Preston Trail Community Church: Recent Episodes
Paul Basden & Jim Johnson
At Easter we celebrate the new life that Jesus' resurrection secured for each one of us. But too many of us choose to live without acknowledging the necessary deaths we must endure in order to walk in that newness of life.
Undeterred followers of Jesus can be clear about their calling and convictions while also remaining compassionately connected to people.
We can learn from the lives of Jesus’ earliest followers, as they display four devotions that opened them up to the life of the Spirit--all grounded in the reality of living life in community with one another.
As promised, the followers of Jesus receive the gift of his Spirit, and it’s a gift that empowered them (and us) to turn the world upside down.
In Jesus, we have received the best gift of all: the love for which our souls were created.
Too often, we mistake hope for crossing our fingers and wishing for the best. In Jesus, the gift of hope is a confident assurance upon which we can build our lives.
In Jesus, we have received the gift of peace…and it’s a gift even better than we hoped it could be.
What could happen in our world if we follow the example of Jesus and love story, sharing God’s Big Story and every new one he writes?
What could happen in our world if we follow the example of Jesus and lead forward, anticipating what’s next and having the courage to do it?
What could happen in our world if we follow the example of Jesus and do stuff, turning what we’re learning into action?
What could happen in our world if we follow the example of Jesus and are real, taking off our masks and daring to be known?
What could happen in our world if we follow the example of Jesus and think family, growing marriages and families that are built to last?
We’re celebrating 20 years of God’s goodness and the goodness of his people at Preston Trail!
Jesus goes against cultural norms to encourage his followers to count the cost, as well as number the blessings, of following him.
Jesus goes against cultural norms to teach us what it looks like to let him set our priorities in life.
God is not limited by the natural rules of this world and can offer you real life now and for eternity.
More than just mental assent, faith is trusting that God can and will move in our lives and circumstances.
Jesus teaches how the Good News of God can transform those with hearts ready to receive it.
In Jesus, we not only can love those like us but can even extend that same love to those that aren’t.
Jesus taught a new way of life, available to everyone, that will lead to fullness and real satisfaction.
Jesus selected a ragged bunch of normal workers to learn from him, to be transformed by him and to carry on his work in the world.
Jesus was able to avoid so many of the distractions and hang-ups that so often plague us because he knew his purpose and evaluated everything through that lens.
Jesus was able to avoid the distractions and hang-ups that so often plague us because his identity was so firmly rooted in the Father.
John the Baptizer broke 400 years of prophetic silence as he prepared hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.
We can discover the deep and abiding love and heart of God the Father when we look closely at Jesus Christ, his Son.
The Real Jesus not only came to die for the sins of the whole world but was raised to life again so that anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus may experience the full and abundant life that can only be found in him.
The prophets told of a coming Messiah thousands of years before Jesus’ arrival. By the time he came, the Jewish people, the Jewish rulers and much of the known world were looking for this promised Messiah.
The prophets told of a coming Messiah thousands of years before Jesus’ arrival. By the time he came, the Jewish people, the Jewish rulers and much of the known world were looking for this promised Messiah.
Join us as we explore the incredible life and transformative work of Jesus Christ through the gospel of Luke.
On your own, as a family and with your group-- Share your time, talents and treasures with those in need of them.
Into your life, your home and your church-- Welcome new people into your existing rhythms.
Where you live work and play-- Decide to do life intentionally with the people already around you.
Partner in the accomplishing of God's purposes in the world through the giving of your time, talents and treasures.
Inviting God's presence to fill your ordinary and extraordinary moments throughout the week.
One of the things that makes everyday heroes heroic is their willingness to serve others.
We tend to think of church as a place to go. But that’s not it at all.Church isn’t a place.It’s a living, breathing, active organism. The church is a Body. If you’re a follower of Jesus,being part of the Body isn’t an afterthought. It’s the core of your identity. It’s the foundation of your purpose. Join us for this special service and catch a fresh vision for your life as part of the Body called Preston Trail.
Red is the love of the home. Yellow is the light of the church. Red and yellow are great alone, but when they choose to work together, something amazing happens. Join us for Orange Weekend, a special once-a-year experience designed to help you discover your role in passing along a lasting faith to the next generation.
We celebrate Easter because Jesus is alive, and his life means we can experience a free and full life. Thanks to Jesus, we have victory over despair.
The joy of Easter finds its source in the grief of Good Friday. During this special “unplugged” service we remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross through songs, prayers, communion and a brief message.
Want to learn more about Preston Trail, visit prestontrail.org
We live in a weary world deeply in need of joy. Celebrate with us as we remember what the birth of Jesus means for us and all the world this Christmas!
We live in a weary world deeply in need of love. The love of Jesus is enough to satisfy our deepest longings for connection and desires for purpose if we will look to him.
We live in a weary world deeply in need of peace. We were never promised comfortable circumstances, but we were promised that we would never walk through them alone. The presence of Jesus brings us peace in the broken places, the missing places and those that are simply out of order.
God has given each of us an image with purpose & value. Join us as we discover how to use our God-given image in a purposeful way.
We used to think of church as a place to go. But this year has reminded us what was true all along: Church isn’t just a place to go. It’s a way to live.
Despite a challenging year, God has proven himself faithful. During this outdoor service, Preston Trail celebrates the new life we have in Christ.
Perhaps more than any other year, 2020 is a year when educators deserve our appreciation and need our support.
Wishing, willing and working for the good of others even when you’d like to key their car.
Living out the “one-another” whether or not they silence their dogs, mow their lawn, or discipline their kids the way you’d prefer.
Self love is often dismissed or misunderstood, especially among followers of Christ, who are called to put the interests of others above our own. But if true love is self-giving, it only follows our self must be healthy, whole and loved.
We often tie “love” to feelings of love. But love has much less to do with feelings than action: to wish, will and work for the good of another.
As families spend more concentrated time together than perhaps ever before, patience wears thin and nerves can fray. Learn how your family can survive and thrive in this challenging season.
What does it look like to follow Jesus when we're unable to gather with other believers for a weekend service?
Praying like a pro means remembering we're engaged in battle, and praying for God's protection as we take ground.
Pro-level prayer involves praying for forgiveness--both to receive it from God, and to extend it to others.
An important part of praying like a pro is remembering our dependence on God's provision.
To pray like a pro we need to evaluate the fundamentals: what's our motivation in prayer?
The first step in praying like a pro is making sure we have an accurate understanding of the God to whom we pray.
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Among the losses we've grieved over the past month is the loss of our ability to celebrate. This Mother's Day, many of us are grappling with the disappointment of unmet expectations for ourselves and the people we love.
In this post-coronavirus age, the specter of the unknown looms large. What happens when our sense of certainty has vanished?
Despite the prevalence of Zoom calls and endless streams of social media, we're grappling to regain what we've lost in terms of personal connection.
Part of navigating this new normal involves reorienting our lives around all we can--and can't--control.
Thanks to this year’s unusual circumstances, we will experience Easter as never before: gathered as one church family for one service, all together at the same time. We invite you to be part of this unprecedented Easter event, as we celebrate the new life we find in Jesus, our risen King.
As Jesus hung on a Roman cross, a sign above his head mockingly declared his majesty. The words on that piece of wood reveal the ultimate irony: even as the God of the universe fully revealed himself to humanity, still we missed him.
The King of kings deserved a crown of majesty, but a cruel mass of twisted thorns reveals the suffering he chose for our sake.
Jesus was the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Yet he picked up a towel and basin, revealing the scandalous humility of the incarnate God.
Too often we picture Jesus as lowly, meek and mild. But the overturned table points to a man who fashioned a whip and drove merchants from the temple, leaving disruption in his wake.
The same crowd that demanded his crucifixion had welcomed Jesus as their deliverer just one week earlier. The palm branches the crowd waved as they sang his praises reveal their fundamental misunderstanding about who Jesus was--a problem many of us still encounter today.
Work hard, climb the ladder, make lots of money--this was the example Todd learned from his dad. But in the face of an unimaginable loss, Todd discovered a new treasure that was worthy of his life.
From her childhood, Brooke longed to be invited and accepted. Instead, she found closed doors, dead ends and a broken heart . . . until one simple invitation would change the course of her life.
The deepest wounds in Allison's life were inflicted by the church. And yet when God offered her spiritual healing, of all the ways he could have chosen to bring it about, he used the church.
At age 43, Jim found himself battling two life-threatening cancers: the colon cancer in his body, and the addiction in his soul. He discovered that true healing can be found--but it begins by bringing hidden sickness to light.
It's time for the Big Game, and the appeal is undeniable as millions tune in worldwide. We'll draw inspiration from everything that captivates us about the Big Game--football, commercials, and snacks--and explore some deeper truths about the game of life.
The storms of life are inevitable, but when they come it is our roots that keep us grounded and anchored.
What makes a Christmas to remember? Perhaps the most lasting and meaningful memories are those connected to the hope we find in Jesus.
Christmas is a season of great expectations, and our quest to create moments of Christmas perfection can lead to frustration when plans and people don't comply. This Christmas, discover joy in the midst of imperfection.
When it comes to Christmas distractions, there is perhaps none greater than Jolly Old St. Nick. How can we celebrate what's wonderful about Santa Claus without losing sight of what matters most at Christmas?
As December begins, it's likely your Christmas season is already jam-packed with events, tasks and obligations. Don't let your to-dos distract you from the joys of the season.
Sometimes our need is most profoundly captured in the expression of one simple prayer: "Help!"
When we open our eyes to the proof of God's greatness and goodness all around us, we can't help but pray "Wow!"
Preston Trail is compelled by Christ's love to share the good news of Jesus locally, nationally and globally. Hear from special guest Joseph Barkley, lead and founding pastor of Radius Church in North Hollywood. Radius is one of the churches that receives support through our Compelled by Love initiative, as they bring the gospel to people who are convinced church is irrelevant.
We've all heard the saying "Greed is good," and whether we like to admit it or not, it feels like greed works because the rich get richer.
Some people are just plain contemptible. Besides, contempt is only sinful when I act upon it--right?
"If you haven't got anything nice to say about someone . . . come sit next to me." Gossip seems harmless--even fun. Is it really a big deal?
Pride may be the original sin, but nowadays it feels like it's a key ingredient of success in life.
We tell little white lies because they're often more kind than the truth--but are they, really?
We believe teachers are world changers! Preston Trail is committed to support the thousands of educators in our North Texas area in practical and meaningful ways. Whether or not you're a teacher, join us! You've got a world-changing role to play in this big vision!
The good news that we were made for more is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. We are always extending an invitation to someone who needs to hear the good news, too.
A life of purpose is a life of giving. We were made to change the world with our lavish generosity.
In a world where the focus is too often "me, myself and I," we were made for more. We were made to serve others.
We were made for more than acquaintances, followers, frenemies and Facebook friends. We were made for authentic, meaningful relationships.
Maybe the reason we can never seem to get enough of a good thing is because we were made for more.
Parents, we know raising kids is tough and you have a lot of things vying for your family's time and attention. It's easy for church to feel like one more place to go or commitment to keep. But here at Preston Trail, we've designed our Family Ministry around partnering with you to raise kids with a life-changing faith. We're better together! As we shift back into the school year rhythm, join us for this important weekend and learn what Orange means, and why it's the key to raising kids with life-changing, world-changing faith!
We know you have a lot of things competing for your time and attention, and it's easy for church to become one more thing to be managed in your busy life. But the church is the hope of the world, and we are meant to find our deepest meaning as part of the Body of Christ. That's why we are so excited about the coming year at Preston Trail! Don't miss Vision Weekend, as we unveil an exciting new resource designed to help you connect with God, with others and with your purpose in practical and life-changing ways.
Our concept of love can easily become shaped by the world around us, but as children of God we are called to love others as he loves us.
Being part of God's family means we bear his name. What does it mean to represent him well to the world?
If you're part of God's family, you're no longer who you used to be. You've been given a completely new identity.
A family functions best when each member understands the unique contribution they bring, and God's family is no different. Thanks to Jesus, we have each been gifted for a special purpose.
In order to live out our identity within the family of God, we must begin to understand how deeply loved we really are.
At its best, being part of a family means inclusion, identity and unity. That's what it means to belong to the family of God.
Our status as God's children isn't based upon anything we've earned. It's a result of God's lavish love.
Being part of the family of God doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of being chosen and deeply wanted.
Timing is everything. When the stakes are at their highest the unlikely hero recognizes the value of showing up, even at great personal risk.
The easy choice is the path of least resistance, but culture can be transformed when an unlikely hero chooses to go against the grain.
Nowadays it's easy to mistake hustle for heroism, but it's an unlikely hero who stops trying to make the impossible happen and chooses instead to believe the One for whom nothing is impossible.
Other people can be challenging, messy and beyond our control. But our willingness to take risks for another person can lead to unlikely heroism.
Adversity comes in many forms, and nobody is exempt. But your response to adversity can shape you into an unlikely hero.
The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope that what is dead in our lives can come to life again. This Easter we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus!
The inviting life demonstrates the love of Jesus in action--but it can't stop there. When the time is right, an inviting life means speaking up about the hope we've found in Jesus.
We hear people all the time, but how often are we really listening? The inviting life is characterized by a mindset of curiosity and a commitment to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
The inviting life is vulnerable, real, and accessible. It means putting aside pretense and living authentically with other people.
An inviting life means being present in the lives of other people, and what better example do we have than Jesus? He took on the form of a human being, walked with us in our sorrows and joys, and took upon himself the death we deserved.
Unless we’re watching a horror movie, most of us don’t give demons much thought. But the Bible indicates demons are real—so should we be scared?
When we think of angels, we often picture harps, halos and wings. But what does the Bible have to say about these heavenly beings?
The unthinkable has become alarmingly commonplace, and our safest spaces are now vulnerable to attack. How can we live with confidence despite the looming specter of violence?
Gender confusion is perhaps one of the toughest issues many families are now facing. How can followers of Jesus offer love and light in the midst of the confusion?
Anxiety disorders are on the rise, impacting tens of millions of American adults every year--and an increasing number of children and teens. How can we find hope and healing in the face of crushing anxiety?
Sexual harassment and assault are nothing new, but one hashtag has helped communicate the enormity of these issues in every sector of life, including the church.
We live in an increasingly connected world, but too often our dysfunctional relationship with social media has a negative impact on what's most real in our lives.
When the going gets tough in a relationship, people with grit keep going . . . and can transform an ordinary relationship to one that is truly extraordinary.
Is there anything more extraordinary than grace? Showing unmerited favor to the people in our lives requires sacrifice, but it's an essential ingredient of extraordinary relationships.
Our world has made it easier than ever to misunderstand, misinterpret or mischaracterize the various people in our lives. An extraordinary relationship can only develop when we apply some extra understanding.
Life is full of distractions that can damage our relationships. Building extraordinary relationships means paying extra attention.
When Jesus appears, the soul feels its worth. Celebrate this Christmas at Preston Trail, with creativity, great music, "Silent Night" by candlelight and a message of the good tidings of great joy found in Jesus.
The arrival of Jesus into a broken and sin-scarred world triggered rejoicing among all of creation.
In one of the most familiar carols of Christmas we find one of the most mysterious universal truths: God restores relationship with mankind by becoming one of us.
Our souls long for meaning, for relationships, for security and for love. In this centuries-old hymn we find the hope of our longing in Jesus.
Granting forgiveness when we've been hurt may feel like an impossible task, but Jesus reveals the surprising truth that the cost of unforgiveness is too costly to bear.
By contrasting two of the most respectable and most detestable citizens in his society, Jesus tells a story that reveals the unexpected reality of what makes person good in God's eyes.
Jesus tells a story about day laborers to give us a glimpse into the extravagance of God's love and the irrational nature of grace.
Through a story about wheat and weeds, Jesus reveals both the surprising nature of God's patience and the sobering reality of evil.
The discovery of hidden treasure prompts unforced desire in us all. But Jesus uses two simple stories to illustrate the unexpected reality of what's priceless.
The religious leaders of Jesus' day thought they understood how to be good. But through a story about a farmer spreading some seed, Jesus reveals the surprising truth about who really gets it.
When the gift of power is rightly understood, it is a blessing. When abused, it can become an idol.
The impact of a father is life-changing, reaching through generations in ways that both build up and tear down.
Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but we’re a little less clear when it comes to what really makes the Good Place so good, and who actually gets to go there.
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”—it’s the rallying cry for the Dillon Panthers, but what does it take to truly win?
Much more than punching a clock or killing time, your work is meant to add value in the world and create a legacy that matters.
Creating a family legacy isn’t about doing everything right. It’s about learning from your mistakes and taking the next right step.
Creating a financial legacy isn’t about amassing a fortune. It’s about investing in the things that yield the greatest return.
If nobody's perfect, does that mean we're all just one bad decision away from missing God's will? What happens next?
God's will isn't unknowable, but finding it is meant to happen in the context of a relationship with him.
Understanding God's will starts with understanding the Way of Wisdom he's already revealed.
When Jesus lived on earth, he embodied the fullness of God--and yet his life was devoted to the service of other people. Following Jesus means we will follow his example and serve somebody.
Jesus has only ever known community--first with the Father and the Spirit, then with the people in his life. For Jesus followers, that means community with others is the only way to live.
For Jesus followers, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." That means we can stop worrying, because the universe is a perfectly safe place to be.
Perhaps the most radical part of following Jesus in the real world is obeying his command to love everyone--yes, everyone. Always.
Following Jesus means much more than mental agreement. It means we actually have to obey him in our real, everyday life.
Knowing God's Big Story means we know it's too wonderful to keep to ourselves. We were created to share The Story with others.
In order to live The Story we were created to live, we need to know the framework of the larger story we all inhabit: God's Big Story.
So your marriage needs a new spouse? Great! Focus on the only spouse you can change: you.
Learn the surprising truth about the best possible outcome in your marriage: you can get a new marriage . . . with the same spouse.
When God gives us a grander vision for our lives, we are compelled to go beyond our comfort zones.
“I was such a good parent . . . before I ever had kids.” When parenthood gets real, the words we choose with our kids matter more than we know.
Our friendships aren’t static—they’re dynamic, changing, living things. Are your words with friends bringing life to your friendship, or draining it dry?
Happy Birthday, Preston Trail—you’re 15 years old! We'll celebrate the faithfulness of God and his people over the first 15 years of our story, then look ahead to the big things we believe God is calling the people of Preston Trail to accomplish for his kingdom in the next 15.
Engaging your world means moving beyond your comfort zone to meet the needs of others, and it’s great . . . in theory. But real life is crazy! What does it mean for a busy North Texas family to engage your world in real, meaningful ways?
God loves you just as you are . . . but he loves you far too much to remain as you are. In Jesus, you are made new!
Dad, what you do is BIG! God made you to be a big deal in your family, and that's a big responsibility. This Father's Day weekend, we want to help you step up to the responsibility of being a better dad, husband and man. Join us for Dad's BIG WKND as we celebrate what it means to be a dad and give you some practical tools to lead yourself and your family.
Worship isn't meant to be a spectator sport. So what does it mean to experience "do it yourself" worship when you're at church?
A relational break can lead to hurt feelings--or worse, heartbreak. But in John Mark we see that even an epic falling out doesn't have to be the end of the story.
As Jesus faced his hour of greatest suffering, his best friend denied him with curses. Peter's failure was epic . . . but so was his comeback.
Mary Magdalene was used to being brushed off, left out and turned away, until she met Jesus. He gave value to a life defined by rejection.
More profound than any physical pain is the agony of separation from God. Jesus spoke the last word on God's absence so that we never have to endure it.
Perhaps the most adventurous life of all starts with a factor of one--one willing person who prays, "Multiply me."
When prayed without boundaries and free from excuses, "Send me" can lead you across the street . . . or across the globe.
It's a prayer that puts our comfortable life at risk. Dare we invite God to interrupt our carefully laid plans?
Like a diamond in the rough, we have tremendous potential to shine--but only if we're willing to pray for God's refining.
Big things happen when we can admit we don't already know it all, and simply pray, "Teach me."
Jesus' death and resurrection means we can become spiritually whole. How do we take hold of the healing we've been given?
Our sexual wounds can cause a deep sense of shame. Too often this drives us further from Jesus, the source of true healing.
Because emotional brokenness isn't externally visible, it can be far too easily overlooked. But Jesus sees these wounds, and offers emotional healing.
Physical healing was an integral part of Jesus' ministry while he was on earth. But what does that look like for us today?
Why settle for healthy in 2017 when you can find true healing? Join us as we begin a 40-day journey toward healing.
Don't let disappointment derail your Christmas. Reset your expectations and choose holy days over the holidaze.
Although the gifts are attention grabbers, we choose holy days over the holidaze when we focus on the giver instead.
So how do we know when we're successful at our mission? Our measures are a series of nine questions that help us make sure we're on track.
Spend much time with us, and our values become clear. Our values are the shared convictions that guide our decisions and reveal our strengths.
From our earliest days, Preston Trail's mission has remained constant. Helping people find and follow Jesus Christ is what we're called to do.
Fear is a fast-moving current, and in the storms of life it’s easy to get swept away. You can’t avoid the storms—but that doesn’t mean you have to get battered by the waves.
There are moments in life when truth hangs in the balance and your decision is the one that matters. Will you stay safe or step up?
You know doing the right thing doesn’t always earn a round of applause. But what do you do when it means jumping from the frying pan into the fire?
You may never find yourself on a literal battlefield, but that doesn’t mean you won’t engage in combat. Do you have what it takes to fight the good fight?
The headlines scream of disease, destruction and death, and there's no denying that the state of the world is worrisome. Is the end in sight?
It's been the most disillusioning, frustrating, crazy-making political season in our nation's collective memory. No matter who gets elected come November, it sure feels like there's plenty of reason to worry.
In the 15 years since the attacks of 9/11, radical Islam has only gotten more organized and aggressive. How can we help but worry when the War on Terror seems like a losing fight?