Could you use a little energy this Christmas? There's a simple, spiritual practice that could energize your days...and your relationships. Could you use a little peace? Again, this one, simple practice can unlock the feeling of freedom (and get rid of the weight you may be shouldering). In this message, Max Vanderpool talks about what it's like to "drive with Jesus." There's one thing you can do that says, "I love you, God" and it has nothing to do with what you believe, whether or not you know ...
Dec 05, 2010•22 min
Even though God has a right to expect that you'll obey Him and do what He asks, God never forces you to comply. In fact, despite His omnipotence (all-powerfulness), God will never make you obey Him, love Him back or do what He says. That's entirely up to you. Of course, should you chose to let God in on your life, you'll need to make room for Him to operate.
Nov 28, 2010•20 min
What do you do when you need God to come through for you, but He doesn't? How do you know God still cares? In this message, Clair Budd walks us through the story of Mary, Martha & Lazarus and how Jesus chose NOT to answer their requests for help...when they requested it.
Nov 21, 2010•17 min
In America, we are constantly made aware of what we don't have. It's on the television, it's in stores, it's in our neighbor's driveway or our friend's hand (as they show us the latest iPhone). Face it, it's hard to stay content in a culture obsessed with the latest and greatest. But even though it's hard, it's not impossible. In this message, Max Vanderpool shares three practical habits that can help you stay content...regardless of what you have or don't have.
Nov 14, 2010•20 min
Debt and freedom move in opposite directions. If you have a lot of debt, you have little or no freedom. But if you have little or no debt, you experience tremendous amounts of freedom. God wants us to get rid of debt, so that we can be free to do whatever He wants us to do.
Nov 07, 2010•24 min
Each and every day, you'll face an element of fear. Some of these fears are warranted (what if you lose your job or get sick or get a divorce?). Some of these fears are benign. But fear can drive you to keep God out of your financial picture...which is, perhaps, the least "safe" place to be. In this message, Max Vanderpool share how, when you're faithful, you can count on God to meet your needs...each and every day.
Oct 31, 2010•26 min
A friend loans you their car for a week (and pays for the gas). Your parents give you a five-figure gift to help you purchase your first home. When you're on the receiving end of generosity (like that), you're thinking, "Wow, they're amazing...everyone should be like that." In this message, Max Vanderpool tackles a habit that can help you become the person you really want to be.
Oct 24, 2010•21 min
Unless your last name is Smuckers, Gates or Buffet, you'll have to work to bring in enough money to live. And sometimes, you'll need two...or even three jobs to pay the bills or eliminate debt. In this message, Max Vanderpool draws out the connection between work and money and shares a Biblical principle about work that may surprise you...but will certainly reward you!
Oct 17, 2010•24 min
Most of us, when we were kids, couldn't wait to have our own job and life, so that we could spend our money however we wanted (with no parent telling us what to do!). Ironically, grown-up life hasn't lived up to the gleaming images of freedom we imagined in our childhoods. There is a better way. In this message, Max Vanderpool makes the case why all the money and stuff we have actually comes from God...with an expectation (from God) that we will use it for His purposes and our future.
Oct 10, 2010•25 min
Chances are, you've encountered or known someone who claimed to be a Christian and "flunked the test." Maybe it was a co-worker who lied to customers or who threw you "under the bus" with your boss. Maybe it was a church member who led the charge to get a pastor fired or who refused to let you use a classroom. Maybe you grew up with someone who "flunked the test." What's the test? It's the love test; it's an expectation that Christians should be primarily characterized by love. Is it legitimate?...
Sep 28, 2010•27 min
When it comes to (other) people's shortcomings, faults and irritations, we want them to change. But when it comes to our shortcomings, we want others to "give us a break" (and they would, if they just understood our day/life/upbringing, etc.). But what it the health and maturity of our relationships with other people (and our ability to "put up" with them) was actually a measuring stick for the health and maturity of our relationship with God? What would that mean?
Sep 19, 2010•24 min
Language changes over time, and the words one generation employs, the next generations discards. But there's one word used today that wasn't used the same way 30 or 50 years ago. In this message, Max Vanderpool shares why church is not a place, experience or event; rather, church is an extended family.
Sep 12, 2010•22 min
Most parents know that inconsistency is generally a bad idea when it comes to your kids. But when you're tired, and most parents these days are very tired, you can sometimes make bad parenting decisions. In this message, Max Vanderpool offers a tool that can help you discipline the way you want...with a lot less stress and drama.
Sep 05, 2010•18 min
If you're a parent, life can sometimes be a blur of academics, athletics, social activities and a few things for faith and character development. Believe or not, your kids learn what's (really) important through the family schedule. In this message, Max Vanderpool makes the case why weaving faith into your everyday life is what will produce an everyday faith in your kids' lives.
Aug 29, 2010•27 min
If you're a driven person, you probably have a list of things you want to accomplish (become a principal by age 30, make a six-figure income after 10 years, get elected, etc.). And if you're not a driven person, you're reminded all the time why you should be. But what if success isn't about what you accumulate or accomplish? What if it has to do with who you become? In this message, Max Vanderpool maps out the Biblical perspective on success and how it can empower members of your family to becom...
Aug 22, 2010•21 min
God wants you to be a spiritual hero. And if you're a parent, God wants you to be a spiritual hero to your kids. Unfortunately, you probably don't feel like one...because you think that you have to be the right kind of Christian or the right kind of parent for God to use you that way. In this message, Max Vanderpool explains why it's not about perfection but about being in tune with what God wants to do today. You CAN be that hero!
Aug 15, 2010•22 min
There is a "relationship secret" that few individuals and families seem to grasp, but one which is probably the single most important factor in developing healthy and rewarding relationships. Here's a sneak peak: "Within the context of your family, your goal is to make it a place where everybody feels safe to come out."
Aug 08, 2010•26 min
It really doesn't matter whether you sing to hymns or a worship band with a drum kit, worship is more than just your musical preference. It's about a lifestyle, because God wants your heart.
Aug 01, 2010•16 min
There's a saying, "you only get out of something what you put into it." It's an expression meant to convey the reality of sowing and reaping (you reap what you sow). The problem is there are a lot of things in life that take a very long time to produce a "harvest." And that's why it's so tempting, at times to quit and throw in the towel. The Apostle Paul felt the same way...
Jul 18, 2010•22 min
All of us struggle with comparing ourselves to others. There's the woman at work who just dropped 30 pounds. Or the neighbor who drove up in a brand new Acura. Or the brother or sister who can run faster and get all A's. The Bible (and even Jesus, Himself) has some good news about the lives and fortunes of other people and the way in which we tend to compare ourselves to them.
Jul 11, 2010•20 min
Why is it that when we have a "slip of the tongue," we're actually telling the truth? And why is it that we tend to say the most amazing things when we're really tired and our guard it down? It's because the tongue is connected to something else...something far more important.
Jul 04, 2010•18 min
Weighing in at a little over 2 ounces, the human tongue has the power to shape relationships, self-worth, job performance and even your connection with God. In this message, Max Vanderpool lays out some practical advice for saying what you really want to say (and keeping from saying what you don't).
Jun 27, 2010•22 min
Families and churches are in trouble in the United States. And each is trying to "better itself" alone. But what if families and churches were meant to work together? What would come as a result of it? Something we call "orange glow."
Jun 06, 2010•18 min
We all live on the same planet. It's a world of things and values. And the Bible has a lot to say about it...some of which may surprise you. What if the "world" isn't a neutral thing? What if it isn't benign? In this message, Max Vanderpool tackles the "value setting" of our culture.
May 30, 2010•19 min
Direction, not intention, determines destination. And attention affects direction. Why is it that some things "grab" our attention while other things don't? And why is it that the things that should capture our focus and attention often suffer from a lack of it? In this final message of "Highways," Max Vanderpool makes a recommendation about what it means to "pay attention."
May 23, 2010•15 min
Most of us, at one time or another, have ignored good advice...from doctors, coaches, preachers, counselors, friends...and maybe even our mother-in-law. Most of the time, too, we've paid for it. Ignoring what God has to say can be equally disastrous. In this message, Max Vanderpool shares how one dirty little word can make all the difference in terms of choosing the right roads in life.
May 16, 2010•20 min
Wouldn't life be so much easier if we simply had a web-based application like Mapquest for sorting through life's issues and decisions? Starting Direction: single with several bad habits. Ending Direction: happily married. While there isn't a Mapquest for life, there are people who know how to get there. In this message, Max Vanderpool shares how you can tap into their wisdom to get where you want to be.
May 09, 2010•20 min
If you could go back and visit the you of seventeen years old, what would you tell you? Unlike Marty McFly, however, none of us has ever had that opportunity. But what if there was something you could do to ensure that you're traveling down the right road? And what if all it cost you was a little embarrassment? Would it be worth it?
May 02, 2010•20 min
There's a good chance that you STILL buy new clothes, even though you have may a closet full of clothes you never wear. Why is that? Maybe you've even dropped a phone in the toilet just to get an upgrade (before your contract expired). What's that all about? Happiness. We're all on a quest for things and people and experiences that will make us happy. And, for better or worse, we tend to lean on our heart and emotions to help us make those decisions. But is that such a good idea?
Apr 25, 2010•20 min
Kids and young people don't always see the consequences of their actions or decisions. That's normal. You would think that, as we get older, we would naturally get better at connecting the dots...but you would be wrong. We do get better seeing it in the lives of our family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers. But we often fail to see the same thing playing out on the inside. What is this disconnect? And how can it lead us down the wrong road?
Apr 18, 2010•21 min
