South Hills Church - Costa Mesa: Recent Episodes
Chris Kretzu
Welcome to the podcast from South Hills Church in Costa Mesa. You will always find our Sunday messages here, but from time -to-time you may find additional bonus episodes as well!
You are God’s Plan A to reach the world, and there is no Plan B. This may feel overwhelming at first, it’s important to note that His strategy doesn’t require you to change careers, memorize every scripture, or become a missionary on the other side of the world. In fact, for most of us it means staying exactly where we are. So what part do you have to play, and what is God inviting you to do?
Everybody knows that just like a road trip isn’t complete without music, a church service isn’t complete without worship. We may not know how we know, or why it’s true, we just know it is. Obviously, there’s something powerful about music, but why do we need to sing (what amounts to) love songs to someone we can’t see, hear, or touch? Especially with other people. It’s kind of weird. Why has worship been essential to religious gatherings since humans started having them? Is it something God requires? Are we obligated to do it? Is it how we prove our worth and earn His blessing? Or is it about something else altogether? How might knowing what God intends worship to be change how we approach it and how fulfilling we find it?
Life is busy, and it shows no signs of slowingdown. For many of us, that means we do our best to maximize our time and minimize distractions. That isn’t always a bad thing, but it certainly can be a bad thing. Some parts of life aren’t meant to be rushed, skipped, or sped through. It might be convenient to drive-thru a favorite fast-food spot, or even Door Dash your meal, but it’s just not the same as sitting down at a table with others. Jesus sat at a few different tables and seemed to think sharing a meal with others was worth it. Why is that, and what can Jesus’ meals then teach us about our meals today?
Making room for and compromising with other people can be uncomfortable and annoying. Which is why a lot of us would rather go it alone. We drive alone, eat alone, and binge our shows alone. The catch is: doing so much alone is…lonely. We all want to find people we just click with—people who share our interests, opinions, and preferences. In other words, people just like us. Is that so bad? Doesn’t God want us to have meaningful relationships? If so, how come so many of us feel unwanted and disconnected? What if we’re missing the kind of connections we long for because they’re inconvenient and too much work? What if the relationships we need come from building community with those who are nothing like us as opposed to magically finding those who are? If that were true, what would we do about it?
So much of what we think we need is dictated by what those around us have. We feel the pressure to keep up with and occasionally one-up our neighbors. But social media has expanded our community of comparison to everyone in existence. Which is a little overwhelming. Why is so much of our self-worth tied to what we have, and why do even those who have a lot often feel worthless? How do we break our addiction to more? And how do we teach our kids there’s more to life than having the best stuff?
Statistically, most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet regardless of how much they make. It’s easier to make money than to make a plan for your money. We tend to just spend what we get on whatever we need in the moment, not realizing that some of our needs may just be wants in disguise. How can you tell the difference? Is it the same for everybody? Is it even realistic to stick to a budget in a modern age? If so, how?
Most families don’t talk about money, especially to their kids. Which is a shame because money is a big part of life. A lot of us leave home without much of a financial compass. What we do know we’ve cobbled together from peers, commercials, and social media. Most of that advice leads us to crave what we don’t have and spend what we haven’t earned. Few people have taken time to think about their philosophy of money, but Jesus talked a lot about just that. He seemed to think the way you spend has a lot to do with what you value and that you could redirect your values with the way you handle your money.
Getting started with something new is tough enough but sustaining a habit long-term is even harder. To create lasting life-change, make what’s important easy to do, and what’s unimportant hard to do. So, how do you do that?
It’s not enough to know what’s most important; you have to say no to what’s not. Most of us are aware we should say no, and maybe even what or who we should say no to. But we’re nervous about the repercussions. So, how do we courageously navigate no with the least amount of collateral damage?
Of all the things we feel like we could or should do, what takes priority and where do you start? Knowing what to do is about clarifying what’s most important to you. So…How do you do that for yourself in this season?
Our culture attempts to convince us we can be, do, and have it all—all at once. But often, the more we do, the less fulfilled we are. Why is that and what do we do about it?
Whether you laugh or cringe, we’re all familiar with fictional NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby’s prayer to “Dear 8lb, 6oz newborn infant Jesus.” When he said “I like the Christmas-Jesus best,” he said out-loud what many of us think internally. Christmas-Jesus is adorable, cute, and easy to imagine. We keep the Jesus of our faith small and contained, like an ancient fairy-tale we recite to get warm feelings. While we should embrace the wonder of God-made-flesh, we also need to remember that this infant is our King, and he calls us to follow him with our whole lives. We’re in danger of exchanging a child-like faith for a childish faith.
The gifts that the wisemen gave Jesus were deeply meaningful, symbolic and extravagant. Those gifts, according to many, were the impetus for the Christmas tradition of gift-giving. While there is nothing wrong with gift-giving, gift-buying has become an increasingly large focus for many. Christmas for many just means consumerism, debt, and wish-lists. Is it possible to spend less, but give more? Or will we spend every Christmas climbing out from underneath this pile of stuff?
Every nativity play we’ve seen has the grumpy innkeeper who turns Mary & Joseph away. We imagine a heartless man slamming the door in the face of a pregnant woman. Scripture actually says almost nothing about who this person was, or why they turned the young couple away. But what we do know is that, whether it was intentional or not, there was an unwillingness to make space that first Christmas. Still today, many of us have no room left to experience the beauty of Christmas – and a tangible experience of God’s presence.
Because of his murderous campaign to kill every boy child under 2 years old, Herod is the obvious villain of the Christmas story. He’s also the easiest villain to look down on, because his actions are so evil we can only compare them to something from a movie. But, while his actions are unimaginable, his motivations are much more familiar to us. King Herod’s grasping for power led him to commit one tragedy after another. For many of us, our yearning for power is a threat to Christmas still.
For the most part, our mindset is, “I should be able to do whatever I want, as long as I’m not hurting anyone.” And most of our indulgences don’t seem to be. Who cares if you add more clothes you don’t need to your closet, or sneak an extra piece of cake in the breakroom, or lose sight of your other obligations during NFL season? Although, if what we were doing was hurting someone, would we even notice? Is it possible that some of our pursuits are doing a disservice to our bodies, budgets, or relationships in ways we don’t even realize? Saying ‘yes’ to anything means saying ‘no’ to something else. Could it be we’re saying ‘no’ to something ultimately meaningful in pursuit of something temporarily enjoyable? Are their costs we’re not calculating? And if they suddenly came into view, what would you do?
Family members aren’t always going to get along. That’s a given. With different personalities come different preferences and perspectives. We’re bound to disagree and get on each other’s nerves. Obviously, we can overlook the small stuff, but what about the big stuff? What happens when someone says or does something deeply wounding that they can’t take back? The type of stuff you can’t undo, or fully make up for. What then? Are there certain levels of hurt relationships just can't recover from? How do you make peace with people who don’t seem sorry and may never change? You don’t, right? You can’t. Or can you?
We all know people who didn’t grow up in a great family but made their way through life leaning on their “chosen” family. These are people they’re not biologically related to, but who love, support, challenge, and encourage them to be their best selves. They needed these extra influences because they didn’t have access to a built-in family. But does that mean that those who do, don’t need additional help from the outside? If a family was completely healthy and godly, should they be able to meet all each other’s needs on their own? Can you become who God has called you to be without the involvement of anyone but your family?
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Family first!” What does that mean though? Is the family unit more important than the individuals in it? Does being a part of a family mean letting go of your personal identity? What if what’s good for them is bad for you? The Bible seems to talk a lot about sacrifice. Is that God’s expectation—that give up our goals and dreams for the sake of our family? What if you’re giving so much it’s making you unhealthy? Most families say they want to support each other, but if that’s true, why does it feel like some are doing all the work and others are reaping all the benefits? Is that just the way it is?
We all have a high need for belonging; to feel like we fit with a group of people. We want to be known, loved, and accepted for who we are. But when it comes to family, it can feel like we have pick one or the other. Like we can either be honest OR accepted, but we can’t be both. Why do some of us feel least comfortable with those we should have the closest connection to? Can you ONLY truly belong with people who see eye-to-eye with you on everything? Is diversity possible in a close-knit family? Or is “my way or the highway” the only way?
We all want to be happy. We design our lives around it. We want to have fun, be carefree, and enjoy our day to day. And obviously, we want the same thing for our family. Few things make us sadder than seeing those we love unhappy. But sometimes they are. Happiness is a hard state to sustain. Expectations go unmet, preferences clash, and feelings get hurt. What then? Do we ignore it, try and fix it, change the subject, force everyone into alignment? If someone in my family is unhappy, what’s my responsibility? Isn’t making each other happy the whole point of family? If not, then what is?
Nobody likes feeling out of control, but for some, uncertainty is their nightmare. They desire self-discipline, certainty, and standards above all things – and they’re willing to sacrifice spontaneity and relationship to get it. The controller’s mantra is “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.” In our attempt to control our environment, we realize we can’t – so we begin to worry. This causes us to try to control more, and the cycle continues – and the pursuit of control ultimately enslaves us.
We’d all appreciate less demands and more freedom – but for some, this is an obsession of their heart. When we pursue the idol of comfort, we’re more than willing to not be productive at all if we can be comfortable. In our avoidance of stress and expectations, we see people around us as potential obstacles to our comfort – because relationships take work. But for all the comfort we pursue, we simply make ourselves more uncomfortable – because our hearts were designed for community and meaning through work.
When we begin to feel that life only has meaning, or that we only have worth, if we are loved and respected by a certain person or group, we’re facing the idol of approval. We want affirmation, love and relationships so much that we sacrifice our independence. The desire to be loved is healthy and natural, but for the problem for the person with the approval idol is that they are not ultimately satisfied with God’s love for them, so they do just about anything to get it from people.
What we would define as success or influence, may be the idol of power in disguise. It’s not even primarily about winning as much as the fear of losing – of humiliation. People with an unhealthy pursuit of power often cause others to feel used or manipulated, because their relationships are built on what others can bring them or do for them to increase their position. Jesus called us to a very different relationship with power, one that is more beautiful and more difficult than any the world could entice us with.
It’s becoming all-too-common forour politician, platform or party of choice tonot be in power.People have always believed the right political power will save them, but how can we make sure that people in power don’t determine our level of personal peace? How can we hold on to hope when it feels like it’s all falling apart?
It’s easy to feel like our Christian values are under assault and that we need to fight to protect them. But while we’re hoping to beat the opposition and change people’s minds, Jesus is calling us to pray for our enemies while he changes their hearts. All-to-often, we’re louder about our political beliefs than we are about our spiritual beliefs; shouting our politics and whispering our faith. Scripture is clear that we should try to win people over…but it might be a surprise what we’re supposed to win them for.
How can they claim to be a Christian, but vote that way? How could they possibly think that person is the right choice? My faith is why I’m a Republican! Wait…your faith is why you’re a Democrat? Maybe things aren’t as cut and dry as we think they are. Could it be that we’ve edited Jesus to fit neatly within our political framework? And more importantly, have we lost sight of the very thing he was most clearly concerned about?
It seems that all of life is a battle between good and evil. It only makes sense that we, as Christians, are the good guys – right? We see sin, brokenness and evil all around us, and we want to make it stop! Obviously God is on our side, right? This week we’ll look at the importance of having “rightly ordered loves” and avoiding the temptation to recruit Jesus for our own goals.
We might expect God to speak through a Bible verse, worship lyric, or sermon quote. These things feel sanctified, sacred, safe. But where else might we find the voice of God? What about a romance novel, superhero comic, R rated movie, or explicit song? Should we look for God in these places or avoid them altogether? Are there certain things God never speaks through? Is it possible for something to pull one person closer to God while pushing someone else away? How do you know when to look closer and when to look away?
Most of us aren’t great at stillness. We’re always on-the-go, multitasking, earbuds in, distractedly doing one thing while worrying about not having time for the next. A lot of us can’t stand silence. Even more of us can’t sit still. Our lives are busy and noisy, our minds even more so. Ever have someone nudge you and ask, “Did you hear me?” And you wanted to say, “yes”, but you were so distracted you didn’t even realize they were talking? What if God was speaking, but the pace and noise of our everyday lives prevents us from hearing Him? Could it be that God whispers more than He shouts? And if that’s true, what do those whispers sound like and how do we still our souls long enough to sense them?
If you’ve ever visited a place where you don’t speak the language, having a reliable interpreter is a lifesaver. You need someone to translate what’s being said into words you can understand. But everyone’s who’s gotten a message through an interpreter has also wondered, “Is that really what the other person said?” Trusting someone to translate takes a lot of faith—because what if they get it wrong? Then their mistake becomes your mistake. And what if they’re translating for God? Ever had someone tell you what God wants you to do and wondered, “How would they know?” How do you tell the difference between someone pushing their own agenda and someone trying to help you hear God’s voice for yourself?
Some people say the Bible is the ‘Word of God’; like it’s somehow His way of speaking to us. But it wasn’t written to us. It was written to people who lived a really long time ago, in another part of the world, and spoke different languages. And yet, some people read this ancient book and say things like, “that spoke to me” or “that was just for me”. What does that mean? How does God use all these old stories and sayings to guide us through our current situations? Does God say specific things to specific people through Scripture? Or is everyone just seeing what they want to see to justify doing whatever they want to do?
We all know stories or have seen documentaries about people who claim to have heard from God. Most of them weren’t just convinced God wanted them to know something, but DO something, and the ‘somethings’ are all over the place—adopt a baby, launch a non-profit, fight an addiction, pass a law, start a commune, or bomb a building. Most of us have our fair share of suspicion. Did God really tell these people to do these things? That can’t be true. But I guess it’s possible he said something to some of them. After all, the bible has stories about people hearing from God. How do you know if something is from God or not?
Everyone eventually asks themselves, “What do I do with my life?” And a lot of the cultural answers to this question don’t end up being all that satisfying. We all know people who have made lots of money, acquired lots of power, and had lots of sex, but feel hollow and unhappy. It turns out, humans aren’t content to simply be alive, we want something to live for. The obvious Christian answer might be, “Just live for God.” But, how? What does that mean? How do I channel who I am and how I’m wired into something that matters? Do you ever wish you could have something inside you that would lead and guide you to do what’s ultimately best for you? Interestingly, God had that very same idea. Everything after the Gospels in the New Testament is the story of God enlightening and empowering us to discover our true selves and partner with one another to bring heaven to earth. So, what was this big idea and how exactly is it supposed to work?
There are few things as painful as feeling like nobody gets you and there’s no one you can turn to. We are meant and made for relationships—with each other and with God. The people part can be difficult but is somewhat intuitive. But a lot of us don’t think of God as relational. And to be fair, through most of human history, He wasn’t. For the most part, people didn’t walk and talk with God. They connected with Him from a distance by carrying out various rules and rituals. God was present but not close, real but not relatable. That is until God picked a point in history and inserted himself into humanity. God closed the gap between us, not just by coming near to us, but by becoming one of us. And this mind-blowing move changed everything about everything…forever. This is the story of the Gospels, and it reframes everything that came before. But what exactly does that mean for us and our everyday lives?
Ever felt like there was something between you and someone else? Like something was off between you. Maybe you weren’t even sure what it was, but it was clear there was something there. Almost every relationship has these moments. But it wasn’t meant to be that way. Something happened in the story of humanity that got between us and each other, us and God, us and ourselves, God and His creation. Something went off course. Something got in the way. And our entire existence afterward has revolved around us trying to work through it or work around it. This is what the Old Testament is about. And when we see it through this lens, it reveals why so much of our lives and our world doesn’t work the way it should. The question is, what do we do about it?
Knowing where you came from brings into focus who you really are and how you got that way. Our cultureis interested in this, maybe more than ever. When we meet people, we impulsively ask them where they’re from. We love movies that revolve around theorigin story of a character. We map our family trees. We ship our spit off to companies to tell us the ancestry of our genetic code. When you open the Bible,the beginning of Scripture is about how we began. It’s our origin story. But maybe not in the way you might think. What does this ancient piece of poetry thatopens the story of us and God tell us about the bigger picture of who we are and what we’re made for?
We’ve all seen stories of people doing things we thought were impossible. They made a massive change, turned their lives around, overcame an addiction, or overturned an entire industry. The reason we’re in awe of these people is that most seem to come from humble beginnings. We’re not impressed that they did something they ought to be able to do, we’re impressed they did something we weren’t sure anyone could do. What’s truly unbelievable is some people do it more than once. Are these just special people? Or do they know something we don’t? Can anyone become better, stronger, and more successful in any area or is that just an American myth? How are those with multiple successes doing it?
How can two people with similar skill sets look at the same situation and come to vastly different conclusions? It would make sense that both would have the same shot at success. But we’ve all seen prepared people fail, and those nobody would bet on succeed. Is it pure luck? Is it circumstantial? Or is there something happening on the inside of them that’s influencing what’s happening on the outside of them. We’re told that the mind is pretty powerful. Is that just something people say? How much does outlook effect outcomes? How much are our experiences impacted by our expectations? And if so, can you change yours?
The plot of most inspirational stories boils down to someone with everything stacked against them, who, through sheer will and determination, conquer seemingly insurmountable odds & rise to the top. We love the self-made success story. There’s just one catch: that’s not how it works. No one who survives, overcomes, or achieves anything unbelievable does so by themselves. We’re social creatures, significantly shaped by our surroundings. Could what’s holding you back be more of a “who” than a “what”? How much do the people you do life alongside determine what kind of life you end up living?
When there’s something we can’t seem to make ourselves do or stick to, we assume it’s because we lack inspiration. We go on the hunt for an uplifting story, an encouraging word, or motivational quote to get us going. But all of us have things we feel inspired to do but never quite get around to. Is it that we don’t want it bad enough, aren’t focused, or don’t quite see its significance? But some of what we’d argue is most important, we still can’t seem to prioritize. So, what’s the problem? Is it that we need more or different inspiration? Is that we need a better, more compelling “why”? Or is there another ingredient we might be missing? What are successful people not telling us? Is there a magic recipe for resilience? If so, what is it?
Almost everyone’s heard the statement, “God is love.” If that’s true, why do so many of His followers seem so unloving? How important is it to reflect the god you believe in? Are most Christians just hypocrites, or are they a reflection of who they think God is—condescending, self-protecting, and punishing? Is Christianity about you living a certain way or you getting everyone else to live a certain way? Some people say becoming a Christian changes everything. Does it? How? Are Christians supposed to live like Jesus or is it more about praying a prayer to get into heaven? How does trust in Jesus affect how you treat other people? Should it?
Christians are nice enough, as long as you fall in line, fit the mold, and don’t ask too many questions. But if you have your doubts or disagree with someone in authority, you’re out. Does having faith mean playing along with everything you’re told & keeping your mouth shut? Is God as annoyed with our lack of certainty as other Christians seem to be? Is what you say you believe more important than how you behave? Is it possible for a thriving spiritual community to be full of people who aren’t on the same page?
Christians have a reputation for getting cornered by a logical argument, responding by quoting a cryptic Bible verse, and then celebrating as if they won the fight. Is that what the Bible’s for? Is quoting Scripture some sort of untouchable trump card? Are there certain situations where ancient instructions don’t make sense in our modern context? If so, which ones? Are we even allowed to ask that question? How did Jesus treat Scripture? And as His followers, how should we read it and what are we supposed to do with it?
What does help look like? It may be most recognizable in the flashing lights of a tow truck, or the sirens of a fire engine, or maybe even in the red swimsuit of a lifeguard. But what if we don’t know what we’re looking for? Would you even recognize help if it was standing in front of you? The Easter story is full of twists and turns - not the least of which is that Jesus’ followers didn’t even recognize him after the resurrection. What were they looking for? And, if they missed it, isit possible that we could?
There’s not a person around who would claim that the world is perfect. In fact, with social media and the 24-hour news cycle, we are over-informed of the issues, problems and challenges both locally and globally. War, politics, the environment, education, and the general fabric of society: God, won’t you please fix it? This same thing was shouted at a parade 2000 years ago, so what does it mean for us today?
We get that it’s a good thing to be a giver. Maybe generosity is even a goal of yours. But where do you draw what lines? If you gave everything away—you’d end up naked and penniless, living on the streets. That can’t be what God wants. You don’t want to be a miser either. How do you know what to give and what to keep? There are needs and needy people everywhere. What do you say YES and NO to? How do you use what you’ve got wisely, not wastefully? How do you pursue selflessness without starving? Will you eventually just arrive at a certain sweet spot, or is this an area you’re going to have to constantly wrestle with?
Tithing is is something that SO MANY OF US have heard about, but over 80% of Christian's in America don't do it. Why is that? And if Christian's have questions, struggles or doubts about tithing - surely many others do too! So Rather than preaching a sermon about why we believe tithing is something Christian's should participate in, Pastor Chris Kretzu honestly addresses 7 common questions and concerns that people have with tithing.
Part of growing up is getting a job. Everyone’s eventually got to think about how they’re going to make money. You’ve got to pay rent and buy groceries, clothes, and a car. Then there’s insurance, utilities, subscriptions, and shampoo. And savings, obviously. If there’s anything left after, you can finally have a little fun—a vacation, an upgrade, dessert. The more you make, the more you get to move from simply meeting your NEEDS to grabbing hold of your WANTS. And that’s what we’re all working for. Is that enough though? Is getting what you want all there is? Does is work? Is it fulfilling? What else is there? What does God have to say about the point of making money and do we really care?
If you were to ask all your neighbors for the first thing they think of when they hear the word “Christian”, how much you want to bet “hypocrite” comes up more than once? That stings a bit. But is it an incorrect assessment? And if it is, are you contributing to or countering it? A lot of people call themselves Christians, but how many actually live like one? What does it mean to fully follow Christ? Which of his instructions—on everything from ethics to economics—are we tempted not to take seriously? And what’s the cost of doing so—for us, our families, and our communities?
Kids complicate relationships. Some of us aren’t sure we want to have them. Some of us accidentally had them. Some of us inherited them. Some of us are absolutely obsessed with them. Maybe you thought you met the love of your life, but then you had a kid. You don’t want to say you love them more, but you definitely love them differently. You’d sacrifice anything for them. And you have. Including your health, your sense of self, and every ounce of romance remaining in your relationship. Is that just how it works? Or are we doing it wrong?
Falling in love with someone is the easy part. Learning to live with someone is the hard part. All romance starts with a spark of chemistry, but over time, some couples really complement one another, and others seem to want to kill each other. Is it just dumb luck? What separates those that crumble after seven months from those who end up celebrating seventy years? It’s either a complete fluke or they’ve figured something out. And since nobody looks forward to starting over again, what could we learn from them?
Like it or not, relationships define us. But it’s in different ways for different people. Some of us are preoccupied with finding our person. Some of us are wondering if the person we’re with is worth staying with. And others of us are actively trying to avoid being pinned down by anyone. What we all do have in common is we don’t want to do life alone or be stuck in a bad relationship. But are you being unrealistic? Does what you want even exist? And if it does, how do you find it? How do you know when you’ve found it? And how do you hang on to it once you have?
Sex has never been more openly talked about or easily accessible. We’ve got apps for hook ups, websites designed to help us have affairs, and endless pornography at our fingertips. Plus, sex is dripping from our music and movies; cleaver ads and clickbait articles. Words like “thirsty” “ghosted” & “cuffing” are all part of our cultural vocabulary. And yet, for as free as we all seem to be, fewer people report having and enjoying sex than ever before. How can that be? What do we all need to do to have more and better sex?
Ever known someone who was almost impossible to read—one minute you’re best friends, and the next they won’t even return a text? It was hard to tell if they wanted to hang out or not. They’d excitedly make plans. Then randomly break plans. No one’s ever made you feel more special and then instantly unsure of yourself. They’d pull you close and then immediately push you away. Maybe you’ve been told you’re like this. You hate being alone, but it’s hard to shake the sense that you’re too damaged, annoying, and in the way to experience anything but rejection. Are comfortable, stable connections even possible for you, or is every relationship an unpredictable roller coaster?
Ever been around someone who came off a little calloused? They were focused and reliable, but you could never seem to get below the surface. You think they liked you. They never told you, but they did a lot for you. In fact, they never really slowed down. They always struck you as strong and confident. Sometimes you imagine they don’t need anything or anyone. You’ve joked, “It’s like being friends with a robot.” Maybe you’re a little bit like this. You like sharing life with people as long as you don’t have to share your feelings with them. Something about that just doesn’t seem safe. But are you missing something by never fully revealing what’s going on inside you to those around you? What might happen if you did?
Ever been in a relationship with someone who came off a little clingy—always needing to know where you were, what you were doing, what you were thinking, how you were feeling? They seemed to read into every look, gesture, text, and conversation. They clearly cared about you, but always acted as if they were afraid to hurt, frustrate, or lose you. Maybe you’re this person. How do we end up this way? Is it possible to trade your relational anxiety for a sense of confidence in the midst of closeness?
Ever struck by how confident, connected, & comfortable certain people seem, and think to yourself, “That’s not how my life & relationships feel at all. Are they really as close & happy as they appear, or is it all for show? And if they are, why aren’t I?” Is there something wrong with you? And if so, what & why? Are you destined to live a life of disconnection, or can you experience the closeness you crave?
There’s a difference between looking at a picture the Mona Lisa and standing in the Louvre alongside others. There’s a difference between a video of a meteor shower on youtube and looking up at the night sky to experience it yourself. There’s a difference between reading about travel and getting on a plane. Nothing can be truly known through observation, only through participation. The magi knew the Messiah was born, but they wanted to experience it. Similarly, everyone observes Christmas, but how are you participating in the Christmas story today?
Myrrh was from a plant that had various uses, but primary ones were for healing wounds and embalming the dead. While this may seem like an odd baby gift, it was symbolic of the role Jesus would play as a prophet who would say and do things that would create tension – ultimately leading to his death. Jesus’ actions, teachings, and way of living always stirred up controversy, because he gave voice to the silenced, healing to the sick, valued the outcast, and challenged the comfortable. The gift of myrrh was an ancient way of saying; “buckle up – it’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
Frankincense was burned as incense in a temple, a way to shield the priest from the direct presence of God. When the magi gave this gift, it was symbolic of Jesus becoming our High Priest; no longer a distant human surrounded by ritual and untouchable by the masses, but a baby, born in a manger and surrounded by both family and strangers alike. Through the vulnerability of Christ, we can be fully vulnerable in our relationship with God.
Gold has always been linked to royalty; the ultimate symbol of kings. So when the Magi brought gold to honor Jesus, they were proclaiming him king. King Herod was “disturbed” when he heard about this newborn king of the Jews, and Matthew tells us that all Jerusalem was disturbed also. Herod was paranoid about anyone taking power from him or challenging his throne, but he couldn’t even begin to imagine that Jesus was not only king of the Jews, but ultimately the King of Kings. While we can all agree that Herod was evil in many ways, he was right in understanding that the arrival of this new King would change everything.
Ever looked at something someone bought & thought—I would never pay that for that! Different people value things differently. So, why do you spend the way you do on what you do? Most of us use our resources to reinforce our identity. We put money into what we think will help us be (or at least be seen as) who we want to be. And while it’s fine to aim our finances in different directions, all spending isn’t equally satisfying. Jesus told his followers to leverage their resources in ways that maximized fulfillment & minimized regret. But how?
Like it or not, the way we approach money is way more emotional than it is logical. A lot of our budgeting is an attempt to access one feeling or avoiding another. We think – “If I lease this, I’ll look good.” "If I save that, I’ll feel secure.” “If I invest here, I’ll have influence.” We don’t all have the same impulses, but we are motivated by the same mechanism: fear. We’re afraid if we took advice from God about money, He’d eventually ask us to give in ways that threaten our sense of security. And He probably will. So why would listening be worth it?
We all develop various rhythms & routines to hold our lives together. Some we design, others happen by default. In short—We all have certain things we do a certain way. A lot of things just work better when you do them in particular order—like putting on socks BEFORE shoes, or buying a house BEFORE you move in. These things seem ridiculously obvious (to most of us). And the reason the Universe is like this is that God is like this. And that brings up a pretty important question: Could the reason we don’t feel blessed be because we’re living our lives or organizing our resources in the wrong order? And if so, what do we do about it?
What pops into your head when you hear the word “blessed”? Maybe a social media post of someone enjoying something expensive or exclusive? Is that the best Biblical definition? When Jesus spoke about being blessed, he outlined circumstances & scenarios most of us actively avoid. He acted as if it had less to do with how much you have than how well you live. What did He mean by that?
If we throw ourselves into helping our family flourish—we draw out & cultivate the uniqueness of each person, unite around a common vision, schedule first what we value most, and everyone’s soaring toward wholistic health – what else is there? Is there a bigger purpose to family than simply making sure its members are somewhat emotionally, relationally & financially stable? Does our family have any responsibility to other families, or to our overall community? Does a healthy family have a larger purpose, or is it an end unto itself?
Ever suddenly realize someone in your family doesn’t share your core values? You thought everyone was on the same page, but it turns out, you weren’t. Or maybe you got this vision of the kind of family you want to be – so you share it with them & set goals & everyone nods in agreement, but as time drags on, nothing really changes. Why is that? Why do our default settings consistently overpower our dreams? How do we move from where we are toward who we want to be – together? Is it possible to change your family dynamics?
A lot of our families feel like they’re moving in a million different directions, all at once. In a noble effort to support each other’s individual interests, goals, and dreams; we shuttle everyone around town, eat on the run, and reshuffle schedules so everyone can go & be & do whatever they want. Which is amazing. But it invites an interesting question: Is a family about anything more than the individual success & happiness of its members, or is there a bigger, deeper, broader reason God puts us together? And if there is—What is it?
We love seeing members of our family succeed. And every family has certain things they celebrate more than others. In some—it’s excelling in academics or athletics; in others—maybe it’s an entrepreneurial mindset or extroverted personality. It’s great if you fit the mold, but what if you don’t? Ever get the feeling you’ll never be good at anything your family values? What then? Do you walk away from them & make your own way? Is that the mark of maturity—not needing anybody? Why would God put YOU with THEM?
Our family is who we came from. And for a lot of us, it’s also who we’re running from. We don’t want who they are to limit who we can be. Sometimes the people you expected to have your back feel more like they’re in your way. Family is supposed to love you for you & support whatever you want to do, right? We think—If I had a good family, they’d make me happy, celebrate me, resource me, and ask nothing of me. Is that true? What if yours isn’t like that? What is the point of family? Do you have to leave them to find yourself?
If you were to imagine what’s most important to God, beauty probably wouldn’t make the list. Dostoevsky said beauty will save the world. Jesus seemed to agree. What does that mean? Why would Jesus assign so much power & priority to something most of us see as surfacy? Could it be we don’t understand God, or have we incorrectly defined beauty? What if it’s a bit of both? What if beauty can save the world? How would that work?
A lot of people think the point of life is to try to be a good person. But what does that mean? Is it about DOING the right things, or BELIEVING the right way? And how do we know what’s right? Jesus argued with people He believed were right, accusing them of not being good. So, they’re not the same? Jesus taught one was more important than the other, the result of which got Him killed and saved the world. What was it?
Most people want to be told the truth. But what does that word even mean anymore? Is it all relative? We heard—Just live YOUR truth. Is there such a thing as THE truth? If so, where does it come from and how do we measure it? Jesus was asked these same questions and His answer is nothing short of astounding.
When someone hurts us, our impulse is to get them back. We want to get even because even feels fair. But it doesn’t end up feeling good. In fact, it doesn’t end at all. We get sucked into a never-ending cycle of retaliation. Jesus did His best to give grace to those who treated Him the worst. What made Him think this counter-intuitive strategy would make a difference? And why did He encourage us to do the same?
The way we approach a conversation transforms what we get out of that conversation. This is true with other people, but it’s also true with God. Most of us passively learn to pray by mimicking the religious figures around us. We can fall into patterns of talking with God that feel formulaic and leave us wondering about their effectiveness. Are there ways of talking with God that are better than others? If so, what are they?
Words are weighty. We all know it, but we don’t always act like it. On one hand, we’ve all spent more time than we’re proud of carefully crafting the perfect text or Tweet. We’ve also casually said something that was taken out of context and came back to haunt us. It’s hard to be thoughtful and intentional about everything we say. But can we afford not to try? Words shape reality. The words we use determine who we think we are and how we see the world. They have the potential to elevate & educate or depress & destroy. What we say and the way we say it matters. Maybe it’s time to reexamine our wordplay.
We all develop our own particular way of communicating. We don’t necessarily set out to do it, it just sort of happens. We not only pick up words, phrases, body language, but also tone, volume, and intensity from the people we’re raised by and the circles we run in. The way we say things is as impactful as what it is we’re saying. And different people prefer to be communicated with in different ways. How do we know if we’re communicating in a way that’s working for the people around us? Are they hearing what we’re trying to say, or something else altogether?
When we think about the power of words, we typically think about what we say to others and what they say to us. But the words that shape us most are the ones we say to ourselves. Every one of us is having an ongoing conversation with ourselves in the confines of our own minds. But we don’t often stop and think about the content of those conversations or whether or not the words we’re using are helping or hurting us. If you were to find out that your inner dialogue was toxic, what would you do to change it?
In Scripture, we frequently see the Holy Spirit represented as a dove. Why is that? What does this small, bright-white bird have to do with how God wants to relate to us? What can we learn by taking a deeper look at where and how this illustration was used? Could it be telling us more than one thing? If so, what?How does this winged, word picture point us to the practical ways God wants to help us experience His peace?
There are a lot of notable examples in Scripture of the Holy Spirit appearing in the form of a cloud. Of all the shapes and symbolsGod could’ve chosen, why does He repeatedly approach humanity wrapped in this one? What does this illustration tell us about who the Holy Spirit is and what He does? How might unpacking the places this word picture is used teach us something practical about trusting God in our day-to-day lives?
The most prominent metaphor for Spirit is probably fire. And there’s reason for that: It’s all over Scripture. Why? When God’s Spirit shows up in the form of fire, where does it happen and what is God doing? What does this image reveal about who the Spirit is and the impact a relationship with Him ought to have on our everyday lives? How might this aspect of God alter the way we face what He places in front of us?
In Scripture, the Holy Spirit is almost exclusively spoken of in metaphor. One of the most prominent illustrations is ‘breath’. When, how, and why was this word picture used? And what does it tell us about the way God wants to relate to us? If we could experience the Holy Spirit as the breath of God, what would that be like? How might it transform our perspective of Him? How would it help us? And how would we access that help?
There’s this core concept in Christianity called ‘the Trinity’. It’s the idea that our singular God somehow exists in three separate forms. If just the thought of that sort-of scrambles your brain, you’re not alone. Why did God choose to reveal Himself this way? How are these identities intertwined? Why are all three essential? Why did the Father see the need to send the Son? And why did the son see the need to send the Spirit? God wants to have a multidimensional relationship with us. What do these roles tell us about how that relationship works?
Is there anything more to my work than just doing it well? Is the goal to just show up over and over again until retire or die? The reality is that work you do today as an engineer, cashier, teacher, banker, or stay-at-home parent will have an eternal impact – but how?
“Everybody’s working for the weekend.” Yes, it was Loverboy who put these words to a killer sing-a-long melody, but is that really all there is? Are we all just wearing ourselves out, exhausted, trying to make it to the weekend or our next vacation? Is it possible to actually experience rest? And what do I need to do in order to not burn myself out before I get there?
We sometimes dream of jobs we’re passionate about, that are fulfilling, and that somehow check every single box on our list of perfect ideals. (Oh yeah, it also needs to pay a lot of money!) But what if we can’t actually get that job? Can I be fulfilled while working at a job I’m not passionate about? To pursue my “calling” will I have to submit my resignation letter?
We are created in the image of a God who worked and is still working. This means that for us to feel whole, we actually need to work; to be co-creators with God. But our identity was never meant to be found in what we do or how we do it. Both work and rest are meant to flow out of our identity as children of God, not be the source of our identity.
All of us know someone suffering from severe anxiety or depression (whether we know it or not). But statistically, so few seek help. It’s something we don’t want to admit to others, maybe even ourselves. And technically—what’s “severe” anyway? So, we suffer in quiet isolation, imagining the crippling sadness will somehow disappear as suddenly as it descended. But when it doesn’t, and the days turn into weeks,
months, or maybe even years--what do we do then? Are we doomed or are there ways to defeat depression?
Some people who suffer from severe depression do find their way back. How? What sort of holistic approach are they taking to tunnel out of the darkness? Is it the same for everyone? What are the commonalities? If someone wanted to get better, where would they start?
All of us know someone suffering from severe anxiety or depression (whether we know it or not). But statistically, so few seek help. It’s something we don’t want to admit to others, maybe even ourselves. And technically—what’s “severe” anyway? So, we suffer in quiet isolation, imagining the crippling sadness
will somehow disappear as suddenly as it descended. But when it doesn’t, and the days turn into weeks, months, or maybe even years--what do we do then? Are we doomed or are there ways to defeat depression?
All of us know someone suffering from severe anxiety or depression (whether we know it or not). But statistically, so few seek help. It’s something we don’t want to admit to others, maybe even ourselves. And technically—what’s “severe” anyway? So, we suffer in quiet isolation, imagining the crippling sadness
will somehow disappear as suddenly as it descended. But when it doesn’t, and the days turn into weeks, months, or maybe even years--what do we do then? Are we doomed or are there ways to defeat depression?
All of us know someone suffering from severe anxiety or depression (whether we know it or not). But statistically, so few seek help. It’s something we don’t want to admit to others, maybe even ourselves. And technically—what’s “severe” anyway? So, we suffer in quiet isolation, imagining the crippling sadness
will somehow disappear as suddenly as it descended. But when it doesn’t, and the days turn into weeks, months, or maybe even years--what do we do then? Are we doomed or are there ways to defeat depression?
There are lots of words, phrases, and slogans that get stuck in our head. “Cancelled!” “I’m lovin’ it.” “That’s totally sus, bro!” “Follow for follow.” These phrases get passed around, not because they’re profound, but because they’re catchy. We say them because everybody says them. All of which leads us to repeat things worth forgetting and to forget things worth repeating. Jesus, shortly before His death, knowing He was about to die, made a series of short statements that came to define His movement. Of all the things He said and did, why have Christians historically focused so much on these? What makes them so worth repeating?
There are lots of words, phrases, and slogans that get stuck in our head. “Cancelled!” “I’m lovin’ it.” “That’s totally sus, bro!” “Follow for follow.” These phrases get passed around, not because they’re profound, but because they’re catchy. We say them because everybody says them. All of which leads us to repeat things worth forgetting and to forget things worth repeating. Jesus, shortly before His death, knowing He was about to die, made a series of short statements that came to define His movement. Of all the things He said and did, why have Christians historically focused so much on these? What makes them so worth repeating?
There are lots of words, phrases, and slogans that get stuck in our head. “Cancelled!” “I’m lovin’ it.” “That’s totally sus, bro!” “Follow for follow.” These phrases get passed around, not because they’re profound, but because they’re catchy. We say them because everybody says them. All of which leads us to repeat things worth forgetting and to forget things worth repeating. Jesus, shortly before His death, knowing He was about to die, made a series of short statements that came to define His movement. Of all the things He said and did, why have Christians historically focused so much on these? What makes them so worth repeating?
There are lots of words, phrases, and slogans that get stuck in our head. “Cancelled!” “I’m lovin’ it.” “That’s totally sus, bro!” “Follow for follow.” These phrases get passed around, not because they’re profound, but because they’re catchy. We say them because everybody says them. All of which leads us to repeat things worth forgetting and to forget things worth repeating. Jesus, shortly before His death, knowing He was about to die, made a series of short statements that came to define His movement. Of all the things He said and did, why have Christians historically focused so much on these? What makes them so worth repeating?
Everybody wants to be happy, but so few of us seem to be. Everywhere we look, we’re told we can find the happiness we’re chasing if we could just buy, achieve, or experience bigger, better, and more than what we currently have. So, why isn’t it working? Because most of us have it better than any humans ever have, but we still feel empty and hollow. What are we missing? How does happiness even work? Is it something you can locate or create? Are there certain things all truly happy people do? If so, what are they? If you knew, maybe you could do them and find happiness too.
Everybody wants to be happy, but so few of us seem to be. Everywhere we look, we’re told we can find the happiness we’re chasing if we could just buy, achieve, or experience bigger, better, and more than what we currently have. So, why isn’t it working? Because most of us have it better than any humans ever have, but we still feel empty and hollow. What are we missing? How does happiness even work? Is it something you can locate or create? Are there certain things all truly happy people do? If so, what are they? If you knew, maybe you could do them and find happiness too.
Everybody wants to be happy, but so few of us seem to be. Everywhere we look, we’re told we can find the happiness we’re chasing if we could just buy, achieve, or experience bigger, better, and more than what we currently have. So, why isn’t it working? Because most of us have it better than any humans ever have, but we still feel empty and hollow. What are we missing? How does happiness even work? Is it something you can locate or create? Are there certain things all truly happy people do? If so, what are they? If you knew, maybe you could do them and find happiness too.
Everybody wants to be happy, but so few of us seem to be. Everywhere we look, we’re told we can find the happiness we’re chasing if we could just buy, achieve, or experience bigger, better, and more than what we currently have. So, why isn’t it working? Because most of us have it better than any humans ever have, but we still feel empty and hollow. What are we missing? How does happiness even work? Is it something you can locate or create? Are there certain things all truly happy people do? If so, what are they? If you knew, maybe you could do them and find happiness too.
We can fall into this trap of viewing ‘friends’ as leftover fragments from youth. we think of friendship as a first-half-of-life focus. And obviously, now that we’re actual adults, we’ve got to get on with more ‘grown up’ priorities like a career, investments, marriage & children. But, as it turns out, a friendless existence isn‘t all that fulfilling. It’s lead to what sociologists have come to call a ‘loneliness epidemic’. It’s impossible to live life to the full without a small circle of close friend—regardless of who you are or how old you are. So, how do we shift friendship from something we see as optional to something we see as essential? From something cute for kids to something crucial for us adults too? That’s what we’re talking about during ‘YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME’ ; an adorably titled teaching series that has the potential to change your life & how much you enjoy it.
We can fall into this trap of viewing ‘friends’ as leftover fragments from youth. we think of friendship as a first-half-of-life focus. And obviously, now that we’re actual adults, we’ve got to get on with more ‘grown up’ priorities like a career, investments, marriage & children. But, as it turns out, a friendless existence isn‘t all that fulfilling. It’s lead to what sociologists have come to call a ‘loneliness epidemic’. It’s impossible to live life to the full without a small circle of close friend—regardless of who you are or how old you are. So, how do we shift friendship from something we see as optional to something we see as essential? From something cute for kids to something crucial for us adults too? That’s what we’re talking about during ‘YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME’; an adorably titled teaching series that has the potential to change your life & how much you enjoy it.
We can fall into this trap of viewing ‘friends’ as leftover fragments from youth. we think of friendship as a first-half-of-life focus. And obviously, now that we’re actual adults, we’ve got to get on with more ‘grown up’ priorities like a career, investments, marriage & children. But, as it turns out, a friendless existence isn‘t all that fulfilling. It’s lead to what sociologists have come to call a ‘loneliness epidemic’. It’s impossible to live life to the full without a small circle of close friend—regardless of who you are or how old you are. So, how do we shift friendship from something we see as optional to something we see as essential? From something cute for kids to something crucial for us adults too? That’s what we’re talking about during ‘YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME’; an adorably titled teaching series that has the potential to change your life & how much you enjoy it.
We can fall into this trap of viewing ‘friends’ as leftover fragments from youth. We think of friendship as a first-half-of-life focus. And obviously, now that we’re actual adults, we’ve got to get on with more ‘grown up’ priorities like a career, investments, marriage & children. But, as it turns out, a friendless existence isn‘t all that fulfilling. It’s lead to what sociologists have come to call a ‘loneliness epidemic’. It’s impossible to live life to the full without a small circle of close friend—regardless of who you are or how old you are. So, how do we shift friendship from something we see as optional to something we see as essential? From something cute for kids to something crucial for us adults too? That’s what we’re talking about during ‘YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME’ ; an adorably titled teaching series that has the potential to change your life & how much you enjoy it.
We live in a world of sampling & scrolling. But everywhere we look, someone’s asking us to “like & subscribe” (literally and figuratively). Obviously, we ignore them. We browse anonymously, hold relationships loosely, and confirm plans with a “maybe”. We don’t want to miss out on anything or
be tied down to anyone. We prefer to keep our options open. We admire commitment, we’re just not sure the cost is worth it. In our culture, everything’s disposable and everyone’s replaceable. But we don’t seem to find this way of living all that fulfilling. So, what do we do about it?
We live in a world of sampling & scrolling. But everywhere we look, someone’s asking us to “like & subscribe” (literally and figuratively). Obviously, we ignore them. We browse anonymously, hold relationships loosely, and confirm plans with a “maybe”. We don’t want to miss out on anything or
be tied down to anyone. We prefer to keep our options open. We admire commitment, we’re just not sure the cost is worth it. In our culture, everything’s disposable and everyone’s replaceable. But we don’t seem to find this way of living all that fulfilling. So, what do we do about it?
We live in a world of sampling & scrolling. But everywhere we look, someone’s asking us to “like & subscribe” (literally and figuratively). Obviously, we ignore them. We browse anonymously, hold relationships loosely, and confirm plans with a “maybe”. We don’t want to miss out on anything or
be tied down to anyone. We prefer to keep our options open. We admire commitment, we’re just not sure the cost is worth it. In our culture, everything’s disposable and everyone’s replaceable. But we don’t seem to find this way of living all that fulfilling. So, what do we do about it?
We live in a world of sampling & scrolling. But everywhere we look, someone’s asking us to “like & subscribe” (literally and figuratively). Obviously, we ignore them. We browse anonymously, hold relationships loosely, and confirm plans with a “maybe”. We don’t want to miss out on anything or be tied down to anyone. We prefer to keep our options open. We admire commitment, we’re just not sure the cost is worth it. In our culture, everything’s disposable and everyone’s replaceable. But we don’t seem to find this way of living all that fulfilling. So, what do we do about it?
We live in a world of sampling & scrolling. But everywhere we look, someone’s asking us to “like & subscribe” (literally and figuratively). Obviously, we ignore them. We browse anonymously, hold relationships loosely, and confirm plans with a “maybe”. We don’t want to miss out on anything or
be tied down to anyone. We prefer to keep our options open. We admire commitment, we’re just not sure the cost is worth it. In our culture, everything’s disposable and everyone’s replaceable. But we don’t seem to find this way of living all that fulfilling. So, what do we do about it?
Everyone has a name. But we’re often called something different; Something that describes what we’re like, what we do, or who we belong to. We’re all familiar with the name, Jesus, but He was called other things too. Why? And how might His other names change the way we relate to and rely on him? Find out this December here at South Hills.
Everyone has a name. But we’re often called something different; Something that describes what we’re like, what we do, or who we belong to. We’re all familiar with the name, Jesus, but He was called other things too. Why? And how might His other names change the way we relate to and rely on him? Find out this December here at South Hills.
Everyone has a name. But we’re often called something different; Something that describes what we’re like, what we do, or who we belong to. We’re all familiar with the name, Jesus, but He was called other things too. Why? And how might His other names change the way we relate to and rely on him? Find out this December here at South Hills.
Everyone has a name. But we’re often called something different; Something that describes what we’re like, what we do, or who we belong to. We’re all familiar with the name, Jesus, but He was called other things too. Why? And how might His other names change the way we relate to and rely on him? Find out this December here at South Hills.
A lot of our thinking is held together by short, sticky statements that help us make sense of things. We repeat them, post them, and pass them along. Sure, they may be clichés, but they’re also strangely comforting. And because they’re so prevalent and popular, we assume they’re from Scripture. Are they though? What if some of these sayings we keep repeating are based on a misunderstanding? What if… God Never Said That?
A lot of our thinking is held together by short, sticky statements that help us make sense of things. We repeat them, post them, and pass them along. Sure, they may be clichés, but they’re also strangely comforting. And because they’re so prevalent and popular, we assume they’re from Scripture. Are they though? What if some of these sayings we keep repeating are based on a misunderstanding? What if… God Never Said That?
A lot of our thinking is held together by short, sticky statements that help us make sense of things. We repeat them, post them, and pass them along. Sure, they may be clichés, but they’re also strangely comforting. And because they’re so prevalent and popular, we assume they’re from Scripture. Are they though? What if some of these sayings we keep repeating are based on a misunderstanding? What if… God Never Said That?
A lot of our thinking is held together by short, sticky statements that help us make sense of things. We repeat them, post them, and pass them along. Sure, they may be clichés, but they’re also strangely comforting. And because they’re so prevalent and popular, we assume they’re from Scripture. Are they though? What if some of these sayings we keep repeating are based on a misunderstanding? What if… God Never Said That?
We all want happy, healthy relationships—especially with those closest to us. Easier said than done. Making real relationships work is…real work. At times we may get a glimpse of WHAT we need to do, but we’re not exactly sure HOW to do it. Some of us didn’t grow up with the greatest examples. Maybe you’ve noticed a handful of the relational instincts you inherited are unhelpful. What if you didn’t have to repeat the same patterns handed down to you? What if you could do better? What if God Himself was willing to show you HOW?
We all want happy, healthy relationships—especially with those closest to us. Easier said than done. Making real relationships work is…real work. At times we may get a glimpse of WHAT we need to do, but we’re not exactly sure HOW to do it. Some of us didn’t grow up with the greatest examples. Maybe you’ve noticed a handful of the relational instincts you inherited are unhelpful. What if you didn’t have to repeat the same patterns handed down to you? What if you could do better? What if God Himself was willing to show you HOW?
We all want happy, healthy relationships—especially with those closest to us. Easier said than done. Making real relationships work is…real work. At times we may get a glimpse of WHAT we need to do, but we’re not exactly sure HOW to do it. Some of us didn’t grow up with the greatest examples. Maybe you’ve noticed a handful of the relational instincts you inherited are unhelpful. What if you didn’t have to repeat the same patterns handed down to you? What if you could do better? What if God Himself was willing to show you HOW?
We all want happy, healthy relationships—especially with those closest to us. Easier said than done. Making real relationships work is…real work. At times we may get a glimpse of WHAT we need to do, but we’re not exactly sure HOW to do it. Some of us didn’t grow up with the greatest examples. Maybe you’ve noticed a handful of the relational instincts you inherited are unhelpful. What if you didn’t have to repeat the same patterns handed down to you? What if you could do better? What if God Himself was willing to show you HOW?
We all want happy, healthy relationships—especially with those closest to us. Easier said than done. Making real relationships work is…real work. At times we may get a glimpse of WHAT we need to do, but we’re not exactly sure HOW to do it. Some of us didn’t grow up with the greatest examples. Maybe you’ve noticed a handful of the relational instincts you inherited are unhelpful. What if you didn’t have to repeat the same patterns handed down to you? What if you could do better? What if God Himself was willing to show you HOW?
Ever know you need to do something to grow, but it’s really going to stretch you, so you’re stalling?
Maybe you’re not sure how to go about it, or what all it entails. Maybe you just know it’s going to be tough.
Maybe you’re halfway convinced it’s the right thing, but you’re waiting for the right time. When your next step feels like a big step, it’s intimidating to imagine going it alone. But what if you didn’t have to? What if we all went with you?
Ever know you need to do something to grow, but it’s really going to stretch you, so you’re stalling? Maybe you’re not sure how to go about it, or what all it entails. Maybe you just know it’s going to be tough. Maybe you’re halfway convinced it’s the right thing, but you’re waiting for the right time. When your next step feels like a big step, it’s intimidating to imagine going it alone. But what if you didn’t have to? What if we all went with you?
Ever know you need to do something to grow, but it’s really going to stretch you, so you’re stalling? Maybe you’re not sure how to go about it, or what all it entails. Maybe you just know it’s going to be tough. Maybe you’re halfway convinced it’s the right thing, but you’re waiting for the right time. When your next step feels like a big step, it’s intimidating to imagine going it alone. But what if you didn’t have to? What if we all went with you?
Ever know you need to do something to grow, but it’s really going to stretch you, so you’re stalling? Maybe you’re not sure how to go about it, or what all it entails. Maybe you just know it’s going to be tough. Maybe you’re halfway convinced it’s the right thing, but you’re waiting for the right time. When your next step feels like a big step, it’s intimidating to imagine going it alone. But what if you didn’t have to? What if we all went with you?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
All of us are on the lookout for a little bit of wisdom; a way to make the most of our relationships, work, life, circumstances and surroundings. Interestingly, in the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus spoke directly to these things—in surprising new ways. What exactly did he mean by it? And what was he hoping we would do with it? Is it possible to truly trust Jesus without living the way he taught? What if we allowed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to move beyond a something that simply sounds familiar to something that realigns the way we approach everything?
Every farmer knows, even a small fox can kill an enormous crop. Little nuisances do a lot of damage. Most of our lives veer off track in the very same way--something small sabotages us: a habit, a relationship, a pursuit, a selfish impulse. What if we could catch & corral these little foxes before all the damage is done?
Every farmer knows, even a small fox can kill an enormous crop. Little nuisances do a lot of damage. Most of our lives veer off track in the very same way--something small sabotages us: a habit, a relationship a pursuit, a selfish impulse. What if we could catch & corral these little foxes before all the damage is done?
Every farmer knows, even a small fox can kill an enormous crop. Little nuisances do a lot of damage. Most of our lives veer off track in the very same way--something small sabotages us: a habit, a relationship, a pursuit, a selfish impulse. What if we could catch & corral these little foxes before all the damage is done?
Every farmer knows, even a small fox can kill an enormous crop. Little nuisances do a lot of damage. Most of our lives veer off track in the very same way--something small sabotages us: a habit, a relationship, a pursuit, a selfish impulse. What if we could catch & corral these little foxes before all the damage is done?
When was the last time you really listened to someone--without thinking about what to say next, or glancing at your phone, or interrupting to offer your opinion? Why would you? We’re taught to speak up, speak out, use our voice, say what we think, share from the heart. And we do. What we don’t do is listen. And no one is listening to us either. Does what anyone has to say matter if no one is listening to anyone but themselves? How would we change if we even wanted to?
When was the last time you really listened to someone--without thinking about what to say next, or glancing at your phone, or interrupting to offer your opinion? Why would you? We’re taught to speak up, speak out, use our voice, say what we think, share from the heart. And we do. What we don’t do is listen. And no one is listening to us either. Does what anyone has to say matter if no one is listening to anyone but themselves? How would we change if we even wanted to?
When was the last time you really listened to someone--without thinking about what to say next, or glancing at your phone, or interrupting to offer your opinion? Why would you? We’re taught to speak up, speak out, use our voice, say what we think, share from the heart. And we do. What we don’t do is listen. And no one is listening to us either. Does what anyone has to say matter if no one is listening to anyone but themselves? How would we change if we even wanted to?
When was the last time you really listened to someone--without thinking about what to say next, or glancing at your phone, or interrupting to offer your opinion? Why would you? We’re taught to speak up, speak out, use our voice, say what we think, share from the heart. And we do. What we don’t do is listen. And no one is listening to us either. Does what anyone has to say matter if no one is listening to anyone but themselves? How would we change if we even wanted to?
Covid lockdowns, political upheaval, racial tension, economic implosion, cancel culture. We’re living in a land overrun by angry opinions & divisive declarations. This can’t be God’s hope for humanity. Jesus entered into the chaos of his day to demonstrate a better way to be in & see the world. He invited his followers to help him bring Heaven to Earth; To restore something lost in a Garden long ago: GRACELAND.
Covid lockdowns, political upheaval, racial tension, economic implosion, cancel culture. We’re living in a land overrun by angry opinions & divisive declarations. This can’t be God’s hope for humanity. Jesus entered into the chaos of his day to demonstrate a better way to be in & see the world. He invited his followers to help him bring Heaven to Earth; To restore something lost in a Garden long ago: GRACELAND.
Covid lockdowns, political upheaval, racial tension, economic implosion, cancel culture. We’re living in a land overrun by angry opinions & divisive declarations. This can’t be God’s hope for humanity. Jesus entered into the chaos of his day to demonstrate a better way to be in & see the world. He invited his followers to help him bring Heaven to Earth; To restore something lost in a Garden long ago: GRACELAND.
Covid lockdowns, political upheaval, racial tension, economic implosion, cancel culture. We’re living in a land overrun by angry opinions & divisive declarations. This can’t be God’s hope for humanity. Jesus entered into the chaos of his day to demonstrate a better way to be in & see the world. He invited his followers to help him bring Heaven to Earth; To restore something lost in a Garden long ago: GRACELAND.
Covid lockdowns, political upheaval, racial tension, economic implosion, cancel culture. We’re living in a land overrun by angry opinions & divisive declarations. This can’t be God’s hope for humanity. Jesus entered into the chaos of his day to demonstrate a better way to be in & see the world. He invited his followers to help him bring Heaven to Earth; To restore something lost in a Garden long ago: GRACELAND.
Money. It makes the world go round. We can’t avoid it. We think about, stress, and obsess over it. We’re driven by and indebted to it. We’re definitely convinced we’d be better off if we had a whole lot more of it. Jesus said some surprising things about money. What would happen if you practiced what he preached?
Money. It makes the world go round. We can’t avoid it. We think about, stress, and obsess over it. We’re driven by and indebted to it. We’re definitely convinced we’d be better off if we had a whole lot more of it. Jesus said some surprising things about money. What would happen if you practiced what he preached?
Money. It makes the world go round. We can’t avoid it. We think about, stress, and obsess over it. We’re driven by and indebted to it. We’re definitely convinced we’d be better off if we had a whole lot more of it. Jesus said some surprising things about money. What would happen if you practiced what he preached?
Money. It makes the world go round. We can’t avoid it. We think about, stress, and obsess over it. We’re driven by and indebted to it. We’re definitely convinced we’d be better off if we had a whole lot more of it. Jesus said some surprising things about money. What would happen if you practiced what he preached?
Most relationships start off full of passion and possibility, but end up dying slow, painful deaths. We find ourselves obsessing over our relational autopsy, but the cause of death is a complete mystery. With a little detective work, we often shudder to realize we’re the culprit. We didn’t intend to, but we secretly sabotaged our own story. What if you could investigate the death of your relationships before they die? What if you could see where the story is headed and change the ending now?
Most relationships start off full of passion and possibility, but end up dying slow, painful deaths. We find ourselves obsessing over our relational autopsy, but the cause of death is a complete mystery. With a little detective work, we often shudder to realize we’re the culprit. We didn’t intend to, but we secretly sabotaged our own story. What if you could investigate the death of your relationships before they die? What if you could see where the story is headed and change the ending now?
Most relationships start off full of passion and possibility, but end up dying slow, painful deaths. We find ourselves obsessing over our relational autopsy, but the cause of death is a complete mystery. With a little detective work, we often shudder to realize we’re the culprit. We didn’t intend to, but we secretly sabotaged our own story. What if you could investigate the death of your relationships before they die? What if you could see where the story is headed and change the ending now?
We keep hearing about the “new normal,” but, if we’re honest, most of us just want the old normal back. But as so many things in our lives have changed in the last 12 months, what if what we knew as normal no longer exists? What if, in our pursuit of normal, we miss out on important growth? Maybe what we knew as normal isn’t even what’s best for us? Yes; you knew normal, but maybe it’s time to know more.
We keep hearing about the “new normal,” but, if we’re honest, most of us just want the old normal back. But as so many things in our lives have changed in the last 12 months, what if what we knew as normal no longer exists? What if, in our pursuit of normal, we miss out on important growth? Maybe what we knew as normal isn’t even what’s best for us? Yes; you knew normal, but maybe it’s time to know more.
We keep hearing about the “new normal,” but, if we’re honest, most of us just want the old normal back. But as so many things in our lives have changed in the last 12 months, what if what we knew as normal no longer exists? What if, in our pursuit of normal, we miss out on important growth? Maybe what we knew as normal isn’t even what’s best for us? Yes; you knew normal, but maybe it’s time to know more.
We keep hearing about the “new normal,” but, if we’re honest, most of us just want the old normal back. But as so many things in our lives have changed in the last 12 months, what if what we knew as normal no longer exists? What if, in our pursuit of normal, we miss out on important growth? Maybe what we knew as normal isn’t even what’s best for us? Yes; you knew normal, but maybe it’s time to know more.
We keep hearing about the “new normal,” but, if we’re honest, most of us just want the old normal back. But as so many things in our lives have changed in the last 12 months, what if what we knew as normal no longer exists? What if, in our pursuit of normal, we miss out on important growth? Maybe what we knew as normal isn’t even what’s best for us? Yes; you knew normal, but maybe it’s time to know more.
"There is a quote that originated with St. Augustine somewhere around 400AD, but has been echoed by everyone from sweet southern grandmothers to John Calvin; "all truth is God’s truth." Loosely speaking, the idea here is that we can learn truth from any number of sources, regardless of how “holy” they may be. Just because something isn’t labeled “Christian” doesn’t mean it doesn’t teach us truths of who God is or how we should live.
That is why I’m going to talk about TV-MA show on Apple+ - because it has pointed everyone I know, and every article I’ve read, and review I’ve seen about it, to an incredible place: the desire to love others well."
When most of us in the modern West think of Christmas, our first thought is usually something connected to indoor trees, twinkle lights, shopping sprees & sugar cookies. But in the ancient East, this season was one of Advent. It’s an old word with Latin origins that we don’t really use much anymore. It means “coming”. It was about anticipating the anniversary of the moment Divinity made itself know to humanity in the most earth-shattering, story-changing, category-exploding of ways. It reminded the people of God to turn down the volume on the chaos of life & prepare their hearts & minds for God to reengage their stories in surprising new ways with a fresh sense of Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.
When most of us in the modern West think of Christmas, our first thought is usually something connected to indoor trees, twinkle lights, shopping sprees & sugar cookies. But in the ancient East, this season was one of Advent. It’s an old word with Latin origins that we don’t really use much anymore. It means “coming”. It was about anticipating the anniversary of the moment Divinity made itself know to humanity in the most earth-shattering, story-changing, category-exploding of ways. It reminded the people of God to turn down the volume on the chaos of life & prepare their hearts & minds for God to reengage their stories in surprising new ways with a fresh sense of Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.
When most of us in the modern West think of Christmas, our first thought is usually something connected to indoor trees, twinkle lights, shopping sprees & sugar cookies. But in the ancient East, this season was one of Advent. It’s an old word with Latin origins that we don’t really use much anymore. It means “coming”. It was about anticipating the anniversary of the moment Divinity made itself know to humanity in the most earth-shattering, story-changing, category-exploding of ways. It reminded the people of God to turn down the volume on the chaos of life & prepare their hearts & minds for God to reengage their stories in surprising new ways with a fresh sense of Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.
When most of us in the modern West think of Christmas, our first thought is usually something connected to indoor trees, twinkle lights, shopping sprees & sugar cookies. But in the ancient East, this season was one of Advent. It’s an old word with Latin origins that we don’t really use much anymore. It means “coming”. It was about anticipating the anniversary of the moment Divinity made itself know to humanity in the most earth-shattering, story-changing, category-exploding of ways. It reminded the people of God to turn down the volume on the chaos of life & prepare their hearts & minds for God to reengage their stories in surprising new ways with a fresh sense of Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.
Thankfulness is a virtue we all recognize. Parents try to instill thankfulness in their kids, people buy packs of cards to say “thanks,” and there’s even a whole day each year dedicated to thankfulness. (Followed by those midnight sales to buy all that new stuff.) Yet, somehow, we grow frustrated with what we have, disappointed in who we’re with, and discouraged about where we’re at. We all want to be thankful, but why is it so easy for us to have no thanks?
Politics make people crazy. You’ve seen it recently—once level-headed people, turning their backs on life-long friendships & family members, and spiritual communities. People that have known & lived next to & served alongside each other for years aren’t on speaking terms, block each other on social media, and won’t even look each other in the eye at the grocery store. And all of us are wondering—What’s next? Regardless of who wins this election: Where do we go from here? How do we survive the election with your soul intact. The message of Jesus has something significant & surprising to say about all of this. And we believe if we latch onto it, it just might change everything—for the better.
Politics make people crazy. You’ve seen it recently—once level-headed people, turning their backs on life-long friendships & family members, and spiritual communities. People that have known & lived next to & served alongside each other for years aren’t on speaking terms, block each other on social media, and won’t even look each other in the eye at the grocery store. And all of us are wondering—What’s next? Regardless of who wins this election: Where do we go from here? How do we survive the election with your soul intact. The message of Jesus has something significant & surprising to say about all of this. And we believe if we latch onto it, it just might change everything—for the better.
We all want happy, healthy relationships. And we have our moments…But for the most part, a lot of us feel like we have no idea what we’re doing. Some of us didn’t grow up with great examples. Many of us inherited unhelpful instincts. But, what if you could give those around you something better than you got?
We all want happy, healthy relationships. And we have our moments…But for the most part,
a lot of us feel like we have no idea what we’re doing. Some of us didn’t grow up with great examples. Many of us inherited unhelpful instincts. But, what if you could give those around you something better than you got?
We all want happy, healthy relationships. And we have our moments…But for the most part,
a lot of us feel like we have no idea what we’re doing. Some of us didn’t grow up with great examples. Many of us inherited unhelpful instincts. But, what if you could give those around you something better than you got?
We all want happy, healthy relationships. And we have our moments…But for the most part,
a lot of us feel like we have no idea what we’re doing. Some of us didn’t grow up with great examples. Many of us inherited unhelpful instincts. But, what if you could give those around you something better than you got?
We all have a story, and at the same time we all are a story. When we read our past well, it guides us as we co-author out future with God. When we can be honest about out experiences, we discover our strengths. When we tell our story, we tell the greatest story.
We all have a story, and at the same time we all are a story. When we read our past well, it guides us as we co-author our future with God. When we can be honest about our experiences, we discover our strengths. When we tell our story, we tell the greatest story.
We all have a story, and at the same time we all are a story. When we read our past well, it guides us as we co-author our future with God. When we can be honest about our experiences, we discover our strengths. When we tell our story, we tell the greatest story.
Campus Pastor Chris Kretzu shares about what it means to press on towards what is ahead. Besides the spiritual implications of this, he gives a simple and practical filter for how to decide what areas of your life you need to adjust.
Philippians 3:4-8, 12-14Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Every family has a way of thinking, talking, and handling things. The same is true of every church. So, who are we, what are our priorities, and where did we get these ideas? There are a handful of stories and sayings from the first generation of Christians that summarize the sort of church we set out to be. South Hills isn’t a bunch of buildings, it’s a diverse family of followers who share certain values. This is us.
Every family has a way of thinking, talking, and handling things. The same is true of every church. So, who are we, what are our priorities, and where did we get these ideas? There are a handful of stories and sayings from the first generation of Christians that summarize the sort of church we set out to be. South Hills isn’t a bunch of buildings, it’s a diverse family of followers who share certain values. This is us.
Every family has a way of thinking, talking, and handling things. The same is true of every church. So, who are we, what are our priorities, and where did we get these ideas? There are a handful of stories and sayings from the first generation of Christians that summarize the sort of church we set out to be. South Hills isn’t a bunch of buildings, it’s a diverse family of followers who share certain values. This is us.
Every family has a way of thinking, talking, and handling things. The same is true of every church. So, who are we, what are our priorities, and where did we get these ideas? There are a handful of stories and sayings from the first generation of Christians that summarize the sort of church we set out to be. South Hills isn’t a bunch of buildings, it’s a diverse family of followers who share certain values. This is us
Every family has a way of thinking, talking, and handling things. The same is true of every church.
So, who are we, what are our priorities, and where did we get these ideas? There are a handful of stories and sayings from the first generation of Christians that summarize the sort of church we set out to be. South Hills isn’t a bunch of buildings, it’s a diverse family of followers who share certain values. This is us.
Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
So, we thought we’d take a few weeks to talk through some things people we know wonder about and wrestle with, from both inside and outside of the church. And you get to eavesdrop. Because CLEARLY these aren’t your questions. They all came from other people, and even they were just asking for a friend.Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
So, we thought we’d take a few weeks to talk through some things people we know wonder about and wrestle with, from both inside and outside of the church. And you get to eavesdrop. Because CLEARLY these aren’t your questions. They all came from other people, and even they were just asking for a friend.Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
So, we thought we’d take a few weeks to talk through some things people we know wonder about and wrestle with, from both inside and outside of the church. And you get to eavesdrop. Because CLEARLY these aren’t your questions. They all came from other people, and even they were just asking for a friend.Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
So, we thought we’d take a few weeks to talk through some things people we know wonder about and wrestle with, from both inside and outside of the church. And you get to eavesdrop. Because CLEARLY these aren’t your questions. They all came from other people, and even they were just asking for a friend.
Everybody has questions—about faith, God, Scripture, spirituality. Well, OTHER people do; obviously not YOU.
So, we thought we’d take a few weeks to talk through some things people we know wonder about and wrestle with, from both inside and outside of the church. And you get to eavesdrop. Because CLEARLY these aren’t your questions. They all came from other people, and even they were just asking for a friend.
The longer we’re on lockdown, left alone with our thoughts, the more anxious and fearful those thoughts become. What do we do in these desperate moments with our deepest questions? Are there any real answers? In the bleak background of the Jesus story, people wondered the same thing. He responded by teaching them the Lord’s prayer. Why? Because he believed these short sentences held the secrets to living well, even, and especially, when nothing seems to be working out the way you wanted it to.
The longer we’re on lockdown, left alone with our thoughts, the more anxious and fearful those thoughts become. What do we do in these desperate moments with our deepest questions? Are there any real answers? In the bleak background of the Jesus story, people wondered the same thing. He responded by teaching them the Lord’s prayer. Why? Because he believed these short sentences held the secrets to living well, even, and especially, when nothing seems to be working out the way you wanted it to.
The longer we’re on lockdown, left alone with our thoughts, the more anxious and fearful those thoughts become. What do we do in these desperate moments with our deepest questions? Are there any real answers? In the bleak background of the Jesus story, people wondered the same thing. He responded by teaching them the Lord’s prayer. Why? Because he believed these short sentences held the secrets to living well, even, and especially, when nothing seems to be working out the way you wanted it to.
People say, “Pray, don’t panic.” And I want to. But I don’t feel like know how. Or maybe I’m just not good at it. Calm isn’t easy for me to come by. Is it just me? I want to believe that prayer works; that it changes things; that it can make the world better; that it can make me better. But...how? People during the days of Jesus asked the same sort of questions. And he responded by teaching his followers to pray in a revolutionary way
People say, “Pray, don’t panic.” And I want to. But I don’t feel like know how. Or maybe I’m just not good at it. Calm isn’t easy for me to come by. Is it just me? I want to believe that prayer works; that it changes things; that it can make the world better; that it can make me better. But...how? People during the days of Jesus asked the same sort of questions. And he responded by teaching his followers to pray in a revolutionary way
People say, “Pray, don’t panic.” And I want to. But I don’t feel like know how. Or maybe I’m just not good at it. Calm isn’t easy for me to come by. Is it just me? I want to believe that prayer works; that it changes things; that it can make the world better; that it can make me better. But...how? People during the days of Jesus asked the same sort of questions. And he responded by teaching his followers to pray in a revolutionary way
Each new year is full of possibility & potential. It’s also full of pressure. Most of us have some idea of who we want to be & what we want to do, but we’ve also got this elaborate mental list of who we feel like we have to be & what we have to do. These lists don’t always overlap. And it’s not like we have infinite time & energy. We can’t be and do it all. Like I said...Pressure. A new year can feel exciting, yet overwhelming. So... How do you know what to do & pursue? And how do follow through and stay on task? What would it look like to get to the end of this year with the satisfaction of having lived it well—on purpose, with the big picture in mind; by design, not default? Well... That’s what this series is all about.
Money. We all want & need it, but there never seems to be enough of it. So many of us are consumed with financial stress. Jesus had a lot to say about a better way. Find out what.
Love. Sex. Dating. Marriage. It’s complicated; Like a maddening maze with a lot of dead ends. How do you know what turns to take, and what traps to avoid? What if you could map the maze?
Love. Sex. Dating. Marriage. It’s complicated; Like a maddening maze with a lot of dead ends. How do you know what turns to take, and what traps to avoid? What if you could map the maze
Love. Sex. Dating. Marriage. It’s complicated; Like a maddening maze with a lot of dead ends. How do you know what turns to take, and what traps to avoid? What if you could map the maze?
Love. Sex. Dating. Marriage. It’s complicated; Like a maddening maze with a lot of dead ends. How do you know what turns to take, and what traps to avoid? What if you could map the maze?
Each new year is full of possibility & potential. It’s also full of pressure. Most of us have some idea of who we want to be & what we want to do, but we’ve also got this elaborate mental list of who we feel like we have to be & what we have to do. These lists don’t always overlap. And it’s not like we have infinite time & energy. We can’t be and do it all. Like I said...Pressure. A new year can feel exciting, yet overwhelming. So... How do you know what to do & pursue? And how do follow through and stay on task? What would it look like to get to the end of this year with the satisfaction of having lived it well—on purpose, with the big picture in mind; by design, not default? Well... That’s what this series is all about.
Each new year is full of possibility & potential. It’s also full of pressure. Most of us have some idea of who we want to be & what we want to do, but we’ve also got this elaborate mental list of who we feel like we have to be & what we have to do. These lists don’t always overlap. And it’s not like we have infinite time & energy. We can’t be and do it all. Like I said...Pressure. A new year can feel exciting, yet overwhelming. So... How do you know what to do & pursue? And how do follow through and stay on task? What would it look like to get to the end of this year with the satisfaction of having lived it well—on purpose, with the big picture in mind; by design, not default? Well... That’s what this series is all about.
Each new year is full of possibility & potential. It’s also full of pressure. Most of us have some idea of who we want to be & what we want to do, but we’ve also got this elaborate mental list of who we feel like we have to be & what we have to do. These lists don’t always overlap. And it’s not like we have infinite time & energy. We can’t be and do it all. Like I said...Pressure. A new year can feel exciting, yet overwhelming. So... How do you know what to do & pursue? And how do follow through and stay on task? What would it look like to get to the end of this year with the satisfaction of having lived it well—on purpose, with the big picture in mind; by design, not default? Well... That’s what this series is all about.
Each new year is full of possibility & potential. It’s also full of pressure. Most of us have some idea of who we want to be & what we want to do, but we’ve also got this elaborate mental list of who we feel like we have to be & what we have to do. These lists don’t always overlap. And it’s not like we have infinite time & energy. We can’t be and do it all. Like I said...Pressure. A new year can feel exciting, yet overwhelming. So... How do you know what to do & pursue? And how do follow through and stay on task? What would it look like to get to the end of this year with the satisfaction of having lived it well—on purpose, with the big picture in mind; by design, not default? Well... That’s what this series is all about.
Most of us know the Christmas story—or at least some version of it. But stories aren’t just about plot points, they’re about people. Why did God choose these people at this time in human history to tell such a significant story? If we were to push past WHAT God did & took a deeper look at WHO He did it through, what might we see that we didn’t see before? How might Christmas come alive for us when we breathe new life into what it was really like for them?
Most of us know the Christmas story—or at least some version of it. But stories aren’t just about plot points, they’re about people. Why did God choose these people at this time in human history to tell such a significant story? If we were to push past WHAT God did & took a deeper look at WHO He did it through, what might we see that we didn’t see before? How might Christmas come alive for us when we breathe new life into what it was really like for them?
Most of us know the Christmas story—or at least some version of it. But stories aren’t just about plot points, they’re about people. Why did God choose these people at this time in human history to tell such a significant story? If we were to push past WHAT God did & took a deeper look at WHO He did it through, what might we see that we didn’t see before? How might Christmas come alive for us when we breathe new life into what it was really like for them?
Most of us know the Christmas story—or at least some version of it. But stories aren’t just about plot points, they’re about people. Why did God choose these people at this time in human history to tell such a significant story? If we were to push past WHAT God did & took a deeper look at WHO He did it through, what might we see that we didn’t see before? How might Christmas come alive for us when we breathe new life into what it was really like for them?
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
There’s no denying it. Depression and anxiety are on the rise. More of us are feeling disconnected—from ourselves, others, and the meaning of life. Why is that and what do we do about it?
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
What makes relationships work? Why do we seem to click with & feel cared for by certain people, while others give us the impression we’re insignificant, invisible, or in-the-way? How is it some families can hardly stomach one another, but others seem so close? Is it all an act, or do they know something we don’t? Well, as it turns out, both scripture & science agree on the answer. And the good news is—all the research suggests certain practices have the power to turn a bad thing around, and make a good thing even better. So, what are these practices & how do we apply them? That’s what this series is all about.
Ever feel like maybe church doesn’t work? A lot of people who go look like they’re just going through the motions. And their lives and levels of happiness don’t seem to be increasing or improving. They’re going, but not really growing. Why is that? Is church a thing of the past? Is it time to leave it behind? Or could it be that in order to get something significant out of it? We might need to change our approach?
Episode Summary:
Want to watch the video featured in the podcast? Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qadPD_7dRF4
Ever feel like maybe church doesn't work? A lot of people who go look like they're just going through the motions. And their lives and levels of happiness don't seem to be increasing or improving. They're going, but not really growing. Why is that? Is church a thing of the past? Is it time to leave it behind? Or could it be that in order to get something significant out of it, we might need to change our approach to it?
Ever feel like maybe church doesn't work? A lot of people who go look like they're just going through the motions. And their lives and levels of happiness don't seem to be increasing or improving. They're going, but not really growing. Why is that? Is church a thing of the past? Is it time to leave it behind? Or could it be that in order to get something significant out of it, we might need to change our approach to it?
Ever feel like maybe church doesn’t work? A lot of people who go look like they’re just going through the motions. And their lives and levels of happiness don’t seem to be increasing or improving. They’re going, but not really growing. Why is that? Is church a thing of the past? Is it time to leave it behind? Or could it be that in order to get something significant out of it, we might need to change our approach to it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
Behind every surface behavior is the desire to meet a deeper need. Having needs isn’t weak or wrong, it’s human. But how you go about getting them met determines what kind of human you’ll be. Strangely, we all seem to self-sabotage in exactly the same ways, almost as if it’s encoded in our DNA. History has nicknamed these tendencies the “Seven Deadly Sins”. Where do they come from? Why are we all so susceptible? And what can we do about it?
If you’ve ever thumbed through a Gideon Bible at a hotel, you may have noticed that it’s divided into two sections, or testaments, the old and new. The New Testament begins with the story of Jesus, who uses this word “new” a lot. He interprets old, familiar passages of Scripture in revolutionary, new ways and turns the religious community upside down. He spoke of a new covenant, a new commandment, and a new way of living. What do these things mean? And how do they have the potential to change everything?
If you’ve ever thumbed through a Gideon Bible at a hotel, you may have noticed that it’s divided into two sections, or testaments, the old and new. The New Testament begins with the story of Jesus, who uses this word “new” a lot. He interprets old, familiar passages of Scripture in revolutionary, new ways and turns the religious community upside down. He spoke of a new covenant, a new commandment, and a new way of living. What do these things mean? And how do they have the potential to change everything?
If you’ve ever thumbed through a Gideon Bible at a hotel, you may have noticed that it’s divided into two sections, or testaments, the old and new. The New Testament begins with the story of Jesus, who uses this word “new” a lot. He interprets old, familiar passages of Scripture in revolutionary, new ways and turns the religious community upside down. He spoke of a new covenant, a new commandment, and a new way of living. What do these things mean? And how do they have the potential to change everything?
If you’ve ever thumbed through a Gideon Bible at a hotel, you may have noticed that it’s divided into two sections, or testaments, the old and new. The New Testament begins with the story of Jesus, who uses this word “new” a lot. He interprets old, familiar passages of Scripture in revolutionary, new ways and turns the religious community upside down. He spoke of a new covenant, a new commandment, and a new way of living. What do these things mean? And how do they have the potential to change everything?
Are you craving abundant life? Well, Ian DiOrio is here to tell you all about how you can receive it!
Everyone likes the idea of hope, but what happens when the floor falls out from under you and you find yourself feeling broken, abandoned or forgotten? Sometimes we experience suffering that doesn’t even have a purpose, so what do we do when we believe but are also wrestling with unbelief? Can hope rise in the midst pain?
Everyone likes the idea of hope, but what happens when the floor falls out from under you and you find yourself feeling broken, abandoned or forgotten? Sometimes we experience suffering that doesn’t even have a purpose, so what do we do when we believe but are also wrestling with unbelief? Can hope rise in the midst pain?
Everyone likes the idea of hope, but what happens when the floor falls out from under you and you find yourself feeling broken, abandoned or forgotten? Sometimes we experience suffering that doesn’t even have a purpose, so what do we do when we believe but are also wrestling with unbelief? Can hope rise in the midst pain?
Jesus believed changing the world began with loving your neighbor. What would happen if a group of people took that seriously? And not metaphorically, but practically? What if you & I decided to invest the best of who we are into the people, places & problems we’re living in the midst of right now? What would it look like to really love where you live? We’ll be talking about that during this series and giving everyone practical ways to live that out, so don’t miss a single week of the fun!
Jesus believed changing the world began with loving your neighbor. What would happen if a group of people took that seriously? And not metaphorically, but practically? What if you & I decided to invest the best of who we are into the people, places & problems we’re living in the midst of right now? What would it look like to really love where you live? We’ll be talking about that during this series and giving everyone practical ways to live that out, so don’t miss a single week of the fun!
Jesus believed changing the world began with loving your neighbor. What would happen if a group of people took that seriously? And not metaphorically, but practically? What if you & I decided to invest the best of who we are into the people, places & problems we’re living in the midst of right now? What would it look like to really love where you live? We’ll be talking about that during this series and giving everyone practical ways to live that out, so don’t miss a single week of the fun!
Jesus believed changing the world began with loving your neighbor. What would happen if a group of people took that seriously? And not metaphorically, but practically? What if you & I decided to invest the best of who we are into the people, places & problems we’re living in the midst of right now? What would it look like to really love where you live? We’ll be talking about that during this series and giving everyone practical ways to live that out, so don’t miss a single week of the fun!
What do you do with the things you've been given? We know - it's not "polite" to talk about it, but we're gonna break the rules in this series.
What do you do with the things you've been given? We know - it's not "polite" to talk about it, but we're gonna break the rules in this series.
What do you do with the things you've been given? We know - it's not "polite" to talk about it, but we're gonna break the rules in this series.
We’re all looking for love. And not just romantically. We want our core relationships to work well. And they do. Well, some of them. Some of the time. It’s easy for us to love people when they act lovable. But what about the rest of the time? What about when they hurt us? Or fail us? Or what about the moments when we realize just how different we really are? What do we do then? What’s the right thing to do? The healthy thing to do? How does love handle those difficult moments?
We’re all looking for love. And not just romantically. We want our core relationships to work well. And they do. Well, some of them. Some of the time. It’s easy for us to love people when they act lovable. But what about the rest of the time? What about when they hurt us? Or fail us? Or what about the moments when we realize just how different we really are? What do we do then? What’s the right thing to do? The healthy thing to do? How does love handle those difficult moments?
We’re all looking for love. And not just romantically. We want our core relationships to work well. And they do. Well, some of them. Some of the time. It’s easy for us to love people when they act lovable. But what about the rest of the time? What about when they hurt us? Or fail us? Or what about the moments when we realize just how different we really are? What do we do then? What’s the right thing to do? The healthy thing to do? How does love handle those difficult moments?
We’re all looking for love. And not just romantically. We want our core relationships to work well. And they do. Well, some of them. Some of the time. It’s easy for us to love people when they act lovable. But what about the rest of the time? What about when they hurt us? Or fail us? Or what about the moments when we realize just how different we really are? What do we do then? What’s the right thing to do? The healthy thing to do? How does love handle those difficult moments?
Most of us have things about our lives we don't particularly like. Maybe we know something needs to change, but what, when, how? We're all busy, but busy doing what? What is all your doing actually, well... doing? We get locked into certain patterns, but are they creating the outcomes we're after? What if you could redesign your life from the ground up? What if you could stop busily buzzing around and learn how to build habits that actively build a better you?
Most of us have things about our lives we don’t particularly like. Maybe we know something needs to change, but what, when, how? We’re all busy, but busy doing what? What is all your doing…doing? We get locked into certain patterns, but are they creating the outcomes we’re after? What if you could redesign your life from the ground up? What if you could stop busily buzzing around and learn how to build habits that actively build a better you?
Most of us have things about our lives we don’t particularly like. Maybe we know something needs to change, but what, when, how? We’re all busy, but busy doing what? What is all your doing actually, well…doing? We get locked into certain patterns, but are they creating the outcomes we’re after? What if you could redesign your life from the ground up? What if you could stop busily buzzing around and learn how to build habits that actively build a better you?
Most of us have things about our lives we don’t particularly like. Maybe we know something needs to change, but what, when, how? We’re all busy, but busy doing what? What is all your doing actually, well…doing? We get locked into certain patterns, but are they creating the outcomes we’re after? What if you could redesign your life from the ground up? What if you could stop busily buzzing around and learn how to build habits that actively build a better you?
It’s that bazaar week between Christmas and New Years, so how do we do our best to look back at 2018 and ahead at 2019? What can we do to prepare our hearts for all that is to come?
Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year. We place such enormous expectations on the Holiday season to fill our lives with the hope, peace, joy, and love we’re longing for. But, what if things don’t go according to plan, and you’re not where you want to be, and people don’t do what you want them to do, and you don’t get what you asked for? These are the questions the Christmas story confronts. Jesus’ birth radically reframed for humanity where hope, peace, joy, and love truly come from and how we go about experiencing them. What if Christmas isn’t what you thought it was, what if it’s something so much bigger and better?
Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year. We place such enormous expectations on the Holiday season to fill our lives with the hope, peace, joy, and love we’re longing for. But, what if things don’t go according to plan, and you’re not where you want to be, and people don’t do what you want them to do, and you don’t get what you asked for? These are the questions the Christmas story confronts. Jesus’ birth radically reframed for humanity where hope, peace, joy, and love truly come from and how we go about experiencing them. What if Christmas isn’t what you thought it was, what if it’s something so much bigger and better?
Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year. We place such enormous expectations on the Holiday season to fill our lives with the hope, peace, joy, and love we’re longing for. But, what if things don’t go according to plan, and you’re not where you want to be, and people don’t do what you want them to do, and you don’t get what you asked for? These are the questions the Christmas story confronts. Jesus’ birth radically reframed for humanity where hope, peace, joy, and love truly come from and how we go about experiencing them. What if Christmas isn’t what you thought it was, what if it’s something so much bigger and better?
Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year. We place such enormous expectations on the Holiday season to fill our lives with the hope, peace, joy, and love we’re longing for. But, what if things don’t go according to plan, and you’re not where you want to be, and people don’t do what you want them to do, and you don’t get what you asked for? These are the questions the Christmas story confronts. Jesus’ birth radically reframed for humanity where hope, peace, joy, and love truly come from and how we go about experiencing them. What if Christmas isn’t what you thought it was, what if it’s something so much bigger and better?
Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year. We place such enormous expectations on the Holiday season to fill our lives with the hope, peace, joy, and love we’re longing for. But, what if things don’t go according to plan, and you’re not where you want to be, and people don’t do what you want them to do, and you don’t get what you asked for? These are the questions the Christmas story confronts. Jesus’ birth radically reframed for humanity where hope, peace, joy, and love truly come from and how we go about experiencing them. What if Christmas isn’t what you thought it was, what if it’s something so much bigger and better?
The last Message of our Series. Join us as Pastor James guide us to what means to change our perspective.
We’re all looking for people and places that are positive, encouraging, life-giving, and accepting of us regardless of where we’ve been and what we’ve done. But where do we find these kinds of places? There never seem to be enough. What if instead of finding a place like that, you wanted to form a place like that? How would you do that? What would it take? And once you found out, would you think it’s worth the effort?
We’re all looking for people and places that are positive, encouraging, life-giving, and accepting of us regardless of where we’ve been and what we’ve done. But where do we find these kinds of places? There never seem to be enough. What if instead of finding a place like that, you wanted to form a place like that? How would you do that? What would it take? And once you found out, would you think it’s worth the effort?
This Sunday we kick off a brand new series and lock in the official rally-cry for South Hills Church: The Perfect Place For Imperfect People.
You have probably heard this statement here and there, but for the next few weeks we're going to look at why this phrase is critical to who we are as a church, and how it will impact us as individuals and a community!
Join us as Pastor Mike show us how peace is possible as we choose the path of wisdom in the last week of our family month series
We all want to have happy, healthy, life-giving families and relationships - but how do we get there? How can we stop comparing ourselves to the lives we imagine everyone else is living, and instead focus on becoming the best family we can be? What would that even look like?
We all want to have happy, healthy, life-giving families and relationships - but how do we get there? How can we stop comparing ourselves to the lives we imagine everyone else is living, and instead focus on becoming the best family we can be? What would that even look like?
We all want to have happy, healthy, life-giving families and relationships - but how do we get there? How can we stop comparing ourselves to the lives we imagine everyone else is living, and instead focus on becoming the best family we can be? What would that even look like?
This is what we’re going to talk about during Family Month. And we believe what you’ll learn in these four weeks just might change the course of your family and your relationships forever.
We all want to have happy, healthy, life-giving families. But how do we get there? How can we stop comparing ourselves to the lives we imagine everyone else is living, and instead focus on becoming the best family we can be? What would that look like? How would you even start that conversation? We’re going to tell you. And we believe what you’ll learn in these 4 short weeks just might change the course of your family forever.
Interview with Robert Delpino, former NFL player, and the first week in our Series Mouthy
Getting the most out of life is not about doing everything, but going big on the right things.
Nehemiah 2:11-18
The new year represents an opportunity to redesign your life. What if living your best year yet doesn’t require you to add anything, but to learn what & how to subtract?
Pastor Chris kicks off a new series looking at Nehemiah 1 & 2
In our distracted world, we believe the most valuable Christmas present you could give this year is your presence. But what would that look like & what might it require of you?
Executive Pastor Moses Camacho speaks from Luke 2.
In our distracted world, we believe the most valuable Christmas present you could give this year is your presence. But what would that look like & what might it require of you?
Week 3 Looks at the word "hope" and asks the question; "do we truly know what hope is?"
Text: Luke 1, Romans 15:13
In our distracted world, we believe the most valuable Christmas present you could give this year is your presence. But what would that look like & what might it require of you?
In week two, Pastor Chris looks at how the birth of Christ is the arrival of joy in our lives, and that we're no longer defined by our circumstances.
Text: Luke 2
In our distracted world, we believe the most valuable Christmas present you could give this year is your presence. But what would that look like & what might it require of you?
In week one we see that God doesn’t build his kingdom the way we would, andwhether you make the story better is less about the part you’re given & more about being fully present in the part you’ve got.
Text: Matthew 1:1-16
We’ve all had hope hammered out of us by an unexpected storm. What do you do when the winds of tragedy, pain & disappointment come for you?
Week 4 looks at Jonah, dying to our old self, and being reborn a stronger version of ourselves.
We’ve all had hope hammered out of us by an unexpected storm. What do you do when the winds of tragedy, pain & disappointment come for you?
Week 3 looks at Acts 27, Paul's shipwreck, and how we can respond in the midst of a storm.
We’ve all had hope hammered out of us by an unexpected storm. What do you do when the winds of tragedy, pain & disappointment come for you?
Week 2 looks at Matthew 14 and how Jesus comes to us in the storm, but often times we don't recognize him because we're so focused on what is in front of us.
We’ve all had hope hammered out of us by an unexpected storm. What do you do when the winds of tragedy, pain & disappointment come for you? Week 1 looks at God's heart for empathy over answers and quick fixes.
Everyone you know may have differing perspectives on God, Christianity, and the Bible, but one thing most people have in common is a genuine desire to love & lead their families well. We want our romance to last. We want to set our kids up for success. We want to leave our families something other than a laundry list of issues to overcome in therapy. We all want these things. We’re just not always sure how to go about getting them. Family Month is about setting aside 5-straight weeks to focus on just that. This October we’ll explore ancient wisdom, cautionary tales & best practices together in hopes of learning how to help our families be as holistically healthy as possible.
In our final week of Family Month Pastor Chris Kretzu looks at the glorious truth that in spite of our brokenness and issues, we still have value and we need each other.
Everyone you know may have differing perspectives on God, Christianity, and the Bible, but one thing most people have in common is a genuine desire to love & lead their families well. We want our romance to last. We want to set our kids up for success. We want to leave our families something other than a laundry list of issues to overcome in therapy. We all want these things. We’re just not always sure how to go about getting them. Family Month is about setting aside 5-straight weeks to focus on just that. This October we’ll explore ancient wisdom, cautionary tales & best practices together in hopes of learning how to help our families be as holistically healthy as possible.
In week 4 of Family Month Pastor Adam Smith, from South Hills Corona, looks at Jacob's wives, pushing buttons, triggers, and much more.
Everyone you know may have differing perspectives on God, Christianity, and the Bible, but one thing most people have in common is a genuine desire to love & lead their families well. We want our romance to last. We want to set our kids up for success. We want to leave our families something other than a laundry list of issues to overcome in therapy. We all want these things. We’re just not always sure how to go about getting them. Family Month is about setting aside 5-straight weeks to focus on just that. This October we’ll explore ancient wisdom, cautionary tales & best practices together in hopes of learning how to help our families be as holistically healthy as possible.
In week 3 we look specifically at Rebekah and Jacob's relationship, codependency, and suspended adolescence.
Everyone you know may have differing perspectives on God, Christianity, and the Bible, but one thing most people have in common is a genuine desire to love & lead their families well. We want our romance to last. We want to set our kids up for success. We want to leave our families something other than a laundry list of issues to overcome in therapy. We all want these things. We’re just not always sure how to go about getting them. Family Month is about setting aside 5-straight weeks to focus on just that. This October we’ll explore ancient wisdom, cautionary tales & best practices together in hopes of learning how to help our families be as holistically healthy as possible.
Week 2 looks at how often times we ask God to change the situation we are in, or the relationship we're struggling with, but God ultimately wants to change us first.
Everyone you know may have differing perspectives on God, Christianity, and the Bible, but one thing most people have in common is a genuine desire to love & lead their families well. We want our romance to last. We want to set our kids up for success. We want to leave our families something other than a laundry list of issues to overcome in therapy. We all want these things. We’re just not always sure how to go about getting them. Family Month is about setting aside 5-straight weeks to focus on just that. This October we’ll explore ancient wisdom, cautionary tales & best practices together in hopes of learning how to help our families be as holistically healthy as possible.
Week 1 looks at generational cycles, and how we can become something different than the examples and people that shaped us.
Since the dawn of man, humans have organized themselves in tribes—groups bound by common passions, purposes and pursuits. We all have a deep-rooted desire to find our people, and our place among them. Throughout Scripture, God calls His followers to be a tribe unlike any other—one with a decidedly outward, not inward focus. In this series, we’ll explore why this is & how to live it out in our corner of the world at this moment in history.
A tribe is a group of people who SHARE THE WORK. Week three of our new series looks at what it means to work together.
Since the dawn of man, humans have organized themselves in tribes—groups bound by common passions, purposes and pursuits. We all have a deep-rooted desire to find our people, and our place among them. Throughout Scripture, God calls His followers to be a tribe unlike any other—one with a decidedly outward, not inward focus. In this series, we’ll explore why this is & how to live it out in our corner of the world at this moment in history.
A tribe is a group of people who SHARE THEIR LIVES. Week two of our new series looks at the first church, and how Jesus hoped they would live.
Since the dawn of man, humans have organized themselves in tribes—groups bound by common passions, purposes and pursuits. We all have a deep-rooted desire to find our people, and our place among them. Throughout Scripture, God calls His followers to be a tribe unlike any other—one with a decidedly outward, not inward focus. In this series, we’ll explore why this is & how to live it out in our corner of the world at this moment in history.
A tribe is a group of people who SHARE A MISSION. Week one of our new series looks at Luke 19:10 and Matthew 13:10-17.