Battleship is a simple, fun game that many of us played as kids. But some people seem to make Battleship a way of life. They shoot with words, looking to see where they can hurt and what damage they can cause. Children, adults, even people in churches wage battle with their words. It's inevitable that in life, we'll sometimes disagree. When that happens, how should we handle it?
In games, you want to win the game by beating your opponents. But in real life, when you win by making someone else lose, you don't win. You might think you win, but you don't. No one does. Unresolved conflict hurts the heart of God.
In this series, we will use simple, fun games that we remember to learn some important principles. Remember Hungry Hungry Hippos? The object of the game is to get your hippo to eat as much as possible. We can be physically hungry, but there's also spiritual hunger. Are you hungry?
The phrase "Been There, Done That" can have several different meanings. It can be a badge of courage or accomplishment, or it can be funny. It basically means someone has been there before. Sometimes in life, it seems like we are facing things alone. But in every area of our lives, we know that Jesus has "been there, done that" for us.
This is a free audio download of Pastor Brad's new song he wrote for our series about people who are away from God.
We've already talked about the prodigal son who came home, the father who welcomed him. But there is another family member in Jesus' parable: the older brother, who does not react in the same way as his father when he finds out his wayward brother has returned home. Why did Jesus tell this story? Who is the older brother, and what can Christians learn from him?
What is God's response when you run away and then come home?
When you are spiritually lost, lots of people tell you what you need to do, but how? When you have completely messed up your life, how do you start over? How can you ever be right and whole again? How do you find your way home?
A lot of us have funny stories about running away - little kids loading their backpack and not even making it to the front door. But there are also some horribly sad and tragic stories. Maybe you did it. You left home and started running. Life on the run was filled with mistakes, failures, and regrets. It's the same whether you run from your physical home, or are running from your spiritual home - from God, and faith. Life as a runaway is not all it's cracked up to be.
There are 160 million people in our country who do not attend church. But only two percent of Christians invited an unchurched person to church last year. Something has to change!
To worship something or someone is to feel passionate about it or them, to the point it influences your behavior and choices and is obvious to others. Worship is an attitude, a mindset, and a way of life.
Sometimes, we try to face decisions, challenges, and just life in general based on our own wisdom and experience. The whole time, we have the instruction manual, our guidebook for living, the Bible, with us, and we don't read and learn from it like we should. Why is the Bible important to a life that follows Christ?
After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent 40 days with his followers. His final words to His followers were the key - what they needed to follow Him and lead the church. And His words are key to us today.
Everything affects everything. You don't, and can't, compartmentalize your life. A significant change in one area affects every other part. A relationship with Jesus will affect the way you approach your family, your job, and even your money.
Depending on your background, prayer is either something you've never done, something you do before meals and not many other times, or something you use when you are in trouble. For others, prayer is a regular, normal part of your day. What is prayer? Why is it important? How and why should we pray?
What does it really mean to be a Christian? How do you follow Jesus? How do you commit every part of your life to Him? In this message, Pastor Rod begins this new series about what it really means to be a Christ follower.
As we start a new year, Pastor Rod looks at the qualities of a healthy church - what makes a church that is effective and outward-focused?
This is one of the most incredible stories in the Bible. This is the story of two very different men, who both had visions from God. It's a story filled with danger, intrigue, surprise, and adventure. It's the story of a villain, who became one of the most well known Christ followers in history. What can we learn from these two men as we look forward to a new year?
Do you ever feel like your life is out of control - like you just can't take it anymore? As you look back on the year, has it been a peaceful one, or has it been a year filled with stress and anxiety? We all face stress. The question is: how will you handle it?
Many people struggle with loneliness, but it's hard to admit when we are lonely. But feeling lonely doesn't make you a failure. It isn't silly. It's something we all face at some point. The good news is: if you are lonely, there is help!
God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was just a regular girl. The disciples were all normal, regular, unimpressive people, but God used them to change the world. What do we need to do for God to use us for His will? What is the cost?
Do you consider yourself and ungrateful person? Most people don't. We are usually blind to our own ingratitude. It's not that we don't want to be grateful, we just forget. The difference between being grateful and being ungrateful is a lot more than just two letters! In this message, Pastor Patrick Lander encourages us to live a life of gratitude!
Nothing is impossible for God. Even if sickness or disease strike our lives, when it seems impossible. What do you pray when you need healing? What words do you say? Is there a "correct" way to pray for healing? Featuring two stories from First Assembly friends, this message will inspire and remind you that God is a God of healing!
Everybody needs help at some point. You need help from other people, even if you don't want to admit it. You need help from God. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness! Often, asking for help is a sign of wisdom!
Pastor Rod Loy concludes the series with more inspiring stories of places that seemed impossible.
Some things are impossible for people. We don't have the ability and will never have the ability. But for God? Nothing is Impossible. With God, all things are possible.
Jesus said we were to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel. It seems like an impossible task. But is the impossible possible?
Everyone knows the phrase "pride comes before a fall," and it is true. When we gain some success, it is so easy to forget what God did for us. In this message, Rod Loy talks about some key principles we all need to follow when things are going well.
An unlikely hero, a seriously overweight king, and a story that seems like it is right out of a spy thriller. We can learn some important things from this unusual story. God can and wil use the most unlikely people!
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 specializes in the impossible!
