 min
Prejudice: It's an ugly subject, and it makes people uncomfortable. In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter received a very clear message from God on this subject. Pastor Rod Loy looks at this passage and asks the question: Is there room for prejudice in the church?
Nov 05, 2006•38 min
It can happen when you least expect it. Everything is rocking along fine. Your business is doing well. Your relationships are solid. Your family is together. Then, it all changes. Rod Loy examines what to do when you find yourself under attack.
Oct 29, 2006•30 min
How do you increase your hunger and desire to grow? Rod Loy looks at what it takes to become what God wants us to be.
Oct 23, 2006•39 min
One of the central themes of the Bible is this - nothing is impossible for God. God is not intimidated by our difficult circumstances. What seems impossible for us is entirely possible for God. He has no limitations. In this message, Rod Loy looks at the story of Jehoshaphat and the army of Israel. Surrounded by enemy armies in battle, he put the choir in front of the warriors. What was that all about?
Oct 08, 2006•36 min
In this special podcast, we feature our Music and Creative Arts Pastor, David Richards, as he speaks about what he learned during his fight with cancer.
Oct 04, 2006•45 min
The Bible is our guidebook for living. In the story we look at today, we discover that there have always been people who created their own gods. It's not a new conflict. It's not a new way to think. In fact, these gods are put to the test over and over, with the same result. Rod Loy looks at the story of Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.
Sep 24, 2006•33 min
What is a miracle? Is it a grilled cheese sandwich bearing an image of the Virgin Mary? Is it finding a good parking spot at the mall? Is it your boss finally giving you a raise? We look for miracles in a lot of different places. Are they real? Do they still happen? Rod Loy looks at the subject of miracles.
Sep 17, 2006•39 min
It happens every year before football season starts. Every team talks about how this is their year to win the Super Bowl. At the end of the season, though, only one team wins. The battle, the game, proves who is the better team. It's that way in life, too. The battles we encounter make us better. Great moments are preceded by tough moments. Do you feel like you're in a battle right now? This is your chance for a great moment!
Sep 10, 2006•29 min
When you fail, God doesn't see your failure and run away. He isn't up in heaven waiting to club you over the head. Instead, when you fail, God initiates releationship with you. God is not focused on the failure. He is focused on you. Rod Loy looks at God's response to failure.
Sep 03, 2006•38 min
You choose whether or not to do right. It's not God's fault, your friend's fault, or Satan's fault. It's your choice. (Wow, pretty strong statement!) Rod Loy continues this look at the story of Adam and Eve and what we can learn from their decisions.
Aug 27, 2006•32 min
Rod Loy looks at the topic of depression.
Aug 23, 2006•44 min
Some of us try to do life on our own. People who aren't in a relationship with God often struggle. If you want to enjoy the blessings of God, you must be in a relationship with God. Rod Loy looks at the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and how it applies to us today.
Aug 20, 2006•43 min
You have a plan for your life. God has a plan for your life. But, there is one other factor in the equation - one other plan that exists for your life. Satan has a plan for you as well. His plan is predictable and is really the same for all of us. Rod Loy examines these tactics, that have worked from the beginning of time to today.
Aug 13, 2006•35 min
There is a myth when it comes to families: time heals all wounds. It would be nice if this was true, but it's not. In fact, time often makes wounds worse. How do you move beyond the hurts of the past and truly find healing?
Aug 07, 2006•32 min
Rod Loy continues this look at the ten things that every family needs. This week: every family needs, fun, flexibility, and balance. No family is perfect, but every family is different, and utilizing our different strengths makes for a stronger family.
Jul 30, 2006•33 min
