Sun, 29 March 2020
When the world is chaotic, we wonder if God is still in control … if he really does have the whole world in his hands. But after a while, the burdens of a chaotic world are too much for us to carry and our thoughts quickly transition from the whole world to my world. Our burning question is, “Does he have me in his hands?”
Direct download: Hes_Still_Got_The_Whole_World_In_His_Hands_Pt._3-_Hes_Got_Me_In_His_Hands_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 22 March 2020
When things aren’t going well, we tend to feel alone and anxious. When times are uncertain and it seems that things may get worse before they get better, what do you do? How can you maintain hope?
Direct download: Hes_Still_Got_The_Whole_World_In_His_Hands_Pt._2-_Hope_in_Suffering_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 15 March 2020
People are reeling from the COVID-19 health pandemic. Our nation is grinding to a halt. Schools closing. Sporting seasons cancelled. International travel bans implemented. Healthcare system strained. Healthcare providers bracing for the worst. The public paralyzed with fear. But why?
Direct download: Hes_Still_Got_The_Whole_World_In_His_Hands_Pt._1-_Why_So_Afraid_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 8 March 2020
Falling in love is easy; staying in love is hard. What do you do when the intense emotions of the honeymoon are over? How do you navigate through the different seasons of challenge every marriage encounters? What do you do when you’ve “lost that loving feeling?”
Direct download: Dates_to_Soul_Mates_Pt._6-_How_to_Stay_In_Love_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 1 March 2020
Every marriage will end in one of two ways: through divorce or through the death of a spouse. The end of a marriage is always heartbreaking. What do you do when a marriage ends? How do you deal with the shock? How do you cope with the pain? How do you move forward?
Direct download: Dates_to_Soul_Mates_Pt._5-_When_A_Marriage_Ends_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 23 February 2020
People have a lot of different ideas about sex and human sexuality. Sex is a source of great pleasure, but it can also be a source of great pain. How can we avoid that pain and regret? Knowing and living according to the truth about sex will help you avoid pain and regret.
Direct download: Dates_to_Soul_Mates_Pt-_4_The_Truth_About_Sex_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 16 February 2020
On the wedding day you blissfully pledge to be married “till death do us part.” But after a few months or years of marriage things aren’t so blissful any more and one or both partners begin to have “buyer’s remorse.” What do you do then?
Direct download: Dates_to_Soul_Mates_Pt-_2_How_to_Find_the_Love_of_Your_Life_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 9 February 2020
Direct download: Dates_to_Soul_Mates_Pt_-_2_How_to_Find_the_Love_of_Your_Life_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 2 February 2020
All of us have received in-depth training in relationships. We constantly learn from our families, friends, and even strangers. Perhaps the most pervasive training we’ve received is from our culture: movies, magazines, YouTube, Netflix, books, reality TV, and advertisements. This week’s message identified our culture’s popular recipe and contrasted it with God’s recipe for lasting relationships. The good news is that you have a choice in establishing lasting, healthy relationships.
Direct download: Dates_to_Soul_Mates_Pt_-_1_A_Recipe_for_Lasting_Relationships_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 26 January 2020
You’ve accomplished a lot and had a lot of wonderful experiences. Why, then, does life sometimes seem so difficult and frustrating, even unsatisfying? Could the reason be that the “more” we are chasing doesn't fully satisfy is because we’re striving in the wrong direction?
Direct download: The_Immeasurable_Life_Pt-_4_Making_it_Last_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 19 January 2020
Direct download: The_Immeasurable_Life_Pt-_3_Gateway_to_More_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 12 January 2020
It may be the first truth we learned about Christianity—so simple it’s the theme of Sunday school songs. But really grasping this truth can transform your life. Understanding that God wants to give you immeasurably more starts right here. Immeasurably more is possible for you, but not until something happens in you.
Direct download: The_Immeasurable_Life_Pt-_2_It_Begins_Within_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 5 January 2020
When we’re kids, we dream big. Life’s possibilities seem limitless. As we grow older, setbacks and disappointments in our careers, marriages, and family life can wear us down and cause us to pursue contentment in all the wrong places. In this series, we’ll explore a passage in Ephesians that tells us how God’s plans for our lives are immeasurably greater than we can imagine. We only need to trust him.
Direct download: The_Immeasurable_Life_Pt-_1_Beyond_Imagination_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 15 December 2019
An angel announced “peace on earth” at the birth of Jesus, and yet the season of Christmas can be anything but peaceful. So what was the “peace” that the Angel proclaimed? In what ways can we experience the peace that was promised?
Direct download: Light_of_the_World_Pt-_4_From_Conflict_to_Peace_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 8 December 2019
During the Christmas season, some people find it easy to be happy while others struggle with loneliness and sorrow. Yet some who are in the midst of suffering still find joy. How is that possible? What if there was a way to find joy regardless of your situation? There is, and it’s found in God’s favor and grace.
Direct download: Light_of_the_World_Pt-_2_From_Sorrow_to_Joy_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 1 December 2019
Christmas may be the most loved and most dreaded season all at the same time. People look forward to seeing some family and friends, but dread seeing others. Each of us probably has someone we have bitterness towards, but part of God’s desire for us this Christmas involves trading in bitterness for something far better.
Direct download: Light_of_the_World_Pt-_1_From_Bitterness_to_Love_AUDIO_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 24 November 2019
The Bible did not create Christianity. Christianity is the result of an event (the resurrection) that created a movement (the church) that produced sacred and reliable texts that were collected and bound into a book (the Bible). But how do we approach not being at peace with everything we read in the Bible? Paul—the apostle, Pharisee, author, preacher, and church planter—offers us clarity and confidence to move forward.
Direct download: The_Bible_for_Grown_Ups_Pt-_4_For_the_World_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT |
Sun, 17 November 2019
The Old Testament chronicles God’s redemptive, sequential activity in history. It’s a fabulous, gritty, epic history of the Hebrew people in which, over and over, Israel is reminded that they are a divine means to an end. So, maybe instead of seeing the Old Testament as a spiritual guidebook or a storyline that needs to be tidied up, we should see it as something even better: the history of God preparing the world for a Savior.
Direct download: The_Bible_for_Grown_Ups_Pt-_3_The_Old_Testament_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am EDT |
Sun, 10 November 2019
“In the beginning...” can be a loaded phrase - one that forces us into debate and doubt. But maybe we’re missing the point of Genesis 1:1a point Moses made to a world where the violence and injustice of the gods justified and legitimized the violence and injustice of human rulers. Moses introduced a radically different, unparalleled, and untested worldview.
Direct download: The_Bible_for_Grown_Ups_Pt-_2_In_the_Beginning_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 3 November 2019
Most of us know some Bible stories, but very few of us know the story of the Bible. And
Direct download: The_Bible_for_Grown_Ups_Pt-_1_Last_Things_First_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 27 October 2019
Long before there were Christian Scriptures, there were Christians—men and women whose faith began with an empty tomb. These eyewitnesses to the resurrection experienced an event so extraordinary that it changed their lives, and what they gave their lives to, forever. But now a generation is walking away from their faith as their confidence in the Bible is dismantled. They assume that as the Bible goes, so goes Christianity. Maybe it’s time we learned from the faith of those early eyewitnesses—faith that’s undeniable and ultimately, irresistible. |
Sun, 20 October 2019
Is the church still relevant today? Well, try to imagine a culture without the Church. What would that culture look like? Better yet, would that be a culture in which you would want to live? In this final message of the series, the case was made that Christianity, unlike any other religion or civilization, offers not just a different way of living, but a better way of living. We explored how Christians - and the Church - have been on the forefront for the most positive, liberating advances known to humankind. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a message that saves people for eternal life, but a message that restores a broken world. It’s a message that has shaped cultural values and national identities. With that in mind, it’s time for the Chruch to re-engage at every level because our message is a message of life.
Direct download: It_Matters_Pt-_7_Hard_to_Imagine_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 13 October 2019
People are willing to talk about spirituality, faith, and God. When Jesus is introduced into the conversation, however, the mood generally changes and people are less receptive. This isn’t new. So what are followers of Jesus to do? Just talk about love, peace, kindness, good deeds, and helping the poor? These are all good things, but they can’t bring salvation. This is why can’t keep quiet about the one name that brings salvation to everyone: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Direct download: It_Matters_Pt-_6_Cant_Keep_Quiet_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 6 October 2019
Your body has many different parts, each with different and unique functions and yet they all work together for the purpose you choose. Did you know that Christians are a part of what the Apostle Paul called “the body of Christ”? As a follower of Jesus, you are a member of his body - the Church. Just as your body has different members with different functions, so the body of Jesus has different members with different functions. As a Christian and a member of his body, his agenda becomes your agenda. You are called to function in his body to accomplish his purposes. He has given you gifts and abilities to be used in building up his body, which includes you! |
Sun, 29 September 2019
As Christians, we believe God is calling us to have a positive impact within our |
Sun, 22 September 2019
We all believe exercise is good for us, but we don’t always head to the gym or go on a run. But to get in shape we have to exercise. We have to get off the couch and do it. And, isn’t it easier when we have someone to keep us accountable? The same is true of our faith; we can only get so far on our own. |
Sun, 15 September 2019
Certain experiences in life mark us and set us on a new path. There are events that impact the world in a similar way. In this message, we will explore one event that stands out more than any other and how it can impact your life.
Direct download: It_Matters_Pt-_2_When_Everything_Changed_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 8 September 2019
Life gets busy. Priorities compete. We loose focus on what is most important. About that time, we read the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and we are called into focus on what really matters. Jesus’ words cut through the noise and cause us to pause and take inventory. |
Sun, 1 September 2019
Only one person can ensure that we end up somewhere on purpose. And that person isn’t in the House of Representatives or the White House. They’re in our house. In fact, we look at that person in the mirror every morning. The reality is that we face our greatest leadership challenge every morning when we face ourselves.
Direct download: The_American_in_the_Mirror_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT |
Sun, 25 August 2019
The first step to finding peace in a relationship is to repent if you’ve done wrong or to forgive if you’ve been wronged. But no matter how badly you want peace, there are some relationships that may never be fully restored. What do you do to find peace about a relationship when you can’t find peace in the relationship?
Direct download: Bad_Blood_Pt-_4_Shaking_the_Dust_Off_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:35am EDT |
Sun, 18 August 2019
When there’s bad blood in a relationship, the easiest thing to do is to let resentment and bitterness grow without addressing the issue. That’s the path of least resistance. It doesn’t make the conflict go away, but it avoids the relational mess of having to deal with the other person.
Direct download: Bad_Blood_Pt-_3_A_Confrontation_or_A_Conversation_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT |
Sun, 11 August 2019
What do you do when you have bad blood with someone who owes you something? Bad blood is costly and complicated. It costs you peace and complicates your other relationships. If you don’t find peace in that “bad blood” relationship, your other relationships will suffer. The good news is that you can have peace about the relationship even without peace in the relationship. |
Sun, 4 August 2019
Check out this secret to finding peace about a difficult relationship even when you can't find peace in the relationship.
Direct download: Bad_Blood_Pt-1_The_Empathy_Lens_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 28 July 2019
If there's a gap between where you are and where you wish you were, this simple principle can close that gap.
Direct download: Wish_You_Were_Here_Pt-_4_Somebody_Knows_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT |
Sun, 21 July 2019
There is something that prohibits many of us from getting to where we want to be, or to where God wants us to be. It is something we all struggle with and most of the time we don’t even realize it. It just happens. Unfortunately, we don’t think we have any control over it … but we do.
Direct download: Wish_You_Were_Here_Pt-_3_Mind_Control_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 14 July 2019
How do you get from where you are to where you wish you were... or even where God wishes you were? Even the thought of pursuing the life God wants for you can be scary. It can stir a fight-or-flight response in you. That’s because the greatest obstacle to getting to where God wishes you were is how you see you. You see the problems of your past. But God sees the potential for your future.
Direct download: Wish_You_Were_Here_Pt-_2_Seeing_is_Believing_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 7 July 2019
Whether blowing out candles or throwing a coin in a fountain, we’ve all made wishes. They seem like fantasies, but some small part of us holds out hope that they could come true. Some of our wishes are silly and frivolous. But some of them are huge. Sometimes we feel stuck in life. We know where we are, but wish we were somewhere else. How do you turn those big wishes into reality? How do you get from here to there?
Direct download: Wish_You_Were_Here_Pt-_1_From_Here_to_There_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 30 June 2019
God promised us that "we would face trials of many kinds", but he also promised us that, "He would be an ever present help in our time of trouble". We were not promised perfect circumstances, or a perfect world. We were promised an imperfect world with imperfect circumstances and a God who would remain perfect to us in those
Direct download: To_Be_Continued_Pt-_3_The_Good_Good_Father_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:32pm EDT |
Sun, 23 June 2019
So you’ve been redeemed. Now what? To answer that question we have to explore the dual intent of Jesus’ grace: Redemption & Transformation. Jesus didn't come to harm us. He came to save us. God's grace is an extraordinary intervention to anyone's story. When we don't allow him to use our redeemed story for the potential benefit of someone else then there is a loss. So what role does God want to you play in someone else's story? |
Sun, 16 June 2019
We are all born with dreams and endless potential. Then life happens and our stories become less simple, more dynamic. When it feels like not every day has purpose and not every year produces progress, it’s not uncommon to begin to wonder: does my life really matter, how many times can I fall and still get back up, does my story still have a chance to be a great one? In this message, you’ll be reminded that Jesus – who is full of grace – never backs away from the dynamic patterns in our lives. |
Sun, 9 June 2019
When it comes to finances, it’s normal to go into debt so deep that you can’t see the way out. But there’s a better way. If you want to live with financial peace you have to flip the script to your financial story.
Direct download: A_Better_Way_Pt._4-_Flip_the_Script_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 2 June 2019
What is the wise thing to do? That simple question is very powerful in every aspect of life - even in the area of finances. When it comes to financial decisions, what if you were to simply ask, “Is this the wise thing to do financially?” And how would you know if it were? You might be surprised to know that the best financial wisdom comes from the Bible. |
Sun, 26 May 2019
Our financial stress, worry, and obsession is less about our external experiences and more about what is going on inside of us. Is it possible that a shift in internal perspective would greatly reduce – or eliminate – our worry and stress?
Direct download: A_Better_Way_Pt-_2_The_Heart_of_the_Matter_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:01pm EDT |
Sun, 19 May 2019
Money strikes an emotional response in everyone and plays a significant role in our lives, in our nation, and in every government around the world. In fact, nations have gone to war over it. In our own lives we’ve stressed about it, fought about it, and obsessed over it. Imagine what it would be like to never worry about it again, never fight about it, and have a sense of peace in this area of your life. All of these things are possible with a mindset reset.
Direct download: A_Better_Way_Pt-1_Mindset_Reset_audio.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 12 May 2019
Jesus has been dividing people since the days of his ministry. His claim to be the Son of God and to be “the only way” to the Father was and still is startling. Interestingly enough, 42% of the Gospel of the John focuses on Jesus’ last week of his ministry; before the crucifiction. John provides vivid detail of Jesus’ last days. Why, because Jesus was predicting his own death and resurrection. And, anyone who can do this is someone we should pay attention too.
Direct download: Who_Is_Jesus_Pt._4_The_Dividing_Claim_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 5 May 2019
Jesus was a rabbi, but he was different than the rabbis of his day. During his ministry, Jesuswas available to people and was very approachable. The culture of his day avoided peoplethey deemed “unclean” - people who had diseases, despised tax collectors, sinners, andGentiles in general. Jesus broke down barriers and gave free access to all those who wouldcome to him. |
Sun, 28 April 2019
Jesus talked a lot about love and forgiveness, but his message was more bold than what people think. He was an equal opportunity offender that challenged the actions of every group during his ministry. And we learn through the scriptures that anytime the Kingdom of God clashes with the kingdoms of this world it is dangerous and costly. |
Sun, 21 April 2019
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Sun, 14 April 2019
The best way to predict your future is to pay attention to where you’re headed. But sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by what’s on the path. The appeal of money, acceptance, or security can lower your defenses and lead you away from the path you want to be on. So is there a way back? How do we change course when we realize that we’ve chosen a path that leads us to what’s appealing instead of what’s ultimately satisfying? |
Sun, 7 April 2019
We all start out life with great intentions. But our intentions aren’t good indicators of our destinations. In fact, our direction trumps our intention every time. That’s why we all need to follow someone we trust. Someone who can make our lives better and make us better at life. So we all have a decision to make. If not Jesus, then who? And if not Christianity, then what? |
Sun, 31 March 2019
Nobody gets lost on purpose. But we often find ourselves in places we never intended. If there’s a disconnect between what you hope to be true in the future and the direction you’re headed now, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at your path. Our direction, not our intention, will determine our destination. |
Sun, 24 March 2019
We’re all going to end up somewhere in life, but often there’s a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path we choose. So how can we avoid choosing a path that’s guaranteed to get us where we don’t want to be? |
Sun, 17 March 2019
Many who have had a near death experience (NDE) calm to have had a “life review.” Although these “life reviews” aren’t the final judgment, they certainly foreshadow what we may experience on the Day of Judgment that comes to all. So, what do the Scriptures say about the final Day of Judgment. You may be surprised! At the conclusion of this message across all of our services, 71 people placed their faith in Jesus and were baptized into Christ. Please let us know if you have made this decision to follow Jesus. We would love to help you take your next steps in your growing relationship with him. |
Sun, 10 March 2019
The research back in the early 1970’s seemed to suggest that all NDEs were positive experiences. As a result, people began to think that everyone went to Heaven. As the research continued over the years, people began coming forward with negative, “hellish” NDE reports. As the plumb line for all of these matters, what do the the Scriptures say? |
Sun, 3 March 2019
People from around the globe who have experienced an NDE talk about all the beauty, wonder, colors, mountains, valleys, loving reunions with family and friends … but those things aren’t their most profound experience. Consistently they say that the highlight of Heaven is a being of light and of love. Who is this being of light and love? |
Sun, 24 February 2019
Perhaps the most common theme from NDEs is experiencing a beauty that fills the soul and is difficult to put into words. People who get a glimpse of the afterlife encounter a majesty that is beyond their ability to comprehend. Surprisingly, this “heavenly world” looks very much like the one the Scriptures have been describing for thousands of years. |
Sun, 17 February 2019
When I die, will I still be myself? Will I have a body or will I be some kind of angel or spirit? Will I see the people I know and love and will we recognize each other? Will I get along with everyone in the afterlife? Many NDEs reveal a lot about relationships in the afterlife, and so does Scripture. You might be surprised how they compliment each other. |
Sun, 10 February 2019
Most people want Heaven to be real but struggle to imagine what it will be like. And if Heaven is real, does it have a place for me? It’s a human question because there’s a human longing to know — what happens when I die? How you think about Heaven should affect everything in your life. |
Sun, 3 February 2019
Now is a powerful moment. Think about it: you can only enjoy things now. You can only love people now. The past is gone and the future isn’t promised. All you have is this moment right now. If you want to experience the full life Jesus wants for you, you have to learn to be fully present in your life - fully present in this moment. So what keeps you from this moment and how can you maximize every moment? |
Sun, 27 January 2019
One of the biggest obstacles of embracing the Wonderlifeis that we often feel a sense of embarrassment over what we like, love and care about. We start doing things that we are “supposed” to do rather than things we really like. Sure we fit in, but we totally lose out. But what are your passions, your interests? At what are you really good and not so good? God gives you your passions, gifts, talents, and skills. When you begin to understand how these things work together, you’ll get a sense of his calling in your life. Don’t settle for a lesser version of the youGod made you to be. |
Sun, 20 January 2019
No matter how you feel about you, God delights in you! To say that out loud feels a bit awkward because we know how messed up our stories are. There are entire chapters of our lives that we would like to delete or pretend as if they never happened. But what if those are the very chapters that God wants to use most? God will heal and use whatever you surrender to him. |
Sun, 6 January 2019
Life is hard and awesome and no one has it totally figured out. Why? Because life is made up of opposites. It is both sweet and sour; good days and disasters. Jesus said that he came to give us life to the full, and yet he also said that life would be filled with trials. Adequately answering the questions of identity and purpose will help us navigate the ups and downs we experience in life: Who am I? Why am I here? |
Sun, 16 December 2018
When we face pain and loss, they change the story we had planned for our lives. They can end our dreams. But what do pain and loss look like when we try to see the world as God sees the world, and to do as God says? |
Sun, 2 December 2018
Simple question: What affect does God’s grace have in your life? Or asked a different way, how is your life different as a result of experiencing the grace of God? In this message, we will look at one specific impact that God’s grace had on the early Christians and how this characteristic can and should be true of us, also. |
Sun, 25 November 2018
When it comes to family, actions speak louder than words - they echo into the next generation. Your children and grandchildren may forget what you say, but they'll never forget what you do. |
Sun, 18 November 2018
Raising children is one of the biggest challenges in life. It requires all of our strengths and talents. It makes us keenly aware of our weaknesses. In this message, Andy and Sandra Stanley tell you everything they know about parenting. This isn't everything there is to know, just what they know. |
Sun, 11 November 2018
All children - that's you and me - long for the approval of their parents . . . especially their fathers. It's a longing that never goes away. It gets buried or transferred to other relationships, but it's there. And we underestimate its power. Every parent wants to be approved by his or her child - to be a hero, to hear, "when I grow up I want to be just like you." As that desire grows, so does a parent's insecurity. |
Sun, 4 November 2018
When it comes to family, the only thing we all have in common is conflict. Family conflict is like no other because when you win an argument in your family, you don't really win anything. The conflict is never fully resolved. |
Sun, 28 October 2018
In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul drew from Jesus' use of power what is perhaps the most powerful relational teaching of all - an instruction that changes everything in family dynamics. It all comes down to asking a simple question: |
Sun, 21 October 2018
When the ideal is hard to attain, it's tempting to just lower the bar and redefine the ideal. This can be especially true when it comes to Jesus' teachings about family, which many of us have already fallen short of. In this message, Andy Stanley explains why aiming for God's ideal is still worth it, even when our reality makes reaching it impossible. |
Sun, 14 October 2018
For many people who grew up in church, being a Christian was all about following the rules. There were things you were not supposed to do, and there were things you were supposed to do. If you kept the rules, then God would be pleased with you and bless you. If you didn't keep the rules, then God would punish you and make your life miserable. Unfortunately, this is a distorted view of what it means to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus. It isn't about rules at all. It is about something totally different - and not only is it life-giving, it is life-changing. |
Sun, 7 October 2018
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Sun, 30 September 2018
We like to showcase our successes in life and hide our failures. No one brags about their divorce, bankruptcy, incarceration, DUI, abortion, or addiction. These failures create shame and we begin to label ourselves by them. Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son is a powerful lesson in the new identity that God offers us by his love and grace. When we finally understand that God’s love and grace are real - really real - it will change us and lead us into a relationship with him. |
Sun, 23 September 2018
Until we admit that we are powerless on our own to find fulfillment in this life, we will never truly find our way back to God. But once we recognize our need for help, we have already made the turn that leads us home to our heavenly Father. If you are like every other person, you will try to go it on your own many times in the years to come. You'll even try to pease and serve God on your own -- and that won't work either. We can't do it on our own, and that is very good to know. Let your awakening to your need for help continue to shape your choices in the years ahead. Help has a name, and that name is Jesus. Every time you turn away from self-centeredness and pride, he will be there to rescue, strengthen, and guide you on your journey with him. |
Sun, 16 September 2018
Our attempts to find purpose, love, and meaning on our own lead to an endless cycle of longing and regret. You don’t have to waste the power of your sincere regret on more self-condemnation. You can let it move you confidently in God’s direction. |
Sun, 9 September 2018
We all have a longing to love and be loved in return, to find purpose for our days, and to make sense out of life when life doesn’t seem to make any sense. Those longings are from God, and when you allow those strong desires for more to draw you nearer to him, he will fulfill your longings. |
Sun, 2 September 2018
Why is it some people go through extraordinarily tough times and are broken, while others are not? Check out this secret to weathering the storms of life. |
Sun, 26 August 2018
Our human relationships are not independent of our view and engagement with God the Father. They are also not immune to the effects of distortion and disconnectedness from Him. Last week we talked about how filters can distort how we view God. This week we explore the idea that a bad filter can also distort how we hear him.
Direct download: Unfiltered_WK2_Distorted_Voice_WEB_Audio.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 19 August 2018
One of the coolest things about digital photography is using filters! Providing everything from fun enhancements to strange distortions, the use of filters can have a dramatic affect on how we view a person. Additionally, how we view a person will largely determine how we will engage with that person. Especially if that person is God. This week at Journey we discuss how a clearer view of God can make the difference between a growing relationship with him or just another religious commitment. |
Sun, 12 August 2018
Everyone experiences the highs and lows of life. At some point, we all wind up in a very low spot, sometimes at rock bottom. In those times, it is easy to lose hope and to throw in the towel on your dreams and the possibility of something positive for your future. It is easy to think that we have gone too far or sinned too great to ever recover. Samson’s utter failure led him to an unthinkable low … and yet God was still gracious to him in his darkest hour. |
Sun, 5 August 2018
We all have places we want to end up in life. Yet the paths we choose often lead us away from our intended destinations. Poor decisions over time can send us down the wrong road leading us to a place we never wanted to go. In this message, we will discover the missteps Samson made, over time, that cost him dearly. |
Sun, 29 July 2018
What drives your actions and behaviors can be, and often is, driven from feelings of low self-worth. But knowing who we are in God’s eyes is the key to living from a strong core.
Direct download: Samson_WK2_Whats_Driving_You_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 22 July 2018
Attitude is a powerful influence in the direction of your life. Positive attitudes can see us through difficult situations. If we aren’t careful, attitudes can also lead to our downfall.
Direct download: Samson_WK1_Watch_Your_Attitude_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 15 July 2018
Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. But that’s easier said than done. Which people qualify as neighbors . . . and which don’t? How far does our responsibility to others extend? If we make the effort to move toward the messes in other people’s lives, how inconvenient is too inconvenient? How unsafe is too unsafe? How dangerous is too dangerous? What are the limits to loving others as we love ourselves? |
Sun, 8 July 2018
How should you respond when others face a bottom-of-the-9th moment? It's not about saying something or doing something. It's about being someone.
Direct download: BOTN_PT4_Tear_the_Roof_Off_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am EDT |
Sun, 1 July 2018
What happens when there is no bottom-of-the-ninthcomeback? What happens when you lose? Where can you find hope when hope disappears? |
Sun, 24 June 2018
When you're facing a bottom-of-the-ninth moment, doing this one thing can bring light to the darkness. |
Sun, 17 June 2018
Have you ever felt behind financially, relationally, or emotionally? What do you do when you feel like your life is trailing in the bottom of the ninth?
Direct download: BOTN_PT1_Stepping_Up_to_the_Plate_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am EDT |
Sun, 10 June 2018
Life is full of surprises - some good, some not so good. But each unexpected event that comes our way is actually a divine opportunity. In this installment of Five Things God Uses To Grow Our Faith, we will discover the role that pivotal circumstances play in the development of our trust in God.
Direct download: 5_Things_PT6_Pivotal_Circumstances_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 3 June 2018
Have you ever attempted to do something for God you felt unqualified to do? Why would someone even attempt something they aren't qualified to do? Well, sometimes people see a need and believe that acting on that need is the right thing to do. Other times people feel "called" to do something, even though they don't feel qualified. Have you ever considered why God may call people to do something outside of their comfort zone - outside of what they feel qualified to do? That's the question that we will wrestle with in this message.
Direct download: 5_Things_PT5_Personal_Ministry_WEB_AUDIO_Edit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 27 May 2018
If you are like most people, you can’t tell your life story without referencing people who played significant roles along the way. The same is true of your faith story. In this third message, James explains the role that providential relationships play in the development of our faith.
Direct download: 5_Things_Pt4_Providential_Relationships_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 20 May 2018
Discipline. Most people think of that word in a negative sense. To be disciplined means to be punished. Or "to be disciplined" could be something positive. For example, some people are self disciplined to exercise every day. Others are disciplined to eat healthy. These choices, when made consistently, yield positive results. In the same way, there are some spiritual disciplines that we can exercise to have positive results in our relationship with Jesus. That's what we'll unpack in this session as we draw (in part) from Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
Direct download: 5_Things_PT3_Private_Disciplines_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 13 May 2018
When our acts of faith intersect with God’s faithfulness, our faith grows. From Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders, we find that hearing and learning are not enough. The value is in the application. Because in the end, it’s obedience that makes all the difference.
Direct download: 5_Things_PT2_Practical_Teaching_WEB_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 6 May 2018
Your faith in God matters to him. In fact, God is most honored through your living, active, death-defying, out-of-the-box faith.That being the case, he's committed to growing it. BIG. Imagine how different your outlook on life would be if you had absolute confidence that God was with you? Imagine how differently you would respond to difficulties, temptations, and even good things if you knew with certainty that God was in all of it and was planning to leverage it for good. In other words, imagine what it would be like to have explicit faith.
Direct download: The_Five_Things_God_Uses_to_Grow_Your_Faith_PT1_Big_Faith_WEB_Audio_01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 29 April 2018
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Sun, 15 April 2018
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Sun, 8 April 2018
For generations, Fred Rogers has been a beloved television personality among children who have been mesmerized by his calm and inviting presence and his positive and encouraging message of friendship. Everyone loves and admires Mr. Rogers. Some people see Jesus as a version of Mr. Rogers. While Jesus was certainly a model for Mr. Rogers, who himself was a Presbyterian minister, it is a mistake to view Jesus as simply meek and mild. By combining the biblical text along with the geographical and political realities of Jesus’ day we learn that he was much more than meek and mild. |
Sun, 1 April 2018
When you go through a difficult circumstance, there is one thing that keeps you going - the expectation that something better is in front of you. We call that expectation “hope.” At some point in life, each of us has our hopes dashed. However, because of the resurrection of Jesus, our hopes can be renewed day-by-day.
Direct download: Jesus_Is_PT1_Living_Hope_WEB_AUDIO_01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 25 March 2018
Happy couples decide they owe each other everything but are owed nothing in return. But that requires effort. Every married person makes a choice every day. That choice feels more like a reaction, so most people don’t think they have a choice at all. But they do. Happy couples make the happy choice. |