actionchurch: Recent Episodes
Don Record
Evil is a lot like carbon monoxide... it's all around us and can cause serious harm. So, what can we do about evil?
Why does the best our justice system have to offer still seem wrong? A big reason is that even the best earthly justice pales in comparison to heavenly justice. Let's dig in...
100 men were polled by the scientists over at Family Feud. They asked these gentlemen, "Good news, it's your first day in heaven! Bad news, there's no what?" The answers are brilliant as they are dumb.
On earth, we expect good news to come with bad news, for cures to come with side effects, etc. But, heaven is different...
Ok, now what? Easter is gone until next year, but the Good News of the Gospel is 24/7/365.
This week we connect Passover to Jesus. It was during The Last Supper, a Passover supper with Jesus and his 12 Disciples, that Jesus laid out God's plan for the days ahead.
A little less talk a little more action! This month we'll reflect on actionchurch in the past, talk about the present, and look to the future.
Life is hard, just ask Nehemiah... he dared to ask the king for a huge favor in an emotional time. But that's not the whole story. Let's take a look.
This week we talk about why you should take a Hard Pass on DRAMA, and how you can make the switch in thinking.
From Genesis to Jesus, we find our "reasons" might not fly with the Almighty. Take a HARD PASS on making excuses.
It's time for an EMERGENCY MEETING to discuss the IMPOSTER among us. The good news is there's also a SAVIOR among us. He was counted among the rebels, but He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
Fa la la la laaa. It's that time again when we deck the halls of actionchurch and talk about the baby that started it all.
What if I stumble? What if I fall? What if my life is on Low Power Mode? Join us as we wrap up our RECHARGE series this week.
Gotta love that new smart phone feeling, right? This week we talk about an even better transformation; rebirth in Jesus.
God's plan is greater than your plan. Rejoice (RECHARGE) in knowing that His justice will ultimately prevail.
This Sunday was an away game and it was SO. MUCH. FUN. We visited Believers in Christ Church and took communion together in a display of Christian unity. Praise God. Don brought the message for Week 2 of the RECHARGE series.
We're kicking off a new series called RECHARGE where we're talking about the M-word (meditation). What are the things we can meditate on to recharge in the Lord?
God will not be surprised by the outcome of the election. Our God reigns regardless of who is in the highest office in the land.
Who can you trust when you can't trust your leaders? Only God knows the outcomes of the story... Join us for Week 3 of In God We Trust.
What's the best way to treat a rental? If you destroy it, not only are you NOT getting your security deposit back, you actually have to LIVE in your own mess and filth! On the other hand, if you build an addition on it, the landlord benefits more than you ever will...
How do we participate in a country when we are "foreigners and exiles" like the Peter calls us as believers?
We welcomed seven new Christ followers on Sunday! There were some technical difficulties, but all the baptisms made the cut! Check it out.
How do you behave when the boss is away? A wise boss leaves some instructions for while they're out, but doesn't tell you exactly when they'll return. Let's dig in to Week 3 of Entry Level: No Experience Required...
Most people have no problem with Jesus. It's Christians and The Church that people take issue with. Let's dive a bit more into what the church is, has been, and supposed to be.
Grace is a word that gets tossed around a lot in church circles, but it's for a great reason. Grace is the foundation of what it means to be a Christ follower.
Jesus radically changed the trajectory of the world with a simple, two-word invitation... “Follow Me.” But how did that simple, two word invitation come to seem SO COMPLICATED???
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a furnace, the heat was so intense it killed the guards who threw them in... Join us for the final week of Facing The Heat.
Were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego born with incredible grit and courage (Maybe It's Maybelline?) or is there more to their story? Let's do a little background check...
This month we're preparing ourselves for the inevitable tests of life and faith. We turn to Daniel were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew God COULD save them from King Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace, but they didn't know if He WOULD save them...
Pastor Don threw his plan out the window for Week 4 because THIS message is so important to us in 2020. Join us for the finale to "Pearls B 4 Pigs"...
Jesus pretty much promises that we're going to take some heat for following him, so don't act surprised when the haters come for you. Join us for Week 3 of "Pearls B 4 Pigs"
Before you go and put your neighbor on blast, you might want to listen to what Matthew has to say about that type of behavior... Join us for Week 2 of "Pearls B 4 Pigs"
It's often easier to notice SMALL faults in others than it is to notice BIG faults in ourselves. We need to talk about that... Join us for Week 1 of "Pearls B 4 Pigs"
Someday you will live with the results of what you're creating now! Find out how the YOUR HAPPY PLACE sermon series concludes.
What can we learn from 970 BC (at 1972 AD, for that matter) to help us here in 2020? Find out in Week 3 of the YOUR HAPPY PLACE sermon series.
How do happy people stay happy? Solomon was regarded as the wisest man in the whole world, so let's see what he has to say about it. Join us for Week 2 of the YOUR HAPPY PLACE sermon series.
Solomon has some words of wisdom for you about what it means to be happy. This week we're diving into the Book of Ecclesiastes, ironically one of the more the gloomy books in the Bible! Join us for Week 1 of the YOUR HAPPY PLACE sermon series.
“People who are active in religious congregations tend to be happier and more civically engaged than either inactive members or religiously unaffiliated adults” according to a 2019 Pew Research Center study. What makes people of faith happier and healthier in spite of life’s stresses and storms???
How’s your row,row,row,going? NOT so “gently down the stream”? Whether you are experiencing a storm in your life, care about someone who is...or just worry about what you see on the horizon...don’t miss a single Sunday Morning during the month of March at actionchurch!!! You are NOT alone, and there ARE answers for your questions
Can you imagine making a pitch to the “sharks” on Shark Tank? Now imagine the pitch didn’t go well at all. But what if that failure turned out to be the best possible thing that could happen to you??? This week we’ll learn something from Jesus (and the Sharks from Shark tank) about ALL OF US
What do you think of when you think of a start up millionaire? What kind of person makes it big...makes a difference with a brand new product or service that changes their world? One thing you are probably SURE of is that they are NOTHING like you! But what if the biggest start up of all time actually began with people who were decidedly BELOW average? You won’t want to miss their stories that bring hope to ALL of us!
Yep. It’s Super Bowl Sunday...time for unhealthy food and great commercials...oh, and football too! We hope you’ll spend your Super Sunday morning with us as we gather to find help for our hurts, hope for our future, and answers for our toughest life questions. (And apparently we’ll also find out why Pastor Don has a such a big problem with the kindly bearded man on the TD Ameritrade commercials.) 😂
It’s 2020. The future is here. Robots live among us...entertain our pets and vacuum our floors! Don’t worry though, even though it’s the future, there is one more week of the Choose Your Own Adventure sermon series...and we’ve saved the best for last! Don’t miss Pastor Matthew Castillo along with a special joint service (and house band) with our friends at Believers In Christ Church.
Maybe boredom or lack of other reading choices would compel you to read CYOA #100 ??!🤔😳😂
No matter how questionable your choices were as a kid, NONE of us would knowingly choose to suffer! None of us would CHOOSE loss, or illness, or tragedy in our life story. So why do so many of us deal with suffering every day?
If you’d like hope for your situation from Jesus, and an opportunity to be prayed for by others...please DO NOT miss this very special Sunday at actionchurch!
What stops us from making correct choices...the kind that lead to success and not disaster? (It’s probably NOT what you think!) This week we’ll find out from the wisdom of Jesus, Moses, R.A Montgomery (creator of Choose your own adventure series) and Harvey Levin of TMZ!?
It’s a new year. A new decade. Time to choose your own adventure! (And time to take down the Christmas decorations at actionchurch) There is more than one ending to your life story!!! (And not only do you get to choose your own adventure...there’s something you can do to ASSURE that you will succeed!)
What makes something a great gift? Is it value? Is it the “thought that counts”? Can something still be a great gift if some people love it...and others COMPLETELY disagree? You won’t want to miss the season finale of actionchurch this Sunday as we celebrate the greatest gift of all - JESUS!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year tp celebrate the birth of Jesus in the way ONLY actionchurch can!
We’ve got ONE MORE QUESTION you need to ask to live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Almost every business needs to pause occasionally and take inventory. It turns out that churches (and even people who want to live grateful, happy, fulfilling lives) need to take inventory as well.
Enough with the drama, High School is NOT that hard” Get your hand turkey’s ready, this Freaky Sunday we’re talking about another way to be thankful and show gratitude for people and situations in our life!
Recent research shows that GRATITUDE is an important component of health, happiness, AND emotional well being! (Psst don’t tell them that the Bible has been saying that for thousands of years!😃) Living gratefully is powerful...and not so easy. Don’t miss this week as we unveil the second question you can use when ingratitude (and the unhappiness that follows) rears it’s ugly head!
What if you could make a few slight adjustments in your perspective that would leave you happier, help you feel more content, and even enjoy life more? What if those changes even made you more enjoyable to be around???
If every wrestler has to enter the ring alone, what is the purpose of having a wrestling team? (Other than a super awkward photo opps?) Find out as we celebrate communion.
In wrestling, sometimes you must start from the down or “referee’s” position. Not only do you have to contend with your opponent, you also must fight gravity...from a seemingly impossible position!!! If you’ve ever struggled and felt like you were starting from the bottom...you won’t want to miss this Sunday as we learn from Jacob (and other great wrestlers) how to win from what seems like a LOSING position!
In “professional” wresting, villains are known as “heels”. Ironically in the Bible Story of Jacob (the man who wrestled with God) his name MEANT “deceiver” or “heel”. How do you go from being a “heel” to being declared a winner like Jacob did???
We know people who have a “struggle”... Struggle in their family. Struggle in their career. Struggle in their finances. Struggle in their health. Time to stop struggling...and start WRESTLING
It’s the final week of Taming the Tongue, we’re serving breakfast, and this week’s episode is “Ripped from the Headlines”😃 (Not THOSE political headlines...the heartwarming ones about a guy who just wanted a case of beer...and ended up raising over a million dollars for Kids with cancer! The REST of that story (along with the amazingly prescient words of Jesus) are something you SHOULD NOT miss!
Why do they call it “putting your foot in your mouth”? Shouldn’t making a random remark that offends others be called “making a pony remark”? Whatever you call it , this week in “Taming the Tongue” we’ll learn how to PERMANENTLY avoid being “that guy”.
In 69 AD the Apostle James said: “the tongue is a flame of fire...it can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire from Hell itself” Sounds about right even in 2019, doesn’t it?! Even more impressive is the advice that his brother Jesus gave for AVOIDING starting such “fires” with the things that roll off our tongues and off our thumbs...
Despite calls for civility, SOMETHING is making us more UNCIVILIZED! This week in the “Taming the Tongue” sermon series, were learning just what that SOMETHING is...and better yet..,how we can actually do SOMETHING about it!
If you’ve NEVER said the wrong thing. Never let something just “slip out”. If you’ve NEVER EVER said something you regret... then you can totally skip this month at actionchurch. Taming the Tongue!
How can you leave your past behind you? Is it as simple as leaving your worries behind? This is the final week of the At the movies (VHS) series, and we’ll look to Disney’s Lion King and one of Jesus’ most famous illustrations to find these answers and MORE!
This week we’re featuring either the most (or least...depending on how you look at it) realistic of our films. This Sunday there will be no talking toys or animated genies...just three live action animals filmed against breathtaking scenery. (Live Animals who appear to be able to talk WITHOUT moving their mouths.) Based on countless true stories of pets making their way back to their owners over incredible distances, Shadow, Chance, and Sassy WILL illustrate a truth about heaven that you won’t soon forget.
In 1995, Disney released a film by the relatively unknown Pixar Studios that forever changed the way we view animated movies...and perhaps even the way we view toys. This week at actionchurch we’ll let this breakthrough film help us gain a brand new insight into one of the most perplexing (and IMPORTANT) things Jesus ever said!
Forgiveness is not a time machine, but it's good for you AND it's good for your relationships.
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name
When darkness hides His lovely face I rest on His unchanging grace In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand
Excellent lovers don’t “Love the sinner and hate the sin”. Excellent lovers simply love people and genuinely want the BEST for them.
Excellent Lovers (and mothers) know that time and resources can be divided, but love can still multiply!
There’s a certain story, a recurring symbol, an archetype that we want to see our heroes complete. It's something that feels true to us.
How do these Easter Eggs and Archetypes keep showing up in the books we call the Bible?
Car accidents are actually attempts to break the Laws… of Physics! Ten & Two is designed to protect us from the laws that CANNOT be broken!
Driving 10&2 won’t make you a good driver. Commandment keeping won’t make you a good person. But BOTH put you in the right position to become one.
Bad news for church buildings and organizations isn’t necessarily bad news for the GOOD NEWS!
Even on the WORST CHRISTMAS’s there's nothing better than giving up something to give to others
Believing is a powerful thing. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Nobody wants a “worst Christmas” experience... The reason movies are made out of the worst Christmases ( instead of Christmas commercials) is because GOOD THINGS can come out of the Worst Christmases.
God wants us not to JUST be happy, but to be joyful. Joyful despite our circumstances, with contentment and gratitude looking to Jesus to be made full.
If we believe sin is "breaking God's rules", we'll fall for lies nearly every time. The wages of sin is death...
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
How to disarm the offended. 1. Give up your right to be offended. 2. Give up your right to be “right” 3. Get Creative!
We’ve been trying to stop people from being offended by eliminating offenses. (sort of like trying to stay healthy by eliminating germs.)
Jesus wasn’t offended by being grouped with people of Nazareth. Jesus wasn’t offended FOR the people of Nazareth.
NO ONE likes to be offended. Insulted. Treated rudely. Treated with Disrespect. Put down. Mocked or maligned. NO ONE likes to be offended…at first.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 9:10
Where is your hope? Is it in science, technology, medicine, government and mankind? That is no hope. Our hope is that from the BEGINNING "we were meant to meet our maker".
Don’t look to other HUMANS for solutions for our worlds problems. Trust in God’s promise and plan (even in the midst of terrible EVENTS) REST IN KNOWING that the world is NEVER “spinning out of control”!
The creator is NOT dead. In fact… he sent his son to rescue everyone from their own game play! We don’t have multiple lives to go back and play again…but we can continue for ever! Heaven isn’t just the place you go when you die...
How can you stay on brand? Believe Jesus. A created universe. The virgin birth. Resurrection. Coming judgement. Universal church. Eternal life. Forgiveness of sins. JESUS BELIEVED IN THEM… so we should Believe Jesus.
Freaky Faith. Freaky Love. Freaky Freedom. Not slaves to our old lives, but not slaves to biblical moralism. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors.
What actions has being a Christian caused you to take? What risks? Is your life full or empty?
Daily bread involves ordinary effort and supernatural provision. Our father values relationship over comfort.
Prayer can be awkward and weird, especially when you're out of practice Prayer doesn’t just change things... prayer changes me and then I change things.
Deal with it. Swallow it. Hide it. Slow down the machine. Or, instead of these things STOP THE MACHINE.
Love thinks of others at the expense of self because love wants to give. Lust thinks of self at the expense of others because lust wants to get.
Trying to win the Battle of the Sexes is like trying to win a knife fight with yourself
Getting exactly what you want doesn’t mean getting everything you NEED. Just because it’s old-fashioned and traditional, doesn’t mean its wrong.
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows
And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
You need to hire a play-by-play commentary team to narrate your life. You need to remember one of the most important principles of the universe. Things don’t “just happen” to you, YOU can plant a harvest of blessing!!!
NO one has ever thrown a mountain into the sea by faith…and that’s not the point. Just like Archimedes, Jesus was talking about a principle of nearly unlimited POWER!
Does “overcoming evil with good” mean FIGHTING evil? Or could it be something else entirely? This week we’ll explore Romans Chapter 12 (and 1989’s Roadhouse) for the answer!
Everyone wants to be an overcomer...but do you actually have a Game Plan to become one???
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
What makes the perfect gift for everyone on your list...? You want it, need it, don’t have it or you can’t get it yourself. You understand its value AND it's part of the Flex Seal Family of Products.
This week we explore something about the “Wise Men” in the Christmas story that is sure to surprise and encourage you (while spiral cut hams roasting on the stage).
How do you gift wrap the Messiah and what newly delivered first time mother DOESN'T want a bunch of shepherds to show up DIRECTLY after she gives birth in a stall.
This Sunday you won’t want to miss the surprising finale of the “What to expect” series. Our story has one more twist that you won’t expect...with a reason to feel better about every difficulty you’ve ever faced in life as a Christian!
This week in the “What to expect” sermon series we’re talking about the BIG ONE: Should you ever EXPECT a miracle? (And what was the one thing that JESUS said actually PREVENTS miracles from happening?) You won’t expect the answer found in scripture!
Nothing illustrates the power of expectations more that optimists and pessimists.Whether you are someone who expects the worst, or always expects the best, you can expect to learn an entirely DIFFERENT way of looking at troubles and tragedies from an amazing woman of the Bible!
All of us have been disappointed by products, experiences, and projects that didn’t live up to our high expectations. Other times our low expectations keep us from enjoying... or even attempting... things that could turn out to be very satisfying. So what CAN we expect when it comes to our relationship with GOD?
Are you just friends or really close? Some advice from Jesus about how to have an “always and forever” relationship with God
This week in Define the Relationship we’re discussing a very important distance. How “close” are you to God? And, how do you get (relationally) closer or further away? The answer just might surprise you.
Even if we think it’s never going to happen to us, it’s easy to see that being in a relationship changes the people around us. This week in the “Define the Relationship” series we’ll discuss how being in a relationship with God should change us (WITHOUT the coercion and control that are the hallmarks of religions and bad relationships.)
Defining a relationship is MORE than just giving it a name. Who pays for dinner? Who kills the spiders🕷? Who posts the photo? Who picks the movie? This week in the “Define the Relationship” series we’ll talk about the importance of Roles in our relationships...and ESPECIALLY in our relationship with God.
You’ve probably heard someone say that they have a “relationship with God”. What does that mean...and what KIND of relationship is it? Maybe it’s time to DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP. You won’t want to miss this weeks mix of insightful thoughts about knowing God...and awkward dating humor.
This week we're discussing a difficult topic for everyone: INEQUALITY. And...Not just the inequality in our world...but even the inequality brought on by the beliefs of Christians! The topic may be NSFC...but it will be both helpful and thought provoking for everyone.
This week we're discussing another controversial issue for Christians: Should Christians drink alcohol, smoke pot, or use drugs (whether legal or illegal)?
Is it possible to uphold the principles of the Bible, and NOT make the word "Christian" a dirty word to those who know you? The answer may be "Not Safe for Church" but it's great news for hypocrites, haters, and all of us blocking their arguments on social media.
What happens when an ancient faith meets ever-changing culture, public morality, and even laws? Can the result be ANYTHING other than anger, arguments, and snarky comments? This month in the "NOT SAFE FOR CHURCH" series we'll tackle the toughest issues faced by Christian's today...and spoiler alert...we'll stay calm, loving, and even slightly goofy in the process
Hey you guys!!! This week is the final week of the "At the Movies-80's" and this week we're featuring the lovable misfits that you voted overwhelmingly to feature. We think EVERYONE can learn something valuable about being part of actionchurch from the Goonies.
It's been 31 years since Ferris Bueller took his famous day off from high school. Is it possible that his story could contain a solution for the unrest, anger, and hate that we struggle with in 2017? Is it possible that one of the most unlikely characters in the movie was actually echoing the apostle Paul?
This week at the movies we're bringing back Maverick, Goose, Iceman, and even Slider. So watch TOP GUN, and come prepared Sunday to learn something that 31 years later will help YOU stay off the "highway to the danger zone"
Exercising faith requires discipline, is uncomfortable, costs something and doesn’t show immediate results.
Jesus left us with a mandate, a platform… and THE POWER of the holy spirit. What happens next is up to us.
The story of Onesimus and Philemon is AWKWARD. Broken relationships and learning to leverage forgiveness and reconciliation.
Following Jesus is more about self discipline than self esteem and not growing is NOT an option!
When it comes to being a Christian, participation in a local church is half the battle.
More is more. Less is more. OR satisfaction isn’t found in MORE or LESS. It’s found in wisely LEVERAGING everything we have!
Getting everything I want is the LEAST satisfying way of living. NO ONE gets rear-ended when EVERYONE yields…
What should I do with my life? What should I be when I grow up? What can I do that makes a difference? What is my life’s work?
You probably feel a bit of “holiday hangover”. Some of you may be worried about the coming year. Others of you are filled with plans and resolutions. We pray for something different… something better!
It’s possible for you and I to believe this Christmas. Not because someone told you long ago. Not because you “try to believe” or “want to believe”. Not because you understand the virgin birth, prophecies or "the plan"...
What makes Christmas so special? What is it that makes us create and consume so much content about this one day?
We all expect something FROM Christmas. The wise men expected a King to worship and what they found was a hated despot, a messianic prophecy, and political intrigue.
Our actions impact us and those around us. Our hearts matter to God because everyone matters to God.
We need a recipe for healthy communication. It all starts with putting on your new nature and end with stirring well.
What if what comes out of our mouths is actually an indication of what is happening inside?
Even if God DOESN'T do what I want. Even if GOD DOESN'T seem to “answer” my prayer. Even if my candidate DOESN'T get elected.
Why is it difficult to believe that God's ways are right, the he's in control and can be trusted?
There are burdens we are born with, burdens we let others put on us, and burdens we pick up. How do we deal with burdens that are too big?
Jesus didn’t call us to add a layer of religion to our already over-tired lives. Jesus doesn't respond well when we call him to "come to us" Jesus invites us to download a new operating system.
Blaming creates victims and villains, but is powerless to change the situation. Trusting God creates space for him to show that he is all-powerful.
It's the OPPOSITE of blaming others, the opposite of warning labels and law suits. The opposite of carefully scripted images. Trust God to judge. Give people time to change. You work on YOU.
God is NOT a bully who makes up rules. God is a loving father intent on ALL of his creation flourishing even in its broken and flawed state… those of us who rebel against them stumble.
Blaming others is sort of like trying to make someone else take your ticket at the parking garage.
Miracles happen, but NOT just because we hear the good news. Not just because the good news becomes a good idea. NOT just because we seek relief…answers to prayer…help for our family. We are going to have to become CONVINCED and turn our beliefs to CONVICTIONS!!! How???? like joy. see it. live it…put it to use. share it!
You are the light of the world. Light doesn’t destroy darkness, it displaces it. And, "the Crazy thing is, it’s true…all of it.”
We all have different backgrounds, even some we didn't get to choose. But we ALL need someone in our corner.
Do we rely on ourselves for everything and attempt to exert greater control? Do we put it all on God and do nothing ourselves? Or, is there a third way?
Godly wisdom & common sense immunize our lives from disaster. Resilient people don’t waste their painful experiences, they learn from them!
Resilient people don’t mistake all pain for punishment and they don't take all pain personally.
There is a winning strategy for flourishing families and it’s NOT unbundling family. It’s not taking out the parts we don’t like: the responsibility, the commitment, the difficult relationship and just grabbing the parts we want a la carte. Family is not about what you can “get out” of it…but what you can PUT IN!
Jesus is Lord. That is the entire POINT of Christianity. Jesus was able to BE the sacrifice that would lead us into God’s presence
When you turn your Shame into Blame, your being like Cain. Humility and Confession are the ANTIDOTE to the Shame Blame Spiral!
You can’t control your circumstances, background, or what happens to you next. Sin is a constant. We choose whether to be it’s slave or master.
Are you broken? Something missing? Out of control. Hopeless? Messed things up so badly that you pray you don’t “get what you deserve"? The resurrection of Jesus, Easter, is the missing piece. Because of Jesus, you don't have to get what you deserve. God has a plan… He is in control.
Hope shows up in the very best AND the worst stories! Difficult times will come. People will let you down. God can be trusted ALWAYS, HE is our HOPE!!!
actionchurch is in the business of doing good instead of looking good. Not just because it’s good for business. Not just because it's a great way to motivate people and raise funds. Not just because its expected. We do good so that others will praise Jesus in heaven.
Saying YES to Jesus will at some point mean saying NO to yourself... Are people who go to church just settling for less?
We have a target… not a template. We are actionchurch… not learn about it church… or talk about it church. We are going to keep loving God, loving people, and taking action. We are going to KEEP reaching out to people who have been left behind by organized religion! We are going to remain in our culture instead of isolating ourselves away from others! We are going to keep the great commandment AND the great commission in our sights.
What if there was a place… Where you could be yourself and still fit in. That cared more about doing good in the community, than looking good to the community? That would never lecture you, bore you, or waste your time?
Where your skills and experiences could actually make a difference in York county, no matter who you are? Where each week you heard one practical idea of how to live a more satisfying, meaningful life- instead of being overloaded with pointless information.
What if that place turned out to be a church?
What is the problem AND the hope of Christianity, we are! "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
How do you become a Christian? Is a Christian someone who believes certain things, behaves certain ways or is part of a Christian church? Are you a Christian by default?
The amazing thing about knowing Jesus is that it allows us to know the Creator God! And it's just a little complicated, but it's all in the Big Book of Christmas!
Christmas was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away? It's easy to put it in the “holiday hype” category, easy to celebrate and buy all the merchandise without even really understanding the story, and easy to be cynical and dismiss the whole thing…
Gift giving and gift getting are great. So why would anyone reject the best gift ever, and why do we feel so weird about offering it?
We interviewed Jerry Duncan and know that our resume is PERFECT for something. (and God knows just what that something is...)
Our past impacts our future. Our past transgressions do not define us. Our past can help others.
Don’t have a "good name" to put on your resume? God can still use if for your good, and the good of others!
Are you running on empty? Is your fuel light on? See what Paul has to say in 2nd Corinthians about running out of gas.
The dreaded “check engine light”, and some wisdom about what to do both when it shows up on the dashboard of our vehicle, and our lives.
James (McBride, not the author of the Book of James!) asks us how we are spending our miles. Are we spending our miles loving others or living for ourselves?
The last actionchurch essential. What we believe about God, Sin, the Bible, and Shovels.
The revolutionary way Jesus dealt with the very difficult issues of power, privilege, and leadership. And some encouragement from the words of Jesus for Fathers!
actionchurch essential #2 - Faith *Warning: Contains mild middle-school science, references to miracles and faith healing, and a counter-cultural belief that God is still at work in our world today!
First Sunday at 36 W. 11th Ave. what actionchurch “looks like”, and the ONE THING we can actually control.
Final Service at Frank Theaters: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Peter loses his religion, Gentiles become Christians, and ALL of us learn how to cope with CHANGE.
Angels, prison breaks, a big thanks to Danica Patrick, and the secret to living life “Under control”.
Trying to maintain control is exhausting and futile, and being out of control is even worse. There is another way…
This is a great story of redemption and forgiveness! If you ever gone through a crisis...a time that you questioned your life decisions up to that point...maybe even questioned your faith...THIS is the story for you
The shocking life and death of Judas Iscariot. Jesus talks about Judgment Day, rock or sand, and the importance of “selling out”.
The REAL Mary Magdalene, too many “Marys”, Fat-Shaming Disciples, Gender and the Bible, Jesus comforts the brokenhearted and empowers the powerless.
The strangest “how we met” story ever. Why resurrection matters, the axe murderer question, and an amazing Easter story of a crucified criminal…the one NOT named Jesus.
Hand washing, water into wine, intestinal flora, “Partying with Jesus”, and that one super-annoying thing that Jesus said that made even his closest friends uncomfortable…
Exorcism, Jesus goes negative, the “unforgivable sin”, gas prices, politics, and great news from a former opponent turned PROPONENT of Jesus - the Apostle Paul.
Hungry disciples & cranky Pharisees, Jesus heals a man (and almost gets arrested in the process), Don’s “One Traffic Law” idea, and why Jesus’ “bad attitude” toward religious rules is VERY good news for us today!
Adnan and Jay…and Sarah, “Saint” Matthew, “Scummy Friends”, Jesus Rants about the Religious, Furnace Trouble, and the GOOD NEWS about Jesus’ VERY BAD reputation.
How to actually “build” an idol, “what’s the Point?”, the Failure list, and why the “Bad” stories in the Bible are very GOOD NEWS for us today.
Palm Trees vs Weeds Finale, the story of Shimei, drinking the “poop water”, and why Jesus and his church are the secret to TRULY flourishing.
More Palm trees and weeds, Gluten FOR Free, the worst marketing plan ever, the BIG announcement, and why flourishing God’s way is not quicker, easier, or less painful…it’s just BETTER.
More Palm trees and weeds, “Palm Rustlers”, the most important apostrophe, fun with infographics, and the secret to flourishing the RIGHT way.
Palm trees and weeds, Florida Georgia Line and Lil’ Jon, The Big Lie, and ONE everyday choice that can change your life forever.
Crowded Christmas: nutcracker soldiers vs the Grinch, Spying Flying Elves, Ex-Shepherds, Ninja Shepherds, Sensitive Knitting Shepherds, and how ONE story cuts through it ALL…and is good news for ALL people…even shepherds.
Were you born here or moved here, that 90’s rock song about a certain city, circumstances beyond our control, embarrassing relatives, and the ONE decision that matters…Yes or NO to Jesus.
Talking about "talking about Star Wars", Baby Jesus Nerds, Prophecy as teaser trailers, and why people still celebrate the birth of a man named Jesus.
Divorce, death, and…yes…gratitude. Romans 5 on why followers of Jesus can be truly grateful on the Best AND worst day of their lives…
Thanksgiving disasters, the “ONE THING” that steals our gratitude, Charles Manson, the original Thanksgiving proclamation, and how to be grateful in unhappy times.
“Happy” holidays, angry vineyard workers, Christmas list jerks, taking an un-selfie, and Jesus’s strategy for grateful living.
One more thing…” IKEA hotdogs, the definition of “futon", Joshua’s last words, and the most important thing that can happen in a “some assembly required” relationship with God.
Amish vs. Hipsters, Rescue Helicopters, That time actionchurch moved to the Theaters, Unexplainable miracles, and the amazing power of “assembling together”.
Stolen treasure, engine “building”, Joshua the doubter, Losing faith, and why we can trust God even when things seem impossibly broken.
Power tools, prayer and obedience, nail gun accidents, worship, trust, tiny tool boxes, and the role that planning and practice have in experiencing God’s POWER.
Joshua and the people of Israel cross the Jordon, Hand knitted scarves and angry Dads, Mac vs PC instructions, and how to unbox God’s gifts and get started.
Sermon about Joshua, “Free” Allen Wrenches, Amazon Rocking Chairs, the “IKEA affect” and why we can trust God to give us everything we need to do anything he asks.
Middle school math, relativism, 144 rolls of tape, and the SOLUTION the Bible gives to living in an angry world.
Chili, identity theft, weight gain, and how to not allow anger to become bitterness and resentment in our lives. (Bonus audio of Don totally losing it!)
Anger, eating, the biscuit/corn muffin dilemma, how things and people actually “make us mad”, and a fool-proof temper control strategy from the book of James.
Politics, Religion, (anti) social media, being offended, pistol dueling, and how to live wisely in a world of “OUTRAGE”.
Fighting Philistines, the Ark of the covenant, homesick cows, and how to completely “break” actionchurch!
The choices we make, the choices that make us, and the secret story behind being divergent…a “temporary resident” of earth.
David & Bathsheba, SnowMen & SnowMonsters, Elsa from FROZEN, and the Joy and Peace that comes from honestly repenting of sin.
Walter Mitty, the Apostle Paul, Pax Romana, lots of gratuitous use of the word “quintessence”, and the secret to living out destiny God has for us all.
Gravity (the movie AND the force), Four-tenths of the Ten Commandments, jogging while old, and the value of living a life within God’s laws.
Well, a-beat the drum and hold the phone The sun came out today We're born again, there's new grass on the field A-roundin' third and headed for home It's a brown-eyed handsome man Anyone can understand the way I feel
Oh, put me in coach, I'm ready to play today Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today Look at me, I can be centerfield
Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows, it’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me and nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, But it ain’t about how hard you hit it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s about how much you can take and keep moving forward Now if you know what you’re worth, then go get what you’re worth, But you gotta be willing to take the hits. That’s how winning is done. And not point fingers saying I ain’t where I want to be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that, and that ain’t you. You’re better than that, in Christ.
We are kicking off a new series called Sports Games. Bill didn't want to pass on an opportunity to speak! He's going to run with the idea, make some points, and try not to fumble. Next week he'll hand off the series to Steve and Rich will take a swing at it the following week!
Jesus and a Naked Homeless guy, Church Camp, Demon possessed Volkswagens, Flying Pigs, and what to do next if Jesus has changed your life!
Fatherhood, wristwatches, the “s-word” in the Bible, and learning to lead like the NAMELESS Roman Centurion who called for Jesus.
Bad names, an extremely awkward dinner, prostitutes, cheesecake, God’s grace, and the power of one brave, faith-filled, nameless woman.
Celebrity culture, wisdom as an alternate lifestyle, “evandalism”, and changing the world-even if no one knows your name.
Salsa dancing/eating, Satan’s twisted version of the Lord’s prayer, debt collection, and the connection between forgiving others and resisting temptation.
Bad Dancing through the ages, mothers day flowers, Manna, Superstitions, and learning to depend on God every day!
Line dancing lessons, motherhood, worry, and Learning to pray (and live) in God’s will. With special guest Michele Record.
Footloose 1984, the fifth commandment, parents and teenagers, and learning to Pray like Jesus.
Making HUGE mistakes, how it all started, sin, grace and Jesus and a ton of other offensive things. Sin is the issue, but not sinning isn't the solution.
Regret, dinosaurs, REWINDING your life, “Saint” Peter, and the power unleashed by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Watching movies backwards, the “Beatitudes”, the “Happy” Song, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and living as salt and light…as Heaven…right here on earth!
OREO cookies, white boarding the Bible, REWINDING history, and what happens AFTER the “end of the world”. Featuring the lovable face of Derek, the VHS tape!
Snake bites, Kelly Clarkson and the stomach flu, dealing with critics, friendly islanders, and living an UNSTOPPABLE life for Christ.
Living through deep squiggle, Roman Justice, cutting off lifeboats, and the power of community in a storm!
The Squiggle, dealing with headwinds, living an adventure instead of a disaster, and an amazing story of a job interview in the middle of a snowstorm.
Shipwrecks, visiting angels, the comparison trap, dangerous sermons, and weathering storms well for the benefit of others.
The Apostle Paul, Ginger and Mariane, “the Squiggle”, and living an adventure instead of surviving a disaster.
The finale to our birthday series: We, (you, me and actionchurch) are going to be Wiser. It’s is not all for us, and it’s is not all for now. Check it out!We, (you, me and actionchurch) are going to be wiser. It’s is not all for us, and it’s is not all for now.
Bronze Snakes, Birthday Ponies, King Hezekiah, and greater blessing through greater obedience!
King Hezekiah, starting a church in a bar, angry bloggers, bold prayers and the space/time continuum. We are going to pray bolder prayers, not because we are good, but because God is good.
Prison selfies, Christian Jerks, knowing your audience, and Paul’s advice about living so that even the people who don’t like you…secretly wish they were like you.
Group selfies, saving turtles, septic tanks, and Paul’s great advice for improving any relationship.
Awesome selfies, getting hit in the head with a baseball, “the body of Christ”, and why truly being part of a church is the best thing that can happen to a follower of Jesus.
Bad selfies, great insight from Paul’s letter to the Roman church, living sacrifices, and the power of honest evaluation.
The most “unlucky” day of the year, elves, reindeer, Santa, Die-Hard, and how the Christmas MIRACLE is so much more amazing than Christmas “Magic”.
Re-gifting, Me-gifting, Honeymoons, Delivery rooms, and the power of NOT getting what you want at Christmas!
Swaddled baby Jesus, Chipotle, Thor, Duck Dynasty, and the one thing God celebrated on the first Christmas that changes EVERYTHING, even today!
Steve Jobs, demon possession, breaking levers, and the amazing power of faith…even when we fail. Bonus video of actionkidz doing a little turkey bowling!
Faith, winning the lottery, Elijah and pancakes, and the importance of “going first”. This week is also brought to you by the internal microphone in the laptop instead of the sound system...
Mechanical and spiritual advantage, catapulting mountains, the parable of the three servants, and LOTS of second grade science. Also, you missed an some awesome music from the infamous Johnny Likes Cupcakes. Just one of the many reasons to show up Sunday mornings!!
Deer hunting, Saddam, Uday, and Qusay Husseian, Viagra commercials, and why you should absolutely trust God. Also, we finished answering a bunch of questions about actionchurch!
Being “mad” at God, the danger of Star Wars questions, what the fox actually says and what it means to actually “live by faith”.
Praying “either/or” prayers, questions about drinking alcohol, goat taxes, and “unbelievable” answers from God.
Questions that are actually complaints, country songs, the prophet Habakkuk, and trusting God when you have unanswered questions.
This week we talked about why people quit gyms AND churches, spandex, an AWFUL rhyme, and the amazing power of encouraging “one another”. But wait, there’s more. Listen now and hear about our bonus Christian t-shirt idea!
This morning we talked about mini-vans, car slobs, Cheerios, how to know if you are a “mature” Christian, and God’s wonderful plan for restoring Bros who sin.
This Sunday we heard about an unintentional weed possession, church discipline, and how to judge situations without “being the judge”. Probably known from now on as the “Drug Sermon”.
This Sunday we talked about about debt, prison, DVD players, fighting with your “Bros” (and sisters), and how to reconcile through forgiveness.
We talked about Cracker Barrel, “one another-ing”, bros and foes, and the one thing Jesus said we could do to would show the world we were his followers.
This week we talked about Jesus’ infamous zombie sermon, zombies who look like emo kids, the apocalyptic writings in revelation, and how to quit shrugging about eternity.
We talked about Jackie Robinson, $38,000.00 purses, heart problems, racism, and how the teachings of Jesus can radically change how human beings interact.
This week in our At The Movies series, we watched Wreck it Ralph and chatted about candy, an angry “bad guy” who never ate bacon, and a game-changing principle from scripture that will change your life!
This week we began the at the movies series with a sermon featuring clips from film “the Dark Knight Rises”, nazis, satan, and really questionable Bane and Batman impersonations. Most importantly, we learned from scripture a method to discern between good and evil, heroes and villains (even at the most desperate storms of ours lives).
Rich Haas, a member of our leadership team talked this past Sunday about Greek folk dancing, “popular” music, and learning to trust the “mighty fortress” that is our God. Regrettably, he shared no photos from his eighties hair metal days.
Steve Warrington, or as we call him within the church leadership team, Elder Warrington – Children’s Church Pastor, preached this past Sunday! He talked about The Who, Psalm 100, and sheep. Also, we recorded the sermon using a laptop mic to make it feel like a bootleg copy… Ok, enough sarcasm, enjoy!
We talked about Fluffy unicorns, bananas with dreadlocks, and the desire for money and things that enslave us.
We talked about “free passes” to Disney World, serving each other in love, and “bull-crap free” Christian living.
We talked about Roller coasters, what really happens at youth group day at Six Flags, and living of Freedom in Christ.
We talked about “God’s work”, family, and what to do when the two seem to be totally at odds with each other.
Steve Warrington talked about taking the next step, how to react to a “moment of Grace” and how to leave a legacy long after you’re gone!
This Sunday we talked about Ezra, Will Smith, the Hebrew word for “Nerd”, and how one moment of undeserved favor can change everything!
We talked about the ancient greek origins of the Filet-o-fish, awkward silence, even more awkward worship songs, and what it means to truly love God. And if you missed the actual service, you missed a great time of breaking bread and drinking juice.
We talked about crazy eyewitnesses, Doubting Thomas, and why knowing the “WHO” is ALWAYS more important than the What, When, Where, How, and Why.
We talked about stretchy phone cords, revolutionary ideas, fishy McBites, and how Jesus took worshiping God from a single “land line” in the temple to a “wireless” network that covered the world!
Sermon about Luke Skywalker, nuclear war/gangnum style, Jesus Tweeting, and trusting God even when you are disappointed, disillusioned, and barely hanging on.
Sermon about Jepthah,(Not the other brother from Duck Dynasty), Donkey Gangs, Human Sacrifice, and how not to turn your God-given dream into a nightmare!
Steve Warrington talked about Barak (not the President one), Deborah, unicorns, wombats, and stepping out in faith while trusting God to keep score!
We continued our Hall of Faith by talking about Samson, hot philistine women, how “x” is pronounced “by” (or not), flaming foxes, and how living by faith can please God (in spite of our weaknesses).
This Sunday we talked about Ishmaelite raiders, how the “x” is pronounced “by”, the Bible Fairy, and how living by Faith is the only way to please God!
Sermon about murderers, religion, writing manifestos, and how with God one person can make a difference.
We talked about Ironman, gay activists, christian chicken, shrewd serpents, and harmless doves. Yeah, that’s just ridiculous.
Last week we talked about Q-tips, mission drift, and how we will leverage EVERY advantage to spread the Good News. Also, two words. Wax Vac.
We talked about fat cats and “fat cats’. Looked at the trajectory of power, and how Jesus powered down, started the church, and changed the world.
In the last week of our Fight or Flight series we talked about running for no particular reason, “drink offerings”, my superbowl prediction and how not to “waste” your life.
Rich Haas shared with us a lesson on loneliness and how to fight it. Hint: We have actiongroups for a reason! :-)
This sermon will make you laugh, it will make you uncomfortable, it will make you laugh uncomfortably, or make you uncomfortable because you laughed. Hear all about lust, grace, and the vomit bowl. We also announced our Spring actiongroups. Complete with a very “professional” video and Marian showing us how an outro should be done!
This Sunday we talked about martial arts, your hypothalamus gland, adrenaline, and what Scriptures say we should run from… and to.
This past week we talked about about Secret Santa, Joseph the father of Jesus, oven mitts, and learning to love over the limit! Listen close for the part where we accidentally censored Don. Recording issue, not actually bad content. On second thought, all actionchurch content might be bad… Your experience may vary. Don’t use while operating heavy machinery. This is why we call ourselves the Dumbest Church in America™.
This week’s sermon was about bathtub Mary’s, sacrifice, living a life of significance, and what it means to gain “favor” from God. Also, find out how you can be apart of putting the action in actionchurch this Christmas AND, how you most likely already have!
While we can’t bring the first person experience of inflatable Christmas decorations, lights, and Noel candles, we give can you the next best thing in podcast form!! This week we talked about Herald angels, Pooping Barbie Dogs, the birth of Jesus, and kicking Persian messengers down a well.
“The new F-word in the church is forgive.” Bill Synder shared some of his story with us this past Sunday. You only live once, so don’t waste one minute of it not forgiving!
And in case you weren’t there and missed the video, check it out!
This past Sunday we talked about forehead tattoos, arguing with Jesus and not worrying about the details! Enjoy.
You only live once. So don’t spend that life being discontent. Steve Warrington brings us another sermon in our YOLO series!
In the first week of our YOLO (You Only Live Once) series we learned about David and Bathsheba, Taylor Swift, water stains, and confession. Enjoy!
We continued our In God We Trust series by talking about thinking like no one else thinks, driving without headlights, and trusting God. Enjoy!
Our new series “Inside the Camp” is all about the who, what, why of actionchurch, and the what the book of Deuteronomy says. This week we take a look at why we started this place called actionchurch, and where we are going next. This isn’t about The Church, it’s all about actionchurch.
This weeks podcast is about everyone’s favorite book/movie the Hunger Games!!! How will Pastor Don relate this crazy story to the bible? Listen in and Enjoy!
In this weeks podcast we will learn about how a children’s movie is actually much deeper then it may appear. How ba-a-a-a-a-d can it be. Enjoy!
This month’s At The Movies series marks a 5 year tradition at actionchurch. This week’s movie was “We Bought a Zoo”. If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, go watch it now. We don’t want to ruin the story for you! This story and the story of Saul/Paul from the Bible is all about starting a new life. So grab some popcorn and check out this week’s sermon!
This was the final sermon in our True Fiction series! Each week we’ve heard from a different speaker, stories that Jesus made up to teach and instruct. This week Rich Haas shared another story that Jesus told with us – the story of the Good Samaritan. Let’s get started!
This was just another crazy day at actionchurch. And while you might not get to experience the production issues like you would have Sunday morning, you can hear another fictional story for the Bible that Jesus made up to make a point! This whole month we’ve been hearing different parables from different speakers.
This week Don shared the Parable of the Vineyard Workers found in Matthew 20. Enjoy!
There are a ton of stories, fact and fiction, in the Bible. During the month of July, we have a different speaker each week talking about the fictional stories that Jesus made up to teach and instruct. This week Steve Warrington taught the parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed, and asked the question, “How is your heart?”. This story is found in Matthew 13:1-23.
There are a ton of stories, fact and fiction, in the Bible. This month we are talking about the fictional stories that Jesus made up to teach and instruct. This week James McBride told his favorite parable of the Prodigal Son, or as he called it, The Loving Father. This story is found in Luke 15:11-32.
James also showed a shortened version of an interview with Brian Welch (formerly from Korn) at the end of his message. You can check out the full interview below!
This week we’ll learn about how being obedient-ish isn’t enough. More modern day connections are made and make sure you stay tuned to hear about the famous “Relay for Life”. Enjoy!
This week we’ll go over 2 kings 4. We talk about how devoted our mom’s are, and we look at how men and women have barely changed behaviors over the years. Oh and Don is saying let us, not lettuce. Enjoy!
Its a new month and you know what that means. A new series! And one heck of a series at that. Plenty of suffix’s too!
What is a good wedding without a Honeymoon? Actually don’t be to excited because we’ll be focusing on the trip home from the Honeymoon. The scripture used this week includes Acts 8:1-4
On a lighter note we learn that pastor Don graduated in the era of “good music”, cow’s however, may have killed that era in their conspiracy group. We also listen to some historical viral music. Which leads us to realize that Jesus is the biggest Viral hit ever known.
Modern day cow conspirators… Yes cows. We’ll also take a look into the book of Acts, chapter 4, and look at how the conspirators of the past couldn’t keep Jesus’s resurrection a secret.