Many of us live with tension-filled relationships. Someone has hurt you and the wound festers. Someone has misunderstood you and nurses a grudge. Or you've accidentally hurt someone and their anger is simmering just beneath the surface. But in all this tension, you've never lashed out. Instead, you've done your best to keep it all inside. This is what Jesus wants, right? Or is it? Let's get to the heart of our anger.
Imagine the most religious person you know, someone you look up to because of how good and devout they are. What is it about them that you admire? Maybe it's their vast knowledge of the Bible or their eloquent prayers. Maybe it's their perfect marriage or perfect kids. Or maybe they just seem perfect in every way. Now what if Jesus said, that in order to please him, you have to be even better than they are? Is that even possible? How could Jesus expect that from us? What is it that Jesus is real...
We believe that Jesus is the hope of the world and that He is bringing this hope to the world through the local church. It's an incredible adventure that is for you, me, and us together. When it comes to bringing hope to the global poor and marginalized, we also believe that God has a profound plan and purpose for the Southridge community, using us in a unique and powerful way to make a world-changing impact. Join us as we conclude our Hope Lives series by sharing the heart and vision of our glo...
It's easy to find ourselves using "us" and "them" language when we think about different people. Too often we can find ourselves using this language as it relates to those who happen to be living on the margins or appear to be in great need. But what makes us think that there are so many barriers between us? What would it be like to see one another differently? What if we were to get rid of "us" and "them"? When we learn to live like a "Good Samaritan" we'll begin to realize that we're all the s...
In both the good and the bad, and the ups and the downs, we are faced with a choice. We can become bitter and entitled, or we can choose contentment and gratitude. Together, we want to embrace the heart of a "Good Samaritan" to love and serve others, and in the process, find unending joy. Don't miss our Thanksgiving celebration as we express gratitude to God and hear incredible stories about how He is changing lives in our community. Let's all make the choice to be thankful this weekend!
Most of us in Niagara probably consider ourselves to be somewhere in the middle class. We've generally got what we need, but often feel like we could use a little more as we try to keep up with the "Joneses". But is this really what life is about? What if, instead of competing with our neighbours, we began to care for our neighbours? Join us as we kick-off our Hope Lives series by unpacking the idea of the "Good Samaritan" and what it means to become more like one.
A life of fitness demands commitment, and there's no greater way to solidify our commitment than to go public with it. When we set big, audacious goals and declare them to our friends and family, we make a commitment to not just get in shape but to embrace a lifestyle of fitness. So at the end of this series, we want to set spiritual goals and embrace a lifestyle of spiritual fitness together. Join us as we cap off "Boot Camp" in style with a baptism celebration!
When it comes to getting in shape, training partners are critical to success. When you train by yourself, you limit your transformation to your own ability, performance, and perspective. But when you have a training partner to provide encouragement and accountability, the potential for growth and transformation is incredible. So what does that look like in our spiritual lives? How can we train together toward spiritual fitness?
Anyone who has tried to lose a few pounds knows that it takes discipline. Discipline to stop eating certain foods and start eating others. Discipline to get off the couch and onto the treadmill. The truth is, when we want to mature and develop an area of our life we generally require structure and routine to help us. So what does this look like in our spiritual life? What kinds of disciplines do we need to adopt and how do we go about developing them?
We live in a culture that tends to value a healthy lifestyle. People spend time and money at the gym, on diet programs, in exercise regimes, all in an effort to get in or stay in good physical condition. But what about spiritual fitness? Should we care about that as well? What does it look like to value our spiritual health?
At the end of the day, callings can be tough to discern and can, at times, be even harder to live out. So what do we do with that? Where do we go from here? What if we thought we were "called" to one thing and now we think we might be "called" to another? Let's unpack some of the common complexities surrounding callings.
God has a specific plan and purpose for every single one of us. But how do we know if we're living it out? How do we determine what our calling is? What if you're missing out on God's purpose for your life? Let's take the mystery out of what it means to embrace God's unique call on your life.
There is an invitation from God that has been extended to every single person who has ever walked on planet earth. A call to participate in a plan that is literally changing the world. It's a call that is profound, yet simple? Beyond our imagination, yet right within our grasp? Readily accessible, yet too often abandoned? It is a call for you. It is a call for me. It is a call for all of us together. Let's answer the call!
Most of us aren't "called by God", are we? I mean, how can you really know if He has placed a calling on your life? I suppose if you're a priest, pastor, saint, or missionary then surely God must have a calling on your life. But what about the rest of us? Do we have a calling? In our gut, don't we all desire to fulfill our destiny and leave a legacy? What do we do with this deep longing and desire in our heart?
Blessed are those who mourn. Is that really true? How could that be? Nobody wants to deal with pain, grief, or sadness. But what if there's an upside to being in a state of brokenness? Let's embrace the downside up good news for "the mourners".
When life feels hopeless and you realize that you're spiritually bankrupt, that's when you're ready for God's Kingdom. Because God is all you need when God is all you've got. Let's embrace the downside up good news for "the poor in spirit".
