Flagstone Church of Christ: Recent Episodes
Flagstone Church of Christ
Sunday lessons and Wednesday Night Unscripted talks. For video, check out our Youtube Channel at https://youtube.com/flagstonechurchofchrist
Shame is such a powerful emotion. It goes beyond just a sense of guilt or remorse for past mistakes. Shame leads me to believe, not just that I did something bad, but that I am a bad person. That kind of perspective can be devastating to my sense of self-worth. But Jesus came into our world to conquer the things that keep us separated from God, including our shame. So how do I recognize if shame is something that is impacting my attitude and actions? And how do I allow Jesus to defeat and remove feelings of shame from my mind and heart?
The pursuit of happiness is one of the "rights" outlined in the Declaration of Independence. It's a concept that permeates our culture even today - pursue happiness...search for and find what makes you happy. But is being happy truly the goal in life? Is that what God wants for me? To just make sure that I'm happy? Scripture seems to indicate that God calls us to choose something even greater than happiness. God calls us to choose joy. But aren't joy and happiness the same thing? If they're not, how do I know the difference? And how do I make sure that I'm moving beyond pursuing happiness to taking hold of joy?
The Bible consistently calls God's people to experience joy. Over and over different authors in scripture talk about rejoicing and celebrating God's blessings and God's presence...and that's a good thing! But sometimes I don't feel very joyful. There are days when I'm hurting or I'm tired or I've lost something or someone that meant a lot to me - there are days when I'm just sad. But is that wrong? Does it make me a bad Christian if I have feelings of sadness? How do I keep my moments of sadness from taking over my thoughts and controlling my actions?
There are seemingly countless phobias that affect millions of people worldwide. There are constantly fear and anxiety-inducing situations many of us deal with on a regular basis. Then we read scriptures that say "do not fear" and "don't be afraid," and we feel guilty because we actually are afraid. So is it wrong to feel anxious? Is it wrong to feel fear? And what do I do when it seems like, instead of conquering my fear, my fear is conquering me?
Recent surveys indicate that a majority of Americans believe the country is angrier now than a generation ago. We seem to allow our angry feelings to influence our words and our actions than maybe people in our culture used to. But anger is just a natural emotion, isn't it? Don't I have the right to get angry about things that really bother me? While most of our feelings are natural responses to circumstances around us, allowing strong emotions (like anger) to take control of our thoughts and actions can lead to a whole bunch of problems. So how do I get better at navigating my feelings when someone makes me angry?
Studies have shown how important it is for human beings to have a sense of belonging, to have a community that they feel like they're a part of. This makes sense because from the very beginning, God designed us for relationships. We're supposed to have connections with others; we're supposed to have a sense of community with each other, especially those of us who are followers of Jesus. But this need for connection goes beyond just an innate desire to have relationships with others. We are actually challenged by God to have connections, not just with Him, but with each other. It's not just a recommendation; it's a calling.
40% of Americans say they feel a deep sense of peace on at least a weekly basis. Yet the United States ranks in the top 5 of most stressed countries in the world. We seem to be a people who crave peace yet find difficulty in achieving it. But peace is something that scripture says Jesus came to give and something that God calls His followers to. So how do I find God's peace, and how do I get better at sharing that peace with others?
"Holy" is one of those churchy-sounding words that gets tossed around a lot, especially in Christian circles. For many of us, when we call something "holy," we're saying that it holds special significance and meaning, most importantly to God. But is that it? Is that all that holiness is about? What if I had a deeper understanding of what it meant to be holy? Would that change how I view God, how I view others, or even how I view myself?
Many of us have experienced what it's like to not be picked. We didn't get picked when choosing teams on the playground; the person we wanted to date chose someone else; the promotion we were hoping for went to a co-worker. It can be confusing and even hurtful to not be chosen. The good news is God has chosen each one of us to experience His grace. He has chosen each one of us to have the opportunity to be His child. But the question is...what do I do with that calling? How do I respond when I'm called to a relationship with Jesus?
Throughout scripture we see God calling certain people for certain purposes. He saw certain individuals where they were and chose them to accomplish particular tasks or share specific messages. This "calling" helped provide direction and purpose to the action being taken. But does God still do that today? Does God actually have a calling for me? And if so, what is it?
- God doesn’t wait for polished people—He calls the bold, the broken, and the imperfect. Through the life of Peter, we’ll explore how raw, impulsive faith—when surrendered to Jesus—becomes the foundation of a powerful calling. This is a message for anyone who feels unqualified, overlooked, or uncertain about their purpose. God isn't looking for perfection. He's looking for your yes.
Multiple times in scripture we see Jesus' so-called enemies plotting to discredit Him, arrest Him, even have Him killed. It wasn't only Jesus who was having His life threatened though. One of His followers named Lazarus was a thorn in the side of Jesus' opponents as well - so much so that they plotted to take his life too. What can Lazarus' story teach me about sharing my faith story with others?
Most of us like to feel like we're in control. We try to make sure things go the way we want them to, or we at least try to avoid things that may be difficult or hurtful. But then life happens - we experience hardship, frustration, disappointment. And when we can't fix it ourselves, we look to God to fix it for us. But we often want to dictate to Him what it is he does for us, even though our plans may not match up with His. So how do I become more trusting? How do I learn to let go of control and accept God's plan and God's timing?
Some before-and-after stories are positive and inspiring, and some are negative and heartbreaking. While some people experience changes in their lives that bring them more success or comfort or better relationships, other people experience changes that create disharmony and heartache, especially when they make hurtful and self-destructive choices. The story in scripture about a man named Demas is a painful before-and-after story that reminds us that some personal transformations aren't always joyful.
Pet names, nicknames, "handles" - there are a lot of different labels we wear and a variety of names people call us by. Often those names are based on character traits or at least the way other people see or feel about us. There's a man in scripture named John who had a very unique nickname - one that described his character and had come to define him as a person. But then John experienced a transformation that didn't just change his nickname; it changed his story.
We love “before and after” stories, especially stories of people who experience some kind of significant change in their lives. It’s fascinating to see the distinct differences in what a person used to look like or act like before that transformation took place and what that person’s life looks like now. The Bible is full of “before and after” stories, and we’re going to dive into some of them and discover the transformational changes we can experience in our own lives.
We may believe there is a Holy Spirit. We may believe that the Holy Spirit is still active in our world and in our lives. But even if we have an understanding of what the Holy Spirit does, how do we know He’s actually doing it? How do I grow in my awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and action?
Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity, and that the Holy Spirit is living in all of us who have put our faith in Jesus and become children of God. But what does the Holy Spirit actually do? Is He just an idle presence, or does He take a more active role in my life? If I want to stay in connection with the Spirit, it's important for me to understand and acknowledge what the Spirit is actively doing.
What is the Holy Spirit? Is it a force? Is it a ghost? Is it my conscience? Is it some kind of nebulous, supernatural energy? The Holy Spirit is talked about throughout scripture, and yet the Holy Spirit is something (or someone) many Christians know very little about. For the next few weeks at Flagstone, we're going to dive into the mystery of Holy Spirit and discover the amazing blessings that come with having the Spirit in our lives.
We often think of worship as something we do in private devotional times or when we're together with other Christians. It's the singing and praying and scripture-reading that we do to remind ourselves of God's goodness and to give Him honor and praise for His blessings. But what if worship is something that stretches beyond what I do in a church building? What if worship actually has more to do with how I live my life?
Some churches take communion every Sunday; some take communion once a month; some on certain special occasions. Some churches use one cup; some use several. Some churches only have certain church leaders distribute communion elements; some let anyone function as a communion server. So which way is the right way to participate in communion? And maybe more importantly, why do we even observe communion in the first place?
We praise athletes for their performance on the field, and we praise actors for their performance on the big screen. When someone does something that we are amazed by or thankful for, we express that emotion through words and actions of praise. But what about praise for God? Do we allow His actions to move us to praise Him for what He's done? And is there a right way and a wrong way to give God our praise?
Search through scripture, and you’ll find a variety of methods people used to engage in worshipping God. Over the last few centuries churches have united and divided themselves over various worship practices, trying to determine what is the “right way” to worship. For the next several weeks at Flagstone we are going to rediscover worship. We are going to remind ourselves, or maybe learn for the first time, what should be at the core of our worship and why true worship that God desires from His people really matters.
Throughout the Bible we see God being worshipped in a variety of ways - sacrificing animals, presenting crops, singing songs, and more. Some methods of worship were very ritualistic; some were less formal. But as we look through the history of God's people worshipping Him, we find some core principles that those worship methods have in common and some challenging questions that all of God's worshippers must ask themselves.
Search through scripture, and you’ll find a variety of methods people used to engage in worshipping God. Over the last few centuries churches have united and divided themselves over various worship practices, trying to determine what is the “right way” to worship. For the next several weeks at Flagstone we are going to rediscover worship. We are going to remind ourselves, or maybe learn for the first time, what should be at the core of our worship and why true worship that God desires from His people really matters.
There was a moment 2000 years ago that changed everything – a moment when fear was defeated, when guilt was crushed, when death was conquered. But when the stone was rolled away and Jesus walked out of the tomb that used to hold His lifeless body, in that moment we received forgiveness and peace and hope. And we invite you to come discover and celebrate that with us at Flagstone this Easter.
Sometimes the things that we feel called by God to do seem relatively easy, or at least they don't make us very uncomfortable. But sometimes God challenges us through His Word or through His Spirit or even through certain circumstances to take actions and make decisions that stretch us and push us beyond our comfort zones. But what if that's not what I really want to experience? What if I don't want to go the direction God is calling?
Prayer can be a powerful thing. But it can also be a very frustrating thing, especially when my prayers aren't being answered...or at least not the way I want them to be. Unanswered prayers can push me to the limit of my relationship with God and my trust in Him. What do I do when it seems like God isn't listening? What do I do when it seems like, even if God is paying attention, His answer to my prayer appears to be "no"?
I act right. I'm helpful when I can be. I'm a good citizen. I go to church. I take care of my family. I donate to charity. I may have a lot of actions that I take that I hope are not only helping me be a good person but are also making a difference in this world. But if I don't see any impact? What if it feels like trying to do the right thing or trying to help is just a waste of time? What do I do when it feels like I'm not making a difference?
Most of us find ourselves being tempted on multiple occasions to do something we shouldn't. But many of us have that certain temptation, that certain habit or struggle, that is consistently a problem. We try not to give in; we try to stay strong. But we often find ourselves being pushed to the limit of our ability to say "no." What do I do when my temptations push me to my breaking point? How can I keep from breaking down and giving in to the struggles I should avoid?
We may attribute distance from God to busyness or lack of focus. Sometimes we may even accuse God of distancing Himself from us (even though that's probably not the case). But there are also times when the source of disconnection is us - it's our own decisions and our own actions and the regret and guilt of our mistakes that can push us to a breaking point in our faith. What do I do when my choices and my remorse push me away from my relationship with God?
We all have our breaking points - the limits of what we feel like we can handle. Sometimes we find ourselves at an emotional or even spiritual breaking point because of consequences to our own choices. But sometimes we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and pushed to our limit, and we have done nothing to deserve it. What do I do when I'm overwhelmed by circumstances beyond my control...especially when I've done nothing wrong?
When there are conflicts or when there is distance in a certain relationship, I may try to blame the other person and hold them at fault. Or I may be able to take an honest look at my own actions and see how I may be contributing to the problem. But what if the source of the issue is rooted, not just in my actions, but in my self-esteem? What if the way I view myself is having a negative impact on my relationship with someone else? What if how I feel about "me" is causing problems for "us"?
So many feuds between families and friends, so many conflicts between nations, so many squabbles between couples could possibly be prevented if one or both parties would choose to forgive the other. And yet the core issue that causes distance and disconnection in many relationships is an inability, or maybe just an unwillingness, to forgive. How do I truly forgive someone who has caused me pain? And how does holding onto bitterness impact my relationships?
There is a significant truth revealed throughout scripture - our words have power. God calls us to use our words wisely because they have the power to give life or to destroy. If I'm experiencing difficulty in a certain relationship, I need to recognize how my words might be impacting that connection. But how can I tell if my words are helping or hindering the growth of this relationship? And what do I do when my words are damaging my connections?
There may be a conflict between the two of us, maybe some resentment, maybe some frustration. And my initial response may be to blame you as the source of the problem. But what if the main reason for our conflict has less to do with your words and your actions (or lack of them) and more to do with my own assumptions about you and about our connection with each other? What do I if my unhealthy expectations are the source of our disconnection?
We all want to have some sense of control over certain events in our lives. We want to feel like we can dictate certain circumstances to our benefit if possible. But what happens when my desire to maintain control ends up infringing on someone else's well-being? I can consciously, or often subconsciously, make a habit of trying to dictate other people's actions and attitudes...and that's a problem. How do I know if I have an unhealthy desire for control? And what can I do to change it?
Over the last few years, there has been a steady decline in the U.S., not just in church attendance, but in church involvement as well. There are so many other things that people devote their time and energy to that getting connected with or volunteering at a church has taken a back seat to other priorities. But is it really important whether I go to church or not? What if I go to church fairly regularly but I don't really participate? Does it matter whether or not church matters to me?
Throughout the centuries of God's relationship with His people, one of the things He consistently challenged them with was their generosity...or their lack of it! God has always wanted His people to have a heart for giving, not just their time and attention, but also their finances and possessions. Why does it matter to the God (who doesn't need my money) whether or not I'm generous with my money? And what does it look like to have a heart that's devoted to giving?
There are a variety of things that people value and are most passionate about, from sports teams to vacation spots to favorite foods and more. It's easy to tell how much a person has a "heart" for something based on the time, energy, or effort they spend devoted to it. But how many of us have a heart for other people - a passion for helping those in need or sharing our faith with those who have none. How can I tell if I have a heart for people? And what can I do if I don't?
Psychologists and sociologists will say that you can tell a person has a heart for something if they have an intense interest or curiosity in it, if they "light up" or get excited when talking about it, if they actively seek opportunities to engage in a certain activity or to spend time with a certain person even if obstacles get in the way. The question is...do any of those characteristics describe my relationship with God? How do I know if I have a heart for God? And what can I do if I don't?
The bridge between Christmas and the new year is a tricky one. How can I reflect on the infant Christ while also preparing my mind, body, and spirit for the coming new year? Diet and Exercise are common goals for the new year, but I would wager that the biggest goal you can set for 2025 is to Treasure Jesus Christ more. Investing in a steady diet of God's word and exercising our faith are two crucial ways that we can learn to behold Christ daily.
Every nativity scene has some common characters included - obviously the Baby Jesus, his mother Mary, and his father Joseph. You might also see an angel and maybe some farm animals nearby as well. But there are also some characters that probably shouldn't be there...or at least we wouldn't expect them to be. And yet they are vital to the story of the birth of Jesus and vital to our full understanding of God's acceptance and grace that he offers to all of us.
The story of Jesus' birth is full of surprises - angels appearing, life plans changing, the Creator of the Universe becoming a vulnerable little Baby. Just like Joseph, Mary had plans for her life, and those plans got completely disrupted one day when she was visited by an angel. What did she do when God revealed an unexpected change to her plans? And what can I learn from Mary's experience so that I can fully embrace the changes God brings to my life?
We make lots of plans on a fairly regular basis - plans that range from simple decisions like where we're going to eat lunch to more complicated choices like relationships or career paths or finances. But our plans don't always work out the way we see them in our minds, do they? In the story of the birth of Jesus, we see a man who was a planner, a man who had his whole life figured out...until he didn't. What did Joseph do when his life plans got changed? And how can I be more in tune to the change of plans God wants to implement in my life?
Several moments in the Christmas story were unexpected. One of the biggest surprises is how Jesus chose to enter our world in the first place. It wasn't with a parade or nationwide proclamation. It wasn't as a conquering warrior or a popular politician. The Son of God, the Messiah, chose to enter our world as a defenseless Baby. That was a surprise! That was unexpected! But why does that matter? What is it about the surprising birth of Jesus that impacts my life?
There are many who believe that the United States is more divided politically than at any other time in our history. Competing political viewpoints on a variety of topics have fractured friendships and families and even churches. In the middle of such a volatile political climate, can the church really be a source of peace in our communities? As our country heads to the polls this Tuesday, how can Christians actively bring a sense of God's peace into our hostile political landscape?
As God invites me to experience His peace in my life, He also calls me to become a "peacemaker" in this world. But I can't produce the kind of peace in someone else's life that He produces in mine. So how do I help bring peace into my community and my relationships in spite of my own limitations? In a world full of hostility and conflict and anxiety, how do I plant seeds of peace?
God calls us as Christians to be "peacemakers," to be people who generate and produce peace. As we try to understand what it means to be a peacemaker, we need to first look at how Jesus not only provided peace to His followers, but how He provides it to us as well. And I can't share something I don't have, so before I become a peacemaker, I need to honestly ask myself, "Am I experiencing God's peace in my own life?"
Sailors know the value of anchor points when storms hit. They know that it's important to have something solid to anchor to when the winds and the waves come crashing against their boats. And it's important to try to anchor one's vessel ahead of time if possible, before the storm arrives. Anchor points are important for Christians too - solid truths that we can grab hold of and rely on when we experience storms in our own lives. So what are some of these anchor points? And how do I make sure that these promises are going to keep me from drifting away when I go through struggles in my life?
We all face temptations on a regular basis. Some of these enticements are fairly easy for us to turn away from. Others can often take hold of our hearts and dictate our actions. Eventually, giving in to temptations can cause a variety of challenges and "storms" in our lives. But what if I could prepare for the struggle before I faced it? Would that help me say "no" to that temptation? How do I get myself prepped for the temptation "storm" I see on the horizon?
No human relationship is completely perfect and without problems. Whether it's a marriage, a friendship, or a dating relationship, there will inevitably be issues to deal with - conflict, miscommunication, misunderstanding, etc. What might even start as a small issue can blow up quickly into an all out storm. But what if I could prepare for these negative encounters ahead of time? How can I go about storm proofing my relationships before the situation even happens?
Many people keep a stockpile of supplies for whenever severe storms come - batteries, flashlights, water, rain gear, etc. It makes sense to try to keep a healthy supply of necessities on hand before the storm hits. What about our personal storms though? Do we keep a healthy supply of "necessities" to help us endure the struggles, temptations, and problems that we might wrestle with? What are the "supplies" we need to maintain in order to survive the storms of life?
Throughout world history all kinds of buildings and bridges have crumbled or collapsed for a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes is a faulty foundation. Jesus himself emphasizes the fact that we need a solid foundation in order to weather the storms that come up in our lives. What does a storm proof foundation look like? And how can I make sure I've got a solid foundation to help me deal with my personal struggles?
As people of God, we are designed and called to love and serve and help other people. It's one of the things that God expects His people to do. And the amazing thing is that serving others doesn't just meet the needs of people who need help. Serving others gives us the opportunity to foster connections and build stronger relationships with each other. How does that work? How can volunteering help God's people get better connected to each other?
We have a variety of different communities that we are a part of - work communities, school communities, gym communities, neighborhood communities, online communities, etc. One of the key places we should crave community is in the church. As we launch into our Connection Group Kickoff at Flagstone, we want to remember that signing up for a group is about more than just membership. It's about building relationships; it's about growing connections; it's about building community.
Our mission at Flagstone is to reach out, connect, and serve, and we feel that God is consistently giving us abilities and opportunities to accomplish this mission. But when it comes to getting "connected" with others, some of us may struggle to know exactly how to go about doing that. What does it mean to be connected? And how do I go about connecting with someone else in order to accomplish God's purposes and plans?
It's a special Sunday for the Flagstone family! We're meeting at Green Valley Bible Camp for worship and fun. It's the time of year when kids go back to school and many of us experience new transitions in our routines. While life changes can often be exciting, they can also be challenging. Starting school, starting a new job, changing something about ourselves - these things can produce a lot of stress in our lives. How do I handle it when anxiety and worry want to take control of my mind and my heart?
We believe that it's important to have actions and attitudes that reflect our faith in Jesus, especially when it comes to how we interact with others. We also believe that God puts open doors in front of us - opportunities to connect with someone or show kindness to someone. But do we believe that each of us who is a follower of Jesus has a responsibility to actually share our story, to actually have a conversation with someone about what we believe or how we believe God could bless them? Do I have to share my faith with others? What do I say when the door is opened to me to speak to someone about Jesus?
It's important to look for the open doors of opportunity God puts in front of us and to take advantage of those moments God gives us to share our story with others or do something kind for others. But we also need to pay attention to aspects of our lives that might keep us from walking through those open doors. Are my habits or words or even certain attitudes keeping me from experiencing an opportunity to share my faith or to invite someone to church? How can I make sure my "walk" leads me to an open door?
God consistently gives us opportunities to share our story, share our faith, invite someone to church, or do something kind for someone in His name. So if God is willing to open doors of opportunity for us, why do we often not see them? Why do we not take advantage of the chance to do good? We need to be honest about some of the reasons we miss the doors God opens, and we need to discover at least one powerful tool that can help us make the most of God-given opportunities - the power of prayer.
One of the things we see repeated multiple times in the book of Acts is Christians sharing their faith with others, often in the face of threats and even imprisonment. The early Christians seemed to be so compelled by their new found faith that they couldn't help but tell others about it. Could the same thing be said about Christians today? What are some factors that keep me from sharing with others the good things God has done in my life? And how do I become more consistent in sharing the truth about Jesus?
For almost as long as the church has been in existence, there have been countless threats against it. When the church first began, it experienced a lot of jealousy and unfair treatment from those who didn't believe in Jesus. To be quite honest, not much has changed over the last 2000 years. Christians still come under attack because of their faith, although the method of attack may not be exactly the same as when the church first began. So how did early Christians deal with persecution from non-believers? And can those principles still apply to us today?
There are a variety of reasons that churches have found themselves in conflict from the seemingly ridiculous to the downright destructive. Satan has always been skilled at getting church families to focus on and fight each other over differences of opinion so that the growth of God's church can be stunted. The early church in Acts was no different. In the middle of growth and life-change, the church had to deal with internal conflict as well. What was the blueprint they used then for handling conflict? And how can their method of conflict management help us today?
Of all the different reasons we could list for why God created the church in the first place, one of the main purposes we see in God's plan for His church is to be a body of people that meets the needs, not just of its members, but of its surrounding community as well. We are not made to put blinders on and ignore people's needs. We are designed to have eyes that see people's needs and a heart that wants to do something about them. That's the blueprint; that's the plan. But how do we live that out in our culture today?
After the Holy Spirit breaks out onto God's people after Pentecost, the church is born and they are captivated by SPIRIT FILLED AWE that ignites them to become a church that has become the blueprint for the church of today. Acts 2:42-47 is not a "list of things a church needs to do" but rather the inevitable results of a Spirit filled church on a mission. So how can we position ourselves to be struck with this same spirit filled awe from v.43? And how can we move our AWE into ACTION?
The book of Acts provides depictions of some of the events that took place at the start of the church after Jesus' ascension into heaven, including amazing miracles, challenging sermons, and people coming together as a community. All these stories help to provide a blueprint of how God wants His church to function. But one key aspect of God's plan for His church that we often overlook is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. So how does the Spirit fit into the church's framework? And how do I connect with and allow myself to become filled with the Spirit in my own life?
"Forgive and forget." How often have we heard that sentiment? How often have we said that to someone else? Maybe the tougher question - how often have we actually practiced that? There are lots of us who try to convince others or even ourselves that true forgiveness also means forgetting whatever caused the hurt. But usually the hurt caused by others is quite painful; it leaves a scar; it becomes difficult, maybe even impossible, to forget. So how what does it really mean to forgive others? And how can forgiving someone else for what they did to me actually set me free?
In Luke 4, Jesus says that one of the reasons He came to this earth was to give freedom to the prisoners. He wasn't talking about setting people free from the prison cells they occupied because of crimes they committed or laws they violated. He was talking about setting mankind free - all of us! He came to set us free from our choices and our hurt and the ways we've hurt others. He came to set us free from sin...even if we didn't realize we were imprisoned by it. Does it really matter that God wants to give me forgiveness and grace? And if so, what do I have to do in order to experience that freedom?
A recent survey revealed that 62% of Americans believe they need more forgiveness in their personal lives. Forgiveness is something we seem to value, and yet it's something we sometimes not only struggle to offer to others but struggle to accept for ourselves. We say grace and forgiveness are important, but we aren't always consistent in forgiving others or living like we've experienced grace ourselves. Why do we miss out on the freedom that comes from being forgiven? And how we can get better at living in the grace we have received?
This Sunday we are celebrating our Mothers and wrapping up our series "Exploring Questions that Jesus Asked" with a story found in Luke 2. Mary, the mother of Jesus gets separated from her son for 3 days only to find him sitting in the temple in "his Father's house"... So what kind of mom does it take to raise the Son of God? What does Jesus question to his parents mean for us today? And how can God use regular, everyday, average moms faithfully serving God to achieve His great purposes?
Imagine being one of Jesus' disciples and getting to be an eyewitness when He demonstrated His supernatural power over nature and diseases and even spiritual forces. One would think that His disciples would have no problem trusting in His ability to overcome problems and protect those He cared about. And yet on one particular occasion their faith seemed to be diminishing, if not completely crumbling. It prompted Jesus to ask them a very pointed question - a question I still have to answer for myself today.
From scrolling through social media to binge-watching the newest shows to catching up on highlights of our favorite sports teams to having conversations with family members, friends, and coworkers, we have a lot of things that battle for our focus and attention on a daily basis. Our vision can become so fixed on a variety of different things that we might even miss seeing the things that really matter. Jesus once asked a question to someone who, in that moment, was focused on the wrong thing. It's a question that still demands an answer from us today.
When given the opportunity, many of us tend to choose the thing in life that is newer or flashier or more convenient. And that principle comes into play with our belief systems as well. Many of us often choose to focus on and put our trust in whatever is most popular or most trendy at the time or at least whatever requires less effort from us to participate in. Jesus once found Himself dealing with a group of followers who suddenly found it too challenging to continue to follow Him. He had an important question that He asked His disciples that we still need to answer for ourselves today.
Words and names carry a lot of power. The names we use or the character traits we use to describe someone often stem from our perception of that person or what we've been told about them. In His time on earth, Jesus was referred to by a lot of different names - some positive and some negative - based on what various people thought of Him or had heard about Him. With that concept in mind, Jesus asked His disciples an important question...one that we still need to answer for ourselves today.
One of the more challenging questions Jesus ever asked was actually a rhetorical question. He wasn't seeking an immediate audible response from His audience. He just used a question to confront an issue they were in habit of overlooking. It's a question we still wrestle with today, because it gets at the heart of how we view and treat others...and ultimately how we view ourselves.
When Jesus rose from the grave, it came as a surprise to many, including His own disciples. It shouldn't have been as shocking as it was for two reasons: 1) He told them several times ahead of time that He was going to die and then rise again. 2) He articulated to one of His followers some time before His death that resurrection and life were part of what made Jesus who He was. Following that conversation, Jesus asked a very important question to that disciple that we still need to answer for ourselves today.
When it comes to investing financially, those who are unwilling to make long-term investments are often either worried about the risk involved or are too impatient to wait for their investment to produce results. But what about spiritual investments? What about investing in my relationship with God or investing my time, my energy, maybe even my stuff so that someone else can be blessed? When I can't see immediate results, is it worth it to invest in others? Is it worth it to invest time and effort into my relationship with God?
During this final Sharing Jesus class, we will remind ourselves of the reasons why we need to be engaging in spiritual conversations when the opportunity arises. We will also get some practical tips for effectively sharing the good news about Jesus and helping non-Christians see the need for Jesus in their own lives.
We have a clearer picture of where non-Christians are coming from, and we’ve recognized what’s at the core of some of our own hesitations when it comes to sharing our faith. Now it’s time to get a little more practical. How do we engage in a spiritual conversation with an unchurched person? What do we need to say? What do they need to hear from us?
Debt is not uncommon...at least not in our American culture. It is estimated that approximately 80% of Americans are in some kind of debt right now. Debt has become so commonplace that it almost doesn't bother us - we expect to live with at some amount of debt in our lives. And yet debt can be a cruel master, taking control of our thoughts, actions, and relationships. So how do I get free from it? How can I transform my debt into the freedom that God wants me to enjoy?
After gaining a little bit clearer understanding of the perspective and mindset of non-Christians in our community, in this lesson we turn our focus more towards ourselves as Christians. What are ways we have tried to share our faith with others in the past, and how effective have those methods been? We need to also take an honest look at some of the factors that can cause us to be hesitant when it comes to engaging in spiritual conversations.
When we think of "greedy" people, we think of folks like Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" or Gordon Gekko in the movie "Wall Street." Most of us don't consider ourselves to be greedy. And yet, when we take an honest look at our perspective and our actions when it comes to our finances, we may discover that we have an unhealthy craving to get more money and more stuff. How big of an impact can greed have in my life? And how can I transform my greed into contentment?
My relationship with money can be complicated. Money can be the thing I work hardest to acquire yet complain about the most. It has potential to help me accomplish wonderful things, and it has potential to consume every aspect of my life. I’m called to trust God with my money, but I often end up trusting money to be my god. But what if I shifted my view of money and changed my relationship with it? Could transforming my relationship with money actually transform other parts of my life as well?
The mission is simple: "Make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19) and sharing Jesus makes all the sense in the world when you are surrounded by fellow Christians, but in the real world it might look intimidating and even anxiety inducing. Does it really matter? Am I even allowed to share my faith in corporate America? In this class we will seek to better understand the "unchurched" in our community and fan to flame the Spirit inside of us to go after our friends, colleagues, and family that desperately need Jesus just as much as us.
//Note: Some sections have been clipped due to not being able to hear questions asked. Marshall and Brandon attempt to repeat questions as needed.
Welcome to Unscripted! Church leaders Marshall Brown and Brandon Dodd engage in meaningful conversations and topics aimed at asking questions honestly about culture and faith.This week's episode is about meaningful community, and more specifically about online friendships and relationships. For a long time, there's been a stigma about online relationships, but can they actually be healthy and effective?
God promises to bless His followers, right? That's part of being a child of God - receiving His love and His grace, but also His blessings and His protection. If I believe that to be true, then it becomes very easy for me to expect that I'll never have hardships, nothing will ever go wrong, and God will keep bad things from happening to me. But that's not the reality, is it? What happens to my faith when I experience difficulties I never expected? And how do I continue to trust in God when I'm battling through negative circumstances?
Welcome to Unscripted! Church leaders Marshall Brown and Brandon Dodd engage in meaningful conversations and topics aimed at asking questions honestly about culture and faith.This week's episode is about meaningful community, and more specifically how we are biologically designed for connection. We know that we have a natural desire to connect with people and be a part of a community, but how do our brains actually work when it comes to connection?
The excitement and anticipation of the work I'm doing can fade pretty quickly, especially when the expectations I had going into that job are not being met with my actual experiences. I may have had a vision of a positive, teamwork-oriented, fulfilling environment when I started working at a particular job only to find out that my perfect picture is not my reality. So how am I supposed to handle that? Do I quit? Do I just "grind it out" and suffer through? What do I do when my vision for my job is not what I'm experiencing?
I might have a perfect picture in mind of how flawless my marriage will be, how awesome this dating relationship is going to be, what an amazing connection I'll have with my kids, or how well my friends and I are always going to get along. But then problems come, mistakes are made, and feelings get hurt. My picture-perfect relationship becomes anything but picture-perfect. What do I do what my vision for my relationships doesn't match the reality I'm experiencing.
If we were to come up with a list of things that we get excited about, some of our responses might include vacations or ballgames or opening gifts or going to a certain concert. Something that probably isn't on the list, or at least isn't very high on the list, would be giving...especially giving to the church. It's not that we don't want to give; it's not that we don't think giving is important. It's just something that most of us don't get too excited about. But what if I changed my perspective on giving? Could it become something I actually look forward to? The truth is that changing the way I give can create a change in me!
Scripture tells me that, when I am a child of God, I have the same power in me that God used when He raised Jesus from the dead. That's a lot of power! And yet I often find myself struggling to use the "power" - the gifts and talents and abilities - God has given me. I consistently let opportunities to be a blessing to others pass me by. Why is that? What are the barriers that keep me from using God's gifts in my life? And how do I clean out and overcome those obstacles?
Mahatma Ghandhi once said, "What a man thinks, he becomes." While Ghandi was a very wise individual, he's not the first to recognize the power our minds have. Scripture tells us multiple times how important it is to make sure our minds are pure, because it's our minds that end up dictating our actions. So what are the things that pollute my mind and make it impure? And how do I clean the clutter out of my mind?
The need to go through some kind of physical detox is rarely because of one incident. More often a detox becomes necessary because little by little I have allowed toxins to pollute my body and corrupt my physical health. In the same way the need to detox my spiritual self is rarely because of one incident. More often it is because little by little I have allowed sin or guilt or habits or other things to pollute my soul and corrupt my relationship with God. How do I know if my soul needs to be cleaned out? And what does a soul detox look like?
It's time to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024. Often when the new year rolls around we hear plenty of advice on how to make some significant changes and how to make sure the upcoming year is better than the previous one. But at Flagstone this Sunday, we're going to approach the new year from a different angle? Instead of finding ways to make sure we have a healthy/productive new year, we're going to discover together how to have a lousy one!
It's time to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024. Often when the new year rolls around we hear plenty of advice on how to make some significant changes and how to make sure the upcoming year is better than the previous one. But at Flagstone this Sunday, we're going to approach the new year from a different angle? Instead of finding ways to make sure we have a healthy/productive new year, we're going to discover together how to have a lousy one!
Even when things are hectic and frazzled, there can be moments of calm in the middle of the chaos. When we look at the messiness of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, we can still see at least a moment of beauty and serenity and peace in the middle of the mess...because that's what God has always done. He quiets the storms. He calms the chaos. He even cleans up the mess.
Jesus' birth story seems to be messier than we would expect. For the King of the Universe to finally arrive here on this planet, why so messy and full of drama and underwhelming? In scripture we see that God consistently chooses the broken, messy, and underwhelming people and situations in to do his best work. In fact, he takes those very things and redeems and redefines them for his purposes. Can he do that in your life? You bet.
We all have different "messes" we have to deal with from time to time, especially when we make a hurtful choice or a wrong decision that becomes a problem of our own creation. But sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of a mess we didn't create. Someone else's choices, someone else's actions, or maybe just life itself causes us to find ourselves in the middle of a stressful or even hurtful situation that we might never have intended to experience. What do I do when I find myself in the middle of a mess I didn't make? And what can the story of the birth of Jesus teach me about dealing with problems I never expected?
In spite of all of our best intentions during the Christmas season, Christmas can have often have its share of messes. Some of the problems we have to deal with are the result of other people's choices and actions. What can be even more frustrating are the messes we create on our own. This Christmas we need to recognize that we have some difficult situations in our lives that in all honesty we have brought on ourselves. But we can also acknowledge and celebrate the fact that we have a Savior who came to walk into our messes and rescue us from them.
We say "grace" over a meal. We talk about a person who can handle stress as having "grace under pressure." Someone who does things in an effortless way is described as being "graceful." The word "grace" may have become so common to some of us that we have lost the wonder and the amazement we should experience when we think about the grace God has given us. When we truly recognize how amazing God's grace really is, it's actually indescribable!
The problem with our day to day lives, money, and aspirations in this life is that if we're not careful, we can let those things consume us. We become unable to function due to worry, we end up purchasing things we don't need just to feel good about ourselves, and we walk paths that can lead to destruction if left unchecked. So how can we combat getting overwhelmed and choked out by these things and put Jesus in his rightful place in our lives? Maybe it's as simple as seeking first His Kingdom and letting God take care of the rest.
Disconnection and distance can take place in any relationship, including my relationship with God. I can start out feeling close to Him, consistently feeling His presence around me, and then at some point I realize I've slowly faded away from that connection. How does that happen? What causes me to drift away from God, when I used to feel so close? And how do I reverse my slow fade away from Him?
Anger is a natural way for us to react when we feel we've been wronged in some way or something hurtful has happened to someone we care about. If we deal with that anger in a healthy way, it ceases to be a problem for us. But if we hold onto that bitterness and allow that frustration to continue to grow and fester inside of us, we find ourselves slowly fading into feelings of resentment. Why is resentment such a harmful emotion? And how do I reverse the slow fade into resentment when I'm still feeling angry and hurt?
While there are some temptations we face in life that we see immediately and deal with quickly, there are other common struggles that often creep into our lives slowly. They don't seem very strong or dangerous, and we begin to allow these things to slowly take over our hearts and dictate our actions. We might even justify our choices or try to convince ourselves "it's not a big deal." Eventually these issues become big problems that impact our relationships, our families, even our faith. How do we recognize when we are slowly fading away from our values and our faith? And how do we stop the slow fade and reverse the impact it's having on our lives?
We're finishing our "Known" Series with a call to action. In light of the fact that you are fully known and fully loved by God, can benefit by trying to understand yourself better to understand others better, and see how important it is to be known by a church family, what does it mean to allow OTHERS to see and know Christ by our love? Does the world see Christ in you through your service? Is the Spirit alive in you seen visibly in your life? Are you embodying Christ's sacrificial love? Jesus says in John 15:34-35 that everyone will know you follow Christ by your love for one another. We'll find some practical ways show that love for others!
We all have an innate need to feel known, to feel seen, to feel understood. And one of the places we should be able to find that kind of connection is in the church. And yet, for many the church is a place of disconnection, a place where we feel like completely unknown, maybe even invisible. How can a church family get better at seeing those in need of connection? And if I'm feeling disconnected from my church family, what steps can I take to help me feel seen and understood?
We all have an innate need to be seen and to be known. For many of us the struggle to feel truly known by others is compounded by the fact that we don't really know ourselves. We struggle to understand our own true identity, and so we find ourselves trying to fit into other people's expectations or allowing ourselves to wear the labels other people put on us. How do I begin to truly understand the real me? And how can getting to know myself help me fill my need to be seen and known?
One of the greatest needs that each human being has is the need to feel seen, to feel appreciated, to feel known. Feeling “unknown” and “unseen” can cause significant consequences to our emotional and physical health, as well as our spiritual health and our faith. Many of us struggle with just moving through our daily routine and wondering if anyone really knows us or notices we’re even there. We’re going to spend the next few weeks at Flagstone finding out the beautiful truth that we have a God who truly knows us, and we’re going to discover how important it is for us to try to really see and know our friends, neighbors, and family members.
We are constantly surrounded by all kinds of light - lights in our homes and workplaces, streetlights, stadium lights, even lights on our phones. And yet with all these sources of light many people still find themselves fumbling in the dark - not a physical darkness, but emotional and spiritual darkness. Jesus came to be a light to our dark world, but He also challenged His followers to be a source of light as well. Why is it that God views His church as light? And how do I get better at being a light in the darkness?
Sheep are not always viewed as the most intelligent animals. They're also skittish and somewhat helpless. And yet multiple times in His word God describes His people, especially His church, as sheep. At first glance, it doesn't seem like a very positive thing that God views us as helpless, defenseless animals with questionable intelligence. Is that really what God sees when He looks at us? Or is there a deeper truth we can discover when we picture ourselves as part of God's flock?
There are a variety of buildings we encounter on a regular basis - houses, factories, warehouses, shopping malls, hospitals, and restaurants. Buildings come in different shapes and sizes and are used for different functions. But buildings are also inanimate and stationary. Some are cold and unattractive, and some sit empty and seem to serve no purpose at all. So why does God choose to view His church as a building? What do we know about buildings that can help us better understand our relationship with God?
Wedding ceremonies can be magical and beautiful, but they can also be stress-filled and chaotic. Husbands and wives can seem perfectly matched, and yet most marriages have some amount of mistakes and at least a few problems. In spite of its imperfections and flaws, Jesus chooses to view His church as His bride. But what does that mean? How is the church like a bride? And how does our role as a "bride" impact our relationship with our "Groom"?
Our bodies are made up of a lot of parts, and each one of those parts has a specific function. When my body and all of its parts function the way they're supposed to, I am usually more active and healthy and productive. Several times in scripture God uses "the body" to give us a snapshot of how the church can be active and healthy and productive in this world. So what is my particular "body part"? And how can my "part" help the church make a difference in my community?
"Forgive and forget" - it's a phrase many of us have heard, maybe a lot of us have tried to implement in our lives. We believe that God forgives and forgets our sins and that He expects us to do the same for others. But what if it's hard for me to "forget"? Does it mean that I'm sinning if I can't simply put out of my mind the hurt someone else has caused me? What is the real truth when it comes to forgiving and forgetting?
We all want to feel accepted - it's part of our human nature. One of the things that should cause people to want to connect with God is the fact that He loves all of us and accepts all of us. But if I believe that God accepts me no matter what, does that mean that I don't have to change anything about myself? Does that mean He approves of everything I do too? Does God really love me just the way I am, or are there strings attached to His acceptance?
God is good and wants to provide good things for His children. Any good dad ultimately just wants his kids to be happy right? But does God really just want me to be happy no matter what? What if there's something other than happiness God wants for me - something deeper, something more impactful?
BLURB - There are many words of wisdom and positive insights that people often share with each other about God and how He works in our lives. But what if some of the “truths” we’ve come to believe about God are actually myths? For example, does God really promise that He'll never give me more than I can handle? If that's not completely true, then what is the truth about big challenges in my life? And how does that impact the way I deal with hardships?
He is one of the greatest heroes in the Bible and one of the greatest examples of quality leadership combined with devotion to God. But Moses also had several flaws - he made excuses, he sometimes had a short fuse, he doubted...a lot! Even before he became the leader of Israel, Moses struggled with his own sense of self-worth. What can his flaws teach me about my value and how I view myself? And how can I get better at seeing my value through God's eyes?
Revelation is a book in the Bible that most Christians are intimidated by and often try to avoid. It is full of bizarre imagery and confusing passages. But even if we don't fully understand all the things John describes, there is one key message throughout this book of unique visions - those of us who stay true to God and keep our faith in Him are blessed. Join us as we begin this journey through the book of Revelation and as we learn together what a blessing it is to be part of God's kingdom.
There are several “father figures” described throughout scripture. Some of those dads accomplished amazing feats. Others shared words of timeless wisdom. One thing that almost all of them had in common? They had flaws. There is one dad that the Bible shows was successful in several different aspects of his life…except fatherhood. What can we learn from this dad about the character traits families need from their fathers? And what can all of us learn about our heavenly Father from this particular dad?
Over the last few months as we've walked through the book of Galatians together, we've been reminded of some important truths, and some of us have discovered new ones. Let's spend this class time today reminding ourselves of what we've learned on this journey together.
Sometimes we make some kind of blunder, but no one else sees it or notices it. Other times we mess up, and it feels like everyone sees it. When that happens, I'm not only left with the obligation of dealing with my mistake, but I also have to deal with the embarrassment of my flaws being on display for others to see. What I may not realize is that there is an opportunity in that imperfection - a chance for God to use the flaw to bring about a signficant change, not just in my life, but in someone else's life too. What can God do with the flaws in my "story"? And how can my story be beneficial for someone else to hear?
Many of us to feel guilty or feel like there's some flaw in our faith when we are reluctant to do something that we sense God is putting on our hearts to do. Is it wrong for me to feel cautious about following God's plan for my life? How do I overcome my apprehension when I feel like God is calling me to do something I'm not really excited about doing?
We often look at characters in the Bible, especially the ones we label “Bible heroes,” as almost perfect people. We assume they all had unshakeable faith and very few if any character flaws. The reality is that many of the people we read about in scripture were far from perfect. They made mistakes. They doubted. They got things wrong. And yet, despite their flaws God used them to do incredible things. Who are some of these imperfect followers of God? And what can their stories teach us about our own potential to be used by God in powerful ways?
Imagine hosting a party and planning every detail only to have that one person show up that wasn't invited. Not only that, but they mess everything up for everyone else. How would you handle it? What do you do with an uninvited guest? That's what a man named Simon had to figure out when he invited Jesus for dinner. We'll discover together how Jesus used an awkward social situation to teach His fellow party-goers about compassion and grace.
How do I know if the Holy Spirit is working in my life? How do I know if the Holy Spirit is guiding me? How do I know if the Holy Spirit is even real? Paul says in Galatians 5 there's a simple way to determine whether the Holy Spirit is active in my life or not. Let's find out together what that is!
On this Mother's Day, we want to focus on a meal Jesus shared with His mother. There are countless numbers of meals they shared together as Jesus grew up in Mary's home, but there was one meal in particular that gets mentioned in scripture. This wasn't any ordinary meal though - it was a wedding reception. And this wasn't any ordinary party - it was a moment when Jesus' mother helped Him launch into His mission here on earth. How did she make that happen? And can Jesus' actions at a wedding reception teach me about my relationship with Him?
With freedom comes responsibility. We can't just use the freedom we have in Christ as a license to make any choices we please. So what do I do with the freedom I have? Maybe even a tougher question to answer: what do I not do?
As we celebrate our 2023 graduating seniors, we're unpacking what it means to reclaim that childlike faith that we all once had. Children seem to be so curious and in awe of the world. They rest in the complete dependence of their parents. As adults it seems we have lost both of these incredible qualities. Is it possible to become like a child again?
It would difficult to determine how many times Jesus ate supper with His disciples. And many of those occasions probably didn't seem that significant at the time. But there's one supper that Jesus shared with His disciples that had a lasting impact on them. And what might be just as important is what took place around that same table a few days after that particular meal. What was it that made this supper so special? And how can a table in a random room 2000 years ago still make an impact in my life today?
Have you ever tried to rake leaves when a strong wind is blowing? Or how about washing your car just in time for the rain to start pouring down? It's frustrating when we put effort into things and then feel like nothing was gained by all the work we did. Paul had that feeling with the Galatians too. Was it a waste of time for him to preach freedom in Christ? Was all his effort pointless?
Most of us want to have clean hands before we eat, especially if our hands are going to actually be touching our food. But we probably have different methods of pre-meal handwashing (just rinsing with water, a dab of soap, completely lathering both hands, etc.). We can argue about the level of cleanliness and probably feel justified in defending our opinion. There was a time mentioned in scripture when Jesus and His followers were criticized for not washing their hands "correctly" before they ate. Jesus responded by pointing out a bigger issue with his critics than just having dirty hands. What was this more significant problem? And is it something I still need to concern myself with today?
We need to continue in our journey to understand what it means to be adopted, what it means to be heirs, and what it means to be "one." There are some powerful truths Paul shares in this part of his letter to the Galatians.
Most of us have a certain person or maybe a handful of people that we would just love to spend all of our time with if we had the opportunity. Most of us also have a certain person or maybe a handful of people that, for a variety of reasons, we would rather have nothing to do with at all. But when Jesus went to eat at Matthew's house, He showed us that everyone is invited to spend time building a relationship with Him...and with His followers too. But what do I do if I am really struggling with even being nice to that other person, much less building a connection with them? And how do I get better at letting go of my own prejudices and pre-conceived ideas when it comes to helping others find Jesus?
Mealtimes provide opportunities to get to know someone or connect with someone in a relaxed atmosphere. At the dinner table is when I tend to let my guard down and allow others to get a better glimpse of the real me, and I get a chance to get a clearer picture of them as well. Multiple times in scripture Jesus is shown enjoying a meal with others. These often become teachable moments for both His disciples and His critics. Let's take advantage of the opportunity to "eat" with Jesus and get a clearer picture of His message and His mission.
We've had to obey rules at different times in our lives - house rules, traffic laws, workplace policies, etc. But have we kept all of those rules perfectly all the time? Probably not. If I try to determine my value based on how good of a rule-follower I am, I'm setting myself up for major disappointment, because I'm never going to perfectly follow all the rules all the time. In Galatians 3, Paul addresses this rule-following / checklist mentality when it comes to being a Christian. His words leave us with a question to answer - is it more important to try to do everything right, or it is it more important to rely on grace?
Everyone likes a good story. We like to see how different characters and events are woven together, and we appreciate a strong storyline that runs through the story itself from beginning to end. However many of us fail to see scripture as a story. We might see a collection of stories, or we might only see a list of rules and regulations. But we often miss the fact that scripture itself is a story - a true story - that reveals the centuries-long connection between God and His people. But how do I start seeing the Bible as a continuous story? And what do the stories in scripture have to do with the story of my own life?
Peter gets personal! In these verses we see Paul give a defense for his ministry and the gospel that the Galatians have set aside. He shares of a moment where he even rebuked the apotle Peter in a spicy argument giving way to one of the most famous verses in the letter: Galatians 2:20.
Many of us don't like boundaries and guardrails. We don't enjoy being given limitations or having rules dictated to us. So it's only natural for many of us to be uncomfortable with what we perceive as "regulations" in scripture. It causes to have a negative view of God's guidelines for our lives and to balk at "being told what to do." But the boundaries God sets for us in His Word are actually for our benefit - they're there to make our lives better. So how do I change the negative perception I have about the "rules" I see in scripture? And how do I become more consistent in living within those boundaries?
Many of us have had to deal with our own measure of disappointments - plans that fell through, promises that were broken, expectations that led to let-downs. Enough disappointing experiences can cause us to become cynical and to think that there's nothing worth really believing in. But when it comes to God's Word, we find something we can trust because the promises made in scripture are promises that God keeps. So what are the things scripture tells me I can expect from a relationship with God? And how do I grow in my hope that God will actually do the things He has promised?
People are often either like thermostats or thermometers. Thermometers are constantly changing with whatever the temperature of the room is. People who consistently change their opinions based on whom they are currently listening to are "thermometers." But thermostats stay consistent; they actually affect the temperature of the room. People who know what they believe and are able to influence others are "thermostats." In this first section of Galatians, we find Paul airing his frustrations toward a bunch of "thermometers" in Galatia.
It seems that our society as a whole has become convinced there is nothing in our culture that is absolutely true. There's no black and white - only gray. There's no absolute right and wrong - there's just "my truth" and "your truth." There's nothing that's actually real - everything is fake or "staged." It makes it difficult to believe that there are some things in this world that are true, that there are some things that are real and that I can put my trust in. The reality is that scripture reveals what's real in this world - it shows me what I can rely on and where to place my trust. But how can building a better connection to God's Word enable me to see truth and to know what things I can actually count on?
When the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, there were many former slaves who didn't know what to do with their newly-granted freedom. Some even returned to enslavement because they were so uncomfortable being "free." A similar spiritual struggle was taking place centuries ago with new Christians in Galatia - they had been set free through Christ but had no idea how to live in that newly found freedom. Join as we begin a journey through this amazing letter and discover together what it really means to be "set free."
Maybe I've never actually read the Bible before. Maybe I've read bits and pieces but never really let the words sink in. Maybe I used to read it often, but now it's a book I rarely pick up. No matter what your past experience with God's Word has been, we invite you to join us on a journey to revisit scripture (or maybe dive in for the first time) as we discover why the words of this ancient book are still so relevant for us today.
We all have past mistakes and failures, words we wish we wouldn't have said, and choices we wish we wouldn't have made. We deal with enough guilt and regret on our own, but that burden can be made even heavier when someone we're connected to continues to bring it up. Whether it's a friend or a family member, when that person consistently reminds me of my shortcomings, that's a warning sign that something is unhealthy in our relationship. So what are some of the dangers of having my past mistakes revisited again and again? And what do I do when this other person can't seem to let the past go?
God's people followed 70 years of captivity with 20 years of half-hearted devotion and effort. God had allowed His people to suffer the consequences of centuries of sin and injustice, and almost immediately they were returning to old habits. So God used Zechariah to let His people know how He felt about their attitudes and actions.
Almost every relationship has its share of disagreements, conflicts, and misunderstandings. However, when it seems like every time I try to have a conversation with this particular friend or co-worker or family member the end result is an argument, or when one of us seems to never really listen to the other, those are red flags. Those are warning signs that something in this relationship needs to be addressed. How do I recognize communication red flags in my relationships? And what can I do to improve how I listen to this other person and improve how clearly I communicate my perspective with them?
How I feel about myself is vitally important to my well-being. When someone else's words or actions consistently cause me to feel bad about myself, that can have a devastating effect on my self-esteem...especially if that person is a friend or even a family member. How can hits to my emotional health serve as warning signs in my relationships? And what can I do when someone I'm connected to continually hurts my self-esteem?
What do grasshoppers, farm tools, and the Holy Spirit have in common? A prophet named Joel. We don't know a lot of about the man himself, but Joel has some powerful truths to share in his short book of prophecy.
"Red flags" serve as warning signs. A burger restaurant that serves "bargain sushi"? That's a red flag. A used car dealer that says, "This vehicle has only been in two previous accidents"? That's a red flag. But what about red flags in relationships? Whether it's in a friendship, a dating relationship, or a marriage, we need to pay attention to red flags that may be warning us that there is something unhealthy in our connection with that other person. What are some of the more common relationship red flags? And what are spiritually and emotionally healthy ways of dealing with those warning signs?
Our church family has a lot of great things going on and a lot of great new possibilities on the horizon. In order to continue to fulfill our mission, we need to have a solid number of committed volunteers. And yet sometimes I allow priorities and comfort zones and past experiences keep me from choosing to help serve at church. But what if I chose to stop making excuses for why I can't volunteer? How can I get better and consistently connecting with and serving my church family?
How do I react when something bad happens to someone else? What if I feel like that person really deserved their misfortune? This is one of the principles addressed in the book of Obadiah. Even though it's the shortest book in the Old Testament, we're going to discover that it contains some relevant truths that still apply to us today.
Whether it's my relationship with my spouse, my kids, my parents, or my siblings, there are times when that relationship is strained, hurting, maybe even broken. For many of us, instead of trying to address whatever the issue might be and trying to find healing, we simply make excuses for why that relationship might be dysfunctional without actually choosing to do anything about it. But what would it look like if I made a conscious effort to mend that broken connection and make it stronger? And what would it take for me to stop making excuses and start being a blessing to my family?
"I'm too busy." "It's been too long." "It's not a big deal." If we made those kinds of excuses for why we're disconnected from our spouse or someone we're dating or our kids, it would be heartbreaking for that person. And yet many of us make the same kind of excuses for why we don't choose a relationship with God or why we don't stay in a close connection with Him. So why does it matter whether or not I choose to accept God's grace in my life? And how do I get out of the habit of making excuses for why my relationship with Him has grown stagnant?
Most of us know the frustration of setting goals for ourselves in different aspects of our lives and then failing to stay committed to achieving those goals. Often we find a variety of excuses to justify why we fall short of what we set out to accomplish. What if, instead of making excuses, I chose to follow through on the things I know I need to do? What would happen if I kept trying again instead of giving up when things got tough? As I begin a new year, it may be time to recognize the things in my life that need to be different, and it may be time for me to fully commit to those changes - no excuses!
It's Christmas Day - a day when we open presents and empty stockings and ooh and ahh over the gifts we receive and the gifts we give others. Today is also a day to be reminded of the greatest gift that has been offered to all mankind - the gift of grace. But what exactly is this "grace" that's been given to me? And why does it matter that God wants me to experience it? Let's discover together why the birth of Jesus represents the best gift any of us could ever receive.
When you were a kid did you ever ask Santa for a gift you really wanted...only to be disappointed on Christmas morning when that was the one gift that wasn't under the tree? We can feel the same way about God sometimes when He doesn't give us what we think we need or maybe even think we deserve. We start to lose that sense of expectation. We start to lose our trust in Him to keep His promises. We start to lose hope. Is it really worth it to put my hope in God and His promises? And if I've lost that sense of hope in my life, how do I get it back again?
We don't know very much about Micah's personal life, and the book dedicated to his prophecy isn't very lengthy. But the messages he shared and the challenges he set still resonate with God's people some 1,300 years later.
A recent survey revealed that 60% of Americans feel like their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. This is supposed to be the "season to be jolly," but instead many of us feel this is the "season" to be stressed. Supposedly one of the things we celebrate this time of year is "peace on earth," but if I'm being honest, I may be struggling to find peace this Christmas. Is peace really possible in my chaotic world? And if so, where do I find it?
The Bible offers PLENTY of symbolic imagery for how God loves his people. He loves us like a father loves a son. Like a shepherd leads his sheep. Like a groom loves his bride. The book of Hosea offers a symbol of love that shows how incredible God's love really is, even when it is incredibly messy.
The old holiday song says this is "the season to be jolly." Actually this "season" is about so much more! This should be a time when we not only focus on the birth of Jesus, but we invite others to experience the miracle of the baby in the manger. 'Tis the season to find peace, 'tis the season to have hope, 'tis the season to experience grace...all because the Son of God chose to enter our world and rescue us from darkness and despair.
So far we've discovered that Jonah was probably pretty popular, was unhappy with God's mission for him, and was the first documented survivor of being swallowed by a fish. But we're not done with Jonah yet - there's still more to learn in the fascinating story of this reluctant prophet.
NOTE: We are having internet issues at the Flagstone building today, so we may not be able to livestream this class or have it posted later. We'll see!
Some of us get uncomfortable, maybe even cringe a little bit, when we hear about tithing or giving to the church. But giving is about much more than paying the church's utility bills and the preacher's salary. When done with the heart and mindset God wants us to have, giving is an act of faith, an act of worship, even an act of thankfulness. So what are some of the misconceptions I might have about giving? And how can I view my giving to God as an act of gratitude instead of an obligation?
There are over 4,600 kids in foster care in Arkansas right now and approximately 300 children waiting to be adopted. However many of us are unaware (or maybe unconcerned) about how many kids in our community are in desperate need of having a safe, loving place to call home. We serve a God that scripture calls a "father to the fatherless," but do we follow His lead in caring for kids in need? As we try to show our thankfulness to God through our actions, what are some ways we can demonstrate our gratitude for the homes and families we have by providing that kind of environment for some kids who need it or by supporting agencies and ministries that work to give kids a forever home?
Jesus Juke Podcast Ep. 2
MUST OR DUST THANKSGIVING EDITION
// We're just two guys talking life, family, weird stories, and the occasional Jesus Juke Heisman Sounds. In our second episode, Marshall and @Brandon Dodd talk turkey with Thanksgiving just a few days away. There are some definite dishes that should grace each of our holiday tables, but there is some disagreement on which ones. What dishes are landing on YOUR Thanksgiving tables this season?
Question: what do you get when you cross a shepherd, a fig-farmer, and an out-of-towner? Answer: Amos the prophet. We're going to talk about the powerful messages God delivered through this unlikely preacher.
Our leadership summarizes the previous weeks' classes, shares where this study originated, and shares some of their vision for the future of Flagstone based on what we've learned from this study.
Our gratitude doesn't need to be limited to just saying "thank you." Scripture tells us that a powerful way for us to show our thanks to God is by sharing His blessings with others. It's not just about being thankful FOR what I have; it's also about being thankful WITH what I have. So how can I become more consistent in being thankful for the things God gives me? And how can I be thankful for my blessings when I'm giving them away?
We are launching a new study of the messages in the Old Testament given to us by those known as the "minor prophets." While the term "minor" might cause us to think these messages are somewhat less significant than other parts of scripture, the reality is that God used these individuals to share some powerful truths that are still relevant for us today. Join us as we discover together the major truths to be found in the words of these minor prophets.
WELCOME TO THE JESUS JUKE PODCAST
// We're just two guys talking life, family, weird stories and the occasional Jesus Juke Heisman sounds. In our Pilot episode, @Brandon Dodd and Marshall Brown challenge each other to a Jesus-Juke-Challenge with some random prompts where we expect each other to make something spiritual out of funny life circumstances.
// Let us know in the comments who won the Jesus Juke Battle, and what random topics you think would be funny for us to cover next!
In the middle of addressing character traits for elders and deacons in 1 Timothy 3, Paul mentions character traits of a certain group of women. The two dominant perspectives on the identity of these women is that either they were wives of deacons or they were female deacons (deaconesses). So what role did these women fill in the church? And what does that mean for women in the church today?
Some experts say that the number of people in our country dealing with loneliness reached an all-time high during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the virus seems to be diminishing, but the level of loneliness has remained. What makes things worse for those of us who constantly feel alone are the common misperceptions that 1) something is wrong with me if I feel lonely, and 2) I need to mask or cover up my loneliness. Why is it that I allow myself to become convinced I can't share my struggle with loneliness with others? And how do I begin to find ways to overcome my lonely feelings?
We continue our discussion of 1 Timothy 2. Is Paul addressing all women in a worship assembly, or is Paul talking about husbands and wives in a marriage relationship?
Most of us have to deal with some level of anxiety in our lives - some of us more than others. If we're not careful, we might even allow our anxiety to start to dominate our thoughts and dictate our actions. Then we end up adding guilt to our anxiousness because we feel bad about ourselves when we see scriptures that tell us not to worry and not to be anxious about anything. So we try to mask our anxiety and pretend that it's not a problem for us. How do I stop trying to convince myself and others that everything is fine with my worry and anxiousness? And how do I get better at dealing with my anxiety so it's not so much a burden?
Many people see the instructions Paul gives to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2 as instructions about worship, including how women are to conduct themselves. But is Paul actually talking about the worship assembly in this text? And how does his message here coincide with what he says in 1 Corinthians?
It's usually relatively easy to thank God when He answers a particular prayer the way I want Him to. But I'm probably not quite as thankful when I don't get the answer I wanted. And then I may even feel compelled to pretend like it doesn't bother me when my prayer goes unanswered. I may be under the impression that it's my Christian duty to just smile and say, "Everything's fine," when the reality is I'm hurting and confused as to why God didn't give me the answer I was looking for. What do I do when I'm not okay with my unanswered prayers?
When it comes to my workplace environment or my work responsibilities, I may try to convince others (or even myself) that everything is fine, but often the reality is that I'm struggling to find joy in my job. Maybe I'm feeling overworked, or maybe I'm feeling underappreciated. Maybe I just don't feel a real sense of purpose in my work. So what do I do when I'm working as hard to pretend I enjoy my job as I am actually working at my job?
1 Corinthians 11 seems to allow, even endorse, women praying and prophesying publicly, as long as they have their heads covered. But then 1 Corinthians 14 says that women are to be silent in the church. Is the Bible contradicting itself? Did Paul change his mind in the middle of writing his letter? Or is there something else being addressed? We need to dive more deeply into 1 Corinthians 14 and see if we can get a clearer picture of what the Bible says about women speaking in church.
"I'm doing okay." "It's good." "Everything is fine." How often do I use phrases like this in order to try to convince others (or even myself!) that I don't have any problems or that I have a good handle on whatever situations I might be dealing with? The reality might be that everything is not good, I'm not doing okay, and I need some help. Let's discover together what to do when everything is not fine.
In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul spends quite a bit of time talking about head coverings. But who is supposed to have their heads covered and why? And what, if anything, do head coverings have to do with what women are able to do in the church?
Sorry about the audio issues starting around the 45 minute mark. It's a piece of equipment that failed on us today. -Jason
We are experiencing one of the most politically divisive times we've seen in our country in quite a while. People have such contempt for the "other party" and use hateful speech towards their fellow countrymen in ways that used to only be reserved for enemies outside the U.S. And unfortunately, even our churches are not immune to this negative behavior. Is it possible to turn the tide in our country? What can I personally do to try to change the political climate in my community and help my neighbors learn to live better together, in spite of our politics?
As we look at women's roles in church as defined by scripture, it's important for us to get a clearer picture of how women were viewed and treated over the different centuries that the Bible was written. What was life like for women living in Bible times? Was there a difference between mankind's view of women and God's view?
It's Connection Group Sunday for our church family, but Connection Groups aren't just a random ministry we have at Flagstone. They're a vital part of what we do, a key component to helping us fulfill our mission to reach out, connect, and serve. Can I still be a Christian and not be involved in some type of small group? Technically, yes, but what I will discover is that my faith is stronger, my struggles are lessened, and my desire to help and serve others is strengthened when I choose to connect together with other believers in a small group.
Join us in a study led by Flagstone leadership that will involve a deep dive into the Word in order to discover together the true meaning and intent of scriptures and to determine if there are insights that enable us to pursue and fulfill our mission to an even greater extent. Our first topic will be the role of women in the church.
All families basically live life together, and yet many families experience some level of disconnection at different times. A family might have spouses who are basically co-existing with each other, kids who have little or no interaction with their parents, or siblings who don't even speak to each other. But as we have already discovered, God designed us to live life in healthy relationships with other people, and that includes our families. We function better individually, and our families function better when we are committed to each other and to experiencing life together. So what is it that might cause my family to become disconnected from each other? And how can my family become better together?
There are all sorts of ways we can find to distance ourselves from coworkers, friends, and even family members. Personality preferences, family histories, and sometimes political opinions can cause us to walk away from certain relationships or friendship groups. But Jesus doesn't want His followers to walk through this life alone. He challenges us to build healthy connections within His church and with our community, to show people what a difference it can make to live this life together. So come join us as we discover how we are made for community, how we are designed for relationship, and how our faith is strengthened, our lives are improved, and our world is changed for the better when we commit to living life together.
Most of us have had those times when we feel overwhelmed or weighed down by circumstances we're dealing with; those times when things should be going better, but they're not. Maybe someone in that moment came to our rescue - they dealt with the problem for us, or they joined us in accomplishing the task, or they simply stayed with us until the struggle was over. Whatever they did, however long it took, it made an impact - it made a difference. What if I took up the challenge to help someone else in need? What would that look like? And what would it take for me to become more consistent with helping others when they're struggling?
We all have a variety of convictions and beliefs, whether it's the best restaurant to eat at, the best team to cheer for, or the best vacation destination; or maybe something more compelling like race relations, political agendas, or vaccination policies. Whatever the topic, if we are passionate enough about it and believe strongly enough in it, we find ways to convey that message to others. Those of us who believe in Jesus have a message that can make a significant impact in the lives of others, and we're called to convey that message to those who need to hear it. What is the message we're supposed to share? And how can that message make a difference to someone else?
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Welcome / Prayer
“Clap Your Hands”
“You’re Worthy of My Praise”
“Build Your Kingdom Here”
Sermon
“Mighty to Save”
“There Is a Redeemer”
Communion Thoughts / Prayer for Bread
“Boundless Love”
Prayer for Juice
“Your Name”
Closing Comments / Prayer
“Our God, He Is Alive”
Difference makers are those who intentionally make an effort to make someone else's life better. One of the many ways I can make a positive impact on someone else is through my words. Psychologists tell us that the things we choose to say to or about someone can have a significant effect on their emotional (and sometimes even physical) health. The book of Proverbs tells us that our words have the "power of life and death." So how do I get better at making a difference with my words? And how can I make sure that my words are promoting "life" in someone else?
A difference maker is someone who chooses to take advantage of an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others. We all have the potential to be difference makers, because we are all presented on a regular basis with opportunities to make a positive impact in someone else's life. God has always used a variety of different people to make a difference in this world - some of those difference makers are well-known, and some of them operated "under the radar." We're going to discover together who some of these difference makers were, what it takes to be a difference maker, and how to intentionally step into the opportunities to make a positive impact in our church, in our families, and in our community.
None of us want to be mistreated, but we especially don't want people criticizing us or treating us badly for doing the right thing. And yet Jesus says in Matthew 5 that I am blessed, that God is doing some positive things in my life when people are "persecuting" me, especially when I'm doing good things. Does it make sense to feel blessed when other people are hurting me or talking bad about me behind my back or even to my face? What does it really mean to be persecuted? And how can I learn to see persecution as a positive?
Conflicts have been a common part of life seemingly since the beginning of time. With all the access we have now to social media platforms, streaming content, and podcasts, it seems that we have more arguments and debates and divisiveness today than at any other time in our history. And yet in Matthew 5, Jesus calls us to be "peacemakers." As a matter of fact, He says we are blessed when we are instrumental in making peace. But who is He talking about making peace with? And how do I go about becoming a peacemaker?
Fifty years ago Neil Young said he was searching for a "Heart of Gold." Ten years later Bruce Springsteen said everybody's got a "Hungry Heart." In Matthew 5, Jesus said that I am truly blessed when I have a "pure heart." But what does it look like to have a pure heart? And how do I get better at keeping my heart pure?
It's always nice when someone does something kind for us - especially when that act of kindness is unexpected or maybe even undeserved. It also makes us feel good to be treated with compassion or to be forgiven when we've done something bothersome or hurtful to someone else. Those are times when we feel blessed because someone has gone out of their way to show us mercy. Jesus puts a twist on this concept in Matthew 5 when he says that it's the ones who show mercy, the ones who do the forgiving, the ones who do something kind for someone else - those are the people that are actually "blessed." So why is it a blessing to me to BE a blessing to someone else? And how do I know whether or not I'm actually in the habit of showing mercy to others?
What am I hungry for? This isn't about going to the kitchen and getting a snack or spending 15 minutes trying to decide what restaurant I want to go to. What are some of the other less tangible things I hunger for? Is it a successful career? Is it a relationship? Is it an addiction? Is it freedom from anxiety and stress? In Matthew 5, Jesus says there's something I need to hunger and thirst for, something I need to pursue. And it's probably not what society would say is worth the pursuit. So what is it? And why is it worth me chasing after it?
Continuing our #Blessed series as Jesus states in Matthew 5:5 that meekness is a key to blessing. It would seem that Jesus values the weak, downtrodden, and gentle in society more than the boisterous power-hungry kings of that day. But weakness isn't something that was valued in Jesus' culture OR ours, so what are we to do with something so upside down? How can weakness become strength? And how does strength become controlled?
Can you imagine posting a pic on social media of yourself or someone else in pain and then adding the caption "#Blessed"? Sounds ridiculous, right? One of the last things that comes to mind when we're hurting, when we're in pain, when we're grieving is how blessed we are. And yet, that's exactly what Jesus says - I'm blessed when I'm in mourning. How can mourning be a good thing? And if it really is a good thing, how do I get better at seeing the blessing when I'm hurting?
We live in a culture that sometimes subtly, sometimes blatantly encourages us to have the most, to be the best, to have more than someone else. We're the most "blessed" when we have the most things, the most titles, the most likes, the most followers. Jesus says in Matthew 5 that when I'm at my least, when I'm empty, when I'm "poor" - that's when I'm truly "blessed." What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? And why would that lead me to actually feel blessed?
How regularly do we use the word "blessed"? We have "Blessed" printed on lots of things from t-shirts to coffee mugs to throw pillows. "#Blessed" has been used literally millions of times on Twitter and Instagram. When unexpectedly good things happen to us or when we stop and realize how fortunate we have been recently, we tend to refer to ourselves as "blessed." In the book of Matthew in the Bible, Jesus gives a whole list of situations in life where a person should consider themselves blessed, but honestly, His use of the word "blessed" might not match up with ours. What is Jesus' definition of "blessed"? And how can I be sure I really am living a blessed life?
There are all sorts of tangles and traps and messes we find ourselves in from time to time. Many times those struggles came into our lives because of someone else's actions or choices. But there is one issue that many of us consistently get tangled up in, and we have no one to blame but ourselves - and that's our words. The words that come out of my mouth can be positive and encouraging, or they can get me in a lot of trouble. So what is so "entangling" about my words, and how do I keep from letting my mouth tangle me up?
"Addiction" sounds like such a strong word, and it seems to carry a lot of weight. Most people don't consider themselves to actually have any kind of addiction (honestly, many addicts don't think they have an addiction either!). Repeat behaviors? Sometimes. Bad habits? Sure. Addictions? No way - I don't have any addictions. The reality is many of us struggle on a regular basis with harmful, addictive choices. So how do I recognize when a hurtful habit has become a problem in my life? And how do I start to untangle the mess that my addiction has created?
It's time to recognize and celebrate our 2022 graduates! As we honor, love, and affirm our seven graduating Seniors, we'll get to see how this generation of teenagers are facing the Gospel. A common hang up for many, Gen Z in particular struggles to grab hold of truth for what it is. Is truth relative? Is Jesus really the only way? Is there any hope for my life and the future? This Sunday we'll look at some common "trends" for the generation of screens, and identify the truths and lies behind a generation filled with incredible potential for sharing the gospel.
Moms are awesome! They do so much to take care of us, love us, bless us, forgive us, feed us...the list could go on. And yet these amazing women often find themselves "tangled up" in struggles and challenges that they weren't prepared for and might not even be sure how to deal with. What do moms do when they find themselves wrapped up in feelings of exhaustion or resentment or failure? How can our moms get untangled from the struggles that might be keeping them from becoming the best moms they can be for their families?
Our possessions hold a unique power over us. We convince ourselves that we own all of our possessions. But the time and the energy and the money we spend in order to get what we want or hold onto what we already have would indicate that we don't really own our stuff - our stuff actually owns us. What are the warning signs? How do I learn to recognize how entangled I've become in my possessions? And how do I start getting "untangled" from the control of my stuff?
When something gets tangled, whether it's electric cords or jewelry or shoelaces, it usually happens slowly, almost imperceptibly. We don't notice the knots that are weaving together; we don't pay attention to the cluster being created. And then suddenly we discover a tangled mess that we never realized was forming. It can happen in our personal lives as well - slowly, almost imperceptibly. We make a few selfish choices, we unwittingly start a harmful habit, and we suddenly find ourselves wrapped up in a tangled mess of guilt and frustration we never saw coming. So how do I keep from getting tangled up in unhealthy habits, and how do I begin to untangle myself from the consequences of some of my unwise choices?
Dark. Decaying. Grim. Hopeless. These are some of the words that come to mind when we think of a grave. Even ornate gravemarkers and perfectly placed flowers can't completely drive out the thoughts of despair and sorrow we feel when we stand before a tomb. And yet God did something amazing with His Son's tomb. He took something that was dismal and lifeless and ugly, and He created something beautiful and powerful and hope-filled when He breathed life into His Son's body and brought Him back from the grave! We invite you to join us this Easter as we celebrate Jesus' victory over death and as we discover how God still takes ugly, broken (even lifeless) things and makes them beautiful.
Maybe I've gotten myself in a lot of debt...again. Maybe I broke up with someone because they cheated on me...again. Maybe I shouldn't have said what I did, and I'm having to go back and apologize...again. We all have different struggles we work through and different problems we deal with. But many of us get frustrated because we find ourselves dealing with what we perceive to be the same problems again and again. But why is it that I have to keep dealing with the same issues? Is there any way for me to break the cycle?
Relationships in general have their ebbs and flows. Whether it's a friendship, a dating relationship, a marriage, or a family connection, there are times when I feel really close to that person and times when there's a palpable distance between us. The same seems to happen to most of us in our relationship with God. Sometimes we feel very closely connected to Him, and other times that relationship feels stagnant and cold and distant. So what do I do when those times come? How do I improve that connection? What steps can I take that will help me feel closer to God, especially in those times when He seems so far away?
Evangelism. Soul-winning. Spreading the gospel. These are terms that many of us may have heard, but not all of us are quite sure what they mean. We hear preachers tell us we need to share the gospel, to share our faith, to tell people about Jesus. But we live in a culture that desires...sometimes demands...that we keep our opinions about our faith to ourselves. So if I'm a Christian, is it a requirement to share my faith? What if I don't know exactly what it is I'm supposed to share? And what if I'm not very comfortable "sharing"?
Conspiracy theories. Hoaxes. "Fake news." In an age where we have so much information (and so many different people's opinions) available at our fingertips, it can become difficult to know what is true and what is not, what is real and what isn't. We struggle with this when it comes to our faith as well. How do I know what's true when there are so many different belief systems to choose from? Is there something concrete that I can believe in?
Recent research has determined that over half of the American population wonders on a regular basis what their purpose is. We want our lives to have meaning. We want there to be a reason behind the decisions we make and the activities we engage in. We don't want our relationships to be superficial and empty - we want depth, we want significance. And yet so often I don't know what my purpose is. How do I know if I'm fulfilling my life's purpose if I don't really know what it is? And how do I discover my purpose in this life?
I Don't Know. Those may be three of the most frustrating words in the English language. I can feel anxious and stressed when I don't know an answer, when I don't know the direction to go, when I don't know the purpose. There are questions that I wrestle with, and when I don't know the answers, it just leads to more confusion and doubt. It seems like things would be a lot easier if I just had all the answers right now, but that's not the way life works. Is it possible to know answers to my big questions? And if so, how do I find them?
In any relationship conflicts can happen, feelings can get hurt, distance can be created - and when that happens, things can get complicated. Whether it's a dating relationship or a marriage, if I've been hurt by the other person in that relationship, it can be difficult for me to forgive that person, much reconcile with them or try to get back to "the way things used to be." What do I do when I feel hurt by the other person in this relationship, especially when I don't feel like reconciling?
One fairly common reason my relationship with another person might seem complicated is because we're just "not on the same page." We're not connecting. I don't see things the way they do, and they don't see things my way either. The longer this goes on, the more confusion builds and the more frustration sets in. So what do we do? How can we get on the same page more consistently?
Paul Meyer once said, "Communication is the key to personal and career success." It's the key to relationship success as well, and yet it seems that communication (or lack of it) is one of the factors that often complicates our relationships. How necessary is communication to my relationship? And how can I improve my communication skills so that things can become a little less complicated?
Relationships. Whether we're in one, looking for one, or looking to get out of one, relationships can sometimes get complicated. Communication issues, different backgrounds, different goals, different preferences - any or all of these factors can keep two people from having a healthy connection with each other. What's at the heart of the complexities we sometimes find in our relationships? Is it possible to un-complicate things? And if so, how do I do that?
It's possible that many of us get tired of what we're doing or frustrated with the challenges we're experiencing or distracted from whatever goal we're trying to accomplish because we lose sight of why we committed to that goal in the first place. The same can be true with our daily walk with Christ as well. If I lose track of why I'm trying to live the way He wants me to, I am more susceptible to actually ceasing to live the way He wants me to. So what is my "why" as a Christian? And if I've lost track of it, how do I get back to my "why" again?
As a Christian, faith kinda comes with the territory, doesn't it? After all, we often call ourselves "believers," right? So what do I do when my faith in God feels like it's crumbling? Or what about those times when I haven't completely let go of my faith, but I'm not really trusting God either? I might feel like I need a do-over, a brand new start with my faith. But is it even possible to "reset" my faith? And if so, what does that look like?
In order to "hit the reset button" in a particular area of my life, one thing I may need to reset first is my mindset. My actions are often dictated by my thoughts, so one of the reasons I may have a relationship that's unhealthy or I might be emotionally unhealthy or spiritually unhealthy is because I'm mentally unhealthy. But can it really make that big a difference in my life get a new start with how I think about things? And what does that look like? How do I go about resetting my mindset?
Whether it's a laptop, an electrical device, or a major appliance, there are a lot of things we use on a regular basis that come with a "reset" button - a button to push when something isn't working the way it's supposed to or isn't working at all. There are many of us who would love to have a reset button to push when something in our personal lives isn't working the way it's supposed to - maybe our job or our marriage or even our own faith. We're starting off the new year at Flagstone by discovering two things together: 1) Is there some part of my life that isn't functioning properly right now? 2) How do I hit the "reset" button and get a new start with this piece of my life that's just not working?
Whether it's a laptop, an electrical device, or a major appliance, there are a lot of things we use on a regular basis that come with a "reset" button - a button to push when something isn't working the way it's supposed to or isn't working at all. There are many of us who would love to have a reset button to push when something in our personal lives isn't working the way it's supposed to - maybe our job or our marriage or even our own faith. We're starting off the new year at Flagstone by discovering two things together: 1) Is there some part of my life that isn't functioning properly right now? 2) How do I hit the "reset" button and get a new start with this piece of my life that's just not working?
The Christmas season is coming to an end. Decorations are coming down and being put away. Most of us will spend the next several days boxing up our Christmas stuff, and we won't pay much attention to it for another year. But some of us will be tempted to do that with our connection with Jesus as well. Now that Christmas is over, we'll stop focusing on Him and we'll stop allowing His presence to make a difference in our lives. What does it look like when I start to put Jesus in "storage," and how do I keep from "boxing up" my connection to Him?
So often we talk about faith in God - choosing to believe His word, choosing to believe in Him, choosing to believe that He is active in this world. But there's something significant in the story of the birth of Jesus that shows God actually believes in us! He believes that we can do some pretty awesome things, and He gives us this ability to accomplish His purposes in our lives. But how do I know that He believes in me? And how do I get better at believing that He believes in me?
One of the words we hear often around Christmas time is the word "hope." We hope to get good presents. We hope to see certain family members at Christmas. We hope our Christmas recipes turn out okay. Taking this a step further, if we believe in the story of the birth of Jesus, we discover that there are promises from our God that we can put our hope in. And yet, there are those that try to convince us that hope is a waste of time and can even be hurtful, especially when we don't receive what it was we were hoping for. So which is it? Should I choose to buy into the concept that I can expect blessings from God, even if they haven't happened yet? Or would it be better to let go of hope and just accept the mindset that there is nothing to truly hope for in this life?
The newborn Baby Jesus being placed in a feeding trough in a stable isn't just about a miraculous birth or humble beginnings. It's about God choosing to actually enter our world, to enter our lives, to engage with us and connect with us in an extremely personal way. Do I really believe that an all-powerful deity really wants to be that close to me? And even if I choose to believe that to be true, what (if anything) does that change about my reality, about my perspective of this world and my place in it?
We're usually encouraged to believe in a lot of things during Christmas time - flying reindeer, a rotund man sliding down a chimney, a locomotive that runs down Main Street. But there's one story that we focus on at this time of year that will absolutely change our lives if we choose to believe it - the story of a baby born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough. The challenge for all of mankind is not only to believe the story about this baby's birth, but to believe that the reason this baby was born was to give all of us a brand new life. Do I really believe the story of the birth of Jesus? Can faith in that story really change my relationships, my attitude, my future?
In the gospels, Jesus continually offers a level of grace that blows the water off of cultural expectations. It's a grace that's offered to all peoples regardless of the amount of sin in our lives and should radically change the way we view God and each other. We bring nothing to the table except for debt, and Jesus deals our grace endlessly and boundlessly and THAT is something worth sharing and emulating. Welcome to the Table of Extravagant Grace.
"Grateful" - what does that word mean? It's similar to being thankful or being content, but there's more to it than that. Being grateful goes beyond just saying "thank you" to someone who does something nice for me or being satisfied with what I have. When I am grateful, I am so thankful for something that someone has done for me that it moves me to action. I actively thank that person and probably try to do something for them in return. I "pay it forward" and try to do something kind for someone else because of what I experienced myself. And this is what we're going to focus on leading up to our nation's Thanksgiving holiday - being grateful. We're going to remind ourselves of what we have to be thankful for, and we're going to challenge ourselves to allow our gratitude to move us to action.
There are times in life when we struggle to be real, to be genuine. Some of us put a lot of effort into masking our true emotions and feelings. Others feel like we need to pretend to be someone we're not. But why do we feel like we need to put up an emotional "wall" between ourselves and others? And how do we get better at breaking down those walls and being more real and genuine with others?
We've got bibles with paper pages and bible apps. We've got online sermons and podcasts and live speakers onstage. We've got memes and blogs and bumper stickers. We have all sorts of different opportunities to hear about God and about the kind of life He wants us to live. So why do I struggle to actually do what His word says I should do? And how do I become a better "doer," not just a good "hearer"?
I may often have really good ideas of things I want to do and goals I want to accomplish. So why does it seem like I never actually accomplish them? The problem might be the goal itself or the obstacles I encounter. But honestly, the biggest problem might just be my lack of follow-through. I may have the vision and just not be very good at completing the mission. So is it wrong to struggle with following through on things I start? How do I get better at moving towards my goals instead of walking away from them?
Ever have those times when the thing you thought was going to be good turned out to be not so good? The meal you tried to make looked good on Food Network but not so good on the plate. The "simple" DIY project ended up taking hours and still isn't finished. The exercise/weight-loss plan is...well...still in its "planning stage." It happens to all of us - we have good intentions, but the actual results are less than we'd prefer. And those situations can be deflating and frustrating, sometimes even overwhelming. What do we do when we miss the mark? How do we handle the not so good moments that we sometimes create for ourselves, and how do we find more success at fulfilling our good intentions?
We live in a culture that appears sometimes to almost demand that we look out for ourselves and our own interests first. We don't like our comfort zones to be stretched, our time or effort to be sacrificed, or our "rights" to be given up for the sake of someone else. And yet part of Flagstone's mission is to find opportunities to serve other people...which seems to demand that I look out for others, not just me. But do I really have to help in some way? Can't I just be a Christian without having to volunteer? Why does it matter whether or not I find a way to serve?
Churches often put a lot of emphasis on things like "fellowship" and "community." Even at Flagstone, we talk a lot about finding "connection." But do I really have to build relationships with other Christians? Why does it matter whether or not I get connected with a church family?
//Reposting due to livestream issues this morning//
I may know a lot of things we do at church - sing, pray, study the Bible, give, volunteer, etc. But when it comes to Flagstone's mission, why is it important to reach out to, connect with, and serve others? If I don't know the reasons for taking action, I'm less likely to act. I need to understand why we do what we do in order to be more consistent in actually doing it. I need to understand the purpose behind the process.
Small Groups... Life Groups... Cell Groups... At Flagstone we call them Connection Groups. These groups are a vital part of our ministry and fulfilling our mission. But how important are these groups? How do I get plugged into one? And maybe most importantly, how do I stay plugged into one?
I do the right things, I pray, I give, I volunteer...and it still seems like things don't go right, or at least not the way I think they should. So why did I go to the trouble? What's the point of me doing what God says I should when it doesn't seem like He's rewarding my good choices and actions?
It's one of the most amazing gifts we could ever receive - grace. God promises to forgive us of all our failures, all the times we fall short, all the times we hurt ourselves or others. God calls us and challenges us to show that same level of forgiveness to others, and many of us try to do that on a regular basis. But if I'm really honest, one of the most difficult people for me to forgive...is me! I need to be forgiven by God, but how can I fully accept and experience that grace if I struggle to even forgive myself? How do I get better at being honest with God, not just about my sin, but also the guilt that comes with it?
I recognize that God doesn't necessarily make bad things happen to me or to others. I can even acknowledge that life itself is hard, sometimes even unfair. And it's not that I'm even blaming God when things are difficult, but sometimes I wonder if He even notices. Does He see it when I'm hurting? Is He even paying attention? Does God care?
Scripture talks about finding and following God's will. Preachers talk about surrendering to God's will. But what if I don't feel like doing what God is calling me to do or going where God is calling me to go? Is it wrong for me to feel that way? Can I express that, or do I have to keep it to myself? What do I do when I don't want to do what God wants me to do?
Maybe someone said something hurtful. Maybe someone did something that embarrassed me. Maybe it was something worse - maybe I was the victim of abuse...racism...being cheated on. The church seems to say I need to forgive, but what I really want is revenge. I want that person to hurt like I do. Is that wrong? Can I have those feelings? Am I allowed to be honest with God about the hurt I want someone else to feel?
Unfiltered. Unrefined. Honest. Real. There are times when we pay close attention to our words and emotions, and there are times when the thoughts we express are blunt and maybe even a little raw. We don't check or "filter" our words in those moments because we're just being honest and genuine about how we feel. Often we try to be careful with our thoughts and words that we express to God, and yet there are multiple examples in scripture of people who chose to be completely honest with God about what was on their hearts. It was genuine. It was sincere. It was unfiltered - and God was okay with that. Join us for the next several weeks at Flagstone as we discover together some of the unrefined questions and statements people have directed toward God and how He still invites us to be genuine and real with Him today.
Con-artists are masters of deception and experts at getting people to believe in something that isn't real. One of the greatest con-artists of all time is found in scripture. But his actions in deceiving others were motivated by his own misguided perception of himself. What real truths can I learn about my own identity from a man who consistently struggled to be real and genuine with others?
When you think of "muscle-men," you may think of Olympic-level weightlifters or maybe a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. But the G.O.A.T. muscle-man was a guy that is talked about in the Bible whose name was Samson. Huge muscles, flowing hair, amazing feats of strength...and one colossal weakness. How did this strong man allow his weakness to ruin his life? And I how do I keep from allowing the same thing to happen to me?
Sure, there is plenty of drama on the line when watching "the Bachelor". But show us a "Bachelor" story with an entire people groups survival on the line, an evil adversary (more than just Brittany G.) and God's work in the middle of it all and you can have the title of Greatest of All Time! The story of Esther is a rough one but one that is incredibly important in understanding God's role in our every day lives, how and why he created us, and what our everyday purposes are on this planet.
"World's Best Dad." "#1 Dad." "World's Greatest Dad." There are t-shirts, coffee mugs, and baseball caps that kids give their fathers on birthdays and Father's Day to express how they feel about their dads. But who's the G.O.A.T.? Who's the greatest dad of all time? This is a special Father's Day Edition of our G.O.A.T. series that you (or at least our dads) don't want to miss!
There have been a lot of famous "southpaws" (left-handed people) throughout the years. Athletes, politicians, scientists - many of the most physically talented and intellectually gifted individuals in history have the unique character trait of being left-handed. But who is the GOAT southpaw? Who is the greatest left-hander of all time? We have an answer that might surprise you!
The "Best Ever." The "Greatest Of All Time." The "G.O.A.T." We have debates on a regular basis in personal conversations and on social media about who happens to be the G.O.A.T. Who's the greatest President of all time? The greatest athlete? The greatest actor/actress? The greatest band? Debates and arguments go back and forth as people try to determine who is the "greatest." In June and July at Flagstone we are going to talk about some of the greatest Bible characters of all time. Is Moses the greatest water-bender of all time? Is Jonah the greatest fisherman? Not only will we be taking a closer look at some of these individuals, but we will discover together how their experiences impact us. Plan to join us each Sunday this summer to find out who's the G.O.A.T.! Today we'll find out who the greatest firestarter of all time is!
June 3, 2021 // We are taking a quick PAUSE in our Heaven and Earth discussion to talk about out MINDS. Man, it's hard to control our thoughts, right? Easy for for our minds to take natural emotions like anger and jealousy and SNOWBALL them into potentially HUGE problems in our life and actions. SO... Can we control our thoughts? Can we tame our minds? Maybe we need tips from a Master... The Master of our Minds. // Brandon is flying solo tonight as he leads us through a discussion on our thoughts and how we can submit them to Jesus Christ himself.
It's important to understand what Flagstone's mission is. It's important to understand the vision that Flagstone has of whom they are trying to reach out to and connect with. But I also need to understand what it takes for me to be personally committed to that mission and vision. What does it take for me to own this vision we believe God has set out for us?
May 27, 2021 // // God is in the sky, God is in the temple. God is in the tabernacle, God is a human being. The journey from COMPLETE and utter separation to God in the flesh physically dwelling among us is pretty astonishing. Many people had a hard time grasping a concept like a "flesh and bone God" but it was all a part of God's strategic plan to reunite heaven and earth. BUT, that journey doesn't stop with Jesus. The journey continues with US. Flesh and blood human beings becoming houses of the Holy Spirit (God's Presence) allowing God's will to be done in incredible ways even BEYOND that of Jesus Christ. // On today's episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon unpack the next step in the Heaven and Earth convergence: the outpouring and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. How can WE be involved in bringing about Heaven on Earth? Check it out!
We may have goals we set or accomplishments we want to achieve. But until we have a true vision for those things, and until we take ownership of that vision, we'll probably fall short and maybe even give up. This principle applies to our church family at Flagstone as well. What is Flagstone's mission What is Flagstone's vision? Have I chosen to own that vision myself?
May 20, 2021 // // God took an amazing step forward in the process of reuniting heaven and earth when He sent Jesus into our world. God had previously allowed His presence to be with His people, but at a distance and with limitations. But now His presence literally moved into our neighborhood. Jesus' arrival in flesh and blood became the closest (to that point) that God had been to mankind since the Garden thousands of years before. // In tonight's episode of Unscripted, Brandon and Marshall talk about Jesus making a bold statement and a unique comparison between Himself and the place where God and His people used to meet. What did He say? And what kind of reaction did it cause?
Graduation for high school seniors generates a lot of different emotions - excitement, relief, maybe a little sadness. But one thing that many of these young men and women deal with as high school comes to a close is anxiety and apprehension about what's going to happen next. And it's not just high schoolers that battle worry about the future; lots of us adults are fighting that fear as well. How can we help our graduating seniors face their futures confidently, and how do we ourselves conquer that fear of the unknown?
May 13, 2021 // // After the split of Heaven and Earth experienced in Genesis 3, it seems that God's plan to restore and reunite these two dimensions is happening... but it is happening very SLOWLY and STRATEGICALLY. From Abraham to Jacob to the enslavement of Israel and tents in the wilderness, God's presence seems to be moving closer to his people, just millimeters at a time (at least WE think so!) so when is this plan going to have some real traction? // ENTER JESUS. The prophets foretold him and here he is. The physical embodiment of God himself in human form. So what does Jesus have to say about these two kingdoms? Quite a bit actually!
There are lots of descriptive titles for all the roles that moms fulfill - caregiver, cheerleader, meal-cooker, chauffeur. But one title that often goes overlooked is "fighter." Moms are courageous fighters; they are valiant warriors. For Mother's Day we want to honor our moms and thank them for choosing to fight for their families.
// May 6, 2021 // If I were to ask you, "Hey, where is your best friend right now?" there might be a moment of thought and then an assumption, "ah, I think they are at the gym right now. Let me check really quick!". An answer that would DEFINITELY surprise us would be if you responded, "Yeah, they are at the gym!... And cooking dinner at home... And on a beach trip with their family." Really? Your best friend couldn't POSSIBLY be in all of those places at once! Which leads into an interesting discussion today on Unscripted: Where does God live? // Our God is omnipresent, which means He is all places all at all times. Scripture says there isn't a way to step out of his presence. So why does God choose to "move into the neighborhood" when the tabernacle is set up at the end of Exodus if he is already there? On this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon take a pause on the "Heaven & Earth" narrative to take a deeper look at the omnipresence of God, and how it plays a part in our understanding of Heaven and Earth.
We fight spiritual and emotional battles; we fight for the success of our friendships and marriages. And yet sometimes we end up losing those "battles" - not necessarily because we were overpowered or overwhelmed, but because we quit fighting. How do I keep from quitting too soon and walking away from the fight before it's finished?
April 29, 2021 // // From the fall of creation God had a plan to bring his cherished creation BACK to himself; back to the garden of intimacy and connection with Him. But as humans continued to display pursuits of making THEMSELVES gods, God's plan to reunite heaven and earth looks a little different... A long term plan that included specific stages of increased connection. // In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon look at the story of Jacob as well ad the Tabernacle in the wilderness as the GENESIS of God's plan to dwell once again with his people.
As I get better at recognizing where my enemy is attacking me and choosing to fight, I may find myself struggling to feel like I'm winning or even gaining any ground. The problem might be that I'm not getting to the root of the problem, I'm not fighting the "core" battle. How do I figure out where the core battle is, and how do I get better at fighting the battles that matter most?
April 22, 2021 // // After the fall of man in Genesis 3, things just seem to get worse for mankind, God's GOOD creation. Not only has the connection between God and man been severed forcing the domains of heaven and earth to split in two, but human beings continue to make the SAME mistakes that were made in the garden time and time again. We want to play the part of God in our own lives... So what's the plan? Is there a plan to reconnect heaven and earth? God and his masterpiece? // On today's episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon jump through history towards the Tower of Babylon and the call of Abram to pinpoint God's ultimate long-term plan to bring heaven and earth back into unity.
We have an enemy who wants to attack us, a ruthless adversary who wants to wreak havoc in our lives with problems, addictions, and ungodly choices. We're called by God to fight off his attacks, to battle against Satan's influence in our world and in our lives. And one of the keys to success in this fight is to fight the battle before it happens. But what does that even look like? How do I do that?
April 15, 2021 // // In the Fall of Creation depicted in Genesis 3, Eve gave up EVERYTHING, a perfect garden and perfect communion with the creator... for a snack? And this was the very decision that spit the domain of Heaven ON Earth to Heaven AND Earth. So what's was at the root of the decision, and what does it have to do with us? Unfortunately, we too make the same boneheaded decisions. But is there hope for us as well? // In this episode of Unscripted, Brandon take a deeper look into the Fall at the Garden in Genesis 3 and shows how we, too, have decisions to make in our lives about who we decide is God in our lives.
Whether we realize it or not, those of us who have put our faith in Jesus are in a fight. We have an enemy who is on the attack, and we have to choose how we are going to respond. Are we going to sit around and do nothing? Are we going to surrender? Or are we going to put up a fight?
April 8, 2021 // Heaven is where God is, and earth is where humans are. Pretty simple, right? But what if that wasn't God's original plan? Not only that, but what if God's purpose from the beginning was to bring "heaven" to earth? What does that do to our understanding of God's purpose and plan for our lives? // Join Marshall and Brandon as they start a conversation about heaven and earth, God's presence in both, and God's plan for those two realms to become one.
Jesus hinted at it, mentioned something related to it, and eventually talked plainly about it - He was going to die and rise again. And yet His disciples and others were still surprised by the resurrection and just didn't see it coming. However, the resurrection completely changed their focus and their mission from that point on. Can I say that the resurrection of Jesus has changed anything about me?
In this LAST episode of our series in 2 Peter 1, we've moved through Peter's whole list of "ingredients" to become "partakers in the divine life" like faith and love and brotherly kindness and self-control. But after his list he makes sure to remind his audience of the importance of the USE of these ingredients in increasing increments. "Use it or lose it" in our terms. What could happen if we neglect these attributes in our own Christian walk? // Join Marshall and Brandon as they wrap up their series in 2 Peter and talk about how nearsightedness in our own lives BECAUSE of the neglect of these attributes can lead to spiritual blindness and ultimately forgetfulness of God's grace in our own lives. Thanks for joining!
March 25, 2021 // Finish the sentence: I LOVE _____ so much! Assuming that our answers would be incredibly varied somewhere between "my lovely kiddos!" and "hot dogs at the ballpark!". Such a WIDE degree of answers begs the question: "If we use that word consistently in meaning, then do I love my kids with the same degree as I love that ballpark frank?" WE WOULD HOPE NOT! // In this episode, Brandon is joined by our worship leader and father, Jordan Manchester as we talk about LOVE and the true meanings behind it!
I'm active, I'm involved, I'm successful, I'm accomplishing things, I'm winning... so why do I feel empty? Why do I feel unmotivated? Why am I exhausted? It's called "Burnout," and if we ever experience it, we almost never see it coming. What do I do when I'm blindsided by burnout?
March 18, 2021 // Kindness is a good thing, maybe even one of the best things. When we show kindness to someone else, it makes them feel good and makes us feel good to. But Peter is more specific here when he says that we need to be more active in showing "brotherly kindness." What's the difference between that category of kindness and "regular" kindness? And how do I know if I'm being brotherly kind to someone else? // Marshall is flying solo this week while Brandon is out of town. Join him for a discussion of what brotherly kindness really is and why Peter says it matters.
::Sorry for the late start of the stream - we had technical difficulties:: Let's be honest, we would prefer to never experience any difficulties or challenges in our lives. But even if we have to go through hard times, it would be nice to see those experiences coming, wouldn't it? Sometimes the hardest part of dealing with a hardship is that it caught us by surprise. We weren't ready for it. What do I do when I didn't see that hardship coming?
According to a recent survey, 8 in 10 Americans carry significant debt. Credit cards, mortgages, car loans, student loans - we are a society steeped in debt. But many of us never expected to be carrying the debt load we're carrying. We feel like we suddenly looked up and we owe thousands of dollars to creditors, and we never saw it coming. How do I get myself free from this overwhelming burden? And if I get free from it, is there a way to keep myself from ending up here again?
March 11, 2021 // Christians are supposed to be "godly," right? That seems like it's kinda assumed - if you're a follower of God, then you're godly. But there's more to godliness than just saying you believe in God and are trying to be a good person. // Join Marshall and Brandon as we talk about what godliness actually looks like and why Peter said it matters so much.
We have those times in our lives when things seem to be going great - we're moving forward, we're healthy, our relationships seem to be going well. And then - bam! - we get blindsided. Something we weren't ready for derails whatever it was that was going so well, and now we're struggling and trying to figure out what to do next. What do we do when life surprises us?
March 4, 2021 // Perseverance doesn't sound very fun. Choosing to keep going when there's adversity, when things are tough? Who really wants to do that? But Peter tells us that if we don't persevere, if we don't endure hardship, we can't fully experience the life God wants to provide for us. Peter himself struggled with perseverance sometimes though and had to watch how Jesus kept going, even when things got difficult. // Join Marshall and Brandon as we talk about the challenge to persevere as well as the reward that comes from "sticking with it."
Loneliness was already a real struggle that affected many people on a daily basis, and the covid pandemic has seemed to make the problem even worse. But is it wrong for me to feel lonely? Is there anything I can do about it, or do I just have to try to smile and suffer through it?
February 25, 2021 // Of all people that maybe shouldn't be telling others to exercise self-control, it would be Peter. The man had ongoing "control issues" - not with wanting to control others but with not always being able to control himself! But after years of walking with Jesus, towards the end of his life Peter recognized that one of the KEY INGREDIENTS to a good life is to learn to maintain self-control as much as possible. // Join Marshall and Brandon as we talk about how important it is to have a little self-control and how we see the ultimate example of that in Jesus.
Christians aren't supposed to be depressed or anxious, right? They're just supposed to always have peace and joy. But what if that's not my reality? Can I still be a good Christian and struggle with depression? Can I still consider myself to have faith while at the same time struggle with worry? Dr. Karl Wendt shares some special insights that will help us debunk some myths about depression and anxiety and will help us deal with these real struggles.
Events over the last year, especially being on lockdown and having to socially distance, have put a spotlight on some struggles many of us are having with certain relationships. Marriage strains, parenting issues, and resentment with certain friendships seem to be on the rise in our communities. It's a real struggle, and yet it's something many of us have a hard time being honest about or seeking help with. What do I do when I'm struggling with my relationships?
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Snow canceled our service - so this lesson does not include the normal worship service.
February 11, 2021 // Peter says that one of the key INGREDIENTS to add to our spiritual walk is GOODNESS. But what does it mean to be "good"? How do I know if I'm being "good" enough? Is there a cap or a limit to how good I'm supposed to be? // Join Marshall and Scotty as they talk about how Jesus models goodness for us and then calls us to embody goodness in our own lives.
While physical ailments can become overwhelming burdens, emotional struggles can be just as unbearable, if not more so. Over the last year we've seen mental health issues like depressions, anxiety, and loneliness steadily increase in our community. Let's take an honest look at some of the motional struggles many of us have in common and discover together how our God can heal and our church family can help relieve some of these burdens. _______________________ 00:00 Welcome / Prayer 03:04 “Heaven Is in My Heart” 04:17 “Great Is the Lord Almighty” 06:30 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” 11:24 Communion 14:04 “You Never Let Go” 17:20 Sermon 59:54 “Break My Heart” 1:02:35 Closing Comments / Prayer 1:06:12 “This Is How We Overcome”
February 4, 2021 // When Peter talks about faith being a KEY INGREDIENT to a good life in 2 Peter 1:3, believe us when we say he KNOWS what he's talking about. From the king of "faith-failure" himself, Peter had his share of struggles with taking small steps of faith OR displaying no faith at all. But after years of walking with our savior and practicing faith, Peter reminds us here in 2 Peter 1:3 that faith is a key ingredient in the best life possible. // Join Marshall and Brandon as we learn to keep our eyes on Jesus as we learn to walk in faith through this life.
If I've given my life to Jesus, then I've been rescued from sin and death. But that's really only part of my story. I may have also experienced healing, a better marriage, or more meaning purpose to my life because of my connection with God. And the key thing is, all of us who are Christians have a story to tell. But sharing my story may not be very easy for me to do. But what if I did? What if I shared with someone else my story of what God has done in my life? Would it really make a difference? ________________________ Welcome / Prayer “Days of Elijah” “Salvation Belongs to Our God” “Living Hope” Communion “One Thing Remains” Sermon “How Can I Keep From Singing” Closing Comments / Prayer “This Is Amazing Grace”
//Apologies for the late start with this video - technical issues with our stream. When there is something I feel like I need or something I'm struggling with, Christina people will often, with the best of intentions, tell me to "just pray about it." Sometimes that feels like a church cliché. Sometimes it feels like prayer isn't enough. But what if I did choose to pray? What if I prayed like I believed something would actually happen? What if...? ______________ Welcome / Prayer “I Will Call Upon the Lord” 00:00 “Only King Forever” 02:08 “Shield About Me” 05:16 Communion 10:14 “Good, Good Father” 13:42 Sermon 54:44 “Still” 57:05 Closing Comments / Prayer 59:38 “Give Thanks to the Lord”
January 21, 2021
// Unscripted is switching gears and focusing in on a NEW topic that will bring us through the next couple of months: The Ingredients for a Good Life (2 Peter 1:3-9). Written at the end of his earthly life, Peter has a LONG list of things that he wants other followers of Christ to hold on to to have the FULLEST life possible.
// Join us tonight as we dive into the realizations that God has indeed already given us everything we need to have life, and have it to the full.
January 19, 2021
// Last week we dove into context and meaning of the book of Proverbs, and this week we're comparing what Solomon has to say about the difference between wisdom and foolishness.
When I've been lied to or made fun of or cheated on or yelled at or abused or forgotten about... or just plain hurt, it's difficult to let go of that pain. It's difficult to let go of the resentment and bitterness that I have every right to... feel. But what if I could forgive? What if I could keep from holding a grudge? I know it would benefit that other person, but how would it benefit me?
_________________________
00:00 Welcome / Prayer
04:05 “He Has Made Me Glad”
05:11 “Lift Him High”
07:54 “And Can It Be?”
10:29 Communion
15:31 “Blessed Be Your Name”
18:29 Sermon
59:22 “Lord, Take Control”
01:01:12 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:07:07 “Come Taste and See”
// January 14, 2021
// As many of our church family and friends have committed to reading the Bible more (check out our Read Scripture with Flagstone Facebook Group!), we're looking at some INFrequently asked questions that are specific and particular to our time in Genesis over the past 2 weeks. Who are the angels in Gen 18? Why is it improper for a Hebrew to eat with an Egyptian? Why is God surprised when Abraham really DOES attempt to sacrifice his son?
// As we read through the Bible with fresh eyes, we can notice tons of things that we never thought of before. As we aim to respond to these questions, let us know some questions that YOU have in your time in the book!
What would happen if I didn't just think about changing my attitude, a certain habit, or the way I treat certain people? What if I actually made a significant change? Would my life really be any better? Would theirs? Let's find out together in this lesson.
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00:03 Welcome / Prayer
04:22 “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
06:04 “Let It Rise”
08:42 “We Exalt Thee”
10:42 Communion
14:18 “Mighty to Save”
17:14 Sermon
01:03:16 “Purify Me, Lord”
01:05:22 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:07:56 “I Belong to Jesus”
// January 7, 2021
// Let's face it. The Bible is a LONG and at most times DIFFICULT book to read! From the ancient literature written in a different language to the REALLY strange stories in the first couple of books, then the rest of the long and complicated story... Reading the Bible is hard.
// Although these are all VALID reasons to be hesitant to read the Bible more this year, we believe that they are not good enough. The Bible is one unified story that leads us to Jesus and reading the Bible in a year will be the most fulfilling thing you can do in the new year. So how can I be successful? How can we read the Bible better in the new year? Marshall and Brandon tackle a subject that is close to BOTH of their hearts, as we discover together how we can be more successful in reading scripture in the new year.
So often our "what-if" questions are rooted in fear or complacency. "What if something goes wrong?" "What if they ask me to do more?" But our what-if questions don't have to paralyze us - they can actually motivate us if we ask them the right way. So what are the right "what-if" questions I need to be asking?
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Welcome / Prayer
“Beautiful One”
“Strong God”
“Everytime”
Communion
“It Is Well with My Soul”
Sermon
“Turn My Heart”
Closing Comments / Prayer
“Get Right Church”
Christmas is over. The decorations are getting put away, the tree is down, and the carols have stopped. All that I planned for over the last several weeks is done - what now? Well, the mission of Jesus didn't stop at the manger, and the direction and purpose of my life needs to move forward as well. What direction will I go? That depends on what I have my "face set towards."
_____________________________
00:00 Welcome / Prayer
02:54 “You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)”
05:34 “You’re Worthy of My Praise”
07:55 “Your Glory”
11:41 Communion
17:07 “I Will Follow”
20:04 Sermon
59:42 “Father God”
01:01:58 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:05:13 “Our God, He Is Alive”
When it comes to seeing and feeling the "presence" of God, it can be had for MANY. Christians and non-Christians alike. Scripture shows us that God relates to us in very specific and relatable forms of presence like that of a child. A father. A groom. An average human being. So why would God choose such common and simple relationships in order to relate to us? So that we could relate to HE and HIS SON better than we could ever imagine being close to someone else.
______________________
00:00 Welcome / Prayer
02:20 “Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus”
04:12 “Covenant of Love”
05:58 “Glory and Honor”
09:11 Communion
14:30 “Joy to the World”
15:55 Sermon
52:51 “All That I Need”
55:12 Closing Comments / Prayer
58:05 “Blessed Be Your Name”
// December 17, 2020
// There are SO MANY traditions and legends that surround the Christmas season -- From the Christmas pickle (...what?) to the Elf on the Shelf, everything we do in the holiday season has it's origins somewhere, right? Even Saint Nick and the Little Drummer Boy both have "Christian" roots, but are hyperbolized and expanded to the legends they are today.
// So what about Jesus? Was he just an exaggerated legend that we use to make this season more loving? Was he all that we make him out to be?
The invitation to see the new Baby in the manger was first offered to some random shepherds in a pasture outside of Bethlehem. But that simple invitation - to come connect with Jesus - is offered to all of us, no matter where we are, no matter what our story is. The question is...will I accept this simple invitation?
____________________________________________
01:02 Welcome / Prayer
03:20 “Open Up the Heavens”
06:11 “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”
08:38 “Come to the Table”
10:40 Communion
16:44 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
19:08 Sermon
58:10 “Just As I Am / I Come Broken”
01:02:01 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:13:08 “This Is Amazing Grace”
December 10, 2020
// Within each of the four gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) each writer choses a different starting point to talk about Jesus, the savior of the world. John begins with a theological "Word / Light" thought, Luke starts with some of Jesus' cousins and their connection, and Mark gets right to the point, skipping to adulthood. But Matthew starts with a... genealogy?
// In this Christmas episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon dive into the genealogy of Jesus, and WHY Matthew starts off with something so... boring? Could there be that there are incredible insights about Jesus' character and ministry on this earth? Check it out on tonight's Unscripted!
The birth of Jesus took place with not a lot of fanfare. There weren't huge crowds gathered around, and there weren't any parades or public announcements. God made His entrance into our world and fulfilled His plan to rescue us from our sins by becoming a defenseless baby laid in a feeding trough. Such a simple start to such an amazing life and mission! If God can do that with Jesus, what can He do with me?
_________________________
00:00 Welcome / Prayer
03:32 “Clap Your Hands”
05:16 “Ancient of Days”
07:50 “Listen to Our Hearts”
11:25 Communion
13:54 “Hosanna”
15:26 “Silent Night”
18:03 Sermon
51:08 “In Need”
54:02 Closing Comments / Prayer
57:36 “Reign in Me”
// December 3, 2020
// If you're like us, the Christmas story has been played and replayed in our minds eye HUNDREDS of times. We've heard the story of a young Jewish girl being visited by an angel, a miraculous birth, a questionable gifts from mysterious Magi, and the flight to Egypt. We know the Christmas Story. We've heard it a million times. So what's more to learn?
// In the week's Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon dive into some popular Christmas scriptures to reflect on the context, assumptions the authors make, and just to simply ponder the FIRST story of Jesus with some fresh eyes. We hope this brings some joy to your week!
God designed us to be in connection with Him and to be a reflection of Him. But then sin entered the world and messed things up, made things complicated. So God came up with a simple plan - to send His Son rescue us from sin. In a time when the Christmas holiday has become bombarded with busyness and complexity - advertising, shopping, travel plans, coronavirus - one of the things we may need most this Christmas is to recognize the simple plan of a loving God to send His Son to bring light to a dark world.
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00:02 Welcome / Prayer
03:24 “Let Us Worship the Father”
05:03 “Forever”
08:02 “I Love You, Lord”
10:20 Communion
15:07 “Here I Am to Worship”
18:34 Sermon
52:22 “What a Beautiful Name”
55:53 Closing Comments / Prayer
58:34 “Arise”
One of the last things that Jesus said before leaving this earth was, "Go make disciples of all nations." That still remains a challenge for us today - to let the world know about Jesus and how to find life and purpose in Him. If God wants every human being to have the opportunity to experience His grace, what am I doing to be a part of that mission?
___________________________________________
00:02 Welcome / Prayer
02:43 Shepherd Confirmation
10:55 “At the Name of Jesus”
13:12 “King of My Heart”
16:12 “Cornerstone”
19:52 Communion
25:18 “We Believe”
27:58 Sermon
1:19:56 “Your Name”
1:22:13 Closing Comments / Prayer
1:25:28 “Build Your Kingdom Here”
November 19, 2020 //
// "We hear so much about preparing for what comes NEXT (heaven and the afterlife) that it can make many feel guilty for finding joy in this life NOW within God's creation with other humans. So with the expectation for Heaven, are we allowed to find joy in the here and now?" -- A question submitted by one of our viewers.
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon talk about the goodness of this life and how it anticipates the life to come. We can experience the fullness of this world guilt free by understanding the one who made it as a creator that only gives GOOD gifts to his children.
// November 12, 2020
// Forgive and forget, right? Man, if it were that easy... Many of us struggle with forgiving others, and maybe even more, forgiving OURSELVES. So what happens when we feel like we have a hard time forgiving ourselves? And if we struggle with that, how could God, the great Almighty who knows my innermost-being, possibly forgive me when I struggled to forgive myself?
// Tonight's LIVE Unscripted focuses on the question: "How could God forgive me, when I can't even forgive myself?". Marshall and Brandon dive in to see some practical ways from scripture that we can begin the process of understanding God's grace and forgiveness.
It often seems like many churches and preachers put a lot of emphasis on giving money to the church or "tithing." But does it really matter if I donate money to God? He doesn't need it, right? How much of a difference can my giving really make?
________________________________
00:02 Welcome / Prayer
03:02 “A New Anointing”
06:05 “10,000 Reasons”
09:32 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
12:31 Communion
17:20 “Glory to God Forever”
19:22 Sermon
56:09 “Here Is My Heart”
58:50 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:01:44 “Give Thanks to the Lord”
// Unscripted with Marshall Brown and Brandon Dodd
// November 5, 2020
// One of the most beautiful things that a person can do is to accept the beautiful salvation that Jesus Christ has offered us at the cross. And as believers walking in the faith of that salvation we may sometimes wonder... Can I lose my salvation? Can it be taken away from me? If I give my life to Christ, is that the case for now and forever REGARDLESS of my life choices?
// In this LIVE Episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon unpack the concept of "Once Saved, Always Saved" with scripture as the guide.
FAQ: What makes a cuss word bad language? Is it because society made it that way?
// I once heard someone make an argument for the word "pickle" to be a cuss word. Although they were HARDLY being serious, that begs the question: What makes a "bad word" bad? Do our societies and culture decide what words are acceptable and which are not? And if that's the case, what are Christians to do in a world filled with "dirty mouths"? Brandon unpacks the importance of language for Christians, why it's important to be set apart from the world through gracious talk, and how we can use our words to spread the good news.
Our actions (or sometimes our inaction) can make an impact not just in our own lives but in our communities as well. Jesus calls us to be "light" and to try to make a difference in the communities in which we live. But before we can make a significant impact in the lives of those around us, there are some actions we're going to have to take first.
______________________________________
Welcome / Prayer
03:08 “Firm Foundation”
05:15 “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah”
08:36 “Good, Good Father”
12:25 Communion
18:41 “Our God”
20:57 Sermon
58:46 “How Can I Keep From Singing”
01:01:29 Closing Comments
01:08:25 “Light the Fire”
FAQ SHORT: Are the Jewish people still considered to be "God's chosen people"?
// When God entered into history he chose one family, the family of Abraham, to be his people; His holy and treasured possession in history. (Pretty cool, huh?) So... Where does that leave us? Are the Jewish people still God's exclusive possession? Are we as Christians excluded from this beautiful relationship? Marshall dives into scripture to see the true beauty in the Biblical plan for God's chosen people, and how ANYONE can claim to be in His family through Jesus Christ
WHY DOES BAPTISM MATTER? (PT. 2) // Wednesday Night Unscripted
// October 28, 2020
// In a follow up discussion on Baptism from last week, Marshall and Brandon work through the often talked about topics revolving around Baptism: What does the Bible describe baptism to be in form and mode? What are the differences between infant baptism and sprinkling verses full-emersion baptism? What if I felt like I needed to be rebaptized as a recommitment of faith?
There are times when we feel really close to God, when we seem to actually sense His presence around us. And there are times when we feel really distant from God as well. It's not that we completely lose our faith, but our connection to God feels routine and mundane and...well...stagnant. What do we do when we feel like our connection to God feels dull? What do we do when we feel stuck with a stagnant faith?
00:00 Welcome / Prayer
03:01 “I Will Call Upon the Lord”
04:14 “We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory”
05:52 “Faithful Love”
08:40 Communion
13:24 “I Will Follow”
16:20 Sermon
57:20 “Lord, I Need You”
01:00:43 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:03:30 “Restore My Soul”
WHY DOES BAPTISM MATTER (PT. 1) // Wednesday Night Unscripted
// October 21, 2020
// Baptism is the Christian practice of submerging an individual in water for repentance and forgiveness of sins and signifies a new life with Jesus Christ at the helm. A new eternal life with Jesus at the focus while we lay flowers at the casket of the old self. Pretty cool huh? So how did this come to be? And if all of that is true, why was JESUS baptized if he was perfect?
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon tackle the question of "Why is Baptism Important?" as they look at the history of baptism as a whole, how it looked in Jesus' time, how he revolutionized the practice, and how Faith is at the core of it all.
Welcome / Prayer
“Shout Hallelujah”
“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty”
“How Deep the Father’s Love”
Communion
“We Praise Thee, O God”
Sermon
“Refiner’s Fire”
Closing Comments / Prayer
“Days of Elijah”
FAQ SHORT: If God made the world in it's entirity filled with many people and places, why does the Bible only focus on the people and area of the Mediterranean?
// Jesus came to be the savior of the world so why do we not hear more about "the whole world" in the Bible? It seems that there is no mention of anything other than the areas that surround the Mediterranean Sea, so how can the Bible and the gospel of Jesus apply to us? Brandon dives into this subject as we can see a God that chose to enter into a particular time and place and people in history in order to bless the entire world. What's crazy is that YOU AND I are apart of that worldwide blessing!
In this FAQ Short, Marshall takes a look at an often misunderstood verse in 2 Corinthians 6:14 about being "yoked" with unbelievers. Could this verse be pointing to something more broad than just marriage? Marshall expounds on this passage and more in just 4 minutes!
WHY CAN'T PEOPLE IN POLITICS JUST GET ALONG? // Wednesday Night Unscripted
// October 14, 2020
// Every election people seem to get discouraged with that they see on the media, online, and even hear from their friends and family. Why does there have to be so much division in our lives especially in the realm of politics? Why doesn't God do something to fix that?
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon walk through the difficulties of division within politics and God's plan in the middle of it. Maybe our God CAN do something when human beings just can't seem to get along.
Original Question: Why do believers only offer the New Testament to New Christians? Are we trying to hide the facts of what happened before Jesus?
(Gen 4:16)
If Adam and Eve were the first humans, where is this “land of Nod, East of Eden” and how did those people get there?
Welcome / Prayer
“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
“You’re the One”
“Lamb of God”
Communion
“One Thing Remains”
Sermon
“Create in Me a Clean Heart”
Closing Comments / Prayer
“It’s All Right”
This Quick Talk comes from our series FAQ's, where we answer questions sent to us from our members and guests. Check out the rest of the series at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-4K5f1sq13bqjUxT3oQLrGO4IpqlDrcB
"Nothing seems to be happening." "It feels like the same thing day after day." "I can't seem to move forward." "I feel like I'm in a rut." Ever make any statements like these? It happens to all of us from time to time. We can't seem to get any traction. Things aren't necessarily bad, but they're not getting any better either. We feel like we repeat the same routine day after day. We just feel...well...stuck. If you're feeling stuck in some area of your life right now, you need to know that God can get you unstuck. Join us on Sundays in October as we learn together the ways that God provides to get us unstuck.
00:05 Welcome / Prayer
03:30 “He Has Made Me Glad”
04:34 “New Doxology”
07:17 “Lift Him High”
10:20 Communion
13:26 “The Joy of the Lord”
15:25 Sermon
58:10 “Turn My Heart”
1:00:10 Closing Comments / Prayer
1:04:45 “Let God Arise”
This Quick Talk comes from our series FAQ's, where we answer questions sent to us from our members and guests. Check out the rest of the series at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-4K5f1sq13bqjUxT3oQLrGO4IpqlDrcB
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHES? // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED //
// September 30, 2020
// Driving down the road, many of us pass multiple church buildings with differnt names, symbols and building styles. These churches have their own identities, worship styles, beliefs on baptism and communion among a host of many other things. So why are there so many different churches? Are there any differences between them? Don't they all say the same thing?
// In Part 1 of this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon take an objective walk through history from Jesus to Present Day to see how we came from one man's teaching, to thousands of churches just in NWA. We'll see why it matters to know church history and why Jesus name is above all church names. Join us next time as we wrap up this discussion in Part 2 when we focus on the common dividing points in the past, and the essential and non-essential parts of the church.
00:06 Welcome / Prayer
03:26 “Open Up the Heavens”
06:23 “Only King Forever”
09:19 “I Want to Be Where You Are”
11:36 Communion
16:31 “Heart of Worship”
19:55 Sermon
1:03:00 “He Will Rejoice Over You”
1:06:34 Closing Comments / Prayer
1:10:25 “This Is How We Overcome”
IS GOD INCONSISTENT WITH CONSEQUENCES AND FREE WILL? // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED//
September 23, 2020
// Tonight we're answering two FAQ's: 1. Why did God wait so long to give consequences (like the 150 years in between Isaiah's prophecy for destruction and Babylon's actual destruction of Israel) and 2. If there is free will, why are people "redirected" in the Bible to do as the Lord says (like Jonah), and why didn't he chose someone more willing?
// LOTS of ground to cover but the high-points are an Old Testament God filled with mercy and grace and a God that loves his people so much that he will use them as they are.
Is it over when it's over? Is there anything else after this?" We often find ourselves wondering what happens when we die, if anything happens at all. In this lesson from our FAQ's series, we celebrate the promise of Jesus that the end of me is not really the end of me.
00:00 Welcome / Prayer
03:31 “Heaven Is in My Heart”
04:47 “Victory Chant”
06:56 “On Zion’s Glorious Summit”
10:20 Communion
15:41 “When We All Get to Heaven”
17:35 Sermon
58:47 “When the Night Is Falling”
01:04:25 Closing Comments / Prayer
01:06:40 “Get Right Church”
HOW CAN I KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO HEAVEN? // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
// September 16, 2020
// When asked the point-blank question "If you died today, would you go to heaven?" many Christians feel a sense of doubt and unease. We know we haven't lived up to God's expectations, continue to fail Him, and aren't sure if our "good-things" outnumber the "bad-things". Is there a way that we can know?
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon dive into this popular question as they assess these feelings in their own lives, look to scripture for assurances, and realize it IS POSSIBLE to know and be certain on our fate in the afterlife. We hope this brings life and encouragement!
In one of Jesus' last conversations with His disciples he said the alarming statement: "In this world you WILL have trouble." (John 16) In this life it looks like pain is certain, so how can we balance an ultimately good God with the messed up world around us? And how can wrestling with this question and Biblical Lament bring peace and hope into our lives in a way it hasn't been before?
00:05 Welcome / Prayer
04:10 “Hosanna”
05:32 “You’re Worthy of My Praise”
07:47 “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”
10:51 Communion
14:10 “Blessed Be Your Name”
17:08 Sermon
58:55 “How Great Is Our God”
1:02:20 Closing Comments / Prayer
1:04:50 “Reign in Me”
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES (PT. 2) // Wednesday Night Unscripted
// October 7, 2020
// In Pt. 2 of our "Why are there so many different Christian Churches?" question, Marshall and Brandon talk about the things that divide Christian churches. They cover things like the "Non-negotiable and Negotiables" for Christian beliefs, what the main goal should be within the church, and how to love God and love others in the middle of our "division"
WHY DOESN'T GOD ANSWER MY PRAYERS? // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
//September 2, 2020
// Last week Marshall and Brandon walked us through the theological looks of prayer: If God knows everything already, and humans have free will, what is the point of praying? Do our prayers make a difference? DO our prayers do ANYTHING? THIS WEEK, we're looking at the practical side of things: I know that God hears my prayers and listens to me... but how come he doesn't answer MY prayers? I see Him at work in other people's lives, but it seems like my prayers are never answered...
// This week Marshall and Brandon dive into how God answers prayers and how we can reignite our prayer life. We hope this discussion is a blessing!
At some point most, if not all, of us have had to deal with some questions about our faith. Sometimes it's a question that we ourselves are wrestling with; sometimes it's a question that someone asks us and we struggle with knowing exactly how to answer. For the next several weeks at Flagstone, we are going to attempt to answer some of the questions both Christians and non-Christians have about God, the Bible, church, and more.
DO OUR PRAYERS ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
// August 26, 2020
// Prayer is at the CORE of our relationship with God. I's how we can communicate our thanks, our grief, sorrow, wants and needs, pleas and praise. But if God is truly sovereign; truly all-knowing... is there a place for prayer and man's free will?
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon take a theological look at prayer. Where does prayer fit in with an all-knowing God? Do our prayers actually make a difference if God already knows the outcome? And what if I personally haven't seen the affects of prayer in my own life?
At some point most, if not all, of us have had to deal with some questions about our faith. Sometimes it's a question that we ourselves are wrestling with; sometimes it's a question that someone asks us and we struggle with knowing exactly how to answer. For the next several weeks at Flagstone, we are going to attempt to answer some of the questions both Christians and non-Christians have about God, the Bible, church, and more.
At some point most, if not all, of us have had to deal with some questions about our faith. Sometimes it's a question that we ourselves are wrestling with; sometimes it's a question that someone asks us and we struggle with knowing exactly how to answer. For the next several weeks at Flagstone, we are going to attempt to answer some of the questions both Christians and non-Christians have about God, the Bible, church, and more.
ASKING QUESTIONS // Wednesday Night Unscripted // August 12, 2020 //
With our new FAQs series starting this coming Sunday, Marshall takes some time tonight to talk about why it's important to ask questions about our faith, why truth matters in our culture today (or at least it should!) and what a conversation Jesus had with a random stranger has to do with our pursuit of what's real in this world.
Isaiah was a prophet who lived hundreds of years ago, but his messages are still as relevant today as they were when he first spoke them. Join us for the next few Sundays as we let Isaiah remind us that even today God still rescues us, forgives us, and gives us a brand new start.
HESITATION TO SHARING THE GOSPEL PT. 2 // Wednesday Night Unscripted
// August 5, 2020
// In a continuation of last week's Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon work through a few more reasons that we as Christians hestitate in sharing the life changing news of the Gospel with others. From fear and shame to feeling like we don't know enough, or (honestly) care enough, there are plenty of reasons to justify NOT sharing the word. But when it comes to the purpose from Christians on this planet, it seems as reason is not good enough. We hope this class can be encouraging and uplifting to everyone that thinks sharing the gospel is tough, as Marshall and I also struggle with this on a personal level!
Isaiah was a prophet who lived hundreds of years ago, but his messages are still as relevant today as they were when he first spoke them. Join us for the next few Sundays as we let Isaiah remind us that even today God still rescues us, forgives us, and gives us a brand new start.
HESITATION TO SHARING THE GOSPEL PT. 1 // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
// July 29, 2020
// When you have a job there are always goals to keep in mind and a certain job that must be done. Whether it's button pushing or manual labor or conference calls we all know the job and execute it accordingly. As Christians we too have a job: to 1. Love God and Love Others (Matthew 22:36-40) and 2. Go and share the Good News of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-19). We as Christians might get #1 right, but to be honest many of us struggle with #2: Evangelism
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon share some of the "Bad Reasons Not to Share the Gospel" and why it's so important to overcome these justifications. We have the most important job on the planet as Christians: to show others the love of the Father and the Son, and invite them in to experience that love themselves.
Isaiah was a prophet who lived hundreds of years ago, but his messages are still as relevant today as they were when he first spoke them. Join us for the next few Sundays as we let Isaiah remind us that even today God still rescues us, forgives us, and gives us a brand new start.
Things are a little bit different while we're not meeting at the church - including this Wednesday Night Unscripted episode! Join Marshall as he leads us through his thoughts Wednesday evening.
JONAH - DROWNING IN GRACE // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
JUNE 24, 2020
// When we think of the people that God chooses to be his "mouthpiece" to the world, we think about big powerful voices filled with conviction and truth and an eagerness to serve God. But the truth is, God uses people that are many times reluctant to speak God's word, even if the words are good. Jonah is a prophet in the Old Testament that is reluctant to serve the mission of God, even though the mission is GOOD and brings SALVATION
// In this episode of Unscripted, Brandon shares the story of Jonah and how we too can be reluctant to share God's good message of grace and salvation, and why that conversation is also a part of our calling today.
THE CARDBOARD MASTERPIECE // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
// "You're so pretty." / "You're just like your Father!" / "You are loved!" / "You'll never be good so just quit while you are ahead." / Throught the entirity of our lives we hear the voices of others in our heads. Our idenities can be molded and shaped by these voices and our lives can change drastically because of them. When you hear the same thing long enough, you begin to believe it yourself.
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon wade through the interesting topic of idenity. If we are really God's masterpiece (Eph. 2:10) then why do we self identify as junk? What does it mean to have UNLIMITED WORTH in the eyes of the creator, and be truly loved as a human being?
FORGETTING HOW TO FEEL // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
June 10, 2020
// Looking out into our world from a Christian perspective can be difficult at times. As Christ followers dedicated to living and loving like Jesus Christ, it should break our hearts to see injustice or poverty or violence or abuse. But many times it seems like we have grown callous to these topics. When we see these things out in the world it is easy to "forget" that God's plan for this world is MORE than they are.
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon talk about how humans can become desensitized to injustice, poverty and violence, why it's important for Christians to step out into those conversations, and how we can teach ourselves to "feel" the world just like our God does. We hope this conversation is a blessing!
Join us online at Flagstone as Marshall brings us a new series showing us why we are called to be Not Normal.
JUSTICE FOR THE OPPRESSED // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
JUNE 3, 2020
// As a church, our heart breaks to see injustice in this world. Our hearts break to watch the news, to hear the voices of the oppressed, to join our friends, brothers, and family as we cry over the loss of life and the miscariage of justice. As a nation, emotions are high. As Christians we are called to speak out against oppression, to stand up for those that can't stand for themselves, and bring a voice to those that aren't heard.
// In tonight's episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon speak about the issues plaguing our nation at the moment, what scripture says about created worth and justice, and why Chistians can be a force of change and justice in this world that desperately needs the love of Jesus. We hope that this unscripted conversation can be uplifting and encouraging to all that hear!
Even though we're socially distant and somewhat disconnected from each other right now, we still have opportunities all around us to make a difference in this world. Join us online this Sunday when we talk about how to simplify the process of making an impact in our communities.
CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
May 27, 2020
// In Jesus' time of ministry he spoke with leaders and politicians, fishermen and tax collectors, common folks and those with influence. But in the middle of his limited time on this planet, he called children "the greatest ub the kingdom of heaven". He spent time with children, reinforced traditions that grew childen in the faith, and loved on kids in the crowd. But why does Jesus care so much about children?
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon unpack why the next generation is so important to Jesus, why ministry to young people should be a large focus for the current day church, and how we can access their child-like faith.
Sometimes the "what" isn't as complicated as the "when." Sometimes we know what action to take, we just aren't for sure when to take it. During our online worship this Sunday we'll talk about how to simplify the process of knowing when the time is needed to improve or do something different with a particular relationship.
THE IRON-TONGUED PROPHET // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
May 20, 2020 //
// The Biblical Prophets were made up of men and women that God used to share HIS word to His people. There was one such prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah, who was given a HARD message to preach and proclaim from God: the impending destruction and exile of God's people.
// In this episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon flesh out one of the most interesting and most DISLIKED prophets of the Old Testament: Jeremiah. A man with an iron tongue, a complex calling, and deep emotional issues (including depression), Jeremiah is a servant of God that we can relate to: a human being with life changing knowledge of the Father, and a world that doesn't want to hear it. We hope this discussion is impactful and sheds some light on a complex book of the Bible.
NOTE: This class is about 10 minutes longer than our normal sessions! Thank you in advance for bearing with us!
These unprecedented times seem strange and foreign to us in 2020, but throughout scripture we can see that God's people also had moments when their own "normals" were ripped away from them. Join us this Sunday as our Youth Minister, Brandon Dodd, offers some helpful advice through scripture to Simplify the New Normal.
INFLUENCERS // WEDNESDAY NIGHT UNSCRIPTED
May 13, 2020
// If you took a second and thought about ALL of the people that have made a difference in your life or impacted you greatly, how long would the list be? Do they know that they have made a significant difference in your life? Do you think YOU could look back and see those that you have impacted for the better?
// In this week's Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon look at the seasons that we recognize our own influencers, like Mother's Day and Graduation, and see how important it is to take an inventory of those that have impacted us for the better AND those that we can have an impact on.
Sunday is Mother's Day, and we are going to spend the morning celebrating our moms and thanking God for them.
SOLUTIONS FOR STRESS // Wednesday Night Unscripted
May 6, 2020 //
// Worry, stress, and anxiety are on the rise. From work and finances, to family and relationships, our lives are filled with many opportunities to dwell on all of the what-could-be's in our lives. But is there a way to lessen stress in our lives and live the peace filled life that Jesus and his followers call us to?
// In the episode of Wednesday Night Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon walk through their own struggles with stress, check in with key scriptures that can help us manage our anxieties, and push us into a closer, more freeing relationship with the GOD WHO CARES FOR YOU.
One of the biggest struggles many of us are dealing with during this pandemic is anxiety. Join us this Sunday as we talk about how to simplify some of the stress and anxiety in our lives.
HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD -- Wednesday Night Unscripted //
April 29, 2020 //
// When we look into the Old Testament we see TONS of people that audibly heard the voice of God. His words were clear, expectations verbalized, and was close enough to walk along with His creation. But in modern times it seems like it is a LOT more difficult to discern His voice over others.
// In today's episode of Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon walk us through their own struggles with hearing God's voice, offer some tips on how we can "tune into" and hear God more clearly, and ultimately how we can discern HIS voice over others that may sound like Him.
Join us online as we continue to talk about some truths found in scripture that can help us simplify some of the more complexing issues in our lives.
THE LAW SIMPLIFIED // Wednesday Night Unscripted
April 22, 2020 // Matthew 22:34-40
// Have you ever felt bogged down by all of the rules and regulations that the Bible throws at us? I mean there are entire books of the Bible dedicated to The Law filled with rules about how to be in a good relationship with the Almighty God. And it is A LOT to handle.
// In this Wednesday Night Unscripted, Marshall and Brandon pick apart the purpose of the Law, what Jesus intended in fulfilling them, and how we can find FREEDOM in this "rule-book" and experience RELATIONSHIP instead.
Join us online as Marshall begins a new lesson series about how we can simplify our lives in these increasingly complex times we're going through.
Wednesday Night Unscripted
Real Resurrection Power // April 15, 2020
// Scripture says that the SAME power that brought Jesus back from the dead on Easter Sunday is the same power that lives in US through the Holy Spirit. Man, that's some power, isn't it? So what does that mean for us? How can we tap into this power that's available to each of us, and what can we DO with that power?
// Join Flagstone as Marshall and Brandon walk through another Wednesday Night Unscripted as they talk about this new life and power in the Spirit mentioned in Romans 7-8. It's a power that can change our entire world for the better.
Marshall will wrap up his latest series as we look at how the empty tomb changed everything.
// We've heard the crucifixion story a million times. It's full of memorable and haunting scenes of love and darkness and sorrowful fulfillment. Within this narrative there are a multitude of characters coming in and out of focus. Some have long back stories and some are brief mentions -- two of which we will be talking about tonight!
// Nicodemus and Barabbas are characters that have small but significant rolls in the crucifixion of Jesus. Check it out as Marshall and Brandon see how scripture fleshes out these characters and see how God changes life as we know it with the Resurrection!
Marshall continues his series with a look at how Jesus' crucifixion changed everything.
Faith Over the Edge -- Wednesday Night Unscripted
// Amidst the current world situation, Christians are having to ask tough questions about God and faith. But recently the questions have shifted. No longer is the question "Do you have faith that God is real?" but "Will you continue to have faith, even when things don't make sense?"
// Marshall and Brandon walk through their own thoughts on the matter in the first Wednesday Night Class in our Unscripted Series airing on Youtube and Facebook every Wednesday at 7PM.
Marshall continues his series "This Changes Everything" with a look at the significance of Communion.
This is our first online only service! Join us as we worship, pray and take communion together.
Think about different moments in history when you can look at that moment and go - when that happened, that changed everything! I mean when Thomas Edison invented the light bulb you can look at that and go - that changed everything, that changed our whole way of life. That changed how we did things on a regular basis. You can think about that horrific events of 9/11 and following those events that changed the way we travel and changed the way we thought about security and safety. Even the moment we're in right now: This coronavirus, this COVID-19 that's affecting our society and not just our community but all over the world. Well, there's different events that you can look at in the life of Jesus as well and think yourself: when that happened, that changed everything.
You can look at how he taught people how to interact with people, the miracles he performed, the things that he said and go - man in that moment, that changed everything. Here in a few weeks
many people in our world are going to be celebrating Easter and celebrating Jesus resurrecting from the grave. And in that moment when Jesus walked out of that tomb, that changed everything but there's
some other events even leading up to the empty tomb that changed everything as well and that's what we're going to be talking about over the next several weeks. We're going to look at different events in Jesus' life, specifically leading to the empty tomb and each one of those events and how that changed everything.
I may pray to God with full confidence that He is going to answer my prayer and provide whatever it is I'm asking about, but what do I do if I don't get the answer I had hoped for? Join us as we talk about why it is that God might not unleash His power because of our prayers and how to handle it when that happens.
Folks hear people talk about praying for things, then God doing these incredible things, but they never experienced it for themselves and they're not for sure how it's true.
We're going to talk about how to experience God unleashing his power in our own lives through the power of Prayer.
It's been said that friends are the people who know you really well...and like you anyway. It's important for us to have people in our lives who know our "good" qualities and our "flaws" and still choose to walk through life with us. If you're missing that kind of connection in your life, or if you used to have a friend like that but that relationship has started to fade, join us as we talk about how to take your friendships to the next level.
I don't know whether you would label your own family as either functional or dysfunctional. I mean every family has its own set of imperfections. As a matter of fact, Mary Karr once said that a dysfunctional family is any family with more than one person in it.
No matter whether you think my family is imperfect and has all sorts of problems, or you think my family is doing really well and I enjoy our family dynamic. We're going to talk about how to take our families to the next level in this lesson.
What does Chick-Fil-A have to do with taking my dating relationship or my marriage to the next level?
Watch as we talk about how to improve our relationships. No matter whether it's a marriage, a dating relationship, or a friendship, there are ways to take that connection to the next level.
Sometimes our biggest challenge to overcome is inaction - seeing opportunities to help, to lead, to act... but doing nothing. Join us as we challenge each other to take our turn to take action when the moment presents itself.
God has given us things to share with others and opportunities to share. We just need to take advantage of the opportunity to give.
One time Jesus was in this certain town and the people there were so bothered by him, they begged him to leave; they actually kicked him out of town. But then the next time that he was in the area, they were actually begging him to stay.
What made the difference? What if I told you it was one guy?
Join us and find out how one person can make a difference.
It's a new year and we're starting a new series at Flagstone called My Turn. Where I'm no longer going to be a spectator sitting on the sidelines watching other people make decisions, make choices and make improvements in their life while I stay in the same rut and don't do anything different. We're going to talk about how to make better choices - better decisions that are going to improve our lives and improve our faith.
With all the gifts that God has given us, we need to be in the habit of re-gifting those blessings to others.
The gift of God's physical presence is something hard to grasp. Hasn't God been with his people since the beginning? And why did God choose to dwell among us as a baby like the rest of humanity? How does this change how he impacts our lives? Brandon speaks to how Gods presence in our lives as Jesus Christ truly changes everything!
When we think of characters in the Christmas story, we often think of Joseph, Mary, obviously Baby Jesus...but how often do we think of a guy named Ahaz? Ahaz is important to the story of Jesus' birth, and you'll find out why when you join us.
Did you realize that one of the greatest gifts God has given you is faith? Not your faith in Him, but His faith in you. And we see that gift on display throughout the story of the birth of Jesus. Join us as we celebrate the amazing gift of God's faith in us!
One of the things we enjoy most about Christmas is opening gifts. We want to tear open the package and see what’s inside. We want to enjoy whatever it is someone thought enough of us to give us. God has given us gifts to enjoy as well - gifts that money can’t buy.
Join the Flagstone family around the Thanksgiving Table as we focus on being thankful for the Good Stuff, That Person, the Little Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Grace.
What do you think about kitchen tables in people's homes? A lot of times they're not very fancy.
Sometimes it gets pretty cluttered and messy. What does that have to do with the church? Find out as we talk about how the church can be like the Kitchen Table.
There's a difference between guilt and shame. When I feel guilty, I feel bad about something that I did. If I feel shame, I feel bad about myself because of who I am. That can be because of something I did or because of some way that somebody else is even trying to make me feel. So I have these negative feelings by myself and who I am as a person and then it becomes even worse when I put on the mask and try to pretend that I don't have those feelings at all. We're gonna talk about unmasking our shame and living lives of freedom without shame in this lesson.
Some of us are scared of spiders or snakes. Some of us are scared of the dark. Some, of a few things like rejection or failure. I think all of us are afraid of something. And what many of us do is take those fears, put a mask on and pretend like we're not really afraid. Then that creates even more problems. In this lesson we're going to talk about how to unmask our fears and deal with him in a genuine and honest way. So we can live more confident lives.
Do you have that one person in your life that you always seem to be jealous of? They have the bigger house. They get the bigger paycheck. They get to go on all the trips that you wish you could go on. Maybe you have a little bit of resentment maybe even a little bit of anger towards them and maybe sometimes even talk about them behind their backs.
Of course when you see him face-to-face, it's "Hey good to see you. Saw your pics. That's awesome. I'm happy for you."
You're not happy for them, you're jealous of them. We're going to talk about our envy and how we try to mask it and pretend that is not there, and how we need to take those masks off and deal with our envy and our jealousy in a genuine way so that is not a problem for us anymore.
In this lesson, Marshall talks about how to unmask our real identity and experience the freedom of living a genuine life.
Many of us carry PERSONAL BAGGAGE from our past experiences of sin and failure. At times that sin from our past can feel so heavy and we struggle with leaving that sin at the cross. So how can we truly let go and experience forgiveness from God?
Judgment, gossip, grudges - these are some of the things that Jesus spoke against. And yet one of the places that should be absent of these things is where many of us have actually witnessed them fairly often - the church. And those experiences can create memories and feelings in us that we carry for a long time. Join us as we talk about what to do with our church baggage.
Baggage - the memories and emotions we carry with us because of past experiences. For many of us the heaviest baggage we carry was handed to us by our families. Dysfunction, criticism, or divorce may create emotional baggage that we carry with us into our friendships, marriages, and workplaces. How do we get better at getting rid of family baggage?
Bad memories, hurtful words, misperceptions - they can all create “baggage,” burdens that we carry with us into our workplaces, churches, and homes. The longer we hold onto our baggage, the heavier it gets and the harder it becomes to let go of. Join us as we discover together how to unload the baggage that’s been weighing us down.
I've got plans, I've got things I want to accomplish, I've got to-do lists. But what if my plans don't match up with what God has planned for me? How do I balance my will with His...if that's even possible? That's what we'll discover together. Come join us!
Back in 1964, the Rolling Stones sang, "Time is on my side," but most of us couldn't disagree more. With trying to keep up with things like work schedules, time with family, and exercise time, we find it difficult to find a few minutes to rest and relax, not to mention finding a minute or two to spend with God. Is it possible to find a way to balance our busy schedules? Join us as we talk about balancing our time!
I don't want to be greedy, but I also want to provide a good life for myself and my family. I want to be wise and save for a "rainy day," but I also want to be generous and helpful to those in need. Is it possible to find a balance between all those things?
Ever feel like certain parts of your life are out of balance? You spend extra time and energy on your job, and your marriage starts to suffer. You spend time relaxing with friends or even taking time to give yourself some rest, and you miss a deadline at work. You donate money to a good cause and then don't have the money to pay an unexpected bill. Many of us struggle with feeling a little off-center from time to time, maybe a lot of the time! Join us for the next few weeks as we get better about evening out areas of our lives that might be "Unbalanced."
The "guardrails" God gives us for different aspects of our lives are intended to help us enjoy our lives and to help keep us from "wrecking" our faith or our relationships. That applies to God's guardrails for sex too. Join us this Sunday at Flagstone when we look at how God wants our sex lives to be a blessing to us and how to do a better job at staying within the boundaries He provides.
One of the main purposes of a guardrail is to protect people from wandering into dangerous areas. God has given us "guardrails" to help protect us from "dangers" that can damage our relationships or our faith. Join us as we take a look at some boundaries and action steps that will help protect our attitudes, relationships, and choices.
Have you ever contemplated your relationships with those around you? Join us this morning as we discuss guarding friendships and being intentional in our presence, authenticity, and connectedness.
Our words have an amazing amount of power, and we need to be "safe" with how we use them. Find out the guardrails God gives us to help protect our relationships with our words.
Losing our temper can be hurtful to other people and hurtful to us. Find out the guardrails God gives us to protect us from the "dangers" of losing our temper.
One of the main purposes of a guardrail is to protect people from wandering into dangerous areas. God has given us "guardrails" to help protect us from "dangers" that can damage our relationships or our faith. Join us on Sundays in July as we take a look at some boundaries and action steps that will help protect our attitudes, relationships, and choices.
Assumptions are tough to overcome! whether it be your own, or others assumptions of you, how can we truly live as Christians that love others and beat the judgmental stereotype?
No father is perfect, and lots of fathers feel like they should "dad" a lot better than they currently are. This Father's Day at Flagstone we will spend some time honoring our dads and thanking God for them, we will hear some real stories from some real dads who are experiencing the daily challenges and triumphs of fatherhood, and we will discover that we all have a Father who loves us in spite of our imperfections.
According to Dictionary.com, one of the definitions of a skeptic is "a person who doubts the truth of a religion, especially Christianity, or of important elements of it." We'll hear from two former "skeptics" and find out why they chose to become fully committed believers in Jesus.
If you used to believe in Jesus and then walked away from that relationship, can you get that connection back? Find out when we hear an awesome story of mistakes, consequences, regret, and renewal.
What do you do when a crisis hits that you were never prepared for? How do you find calm and comfort in the middle of a stressful situation you have no control over? Join us and find out how one of our own families experienced unexpected answers from God in the middle of an unexpected crisis. Today, we'll feature the story of Kennedy Allison's unexpected seizure and recovery during a school day at Pea Ridge High School.
Worries, fears, and anxieties are a very normal part of this life -- but we do not have to be consumed by them! We can cast our fears and worries to our God who is willing to take them!
This Sunday is Mother's Day, and at Flagstone we're going to hear about mishaps, embarrassing moments, and triumphs. Join us and hear real stories from real Flagstone moms, because...this is us.
We all have a collection of experiences and choices and consequences that weave together to shape our personal life stories. Those stories not only define us as individuals but also serve as a testimony to others about the things in our lives that have helped shape who we are. Over the next few weeks we are going to hear personal stories from some of our church family - stories that include doubting God, not liking His church, making mistakes, and overcoming obstacles. Join us each week as we discover together that we each have a story, that none of our stories are "perfect," and that there is grace and acceptance and hope to be found no matter what our story might be.
In Luke 12, Jesus seems to indicate that everything we might try to keep hidden about ourselves or about our past choices will be brought out into the open and exposed to everyone. Join us this Sunday at Flagstone, and we'll talk about what Jesus meant and why we shouldn't worry.
Did Jesus claim from the cross that God had left Him abandoned and alone? We discover the answer in this lesson on Easter Sunday.
We live in a culture that values success and champions wealth. The more money we have and the more stuff we can get, the better. But there is a time in scripture where Jesus seems to say that richer a person is, the greater the impossibility of him/her getting into heaven. Is that what He really said? And if so, is that what He really meant?
Jesus once said that being His disciple involves more than just calling myself a "Christian" - I also have to have actions that demonstrate I'm trying to live like Him. But right after that Jesus also says that He may claim He doesn't even know who I am, even though I'm doing good things. Is Jesus contradicting Himself, or is there a deeper meaning He's trying to get across? That's what we'll talk about this Sunday at Flagstone. Come join us!
We can find all sorts of reasons to celebrate - birthdays, job promotions, Razorback victories. But one of the events that Jesus said is cause for celebration is when people hate us or treat us badly. Is that really something to be happy about? Join us as we talk about why Jesus tells us to jump for joy when someone hates us.
Scripture tells us that God is love and that the world will be able to identify who Christians are by the way they love others. But then Jesus says that if I want to be His disciple I have to hate my family and hate my life. Did He really say that? If so, is that what He really meant?
We enjoy hearing about God's grace and compassion and love, and we are thankful that He is willing to forgive us for any of our mistakes. But Jesus said that we can't receive that kind of forgiveness from God unless we are willing to offer that kind of forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Wait...did He really say that?
We love to hear statements that Jesus makes about loving and forgiving us and about coming to rescue us. We like the stories in scripture where Jesus speaks words of encouragement, acceptance and grace. But then there are those times where we read Jesus' words, and we think, "Hold on! What did He just say?" Sometimes Jesus says things that we would rather not hear, statements that challenge us or maybe even point out areas in our lives that need improvement. For the next several weeks at Flagstone we're going to be challenged to take a closer look at our hearts and actions by taking a look at statements that we kinda wish Jesus hadn't made.
What we choose to see has a huge effect on how we choose to act. Our perceptions of other people, whether they are accurate or not, have a direct impact on how we choose to treat those people. Join at Flagstone as we talk about getting better at how we treat others by getting better at how we view others.
It has been estimated by some that on average adults make approximately 35,000 decisions every day. While some of those choices, like where to eat lunch or which radio station to listen to, may not have a huge impact at the moment, other decisions, like who to marry or which job to take, can not only affect our current circumstances but our futures as well. Make the choice to join as we talk about ways to be better at decision-making.
"It's not you; it's me." It's a statement used so often it's become a funny cliché. But what if it actually is me? What if, by working on "me," I could help make a better "us"? Join us at Flagstone as we talk about steps to improving ourselves so that we can improve our relationships.
If I had better clothes...
If I lived in a better neighborhood...
If I had better training...
If I had a better body...
If I had better friends...then I would be happy.
I can easily be tempted to believe the lie that there is something I could buy, make, or borrow, and if I had that one thing, it would make me happy. But often the first step in improving my life is not getting a better car or a better house or a better smartphone; it's choosing to be a better me. Join us at Flagstone on Sundays in February, and we'll talk about choices and actions and attitudes that can help us become better.
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is - what are you doing for others?" Want to start doing something for others at Flagstone and in the NW Arkansas community?
All relationships have a starting point. Friendships, dating relationships, marriages - they all started at some point when a person allowed someone else into their lives to become a part of who they are. A relationship with Jesus starts the same way - at a certain point we choose to allow Him into our lives to become a part of who we are. If you're ready to make that choice, or if you've walked away from that relationship and want to have it back again, you need to join us this Sunday at Flagstone!
It’s a new year, and for many of us it’s time for a new start. All this month at Flagstone, we’re defining our starting point. No matter what has defined your past, no matter what your story has been to this point, today can be your starting point for a brand new life or a re-committed faith. Join us each Sunday in January at Flagstone as we discover together where we are and where we go from here.