Encounter Community Church: Recent Episodes
Ken Ballard, Jr.
Welcome to Encounter Community Church’s weekly podcast, where we take the message from Sunday and pick applications to talk about for the week.
Do you believe at your very core and in every fiber of your being that Jesus loves you? You may be surprised to realize that your faith may be strongest when you think it is the weakest. Sometimes, what is taught is security actually leads to greater insecurity in our faith. What if we flipped the script?
It is a fact of life that we all go through suffering at some point in life. This issue is, what do we learn from it? How do we take the disappointments of life to build us up, make us stronger, increase our influence, grow in our trust in God?
Many times, we hear about the miracles. We celebrate the successes. We are drawn to God showing up big. But, what if there is something better on the other side? Did you know that the greatest act in the history of mankind was the result of unanswered prayer?
“I think it’s time for our relationship to reach the next level.” This is usually code for it’s time for us to get sexual. Also, there is question of how many times do you go out before you have sex with someone. In this podcast, we get very real and very candid about sex. Ken shares everything that he wishes he had known and hopefully it helps you avoid some of the mistakes he made in life. If you are married, he also gives suggestions on how to rekindle your flame.
Look at the circle of people you have in your life; do you think you can rely on them when the going gets tough? Do they challenge you and make you a better person? If you don’t have those people, how do you find them? What do you look for?
If friendships and relationships were bricks, then trust would be the mortar that holds them together. How do we develop that trust in a healthy way? How do we know that someone is trustworthy?
Link to see Relationship Attachment Model: www.encountercommunity.church/podcasts/2022/2/17/how-to-build-trust-without-breaking-your-heart
We have seen the story too many times. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl jump into a relationship far too quickly. Boy and girl break up because they never truly knew one another. This is not just true of dating and marriage. What is the secret to truly knowing someone and being known by someone?
Everyday, we face a battle right between our ears. The lies we believe not only impact our responses, emotions, and actions. They can create negative character traits that cause us to struggle. Have you ever been frustrated because you try to change but continue to fall back into old patterns? Today, we wrap up the winning the war in your mind series by looking at practical tools to reclaim our brains back from the lies that believe.
Negative experiences of our past tend to color our perspective on the circumstances of our present. How do we disarm the pattern of thinking that can undermine our success, relationships, friendships, career, etc? Grab a pen and be ready to take notes on what can lead to your breakthrough.
If our greatest battle is in our mind, how do we change our thoughts? How do we drown out the lies that hinder our lives? This week, is a week we rediscover hope and break free from that negative train of thoughts that hinder and defeat us.
Our thoughts are powerful. They change our perspective, impact our decisions, and influence our habits. But what do we do when we become trapped by our thoughts, unable to escape negative and unhealthy thinking? Let’s learn what it means to win the war in our minds.
Questions for the thought audit:
DEFENSE (protecting your mind): Are my thoughts tearing me down?Do I think worried thoughts?Does my self-talk cause me to shrink back in fear?Do my thoughts cause me to keep people at a distance?Are my unhealthy thoughts keeping me from the life I want?Are my unhealthy thoughts keeping me from the life God wants for me?Are my thoughts negative, toxic, or self-deprecating?Does my inner voice tell me I’m helpless or that life is hopeless?Do I find myself skeptical of others? [Your Notes] Do I lean toward imagining worst-case scenarios?
OFFENSE (moving towards God): Are my thoughts building me up?Do I think peaceful thoughts? Does my self-talk inspire me to take faith risks? Do my thoughts help me get closer to others? Do my thoughts reflect my faith? Are my thoughts God-honoring? Do my thoughts reflect my hope in Christ? Do they inspire me to believe I can make a difference in the world? Do they equip me to become more like Jesus? Do my thoughts connect to the vision God has for my life?
Groeschel, Craig. Winning the War in Your Mind (pp. 23-26). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
To contact Ken: encountercommunity18749@gmail.com
Christmas season may be over but the gifts are not. The celebration of a new year is a gift from God because it is the chance to be reinvented and become something new. However, the key is to learn what to get rid of to make space for the new.
Where do you find completion and wholeness? The bigger questions is, “If you lose it, do you lose you?” Many times, we don’t know where to turn for completion until it is lost. We wrap up 2021 by looking at finding a wholeness that can never be taken away from us.
What is it that makes someone a champion? Why is that important during this holiday season? Jesus being our champion means that He will fight for us and in this podcast and we’ll explain how.
Christmas is more than the origin story of Jesus Christ. The gifts of Christmas are pregnant with incredible possibilities of what Jesus could offer to us. What if, Christmas not only open the door of eternity with Jesus but it offers gifts that can be applied to our lives right now. This week, we explore the first gift - a perfect counselor to guide us in our life and our choices to be the best version of ourselves.
Are there decisions that we could make and practices that we could implement that builds a rock solid faith? People with a rock solid faith have implemented these three practices in their lives.
https://www.encountercommunity.church/bible-study
One element that shows up in the life of people with rock solid faith is a value of and for relationships. They understand that their success is built on the shoulders of those who invested in them and gave them that opportunity. Then, they take what they have learned and invest it into someone else. Who are the people for whom you are grateful? Who is grateful for you?
When you hear the stories of people with incredible faith, you’ll find that many are involved in serving others in some capacity. Nothing causes us to depend on God more than pushing through our inadequacies to help other people. Serving in ministry gives us a chance to see God’s faithfulness and in turn builds our trust in Him.
How do we get that rock solid faith? We’re talking the kind of confidence that cannot be shaken during the rough spots of life. They say that, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” What do you do when life hands you the whole orchard?
It is true that we have a limited amount of energy. With that being true, are we using that energy to be our best self? Are we investing our energy into things that will replenish us or will drain us?
How do we overcome the habits, mindsets, and shortcomings that defeat us? You have tried getting rid of tempting stuff. You have tried working harder. You have tried ____________ (fill-in-the-blank). But, what is the key to defeating what defeats me?
Why would God choose me? At my best, I am still flawed. Maybe His choice of me is not based on what I thought it would be. How does God choose people? The answer may surprise you and lead you to look at and think of Him and you differently.
If we look around us, we can see the brokenness that exists in our world raising a very simple but challenging question. What are we going to do about it? How can we become harbingers of hope? How can we bring healing to this nation? Are we willing to take on that responsibility?
Is it true that you can be a Christian and not be a part of church? What if there is something that we’re missing? If you are still a part of a church, we explore how to get the most out of it.
There is so much competition for our attention. Just think about the apps on your Smart TV. Then, you add in social media, family, work, boss, kids,friends, etc. Is the current pace of life, information, and distraction suffocating our souls? How does this affect our soul and what is the soulution?
What is the secret sauce of prayer? In today’s podcast, we will talk about what to pray about and give practical tools that will help add focus and value to your prayer life.
Have you ever walked into the a gym to get in shape and be intimidated by all of the machines? The same can be said about reading the Bible. Where do we start? Do we just open it up and start reading or is there a plan that we can follow? This week, Ken gets into the motivation for reading and the how to create a rich experience when you read and study it.
Links discussed in the podcast: Read the New Testament in 40 Days Read the New Testament in a Year
Sample reading plan included with messages
S.O.A.P. method
S - Scripture O - Observation A - Application P - Prayer
Can be taken to apply to any passage of scripture.
S-write down the passage that you are reading. Pick a verse or two that grabs your attention.
O-write out what you see happening in the passage.
A-identify at least one action, mindset, or practice that you want to implement into your life
P-write out a prayer for implementing the application
Link to Ken’s sample
Many of us have been there. You start to work out and maybe even see some results but somewhere along the lie you lose your motivation. You start reading your Bible, praying, or other spiritual habits only to lose your mojo. How do we maintain our discipline over the long haul? Why is discipline even important? Why do I need it at all?
Many of us have been taught what it looks like to be a good Christian. But, what if that misses the mark? What if our idea is contradictory to the idea of Jesus? This week, we explore the path and how to know if we are on the right one.
Jesus challenged us to love our neighbor as ourselves. But, what if I don’t even like myself? How do I love someone with something that I don’t have? This week, we look at two obstacles that stop us from loving ourselves and how to overcome them.
Ken’s special guest this week is Ariel Mariano, Encounter’s worship leader. She has recently released an EP. In this podcast, she shares the story of her journey and how the EP is a dive into her soul. She shares her challenges with heartache, pain, singleness and the power of hope.
Click here to listen to Ariel’s EP on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/album/0Of5C9424EVCnycnzsmoRW?si=Rad77xonQgKQ8dbBE_Xhfg
Click here to support Ariel by purchasing her music on Apple Music. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-him-hurt-inside-me-ep/1564709218
God has designed our lives to have a story to tell. A major component of that story is our journey of becoming who God created us to be. We become as we learn how to love God with all that we have. This week, Ken dives into what that looks like.
What does it take to create a safe environment for change? Every single one of us has a weakness. Family should be a haven that allows us to struggle, process, learn, and overcome our shortcomings.
According to statistics, the current divorce rate is 40 to 50 percent. Although it is better than decades past, there is still room for improvement. How do we keep our family from failing and becoming a statistic?
What if you could change the trajectory of your family? Many times, we do not catch the drift of our family until we hit a crisis. Developing a family vision will set the tone for the family you want, redirect a struggling family, or strengthen a healthy family.
Is it possible to disagree without drawing battle lines? With the growing divide happening in America, we must learn how to stand on the opposite side without declaring my opponent my enemy. This week, Ken looks at how to disagree without burning bridges.
Mom's are a beacon of love for us. Many of us owe our successes to her. However, moms can also be the ones that we take for granted. The job of a mom is tough and can be overbearing. This week, we give our moms some of the love that they have given to us.
There can be nothing more devastating than betrayal. How do you recover when someone you trusted breaks your heart?
One mistaken post, statement, pic, or video can get you fired and possibly destroy your future. The tide of anger seems to be growing with the increased capacity of social media to influence our lives. In this age of cancel culture, how do we deal with angering situations without allowing it to consume us?
Marriage isn’t easy, even for the most in love couples. When we say, "I do," we have a dream of what our marriage could be. But then, reality and the challenges of life kick in. It is possible to rediscover the dream and restore your love.
Who is that person who made a significant difference in your life? Did you know that God has called and expects us to do that for someone else? In our final installment of how to be the GOAT, we examine the one mark that makes all GOATs great and that is to inspire, support, resource, and build others to achieve their own greatness!
Have you ever met someone that just had "it"? You couldn't quite put your finger on it but, there was something about them. One thing that all GOAT's have in common is that "It" factor.
What does it mean to be great? If we are going to be the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), we need to figure out what is greatness and what Jesus says about how to attain it.
Imagine stepping into your God given greatness. What would it look like for you to begin to discover and and live out your gifts, talents, and calling? You can step into your greatness as a dad, mom, wife, husband, student, teacher, employer, employee, etc. Here is how to lay the foundation for it to become reality.
How do you know when your faith is real? If you go to a cardiologist, they may put you through a stress test on a treadmill to measure the health of your heart. We will see how Jesus allows us to go through stress tests of life to give us confidence in our faith.
Just imagine that you are going out to do your everyday, mundane practice and all of a sudden you meet the Savior of the World. In this one moment, you are exposed to your unrealized potential and favor that await those who follow Him.
Bills, relational problems, physical challenges, and other hardships can be so pressing that we fail to realize our true and greatest need. This week, we look at not getting the two confused and accepting God’s solution.
2020 and the beginning of 2021 has exposed a missing ingredient in America. What's the secret sauce of the overcoming life? What do we need so that problems do not have final the say?
2020 was an incredibly tough year for so many of us. How do you navigate life when the swells are monstrous, the winds are impossible, and you cannot get your bearing? What if the bottom drops out and the boat sinks? How do you hold on to hope when you want to throw in the towel?
Many of us watched the insurrection on the Capitol filled with disbelief. Can this be happening in America? Where do we go from here? What's the hope of our nation? Can we overcome the tough issues that divide us? Ken shares our hope and yes we can!
Why is it that we struggle so much with keeping resolutions? Maybe the problem is not the resolution but the motivation behind it. This week, Ken examines the not so hidden secret that may help us to make our resolutions a reality.
As we say goodbye and maybe even good riddance to 2020, can we make the mistake going into 2021? Is there more to a better life than the flip of the calendar? How do we become a better us in 2021?
Have things been so hard that you decided to give up or walk away? A popular Christmas carol is, "Mary, did you know?" It is a powerful reminder of the person Jesus would go on to become. However, Jesus did have a stepdad...Joseph. Joseph serves as a symbol of hope restored to someone who has given up.
Has Christmas lost its wonder? 2020 has been a challenging year to say the least. We have been confronted by so many hardships, trials, and difficulties that we can lose sight of the possibilities. Langston Hughes once asked, "What happens to a dream deferred?" Let's end 2020 by taking back the dream of what could be.
It's one thing to be grateful when you reflect on what you have. It's another thing to be grateful when you can see the solution coming. But, how do you keep your gratitude when there is no solution? How do stay thankful when everything seems to be falling apart and the world's turned against you?
The numbers for Covid are off the charts and getting worse. We're looking at more restrictions and shutdowns coming back. What is the secret to get through these worsening times and still holding on to your sanity?
Thanksgiving 2020 will not be what we wanted it to be. How do we hold on to the heart of the season and not let Covid steal our joy?
Ken invites you to listen in on his personal journey of self-forgiveness. Sometimes, we have the most difficult time forgiving ourselves. Ken shares key concepts that helped him.
Have you ever had a prayer go unanswered? Depending on the weight of the unanswered prayer, you can develop an anger towards God, maybe even a grudge. How do we process that pain and start to heal.
Today, we have a special guest on our podcast. Stan Simmons shares his forgiveness journey. Is it possible to forgive and forget? How do you know when you have forgiven someone?
Holding on to past hurts is like choosing to purposely squeeze a cactus. As we kick off a brand new series, we want to help you to let that cactus go. Life is too short to allow it to be dictated by pain. This week, we do a dive into keeping an offense from becoming a grudge to in the first place.
When it comes to politics, we do have a choice. It's bigger than which candidate to vote on. It's far more important than what political party to join. The decision that we make will play a major role in our political perspective and values. This week, we wrap our politics and religion series discussing that choice. votersedge.org https://calmatters.org/election-2020-guide/
Over the course of this series, we have emphasized how important it is for us to build a bridge and close the political gap. What do we do if the person does not want to close the gap? What do we do with the person who refuses to admit that they support a view that is rooted in hatred?
The scarcity mentality is prevalent in our world today. It impacts the way we look at others and causes us to see them as the enemy. However, the solution to the scarcity mentality is not more stuff but changing the way we think about the stuff that we do have.
Today, we continue talking about unity and why we need to do politicking differently. What is it the hinders the unity of the “Church” from happening? Have we lost our ability to positively influence this world and if so, how do we get it back?
On the night that Jesus was arrested, He prayed a final powerful prayer. However, the subject of that prayer might surprise you. Did Jesus foresee the political divide coming in America? Why and how did He want us to bridge that gap?
Fear is a powerful motivator and the cause for furthering the political divide in America. Many of us take our political stances due to fear. We just want to protect what we have and our way of life. But, is there something more?
The beauty of social media is that it opens the door for connection and relationships. The dark side of it is that it can drive a wedge between people of varying backgrounds. Right now, it seems that social media is the center of the cultural divide. Can we do it better?
What does a relationship with God look like? Why does the Bible use Baptism to symbolize our relationship with God? When you dive into the Bible, you find water either symbolized our relationship with God or preceded something significant done by God. Maybe if we can understand that better, we can understand Him better.
What does it mean to love God with all your soul? If your soul is some immaterial part of yourself then how do you love Him with it? Is it possible that Jesus may have grown up with a different idea of what is the human soul?
Opening Credits: Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER
If you were to make a list of the things you take for granted, one thing that may not make your list is your very breath. It is something that we don't realize that we have taken for granted until we are in a situation where we can't breathe. How would it change our lives if we recognized and lived as though every breath is a gift from God?
Opening and Closing Credits: Music By: "KaizanBlu "Track Name: "CLOSER
When you look at the current conditions of America right now, it is very clear that we are need of prayer. But, what if prayer is more than just asking God for our needs? What if it could go deeper than that into a rich relationship with Him? Opening Credits: Music By: "KaizanBlu"T rack Name: "CLOSER
Faith is a staple word in Christian lingo. It is the foundation of our relationship with God. Our faith serves as the fuel for our fervor in serving God and strength to withstand the setbacks and challenges of life. But, what if we have the wrong or incomplete definition of faith?
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Oscuro Title: Last Goodbye Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vspyUJMzCi4
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Waking Dreams Title: Someone ElseListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/waking-dreams-... Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_jYoI4rR_fg
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Wiljan Title: Faraway Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa... Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER
Love...it is the very basis of Christianity but is it the basis of our lives. How is it possible that people can look at Christians and not see His love embodied in us? This week, we kick off a new series by looking at love. Maybe if we can grasp the love of God for us, we can begin to give it out to others.
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Oscuro Title: Last Goodbye Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vspyUJMzCi4
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Waking Dreams Title: Someone Else Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/waking-dreams-... Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_jYoI4rR_fg
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Wiljan Title: Faraway Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa... Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
Think back to when Covid-19 started, no one had any idea of the journey that we would be on. Over the course of this challenge, life has taught us some lessons. This week, we take time to reflect on what those lessons have taught us and why we need them in our lives.
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Oscuro Title: Last Goodbye Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vspyUJMzCi4
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Waking Dreams Title: Someone Else Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/waking-dreams-... Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_jYoI4rR_fg
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Wiljan Title: Faraway Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa... Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu "Track Name: "CLOSER"
Masks vs. Not wearing masks...black lives matter vs. all lives matter...reopen everything now vs. pacing the reopening...America is seeing a growing divide happening. So, how do we as Christians handle it? Is there a way that we can navigate growing chasm of division while being a voice of healing, renewal, and reconciliation.
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Sublab & Azaleh Title: Cosmica Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VhPyeS7Af-k
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Waking Dreams Title: Someone ElseListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/waking-dreams- ...Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_jYoI4rR_fg
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: Wiljan Title: Faraway Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa...Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
The stores are starting to open back up. We are starting to head back to work. Slowly but surely, everything seems to be going back to normal or is it? How do we deal with life in the face of Covid-19? This week, we look at loss. Even though everything is trending towards some form of normal, we have all suffered loss at some level. How do we navigate this loss as life seems to fall back into place? The statue that I mention is Mathias Baldwin in Philadelphia.
Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: Andy Leech Title: Together With You Under The StarsListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aNW5fzt_uGE
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: EunoiaTitle: Reaching OutListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KMmBymJHgFc
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: FyzeTitle: WandererListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2fu7P-_QVgU
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: WiljanTitle: FarawayListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa...Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
We have faced some formidable challenges in 2020...eruptions, earthquakes, riots, racial tension, and a pandemic. Did you know that none of it comes as a surprise to God? How do the events strengthen our faith? What should be our response to these overwhelming challenges?
Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: Andy Leech Title: Together With You Under The StarsListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aNW5fzt_uGE
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: EunoiaTitle: Reaching OutListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KMmBymJHgFc
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: FyzeTitle: WandererListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2fu7P-_QVgU
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: WiljanTitle: FarawayListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa...Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
The stores are starting to open back up. We are starting to head back to work. Slowly but surely, everything seems to be going back to normal or is it? How do we deal with life in the face of Covid-19? How do we "thrive" in the new normal of life?
How is it possible for God to be a loving God and for there to be evil? Either He can't do anything about it or He doesn't care and won't do anything about it. What if there is something else?
Music Credit:Music By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: FyzeTitle: WandererListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2fu7P-_QVgU
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: EvermoreListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BSW0uP8Zvdc
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: WiljanTitle: FarawayListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic/fa...Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dmawL699ffA
► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIREDTrack Name: "Beyond"Music By: LAKEY INSPIRED @ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredOfficial "LAKEY INSPIRED" YouTube Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2QLicense for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported "Share Alike" (CC BY-SA 3.0) Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcodeMusic promoted by NCM @ https://www.youtubetomp3musicdownload.com/
Many people walk away from a particular version of God but what if that is not His true identity? This week, we look at the identity of God as revealed by the one who know Him best...His Son! Maybe what we learn about God through the eyes of Jesus will welcome us back to Him.
Music Credit:Music By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: FyzeTitle: WandererListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2fu7P-_QVgU
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: EunoiaTitle: Reaching OutListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KMmBymJHgFc
"Sappheiros - Dawn" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/2OBe00v
If you walked away from church because the Bible says so, you may have walked away unnecessarily. What if there is a deeper truth that was missed? What if the focus is in the wrong place? Don't miss this part of our
Music Credit: Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
"Sappheiros - Dawn" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/2OBe00v
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: XandriaTitle: GuardianListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/xandra/guardianListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8KYvLtNxyvA
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: EvermoreListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BSW0uP8Zvdc
Horizon by LiQWYD @liqwydMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/zG6x72WlfIA
► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIREDTrack Name: "Beyond"Music By: LAKEY INSPIRED @ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredOfficial "LAKEY INSPIRED" YouTube Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Q
Many of you have walked away from God because you had that moment when you opened up and rather than feel heard, you were met with judgement and/or platitudes. Ken challenges those of us who call ourselves followers of God to learn from the de-conversion stories of others and create a culture where we are free to wrestle through doubt.
Music Credit:Music By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
"Sappheiros - Dawn" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/2OBe00v
Music provided by HearWeGoArtist: XandriaTitle: GuardianListen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/xandra/guardianListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8KYvLtNxyvA
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: EvermoreListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BSW0uP8Zvdc
Horizon by LiQWYD @liqwydMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/zG6x72WlfIA
► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIREDTrack Name: "Beyond"Music By: LAKEY INSPIRED @ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredOfficial "LAKEY INSPIRED" YouTube Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Q
This week we kick off a brand new series called, "I'm Out!" In it, we are going to walk through the issues on why people leave church and maybe even God. If you have given up on church or the faith, then please come check out this series.
The sign up to have Encounter pray for you is:Text @SignupECC to 81010
To email your prayer request:encountercommunity18749@gmail.com
Music Credit:Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
"Sappheiros - Dawn" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: http://bit.ly/2OBe00v
Music provided by HearWeGo Artist: XandriaTitle: Guardian Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/xandra/guardian Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8KYvLtNxyvA
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Nomyn Title: Astral Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs
Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Nomyn Title: Evermore Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BSW0uP8Zvdc
Horizon by LiQWYD @liqwydMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/zG6x72WlfIA
What do you do when you have lost your hope? Today, we see the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the life of one of His closest followers. He serves as a perfect case study on hope discovered, hope lost, and hope restored.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
With the flood of information, stories, and news regarding COVID-19, it is easy to be overwhelmed and lose grip on your hope. This week, we not only look at the source of hope but how to keep that hope alive.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
COVID-19 has taken over our lives. We are stuck in our homes. We have no income. And the potential for getting the virus just looms over our heads. So, what do we do? How do we keep our heads when the pressure just seems to escalate?
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu "Track Name: "CLOSER"
Over the past few weeks, we have laid the foundation about loving our neighbor and why we should do so. This week, we get practical.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
Ariel, Encounter’s worship leader, joins Ken on the podcast. She shares how she is processing everything that is happening with the Corona Virus. She candidly shares her fears as she tries to reconcile it with her faith. If you are wrestling with fear because of the hardships that quarantining may cause you, then tune in to hear Ariel get real about the struggle.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
What if? This is such a powerful question. It can cause us to create something new and perhaps change the world. There is a flipside though. It can cause us to retreat due to fear of the unknown. If we are honest, one of the reasons why may not neighbor well is because of fear. The overcoming life is not the absence of or the ignorance of fear but it is taking steps of courage inspite of it. Who knows, maybe your neighbor might become a life long friend.
Music credit: Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
You wake up in the morning, get the kids dressed, run them to school, head to work, pick up the kids from school, do homework, take the kids to practice, get them home to clean up and go to bed, and relax for the night. Then, the alarm goes off and tomorrow is the same thing, and the next day, and the next day. The greatest barrier to being a great neighbor is...TIME. This week, we talk about choosing better over good and the impact it can make on our lives.
Music credit: Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
What if the command to love your neighbor meant to love your literal neighbor? How would it change our neighborhood? Maybe we could recapture the sense of connection once existed across communities everywhere.
Music credit: Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
All of our change and the effort to do so is moving in one direction. We want to reach that moment in life when we can go "Ahhh, that feels good." This week, Daniel joins Ken and together they dive into how to get to that point where the changes we want to make bring us fulfillment.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
January 1st hits and we suddenly change our eating habits, start going to gym, start reading our Bibles, start reading a book a month and by January 3rd, we have stopped it all. Many of us blame the resolution or our lack of ability to follow through. What if there were a way you can actually build into the change that you want? This week, we talk about the power of starting small and building momentum into the change that you want to make.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
We have all been there! The moment we decide to change how we eat so that we can lose weight. We are eating kale while are friends are eating ribs, cake, and mashed potatoes. The next thing you know cake has somehow wormed its way into your hands. This week, Stan and I explore talks another way that we can see change happen in our lives. Make that change that we want attractive.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu "Track Name: "CLOSER"
"You just have to stop doing it." "Just say no." How many of us have heard these statements and many like it when it comes to change? Has this piece of advice ever worked? This week, we explore a different arena rarely discussed when it comes to change - our environment. Yes, we look at seeing change happen in us by making change around us.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
We have looked at the who and why of change and now it is time to look into how. This week, we lay the foundation for change by taking a look at what are habits, how are they formed, and the four rules of lasting behavioral change.
Music credit: Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
Change is so hard but what if there was a secret. This week, we will examine how the key to change is not what you do but who you are.
Music credit: Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "CLOSER"
It’s that time of the year. The gyms are full. People are signing up for Weight Watchers. Cigarette packs are being thrown out. How many of us have done this before? Can 2020 be different? The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Maybe that new bod can become reality!
Music credit: Artist AttributionMusic By: "KaizanBlu"Track Name: "CLOSER"
No doubt you have seen the 2020 vision metaphor at least once this year. However, it is important for us to not ignore the possibilities of what it could mean. This week, we look at how to start the new decade off by laying the foundation for true change to happen.
The presents have been opened. The radios stations have stopped playing Christmas music. The lights and the decor will be down in a few days. However, the spirit and the joy of Christmas don’t have to end! Listen in this week as Ken talks about keeping the spirit of Christmas alive long after the decorations are packed away.
Music credit: Artist Attribution
Music By: "KaizanBlu"
Track Name: "CLOSER"