The Scandal of Grace Ridiculous Grace April 14, 2024 Last Sunday we learned that grace is an undeserved gift; free to the recipient, but costly to the giver. We learned that grace has many facets… patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness and love. And we learned that grace is always active, never passive. Grace always takes the initiative, makes…

The Aptitudes of Grace Ridiculous Grace April 7, 2024 We are beginning a new sermon series this Sunday that we’re calling Ridiculous Grace. If you watch the evening news or scroll through social media, you know we live in a very narcissistic, me-first, entitled culture. The messages all around us tell us we deserve more, better, and faster. Grace i…

An Invitation to Believe Easter Sunday March 31, 2024 More than two thousand years ago, Jesus gave His followers another kind of forecast. One they should have known they could be certain of. But things in their world got dark and scary really fast, and they lost their grip on that hope-filled forecast. Things didn’t play out the way they expected …

All That and a Bag of Chips Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews March 24, 2024 Over the past 3 months, we’ve been on a journey through the New Testament book of Hebrews. We’ve spent weeks unpacking deep theological truths that have helped us to better understand why we believe what we believe, and given us a solid foundation for living …

Run For Your LifeGreater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews March 17, 2024 There’s a famous line in the movie, Chariots of Fire, that has Eric Liddell saying, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.” God did make him fast and he ran for God’s glory, but Liddell never said that. What he did say and what most people don’t know, i…

Faith For Today Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews March 10, 2024 Over the past couple of months, we have been digging deep into the book of Hebrews in a series we’ve called, Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus through Hebrews. And, we covered some pretty heady theology. But now, we’re making a shift. We’re getting to the part where the ru…

We’re discovering all the ways in which Jesus is greater than the Old Testament system of relating to God. Originally written to a group of Jewish Christ-followers who were experiencing difficulty and persecution for their faith; this letter was meant to encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus, to hold tightly to their faith, to keep on keeping …

Since the first of the year, we’ve been taking a deep look at how Jesus and the new covenant way of relating to God that He makes possible is greater than the old way. This week we’re looking at how Jesus changes the access we have to God and the difference that makes in our lives. ----------------------------------- TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP -----------…

Obsolete Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews February 18, 2024 We are mid-way through our series, Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews. Over the last several weeks, we’ve been taking a deep look at how Jesus is greater than the Old Covenant system that the Jews were so familiar with. They were comfortable with they way things…

Melchize-who? Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews February 11, 2024 In Bible times, names of people and places were very much given with the meaning in mind. There were even occasions when God changed someone’s name to reflect a new direction or calling He had given them. Sometimes it’s a nickname that holds deep significance – whether …

We are working our way through the New Testament book of Hebrews in a sermon series we’ve called Greater. The unidentified author of this letter is making the case that Jesus is greater than anything – than any other hope, dream, or system; prophet, priest or king. He’s about to take his readers to the next level in his rationale, when he realizes …

We are studying our way through the New Testament book of Hebrews in a series we’ve called, Greater. This letter was written to Jewish Christ-followers who found themselves experiencing hardships that had them longing for the old days. “It would be so much easier if we could just go back to the way things used to be!” But God had called them to som…

The Myth of Greener Pastures Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews January 21, 2024 We are studying our way through the book of Hebrews in a sermon series we’ve called Greater. The letter of Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish followers of Jesus who were at risk of forgetting all that they had received in Christ and returning to the c…

Catch Your Drift Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews January 14, 2024 There is something appealing about the idea of just drifting along, going wherever the tide or breezes carry you. On the surface it sounds relaxing or refreshing. After all…navigating the demands of daily life is hard work. We can feel pulled in a million difference d…

Bigger, Better, Stronger Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews January 7, 2024 We are kicking off 2024 with a brand-new series we’re calling Greater. Over the next 12 weeks, we will be diving deep into the New Testament book of Hebrews. It’s a book that will help us understand how Jesus is truly greater; greater than any person, any syste…

What We Learned in 2023 December 31, 2023 Jesus loved to tell stories. Storytelling was one of His go-to methods of helping His disciples better understand God and His plan for the world and their lives. Stories can move us, challenge us, inspire and encourage us. They can open our eyes to things that we otherwise might not see and our minds to pos…

Disappointed By God Missing Peace December 24, 2023 We all have expectations about certain things. Your kids are counting on Santa to bring just what they want for Christmas, but you know “Santa’s” budget is too tight. You have holiday traditions that aren’t working out. Perhaps there’s a broken relationship that’s making this season hard, instead …

Why Do I Have To Wait? Missing Peace December 17, 2023 It’s the Christmas season and as we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we’re working our way through a series we’ve called, Missing Peace. I imagine that you, along with most everybody I know, struggles with waiting. Whether it’s waiting for a response to your email, or a call from the…

You're Driving Me Crazy! Missing Peace December 10, 2023 Luke 2 records the refrain declared by the host of heaven, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” But across centuries, continents, and cultures, no matter which corner of history we search, we discover an overwhelming deficit of peace. Certain…

Is Peace Possible? Missing Peace December 3, 2023 The holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is on the horizon. But when our newsfeeds continue to be filled with stories of international conflict, economic uncertainty, political division, death, disease, heartbreak, and loss, it’s hard to believe that the message of…

DON'T BLINK! - as the world burns - November 26, 2023 This Sunday, we’re continuing our look beneath the subject lines and rhetoric that fill our newsfeeds, to see what God’s Word has to say about the things happening in our world. We’re looking to gain a firmer grasp on what we can know for sure, and what we must confidently entrust to the soverei…

TEETERING ON THE BRINK - as the world burns - November 19, 2023 It’s no wonder that as we look around our world, scroll through social media, and listen to the news, that so many of people are struggling with uncertainty and fear about the future. Things are very dark in our world and just seem to be getting darker. Is there any hope to hold onto? …

A Faith Of Their Own Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child's Heart November 12, 2023 This Sunday we are wrapping up our series, Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. We’ve covered a lot of ground the past few weeks, but we’ve saved the best – and maybe the hardest – for last. As parents who have committed their lives to Chris…

Because I Said So Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child's Heart November 5, 2023 As we continue in our series on parenting this week, we’ll be taking a look at the difference between discipline and punishment. Though we often use the words interchangeably, they aren’t the same thing at all. Punishment is linked to condemnation and control; d…

This week, as we continue in our series on parenting, we’ll be taking a look at how much marriage impacts our kids. In our world today, the traditional family isn’t so traditional anymore. There are lots of single parent households, broken and blended families, and grandparents raising grandkids. Families come in all shapes, sizes, and situations. …

We are midway through our series Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. This week, we’re taking a look at the weight of our words. We all know that words are powerful and that we need to be wise in how we use them. We know words can be misunderstood, taken out of context, or be twisted. But when it comes to our kids, there’s a whole …

We are in week 2 of a six-week series that we’ve called Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. Throughout this series we are taking a look at big picture principles for successful parenting that will help us to navigate the nitty gritty of daily family life. We all know that change is one of the most certain things about life. Every …

Destination Parenting Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child's Heart October 8, 2023 This week we are beginning a new series we’re calling Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. Being a parent is the most challenging job in the world. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, something changes. That’s both the fun and …

Risky Faith Stuck: Get Back In the Race October 1, 2023 This week we are wrapping up our series, Stuck: Get Back in the Race. We’re going to unpack what it could or perhaps should look like for followers of Jesus to live out a faith that takes risks; that is unflinchingly ready to say ‘Yes’ to the possibilities and opportunities God puts in our liv…

Stuck In a Rut Stuck: Get Back In the Game September 24, 2023 We are in week 3 of our 4-week series we’ve called Stuck: Get Back in the Game. This week we’ll consider some of the reasons we get stuck and stay stuck, along with some how-tos for getting unstuck. Everyone, at some point – and probably more than once – is going to get stuck. It might b…

We are in week two of a new sermon series we’ve called, Stuck: Get Back in the Race. As we continue in our study this week, we’re going to take a look at who God says we are - beneath the labels, the job descriptions, the hats we wear and the roles we play. Strip all those things away and what’s left? What’s at the core of who you are? And how does…

The (UN)comfort Zone Stuck: Get Back In the Game September 10, 2023 Most people want to use their time well and spend it wisely. We value productivity, growth, health and happiness. We want life to be good; always moving up and to the right. But sooner or later, we all get sidelined – something breaks down, whether in us or around us, and we find o…

We are coming to the end of our sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we’ve journeyed through this psalm together, we’ve discovered many benefits of choosing to live a life fully surrendered to Jesus. As we come to the final phrases of this well-known psalm, we’ll find there is still more abundance, mor…

Between a Rock and a High Place Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 27, 2023 We are in week 4 of our 5-part sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we gather together this Sunday, we come to verse 4 of Psalm 23. This is the ‘comfort’ part of the psalm that people all over the world…

Going In Circles Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 20, 2023 We are midway through a sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we gather together this Sunday, we’ll be looking at verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 23; verses that describe the daily circle of life for a sheep under the care of …

Enough Oil Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 13, 2023 We are at the front end of a new series we’ve called ‘Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life.” We’re on verse 1 this week. I bet you know it by heart... “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.” That’s the old-school version. In more modern translations…

The Blessing of Surrender Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 6, 2023 This week, we are beginning a new 5-week series we’re calling Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a deep look at one of the most well-known and much-loved passages in the Bible. This song of the sh…

It's Not Fair! Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 30, 2023 In an online article at Inc.com, Ryan Jenkins, author, speaker and generations expert writes, “Entitlement is perhaps the top word associated with the Millennial generation. In fact, 71 percent of American adults think of Millennials as “selfish,” and 65 percent think …

Trading Places Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 23, 2023 Sooner or later, it happens to all of us. Someone asks us to do something. And we know we should; we want to want to do it. We might even be aware that it’s something that God wants or is asking us to do. But we’re just not feeling it. We don’t want to. We are reluctan…

A Reality Check Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 16, 2023 We all make choices in life – good ones or not-so-good ones, and sooner or later there are consequences. And there’s not much you can do about the consequences, except for choosing how to respond to them. We are in week two of a four-week summer series on the story of…

Love Beyond Borders Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 9, 2023 Summer is in full swing in our part of the world, and for a lot of people that means getting out on the water. Whether it’s a lake, river, or even the ocean, many of us enjoy escaping the cares of life to enjoy some splashing in the sun. So it seems like a great ti…

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been in a series we’ve called Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence. We’ve been unpacking some of our pre-conceived ideas about what it means to share our belief in Jesus with other people. And we’ve come to understand that there are ways we can do that, that don’t have to be scary or intimidating. This week, as…

Question Everything Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence June 25, 2023 We are in week 3 of our series, Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been reframing some of our ideas about evangelism – what it is and how we do it. And we’re learning that it doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating and that …

Flip The Script Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence June 18, 2023 This week, we’re going to look at strategies for effective seed planting. Not the vegetable garden kind of seeds, but the kind of seeds that help produce faith and life-change in the lives of the people around us. It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid gardener or have the kind …

The Myths of Evangelism Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence June 11, 2023 We hear the word ‘influencer’ thrown around a lot in our culture these days. It’s like a new category of popularity or famous-ness. There are people who are well-known for being politicians, musicians, artists, authors, and.... influencers. We all know what those othe…

The Practice of Prayer Conversations With God June 4, 2023 This Sunday we are wrapping up our series, Conversations With God. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the topic of prayer. We’ve unpacked some of our problems with prayer, and discovered fresh insights about the purpose and power of prayer. This week, we’re diving into the…

The Power of Prayer Conversations With God May 28, 2023 We are in week three of a four-part series we’ve called, Conversations With God. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve unpacked the problem and the purpose of prayer. This week, we’re turning our attention to another aspect: the power of prayer. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, writing to the …

The Purpose of Prayer Conversations With God May 21, 2023 I invite you to join us this Sunday as we continue our series Conversations With God. We’re focusing on the topic of prayer; this week more specifically, on the purpose of prayer. I think a lot of people might say that the purpose of praying is to ask for divine help with something too big f…

The Problem With Prayer Conversations With God May 14, 2023 Join us this Sunday as we begin a new sermon series we’re calling, Conversations With God. We’ll be taking a look at the topic of prayer. When it comes to praying, a lot of people have more questions than answers. We wrestle with things like, “What should I pray for? What words do I say? I…

It's A Choice What Happy Couples Know May 7, 2023 We are wrapping up our series, What Happy Couples Know this weekend. Over the past three weeks, we’ve unpacking principles for developing and nurturing healthy marriages, But the principles we’ve learned can be help us thrive in every relationship! In this final week of our series, we’ll discover th…