Let's be honest; while conflict may be a familiar part of our lives, most of us prefer to avoid it. It seems easier to sweep things under the rug or harbor our grievances. Yet in James 4, we are invited into a different and ultimately healthier way of dealing with conflict. Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they explore some practical steps to navigating conflict in a Christ-like way.
Mar 24, 2025•19 min
Like many things, trust is easier said than done. We might declare in songs and prayers that we trust in God, but when we take an honest look at ourselves, we may find our ultimate trust lies in more temporary/earthly things. God is clearly more dependable, powerful and faithful, so why do we do that? What does it mean to wholeheartedly trust in God? Join BTS host Dayne Logan and Ridge Discipleship Director Will Herron as they take a deeper look at what the Bible teaches us about trust....
Mar 17, 2025•20 min
God is faithful and constant, never changing. Yet it is so easy for us to put our trust elsewhere in temporary, changeable things for security and peace. How, then, do we avoid that? And what does it look like to trust God wholeheartedly? Message by Will HerronScripture referenced: Proverbs 3:5–12
Mar 17, 2025•29 min
Often, due to our limited vantage point, we're unable to see the danger of the things we desire. But what about the requests that we know are good, like the healing of a loved one? What do we do when God says "no", when we feel any loving parent would say, "yes"? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they explore these challenging questions and more in this week's BTS episode.
Mar 10, 2025•19 min
Here, in the beginning of chapter four, James teaches us some very important things about prayer: Sometimes we don’t receive simply because we don’t ask. Other times, we don’t receive because what we are asking would not be good for us. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: James 4:1–3
Mar 10, 2025•26 min
It’s one thing to acquire knowledge about God and His ways; it’s another to live it out and become a person of wisdom and self-control. So, what are some of the obstacles to living wisely, and how do we overcome them? How to we grow to think, act and speak in a manner consistent with God’s wisdom? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they seek for answers to these questions and more in James 3:13-18.
Mar 03, 2025•21 min
James tells us there are two kinds of wisdom: false wisdom and true wisdom. So, which is which? And how can we tell whether we’re living a life based on true wisdom? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 3:13–18
Mar 03, 2025•28 min
An old Irish saying declares, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Despite the familiarity of the saying, few would attest to its truthfulness. The fact is, hurtful words wound us deeply. So how can we prevent painful words of the past impacting our present? What are some ways we can heal those verbal scars and grow to speak words that bring life? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they seek answers to these questions in James 3:1-12...
Feb 24, 2025•16 min
James tells us there are two kinds of wisdom: false wisdom and true wisdom. So, which is which? And how can we tell whether we’re living a life based on true wisdom? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 3:13–18
Feb 24, 2025•28 min
Particularly for those of us who have grown up in the church, the gospel message is a familiar story. Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf is something we’ve heard tens, or perhaps even hundreds, of times. With something so familiar, how do we keep the good news fresh in our hearts and minds? How can we live out of continued gratefulness for Christ's sacrifice for us? Join BTS host Dayne Logan, and Ridge Discipleship Director, Will Herron, as they explore these questions and more in thi...
Feb 17, 2025•20 min
How can we grow not just to know the way of Jesus but to live like Him? Fortunately, Scripture holds the answer — Paul even gives us a road map of sorts in Romans chapter 12. Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Romans 12:1–2
Feb 17, 2025•29 min
In James 2:15, we are reminded that as Christians are called not only to have faith, but also to live out our faith in the things we say and do. That can take various forms; meeting a practical or spiritual need/coming alongside someone in a difficult season. Yet the reality is, we can’t help everyone or get behind every good cause. So how do we go about deciding who or what to serve and support? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Will Herron as they explore some ways of responding to ...
Feb 10, 2025•18 min
Faith is more than holding certain beliefs. It’s more than knowing something is true or believing in the existence of something. Faith is something we live out. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: James 2:14–26
Feb 10, 2025•27 min
Love God, love others; it's a simple statement that proves much harder to live out. So, how do we grow to love others? And what does our measure of love have to do with our maturity as a follower of Jesus? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they look back at this previous Sunday’s teaching on James 2:8-13.
Feb 03, 2025•19 min
Faith is more than holding certain beliefs. It’s more than knowing something is true or believing in the existence of something. Faith is something we live out. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 2:14–26
Feb 03, 2025•26 min
There are few things more humiliating or hurtful than being unjustly discriminated against because of things like your race, gender, or economic status. In James 2 we are reminded to treat others equally and challenged to become aware of unjust preferences in our lives. But how do we avoid the pitfall of favoritism? How can we come to see others as God sees them? Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they uncover the true basis for human equality as well as some practi...
Jan 27, 2025•17 min
Following Jesus and favoritism are incompatible. It’s right there in Scripture. James tells us so. But why? What is the reason? What is the basis? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 2:1–7
Jan 27, 2025•28 min
To know about something and to experience something are two very different things, none more so when it comes to the love of God. Millions of people live with the knowledge that God loves them but find it hard to truly believe it and live in light of it. So how can we truly come to experience God’s love? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Director of Strategy & Communication Dayne Logan as they explore some practical steps to experiencing God’s love.
Jan 20, 2025•17 min
The Word. It’s God’s book, yes. It’s the Bible. But John tells us at the very beginning of the book of the Gospel he authored that the Word is more than a physical book, it’s a Him. It’s Jesus. But what does that really mean? Message by Dayne Logan Scripture referenced: John 1:1 and 2
Jan 20, 2025•23 min
Often, we don’t need to know more about or from God, we simply need to do what we already know. Because following Jesus is more than knowing facts and more than something we believe. Following Jesus is something we do. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:22–27
Jan 13, 2025•26 min
Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "Easier said than done." It could also be said that it's easier to hear and understand something than actually do it. In James 1:22 we are challenged to not only hear God's word but to put it into practice in our lives. But how do we go about doing that? How can we move from information to personal transformation? Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore the implications of Christians not living out the Word as well as some pr...
Jan 13, 2025•19 min
Perhaps one of the hardest skills to master is the ability to truly listen to others. This kind of listening is not just a matter of hearing others audibly but carrying a loving curiosity for them and their story. But let's be honest. Few of us do this well. So how can we learn to be "slow to speak" and "quick to listen" as James instructs? (James 1:19) Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore ways we can get the balance right between speaking and listening....
Jan 13, 2025•20 min
Here in chapter 1, James implores us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry and to rid ourselves of moral filth. James doesn’t just instruct us and leave us, though. He doesn’t offer tools or tips or techniques. James tells us how. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:19–21
Jan 06, 2025•32 min
Moses and the burning bush. Great story. But what does that mean for us today? Well, several things. But namely God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Message by Todd Stiles Scripture referenced: Exodus 3:1–12
Dec 30, 2024•26 min
Christmas makes some very bold, reality-altering claims. You’ve likely heard them. But do you know what they really mean? This Christmas, let’s move beyond simply hearing and knowing the story of Jesus and His birth to applying it to our lives. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Select Scriptures from Matthew, John, Luke
Dec 29, 2024•28 min
The Christmas story is a familiar one to most. It’s one we’ve probably heard over and over. But there’s a surprising thread that runs through this story and nearly every other story in the Bible. Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Luke 2:1–18
Dec 23, 2024•29 min
You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who enjoys waiting. Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store or waiting for a package to arrive at your door, patience is generally not something that comes naturally to us. And yet sometimes God asks us to wait, just like he did with Simeon in Luke 2:25-35. Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they finish out the year by discovering ways we can grow to be people of patience who wait well on God.
Dec 16, 2024•21 min
Mary, Joseph, Jesus, angels, wise men, shepherds. All are part of the Christmas story. So is Simeon. Remember him? He was the one who greeted Mary and Joseph when they brought the infant Jesus to the Temple for purification and dedication. Simeon boldly took the baby Jesus in his arms and celebrated the arrival of the Messiah. It’s the moment he had been waiting for. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 2:25–31
Dec 16, 2024•25 min
The Bible clearly teaches that God is good and that everything that is good comes from Him. But how do we square this away with the hurt, pain and conflict we see in the world and in our own lives? Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore this age old dilemma in this week's Beyond the Sermon episode.
Dec 09, 2024•20 min
God is good. And He is working to lead us into the deepest, richest, fullest life possible. In a world that’s full of sin and darkness, at times, that’s hard to see. But, despite our situation or circumstance, He is still good. All the time. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:16–18
Dec 09, 2024•28 min
