Unscripted with Pastor Nate Morris: Recent Episodes
PAUL HAMMONTREE
Each week we engage in candid conversations with Nate… focusing in on some of the subjects brought up in the Sunday morning teaching shared at Mountain Life Calvary Chapel.
What if you knew someone who never broke a promise. Every time they promised you something, they kept that promise. That is someone you could trust completely. In this episode of unscripted we discuss the promises of God and why we can trust Him to keep His promises to us.
That’s not fair! Is a common exclamation people make whenthings don’t go their way. But is FAIR something we should be looking for in life? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss God’s judgment and whether or not it is fair.
Do you ever wish you could have a do-over? Like, you wasted time in the past and wish you could get those years back? Did you know that God is able to supernaturally restore time we have lost due to sin in our lives? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the restoration heart and power of our God and how we can experience His restoration in our lives.
"REPENT! The end is near!" For many people, the word REPENT has a negative connotation. But did you know, REPENTING is actually a wonderful opportunity for blessing that our loving God offers us? In this episode of unscripted we will discuss the beauty and joy of REPENTING.
You ever wish you could change… yourself… your situation… your environment or culture… but… you just can’t seem to make it happen. It’s like you just don’t have the power to accomplish something good you want to accomplish. Good news! God knows you lack the power to be the person He’s called you to be, and He offers you an incredible supernatural power to help you. The question is… have you received this power of the Holy Spirit or are you still trying to do it on your own. In this episode of unscripted we discuss the filling of the Holy Spirit and its critical importance in our lives as followers of Jesus.
Have you ever had your pride hurt? Did you enjoy it? You should’ve. Because God’s word tells us – pride leads todestruction. That means, having our pride hurt is a great blessing because it saves us from destruction! In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss what we can learn from King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride being hurt and how God blessed him, by humbling him.
Most people are working hard to control various aspects of their lives, but is that the best pathway to joy, peace, andcontentment? Or is it possible the way to find peace in life is through surrender to God, rather than controlling everything ourselves? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss what life can be like when we give control over to God.
WHICH JESUS DO YOU WANT? Might sound like a strangequestion, but it applies. There are many different versions of Jesus out there, and if we’re not careful, we might find we have chosen the wrong Jesus. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the first PALM SUNDAY and how many people chose the wrong Jesus.
Grace is more than just God forgiving our sin. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the depths of God's grace and how it empowers our lives as followers of Jesus.
If you’ve ever slipped and had a bad fall, then you know the importance of having shoes that have good tread. Did you know we are encouraged to have good shoes in our Christian lives? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we continue our discussion about the armor of God as we discuss shoes and shields.
God’s word tells us to fight the good fight of faith. However, there are many peace-loving Christians who don’t want to fight. As Christians, do we have a choice in the matter, or is it inevitable that we will have to fight an enemy? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss who our enemy is, why he is our enemy, and the need we have to be prepared to face times of battle as we walk with God.
There have been many movies that depict demonic and satanic attacks on people. Is that a real thing that happens, or is that just a way to sell movie tickets? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we begin to dig into what God’s word has to say about fighting spiritual battles.
It’s important for a church (a group of people following the Lord together) to have vision for where they are headed as a group, a fellowship, a church. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how God gives vision for a church, and specifically the vision God has given Pastor Nate for our church, Mountain Life Calvary Chapel.
Most people get frustrated when they have to wait on hold on the phone. Well how do you feel when you God says to you, "JUST WAIT." Believe it or not, there are times in life when waiting is the best thing for us. But I don’t know if it makes it any easier. On this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the times in life when God calls us to… WAIT.
If you’ve ever seen a nativity scene, then you’ve probably seen the 3 wise men portrayed as being at the birth of Jesus. But is that really how it happened? Who were these guys? Where did they come from? Why did they want to see Jesus? And, when did they show up? These and other questions are discussed in this episode of UNSCRIPTED.
Most people spend at least half of their life at their place of work. How should we, as Christians, approach this half of our life at work? Should we love our job or just endure it? Should we work hard, even if our boss is mean to us? And what if you are the boss at your place of work… how should you interact with, and treat your employees as a Christian boss? These are some of the questions we will tackle today in this episode of UNSCRIPTED.
The journey of parenting starts off with lots of excitement, but alongthe way, parenting can become quite a challenge. And what about being a child? That’s not the easiest job either! In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss what God’s word has to teach us about the parent/child relationship.
In this episode of UNSCRIPTED Pastor Nate and his wife, Jen, discuss what God's word has to say about marriage and how husbands and wives are called to love each other.
What does the Bible have to say about dating? That’s a question pastors are often asked, and the answer is almost always the same… "Not Much." In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we look at what God’s word has to offer us in the world of dating, marriage, and romantic relationships.
Which is better… to be single, or to be married. Often, single people feel that getting married would bring fulfillment into their life. But is it possible to be content, even if you are single? And is it even possible that being single is BETTER? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss being a single Christian and the contentment that can be found in this situation of life.
SUBMIT! That’s a command most of us don’t want to hear. But is it possible for us to see submission as a positive rather than a negative thing? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the scriptural charge to submit to one another in love for one another, and as an act of worship to God, and how when it’s done correctly, with the right motivation, submission actually becomes something we enjoy doing.
Thanksgiving is a very popular holiday. It seems like everyone has a better attitude about them as they consider all the things they are thankful for. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have that grateful attitude all year long, rather than just one day a year? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the feeling of thankfulness, where it comes from, and if we are able to… GIVE THANKS ALWAYS.
Have you ever found yourself in a quandary… you have a decision to make, but you can’t figure out what to do? Do we do what the world says, and if it feels good, do it? Or maybe you want to follow God’s will, but you can’t figure out what His will is. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we talk about understanding God’s will, and what happens when we don’t follow His will.
Have you ever felt like you’re missing some satisfaction in life? Have you ever wished you could be a stronger follower of Jesus? These are some common issues Christians have. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how to find the satisfaction and strength we need as we seek to follow Jesus.
Singing in public is not everyone’s favorite thing to do. Why does God call us to sing songs of praise to Him… in the presence of other people? Is public singing of praise to God an important part of our relationship with Him, or is it something we can avoid? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the importance and benefit of singing public praise to God.
Are you paying attention to the days you are living in and the threats that surround you? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the threats we experience as Christians, and how we should react to those threats. Let’s join the discussion now…
Are you afraid of the dark? What is it about darkness that makes it creepy and scary? Most people don’t like the feeling of being trapped in a place that is dark. But what about being trapped in SPIRITUAL darkness? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss spiritual darkness… what it is, if it is to be feared, and how we are able to get rid of it.
There are some subjects you don’t expect to hear pastors talk about at church. One of those subjects is probably sex. But teaching through the bible doesn’t give a pastor the option of whether to talk about the topic of sex, because God’s word has a lot to say about it. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the topic of sex and what God’s word has to say about it.
They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Wanting to be like someone else is a high sign of respect for that person. Did you know that we’re called to imitate God? It may seem beyond reach, to think that we could imitate a holy and perfect God, but it’s not. Listen in as Pastor Nate answers questions regarding why we should, and how we are able, to imitate God.
Have you ever wished you could take back your words? Maybe you said something you later regretted? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss our words, the things we say. Should we be concerned about what we say and how we say it? And… is there any way we can help ourselves tame our tongue?
Do you enjoy being told you made a mistake? Most people don’t like being told they did something wrong, or even worse, that their life choices are consistently incorrect. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, we discuss how we, as Christians, need to be willing to hear that word of rebuke from other Christians, and how we need to be willing to share a loving word of correction with other believers as well.
Do you ever struggle with your behavior… wishing you could behave differently than you do? How can we, as Christians, pursue a lasting change in behavior without allowing our behavior to become the focus of our faith? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how we can keep our focus on Jesus and at the same time see a change in our lives where we stand strong against the temptation to sin.
What makes a church feel whole and complete? In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul says that it is when every Christian in that church is using their spiritual gift to love and serve the other people in the church. But maybe you don’t know what your spiritual gift is, or maybe you have never even considered that you may have a spiritual gift. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss spiritual gifts and how God wants us to use them in our lives.
Have you ever received a gift you weren’t excited about getting, but then, later on, you realized this gift was just what you needed? In this episode of unscripted we discuss the reality and purpose of spiritual gifts… gifts given to us by God, through His Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we may not appreciate these gifts in the moment they are given, but later we realize how important they are.
“What church do you BELONG to?” used to be a common question. Today, you more often hear, “What church do you GO to?” Should we just think of church as something we GO to, or should we think of church as something we BELONG to? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss what God’s word tells us church should look like and how it is supposed to function.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with a difficulty, and like there’s nobody who cares, and no one who can help? We probably all get to that place from time to time, but, as followers of Jesus, there is always someone who sees and cares. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss one of the reasons God became man, was so He could intimately relate to our struggles, but, even more than that, how He can help us overcome those struggles.
"You do you." "Just follow your heart." "You gotta be true to yourself." These are common phrases we hear in today’s world, but are they accurate guidance for us as followers of Jesus. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how we have all been created with an individuality, but, as followers of Jesus, we want to express our individuality in unity with other Christians.
Unity in the body of Christ is of the utmost importance. Living in peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ is not optional it's mandatory. In this episode of Unscripted, we discuss the need for unity with other Christians and how we are able to achieve this important goal.
God’s word calls believers to follow Jesus in being humble, gentle, and patient, but how are we able to do this in a world that is prideful, harsh, and impatient. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how we can walk worthy of our calling to be humble, gentle, and patient.
Have you ever thought, “I wish my life wasn’t so difficult.” Is that God’s will for us… an easy life? Or, is it possible God actually wants our life to be challenging? And, if so, why would God want that for us? This week we discuss the charge we are given in God’s word to “walk worthy of our calling” and the challenge that presents.
Have you ever felt like God is far off and you need to do something special or big in order to get close to Him? Maybe it’s possible that God is closer than you think, and He is trying to speak to you, but your world has become so noisy that you can’t hear His gentle whisper. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss whether we need to do great things to reach God, or hearing God speak to us is much simpler than we realized.
Have you ever found yourself suddenly overwhelmed and exhausted? Have you ever been so overwhelmed and exhausted that you thought, “You know what… death sounds like a good option right now.” If you have thought that… you’re not alone. One of the greatest prophets of all time, Elijah, felt that same way. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss why we feel physically overwhelmed and exhausted, and what God’s word teaches us about what to do when we find ourselves in those situations.
Do you have secrets? Are there parts of who you are that nobody else knows about? Are you ashamed of some aspects of who you are so you try to pretend they don’t exist, and you hope that God never finds out about them? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the stress and anxiety we create for ourselves when we try to pretend we are someone who we are not.
Have you ever struggled with feelings of fear, worry, anxiety? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss these feelings… where they come from and what God’s word tells us to do with them.
If given the choice, would you choose a car that has lots of power, or a car that is weak. Most people would probably answer POWERFUL. But what if that power makes it hard to control the car? Many people want to see God’s power moving in their life, but they still want to control their life. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the power of God, and letting His power consume EVERY part of our lives.
What do you think of when you hear the word LOVE. In the English language we use the word LOVE to mean a variety of things. We might say we love chocolate and that we love our spouse. Do they mean the same thing, or something different? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the love that Jesus has for us. We discuss how we can experience His love for us, and how we can become rooted and grounded in that love.
Have you ever watched a mystery movie and figured out the mystery before it’s revealed in the movie? With everything in you, you want to share the mystery revealed. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the mystery of salvation that was revealed to the Apostle Paul, and how excited he was to share this with others. And we discuss the question, if the mystery of salvation has been revealed to us, are we, like Paul, excited to share it with others.
How do you handle seemingly impossible challenges that come into your life? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how we can experience victory, and even feel “PRIVELEGED” as we walk through life’s battles and trials.
Have you ever encountered a barrier in life that you couldn’t get past? Maybe a weight loss goal that stalled out? Maybe a savings goal that became sidetracked? These barriers in life can cause us to become very frustrated and wish we could break them down somehow. Well thankfully, God has created a way for the barriers between us and Him, and the barriers between us and other people, to be broken down, so that loving relationship can take place. In this episode of unscripted we talk about our God of reconciliation and the reconciliation He offers us with Him, and with other people.
Have you ever experienced having high hopes for something, but then it never happened and you became very disappointed? It’s a horrible feeling to hope for something that never happens. But what if we only hoped for things that always happened? How much more joy and satisfaction would we have in our lives? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the subject of hope and how we can have more hope and less disappointment in our lives.
Who are you? Seems like a simple question at first, but when you stop and really consider the depth of the question, it really makes you think. Some might quickly go to their work or their hobbies to identify themselves. Some may go to their upbringing or sexual orientation to identify themselves. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the subject of identity and what God’s word has to say about who we are.
Do you ever feel condemned by God because of your sin, or does God give you a feeling of freedom from the power of sin? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED… we discuss why we can, at times, feel condemned by God, and how we can discover the freedom that God desires to give us from the bondage of sin.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Feeling like you just can’t go anymore… the bills are piling up, but you have no idea how you’re going to pay them… need to rest, but can’t figure out how to make it happen. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how God created us with a need for rest, and how we are able to obtain that rest, even in the midst of the busyness of life.
What does being a Christian mean to you? Is it the pursuit of KNOWLEDGE… getting to know who God is… who Jesus is? Or is it a pursuit of RELATIONSHIP… getting to know God… and know Jesus? There is a difference between the two, and it’s a very important difference. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the difference between knowing about the Lord, and actually knowing the Lord, and… why it matters.
One of the most satisfying experiences in life is to feel loved by someone. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be agents of His love to humanity. But it’s not always easy to be loving towards others. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the process of learning to love others just as Jesus has loved us.
Have you ever received an inheritance? Do you think you will receive one some day? Are you planning on providing an inheritance for your children? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the inheritance that God has prepared for us and how this inheritance can be a motivating force in our lives today.
Do you ever wish you could know the future? Will my team win? Would that person be a good spouse for me? What happens when I die? Our lives are filled with wonder and questions regarding the future. Sometimes we can become very anxious and worried about our future. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how God, through His word, encourages us regarding our future.
Have you ever struggled with a sin that you just can’t seem to shake? Have you ever felt like something has control of you, rather than you having control of it? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss the consequences of sin, and how a person is able to overcome the bondage that sin creates.
Whether it was on the playground as a child, or a job promotion as an adult, we have probably all experienced a moment in life where we felt the pain of not being chosen. In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we discuss how God chooses people.
Is the Bible just another one of many self-help books, or is it the WORD OF GOD? If it is the WORD OF GOD… what does that even mean? These, and other questions, are discussed in today’s episode of UNSCRIPTED as we wrap up our 4-week series answering the main question… WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE THE BIBLE? Today we discuss… IS THE BIBLE REALLY THE WORD OF GOD?
Have you ever heard the claim that science disproves the Bible? Is that true? Or, is the opposite true? Does science actually prove the Bible to be true? In this episode of Unscripted we continue our series entitled “WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE THE BIBLE?” by discussing the 3rd question… “Does science disprove the Bible?”
The Bible was written thousands of years ago. Is it possible for something that was written so long ago to still be able to apply to our modern world today? In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we will discuss how this ancient text does not only still apply in our modern world, but it is actually the best help for us in our modern world today.
Many Christians read the Bible and study the Bible, but have you ever stopped and considered why you believe the Bible? Today we begin a 4 week conversation about why we should believe the Bible. We will consider 4 different questions and the answers to those questions. Today we discuss question #1 - Is the Bible just a bunch of made-up stories or is it historically accurate?
Have you ever stopped and considered what the legacy of your life will be?
What will the story of your life be when your life here has ended?
In this episode of UNSCRIPTED we look at a man named Mordecai’s legacy
And consider what our own legacy will be.
The key to future faith is often found in remembering God's faithfulness in the past. In this episode we discuss why it is critical to remember what God has done, and some practical thoughts on how we can make God's past faithfulness a stronger foundation for our future lives.
Is it possible to navigate the challenges of life with courage, confidence, and joy, rather than fear, doubt, and worry. In this episode we take a look at people in the book of Esther that had joy and gladness, even though their lives were being threatened.
Have you ever felt like you should tell people about Jesus, but you just can’t bring yourself to do it? As Christians, sharing our faith is an integral part of who we are called to be, but still, it can be difficult to do. This week in UNSCRIPTED we talk with Pastor Nate about the issue of sharing our faith, why it can be difficult, and what we can do about that.
Would you consider yourself to be successful? What is success? How do you know you are not wasting your life? These are some of the questions we tackle in this week's UNSCRIPTED conversation.
Have you ever felt like things are just not going your way? Like you're stuck in a bad situation and just can’t see any good in it at all?
Today we’ll talk with Pastor Nate and discover the encouragement that God’s word has for us when we find ourselves in those situations.