Westside Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Westside Church
Welcome to the Westside Church podcast! We are a church in Hamilton, ON that exists to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus. For more information visit westsidehamilton.com
This week on the podcast, we have some stories from volunteers who serve with our kids, youth, and young adults ministries. Zac Boot also shares a devotional from John 5:16-30 about the example of the relationship between Jesus and His Father - marked by imitation, trust, life-giving influence, and unity. As we celebrate Father’s Day, let’s commit to following this divine example in how we raise the next generation!
From the series, "I Want More" with Dave Stimers. Part 4: From Stingy to Benevolent. What is your favourite thing to do with money? What brings you the most joy when it comes to spending or investing your resources? God wants us to ultimately enjoy what He’s given us, so let’s talk about how we can do that together!
From the series, "I Want More" with Dave Stimers. Part 3: From Consumerism to Contentment. What do you need in order to be content? Living in a way that makes us feel like we have enough is a wonderful goal. In order to achieve that we need to get in control of our wants.
From the series, "I Want More" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: From Worry to Peace. One of the most common experiences associated with finances is worry. A lot of us struggle with this. We know that worrying doesn’t help but we can’t stop. So, what can we do to experience less worry and more peace?
From the series, "I Want More" with Dave Stimers. How much is enough? When it comes to money, possessions, and time most of us have heard that nagging inner voice that says, “just a little more.” The problem is a ‘little more’ is never enough. Besides that, what we really want isn’t more money, it’s what we think money can give us. We want more security, more peace, more joy, and more freedom. So, if that’s true, let’s talk about how we can pursue what we really want.
Part 1: From Scarcity to Abundance. I bet there’s been a time in your life when you’ve felt like you don’t have enough. We all have, and there are a lot of reasons to believe that our resources are scarce. But Jesus demonstrated that there was another way to look at the world and to experience abundance.
This week on the podcast, we have some women from our community sharing stories and insights through a special Mother's Day panel. They will discuss how support networks and shared experiences shape their journey as mothers, highlighting the vital role of community.
From the series, "Life After Death" with Dave Stimers. Part 4: Q&A. This week we’re going to answer some of the most popular questions from you, that have come up in this series!
From the series, "Life After Death" with Dave Stimers. Part 3: The End... When Will Jesus Return? The earliest Christians believed that Jesus was going to return and that he would return soon. So, why hasn’t he come back yet? What will happen when he does?
From the series, "Westside Stories" with John Latta. Stories are essential because they connect, inspire, and shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. From time to time, we will take the opportunity to pause and hear personal stories from within our church community.
Interview – The Path to Healing. Leaving a fear-based, high-controlling religious community is not easy. For many, it involves a long and arduous journey filled with doubt, guilt, and uncertainty. On Sunday, we heard from members of our church family who have walked a difficult path, but ultimately found healing and freedom in the arms of Jesus.
From the series, "Life After Death" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Hell... Would God Really___? Many of us have questions about hell and about what we think God should or shouldn’t do when it comes to ultimately dealing with evil. Using what we read in the Bible, our own perspective and experiences, it leaves many of us asking, would God really___?
From the series, "Life After Death" with Dave Stimers. The idea of an afterlife brings up so many important questions. Are heaven and hell real? Would a loving God really send people to hell? When we die, how do we know where we will end up? In this series, we’re going to dive in and see what the Bible does and doesn’t say about some of these challenging topics!
Part 1: Heaven... How Do We Get There? Maybe the most pressing question that we have is: How do we get to heaven? We want some assurances not only for ourselves, but for the people we love. In this message, we’re going to examine that question by considering 4 shifts we might need to make in our thinking.
From the series, "The Easter Epic: How His Story Can Become Our Story" with Dave Stimers. Part 3: What You Do Matters. The resurrection of Jesus is the inauguration of new creation, the new world of justice and love. That means that our lives are full of opportunities to participate in God’s great renewal project. Easter is an invitation for everyone to get to work, doing what matters!
From the series, "The Easter Epic: How His Story Can Become Our Story" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Father Forgive Them. On Good Friday we remember the cross of Jesus Christ and reflect on the power of God's incredible forgiveness. Hurt people, hurt people, and we’ve all experienced that. It’s the natural way of life, but forgiveness is supernatural and today we can experience that miracle!
From the series, "The Easter Epic: How His Story Can Become Our Story" with Dave Stimers. Easter is the amazing story of God offering the most scandalous grace to the world. It is the story of Jesus and how his story can become our story.
Part 1: Turning The Tables. God’s forgiveness is scandalous and even risky. Holy Week invites us to ponder what it means to follow Jesus as we approach that kind of invitation. And it might not look like you expect!
From the series, "Jesus Philosophy" with guest speaker Dr. Cyril Guerette. Part 2: The Beauty of Truth. What is Truth in a world of "my truth"? And How does beauty relate to God? This series on Jesus Philosophy deals with some of the perennial questions that face Christ followers, and all of humanity for that matter. Delving into Scripture we discover some interesting observations are awaiting us if we love God enough to seek.
From the series, "Jesus Philosophy" with guest speaker Dr. Cyril Guerette. Part 1: Why Is There Suffering? Why do innocent people have to endure suffering in this seemingly absurd life? This series on Jesus Philosophy deals with some of the perennial questions that face Christ followers, and all of humanity for that matter. Delving into Scripture we discover some interesting observations are awaiting us if we love God enough to seek.
From the series, "Nobody's Perfect" with Dave Stimers. Part 4: Powerless. One of the fundamental indicators of Christian maturity is one that continues to be a major struggle for most of us. If we’re going to follow Jesus, it is imperative to wrestle with our relationship to power.
From the series, "Nobody's Perfect" with Dave Stimers. Part 3: Why Is My Life Not Changing? Maybe we can agree that no one is perfect, but what if we are continually dealing with the same challenges? How can we overcome the temptations and character flaws that seem to always follow us around?
A special stand along message from Burlington Pastor, Mark Wall. Do you ever wonder if you’re living up to your potential? Life can sometimes be discouraging because we feel we have more to give in life than we are. We have been given life, but how do we know what to do with it? How do we know we are using our abilities and our lives in the way that God intended?
From the series, "Nobody's Perfect" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Do’s and Don’ts. Do you ever feel stuck, like you aren’t able to grow in your spiritual life? If you want to move forward, these 3 do’s and don’ts will help!
From the series, "Nobody's Perfect" with Dave Stimers. Perfectionism can lead to all kinds of unhealthy ways of living and many of us struggle with it. Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to reach unrealistic standards. Other times we might make excuses for our bad behaviour or decisions because, well, nobody’s perfect. Fortunately, Jesus shows us that there is a way out of the trap of perfectionism.
Part 1: The Problem of Perfection. Have you ever felt like you’ve always struggled with certain problems and you’ll never overcome some of the challenges? It’s easy to get discouraged, but you need to know that you aren’t stuck, even if you can’t be perfect.
Bonus message from the series, "What Are We Fighting For" with John Latta. Who has the most influence in your life? Research says parents are far and away the most influential part of any child's life. As a church, we love to partner with parents in raising children to know and experience the love of Jesus.
From the series, "What Are We Fighting For" with Dave Stimers. Part 3: Disputable Matters. Even among people who agree on following Jesus, we find that there are so many other things that we disagree about. With that in mind, can we find a way to have unity when we don’t have uniformity?
From the series, "What Are We Fighting For" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Centered Set. Everyone wants to feel like they belong and it seems simple enough to create a space where everyone can. And yet, when it comes to our beliefs and behaviour, a lot of the time we struggle to figure out who fits in and how. A centered set approach helps us to be inclusive without being compromising.
From the series, "What Are We Fighting For" with Dave Stimers. There’s always something to argue about, and when it comes to contentious issues, religion is usually part of the problem, not the solution. But what if there was a better way to live out and share our faith?
Part 1: The Third Way. When it comes to conflict or polarizing issues, one of the biggest fallacies that we tend to believe is that we need to choose between two options. Often, there is another choice, a better approach, a third way.
Happy New Year Westside Church family! Join Mark and Kerala Wall for a short encouraging message as we begin 2024.
Christmas Eve message with Dave Stimers. From the series, "When God Speaks" Part 3: Jesus. If God spoke to us this Christmas what would He say? What would He say about our past? What would He say about our future? In one Word - Jesus.
From the series, "When God Speaks" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Good News. Christmas is about good news but in the first century, the news of Jesus’ birth was actually very threatening. In some ways it still is. So what’s this good news all about and how should we celebrate it?
From the series, "When God Speaks" with Dave Stimers. Part 1: Immanuel. If God were to speak to us this Christmas, what do you think He would say? Our prayer is that as we take a deeper dive into the stories of Jesus’ birth, we will hear powerfully from God during this Christmas season. The Gospel of Matthew begins by portraying Jesus as King and offers us a tough challenge and a beautiful encouragement.
A special message from Matt Collins for the start of Advent. It seems that once we slip into the latter years of high school and into our early 20’s we complicate our faith and inviting someone becomes this huge scary risk. Today we want to look at a small passage where we are challenged to look at the kingdom through the lens of a child. Why? And what will our response be this Christmas season?
From the series, "Resilience" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Building Strength. Our perspective plays a big part in our ability to work through our challenges and build strength. Join the conversation as we talk about 4 ways to see our circumstances as opportunities for growth! Also, we are joined by special guest, Sue Van Egdom. She shared a HATS update regarding our Winter Care Kits as part of our Christmas Fund.
From the series, "Resilience" with Dave Stimers. Part 1: Resourcing A Rebound. The news cycle is filled with bad news. It’s easy to be discouraged, anxious, and angry as we are bombarded with very real threats that our world is facing. Violence and war abroad. Rising concerns over housing, food insecurity, and inflation here at home. With all the bad news, we need some good news and to find some resources to turn things around.
This week we kick off our year-end Christmas fundraising campaign! There are many challenges that we are facing in our city and in the Church. The cost of living is causing many people hardship. Church disruption has left a lot of people wondering where to go to find faith. In the midst of all of that, we want to be a community that responds to the needs around us and turns these challenges into opportunities (westsidehamilton.com/christmasfund).
From the series, "Measuring Up" with Dave Stimers. Part 4: Measuring Our Hearts. How would you know if you’re a good person? There are lots of ways that we try to evaluate whether we’re ‘good’. We often appeal to things like our beliefs, feelings, or motives as indicators of our spiritual health. Jesus teaches us how to go deeper and measure our hearts.
From the series, "Measuring Up" with Mark Wall. Part 3: Measuring Others. How do you measure others? With so much information constantly in our faces, it’s hard to know who is right and who is wrong. How do we treat others in the face of all this uncertainty? And how do we approach those in our lives that we think are heading down a wrong path?
From the series, "Measuring Up" with John Latta. Part 2: Measuring Maturity. How do you measure spiritual maturity? Jesus introduced a radically new and different way for his followers to be known in the world. In his upside-down kingdom… Love is the only answer!
From the series, "Measuring Up" with Dave Stimers. How we evaluate the most important things in life plays a monumental role in how we live. It will dictate our priorities, what we focus on, and where we spend our energy. When we read the teachings of Jesus, we find some counterintuitive wisdom about how to measure what really matters.
Part 1: Measuring Success. How would you measure success? It’s an important question because how we define success will define how we live our lives. What would it take for you to know that you were succeeding?
Exciting Westside Burlington update followed by Part 5 of our series, "Mysteries of the Kingdom" with Dave Stimers. For many of us life can feel overwhelming. It is full of pressures to do more, earn more, and get more. That way of living can lead to anxiety and exhaustion, but following Jesus gives us an alternative - a way of life that is marked by contentment, peace, and joy.
From the series, "Mysteries of the Kingdom" Part 4 with Dave Stimers. Recent studies have shown that one of the most consistent predictors of human flourishing is whether or not people have strong relationships. That information isn’t new and is actually one of the key secrets to following Jesus.
From the series, "Mysteries of the Kingdom" Part 3 with Dave Stimers. We’re old getting older. Ageing is automatic. But that doesn’t mean we’re still growing. Growing up isn’t guaranteed. As we get older and think about the legacy we want to leave for our kids and grandkids, it's so important to figure out what a mature faith is and how we can pursue it!
From the series, "Mysteries of the Kingdom" Part 2 with Dave Stimers. One of the secrets to living the best possible life is embracing repentance. And that just might not look the way you think it does.
From the series, "Mysteries of the Kingdom" with Dave Stimers. Jesus loved to teach in stories, stories that make people think and debate and ask questions. His teachings were sometimes mysterious, for those who really wanted to learn more. Do you want to know how to get the most out of life? You need to be ready to lean in!
Part 1: Who Is My Neighbour? Jesus taught that loving our neighbour is an essential part of our religious life. If that’s true, we better figure out who our neighbours are and decide what kind of neighbour we’re going to be.
This week on the podcast, we have a stand-alone Sunday message with Dave Stimers. For many of us, September is a month of transitions. We’re starting school, going back to work, or setting new rhythms. All that change can be stressful and intimidating but in the middle of all the transition, there is an opportunity for transformation!
From our summer series, "Here's What I'm Thinking" with Charmaine Kofler. This week we are excited to have guest speaker, Charmaine Kofler share with us. Charmaine has been in ministry for over 17 years. She is an associate Pastor of Oakville Church of the Nazarene, and is currently doing her masters in leadership and change.
From our series, "A City Connected" with John Latta. We had a great conversation with a special guest panel on Sunday with Jeffery Ng and Ted Van Egdom about the impact Gore Park Outreach and Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) have on Hamilton.
This week on the podcast, we have a stand-alone Sunday message with Dave Stimers. The world has changed a lot over the last few years, and along with so many other things, many people have been rethinking their relationship with church and faith. That can be scary, but maybe there’s an opportunity for reconstructing what is good. In light of everything that’s different, what should stay the same?
From our summer series, "Here's What I'm Thinking" with Melanie Wigg. This week we’re excited to have guest speaker, Melanie Wigg share with us. Melanie is the Director of Next Generation Engagement and Special Projects with Be In Christ Church of Canada.
From the series, "Making Moments Famous" with Dave Stimers. Part 3: Celebrating! Celebration is close to God’s heart, He loves a good party. Why? Because when we celebrate, we are reminded of the most important things in life.
From the series, "Making Moments Famous" with Dave Stimers. Part 2: Drinking. Many people talk about going through ‘dry’ periods in their faith. Maybe you can relate to that. You start to feel aimless or joyless and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of vitality to your spiritual life. For those who are thirsty, Jesus has an invitation to come and drink.
From our summer series, "Here's What I'm Thinking" with John Latta. Some Christians struggle with the concept of doubt when it comes to their faith journey. Is doubting a sin? Do doubt and faith mix? How does God handle our doubts? Too many of us find ‘doubting’ debilitating to our faith. We are going to discuss a few Bible passages to be challenged in our preconceived views, and look at doubt in ways that actually might help us grow closer to God.
From the series, "Making Moments Famous" with Dave Stimers. Our celebrations help us to remember the most important things in life. So much of our lives can seem mundane or dull. But the kind of life that Jesus offered to people was anything but boring. And that’s why, if we’re going to follow Jesus, every once in a while, we need to stop and throw a party!
Part 1: Eating. Food is an essential part of being human, we depend on it for our health, mood and to give us energy. Not only that, but most of us enjoy really good food. In fact, every good party needs good food. It brings people together. What Jesus wants to offer us is a feast for our souls.
Investing in the next generation at Westside is so important to us. We want our youth to know they can always use what they have to serve God and serve others. This week on the podcast, we have 2 sets of interviews with our youth. The first one focuses on our Monday Night Youth program and the second focuses on our Sunday Morning Transit program. Then we have a short bible reflection on John 15 with our Ministry Director, Zac Boot. The final 15min includes a church update from our Lead Pastor, Dave Stimers.
This week on the podcast, we have an interview with 3 Westside Dads about their faith and fatherhood, as well as a special Father's Day reflection with John Latta. The final 7min includes a church financial update from our Treasurer, Todd Hoare.
From the series, "Judge Not" Part 4 with Dave Stimers. Who are we to judge? Well that depends. Actually, the relationships that we have with one another are key to understanding who and how we should judge.
From the series, "Judge Not" Part 3 with Dave Stimers. In our quest to become less judgmental and more compassionate, inevitably there will be times when we have to make decisions about what is right and wrong. We’ll have times of conflict and need to struggle with what to do. When that happens, we might ask ourselves, how can we make good judgments without being judgmental? The final 10min includes a church update from John Latta about church governance and what it looks like to be a Ministry Partner at Westside.
From the series, "Judge Not" Part 2 with Dave Stimers. One of the reasons that Jesus taught his followers not to judge is because religion is so often packed full of judgment. How did Jesus deal with it when he encountered it? What can we do to avoid it?
From the series, "Judge Not" Part 1 with Dave Stimers. Jesus taught his followers not to judge, and yet Christians don’t exactly have a great reputation for being non-judgmental. Why is that so? Why is it so hard to change? And are there times when it is appropriate to judge? We’ll explore those questions as we try to follow Jesus and Judge Not.
This week on the podcast, we have an interview with Cherylene Stimers about her life and faith, as well as a special Mother’s Day reflection with Christie Latta.
From the series, "Now What?" Part 4 with guest speaker, Steve Cox. Being a Christian is not just a matter of ‘getting saved and going to heaven’. It is partnering with Jesus in the power of the Spirit to advance the Kingdom now, bringing heaven’s reality to earth in terms of forgiveness, justice, holiness, and healing.
From the series, "Now What?" Part 3 with guest speaker, Matt Collins. When we say the great commission many panic. The thought of getting up and sharing the gospel is terrifying. Today we want to look at several approaches that make it more attainable and removes the fear from making disciples.
From the series, "Now What?" Part 2 with Dave Stimers. We all have failures in our past. That’s just part of being human, but there is a real danger that our past failures could hold us back from the future that God is calling us to. Don't let your failure steal your future!
From the series, "Now What?" Part 1 with Dave Stimers. This 2-week series will focus on the events following the resurrection of Jesus. Religion can get scary. It can be misused to spark fear that shrinks people’s faith, rather than grows it. But in the days following his resurrection, Jesus offered a new way, a better way.
Easter Sunday message with Dave Stimers. On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and remind ourselves that what God has done for Jesus, He is going in all of creation.
Good Friday message with Dave Stimers. On Good Friday we remember the cross of Jesus Christ and reflect on the power of God that is greater than our greatest struggles.
From the series, "Tried and True: Real Faith for Real Life" Part 3 with Dave Stimers. Jesus calls us to be a people of love. That’s a beautiful thing but it isn’t easy. And when we struggle to see the power of love, one of the greatest temptations is to try to control.
From the series, "Tried and True: Real Faith for Real Life" Part 2 with Dave Stimers. There are a lot of voices in our lives that tell us who they think we should be. It’s so tempting to try to be impressive, successful, and popular and to appease those voices. And yet, living that way puts us on an exhausting journey for approval. We think we want to be liked, but what we really need is to be loved.
From the series, "Tried and True: Real Faith for Real Life" Part 1 with Dave Stimers. Most of us have been conditioned to expect life to be fast, efficient, and convenient. We want fast food, next-day delivery, and on-demand programming. But real life and real faith isn’t built quickly. It’s found in the slow and silent moments.
From the series, "Forgive and Forget?" Part 3 with Dave Stimers. Forgiveness isn’t fair, and sometimes the most painful part of a broken relationship is when the other person isn’t willing to admit their fault. In that case, how do we deal with that hurt and how can we move forward?
From the series, "Forgive and Forget?" Part 2 with Dave Stimers. Forgiveness isn’t fair and it can even seem like forgiving someone allows them to get away with bad behaviour or even abuse. Does that make forgiveness unjust? Maybe we need to adjust how we approach forgiveness in order to pursue true justice and reconciliation.
From the series, "Forgive and Forget?" Part 1 with Dave Stimers. Is it healthy to forgive and forget? Why should we forgive at all? Forgiveness is not easy and the process is often misunderstood. What are we actually attempting to do when we forgive? Forget? Or is it something more powerful than that?
Special message on building a culture of prayer at Westside with John Latta. Praying is simply us talking and God listening; God talking and us listening. Yet for many of us, prayer is a hard practice to understand. With the insights of Christie Latta and Steve Cox, we are going to look at a variety of aspects of prayer. They will help and encourage us as to how we can develop individually and become a robust praying community.
From the series, "Centring Jesus." Part 5 with Dave Stimers. Why do we centre Jesus in our faith? Because when Jesus is at the centre, everything else comes into focus. In this message, we talk about how Jesus reveals to us who God is and how He gives us access to His Spirit.
From the series, "Centring Jesus." Part 4 with Dave Stimers. Jesus taught his followers not to respond to violence with violence. He taught a non-violent approach to dealing with conflict of all kinds. That doesn’t always seem practical, especially when we’re confronted with real evil in the world. What do we do with this kind of teaching when it seems so impractical?
From the series, "Centring Jesus." Part 3 with Dave Stimers. Politics and religion are among some of the most cringe-worthy topics for so many people. When the church has engaged in politics the results have often been tragic. That’s why placing Jesus at the centre is so important. Jesus was and is very political, just not in the way many of us might think.
From the series, "Centring Jesus." Part 2 with Dave Stimers. The Bible can be a dangerous book. Depending on how it has been interpreted it has been used to welcome, forgive, and encourage but also to hurt, condemn, and oppress. What if the key to understanding how to read the Bible starts with placing Jesus at the centre of it all?
From the series, "Centring Jesus." Part 1 with Dave Stimers. What does Jesus mean when he tells his followers to take up their cross and follow him? What kind of religion is that? Why would anyone be willing to do that? The answer might be more powerful and compelling than you expect!
Special New Year's message from Pastor Dave Stimers. Have you made new year's resolutions? The truth is that most of us who set goals in the new year, end up giving up pretty quickly. That can be discouraging, but there are actually some reliable steps that you can take to see a big difference in your life this year. Also, toward the end of the message, we share an exciting update on the results of our Pro•Vision Project fundraising.
Join Christie and John Latta for a short message to begin 2023. Help us prayerfully consider what is next for our church this year. We are all invited to spend time with God by ASKING, LISTENING then SHARING what God is revealing to each of us, so we corporately discern our next steps as a church family. After you listen, visit westsidehamilton.com/2023 to share with us!
Christmas Eve message from Pastor Dave Stimers. IMMANUEL means God with us. God with us means that God is FOR us. "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world" (John 1:9). We hope you enjoy our Christmas Eve message - as the waiting of Advent ends and the celebration of Christmas really begins!
From our Advent series, "Worth Waiting For" with Dave Stimers. Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It is a time in which we wait and anticipate, a time of longing while we look for God to show up. It reminds us that even when things aren’t perfect Jesus brings us hope, love, joy, and peace. The fourth week of Advent focuses on peace. Peace is a popular theme that we celebrate at Christmas, but peace is also elusive for most of us. In this message we’re asking, how can we experience more of God’s peace this Christmas?
From our Advent series, "Worth Waiting For" with Guest Speaker, Steve Cox. Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It is a time in which we wait and anticipate, a time of longing while we look for God to show up. It reminds us that even when things aren’t perfect Jesus brings us hope, love, joy, and peace. The third week of Advent focuses on joy. Why is the Christmas message so full of joy? What’s the difference between ‘joy’ and ‘happiness’? And how do we experience and keep experiencing this joy? In this message, we’ll be looking at ways we can keep choosing joy.
From our Advent series, "Worth Waiting For" with Dave Stimers. Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It is a time in which we wait and anticipate, a time of longing while we look for God to show up. It reminds us that even when things aren’t perfect Jesus brings us hope, love, joy, and peace. The second week of Advent focuses on love. Christmas is a joyful time, but it’s also a tough season for many people. If Christmas brings some complicated thoughts and emotions for you, you are not alone. How does the Christmas story help us when we feel discouraged, disillusioned, or defeated?
From our Advent series, "Worth Waiting For" with Dave Stimers. Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It is a time in which we wait and anticipate, a time of longing while we look for God to show up. It reminds us that even when things aren’t perfect Jesus brings us hope, love, joy, and peace. The first week of Advent focuses on hope. Today we’re hearing from Arlene and Cliff Martz, founders of Ryan’s Rays. Their story is full of hope, and we are excited to learn more as we partner with them this year to fund a care centre for children in need in Guatemala.
From the series, "God Has a Name." Part 5 with Dave Stimers. In the last week of this series, we are going to focus on the name of Jesus and discover what that tells us about God, His purposes, and even about who we are.
From the series, "God Has a Name." Part 4 with Dave Stimers. It is often said that our culture is becoming less religious. In a sense that’s true and yet everyone worships something. Even if we claim not to be religious or to believe in ‘God’, ultimately we all place our trust in someone or something. The question isn’t whether we worship, but who or what do we worship?
From the series, "God Has a Name." Part 3 with Dave Stimers. In a world full of needs, it makes all the difference to know that God is our Provider. He sees our needs and He will see to our needs. In week three of this series, we'll explore God as Yireh: God provides, gives us everything we need, and walks with us.
From the series, "God Has a Name." Part 2 with Dave Stimers. “God” is a very generic term, but the scriptures actually give us a very personal name that reveals a lot about who God is and what He’s like. In week two of this series, we'll explore God as Yahweh: God IS, the ground of being, our very life.
From the series, "God Has a Name." Part 1 with Dave Stimers. “God” seems like a very generic term that means many things to many people. In the opening pages of the Bible, we discover one of the foundational characteristics of who God is. In week one of this series, we'll explore God as Elohim: creator, sustainer, and being made in His image.
A special Thanksgiving message with guest speaker, Dr. Isaac Odame. Thanksgiving is a great time of the year. An opportunity to express gratitude to God and/or people for all the good things we have received individually and as a family. But what about the bad things we have experienced? And after Thanksgiving is over, how can we continually show gratitude in our attitudes and behaviours?
From the series, "This Year’s Going To Be Different." Part 4 with Dave Stimers. Sometimes the rhythms of our lives can seem mundane. The minutes and hours that make up our days can seem so ordinary, and yet, all of us have special moments in our lives - moments that are packed with meaning and significance. One of the great invitations in our spiritual lives is to open our eyes to see those divinely appointed opportunities that God is calling us into.
From the series, "This Year’s Going To Be Different." Part 3 with Dave Stimers. One of the most important areas of our lives is often also one of the most neglected: our friendships. Why do so many of us feel disconnected and what can we do about it? If you want a rich life, you need to invest in relationships.
From the series, "This Year’s Going To Be Different." Part 2 with Dave Stimers. How would you define a great life? Jesus gives us a counterintuitive definition. We take a look at what that is and discover a filter that can help us order our lives around true greatness!
From the series, "This Year’s Going To Be Different." Part 1 with Dave Stimers. As parents, we spend a lot of time trying to teach our kids to be more like us - to grow up! There are some obvious ways that are important but in other ways, perhaps that’s not such a good thing. If we’re honest, we probably don’t want our children to adopt our stress levels or propensity to worry. Maybe instead of trying to make our kids more like us, we need to become more like them.
From the series, "Order. Disorder. Reorder." Part 3 with Dave Stimers. Religion that stays superficial is dangerous. It is far too easily converted into a joyless, judgmental, and hypocritical disposition. There’s a much healthier way to live out our faith but we have to start at the foundation. God builds big things through small acts empowered by His Spirit.
From the series, "Order. Disorder. Reorder." Part 2 with Dave Stimers. One of the great enemies of growth is fear, but what if you weren’t afraid? How would you approach your life differently if you knew you were secure, valued, and cherished? Confidence comes by letting faith (not fear) frame your future!
From the series, "Order. Disorder. Reorder." Part 1 with Dave Stimers. Disorder will come into all of our lives. When it does, it can be easy to get stuck in a spiral of negativity, disillusionment, and cynicism. On the other hand, we have the opportunity to build stronger and more meaningful lives!
From the series, "Westside Stories." Part 6 with John Latta and Kevin Visser. Over the summer, we’ve been learning from voices from inside and outside of Westside. It’s very exciting to realize the potential of the next season of doing church together - as a Team. This is our final message as we wrap up our summer series hearing from some of the wonderful communicators in the Westside family, as they share what they’re currently passionate about.
From the series, "Westside Stories." Part 5 with Cherylene Stimers. When it comes to your faith, what is really important? What would you say are the top values of your faith? What truths would you never waiver from? Where would we be today, if Christ-followers from centuries ago, didn't live and die for their core values? In this 6-week summer series, we'll hear from some of the wonderful communicators in the Westside family, as they share what they’re currently passionate about.
From the series, "A City Connected." Part 4 with Marcio Silva. In this series, we have invited a few local pastors and leaders to join us and share their stories of ministry impact in Hamilton, ON. Today, Marcio Silva joins us from James North Baptist Church to talk about what God is doing in the lives of immigrants and refugees in the North End of Hamilton.
From the series, "A City Connected." Part 3 with Robin Wallar. In this series, we have invited a few local pastors and leaders to join us and share their stories of ministry impact in Hamilton, ON. Today, Robin Wallar joins us from LIFT Church to talk about what God is doing in the lives of students at McMaster University, and across other university and college campuses in Ontario.
From the series, "A City Connected." Part 2 with Dave Witt. In this series, we have invited a few local pastors and leaders to join us and share their stories of ministry impact in Hamilton, ON. Today, Dave Witt joins us from iTeams Canada to talk about the TrueCity network and what God is doing in Hamilton to unite churches to be together for the good of the city.
From the series, "A City Connected." Part 1 with Darin Martin. In this 4-week July series, we have invited a few local pastors and leaders to join us and share their stories of ministry impact in Hamilton, ON. Today, Darin Martin joins us to talk about church planting in Dundas, ON.
From the series, "Westside Stories." Part 4 with Dr. Isaac Odame. If God is the creator of the universe and the source of all power, knowledge, wisdom, and wealth... what can we do to earn his favour? What should be our attitude in serving Him? He owes us nothing, but we owe Him all our lives. In this 6-week summer series, we'll hear from some of the wonderful communicators in the Westside family, as they share what they’re currently passionate about.
From the series, "Westside Stories." Part 3 with Matt Collins. Do we truly value being present with those around us? Or do we play the role of Martha, getting frustrated with the different Mary’s in our life? Jesus calls us to be present. In this 6-week summer series, we'll hear from some of the wonderful communicators in the Westside family, as they share what they’re currently passionate about.
From the series, "Westside Stories." Part 2 with Steve Cox. There are many voices in our world trying to tell us who we are. It's vital to our spiritual growth that we see ourselves as God sees us and listen to who God says we are. In scripture, God calls us "Temples of the Holy Spirit". Today we'll be delving into the meaning of this amazing statement for our lives. In this 6-week series, we'll hear from some of the wonderful communicators in the Westside family, as they share what they’re currently passionate about.
From the series, "Westside Stories." Part 1 with John Latta. Summer has arrived! After two tough pandemic summers, we can look forward to the season ahead and take time to slow down and recalibrate. Today we'll look at Jesus’ promise in Matthew 11:28-30, where we can find a deep, transforming, and lasting rest for our souls. In this 6-week series, we'll hear from some of the wonderful communicators in the Westside family, as they share what they’re currently passionate about.
From the series, "At Our Core." Part 6 with Zac Boot. Can you remember a time when someone believed in you? The people who have believed in us have given us a gift that set us up for a better future. Today we are going to talk about what it would look like to invest our belief into the next generation!
From the series, "At Our Core." Part 5 with John Latta. We are re-capping our "At Our Core" teaching series as a snapshot of what we are all about as a Westside Church family. Whether you’re visiting in-person, returning to church, or watching for the first time, we welcome you to join us on the journey - we are all about Jesus!
From the series, "At Our Core." Part 4 with Dave Stimers. God is working all around us, often in places that we wouldn’t expect. The good news of Jesus is a jolting invitation for us to join him in demonstrating that God is FOR us.
From the series, "At Our Core." Part 3 with Dave Stimers. Jesus was clear about what it looks like to follow him. If we’re serious about it, he will lead us to care for people who are in need. That isn’t in dispute. It might be challenging, but it isn’t complicated.
From the series, "At Our Core." Part 2 with Dave Stimers. There are a lot of reasons why people don’t attend church. You can probably identify with many of them. And yet we believe that there is an overwhelming reason to engage in the Church community!
From the series, "At Our Core." Part 1 with Dave Stimers. One of the most basic needs that we all have is to be accepted. We all long to find relationships where we can feel safe, valued and included, and yet we can easily find ourselves withholding acceptance. In a world where agreement seems so scarce, we want to offer acceptance.
From the series, "Upside Down Is Right Side Up." Part 4 with Dave Stimers. Easter is the celebration of the disruption of the chaos of sin and death. Even though we still experience the challenges of this life, we are given an invitation to come alive in a whole new way!
From the series, "Upside Down Is Right Side Up." Part 3 with Dave Stimers. On Good Friday we are presented with a picture of horrific violence and death. And yet the crucifixion of Jesus holds the key to a beautiful life of blessing that God provides.
From the series, "Upside Down Is Right Side Up". Part 2 with Dave Stimers. The story of Palm Sunday is a bold display of power. Jesus gives us an upside down picture of what it looks like to influence and shape the world. As we continue to see violence and dominance across the globe, this message is as relevant as ever.
From the series, "Upside Down Is Right Side Up". Part 1 with Dave Stimers. God wants us to experience a full life - the good life. That sounds great, but many of us don’t live in that reality. In fact, we might need to redefine what a good life is and reevaluate how we get there.
From the series, "Rise Above" in the book of Galatians. Part 8 with Dave Stimers. What do we do if we’re stuck? In this series, we’ve talked a lot about growing character, walking with the Spirit, and producing fruit - yet it doesn’t seem real to many of us. If you’re not sure why your spiritual or religious life seems stalled, this is a good place to start.
From the series, "Rise Above" - Part 7 with guest speaker, Dr. Isaac Odame. In these times of pandemic restrictions and war, freedom has become a hot issue. We have heard that true freedom is not liberty to do everything we want to do. Rather, freedom should be used to serve one another in love. What does that way of living look like? And how challenging is it to be a fruit-bearing follower of Christ?
From the series, "Rise Above" - Part 6 with guest speaker, Steve Cox. There’s so much going on in the world that can cause fear, deep disappointment, and confusion. So many grey areas. How do we navigate this? The Bible calls us to be rooted in a certain kind of wisdom. The wisdom available to us from heaven can move us from feeling like victims to a life that displays God’s beauty and transforming power!
From the series, "Rise Above" in the book of Galatians. Part 5 with Dave Stimers. Freedom has been a hot topic recently. We all want to enjoy the freedom to do what we want to do, but what if there is an even more powerful way to express our liberty?
From the series, "Rise Above" in the book of Galatians. Part 4 with Dave Stimers. Churches haven’t always been a great example of how people can stay united in the middle of disagreements. Religion can sometimes add to the intensity of arguments, but it shouldn’t be that way and it doesn’t have to be!
From the series, "Rise Above" in the book of Galatians. Part 3 with Dave Stimers. When it comes to talking about controversial issues, there are probably some topics… or people, that you’d rather avoid. Unfortunately, that leaves us feeling frustrated and divided. Is there a productive way to engage with people that we don’t agree with?
From the series, "Rise Above" in the book of Galatians. Part 2 with Dave Stimers. It’s no secret that there are deep political and philosophical divides in our culture. Many of us have felt caught up in them. When we’re feeling torn in many directions, Jesus helps us to recenter our lives and our community in a powerfully counter-cultural way!
From the series, "Rise Above" in the book of Galatians. Part 1 with Dave Stimers. We’ve all been subjected to arguments and conflict around controversial topics. Some of us wish we could avoid them altogether, and others of us are ready to put up a fight. Let’s talk about how we can approach tough issues together.
From the series, "Following Christ Through Crisis" - Part 3 with Dave Stimers. One of the toughest parts of dealing with a long-term crisis is the feeling of being out of control. That can be so discouraging. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but that doesn’t mean we have to lose hope!
From the series, "Following Christ Through Crisis" - Part 2 with Dave Stimers. Have you thought that things are only going to get worse? Or that things are never going to get better? Life can be discouraging when we see so much negativity, but in the midst of all of our struggles, we have a great opportunity to make a difference!
From the series, "Following Christ Through Crisis" - Part 1 with Dave Stimers. No one can do it all. Especially during a particularly stressful or demanding season, we have to admit we have limitations. In light of that, one of the most powerful questions we can ask ourselves is, ‘What should my priority be right now’?
Listen to a special message from Joseph Swan of Connexus Church in Barrie. God’s plan for our lives is that we would “run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.” Sometimes we struggle to step into all that he has planned for us due to the weight we carry from our past. There is a better way. Because of what Jesus did at the cross, God has made a way for us to live our lives unburdened! Westside is part of a leadership network with Connexus as we strive to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus together.
Christmas Eve message from Pastor Dave Stimers. What are your favourite Christmas traditions? I bet you have a few that you just can't do without. Traditions are powerful because they represent what is truly important in our lives. This Christmas, join us and start a new tradition (or rekindle an old one) that reminds us of exactly who we are.
From our Advent series, "All I Want For Christmas" - Part 4 with guest speaker, Dr. Isaac Odame. If we ever thought we had a lit bit of control over our circumstances, the COVID pandemic has blown that away. Our lives have been disrupted in ways that we never imagined. To make matters worse, extreme weather conditions have ravaged Canada’s coastal provinces causing severe flooding with devasting damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihood that will take billions of dollars to repair and restore. The anxiety, fear, trouble, sorrow, and pain generated by these circumstances continually threaten our peace of mind and heart. However, Christ offers us his supernatural peace; the kind of peace that does not depend on our circumstances. That peace is found in none other than Christ.
From our Advent series, "All I Want For Christmas" - Part 3 with Dave Stimers. When do you get to be happy? When you’re rich? Powerful? Beautiful? Comfortable? We’ve been told what to aspire to, and yet many of us are stuck living in fear and anxiety. How can we really find joy?
From our Advent series, "All I Want For Christmas" - Part 2 with Dave Stimers. God is love. We ought to love one another. That’s such a basic concept, and yet it is much more elusive than we might think. What kind of love should be evident in our community and how do we foster it?
From our Advent series, "All I Want For Christmas" - Part 1 with Dave Stimers. It can be hard to be optimistic in a world filled with problems. In fact, it’s pretty easy to get downright pessimistic or cynical about how things are going. But there is a formula for building something even stronger than a positive attitude. Believe it or not, we all have the chance to live in hope!
From the series, "Know Who You’re FOR" - Part 3 with Dave Stimers. I bet there are people in your life that you want the very best for. You want them to thrive. You want them to experience the best possible life. Part of following Jesus is making sure that we live lives that are FOR others.
From the series, "Know Who You’re FOR" - Part 2 with Zac Boot & Dave Stimers. God is FOR us, and that compels us to be FOR others. His love for us becomes our love for others! This week Zac shares how we can practically express this kind of love to our city. And Dave walks us through a meditation that leads to celebrating communion together.
From the series, "Know Who You’re FOR" - Part 1 with Dave Stimers. A lot of people are convinced that life is stacked against them. There’s certainly enough hardship to make it feel that way. The Scriptures tell us that even though life has many pains, God is FOR us. But can we really believe that?
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 10 with Dave Stimers. Some are big and some are small, but all of us face struggles in life. Our fear, guilt, or discouragement can seem overwhelming, but no matter what we might go through, God wants to give us the strength we need! Today we conclude our series through the book of Ephesians.
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 9 with Dave Stimers. This one piece of advice could radically change your relationships in your marriage, with your friends, at work, or at church. Today we unpack exactly what that is!
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 8 with Dave Stimers. Jesus invites us into a joy-filled community of celebration! Is that what your experience has been? For many of us, the honest answer is ‘no’ but God has actually given us His Spirit to help us be that kind of community. Today, we talk about how that can happen!
Thanksgiving message with guest speaker, Dr. Isaac Odame. Celebrating Thanksgiving amidst a pandemic which has taken the lives of nearly 4.5 million people globally takes on a very special meaning. We should be thankful to God for keeping us safe and well. But for some, particularly those whose loved ones have been severely or fatally impacted by COVID-19, giving thanks can be challenging. Nevertheless, genuine heartfelt thanksgiving, as an act of worship to God, can bring us lasting emotional and spiritual healing!
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 7 with Dave Stimers. One of the most simple and also complex truths about the spiritual life, is that in order to really live, we must first die. If we really want to experience the full life that God has for us, we must give up all other ways of building a life!
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 6 with Dave Stimers. In a world of differing and often divisive opinions, it’s easy to conflate acceptance and agreement. When it comes down to it, prioritizing the wrong one can have disastrous consequences.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." (Psalm 46). This Sunday is an exciting day as we relaunch in-person services. Things have been difficult throughout the last 18 months, and we aren’t exactly where we want to be - but God has got us to where we are!
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 5 with Dave Stimers. In a world that is so often divided, the Church has an opportunity to stand out in the best possible way! How can we be united in such divided times? In this message, we tackle this important and timely question.
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 4 with Dave Stimers. What do you do when you realize you are in the wrong? How can we overcome our faults and mistakes? Behavioural modification isn’t enough, we need heart transformation! In this message, we unpack how grace is the great antidote to the things we do that we shouldn’t do.
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 3 with Dave Stimers. One of the worst feelings that we can experience is powerlessness. It is the experience of being out of control. Maybe you’ve felt that in your life and wondered how to overcome it. In this message, we explore what true power is and how we can access it in our lives!
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 2 with Dave Stimers. A blessing is a good word that is spoken over us. It helps us to reorient our identity. Living out of blessing leads to a powerful life, and that is exactly what God wants for us. Today we'll uncover 5 ways that God’s blessing brings out the best in us!
From the series, "The Pace of Grace" - Part 1 with Dave Stimers. Every serious runner has a strategy for their pace, to make sure they perform at their best. The same should be true of our lives. How do we strategize in regards to how we run the race of our lives? We start with grace!
An important message from guest speaker, Cheryl Bear. Cheryl Bear is from the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation community (Bear Clan) in British Columbia. She is a multi-award winning singer/songwriter who shares stories of Indigenous life—the joy, sorrow, faith, and journey. Watch our full Indigenous Awareness service on YouTube as we seek to learn, listen, and respond to racism in Canada.
A special message from our denomination, Be In Christ Church of Canada. Todd Lester shares a sermon on Philippians 3.
Have you had a chance to take a break this summer? We all need to rest, relax, and be recreated. Hopefully, this prayer can help prepare you to do that!
From the series, "Committed to Community" - Part 2 with Dave Stimers. We are at a pivotal time in history as we begin to reemerge from the pandemic. As a church, we have the opportunity to discern where God is leading us and then make a commitment to follow!
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your current circumstances? We all do. Next time you're feeling like you can't move forward, try this powerful life hack!
From the series, "Committed to Community" - Part 1 with Dave Stimers. Our province is slowly starting to open up, and we’re making plans to regather. The question is, who will we be when we do? We believe that God has given us an exciting vision for the future that will transform our community!
This year Canada Day has come with some controversy as we wrestle with the recent revelation of mass unmarked graves at residential schools. How should we observe Canada Day amidst such horrific reminders of this dark part of our nation's history?
From the series, "The Problem With The Bible" - Part 5 with Dave Stimers. How do the writers in the Bible talk about people of different nationalities and ethnicities? And how does that affect how we should treat each other?
Is God powerful and transcendent or is he personal and intimate? Each of us may have different feelings and thoughts about that, but the creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2 help us unpack a spectacular truth about who God is!
From the series, "The Problem With The Bible" - Part 4 with Rob Smith. More often than not, God can seem like he is absent during our struggle and far off when we hurt. How can we feel near to God when so often God feels very distant?
Let's dive into an example of where the Gospels differ on details and find out how that helps us learn even more!
From the series, "The Problem With The Bible" - Part 3 with Dave Stimers. Can we trust the Gospels to be historically accurate? What can we really know about Jesus and how reliable is the Bible?
Continuing our conversation from Sunday's teaching, let's look at some of the ways that people have attempted to deal with divine violence in the Bible.
From the series, "The Problem With The Bible" - Part 2 with Rob Smith. The closer you read the Bible, the clearer it is that the Bible has a lot of violence in it. Some of this is done by people and sometimes it comes from God. Jesus tells us to love our enemies and turn our cheek to violence, so how can we make sense of all the violence that there is?
The Scriptures contain diverse voices that can sometimes make it difficult to figure out how we should approach certain topics, but that diversity can actually enrich what we read rather than diminish it!
From the series, "The Problem With The Bible" - Part 1 with Dave Stimers. If we’re honest, the Bible can be a messy and complicated book. At times, it seems like there are parts that contradict one another. Is that true? How should we approach the Bible when we don’t find what we expect to?
Listen to these 5 powerful principles that can help you experience a deeper and more rich life. I'm guessing that most of us will find that focusing on 1-2 of them will drastically change our lives!
From the series, "More Than Enough" - Part 5. How do you know if you are successful? What do you measure? In the last message of this series, we’ll explore 3 pitfalls that hold us back from true greatness.
Every day God gives us everything that we need and more. It isn't always obvious, but no matter what we're doing, God is faithful.
One of the biggest deficits in many of our lives is that of deep friendship. If you want to have a powerful and rich life, this is an area you must be investing in!
From the series, "More Than Enough" - Part 4. Have you ever talked to a financial planner about how to plan for your future? It’s not a bad idea, but today we’re going to look at an even better idea as we continue to seek to live rich lives.
Has your doing exceeded your being? Are you more concentrated on what you do rather than who you are? Here's how to find out, plus 4 strategies to get back on track!
Is your patience wearing thin? Mine too, but there's too much power in remaining patient to give up, so let's learn how we can increase our hope and boost our patience.
From the series, "More Than Enough" - Part 3 with guest speaker, Cherylene Stimers. Seasons of darkness leave us feeling sad, lonely, abandoned, and fearful. Discovering the value of darkness, developing tools, and uncovering precious spiritual jewels can be forever treasures! Dig deeper and unearth the gold nuggets.
Life consists of a rotation of seasons. We're not always in a season of plentiful harvests. In fact, this might be the perfect time to plant some seeds for the future.
What's your spiritual diet like? Are you well-nourished or are you eating junk? Here are 3 ways to tell if you're settling for spiritual fast food and 3 ways to make sure that you eat well.
From the series, "More Than Enough" - Part 2. A recurring problem that many of us face is feeling like we don’t have enough. The more we live with a mindset of scarcity, the more likely we will be worried or stingy with our resources. That doesn’t sound like a rich life, so let’s change how we think!
If you need it, feel free to have a good cry. It might be one of the healthiest things you do today!
What are the loudest voices in our lives, and what are they saying to us? Knowing is half the battle, the other half is replacing them.
From the series, "More Than Enough" - Part 1. What is something that is so valuable to you, that you'd give up anything to have it? We're all willing to make sacrifices for the things we value most. Deciding on what is most valuable is an important part of charting the course of our lives, so let's explore this first principle of living a rich life!
"Blah" might be the most prevalent emotion of 2021. If you're feeling that way, here's something you can do about it.
Hey Ontario, I know many of us are upset with how things are going. I think we need to think through how we should respond!
From the series, "Walking with Jesus" - Part 4 with guest speaker, Dr. Isaac Odame. While we celebrate Easter once yearly and remember Christ's death whenever we take communion, Easter's transformative impact on our lives should be a daily experience. We are God's masterpieces to do good things in this world! Let’s live it out despite all the struggles and adversities we face.
From the series, "Walking with Jesus" - Part 3 with guest speaker, Matt Vincent. Today we take a look at one of the resurrection stories of Jesus, a time where he joins some friends on their journey and spends time around the dinner table. We will explore possible implications for us today as followers of Jesus, to open our homes and see our tables as places of welcome, belonging, and mission.
You're tired of it! I am too. It's been exhausting to deal with all the challenges of this year. Here are 3 things to intentionally invest in over the next month of lockdown to help you stay encouraged and moving forward!
All of us have limited resources - time, energy, and attention. Don't waste them on this!
From the series, "Walking with Jesus" - Part 2. So many of us are feeling tired and discouraged this Easter. Fortunately, the message of the resurrection of Jesus is packed with power to encourage us, just when we need it!
On Maundy Thursday just before Jesus was crucified, he gave his disciples a new commandment - the mandate for following Jesus. If we miss everything else, we must not miss this!
You can't outgive God. Easter weekend reminds us of that and helps us realize that everything we have is from God, and therefore is available to be given back to Him in Worship.
From the series, "Walking with Jesus" - Part 1. We begin Holy Week watching Jesus enter Jerusalem. When he gets there he immediately addresses the problem of fruitless and empty religion. And that message is just as relevant today, as ever.
We all get frustrated when certain things in our lives seem to be going too slowly. As much as we'd like to speed things along, the real power is in patience.
What you do today matters, but perhaps in a different way than you think. It isn't your productivity or efficiency that makes you important. Rather, it's about who you are, expressed in love.
God speaks to us powerfully through His word, but that’s not how many of us experience reading the Bible. Lectio Divina is a practice that helps us to slow down and receive the word of God into our heads and also our hearts.
It's easy for us to focus on our challenges, but one thing I think we can learn in uncertain times is that God is doing more than meets the eye.
Have you ever felt like you need to do more while simultaneously feeling like you have the capacity to do less? That's been common for many of us this year. And it's OK.
It’s been 1 year since the pandemic closed down in-person services at Westside Church! This is a good time for us to reflect and look for God’s presence in all the ups and downs of this crazy season! We'll hear stories from a bunch of different voices, share ministry highlights, and impactful moments from this past year. *This is the audio of our entire online service.
We live in a culture that is very critical but we have a choice: Do we want to stick with the status quo or buck the trend? Your answer will have a profound impact on how you experience life!
Jesus' teachings can sometimes be so outrageous. And maybe that's the point. What are we supposed to do with some of Jesus' most difficult commands?
From the series, "ESCAPE" - Part 4. Pain makes us selfish. It forces us to think about ourselves and our needs. Honestly, we want others to help us out. Mercy helps us to see, that we’re not the only ones in pain and everyone needs some compassion.
Some of the tough questions from the book of Jonah urge us to ask some good questions about the Bible and the resurrection. Such as, can we trust the Bible? Did the resurrection really happen?
Some of the tough questions from the book of Jonah urge us to ask some good questions about the Bible and the resurrection. Such as, can we trust the Bible? Did the resurrection really happen?
From the series, "ESCAPE" - Part 3. We can use unhealthy escape mechanisms to try to avoid reality, but the reverse is also true. Sometimes we are living in unhealthy patterns that should be escaped as we pursue a better way to live!
The message of Jonah is a great one, but it creates tension with some other parts of the Bible. It brings up some big questions about God's love and justice.
Jonah is an amazing story, but it raises a ton of tough questions. Let's discuss them and then try to discover what the message(s) of the book really are!
From the series, "ESCAPE" - Part 2. We all have times when we feel like we need to run away and escape, but what happens when you can't run anymore?
The prayer of examen helps us to become more aware of where God is working in and around us. Taking a few moments every day could change how you see everything!
Lent starts this week. Are you going to give something up? That's a good start, but don't forget to lift someone up as well!
From the series, "ESCAPE" - Part 1. Life always has its stresses, but this past year has added so much chaos to our lives. Perhaps you’ve had moments when you just wanted to escape it all. Most of us have, but I believe that God wants to help us lead a life that we don’t want to leave!
Your openness to receive a new perspective could change everything about how you approach your life, relationships, and the world. But that kind of change is scary. Do you want to see?
Do you ever head out for the day and forget something that you need, like your keys or your phone? That can be so frustrating. Make sure you don't forget the most important thing today!
From the series, "Is Anyone Listening?" - Part 5. God speaks to us, but how can we know what He is saying? In this message we unpack 4 key ways to help us discern the voice of God speaking to us. Plus, at the end we hear a special message from Food4Kids Hamilton, Executive Director, Cathy Haan.
Your spirit and your body are inseparable. It's easy to forget that and think that we have spiritual activities and physical ones, but don't connect the two. Let's put them together and seek a holistic approach to prayer.
There are so many voices that influence how we think. What are the loudest voices in your life and what do they say? Now imagine what life could be like if God's voice was the most influential one.
From the series, "Is Anyone Listening?" - Part 4. It’s one thing to ask if God is listening to us when we pray. It’s another thing to ask ourselves whether we’re listening to Him. I think God wants to speak to us, so we need to learn how to tune in and hear His voice! Plus, we celebrate communion together towards the end.
You have everything that you need to be content. Start enjoying the present, right now.
Who are the most influential voices in your life? It's such an important question because you are becoming the people you surround yourself with!
From the series, "Is Anyone Listening?" - Part 3. Do you want to have a deeper and more meaningful time of prayer? Use this message and resource to build a framework for prayer that will transform you in the presence of God (Download Prayer Framework Resource).
What if we find the things that are most important come through interruptions? It could be that God wants to shift our focus and show us something we wouldn't see otherwise.
From the series, "Is Anyone Listening?" - Part 2. Have you ever felt like your prayers were boring or stale? Have you struggled to know if you’re saying the right things? Do you wish you knew a better way to pray? We can help!
Our habits have incredible power to change us, for better or worse. Are you headed towards a more healthy version of yourself?
Did everything change for you on New Year's Day? Probably not. But I think God is always doing new things, wonderful things for those who are willing to look and listen for them.
From the series, "Is Anyone Listening?" - Part 1. A lot of people I know are both attracted and repelled by prayer. They want a powerful spiritual connection, but they often feel like no one is listening to their prayers. Does God really listen to our prayers?
It’s been a crazy year. We couldn’t control it, but we can learn from it. Here are a few things that I think we can learn, and an important principle for moving forward in 2021.
Message from our Christmas Eve online experience. God is doing a new thing, and that's good news - we're ready for something new. Where should we look and what should we be looking for?
The Christmas story is an amazing picture of God stepping into our weakness and vulnerability. With some help from Henri Nouwen, we talk about orienting our perspective this Christmas.
From our Advent series, "While We're Waiting" - Week 4. Is it possible to experience peace in the midst of chaos? What if you feel like you’re out of control? Even then, we have the opportunity to learn how to truly be at peace.
What does God expect from you? Do you ever feel like you just aren't giving enough? If so, it's time to change your perfectionism perspective!
The world can be a scary place... But one of the unmistakable messages of the Christmas story is that you don't need to be afraid. You really don't!
From our Advent series, "While We're Waiting" - Week 3. What do you want more of this Christmas? Our tastes might change, but we always have our wish lists. If joy or happiness makes it on your list, this message might help you to get a little bit more.
If you've been able to create a little bit of margin in your schedule, finances and energy, it's time to invest those resources and celebrate!
I'm guessing a lot of people are going to be dealing with the tension of differing opinions on how to celebrate Christmas this year. You don't have to fight about it, even if you disagree.
From our Advent series, "While We're Waiting" - Week 2. The Christmas season is a time to see and spend moments with our loved ones. Currently, that is looking a little different due to restrictions on social gatherings. Disappointment? Sadness? God is with us, especially when we feel alone.
Don't try to buy joy by selling your peace! Think about how to use your money in a way that leads to peace and doesn't cause you more stress and anxiety.
Do you want to make it through Christmas and actually feel rested, at peace, and excited to celebrate? Start with how you approach your schedule.
From our Advent series, "While We're Waiting" - Week 1. It's the beginning of Advent! Tired? Worn out? Hopeless? A lot of us are. God is not weary, He is not overwhelmed, and He wants to give us His strength!
To really trust in God can be very difficult. Most of us like to be in control, but the act of surrendering actually has amazing power in our lives.
What does it mean to be rich? It really depends on what standard you’re judging by. If we can believe Jesus, we might just be more wealthy than we think, and that gives us an incredible opportunity to change the world! We are excited to launch our annual BE RICH campaign and share our fundraising projects and plans to make a big impact this Christmas! *At the 17:50min mark we share our projects - see our video on YouTube to watch.
Jesus encourages us to believe that since we have a Heavenly Father who loves us, we have enough. In a world where we are often told that we always need more, agreeing with Jesus could radically change our lives.
One of the wisest things that we can do is recognize potential danger and make plans to avoid it.
From the series, "Full Power" - Part 5. There are a lot of people who feel like life is a real battle right now. Some of the most powerful questions that we could ask in this season could be: How can I use my strength to help others? Whose corner do I need to be in?
This prayer from Danielle Strickland helps us to prepare ourselves by becoming more aware of our thoughts and emotions and welcoming the gracious presence of God.
One of the most important reasons why we remember is so that we can live in such a way that promotes peace.
From the series, "Full Power" - Part 4. Do you ever struggle with negative self-talk? We all do on some level. There is a crucial key to unlock the power of who God has created you to be. Don't go a day without it!
What kind of God do you believe in? We may say that we only believe in 1 God, but functionally speaking, we treat a number of different things like gods. So, what is God really like? This is for sure - he's not anxious or overwhelmed.
Whether it is often and intense or occasional and mild, we all have seasons of worry and/or anxiety. If we could just stop worrying we would, but it's not that easy. Thankfully there are steps that we can take to begin to learn how to release our anxieties.
From the series, "Full Power" - Part 3, with Rob Smith. Do you ever find yourself looking for an easy or quick solution to filling your spiritual battery? Sometimes we fall prey to plausible arguments, but the only true assurance of the riches and glory of God is within the secret, that Christ lives within us!
Is this the end? What can we learn from apocalyptic literature in the Bible about dealing with crises?
From the series, "Full Power" - Part 2. Do you ever feel like things are falling apart and you just need to hold it together? It’s easy to feel stuck, discouraged, or exhausted in those times, so we need to learn how hope can lead us through to new beginnings!
Christians often talk about how God is always with us, but life can seem pretty ordinary a lot of the time. What if God really is all around us, and what if we could learn to sense His presence even more?
If God is God, then He is unquestionably strong. But what kind of strength does He want to give us?
From the series, "Full Power" - Part 1. If you’re feeling a little bit worn down, you’re not alone. We’re walking through a challenging time that can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting. Now is the time to draw on the powerful resources that God has given us!
God makes us children, children with an inheritance. Be careful not to miss the fact that you are already blessed immeasurably and have an incredible opportunity to be part of the mission of God to bless the world.
God is mysterious, there's always more for us to learn about who He is. One of our lifelong pursuits is to discover on new and deeper levels, just how good God is.
Today we have a special guest speaker, Charlie Mashinter. Charlie is the Executive Director at Be In Christ (BIC) Church of Canada, and we’re excited to hear more about what it means to be part of this denominational family. *At the end, Charlie refers to a video called the "Thanksgiving Chair" - this is available on YouTube to watch.
There are so many great things about Thanksgiving. As you celebrate this week, don't miss out on a beautiful opportunity for joy.
From the series, "Triggered" - Part 4. What do you need right now? One of the reasons we are so easily triggered is that we have deep needs that long to be met. *At the 36min mark we share a recent baptism - see our video on YouTube to watch.
Have you had days where you're simply frustrated, depressed, or discouraged? Lately, we all have. Here are some practical tips for keeping a positive outlook.
Many of us are constantly distracted. There are so many things that grab our attention, and the danger is that we might miss the spectacular power of the present.
From the series, "Triggered" - Part 3. It’s easy to become opinionated and even to start thinking that being right is everything. Jesus doesn’t let us get away with that. He pushes us to think about something that’s even more powerful!
Where are your small everyday decisions taking you? Our lives take shape 1 decision at a time - so pay attention to where you're headed.
What throws you off your game? Family trouble, work stress, relationship problems? Today, we look at a path to finding strength in the midst of shaky circumstances.
From the series, "Triggered" - Part 2. It's easy to withdraw support for people that we think have made mistakes, but love requires more from us! Love requires that we extend compassionate support even when it's difficult to do so.
Church doesn't look like it used to, but the Church will always continue to move forward! Make sure you don't miss a powerful opportunity to gather this fall!
Sometimes life can seem hopeless. We may doubt that we can fix our own problems or get our lives back on track. If you've hit a hopeless time, know this: that's exactly when God really goes to work.
From the series, "Triggered" - Part 1. What triggers you? Have you ever wondered why certain things seem to offend you so easily? It happens to all of us, but there’s a major key that we can focus on to help us live a life beyond offence.
Are you sick of feeling like you're out of control? There are things that are beyond our ability to regulate, but there are also a lot of areas of our life that we can make an intentional difference. People with good routines, routinely get good results.
It's easy to become critical. If you're looking for something to complain about, there's always plenty to find. But compassion changes everything.
Today we have a guest speaker and a special message from Rob Smith. Does time that didn’t go as planned mean wasted time? There is an opportunity for grace, restoration, and a good-news lifestyle in every moment!
What season of life are you in? Whether we like it or not, we all go through ups and downs. Here are 3 questions that will help you make the most of whatever phase you find yourself in.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing - you are right where you are meant to be. God has a world of infinite possibilities for you.
From the series, "Why Did Jesus Die?" - Part 3. Jesus' life and death are a disruption to the social, political, and religious order that many are used to. But through all the disorder, his resurrection is an invitation to reorder our entire lives around the life of God!
Listen to this powerful prayer and gain strength in the presence of God all around you - whatever you're facing today.
There are a lot of voices that stir up worry and anxiety in us. Today, listen to one that brings real calm and peace.
From the series, "Why Did Jesus Die?" - Part 2. Jesus’ death subverts the dangerous and destructive ideologies of politics and religion.
There's plenty to worry about in our ever-changing world. Building strong spiritual and emotional habits can help us to manage and learn from our anxieties. In this episode, we dive into a really helpful Psalm, with a little help from a great teacher, Dallas Willard.
Based on a conversation about John Ortberg's book, Soul Keeping, this is a powerful reminder that the most important thing in our lives, is who we are becoming.
From the series, "Why Did Jesus Die?" - Part 1. Jesus invites us to participate in the pattern of the spiritual life and to enjoy a seat at the family table.
Spiritually speaking, Jesus lets us take off our masks and enjoy intimacy with God. Physically speaking, we still need to wear masks in public!
Shame, fear, and vulnerability are so uncomfortable that we tend to run away or ignore any of these experiences or feelings. Jesus shows us that his message of love is much more powerful than those that try to bring us shame.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 16. Following Jesus takes us in a different direction than most of us are comfortable with. He calls us to take up our cross and follow him. Needless to say, this is counterintuitive. Why would being willing to die on a cross make any sense? Because love is stronger than death.
The whole world is infused with the presence of God and is available to us... if we're ready to pay attention.
Transformational growth is usually slow and gradual, but over time we see that God is making us more like Him. The more we can embrace His grace, truth and love the more we'll see those things becoming who we are. Take a few minutes to check your life for healthy fruit.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 15. Religion is a hot topic that can lead to tense debates. Jesus often critiqued judgmental and hypocritical religion. He also challenged people to rethink what they fight against and who they fight for. That is a powerful challenge for us today.
Our lives are full of voices that subtly (or not so subtly) tell us to work hard to earn people's acceptance. These voices can be loud. But, if we dare to listen closely, we may hear God's voice assuring us that we are His beloved.
Summer can be a great time to recalibrate and refocus on our priorities. This prayer helps us to do just that.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 14. Today we have a special guest speaker, Dr. Isaac Odame. The Good News about becoming a Christian is that we are saved by grace alone and not by obeying a set of religious rules. Does this mean the God-given commands in the Bible don’t count? Is there a rule that really matters?
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 13. Today we have a special guest speaker, Cherylene Stimers. Sometimes the events in the Bible seem out of place and don’t fit together. This week’s passage is that type of challenge! Reposition our perspective and it all becomes clear.
Sometimes it seems like things are only getting worse and while wishful thinking is naive, hope doesn't disappoint.
None of us want to go through painful times, but we inevitably will. The good news is that pain doesn't have to destroy us, it can refine us.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 12. What’s the key to the good life? That’s a complicated question. Jesus suggests that the way many of us try to get there is impossible. The good news? What’s impossible for us, is possible with God.
Suffering tells us that we can't go on and it's time to give up, but if we're looking in the right place, our pain can actually make us stronger.
In the next 4 episodes we're going to be looking at how we can move from a place of suffering to hope. We start by putting our pain in perspective.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 11. Most of us have been taught to climb the ladders of wealth and success. We base many of our life’s most important decisions around trying to get ahead. Jesus teaches us to rethink that entire approach!
Dave is joined by his wife Bryna and they share some relationship advice as they reflect on marriage.
We often look for God in flashy, heroic circumstances, but we often find God in the ordinary moments of our day. Things that we think are ordinary and common are actually full of the sacred presence of God.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 10. Real transformation doesn’t happen by trying harder to be more moral. That’s far too superficial. Jesus' approach was much deeper and much more effective.
Do you have a clear vision for your future? These days, that's no easy task. We are all working through 'new normals.' It's a great time to ask God to help us see clearly what that could look like.
Jesus did a lot of miracles that helped to illustrate how God works, and how we can participate. A lot of people weren't paying attention and missed out, but we have a chance to lean in and figure out how to be part of what God is doing today!
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 9. Today we have a special guest speaker, Rob Smith. Rob is one of our Youth Leaders and he is also a student at McMaster Divinity College. We are really excited to hear what God has put on his heart as we continue our series, "Beyond Your Current Mind."
The pace of most of our lives is set to stressful. One of the rewards of following Jesus is joy, and joy comes at a different speed.
How are you feeling as Ontario starts to reopen? If you're a bit uneasy or nervous, that's OK! With more changes on the way, quieting our souls is a pathway to greater peace.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 8. Believe it or not, Jesus was a rule breaker. Not only that, but he teaches us to break the rules too… we just need to learn how to do it properly.
When we are kids, there's nothing more exciting than exploring new places just to experience what's out there. Sometimes as adults we become too comfortable for that kind of thing. Jesus invites us to recapture that sense of adventure!
How does God feel about us today? Same as yesterday. Tomorrow will be more of the same. And it's good news.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 7. Sometimes Jesus’ miracles are hard to interpret. What do demons and exorcisms have to do with us? Actually, as we continue to see the influence of evil in our world, these stories are just as relevant as ever!
The path to confidence and inner peace starts with discovering and living out of your God-given identity.
At a time when we've been reminded of the horrors of racism, we need to lean in and really hear the voices of those who have been all-too-often unheard.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 6. During a season where we’ve lost a lot of the big and flashy events and activities in our lives, we have an opportunity to accept Jesus’ invitation to look for God in small, quiet, and deeper places.
When we pray we interact with God. Some of us tend to do all of the talking, but true prayer also incorporates listening to the voice of God. We talk about that and get some help from a prayer from Henrie Nouwen in this episode.
When things seem bleak is when God goes to work! He is the God who turns things around. Today, we talk about how God takes struggle and brings redemption, as well as Elevation Worship’s song, "Graves Into Gardens."
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 5. One of the essential aspects of following Jesus is to be able to see people for who they have been created to be. The rhythms of our lives ought to reflect the infinite value that God has created us with.
Real freedom is a paradox. We find it by living entirely in the opposite direction than we think we should.
A life of joy takes practice. Acknowledging our present moment helps us to express gratitude through the spiritual discipline of celebration.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 4. Jesus invites us into a new kind of life: one of purpose, meaning, and joy. If we want to experience this new way of life, we have to deal with the old way of life.
How are you managing the expectations that others put on you? How about the expectations that you put on yourself?
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 3. Without forgiveness, there is no Christianity. That reality has driven Christians to adopt a view of forgiveness that can seem extreme and unreasonable, but it is at the core of following Jesus. And it is the pathway to freedom.
God wants to give us everything we need to experience more of Him and a more full life. He wants to create the kind of connection that produces abundant life in us.
Spiritual growth isn't boring. It leads to a life of increased peace and joy and goodness. God wants more for us. What do you want more of?
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 2. Can you think of moments that significantly shifted your life? Events that changed the world? We’re in the midst of one of those times now, and we have the chance to use these moments to grow as people and communities. For those who are looking, there are opportunities everywhere!
Have you ever wondered what we're going to do for eternity? Play harps and sit on clouds? Won't it get boring? I've wondered that, but the Christian understanding of the afterlife is so rich that it offers hope of infinite joy. Let's think about it.
What can you not wait to do when the restrictions loosen up? Many of us are waiting for that to happen and hope it'll be soon! Me too, but while we wait, don't miss the power of the only moment that we actually have - now.
From the series, "Beyond Your Current Mind" - Part 1. The message of Jesus is like an alarm clock going off and waking us up to see life in a completely different way. Are we ready to let God change how we think about and approach everything?
At a time when we become so aware of the suffering that people are enduring all over the world, it's natural to come back to this timeless question, and wonder where God is at times of suffering.
How can we find the confidence to live lives of deep faith when there is so much pain and uncertainty in the world? It comes down to what we believe and how we live it out. This meditation points us to the challenge and comfort of deep trust.
Deep down we all long to be loved, valued, and cherished. One of our greatest spiritual needs is our need to be blessed. It is something that is offered to us and that we can grab ahold of!
Dave is joined by his wife Bryna as they discuss 4 rhythms that are essential for life in quarantine.
There are some things that you can only discover when you get quiet enough to listen. Many of our lives have, in some ways, gotten a little quieter. What are you hearing?
This Easter is different than any other in our lifetime, and this Easter will be the same as every other Easter. Some of our expectations in life have dramatically shifted, but the One we expect to find resurrected on Easter Sunday remains the same!
When Jesus gave his disciples a ritual to remember him by, he used ordinary things to symbolize extraordinary truth. He taught them to see the presence of God that had been brought down to earth, and set right in front of them.
Our culture isn't great at dealing with our pain. We would often rather avoid it than process it. During a time where so many of us are feeling complex negative emotions, it's so important to give ourselves permission to grieve.
Many of us are spending a lot of time at home with people that we love, which is wonderful, and challenging. These 6 words can help to restore some peace and joy when things might start to get a little tense.
One of the worst parts about worrying is when you feel like you’re all alone. One of the greatest resources that God gives us to remind us that we aren’t, is each other.
Our world is fast-paced and runs on efficiency and productivity, which can leave some of us feeling run down. Jesus invites us to change the pace and embrace rhythms of rest.
Laid off? Working from home? It doesn’t take long for the novelty of being home all the time to wear off. The good news? We have incredible opportunities to bring goodness, beauty, and love to the world around us!
This is the #1 question that people have right now. We want life to go back to normal. As we wait for that, how can we deal with these difficult times and the emotions that we feel as a result? Today we look at two important aspects for us to accept and adopt at a time like this.
Whatever you’re doing this week, I can pretty much guarantee it isn’t what you thought you were going to be doing, or at least not how you thought you were going to be doing it. There’s something so unsettling about losing control of our everyday lives and rhythms that many of us have. Things aren’t going as planned, so it’s time for a new plan.
As we continue to hear and respond to the COVID-19 virus and the impact it's having around the world, we have great reason to have hope. With that hope we also have an amazing opportunity to make a positive impact on our community. Watch with us and discover how we can move forward in this unpredictable time.