The His Place Podcast: Recent Episodes
His Place Community Church
Sunday morning messages from His Place Community Church in Burlington, Washington. These surprisingly candid teachings incorporate a balanced mix of lighthearted self-awareness and thoughtful God-awareness. Fresh teachings served weekly. Subscribe now!
The Great Commission calls us to stand tall and go fishin’! And when folks see the shining proof of your faith in the form of peace in your daily trials – they’ll bite. From October 5, 2025
We’ll miss out on all the good in pain if we believe it’s meant for earthly agony and not for eternal empowerment. From September 28, 2025
If we can hang on to our faith as the storms keep raging, the adversity will expose what we trust and it will prove whether it’s trustworthy. From September 21, 2025
Don’t expect God to calm the storm. Expect Him to calm your troubled heart in the storm, and trust that it must be this way. From September 14, 2025
When we faithfully follow the clues of this world, we realize we are travelers away from our heavenly home, and the aches of our existence show we’re homesick! From September 7, 2025
Jesus can disappoint us because He refuses to stoop to our subtle assumptions that He’ll bless, protect, and serve us in certain predetermined ways. From August 31, 2025
Viewing faith as a satisfying series of victory laps, rather than a grueling struggle to the finish line, brings a fulfilling feeling of satisfaction. From August 24, 2025
Even our most compelling cravings won’t come to fruition if they feel like a challenging chore. From August 17, 2025
Childlikejoy is required for ongoing growth. Because, once we take the step to plant aseed of faith, we need power to tend it with persistence. From August 10, 2025
An apprentice is just a novice who job-shadows a master. And, like Rome, a disciplined apprentice isn’t built in a day. From August 3, 2025
Does your daily faith feel enticing? That should be the goal, because our most appealing options become our most consistent choices. From July 27, 2025
Faith often fails not because it was intentionally abandoned, but just because it was accidentally forgotten. From July 20, 2025
We can use the force of habit to produce the action of faith – so that our simple daily routines lead us into God’s presence. From July 13, 2025
To strengthen our connection with Christ and our community, we must make an effort to remember gratitude, pursue growth, practice generosity, and embrace grace. From July 6, 2025
Jasper is one of the few precious stones that contains impurities, which prevent any light from passing through it. But we’re made pure so we can see His face and feel His embrace. From June 29, 2025
God’s always speaking loud and clear – we just need to lower the volume of everything else. From June 22, 2025
Today we are going to face the fear of death, embrace the gift of salvation, and rest in the certainty of a safe landing! From June 15, 2025
How can frustration and failure simultaneously be fun? Games! And since faith is how we embrace adversity, if we can make it a game, we can smile while we struggle. From June 8, 2025
Our brains aren’t wired to just suffer through problems; they’re wired to solve them. Because God’s plan is more about figuring it out than toughing it out. From June 1, 2025
Like a mirror, if we don’t honor the honesty of God’s Word when we see our faults and flaws reflected in it, we’ll get distracted and forget what we saw. From May 25, 2025
Consider God’s sternness, and continue in His kindness, and let the pruning commence! From May 18, 2025
Motherly love is a critical component of our Heavenly Father’s character – and an essential element of Christian life for us to emulate! From May 11, 2025
When you make an entrance, wherever you go, do you brighten the room or darken the doorway? From May 4, 2025
As recipients of the love that saved us, our job is to fill our branch with a new fruit that’s bound to be someone’s new favorite! From April 27, 2025
This whole world is in desperate need of the anti-venom of the King of the kings of the cobras. Otherwise, we’re victims of every sin, that ultimately becomes the deadly venom of our own demise. From April 20, 2025
Like an apprentice, we weren’t just “hired” to represent God in image; we’re meant to become like Him in character. From April 13, 2025
We weren’t merely created, we were fashioned for His family, the Body of Christ. And just as an arm can’t fulfill “its own special work” if it’s dismembered, neither can we. From April 6, 2025
God created us to be loved, to know we’re loved, and to be driven by His love. But that all begins with believing in His love. From March 30, 2025
God places a high value on self-examination. So, we’re gonna test ourselves for the five vital signs of a good and faithful servant! From March 23, 2025
Once we understand why serving is our common command, all we need to feel fulfilled is our specific assignment. From March 16, 2025
Serving God means saving us! And church is all about finding your fit to serve your part in the body of Christ. From March 9, 2025
Humility isn’t thinking poorly of yourself, it’s thinking rightly of yourself. And the purest power of God is released through humility. From March 2, 2025
Somehow, in some sense, Jesus says being a kid is our key to living in His kingdom. But there’s a right and wrong way to be a child. From February 23, 2025
Jesus offers two brilliant, back-to-back parables: The New Cloth Patch and the New Wine. Both stress the need for flexibility and pliability in God’s hands. From February 16, 2025
In the Good Samaritan parable, why did the Priest and the Levite cross the road? The answer should serve as a warning to us. From February 9, 2025
Without God as our trusted Master, life can feel like meaningless chores instead of valuable training. From February 2, 2025
What’s with God’s ongoing emphasis on who’s who when it comes to our conversations? Why is He so worried about miscommunication? From January 26, 2025
It takes a lot of effort to take a load off. So, how hard do you work at resting in Christ? From January 19, 2025
Like physical health, spiritual health takes ongoing effort to keep things operational and to defend against intruders. From January 12, 2025
The Lord’s “nice” list contains the names of all those who know they belong on the “naughty” list, and acknowledge it, and embrace His mercy. From January 5, 2025
One of the most important parts of spiritual quality control is learning to identify imposters: AKA fake fruit. From December 29, 2024
What all went through Mary’s mind as Jesus grew into a toddler? How often did she kiss His toes and say, “These little feet are gonna crush that ol’ serpents’ head!” From December 22, 2024
Christmas is our annual reminder that “what is” true has already defeated all our “what if” worries. From December 15, 2024
God wants us to go from a servant level of doing our duty, to a companion level of motivation that comes from agreeing with His heart. From December 8, 2024
We need to discern when sitting and listening best serves His plans and our created purpose – and when we’re being called to serve others on His behalf. From December 1, 2024
We choose our actions, but truth decides our consequences. Just as we can choose to board a bus, but we don’t decide where it goes. From November 24, 2024
We need to make sure our heart isn’t yielding to tainted love, but rather guided by God into true love. From November 17, 2024
Tested words make trusted people. And when the input of others leads us deeper into our relationship with God, we can trust their guidance as “tried and true.” From November 10, 2024
In the story, three Grey Town ghosts are challenged to change by letting go of their Grey Town attachments and embracing their new life in Heaven. From November 3, 2024
The common thread that keeps people off Lewis’s metaphorical bus begins to emerge: sin finds a way to hold people from pursuing Heaven. From October 27, 2024
It can be so hard to hold our tongue and our temper. It isn’t that we don’t trust the Lord to repay; it’s that we don’t like the way He repays. From October 20, 2024
Nothing gives purpose to today like the promise of tomorrow, and the better our expectations the greater our excitement. From October 13, 2024
How do I forgive the intentional, inexcusable wounds of those who are dead to me? From October 6, 2024
Whether Christian or secular, we’re defined by the qualities of our character that stay the same despite the situation. From September 29, 2024
How does sin increase our debt? Who do we owe? And why? And, what’s it mean to borrow against life? From September 22, 2024
We’re motivated to pursue what we love and avoid what we fear. But God can seem like both a reward and a threat. From September 15, 2024
We understand building wealth, but not so much building benevolence. From September 8, 2024
Giving conquers our greed, increases our Christlikeness, and gives us a share in His work. So, whatever you do, don’t give your Lord your leftovers. From September 1, 2024
We can measure our lives by what we’re denied or supplied; but a life measured by what it’s missing is hollow, while a life measured by what it’s filled with is rich. From August 25, 2024
We were created to bear God’s image by maturing in His character. So, who are you honoring by the way you’re living? From August 18, 2024
We’re all starving for something. And no matter how hard we try to change ourselves or our situation, the real you will always hunger for your real home. From August 11, 2024
As all parents know, you don’t know what you’re made of until you start “playing the part”. From August 4, 2024
You’ve been given a leading role in the ultimate reality show, and it’s the role of a lifetime – and beyond! From July 28, 2024
Our planet is sailing around the sun like a big ol’ cruise ship. And we wear the Captain’s uniform of compassion, kindness, and encouragement. From July 21, 2024
You can have a tender temperament and still fight with ferocity – as long as love leads the way. From July 14, 2024
Salvation produces shining works of faith, the way a lit lamp or Roman candle produces light. That’s our fire “proof” in the dark down here. From July 7, 2024
In the fog of relationships, it’s sometimes hard to see the payoff and hard to see the reward behind the risk. And that means we can’t do it without Jesus! From June 30, 2024
If love doesn’t drive us, something else will. So what’s driving you? Guilt? Anger? Approval? Greed? Fear? From June 23, 2024
Our heavenly Father wants us to know that a loving dad means all of the stress, friction, confusion, pains, and change in His fellowship is always aimed at our best. From June 16, 2024
What’s the best way to display our identity to the world? “Show them the goodness of God.” From June 9, 2024
Whether it’s Adam, Eve, you or me – every human has to live with this truth: there’s no escaping God’s guidance! From June 2, 2024
Our Father isn’t out to get us. However, He absolutely is out to train us. So look for and celebrate the little gains. From May 26, 2024 From May 26, 2024
So… we’re supposed to ask God for things with shameless audacity?! Yeah! Humble submission to God’s command comes with the confidence of His strength on our side. From May 19, 2024
God will use the most messed up past the moment He becomes the highest moral authority. Which simply means that we love others above all things. From May 12, 2024
There are infinite possible outcomes in every situation. But what actually happens depends on our decisions. And our desires make our decisions. From May 5, 2024
Like the men in our story, true friends are willing to carry your mat, because true friends are willing to get their hands dirty. From April 28, 2024
Jesus made it obvious we’re all welcome, but until we see we’re all starving for what He’s serving, it’s easy to drag our feet on the way to His feast. From April 21, 2024
Do you preach what you say you practice? We moralize and sermonize with every roll of the eyes, eyebrow rise, lip curl, cheek puff, and shoulder shrug. From April 14, 2024
Sometimes, it takes seeing the meaning in a symbolic story to dig up and discover the message hidden in our own lives. From April 7, 2024
Our heart is Jesus’ new home office, and our mind the headquarters of His Kingdom! So, in what shape is your heart? From March 31, 2024
This world is full of people battling for every inch of real estate in your heart, but God is so confident of what He offers that He put us in control of who controls us! From March 24, 2024
Although there’s a time to love and a time to hate, there’s never a time to let hate infiltrate our heart. From March 17, 2024
What we plant in our heart is what we grow in our lives. And to be sure our true desires are in fact, Spiritual seeds, we need to check the produce! From March 10, 2024
Death is by far the harshest reality of life. And the weight of the world trains us by forcing us to face that harsh reality. From March 3, 2024
Storms aren’t selective. They happen to all of us. But if Jesus is your Savior, the storm is not the end of the story. From February 25, 2024
This side of Heaven, wheat and weeds can look a lot alike. And we’re dealing with an enemy who makes bad look good, and wrong feel right, and poison appear appealing. From February 18, 2024
As sweet as it can seem down here, success also has a way of holding us back from up there. From February 11, 2024
Life is a struggle! And if that’s actually by design, then somehow, God’s got a good reason for all our daily difficulties. From February 4, 2024
We’re not called to an easy life, but a powerful life – where the small and despised run toward their giants! From January 28, 2024
How do you reach every neighbor, co-worker, and family member who shuts off when they hear the words cross, sin, or Savior? From January 21, 2024
Defeating our own giants means first defeating our fears. And fear isn’t conquered by thought, but action. From January 14, 2024
With Jesus, it’s never too late for a revolutionary change. New life can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time! From December 31, 2023
Christmas is all about the salted Sacrifice who came to save His children. So, check your sweet & salty mix as you mix it up with friends this season! From December 24, 2023
There’s not one part of God’s plan that doesn’t involve a spirit of giving, and there’s not one time of the year where we’re closer to that spirit than Christmas! From December 17, 2023
At a certain point we must admit the present we need most may not be the one we want most, because it might hurt most! From December 10, 2023
How much do the people around you crave your beliefs, based on the free sample you’ve been offering? From December 3, 2023
God’s love isn’t only seen in what we have, but what we lack – what He holds back! From November 26, 2023
If our Savior could endure the hostility of the cross, certainly we can train ourselves to endure the hostility of cross words from infuriating friends and family. From November 19, 2023
Apologizing for our weakness means we still think something is wrong with us, when in reality, weakness just means we’re children! And God wants us to see His strength as our strength. From November 12, 2023
Ever feel completely incapable of forgiving certain people? How is it even possible to love your enemy? From November 5, 2023
Just imagine if your doctor only gave you the news you wanted to hear, instead of the diagnosis you needed to live! A painful truth is worth way more than a comfortable lie. From October 29, 2023
God hard wired us with a deep need for human connection. And the point is: you need a flock! From October 22, 2023
To find the truth, we need a witness. And it must be one we trust! Because all truth worth believing starts with a witness worth trusting. From October 15, 2023
We tend to see things the way we want, even when it’s wrong. But my truth only works until it collides with THE truth. From October 8, 2023
Our church in Burlington is just one of fifteen different His Place locations! It’s just that our other fourteen campuses happen to be on the other side of the world, in the Philippines. From October 1, 2023
You know why He leaves us down here after we’re saved? To make those two true confessions. So, how beautiful are your feet? From September 24, 2023
All fires go out if they’re not fed … even in our faith. So we need to be reminded how easy it is for even the most dedicated believers to burn out. From September 17, 2023
How does your belief go beyond the demons’? What makes your declaration of faith any different from the demons’? From September 10, 2023
It might be scary, but for God to get us, open us, fill us, and encourage us, we need to know – something’s gonna kill us! From September 3, 2023
Jesus wants to walk us through the storms. Because with Him, it’s all about the adventure of training and stretching and testing. From August 27, 2023
If we’re supposed to love others like Jesus, and He loved like the Father, and the Father loved by sending Jesus to save the world – what should our love look like? From August 20, 2023
How do we straighten out our heart’s desires so that all our work has the fulfilling joy of feeling our fit? From August 13, 2023
Jesus disappointed both Matthias and Judas; one aspired and the other expected. Aspirations rise high above disappointment; but expectations tend to drop dead. From August 6, 2023
Why do the wicked get rewards while the victims get the bills? It’s a question we all wonder when we feel wronged. From July 30, 2023
Jesus’ prayer guide is the instruction and invitation for all to plug and play. It tells us what to do – but then leaves space for us to do it in our unique way. From July 23, 2023
Beware: Even the best of believers can carelessly practice what Jesus calls pagan-like prayer. From July 16, 2023
What if we’re seeing prayer mostly backwards? What if the main point of prayer is to get our attention? From July 9, 2023
God calls us to pray, and offers a junior partnership role. So we best know how He expects us to partner up in prayer. From July 2, 2023
God has given us His good name, and left us in charge of hallowing it in the eyes of our world. From June 25, 2023
If we don’t balance our Heavenly Father’s intimacy and authority, we’ll see Him as either an indulgent uncle or a harsh, intolerant, force of nature. From June 18, 2023
Sometimes slowing ourselves is the fastest path to growing ourselves. From June 11, 2023
If we follow the path of least resistance, we slip into the trance of the tolerable and start trading the effort and anxiety of ‘better’ for the rest and comfort of ‘normal’. From June 4, 2023
We can’t open our own minds to anything but futility, foolishness, and hopeless darkness. But, we can renew our minds with truth on God’s terms. From May 28, 2023
Earthly pleasures were never meant to permanently satisfy, but only to suggest and awaken our desire for eternal fulfillment. From May 21, 2023
A defiled dollar bill still retains all of its undefiled value. As do you. Its value comes from something far greater than itself: its maker. As does yours. From May 14, 2023
Whether it’s what we’ve seen in His creation, felt through His Spirit, or heard from His Word: Everything in this life is a shadow to get us to go find what’s behind. From May 7, 2023
Without God, and His standard of good, we’re forced to believe in nature-only morals that conflict with the supernatural instinct we all feel. From April 30, 2023
What got you out of bed and led you to want to do what you’re doing today? From April 23, 2023
In my search for truth, the ’science says’ crew wasn’t leaving room for God – in spite of our instincts; but the ‘God says’ gang wasn’t leaving room for science – in spite of the logic. From April 16, 2023
Let’s have us an Easter Carol and talk about the wonderful life of the ghosts of Christ, past, present, and future! From April 9, 2023
If you ask God to increase your faith, He’s gonna ask you to deal with your doubt, by trusting Him enough to follow His game plan. From April 2, 2023
The world defines success by circumstances. The more comfy your current conditions, the more successful you are. But, God defines success by our trust in Him, and our care for others. From March 26, 2023
How do we see through our affliction as not just hurtful, but helpful? Like any change of habit, it takes deliberate effort. From March 19, 2023
The next time you’re sent blindly groping for answers, know that you’re part of a grand plan. And know that He knows you by name. From March 12, 2023
We are supposed to grow up as we know more. But, if we stop seeking truth with the hunger of the younger, we need to turn back the clock! From March 5, 2023
Joining a church isn’t about compensation or convenience; it’s about a conviction to advance a Kingdom. So the fundamental question isn’t, “How do I join?” but, “Are we a fit?” … and “Why would I?” From February 26, 2023
How do you taste? Hopefully like an honest-to-goodness insider. A good egg. Because you are the letter the Lord is writing to those around you. From February 19, 2023
You might not call it that, but when you give something in your life the power to change you, you’ve begun a worship relationship. From February 12, 2023
It’s necessary to take a close look at your defender’s case to discern whether you’re working with a counterfeit Christ or the real deal. From February 5, 2023
Jesus is both our Defender and Judge! But you know what He’s not? Our prosecutor. That job falls to the accuser. From January 29, 2023
God does everything as soon as possible! He can’t be early or late; He has to be right on time. From January 22, 2023
God urges us to be ready, whenever and wherever we bump into someone we’ve prayed for, to watch for an unexpected door to open. From January 15, 2023
How much do you love the Lord? Well, how much do you love others? It’s an easy equation with an uneasy answer. From January 8, 2023
Why is Gilligan’s Island still so popular? One theory is that each character embodies one of the seven deadly sins. So which do you most relate to? From January 1, 2023
The crucifixion isn’t just part of the Christmas story, it’s the reason for it. The “reason for the season” is Jesus’ birth; but the reason for His birth is His death. Christmas Eve Candlelight service. From December 24, 2022
This world – and everything in it – is God’s big production. And by living it, you can come to know Him. From December 18, 2022
What are you most celebrating this season: Christmas or Clausmas? From December 11, 2022
Have you ever made a single mistake? Then you’re “guilty” of imperfection! We’re just being asked to admit that our actions are in conflict with our best self. From December 4, 2022
Deep down, we desire to be indebted to no one. It makes us feel weak and needy and oh-so vulnerable to the giver. From November 27, 2022
All glory belongs to God because as the Creator of the universe, He gets credit for everything in it! And by neglecting to give correct credit, we become both a liar and a thief. From November 20, 2022
Philippians gives us the four-part plan for inner peace – just in time for the holidays: Worry about nothing. Pray about everything. Thank God for all things. Focus on good things. From November 13, 2022
We need a wartime mindset toward sin. Aware. Prepared. Alert. Because our mindset determines our direction, and steers our heart accordingly. From November 6, 2022
Whether or not we admit it, you and I are in a death-match with sin. So as we work to muster the courage to master our enemy, remember, it’s kill or be killed! From October 30, 2022
Just like Peter, from time to time we all do dumb stuff. And we do unloving things to those we most love. But our faith doesn’t fail when we fail. From October 23, 2022
Little moments of profound heartbreak happen unintentionally every day in the lives of every person that openly loves anything. Why do we break down when we’re supposed to build up? From October 16, 2022
Know why we refer to servers as waiters? ‘Serving’ requires attentive ‘waiting’. And as good waiters, we must be eagerly anticipating our Father and Friend. From October 9, 2022
This life was deliberately designed to challenge and change our hearts and minds. It’s where we see the symptoms (of sin in our lives) that compel us to find a cure. From October 2, 2022
Are you a cheerful giver? It’s a no-win situation for believers who feel guilty when they don’t give, and are reluctant when they do give. From September 25, 2022
The moth, the rust, and the thief: altogether they demonstrate the full foolishness of making material possessions the meaning of our lives. From September 18, 2022
Whatever you do, don’t just give God your leftovers. Especially since He only asks for one thin slice. From September 11, 2022
When we risk our talents for God’s kingdom, we can’t lose! In fact, the only way we can lose, is to hide our talents or bury them in earthly pursuits. From September 4, 2022
First, we gotta see truth as treasure. Then we gotta seek it, find it, and secure it in our heart. And then we gotta share the wealth. From August 28, 2022
An actual encounter with God’s truth will shake your position and power, your perspective and perception, and your priorities and plans! From August 21, 2022
God gladly trades His treasure for our trash. But finding those pearls of wisdom of the knowledge of God requires some serious, ongoing seeking. From August 14, 2022
If we want an untainted truth, we gotta go beyond our biased brains. From August 7, 2022
Our Father will rattle everything in us and around us till all our trust is settled and firmly founded on our Rock. From July 31, 2022
Truth presents the threat of change. And truth is only seen as a threat when it jeopardizes something we love, like comfort or control. From July 24, 2022
God’s truth is plainly painted all over our planet because He carefully crafted this world with infinite evidence of His nature. From July 17, 2022
Ever heard of a “trust fall”? Well it doesn’t work out so well on your own! So learn to lean on your greatest Supporter and Cheer Leader! From July 10, 2022
Our struggles drive our faith to depths possible no other way … if we trust the invincible power, unrivaled authority, eternal perspective, and infinite love in a single-minded sort of way. From July 3, 2022
“Bible forensics” is digging past the surface of Scripture by using our God-given reasoning to reconstruct the details and stories not explicitly stated. From June 26, 2022
God isn’t “like” a father … He is the Father! Joseph was like a Father, because everything good about fatherhood is a mere reflection of our Everlasting Father! From June 19, 2022
I can get my ignorance and assumptions out of His way by loading His Word into my heart. From June 12, 2022
The picture we present in our life preaches the God we trust with our life. It’s the outer, visible effect of our inner, invisible cause. From June 5, 2022
The moral of the fig tree parable is clear: when the Lord comes to us, we better be ripe for repentance! Whether as a nation or an individual. From May 29, 2022
Nobody gets out of this battle alive … without Christ. Your enemies aren’t even your enemies; they’re just a tactic used to distract you, by your real enemy. From May 22, 2022
Who do you see yourself in – in the Bible? Can you relate to anybody’s faults, flaws, desires, difficulties, set-backs, success, compassion, sorrow, pain, or joy? (No Q&A due to baptisms today.) From May 15, 2022
Whatever you’re facing, listen closely and you’ll hear Him say, “Your suffering breaks My heart; but just trust and wait … and watch what I can do!” From May 8, 2022
By storing up the lessons in the Bible’s stories, your subconscious will be collecting the clues that God will use to speak specifically to you, when you need to hear Him most. From May 1, 2022
These secrets to reading the Bible will transform your perspective: from seeing the Bible as a burdensome book, to an exciting story of salvation that Dad wrote down to draw us in! From April 24, 2022
Jesus has a lot of names: Yeshua; Messiah; Lord; Emanuel; Prince of Peace; The Christ; The Branch; The Lamb. But what’s His real name? The name above all His other names? From April 17, 2022
For a new life in Christ, we gotta go below the symptoms, and really invite Him deep down in, and let Him get His hands on the very source of our sin. From April 10, 2022
When it comes to our prayers, it’s hard to tell when we’re in His will or in His way. From April 3, 2022
Somewhere deep in a crisis, there’ll be a moment for most believers when we quiet down and figure out, with God’s help, what it is we need to face and change. From March 27, 2022
Paul’s shipwreck story is actually about the Lord sending him to Temptation Island! And it’s one of the greatest stories of faith you’ve never read. From March 20, 2022
Paul recognized the Gospel’s supremacy and its sufficiency and our significance, and that’s what pushed him to feel “obligated“ and “eager“ and “unashamed“ to share. From March 13, 2022
Obedience that comes from faith is when you know what you’re supposed to do, but it doesn’t make sense to you. From March 6, 2022
Whenever anyone uses God’s good name to shore up their less-than perfect reputation of reliability for being trustworthy, they’re buying trust on His credit. From February 27, 2022
Anger is simply defending something you love. Without even trying, our anger provides an honest snapshot of whatever is in our heart. From February 20, 2022
You can’t ignore physical murder, but we sure deceive ourselves about heart murder. Especially if it feels like nothing more than a wish someone would just disappear. From February 13, 2022
Turn the other cheek, but don’t be a blockhead! In every situation we need to first turn and read the room and ask the Lord: What time is it? From February 6, 2022
Last Sunday we talked about “dying to self” so we won’t “remain in death”. However, there is a necessary prep step to that: It’s called beholding. From January 30, 2022
A living sacrifice is an ongoing commitment of complete surrender to live and love as the Lord loves us, rather than trying to save your bacon! From January 23, 2022
Our perspective of faith can bring peace and joy even when facing fear and pain, like a woman giving birth ... without an epidural. From January 16, 2022
I survived failure. And I now know that I will again! Because it’s part of the process that God designed to grow us into His loving, trusting kids. From January 9, 2022
Get to know the new you this new year, by realizing you’re only seeing part of the “you” picture. From January 2, 2022
The Christmas story is a reality, but gets a bit blurred by the fact it occurred in what we assume is an un-relatable ‘long ago’ and ‘far away’. From December 24, 2021
God desires to give you grace, not because you’re good enough, but because you’re loved enough! From December 19, 2021
Today we’re working to overcome our addiction to the chaos of Christmas by adapting a tried and true recovery program. From December 12, 2021
The best missionary is always one of the natives, and our mission field begins in Skagit Valley. We’re backyard missionaries. (Includes audio from Pastor Nick’s Philippines mission update video.) From December 5, 2021
We get lulled into laziness because devastating things, whether emotional, relational, or physical, don’t happen that often. But when they do, the unprepared are underwater. From November 21, 2021
Whatever I choose to eat or abstain from, to enjoy or avoid, or to believe or reject, I must be fully convinced that I am expressing genuine trust, obedience, and gratitude to the Lord! From November 14, 2021
Walking in the truth means standing up to non-truth, when God gives us the timing, the means, and the wisdom to do so in love, as His servant-ambassadors. From November 7, 2021
Halloween is a great dark-and-gory night to practice being a light “in” it but not “of” it. (No Q&A due to Arktoberfest setup today.) From October 31, 2021
Are you better known for criticism or compassion? Condemnation is such a sneaky, snaky sin that we often blindly follow or even lead each other in. From October 24, 2021
Our Father wants kids, not clones! He created us to be different from one another but the same in our aim. And it is a challenge for uniquely-created beings to unite. From October 17, 2021
Why is so much responsibility put on the strong believer? Because, the weaker can’t cater to the stronger. But the stronger can bear the weaker. So are you the stronger? From October 10, 2021
There are three sides to every story: your side, their side, and the truth – otherwise known as God’s side. From October 3, 2021
The Word of God ain’t flawed! So, let’s act on the fact that He’s God and we’re blind. From September 26, 2021
Piggy banks are good; piggy hearts are bad. Because there’s a big difference between saving and pigging. (No Q&A due to baptisms today.) From September 19, 2021
Love in the face of our trials is our witness. In fact, our best witness can come in our worst circumstances. From September 12, 2021
Our nets are filled with the things we cling to – or rather, cling to us – that distract us from fully following Jesus. From September 5, 2021
Whoever you were before doesn’t matter when you’re partnering with God Himself! From August 29, 2021
The most powerful way to share our faith is to show the difference Jesus is making in our lives when we make Him our Lord. From August 22, 2021
We’re all heading wrong ways in ways we’re unaware of. So it’s a kindness when the Rock becomes a roadblock. From August 15, 2021
God didn’t have to create you; He wanted to create you! What greater significance could you be given? From August 8, 2021
We love to sing about Jesus’ friendship toward us, but is there enough reason to sing about your friendship toward Him? From August 1, 2021
A key indicator of maturing, is finding ourselves less-and-less asking “Who can meet my needs?” and more-and-more asking, “Whose needs can I meet?” From July 25, 2021
When someone says, “You’re dead to me!” it means they want nothing to do with you anymore. Being dead to sin is like that. From July 18, 2021
Whatever you do, don’t lean on Jesus as an excuse to stay weak. We should be using our light afflictions to allow Jesus to strengthen us to handle the full weight of glory! From July 11, 2021
Everyone has become corrupt, like when your computer crashes. It hasn’t lost its value; it just can’t do you any good. Because its operating system has become corrupted. From July 4, 2021
Like a potter’s clay, we need to put ourselves in His hands every morning, to be kneaded and molded and slowly made holy. From June 27, 2021
Living, growing, fruit-producing faith requires what I’m calling “faithworks”. Like fireworks. Because without faithworks there’s nothing to see. From June 20, 2021
It’s our father Abraham’s faith that first reveals that our righteousness is not our own, it’s the Lord’s. And now our sins are not on us, they’re on the cross. From June 13, 2021
The law doesn’t reward its followers, it only punishes its violators. That’s what Paul calls the curse of the law. From June 6, 2021
It doesn’t matter if it’s circumcision, catechism, confirmation, or communion: At best, the ritual can only reflect the reality. From May 30, 2021
Don’t settle for superficial renewal and pseudo transformation. Keep going and growing until you’re so alert, loving, and sober-minded that people can smell it on you! From May 23, 2021
Transformation takes determination, and progress takes patience. Because gains in glory come one degree at a time. From May 16, 2021
How do we remain faithful in those inevitable, uncomfortable situations that can daily challenge our faith? From May 9, 2021
Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, God wants us to undergo mind metamorphosis – by resetting our cruise control. From May 2, 2021
Whether it’s physical, intellectual, musical, or spiritual, genuine transformation requires incremental training. Bump, bump, bump. From April 25, 2021
This isn’t about beating ourselves up, but beating our pride back and down to where it belongs. When sincere humility meets bold transparency the result is inspiring. From April 18, 2021
We’re called to a holy life, not an easy life. So let’s face the painful fact that pain is part of the process of a good fight! From April 11, 2021
What possible reason could this centurion have for being the first to declare that Jesus was “the Son of God” after His death? From April 4, 2021
Every little thing you do reveals, communicates, and strengthens who you are. And every little thing drives you toward wanting to put goodness and love in your heart. From March 28, 2021
Christian fellowship means being a part of others’ lives through prayer, participation, and relationship. And our name—who we are to others—is an important part of fellowship. From March 21, 2021