Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Dayspring Fellowship
I grew up going to church. I knew what Christians were supposed to ‘look’ like. And I’d seen pictures of Jesus on the wall in Sunday School, so I had an idea of what people thought He looked like too. But it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I met someone who really looked like Jesus. And I was startled, to say the least.
Short in stature… really short – maybe 4’9” on a good day, with a softly rounded, pudgy figure, ruddy complexion, and a nose that was reddish and a little too big. Bright blue eyes sparkled beneath shortly cropped, but smartly styled white hair, her face wrinkled deeply from a lifetime of joy and laughter. When she spoke, her voice carried both delight and wonder and her embrace was quick, warm, and full. She wore love, grace and kindness like a favorite sweater she never took off. Her name was Kay. And the moment I met her, for the first time in my life, I knew what Jesus looked like. And that I wanted to look like Him too.
What does it mean to bear the image of God? That’s the question we’re diving into this week as we continue in our series, EARTH 1.0: In the Beginning… The World We Lost.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Have you ever fallen for a scam? Don’t worry… I won’t ask for a show of hands. But honestly… who hasn’t? I mean, the lies and the liars have become so convincing these days. The pitch sounds good, the product, vacation, subscription or whatever -- is an incredible deal, and if you don’t do it now, you will probably miss out on… something. And who wants to be the one missing out?
You listen to the voice -- and before you know it, you’ve said yes. Then, within minutes, maybe hours, or could be days -- you realize you’ve been had. You bought the lie. And the cost is far greater than you ever expected.
Funny thing is... this story isn't new; it's almost as old as… dirt. The first time it happened was in the garden. And we're still falling for it thousands of years later.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It began with an idea… that grew into a dream that expanded into a vision. Then the vision became a plan. And the plan evolved into a course of action. Every detail was thought out; every element carefully designed; every material purposefully selected. And when every decision had been made and every step had been taken, the dream became reality and the vision was accomplished. It was… perfect.
Until… it wasn’t.
Can you relate to that description? Of the hope, dream, project, or goal that, once realized, feels exhilaratingly perfect. Until something – and there’s always something – spoils it in some way.
God knows that feeling. He can relate. Because we are living in a world that is far, very far, from what He intended.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It was back in the year 2000 that at-home kits for DNA testing became popular. Painless… simple… just follow the directions, mail it in, then wait for the results. Since then, it’s estimated that between 55 and 60 million people around the world have done one. Maybe you’re one of them? Seems a lot of people want to know where they come from and who they’re related to.
But what if I told you there’s a bigger question, with an even better answer? Bigger than where… better than who… it’s the question of ‘why.’ Why do you even exist? For what purpose were you created?
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Once upon a time… A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish…
Iconic opening lines. They draw us in, capturing imaginations – young and old – with the promise of a story worth the telling. This week, we begin a new series about a story that begins with the greatest opening line of all:
In the beginning, God created…
You’ve heard it a thousand times. You know how it goes, or… do you?
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
For the past 8 weeks, we've been working through our series, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin, which has helped us reframe and perhaps even expand the way we think about sin. We've come to understand that sin is more than bad behavior, stinky attitudes, or hurtful words -- it's about how our heart is positioned -- whether we're moving toward Jesus or allowing something else to pull us away.
As we wrap up this week, there's one final question for us to wrestle with... the 'bottom line' so to speak. Your answer to that question makes all the difference in which direction your heart... and your life will be pulled.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Tag... you're it! We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Hide and seek… tag… or better yet, freeze tag! These are simple children’s games where one player chases or pursues all the others. But how do you decide who is going to be the chaser or pursuer… the IT? “Not it!” “Not it!” “Not it!” voices shout; everyone trying desperately to not be IT. Because sometimes chasing or pursuing can be disappointing, frustrating and exhausting.
Most of us are long past the days of playing tag, but the ‘not it’ mindset may have stuck with us in ways we don’t really see.
We're in week 7 of our sermon series, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. This week, we're looking at... doing nothing. Most of us think of sin as something we do. So how can doing nothing be a sin? I'm glad you asked!
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM and find out. You can connect with us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Tag... you're it! We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Have you ever noticed how some people have a different voice or way of speaking when they're talking to a baby or perhaps a pet? That's an example of situational behavior - changing something, in this case the manner of speaking - based on the situation. But situational behavior isn't always innocent or harmless.
We're in week 6 of a sermon series we've titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. This week, we're looking at what we're calling situational sins... those choices we make based on external circumstances - which set of friends we're with, whether or not the kids are around, or if anybody will even know we did it. The problem is, basing our behavioral choices on an external standard completely misses the point. Because that's not at all what Jesus is after.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
For the past few weeks, we've been working our way through a series we’ve titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. We've covered a lot of ground...
the way sin pulls at our hearts and minds,
the difference between toxic and healthy shame,
the things we trust more than God,
and the disordered desires that derail our lives.
This week, we're looking at what we're calling acceptable sins... those things that have so subtly slipped into our vocabularies and mindsets, that are so much a part of how we live, that we don't even really notice them anymore. But noticing and naming matters. Because if our goal is to become like Jesus, then we must first see where we're not, and then take the next step to being more like Him.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Tell me what 'cha want, what ya really, really want... But... do you really know?
In his 1941 essay titled, The Weight of Glory, author CS Lewis writes, "It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us; like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
We're working our way through a series we’ve titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. This week, we're looking at desire... a gift from God that has been deeply misunderstood in the Church. And as a result, we’ve learned to settle for and even pursue, that which is much less than God's best for our lives.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
If I were to ask you, “What’s the most important thing in your life?” many of you would tell me it’s your relationship with God. Good answer… at least it sounds good. But if I asked you to look at your calendar and tell me what your first priority is… the thing you give the most time, thought, and energy to… would it be something different? What really has first place in your heart and life?
We're working our way through a series we’ve titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. This week, we're looking at idols or false gods--the things we allow to have first place in our lives--to be more important than our relationship with God. They can be difficult to identify, because unlike a wood or stone idol, they're not always something you can touch. But that doesn't make them any less real or powerful.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It's one of the first games little kids learn to play. And oh.... the fun of squeezing into the perfect spot or finding just the right-sized thing to hide behind. And then, anticipating the moment that someone discovers where you are... I see you! There is so much joy in being found!
But somewhere along the way, being found isn't what we're after. Something shifts and we begin to look for more sophisticated ways of hiding. Ways that keep others from seeing who we really are, even if things look good on the surface.
We're in week 2 of a new series we’ve titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. Over the next few weeks, we're looking deeper at the way sin impacts our lives. This week, we're looking at shame--the unseen but deeply felt force that drives us to hide who we are or what we've done, rather than risk being seen, fully known and truly loved.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
From the moment we are born, we’re subject to its power. It pulls on us with such strength and consistency that we hardly even notice it’s presence. It feels natural, normal, the way things are meant to be. Living free of it would feel… weird. And yet, we were created for freedom.
Sin doesn’t just show up in big, obvious ways in our lives – it pulls on our hearts steadily, consistently, with such persistence that we’ve learned to live with it.
This week we’re beginning an 8-week series we’ve titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. We’ll explore how sin impacts every facet of our lives and discover that freedom is found not just in saying ‘no’ to bad behavior or crappy attitudes, but in learning to say ‘yes’ to Jesus.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Have a good summer!" "Keep in touch." "Stay sweet!" "Good luck!"
Those were the standard yearbook farewell messages back in the day. As the last days of the school year approached, yearbooks would be passed among classmates, gathering signatures and well-wishes... marking the end of another chapter of life.
This week, we're at the end of our series, Endurance, and Paul is penning the final words of his letter. He knows they'll be his last ones written. His words, colored with urgency, underscore that which matters most to his heart. This isn't a casual farewell message. These words capture the heartbeat of his life's mission.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we wrap up our series in 2 Timothy. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshipping with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
The best Sunday School songs are the ones with hand motions... at least those were the ones I liked! Do you remember singing, "The wise man built his house upon the rock...? The best part of that song, at least from a kid's perspective was when the foolish man's house - which he built on the sand - went SPLAT!
We're in week 3 of our series, Endurance, and chapter 3 of 2 Timothy. Paul knows this is his last letter. These are his last written words... to Timothy and to the churches he had established; his last opportunity to encourage and exhort, to point those he loves to what matters most. His message? Stand firm... be faithful... hold fast. Paul knew - because he'd lived it - a life built on the solid foundation of God's Word will not be shaken.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you on Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
April 15, 1947. Yesterday, in ballparks all across the U.S., Jackie Robinson Day was celebrated. It was on that date, 79 years ago, that Jackie Robinson made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the color barrier and forever changing not just baseball history, but American history.
Jackie's story is one of incredible endurance. Of pressing on, in the face of prejudice and discrimination, with both determination and grace. And today, the ripples of Jackie's determined endurance are felt throughout baseball and the world.
This week, in our series, Endurance , we'll unpack Paul's exhortation to endure for the sake of the gospel. Paul is writing from prison, his own execution approaching... he knows about endurance. And he knows that Timothy (and we, too) will face suffering of one kind or another. I wonder... are we unknowingly impacted by the ripples of Timothy's faithful endurance in the face of suffering? And who, in generations to come, might be eternally changed by yours?
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you on Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We're beginning a new sermon series this Sunday that we've titled, Endurance. And once again, we're diving into another of Paul's letters. It's his second to his protege, Timothy. But this time, the tone is different.
Second Timothy is the most personal of Paul's letters. Likely the last he ever wrote, there is an urgency in Paul's voice. He knows he is nearing the end of his earthly race, and like a relay runner pushing to securely pass the baton, Paul is pressing forward to ensure he completes the handoff - determined to pass on that which is of utmost importance.
Join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you on Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
This Easter, we invite you to join us as we retell the most inconceivable, unbelievable story of all time. And not just a story, but His story. The story of the Lamb of God who gave His life to satisfy a debt He did not owe, to purchase freedom from sin for you and me. It’s unimaginable! Who would do that? But wait… there’s more… Having paid the price in full, Jesus rose to life again, conquering the power of sin and death! Incredible… impossible… incomprehensible!! And yet… it’s TRUE. And it launched a movement that changed the world.
Join us Sunday at 11 AM as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Good Friday is a quiet, powerful moment to pause and remember the cost of the cross. Through worship, Scripture, and reflection, we’ll trace the story of the blood—from the garden to the cross—where Jesus gave His life for ours. This is not a somber gathering without hope, but a sacred space to sit in the weight of what was given… and the love that made it possible. Come and prepare your heart for Easter.
Join us Friday at 7 PM as we remember the sacrifice of Jesus. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel.
We do know that 7 PM on Friday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to joining with you this Friday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We're at the end of our series, Sound Doctrine in a Noisy World. For the past six weeks we've looked at Paul's letter to Timothy, the young leaders to whom he had entrusted the shepherding of the church in Ephesus. Along the way we've discovered that much like our world today, the culture in which this church was planted was full of noise. Competing voices, differing opinions and perspectives and convincing arguments were threatening the foundation of the church. And when the world around you feels chaotic and loud, the temptation to contribute to the cacophony can be strong. But as Paul concludes his message to Timothy, he urges a different strategy... one that emphasizes a firm focus on the One to whom we owe all our worship, all our attention, all of our life.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we'll see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Most of you know of my love of Diet Coke. And most likely, you also know that DeeDee and I love to travel. But when we venture outside the US, finding real Diet Coke is a problem. In South America, all you can find are Diet Coke wannabe's - Coca Light or Coke Zero - but they are definitely posers. Same bubbles, same cola color, but the taste in my mouth? It might be close, but there's nothing like a real Diet Coke.
We're in week 5 of our series, Sound Doctrine in a Noisy World. In this portion of his letter, Paul unpacks for Timothy what it looks like to live a life of true faith, marked by real love... the kind of love that God designed us to experience in relationship with Him and within the family of God. The kind that gives a thirsty world a taste of what real love is like. And there's nothing else like it.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connecting with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies, and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we'll see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It was our first mission trip to Peru. In 2015, I led a team to Lima to do a Spanish version of Worship Northwest. Working with a local church, we prepared for the challenges we would face as we took an event we do here at home to a culture and country that is very different. But, as hard as we worked, we weren't prepared for everything. Because as the saying goes, you don't know what you don't know.
One of the most challenging things we didn't know had to do with money. Somewhere along the way, we ended up with a significant amount of cash that was counterfeit. But, we weren't familiar with Peruvian currency, so we didn't know how to spot it. I've been told that in US banks, tellers are trained to spot counterfeit bills not by studying the flaws in the fakes, but by knowing the real stuff so well, they can spot a fake immediately. Knowing the difference between what is fake and what is real happens when you know the real stuff intimately.
We're in the middle of our series, Sound Doctrine in a Noisy World. In this next section of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives a strong warning about false teaching that is infiltrating the church, along with essential strategies to combat it. And his best advice for recognizing what's false? Know what is true and live it out.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We would love to see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Most of you know that when the sun is out and the weather is warm, I like to run. Well... 'like' might be a bit of a stretch, but I do work out regularly. Even though I run almost daily when the days are nice, I'm not up for running any marathons. Been there, done that... and once was enough. It takes a lot of training - strengthening, increased lung capacity, and endurance to do a marathon. You don't just wake up one day and decide to go for it. And it's not just about putting one foot in front of the other. You have to put in the preparation over time and build up to it. Otherwise, you'll crash and burn.
We're in week 3 of our series titled, Sound Doctrine in a Noisy World. In this section of his first letter to Timothy, Paul unpacks what's required for someone who serves in a leadership role in the church. And, surprisingly, it has almost nothing to do with skill or ability. Rather, leadership has everything to do with integrity - the kind that's built over the long haul, through difficulty, challenge, and testing that results in spiritual strength, emotional health, faithfulness, patience, and grace. It's a lot like developing the ability to run a marathon.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We would love to see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Do you wear glasses? Or maybe you have a family member who does? Being able to see clearly impacts everything about daily life. And if your lenses aren't quite right, it can create significant difficulty! Looking at things through the correct lens makes all the difference.
We're in week 2 of our series titled, Sound Doctrine in a Noisy World. And we'll be taking a look at one of the most challenging and perhaps, misunderstood passages in the New Testament. Misunderstood in large part because we often read it through the wrong lens. This week, we'll uncover Paul's deepest passion, and his practical principles for making sure that nothing hinders the truth of the gospel.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We would love to see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We live in a world that is full of noise. It's all around us - from traffic to television, notifications and conversations. And if the external noise isn't noisy enough, the voices in your head can add another layer to the mix of noise swirling around you. Our world can be loud, distracting and confusing. But we don't have to get swallowed up by it.
This Sunday we're beginning a new series we've titled, Sound Doctrine in a Noisy World. We'll be working our way through the New Testament book of 1 Timothy. Written by the apostle Paul, to his young mentee, Timothy, it's a letter filled with encouragement for navigating the confusion of competing voices in both the culture of Timothy's day and in ours.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We would love to see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
revisiting the values we share as a church family - the beliefs that define who we are and shape how we live. We've titled this series of messages, This Is US. We've looked at our values of Biblical Truth, Grace, Spiritual Growth, Excellence, Evangelism, and Service. We wrap up the series this week with a deeper look at Worship.
What did you do today? Perhaps you changed diapers and chased toddlers. Or maybe you balanced spreadsheets, or stocked grocery shelves, prepared food, ran errands, chatted with a neighbor, taught a class, went to class, repaired a car, pruned a hedge, or... you get the point. However you spent your day, would you consider any of it worship? What we think of as worship and what God receives as worship can be very different things. And music may... or may not... be involved!
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We would love to see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Since the beginning of the year, we've been on a journey together- a family road trip, so to speak. We're revisiting the values we share as a church family. The beliefs that define who we are and shape how we live. We've titled this series of messages, This Is US. So far, we've looked at the values of Biblical Truth, Grace, Spiritual Growth, Excellence and Evangelism. This week we're taking a look at our value of Service.
We live in a self-serve world. So to hear someone... anyone... say, "How may I serve you?" sounds a little weird. But I have a friend who says it all the time. Every time someone seeks him out, for anything, the first words out of his mouth are, "How may I serve you?" And he means it. It's startling and refreshing all at the same time. This week we'll unpack what it means to truly serve one another.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we'll see you this Sunday.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
I enjoy cooking and baking. I love to play piano and sing. I read every day. And Lexi and I have fun doing a jigsaw puzzle every now and then. But I’ve never been into gardening. It’s just not my thing. But Avery is, and she likes berries, so a few years ago, I planted a few strawberry starts in my backyard. Those few strawberry starts slowly began to grow. Eventually those little plants had little blossoms that transformed over time into strawberries! And Avery and I got to pick the fruit and celebrate the gift of berries. Easy to harvest... and delicious.
We've been taking these first few weeks of 2026 to remind ourselves of who we are as a church family. We're on a journey together - a family road trip, so to speak - and we're revisiting the shared values that define who we are and shape how we live. We've titled this series of messages, This Is US. We've looked at our values of Biblical Truth, Grace, Spiritual Growth, and Excellence. This week we're taking a look at our value of Evangelism.
Now, I'll acknowledge - that word can be a bit intimidating. That's because evangelism is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of our faith as followers of Jesus. We hear that word and think of people on street corners shouting, "Repent!!" or knocking on neighborhood doors and trying to convince people to convert, as if Jesus was the latest and greatest new product on the market. But evangelism is a lot more like gardening than like shouting or convincing.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Don't let the word evangelism scare you away. Lean in. It's not as intimidating as you think. We'll see you on Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We're taking the first few weeks of 2026 to remind ourselves of who we are as a church family. Being part of a family is about belonging and becoming; about the journey that we're on together, and the shared values that define who we are and shape how we live. We've titled this series of messages, This Is US. So far, we've looked at the values of Biblical Truth, Grace, and Spiritual Growth. Now in week four, we're taking a look at our value of Excellence.
I love a good movie quote. And one of my favorites comes from the 1987 classic movie, The Princess Bride. "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." And that couldn't be more true of the word excellence.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. Connecting with one another before and after the service is one way we get to do life together.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
And, just for fun, let's see who can be the first to tell me this Sunday, what word it was that Vizzini kept using in the movie.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We're taking the first few weeks of 2026 to remind ourselves of who we are as a church family. Because being a family is about more than just hanging out together once or twice a week. Being part of a family is about belonging and becoming; about shared values that define who we are. This week we're unpacking our value of Spiritual Growth.
This is week 3 of our series: This Is Us. We live in a very self-centered, individualistic culture. But Jesus talked about the Church as His body - one whole, made up of many parts. Just as your hand or big toe wouldn't function effectively (or... at all!) if it were disconnected from your physical body, there's no option for going it alone - disconnected from other believers - in your journey as a Christ-follower. This is an adventure that we take together.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Have you ever heard of grace?" That's the question a friend of mine received from a frustrated parent. She was working in Christian higher ed, overseeing a community service program - the completion of which was a requirement for students to walk at graduation and receive their diplomas. This particular student had not completed the requirement and had lied about it, and been caught. So, no pomp and circumstance for him - or his disappointed parents. But it begs the question... what is grace? Would grace give him a pass or hold him accountable?
We're in week 2 of our first sermon series of 2026: This Is Us. Over the next several weeks, we're going to unpack the values that we believe in and endeavor to live out as a church. This week we're taking a look at grace. Do you know what it is? And what it isn't? In order to live out any value, you have to understand it.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship
Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are kicking off 2026 with a brand new series we've titled This Is Us. Over the next 7 weeks, we're going to focus on reminding ourselves of who we are—and who we're becoming—together. Our values as a church family aren't just nice ideas printed on a wall or published on our website; they’re the shared identity we live out as a spiritual family. Each week, we’ll explore a core value that shapes our life together in Christ, from Biblical Truth to Worship. As we begin a new year, this series invites you into a deeper sense of belonging, purpose, and transformation—because spiritual growth doesn’t happen alone. It happens in community, and it happens here.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
As one year closes and another begins, we’re often tempted to rush ahead with resolutions while ignoring what needs to be settled first. In Before the Clock Strikes Midnight, we’ll explore the spiritual significance of this in-between moment—looking honestly at what we’re carrying, what needs to be released, and what God may be inviting us to step into next. This message isn’t about hype or quick fixes; it’s about alignment, surrender, and choosing a direction that leads to real life before the calendar turns and the pace speeds up again.
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
This Christmas Eve, join us for a magical, hope-filled celebration as we discover the quiet victory God launched in the most unexpected way—a baby in a manger. Through story, Scripture, and candlelight, we’ll remember that the Light has come, the darkness cannot extinguish it, and that God’s rescue plan still moves through ordinary people like us. Bring the whole family for a moment of wonder, laughter, and worship as we welcome the Light of the World together.
It's week 3 of our December series, The Christmas Conspiracy: Heaven's Secret Plan to Overthrow Darkness. And in case we needed a real-life object lesson in just how dark total darkness is, we were provided with a classic Pacific Northwest opportunity this week. Perhaps you weren't affected, but for thousands of people in western Oregon, Tuesday night's windstorm took out their electricity.
You don't really notice how much ambient light is present in your home, until it's not there anymore. And if the power comes back on during the night, even the tiniest glow of an indicator light on a small appliance or digital device can wake you up... because something has changed... light has come.
In these weeks leading up to Christmas we're uncovering the radical, redemptive plan of God hidden within the Christmas story; His divine mission to break the power of darkness in our world and reclaim broken hearts and lives - not by force, but by the Light of love. This week, we'll discover that light isn't made to stay in one place... it spills over, spreads out, pushing back the darkness as more and more light bearers shine in the dark.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Connecticut father of four, Abe Donsky is credited with inventing the first modern electric nightlight in 1965. Fear of the dark is one of the most common childhood fears. But it's not just the kids who are afraid of darkness; many adults - though they may not want to admit it - are also afraid of the dark. Darkness robs us of our strongest and most valuable sense - our ability to see. And when you can't see - whether it's the darkness of the night or the darkness of your circumstances - your mind goes to work filling in those places where your vision is limited - often with imaginary possibilities that can cause deep fear. But with just a bit of light, the fear is banished.
We are in week 2 of our December series, The Christmas Conspiracy: Heaven's Secret Plan to Overthrow Darkness. In these weeks leading up to Christmas we're going to uncover the radical, redemptive plan of God hidden within the Christmas story; His divine mission to break the power of darkness in our world and reclaim broken hearts and lives - not by force, but by the Light of love.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2025sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It started about three months ago - and I was (almost) completely in the dark. There were forces plotting and scheming behind my back. Secret meetings were held, and covert communiques were happening. There was even some deception involved. Eventually, ALL of YOU were pulled into the scheming. And I? I had no idea what was going on. It was a carefully crafted conspiracy - of kindness and love - designed to surprise me with blessing and encouragement after 25 years of being a pastor here at Dayspring.
A conspiracy is usually a harmful or illegal plot, hatched in secret by two or more people. But it can also refer to any secret course of action taken by a group of people to bring about a given result. Which is what I experienced at the hands of many of you last month.
This week, we're beginning a new series we've titled, The Christmas Conspiracy: Heaven's Secret Plan to Overthrow Darkness. In these weeks leading up to Christmas, we're going to uncover the radical, redemptive plan of God hidden within the Christmas story; His divine mission to break the power of darkness in our world and reclaim broken hearts and lives - not by force, but by love.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf
Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages
Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated!
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2025sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It's turkey time! Or, maybe in your household it's ham or prime rib, or maybe enchiladas or pizza. Whatever you eat, wherever you are, whoever you're with, I hope your heart is filled with gratitude.
And speaking of gratitude, what are you grateful for this year? The answer to that question is often linked to people we love, things we have, or memories we've made. And we should absolutely be grateful for all of those people, things and memories. But I also think there's more...
This week, we'll be wrapping up our series, BLESSED: Living a Life God Blesses. Throughout this series, we've looked at different postures of the heart that invite God's blessing in our lives and reflect His nature through our lives. This week we're looking at the posture of gratitude. It's easy to be grateful when life is good. But how about when loss, pain, or difficulty weigh you down? Gratitude must be grounded in the goodness and faithfulness of God - regardless of changing circumstances.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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When my friend turned 30, her parents began a tradition of celebrating that milestone birthday with an extended family gathering at a resort or vacation home somewhere. That year, her celebration was held at a resort on the Oregon coast. Growing up on the east side of the Cascades, she didn't vacation at the coast. Why drive that far when there were lakes and campgrounds galore in her own backyard?
The accommodations for the birthday weekend were beachfront with a deck on the west side- perfect for watching whales and sunsets. It was also the perfect perch for seagulls... who somehow sensed that this particular gaggle of guests were clueless when it came to knowing the appropriate protocols for engaging with coastal wildlife. They were familiar with campground wisdom about securing coolers and food supplies from bears. But seagulls seemed harmless... why not toss them a bit of pancake or two? Within seconds, it was like the seagull scene in Finding Nemo. They were being dive bombed by scores of greedy gulls, all squawking for their own precious piece of pancake!
We are in week three of our series, BLESSED: Living a Life God Blesses. Throughout this series, we're looking at four postures of the heart that invite God's blessing in our lives and reflect His nature through our lives. This week we're looking at the posture of generosity. Sharing doesn't come naturally - it has to be taught. But as we'll discover God's blessing in our lives was never intended to just be for us, but to be for others, through us.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in our seagull-free Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2025sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." Colossians 3:20
It was one of the first verses I memorized as a child. And it was quoted often around our house, with emphasis on the word 'obey.' I know the intention was good, but somehow the message my young heart received was more about performance and perfection. But obedience isn't merely about following rules, it's about building relationship and trust; about learning to live in step with God and His design for our lives.
This is week two of our series, BLESSED: Living a Life God Blesses. Throughout this series, we're looking at four postures of the heart that invite God's blessing in our lives and reflect His nature through our lives. This week we're looking at the posture of obedience.
You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2025sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Blessed. It seems to be the new catchword. You see it and hear it all the time. And while Scripture does tell us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father, I wonder if somehow we've misunderstood what it means to be 'blessed.'
Over the next four weeks, we're going to unpack what it means to live a life that God blesses. Because being blessed is about more than good circumstances, good fortune, or good deals on more stuff. In fact, blessing isn't necessarily about any of those things at all!
You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2025sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Being thirsty is a signal; it's your body's way of telling your brain that you need water. Water is essential for over a dozen major bodily functions - essential processes that keep your body breathing, moving, and functioning properly. Your body is designed to require water.
Over the past couple of months, we've been looking at a different - and equally essential - thirst that we experience as humans... soul thirst. God designed our souls to thirst for Him. Every decision we make, every action we take, every thought we think or word we speak is intended to be inhabited by His presence. To ensure that we would seek Him as our source for life, He infused us with deep longings; our souls are designed to be filled by Him. And as we are filled, we are able to pour out into the lives of others... freely, generously, spontaneously, joyfully.
You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Back in the old days..."
These days, I'm becoming one of those who grew up in the old days!
In the 'old days' we rode around town in the bed of grandpa's truck, rode our bikes, scooters, and skateboards with no helmets, elbow or knee pads; we drank right out of the garden hose, and went on family road trips without even thinking about wearing a seat belt. Those things and so many more would be considered 'unsafe' or even illegal today!
We are a culture that has become obsessed with safety. We deadbolt our doors, have locks on our mailboxes, and cameras on every corner. But try as we might to ensure our own security, nothing is absolutely foolproof. And yet, we long to know that everything is going to be okay; that we are safe.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we unpack what God's Word says about security. We are wired by God to desire safety. But the kind of security He offers is a whole different kind. One that can't be hacked, never needs to be updated, and will never fail.
You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope we see you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
According to dictionary.com, the definition of 'significance' is the quality of being worthy of attention.
Every person is imbued with a God-given thirst for significance. We long to know that not only are we worthy of attention, but that we have purpose, we make a difference, that we matter. Our culture tells us that popularity and influence are the measuring sticks by which our worthiness is assessed. But the Bible tells us that our worth was established before we even had a name. That our purpose was ordained by God before we took our first breath. Significance isn't something you earn; it's something you already have.
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"I can't get no satisfaction. Gonna try and I try and I try..." Those lyrics were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards back in 1965. And from what little I know about their lives, I'm not sure they ever found it.
There is a hunger in the soul of every person that demands to be satisfied. And there are a myriad of options that humanity has used to attempt to fill the void. It might be food, shopping, adrenaline, busyness, or any number of other things. But our satisfaction strategy is faulty. Because we're not really hungry for a what... what the soul longs for is a Who. And only He will ever completely, fully, utterly satisfy that hunger within.
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
I love a good jigsaw puzzle. It's a different kind of challenge for my brain -- which I find both fun and relaxing. But have you ever heard of a Shmuzzle? It's a jigsaw puzzle of a whole 'nother kind. It's one of those puzzles where every piece is the same basic shape. So there are endless ways the pieces can fit together, but just because you can make a piece fit, doesn't mean it belongs there! A shmuzzle is neither fun or relaxing... at least not for me!
Have you ever considered the difference between 'fitting in' and belonging? We'll unpack that difference in our series, Identity Crisis: Becoming Who We Are Together In Christ this Sunday.We all long to belong. But often we settle for just fitting in, which never truly satisfies our souls. Understanding the belonging that is ours in God's family can free you from the pressure to 'fit in.' There's no need to force it - you already have a seat at the table.
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We're in the middle of a sermon series we've titled, Identity Crisis: Becoming Who We Are, Together In Christ. We're exploring the God-given longings we all experience and how those longings can truly be satisfied -- in intimate relationship with Jesus, and within the context of healthy community. We've already talked about the longing for attention and affection; this week, we'll look at the need for affirmation.
You might think that affirmation is just another word for encouragement. But it's actually very different. To encourage someone is to cheer them on - to give them courage to keep going. But affirmation goes beyond that - it helps another see beneath their doing and catch a glimpse of their becoming. Affirmation says, "This is how I see Jesus in you."
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connecting with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies, and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Website: http://dsf.church
dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2025sermon
___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
This is week two of our new sermon series, Identity Crisis: Becoming Who We Are, Together In Christ. We're exploring the God-given longings we all experience and how, in intimate relationship with Jesus, and in the context of healthy community, those longings can be most deeply and fully met. This week we'll look at the longing for affection.
We often think of affection as physical attention... hugging, hand-holding, a pat on the back. But real affection is so much deeper than being "touchy-feely." To have affection toward someone is to set your heart and mind on being for another. To care with intention and love without condition. God has set His affections on us; He delights in who we are, just because we are His. And we are called to do the same for one another.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
There are longings deep within every soul. They have been placed there intentionally; designed by our Creator for our flourishing. Each longing is intended to be fulfilled in our relationship with God. But something has gone awry. For each holy longing, the enemy of our souls has crafted a cultural counterfeit, a lie that warps our longings and drives us to seek satisfaction in something less than what God intended.
This Sunday we're beginning a new sermon series that we've titled, Identity Crisis: Becoming Who We Are, Together In Christ. For the next 8 weeks, we're going to explore those longings and how it is in intimate relationship with Jesus, and in the context of healthy community that those longings can be most deeply and fully met.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
The first time I ever received an Amber Alert on my cellphone, I was just about to see a play at the Keller Auditorium in Portland. It took me a minute to figure out what it was, and then a few more to turn it off! Amber Alerts are still used across the United States and internationally. As of December 2024, the system has helped aid in the successful recovery 0f 1,268 children.
Now, you know how the Amber Alert system works… it is, quite literally a ginormous, real-life game of telephone – except the info doesn’t get garbled in the transmission process.
But what would happen if the person whose job it was to actually activate the Amber Alert, just entered the data in the system and then did… nothing? There is more to being a watchman, to staying alert, vigilant, and awake than just gathering info. If you don’t spread the news, well, then... what's the point?
We have reached our final week of our summer series, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark. Over the past three months, we've discovered many ways in which Jesus' kingdom operates completely opposite of the kingdoms of this world. And as we wrap up, we find that Jesus has one more bit of counterintuitive instruction for His followers. And it applies to us today, every bit as much as it did then.
Come join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I'm tellin' ya... don't miss it!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
In the Old Testament, a watchman's job was to stand guard in a tower or on a city wall to detect any impending threat, like an approaching army or storm, and then alert the city inhabitants to take shelter or prepare to defend their city. The Old Testament prophets served as spiritual watchmen, warning people of sin and calling them to repentance. Whether providing physical or spiritual exhortation, a watchman was to be vigilant, alert, paying close attention to what was going on in the world around them.
As we near the end of Mark's gospel and our series, Upside Down Kingdom, we find Jesus warning and encouraging His disciples about what would happen in the future. Though they still didn't grasp the meaning of all He told them, He urged them to keep watch and remain faithful, even in the midst of confusion and persecution.
Come join us this last Sunday of summer at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service. We would love to connect with you!
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We'll see you on Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - United States Declaration of Independence
It sounds so simple, so good, doesn't it? I mean, this is it... the foundational idea behind the establishment of the United States. That we all get to live as we please, provided our living doesn't infringe upon someone else's living.
But that's where the rub comes... when what I want, isn't what you want. When what I think is right, you believe is wrong. And it's a conflict that predates the Declaration of Independence. And we're still battling about rights today.
We're in week 13 of our series, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark and Jesus is at the Temple in Jerusalem. He's fielding question after question from groups of disgruntled leaders. They're feeling threatened by His teaching and the authority with which He speaks. They are determined to set Him up and take Him down. "Who does He think He is? What right does He have to speak like this?"
We'd love for you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We’ll see you on Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Did you ever succumb to the late-night spiels of infomercial pitchmen like Billy Mays? Billy was the enthusiastic promoter of products like Oxi-Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom, among others. Or maybe you gave in to the Ginsu knife, Snuggie or Shamwow sales pitch. But wait… there’s MORE! Or maybe, there’s not. Sometimes things do deliver and you get exactly what you bargained for. But there are also times when something is all flash, no substance and you end up disappointed.
It’s not such a big deal when we’re talking about a product. You win some, you lose some. But how about when what’s ‘not as advertised’ is a promise, a policy, or even a person? Unmet expectations can lead to disillusionment and even despair.
As we come to week 12 of our series, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark, we begin to see a different side of Jesus as He confronts situations where people, traditions, and even religious leaders aren’t living up to what they claim to be—and Jesus doesn’t shy away from addressing it.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
I've always been a planner. I like routines and knowing what to expect. My dad however, liked to change things up. I remember as a kid, driving home after being in town. From my perspective, there was a 'right' way to get home. But dad took a different route. "Where are we going?" I asked. "Home" he replied. "But this isn't the way home, " I said. He responded gently, "We're taking the scenic route." It wasn't the route I expected, but he was doing the driving.
The journey of being a Christ-follower is a lot like traveling the 'scenic route.' We think we know the way to get where we want to go, but God has a different path for us to travel. Following Him means surrendering our plans, our right to call the shots and going where He leads - even if the road is unfamiliar or intimidating.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we continue in our series Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"The math ain't mathin'." It's the trendy way to say that things aren't making sense... they're not adding up - kind of like the way 'new math' makes no sense to those of us with old brains.
In Isaiah 55:8 we read, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." It's understandable that Jesus' disciples would struggle with the Father's plan, for the inbreaking of the Upside Down Kingdom into our world. Through Isaiah, God had told them His ways don't make sense. But shouldn't God's plan be better than imagined, not harder? Happier, richer, more beautiful? The struggle to make sense of it all - was real. And not just for the disciples in Jesus' day. It's still hard for us.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we continue to unpack what Jesus' Upside Down Kingdom is all about. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Have you ever experienced déjà vu? The French phrase, meaning "already seen" is described as a phenomenon of feeling like one has lived through the present situation in the past... like you've been here before... except you haven't.
That's kinda the sense we get as we come to Mark chapter 8 in our series Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark. Once again, we find stories of famished followers, disgruntled disciples, contentious clerics and another blind man in search of restored vision. Haven't we been down this road before? Though the stories are familiar, they are also unique. Jesus is underscoring for His disciples - and for all of us - the counter-cultural characteristics of His Upside-Down Kingdom. There is power in the repetition; we would do well to pay attention.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are about mid-way through summer and also at the halfway point in our summer sermon series, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark. This week we're in Mark chapter 7, where we find Jesus going head-to-head with the Pharisees. And once again, they are more than a bit peeved at Jesus and His disciples. Apparently, Jesus & company are exhibiting blatant disregard for the Jewish laws regarding... are you ready for this?... washing their hands.Actually, it wasn't even a law; it was a tradition. And while there was deeper purpose infused into the tradition, the Pharisees had totally missed it. And hard as it is to admit, sometimes we are prone to missing it too. We get focused on the wrong thing, and miss the forest for the trees.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
“There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.” Dorothy Gale
That classic line from the movie, The Wizard of Oz, has become iconic - representing the familiarity and comfort of home. As Dorothy wakes up in her own bed at the end of the movie, still murmuring those words, it reinforces the meaning of coming back to a place of safety, where you are known, loved and welcomed. Dorothy has had her grand adventure, but there's nothing better than coming home and sleeping in your own bed again.
This week, in our sermon series, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark, we find Jesus returning home after some extended traveling. But his experience of coming home is nothing like Dorothy's. Sure, Nazareth is familiar, but not safe; and Jesus is certainly not welcomed. His family and friends aren't exactly impressed by the boy from the 'hood, now that he's all grown up. And His teaching definitely rubs them the wrong way. Just who does He think He is?
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old and new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
“Expect the unexpected.” You've heard that said before, haven't you? And yet, we all seem to carry around a boatload of expectations... Expectations that people and things will do and go the way we expect them to do and go! And when they don't? Well, it can create a lot of chaos. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
As we come to our study in the gospel of Mark this week, we find Jesus continuing to break rules and shatter expectations in ways that rock people's worlds - in all the best ways.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old or new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Whispers are subtle, gentle, subdued. But they can also be powerful... if you lean in and really listen!
As we come to our study in the gospel of Mark this week, we find Jesus interacting with His followers in a new way - a quiet, gentle and unexpected way. A way that was designed to make you lean in and pay attention. But not everyone was ready or willing to listen.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old or new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Come... join us this Sunday. We look forward to seeing you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
The Chosen has become an international sensation. It's available in more than 50 different languages, in countries all around the world. And whether you know what it's about or not, doesn't the title alone pique your interest? I mean, don't we all want to be chosen? Humans are wired for belonging. We're designed for community. We all want to be desired, known, and loved... to be chosen.
We are about a quarter of the way through our summer study, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark. This week, we find Jesus picking teammates to be part of His inner circle. Except, He doesn't exactly pick the cream of the crop. Instead, it seems more like He's scraping the bottom of the barrel! Jesus chooses the rejected, the outcast, the traitor, and the skeptic. He surrounds Himself with those who have been passed over or left out - the ones who didn't quite measure up. And He invites them to belong. In doing so, He establishes a new kind of family - one where the misfits and marginalized can find a home. And so can you.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation with friends, old or new, in the Lobby before the service. We would love to get to know you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Come... join our Dayspring family. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Do you remember life before cell phones? Or email or the internet?
Did you ever use traveler's checks or money orders?
How about cameras? Kodak Brownie? Instamatic? Polaroid? 35mm?
Change is inevitable. And often, it's beneficial! Yet many, if not most of us resist change, even when what's new is better than the old.
Change is uncomfortable. In fact, if doing something new or trying a new way doesn't feel awkward at first, you're probably not doing it right! Often, change feels like a loss. We like what we know, even if it's not working very well.
As we pick up our study in Mark's gospel this week, we find Jesus continuing to ruffle the feathers of the religious leaders. Jesus' way of doing things breaks all the rules of their religious game. And they are not happy about it. The old ways are just fine, thank you very much. There's no need to change things... or is there?
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Everyone knows... Humpty Dumpty had a problem. He was broken beyond repair. Scrambled beyond saving. Not even the most capable of men could put the pieces back together and restore him to wholeness.
As we come to our study in Mark's gospel this week, we find Jesus engaging with the broken in His world. And the good news for them, and for us, is that He is more than capable of bringing healing and restoring wholeness to the sick, broken, and wounded places of our lives. Nothing is beyond His ability to unscramble.
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___________________
Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Summertime is made for adventure. And adventure comes in a myriad of flavors. Perhaps you like your adventures Disney-flavored. Or maybe you prefer outdoorsy adventures... camping, water skiing, or hiking in the mountains. Perhaps beach vibes are more your style. The feel of sand between your toes, playing tag with the ocean, and the salty breeze on your skin. As the school year comes to a close, we're standing on the cusp of a new season and there are adventures to be had!
As a church family, we begin a new adventure through the Gospel of Mark this Sunday. This summer series which we've entitled Upside Down Kingdom, will take us on an exploration of Jesus' ministry through Mark's gospel. Mark uses the word "immediately" more than 40 times in this shortest of the four gospels. His writing is fast-paced and action-packed. So strap in and hold on!
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Come join us this Sunday. We're excited to adventure with you!
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are wrapping up our series "Don't Call Me a Christian - When the Label Doesn't Match the Life" this Sunday. Over the past month, we've been looking deeply at the differences between cultural Christianity and being a committed Christ-follower. Along the way, we've considered the implications that believing in Jesus has for our lives. Because believing is more than just an intellectual assent to a set of historical facts. Believing calls us to something; it demands a response. More than agreement, it's engagement. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." Jesus calls us to so much more than just belief.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"What's on your list today?" Anybody remember that ad slogan from years ago? Do you hear the implication in the question? You have a list - of one kind or another. Perhaps it is a grocery list. Or maybe it's a bucket list, a wish list, a to-do list or a honey-do list. Kids make their Christmas lists, hoping they'll be in the 'Nice' column on Santa's list! There are Top Ten lists, Top 100 lists, All Time Greatest lists, and the list could go on and on. What is it with our obsession with lists?
We are in week four of our series, Don't Call Me a Christian - When the Label Doesn't Match the Life. We're looking at the difference between cultural Christianity and being a committed Christ-follower. For many of us, our list-making tendencies have impacted how we live out our faith. But Jesus didn't call us to a checklist, He called us to a relationship. Just checking the boxes won't cut it.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby before the service.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule. (Pulled pork not included.)
We'll see you on Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
According to the internet, a "comfort zone" is a place - physical or psychological - where a person feels safe, known, in control, with minimal stress or anxiety. We all have those places and a lot of us do all we can to make sure we don't have to go out of them! In our culture, being comfortable is synonymous with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And who doesn't want that? But is that really what Jesus has called us to?
We are in week three of our series, Don't Call Me a Christian - When the Label Doesn't Match the Life. We're unpacking the differences between cultural Christianity and what it looks like to be a committed Christ-follower. We're figuring out how what we believe impacts who we are - in real life ways that make us clearer representations of Jesus.
I invite you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, get out of your comfort zone and come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We'll see you on Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
This Sunday we are in week 2 of our new series we've titled, "Don't Call Me a Christian: When the Label Doesn't Match the Life." For the next few weeks, we are searching God's Word to understand the differences between cultural Christianity and what it means to be a committed Christ-follower. Like the sentence in the childhood game of 'Telephone,' the description of what a 'Christian' is has become fuzzy and garbled over time. But Jesus' call upon the life of those who would follow Him was anything but fuzzy or unclear.
Join us in our journey to unpack what the Bible has to say about what it truly means to be a Christian.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Inconceivable!"
"You keep using that word; I do not think it means what you think it means."
In the classic movie, "The Princess Bride," the character Vizzini uses the word "inconceivable" multiple times. He says it when his plans go awry or something unexpected happens. He says it to express frustration or disbelief when things don't turn out the way he thinks they should. But as Inigo Montoya points out, Vizzini doesn't understand the meaning of the word; he uses it without fully grasping its implications.
This Sunday we're beginning a new series we've titled, "Don't Call Me a Christian - When the Label Doesn't Match the Life." If you asked 10 different people what it means to be a Christian, you'd likely get 10 different answers. In our world today, the word 'Christian' means different things to different people. And a lot of people use the word without fully understanding its meaning or grasping its implications for their lives.
Join us as we take the next five weeks to unpack what the Bible has to say about what it truly means to be a Christian. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or, better yet, come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We hope you'll join us on Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
This Easter, we’re not just retelling a familiar story—we’re pausing at the moment everything seemed lost… and witnessing what happened next. Because something happened. Something that changed history, rewrote the future, and offers hope today. Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of A King Like No Other —a Savior who didn’t just teach truth, but proved He is the truth. Whether you’re full of faith or full of questions, there’s room for you in this story.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Join us this Good Friday for a powerful, immersive experience as we reflect on the final hours of Jesus’ life. Through dramatic monologues, music, and Scripture, we will journey alongside those who knew Him best—friends, family, and followers—each grappling with the weight of loss, confusion, and love. Come prepared to pause, to feel, and to remember. This will be a night of deep reflection and reverence you won’t want to miss.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are coming to the end of our series, Hope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow this Sunday. As Paul wraps up his second letter to the young Thessalonian church, he fills chapter 3 to the brim with practical instruction on how to apply all that he's been teaching to their ordinary, everyday lives. Because, if the theology he's worked diligently to ensure they understand, doesn't make a difference in how they live, then what's the point? Following Jesus isn't just about being informed... it's about being transformed; to not just know about Him, but to become like Him.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" -Chicken Little
I'm sure she was a very sweet hen. If you're familiar with the original story of Chicken Little (rather than the Disney movie version), you might remember that her real name was Henny Penny. I'd guess she was sincere, cared about her neighbors, took initiative, and was well-respected. But she also tended to make assumptions, jump to conclusions, and share information without verifying its accuracy. Which, if you know how the story ends, cost her - and her feathered friends - quite dearly.
We are in week 8 of our series Hope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow. As we come to the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians, we find the young believers in the same sort of tailspin as Chicken Little's barnyard community. They've been fed misinformation and lies that have left them confused about what they thought they knew, and it's costing them their peace and hope. Can you relate?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Keep on keeping on. I believe in you."
Words are powerful. And a word of encouragement when life is hard can be the difference between someone giving up or pressing on, between quitting or persevering. We've all been there...
This is week 7 of our series Hope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow. This week, we're diving into the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians. It's the sequel to Paul's first letter, and he begins with some powerful words of encouragement. Things are tough in Thessalonica for the young Christ-followers. Facing persecution, oppression, discouragement, and doubt, they are striving to remain faithful, but at risk of stumbling. Hearing of their circumstances, Paul responds with a message of affirmation and hope.
I encourage you to join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our look at Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. You can worship with us via Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the 'Join Us Sunday' button on our website. We would be delighted to have you join us in person. Come have a cup of coffee and make a new friend. We'd love to connect with you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Life is hard. But words are powerful. Come be encouraged this Sunday.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
"Be sure to wear a jacket!"
"Don't forget your homework!"
"Make good choices!"
"Be kind!"
"Have a good day!"
"I'm praying for you!"
"I love you more!"
You've most likely heard these phrases... maybe even said them. They're the little bits of encouragement or reminders we share as we say goodbye to someone we care about - whether just for the day, or an extended length of time.
We are in week 6 of our series Hope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow. We're working our way through Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica. This week, we're unpacking the final verses of 1 Thessalonians 5. It's the end of Paul's first letter to this beloved church family. And he has some final words of encouragement and some reminders before he brings his letter to a close.
Final words can sometimes sound cliche, but as we look beneath the surface, we'll see that Paul's words are infused with a depth of meaning that we might miss, if we just passed them off as a friendly goodbye.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we wrap up the first of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. You can worship with us via Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the 'Join Us Sunday' button on our website. We would be delighted to have you join us in person. Come have a cup of coffee and make a new friend. We'd love to connect with you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
And it's no cliche... we really can't wait to worship with you this Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Hide and Seek... we've all played it - whether as kids or with kids - it's a perennial favorite. As "It" begins the countdown with eyes squeezed shut, kids scatter to find the perfect hiding spot. Excitement builds as the call rings out... "Ready or not, here I come!" Anticipation builds as the 'hiders' wait... will you be found?
This is week 5 of our series Hope for Today, Faith for Tomorrow. We're working our way through Paul's letters to the young church in Thessalonica. In this portion of his letter, Paul begins to sort out some confusion about the return of Jesus and how Christ-followers should live in light of it. His words provide much-needed clarity for the Thessalonian believers, and for us as well.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we pursue a clearer understanding of what the return of Jesus means for those who follow Him. You can worship with us via Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the 'Join Us Sunday' button on our website. But better by far is to join us in person. Come have a cup of coffee and make a new friend. We would love to connect with you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
Ready or not... Jesus is returning! Will He find you waiting with anticipation?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We've had almost a full week of sunshine and I LOVE IT! The days are warmer, the sky is bluer, and the daffodils are blooming. Everywhere I look, there are signs of new growth. Spring is springing! Which reminds me... the clock 'springs forward' this Saturday as Daylight Saving Time begins. We would hate to miss worshipping with you... so adjust your clocks and go to bed early!
We're in week 4 of our series on Paul's letters to the Thessalonians. We've titled this series Hope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow, and we've reached the final chapter of 1 Thessalonians. As Paul begins to conclude this first letter, he's focused on encouraging his readers to keep growing in their faith. Just as spring brings signs of growth in the natural world, Paul wants to see continual evidence, or signs of spiritual growth in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. He's cheering them on in their pursuit of becoming more and more like Jesus and giving them practical instruction for the journey.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
I love to travel! I enjoy seeing new places, meeting new people, and riding new rollercoasters. I don't know if the Apostle Paul necessarily enjoyed traveling - it was definitely a more arduous endeavor then than it is for us today. But I'm sure he knew a thing or two about what it takes to prepare for a long journey and the importance of planning ahead.
This is week 3 of our series Hope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow and we're in chapter 3 of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. In this section of his letter, we catch a glimpse of Paul's deep desire (to travel) to be with his Thessalonian friends. But even more than that, he wanted to be sure that they were living each day with their eternal destination in view. Day-to-day life can easily distract or discourage us from focusing on eternity. There is much that demands our attention. But Paul reminds us of the importance of holding tight to an eternal perspective.
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Talk to any school teacher and they will confirm that the final stretch of the school year, between Spring Break and the early part of June is HARD! Add in bright sunshine and warm temperatures, and the chance of getting students to focus on learning is zero to none. The goal is in sight, the school year is almost over, but the distractions are overwhelming!
Finishing strong is tough for just about everyone. No matter what kind of long-term goal you've set, or project you're working on... we're all prone to letting frustration or difficulties get in the way.
We're in week two of our seriesHope for Today // Faith for Tomorrow this Sunday.In chapter 2 of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, he unpacks what it looks like to be faithful to Jesus for the long haul... to stay the course and finish strong.
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To put down roots means to settle in, to become fixed or established, to reside or dwell deeply, to create a sense of 'home'.
There are tremendous benefits to deep roots. Plants that are deeply rooted have better access to water, oxygen and nutrition; they contribute more to the health of the environment around them, they endure drought or stress better, are more stable and less prone to disease.
This Sunday we begin a new series on the Apostle Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica.We've called this seriesHope for Today, Faith for Tomorrow. Paul wrote these letters to encourage the Thessalonian believers to grow in their faith; to develop a faith so deeply rooted within them that every facet of their lives was transformed by the gospel. The kind of faith that is steadfast, authentic, joyful, and contagious. That's the kind of faith that changed the world then, and continues to do so, if we have the courage to cultivate it.
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Do you have siblings? I'm the oldest of four. And like most brothers and sisters, we had our share of squabbles. But at the end of the day, no matter what - and there was plenty of 'what' to get annoyed or frustrated about - we were family. And family sticks together.
As we grew up, we all took different paths. We had different interests, skills, dreams, and beliefs. Though we all grew up together and share some similarities, we are unique individuals, with different perspectives. I suppose we could let those differences divide us, but we don't. We are family. And family sticks together.
This Sunday we are wrapping up our series, Ekklesia. As we do, there is one critical aspect of being part of the Church yet to unpack. It's a non-negotiable for anyone who identifies as a follower of Jesus. There is no opt-out available. We are all called to walk in, live in, and demonstrate what unity looks like in the midst of a completely broken world. Because we are brothers and sisters. We are family. And family sticks together.
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I assume you woke up this morning. That wherever you are, the sun came up again. That there is air in your lungs. And that you can see to read these words.
Do any of these things surprise you at all? Probably not. They happen without any effort on your part. The very fact that they are predictable and ordinary has stripped away the wonder we should feel for these gifts from God. Instead, we mostly, take them for granted.
I grew up in church. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know about Jesus… about His love for me, His death on the cross for my sin, and His resurrection. It is such a familiar story, that though my heart is filled with gratitude for God’s love, I will admit, I am not often in awe of it. I am prone to take that which I know of so well, for granted.
As we come to week five in our series, Ekklesia, we will look with fresh eyes at the wonder that filled the early followers of Jesus. And hopefully, in so doing, we will fan the flame of wonder within our own hearts.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It's one of the least likely places in the world for Christianity to flourish. Talking openly about Jesus there can cost you your freedom, perhaps even your life...
Ghazal, an Iranian convert to Christianity shared her story with an online Christian magazine. She wrote, "I am speaking on behalf of millions of Iranians who live in the Islamic Republic or elsewhere, whose lives have been touched by Christ. New generations of Iranians are thirsty for the truth and they are seeking it. Thanks to technology and people who put their lives in danger to spread the truth of the Bible and the love of God for us, the people of Iran are learning the promises of our true God."
According to an article on medium.com, Christianity is growing by nearly 1 million people per year, in the world's most overt Islamic theocracy. The article continues, saying, "This growth is coming from evangelism-- Christians boldly telling their fellow Iranians about Jesus, risking imprisonment, banishment, and death every time they do."
When was the last time you did something bold... took a risk to share the truth about Jesus - not rudely, but kindly, grace-fully, with someone who doesn't know Him?
As we come to week 4 of our series, Ekklesia, we're looking at what it means to have bold faith. Not a get-in-your-face, demand my rights, shouting match kind of faith. But the kind that loves courageously, shares honestly, and speaks up even when you want to stay quiet.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday at 11 AM. You can worship with us via Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the 'Join Us Sunday' button on our website. But better by far would be to join us in person. So take a risk and come have a cup of coffee and make a new friend. We would love to connect with you.
We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Imagine with me for a minute… it’s the 9th inning of a do-or-die Major League Baseball playoff game. You’re warming up in the on-deck circle; stretching, jumping around to get the blood flowing, and swinging a bat for all it’s worth. You are hyped and ready to go. There are already runners at first and second, when the batter just ahead of you smacks a single, the runners advance, and holy-moly, the bases are loaded and it’s your turn! This is your moment… you’ve trained and prepared for this, you have the skills, you’ve studied the pitcher, you know what to look for. You are ready. But instead of walking to the batter’s box, you turn and walk to the bench. “I think I’ll sit this one out, Coach,” you say. “Somebody else can take my turn.”
It’s a far-fetched scenario, I’ll admit. IF we’re just talking baseball. But, when it comes to other things in life, it might not be as much of a stretch as you think. Every day, we are gifted with opportunities to step into moments where we can make an impact on the life of someone else – perhaps the kind of impact that changes their eternity. But far too often, we forfeit the opportunity.
As part of Jesus’ ekklesia, you are on the team. You have a role to play. Are you gonna sit on the bench or will you step up and swing?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We’ve come to the end of another year. Is it just me, or are our trips around the sun getting faster? Before we get swallowed up in the pace of a new season, I think it would be helpful to hit the ‘pause’ button, just for a moment.
The Bible tells us more than 200 times to remember… most often referring to remembering God and His work on our behalf. This Sunday, we’re going to take some time to look back at 2024, to remember what God has done in us and to declare His faithfulness to us.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Join us this Christmas Eve for a Night of Wonder, where we’ll journey together through the story of Jesus' birth, exploring the mystery and beauty of the Bethlehem star. This special evening combines tradition and inspiration, featuring scripture readings, reflections on the miraculous signs surrounding Jesus’ arrival, and time to pause and celebrate the joy of the season. Bring your family and friends to experience the wonder of Christmas and the hope it brings to our lives. Let's gather to celebrate the greatest gift ever given!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Have you ever been part of starting something new? Like a new business venture or launching a non-profit organization; maybe starting a new program within your company, or taking a risk and opening your home to host a Bible study for your neighbors. With every new venture there are tasks that need to be done, to-do lists that need to be conquered, in order for us to be successful.
This week, in our series Ekklesia, we take a look at the launch of the new thing that God was doing as the Church is birthed through the power of the Holy Spirit and the bold testimonies of the apostles. As people responded to the message about Jesus, the question on everyone's lips, was "What do we do now?" But as we will see, being part of Jesus' ekklesia is far more about Who - who Jesus is and who we are in Him - than it is about do; it's less about performing and more about becoming. Are you in?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
While the Greek word “ekklesia” is mistranslated as “church” in many Bibles, the word actually means “group” or “gathering.” Christianity has always been a movement; local groups of people who are committed to becoming like Jesus, learning to live daily life with the posture of Jesus; a little more today than yesterday, a little more tomorrow than today. Being part of a local gathering of Jesus-followers means you’re a part of something big. Together, we get to model for our generation, and the next, what following Jesus looks like, sounds like, and reacts like in our culture. Are you in?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
God’s grace to us is an invitation to be amazing. It’s our chance to extend to others what God has freely extended to us. But while most of us are full of something . . . it’s usually not grace. So what are you full of? And what would it take for you to give someone what they don’t expect? Or deserve?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
The kingdom of God is characterized by unsettling generosity—the kind of generosity that gives the undeserving what they don’t deserve and, regardless of how unright we’ve been, makes us right with God. So what do we do when we’re faced with this “math” that doesn’t add up? And how do we respond to this unfair, unsettling system that Jesus came to invite us into?
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There is an unsettling solution for just about everything, and we can sum it up in one word—grace. It’s the undeserved, unearned, unearnable favor that Jesus came to offer us. So why wouldn’t we want Christianity to be true? And where should you start if grace was never part of the equation for you?
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are wrapping up our study of 2 Corinthians this Sunday. As we come to the end of Paul's letter, we find him boldly declaring what an authentic following-Jesus-way-of-life looks like and challenging his readers to evaluate whether the truth of the gospel has transformed their lives, or if they're still stuck in old patterns of sin. It was an urgent plea for them to grow up in their faith!
Is the truth of the gospel transforming your life? Are you different today because of steps of obedience to Jesus you've taken this past year? Or, are you, like some of the Corinthians, stuck in old habits and patterns, unsure of how to break free or even, if you really want to?
I invite you to join us this Sunday for the conclusion of our series: Jars of Clay - His Strength :: Our Weakness. Our service is at 11 AM. You'll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the Join Us Sunday button on our website. Or better yet, come join us in person!
If 11 AM doesn’t work for you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule. I hope we'll see you this Sunday!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Have you ever had someone unfairly criticize you? Or maybe misrepresent you? Maybe even flat out lie about you? How did you react? Did you sling some accusations of your own? Let it go? Ignore it? Or just boldly declare that it doesn't matter what anybody else says or thinks? Except the truth is, it does.
It matters because as followers of Jesus, we don't just represent ourselves, we represent something and someone much bigger. We stand for something that matters for eternity. And how we represent Him - Jesus - matters a lot!
As we come to our study of 2 Corinthians this week, we find Paul speaking truth to power, so to speak. He's been criticized, his motives and authority have been questioned, and he's not just going to let it go. But the way he responds probably isn't what you'd expect.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
It's giving season again. The holidays are on the horizon and your email inbox and regular mailbox are most likely stuffed with catalogs, advertisements, and special offers for all the newest, hottest, most-wanted Christmas gizmos and gadgets of the year.
What's the best gift you've ever received? I love to give gifts that are significant or meaningful to the recipient. And if the enjoyment of said gift lasts for a long time... well, that's the best.
As we come to our study of 2 Corinthians this week, we'll find that Paul has a lot to say about giving. Does following Jesus impact your giving? Should it? We'll unpack what God's Word has to say about that question this week!
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Freedom... it's a concept that we cherish in our country. But not everyone thinks about freedom the same way. Some think of freedom in terms of what they are released FROM; things like obligations or limitations. Others look at freedom in light of they are released FOR - a purpose, calling or passion. As followers of Jesus, we are both... free from sin and death and freed for a purpose! In our study of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians this week, the Apostle Paul encourages them and us to understand and step into the calling that we have been freed FOR.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Actions speak louder than words. We've all heard that before. And we would probably all agree... in theory. But it's a lot easier to talk the talk, than it is to walk the walk. As we continue in our study of 2 Corinthians this week, we find the Apostle Paul emphasizing the importance of using what we've been given - our fragile, earthly bodies - to share the hope of Jesus with others. Not just our words, but our lives, in everything we do, think, and yes... say. Who we are is just as important, if not more so, than the words we speak.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are often tempted to view ourselves through the lens of what is wrong, broken, or inadequate. When life presses us, we naturally focus on our limitations—our human fragility. But Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 turn that thinking on its head. He speaks to a reality that is as radical as it is liberating: God’s glory is most powerfully revealed not in our strength but in our weakness. This week, we will explore what it means to live in the reality of God’s new covenant, how that transforms us, and how our frailty allows God’s light to shine more brightly.
I invite you to join us this Sunday as we continue in our 2 Corinthians series: Jars of Clay - His Strength :: Our Weakness. Our service is at 11 AM. You'll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the Join Us Sunday button on our website. Or better yet, come join us in person!
If 11 AM doesn’t work for you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
What's your favorite smell?
Most people would agree that there are certain things that smell good... freshly baked cookies, clean laundry, and bacon on my plate. And there are other things that definitely do NOT smell good... diesel exhaust, skunk spray, and the bedrooms of teenage boys.
But there are also things that smell good to some people and awful to others... things like cilantro or gasoline and whatever it is that gives Home Depot and Lowe's their distinctive 'hardware store' scent.
Scientists who research such things say that it's most likely that the scents we like or dislike are learned behaviors. The sense of smell is strongly linked to our memories. So maybe the reason I love the smell of gas is because it reminds me of family road trips when I was a kid.
The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, points out that those who follow Christ have a distinctive scent - we bear the fragrance of Christ. To some it is warm and inviting, but to others it can be offensive. What makes the difference?
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our 2 Corinthians series: Jars of Clay - His Strength :: Our Weakness. Our service is at 11 AM. You'll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the Join Us Sunday button on our website. Or better yet, come join us in person!
If 11 AM doesn’t work for you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
As I sit in my office this afternoon, it is 65° in our corner of the northwest; the skies are blue, the breeze is calm. The only debris in our parking lot is from the fall leaves that are starting to drop. But in the southeast corner of our country, things are very different.
A couple weeks ago, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc as she tore her way across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, leaving devastation in her wake. And last night Florida was once again pummeled by Hurricane Milton. The destruction is mind boggling.
Now that the storm has passed, Floridians wait... for power to be restored and for water to recede. It will take weeks, months, perhaps even longer to assess the true cost of the damages and to rebuild what has been destroyed. Part of the assessment process will be to evaluate the integrity of the structures - roads, bridges, buildings, and the like - that were impacted by the storm.
To have integrity means to be whole, unbroken, consistent. It's important to know that the roadway is safe, that the foundation is stable, that the walls won't collapse. Integrity matters.
This week as we continue in our study of 2 Corinthians, we find the apostle Paul weathering a bit of a storm. His integrity is being questioned. But in the process he models for us what it looks like to be a person who is consistent, reliable, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of person, the same in public that he is in private... a person of integrity.
I invite you to join us this Sunday as we continue in our 2 Corinthians series: Jars of Clay - His Strength :: Our Weakness. Our service is at 11 AM. You'll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the Join Us Sunday button on our website. Or better yet, come join us in person!
If 11 AM doesn’t work for you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday.
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I've had the privilege of traveling by air quite a bit in my life. Along the way, I've experienced the variety of accommodations that various airlines provide. Domestically, flying with Delta is always my preference. And flying Comfort+ (or better) is definitely worth the extra expense. But airlines in other countries don't always offer the same upgrade options that US airlines provide.
I recall a particularly UNcomfortable flight from Buenos Aires to San Juan, Argentina. The plane was significantly smaller, in what felt like every way possible. To make matters even less comfy... we were seated just behind the exit row - which had been pushed backward to allow more room for emergency exiting. But no adjustment was made to the row - our row - behind... we were just jipped on legroom! Why?? Why not adjust the subsequent rows? Why did I land in THIS seat? Why me?
Obviously, I lived to tell the tale. We made the flight safely - no emergency exiting required. Our trip was successful. All went well... better than expected, actually. But the process of getting there still hurt.
Life is a lot like that trip. No matter how well prepared or well-planned you are, unanticipated inconveniences, struggles, problems, or even tragedies, bring pain and suffering into our lives. We'd much prefer to sit in Comfort+ all the way to our intended destination, but that's not usually how it works. And there's a reason.
I invite you to join us as we begin a new series this Sunday on the book of 2 Corinthians. We've titled it, Jars of Clay - His Strength :: Our Weakness. As we open up this letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, we'll find some answers to the question of "why does God allow suffering?".
Our service is at 11 AM on Sunday. You'll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the Join Us Sunday button on our website. Or better yet, come join us in person!
If 11 AM doesn’t work for you, the service will be available on-demand, so that you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Are you a go-until-your-gas-light-comes-on kind of driver or do you head for your favorite gas station when you're at about a quarter of a tank? Or maybe you're like me, and prefer to fill up when you hit the half-tank mark.
Whatever your habit for filling your tank, imagine what it would be like if you pulled up to the pump and only put in .08¢ worth of gas. Ridiculous, right? It certainly wouldn't be enough to get you much farther! And if your tank is on 'E' you might not even make it to the next gas station!
Research tells us that the average adult attention span these days is a mere 8 seconds. That's about how long most people are able to focus without getting distracted. So it's no wonder that we're moving through life running on fumes. We can't sit still and focus long enough to get our tanks filled... distraction is draining us dry!
I invite you to join us for the final message in our series, Running on Empty. We'll look at ways we can learn to be still enough in the presence of our Heavenly Father to fill our spiritual tanks and close the gap between the reality of our daily lives and the abundant life Jesus promises us.
Our service is at 11 AM on Sunday. You'll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the Join Us Sunday button on our website. Or better yet, come join us in person!
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Elijah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. Yet even he wasn’t immune from the effects of burnout. As he reached the desert, he was literally running on empty. Physically, emotionally and spiritually spent. Done.
If you’ve ever felt like Elijah, you understand the overwhelming, hopeless feeling that comes when you’re ready to give up.
Join us this weekend for the third message in our series, Running on Empty, as we look at ways to close the gap between our lives and the abundant life Jesus promises us. You’ll always find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the ‘Join Us Sunday’ button on our website. Or, you can join us in person. But we’ll be glad to see you however you choose to connect.
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Your car might have a leak in the radiator, or maybe the engine is leaking oil, or the power steering fluid is seeping out somewhere. For those things, there are Stop-Leak products that can be helpful - at least for a bit. A leaky tire can be remedied with a can of Fix-a-Flat or FlatOut... it'll at least get you to the nearest Les Schwab. These products, used effectively make is possible for our radiators, engines, and tires to be filled with the right stuff in order to function like they're supposed to.
Wouldn't it be great if refilling our souls could be as simple as using the correct product?
We all have leaks in our lives... things that drain us. Some we can fix, others we just have to manage. But what if I told you that there are strategies that you could use to help fix the leaks and/or refill your bucket?
Join us this Sunday as we continue our sermon series, Running On Empty. You can connect with us online via Facebook, YouTube or by clicking the 'Join Us Sunday' button on our website. But better yet, come join us in person. [Spoiler alert: all those smiling faces will help fill your bucket!] Bring your 'bucket' and be refilled. You'll be so glad you did!
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Have you ever noticed how many stories in the Bible are about emptiness and how God fills it?
In every instance of emptiness, when all had been poured out, used up, exhausted, depleted…
God stepped in bringing fullness, light, hope, and joy. And not just a little bit… but abundant,
overflowing, unimaginable fullness and delight.
Are you running on empty these days? At the end of your proverbial rope, like Elijah? More
month than money (or groceries) like the widow of Zarephath? Depleted of resources, low on
energy, losing sleep, or just lost in a dark place? I invite you to join us as we begin a new sermon series this week called, Running On Empty.
Come as you are. Empty-handed is just fine. God will meet you, fill and refresh you. We can’t
wait to welcome you.
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We are wrapping up our sermon series, Colossians: Stay the Course, this Sunday. As Paul brings his letter to a close, he leaves his readers with some very practical instructions for doing life like Jesus. Because this like-Jesus life is about more than knowing, it's about growing and being like Him... being His hands and feet at home, at work, in your neighborhood, when you're running errands. And trying, as much as possible, to see the unexpected 'knock' as an opportunity, not an interruption.
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To all the parents navigating the back-to-school shopping season, you have my heartfelt sympathies. Been there, done that. So glad to not be there anymore! But the memories of this busy season - the replacing of backpacks and jackets, stocking up on notebooks, pencils, and crayons, buying new water bottles and lunch boxes, and the inevitable purchasing of new clothes and shoes – got me thinking.
In the third chapter of Colossians, the Apostle Paul begins to unpack what living a new life as a follower of Jesus looks like. He uses the analogy of a wardrobe, identifying ‘garments’ the believer should take off and the new clothing they should be wearing. Old clothes, old behaviors, old habits aren’t fit for this new like-Jesus life, much like the old backpacks, broken crayons, worn-out jeans and sneakers aren’t fit for starting a new school year.
It’s out with the old and in with the new. And the fresh apparel that Paul lays out for us to wear… it’s all Designer duds. You’ll be the envy of the class. Ready to get dressed?
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"Welcome to the club!" Has anyone ever said that to you? Perhaps upon reaching a milestone birthday or becoming a grandparent for the first time? There are clubs of all kinds someone might be part of... maybe you're part of a book club, or a classic car club. Perhaps you're a member at a gym or a golf club. You might belong to a union or just be a Costco or Amazon Prime member. Regardless of the kind of club you're part of, there are benefits to being part of it. Once you're in, those benefits are yours... but it's still up to you to use them!
We're in week 2 of a 4-week series on Paul's letter to the Colossians that we've titled, 'Stay the Course.' This week we'll see more of Paul's heart for the Colossian believers to understand who they are in Christ and all the rights and privileges that come with being part of the church.
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Have you ever plugged a specific destination into your GPS, only to deviate from the designated route for a lunch break, to get gas, stretch your legs, or the inevitable bathroom break? What happens? An automated voice, in the accent of your choice, will persistently remind you to 'return to the route.' I wonder... what would it be like if there was a GPS for life... a voice that reminded us when we got off-track in any of our goals, priorities, or values... to return to the route. That's what the Apostle Paul is doing in his letter to the Colossian church. He is imploring, exhorting these new believers to stay on track! In the midst of a culture that threatened to drag them off-course, Paul reminded them of how to go about reaching their intended destination without getting waylaid or sidetracked. We need the reminder just as much as the Colossians did.
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Who are you, really? Beneath the job title, your birth order, relationship status, family connections, organizational involvements… at your core, what values shape who you are? And does the person you are in public match the person you are in private? The character of a person matters deeply to God.
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There is a deep longing in the human heart for justice. But often our culture defines justice differently than God does. What does justice look like for the one who follows Christ? And how do we pursue biblical justice in our world?
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Freedom of speech has long been an important value in the United States. But it doesn’t mean we can say whatever we want. In our increasingly divided nation, it is vitally important that we understand the power of language and use that power in ways that honor God and people.
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Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” These days, people don’t even bother to pick up pennies off the ground! There’s been a big shift in our culture around the concepts of work and wealth. Where is the healthy middle ground between workaholism and laziness? Between getting a hand up or a handout? We need a biblical perspective.
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It’s been said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. In other words, trends come and go, but human nature is pretty constant. When it comes to figuring out how to navigate life, it can be a challenge to sort through the sea of ‘expert’ opinions to find timeless truth. We need a rock-solid source we can depend on.
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As we come to the end of Paul’s letter, we will discover that joy is inextricably linked to peace. But as we have just discussed… peace is in very short supply! Fortunately, there is a solution. The good news is that peace is possible; in us and in the midst of our circumstances, and through us, in the midst of our conflict-ridden world. Let’s learn to be people of peace. Our world desperately needs it!
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We are working our way through the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians this month and this Sunday, we’re digging into chapter 3. This portion of Paul’s letter is filled with words of encouragement and exhortation. But tucked in amongst the affirmation and instruction are some words of warning that we might be tempted to skim over. But just like other warnings we encounter, we would be wise to take seriously what Paul has to say.
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We are mid-way through our June sermon series on the book of Philippians, Joy In Every Circumstance. As we continue this week, we’ll be taking a look at the power of a radical idea. The kind of idea that motivates someone to do something that seems irrational, unbelievable, incomprehensible, to others. But that, when carried out can turn the world on its head in all kinds of amazing ways.
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Don't Forget Your Passport
Philippians: Joy In Every Circumstance
June 9, 2024This week, the Apostle Paul addresses the topic of citizenship. It’s a pretty personal topic for him – after all, he has had his rights as a Roman citizen violated and had to stand up for himself. But, as we will see, Paul has a whole other perspective on the subject of citizenship… beyond our earthly national affiliation… and how we represent the kingdom to which we – as followers of Jesus - truly belong.
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Make Up Your Mind
Philippians: Joy In Every Circumstance
June 2, 2024This Sunday we are beginning a new sermon series on the New Testament book of Philippians. We’ve subtitled it: Joy In Every Circumstance.
The good news is, joy is more than a fleeting emotion. It’s not dependent on how we feel, or even, what we know. It can’t be bought, but it can be stolen, though you don’t have to let it be. You can give it away, but there’s always more where that came from.
Join us this Sunday as we begin to unpack the truth about joy.
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Made For Intimacy
Made For Good
May 26, 2024Everyone wants to be wanted… to be needed and known, to have a deep sense of belonging. We were designed for intimacy. But in our culture, the word ‘intimacy’ has become synonymous with sex. And though it can be used to describe a physical relationship, intimacy is much more multifaceted than we typically acknowledge. An intimate relationship is one that is characterized by warmth, connection, understanding and grace. And we can experience all of those things outside of a sexual relationship. That’s the kind of healthy intimacy we were created to experience – with God and with each other. Intimacy is the gift of belonging.
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A picture is worth a thousand words… or so the saying goes. We also use phrases like, ‘picture this…’ or ‘do you get the picture?’ Pictures can help us understand things in ways that words can’t. It helps to have an example to look at! It’s why children’s books come with illustrations and IKEA directions come with diagrams! Visible representations can help us understand concepts better. God knows this about us; so He’s given us pictures that can help us understand more about Himself… pictures like marriage and singleness.
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Made In His Image
Made For Good
May 5, 2024According to Mother Goose, little boys are made of frogs, snails and puppy dog tails, while girls are a combination of sugar, spice, and everything nice. Though the nursery rhyme sounds sweet, it subtly reinforces long-held, unhelpful stereotypes. What does it mean to be a boy or girl, a man or woman? Does anybody really know?
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Made In His Image
Made For Good
May 5, 2024“Why, oh why…” it’s the question we all ask. For centuries, humans have created stories to help them explain the ‘whys’ of life. From Greek mythology to children’s fairy tales, Aesop’s fables to a good country song… we love a story that help us make sense of the world. The problem is, sometimes the stories we hear contradict each other. We get mixed messages and conflicting information. Is there any story that will help us make sense of the chaos? A story that we can know for sure is really, truly true?
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Messy Grace
Ridiculous Grace
April 28, 2024As we are wrap up our series Ridiculous Grace, this Sunday, we’ll be taking a look at the idea of messy grace.
We all know that life is messy. Our world is broken, our systems are broken, WE are broken… all of us. Some of us disguise our messiness better than others, but that doesn’t make it any less true. You see, for the most part, you and I, and the world around us, are running on the wrong kind of fuel.
Join us as we discover more about what it would be like to live a grace-fueled life. You’ll get farther on the fuel of grace.
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The Aroma of Grace
Ridiculous Grace
April 21, 2024We are in the middle of a series we’ve called Ridiculous Grace. This week, we’re taking a look at the aroma of grace.
Most things have a distinctive smell. But though our human sense of smell is incredibly sensitive, it is also easily fatigued. The common scents we encounter every day, we hardly even notice. But when we encounter something bold – whether pleasant or distasteful – it grabs our attention.
Grace extended carries the fragrance of compassion and kindness. It’s noticeable, attractive, and winsome. And in a world that is filled with dis-grace, with anger, offense, and selfishness, grace is a warm, inviting, and pleasant aroma. What kind of fragrance are you bringing into a room? Is it the aroma of grace?
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The Scandal of Grace
Ridiculous Grace
April 14, 2024Last Sunday we learned that grace is an undeserved gift; free to the recipient, but costly to the giver. We learned that grace has many facets… patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness and love. And we learned that grace is always active, never passive. Grace always takes the initiative, makes the first move toward another. Grace is meant to be given away… without reservation, hesitation, or exception. Who in your life needs a gift of grace?
I invite you to join us this Sunday as we continue growing in our understanding of grace.
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Thanks for listening to Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
The Aptitudes of Grace
Ridiculous Grace
April 7, 2024We are beginning a new sermon series this Sunday that we’re calling Ridiculous Grace. If you watch the evening news or scroll through social media, you know we live in a very narcissistic, me-first, entitled culture. The messages all around us tell us we deserve more, better, and faster. Grace is in extremely short supply and it has nothing to do with supply chain issues.
Perhaps we’re lacking in grace because we’ve forgotten or maybe, never understood what grace really is, or how desperately we need it, but how undeserving we are of it. And if we don’t understand it, it’s difficult to truly receive it and even harder to give to others.
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An Invitation to Believe
Easter Sunday
March 31, 2024More than two thousand years ago, Jesus gave His followers another kind of forecast. One they should have known they could be certain of. But things in their world got dark and scary really fast, and they lost their grip on that hope-filled forecast. Things didn’t play out the way they expected and as a result, they didn’t know what they could believe. Was it all a waste? Or, even worse, a lie? Had they been duped?
Today, on this side of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we know beyond any doubt that Jesus is risen, the power of sin and death has been broken, and that we have real hope. We know it, but do we really believe it? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by dark and discouraging circumstances in our world. And we tend to forget the hope that is irreversibly ours; that we can believe the best, even when things look dark.
I invite you to listen to ours Easter Sunday service as we celebrate together and remind one another of the invincible HOPE that we have because the grave is empty and Jesus is alive!
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Thanks for listening Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
All That and a Bag of Chips
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
March 24, 2024Over the past 3 months, we’ve been on a journey through the New Testament book of Hebrews. We’ve spent weeks unpacking deep theological truths that have helped us to better understand why we believe what we believe, and given us a solid foundation for living every day with faith, hope, and love.
As we wrap up this series, which we’ve called Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews, we’re getting down to the nuts and bolts of how these truths make a difference in how we live. Because if we only know the truth, but don’t live out the truth, we will stay stuck in the same ruts, in bondage to the same lies, trapped by the same old sins rather than living in the freedom that is ours because of Jesus. And it’s the living out of what we believe that makes all the difference in the world.
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Run For Your LifeGreater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
March 17, 2024There’s a famous line in the movie, Chariots of Fire, that has Eric Liddell saying, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.” God did make him fast and he ran for God’s glory, but Liddell never said that. What he did say and what most people don’t know, is that he believed, “God made me for China.”
After winning the gold medal in the 400-meter race at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, Eric Liddell returned to China as a missionary. This was the race that mattered most to him… sharing the truth about Jesus with those who had never heard of Him.
Ultimately, Liddell ended up as a prisoner in a concentration camp during WWII, where he continued to serve, counsel, and love the other prisoners around him. An article on washingtontimes.com says, “In the concentration camp, Liddell became legendary and his witness for Christ astounded even many of his fellow Christians.”
Liddell died in the camp of a brain tumor, shortly before the end of the war. But he ran the race that God gave him until the very end. He ran for his life, for the glory of God. How about you?
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Faith For Today
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
March 10, 2024Over the past couple of months, we have been digging deep into the book of Hebrews in a series we’ve called, Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus through Hebrews. And, we covered some pretty heady theology. But now, we’re making a shift. We’re getting to the part where the rubber meets the road; where we figure out how these deep truths can make a real difference in our daily lives. As we gather this week, we’re taking a look at a very familiar chapter in Hebrews; one that is often referred to as the ‘Hall of Faith’. And as we unpack what faith looks like in the lives of those who follow Jesus, we may discover that it’s not exactly what we think it is.
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We’re discovering all the ways in which Jesus is greater than the Old Testament system of relating to God. Originally written to a group of Jewish Christ-followers who were experiencing difficulty and persecution for their faith; this letter was meant to encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus, to hold tightly to their faith, to keep on keeping on… because Jesus is greater!
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Since the first of the year, we’ve been taking a deep look at how Jesus and the new covenant way of relating to God that He makes possible is greater than the old way. This week we’re looking at how Jesus changes the access we have to God and the difference that makes in our lives.
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Obsolete
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
February 18, 2024We are mid-way through our series, Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews. Over the last several weeks, we’ve been taking a deep look at how Jesus is greater than the Old Covenant system that the Jews were so familiar with. They were comfortable with they way things were. But the writer of Hebrews lays out a detailed case of all the reasons that Jesus is better. The old way is obsolete; there’s a better way now.
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Melchize-who?
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
February 11, 2024In Bible times, names of people and places were very much given with the meaning in mind. There were even occasions when God changed someone’s name to reflect a new direction or calling He had given them. Sometimes it’s a nickname that holds deep significance – whether for good or not so good.
For the past several weeks, we’ve been studying our way through the New Testament book of Hebrews. Ironically, we don’t know the name of the author – but perhaps that is intentional. After all, the message of the book is that Jesus is greater than anyone or anything else.
As we come to the mid-way point of our study, we bump up against a rather unusual name. Certainly not one that would be included in any list of famous Bible names. But one that definitely has deep meaning and significance. I invite you to join us this Sunday as we take a look at the name and person of Melchizedek and why he is such an important biblical figure.
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Thanks for listening to Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are working our way through the New Testament book of Hebrews in a sermon series we’ve called Greater. The unidentified author of this letter is making the case that Jesus is greater than anything – than any other hope, dream, or system; prophet, priest or king. He’s about to take his readers to the next level in his rationale, when he realizes there’s a roadblock… his readers aren’t ready for what he has to say. They have some spiritual growing up to do.
Growing up physically – as long as you eat, breathe and sleep - just kinda happens. But growing up spiritually is a different story. It requires intentionality, determination, and perseverance. A good first step would be to join us on Sunday as we unpack what it means to grow up in your faith.
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Thanks for listening to Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are studying our way through the New Testament book of Hebrews in a series we’ve called, Greater. This letter was written to Jewish Christ-followers who found themselves experiencing hardships that had them longing for the old days. “It would be so much easier if we could just go back to the way things used to be!” But God had called them to something… or Someone… greater.
We are all pulled, in one way or another to settle for comfort and convenience. But God is calling us to something greater. It won’t be easy or without risk. But He is worth it. Are you up for the challenge?
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The Myth of Greener Pastures
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
January 21, 2024We are studying our way through the book of Hebrews in a sermon series we’ve called Greater. The letter of Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish followers of Jesus who were at risk of forgetting all that they had received in Christ and returning to the comfort zone of the past. It’s a pull we all feel at one time or another.
In the world of human endeavor and achievement, there is always room for improvement. Our world is caught up in the endless pursuit of whatever is faster, farther, higher, or better. Forever in search of greener pastures, we seem never to be satisfied.
The author of Hebrews reminds us that in Christ we no longer have to strive for bigger, better, faster or farther. In Christ, we are whole, healed, complete, forgiven. There is no greener pasture to be found than the hope we have in Jesus. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday.
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Catch Your Drift
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
January 14, 2024There is something appealing about the idea of just drifting along, going wherever the tide or breezes carry you. On the surface it sounds relaxing or refreshing. After all…navigating the demands of daily life is hard work. We can feel pulled in a million difference directions. Who wouldn’t welcome an opportunity to just float for a bit? And ‘a bit’ isn’t usually a problem. It’s when coasting or floating along becomes the norm that we run into trouble. Because sooner or later, without course corrections, the current will carry you into places you never wanted or intended to go.
Last week we started a brand-new series we’re calling Greater. For the next several weeks, we will be digging into the New Testament book of Hebrews. It’s a book that will give us a deep understanding of the superiority of Jesus and remind us that He is worth following, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Following Him requires both intention and action. You won’t grow to be like Jesus by chance.
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Bigger, Better, Stronger
Greater: The Supremacy of Jesus Through Hebrews
January 7, 2024We are kicking off 2024 with a brand-new series we’re calling Greater. Over the next 12 weeks, we will be diving deep into the New Testament book of Hebrews. It’s a book that will help us understand how Jesus is truly greater; greater than any person, any system or organization, greater than anything.
There is only One who is truly the Greatest of All Time. His name is Jesus. I hope you’ll join us as we get to know Him better.
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What We Learned in 2023
December 31, 2023Jesus loved to tell stories. Storytelling was one of His go-to methods of helping His disciples better understand God and His plan for the world and their lives. Stories can move us, challenge us, inspire and encourage us. They can open our eyes to things that we otherwise might not see and our minds to possibilities that we might otherwise not consider.
Sunday, as we come to the end of 2023, we want to take a look back at some of the things that God has done. We’ll be sharing stories of how we’ve seen God work in our lives and in our church, what we have learned along the way, and how we’ve grown this past year.
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Disappointed By God
Missing Peace
December 24, 2023We all have expectations about certain things. Your kids are counting on Santa to bring just what they want for Christmas, but you know “Santa’s” budget is too tight. You have holiday traditions that aren’t working out. Perhaps there’s a broken relationship that’s making this season hard, instead of happy. Or maybe you’ve been working towards a goal, but not seeing the success you anticipated. Attaching our hopes and happiness to people, plans, or possibilities is sure to leave us disappointed. So, as followers of Jesus, we’ve learned to put our hope, our trust, our confidence in God. But what do we do when He doesn’t come through like we thought He would? What happens when God is the One who disappoints us?
We’re just a few days away from celebrating the birth of Jesus, the One who has been called the Hope of the World. But there are many for whom this Christmas season is full of pain and disappointment. I invite you to join us this Christmas Eve as we celebrate the birth of Christ. We’ll be wrapping up our series, Missing Peace and taking an honest look at what to do with our broken dreams and unfulfilled hopes.
We all have plans, that we hope will work out perfectly. And when they don’t, it’s natural to be disappointed… even with God. But He can handle it. Even more than that, He can redeem it. It may be that He has something better in mind.
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Why Do I Have To Wait?
Missing Peace
December 17, 2023It’s the Christmas season and as we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we’re working our way through a series we’ve called, Missing Peace. I imagine that you, along with most everybody I know, struggles with waiting. Whether it’s waiting for a response to your email, or a call from the doctor, or long lines at just about every store, stoplight, or drive-thru this time of year. We don’t wait very well and it steals the joy right out from under us.
What if there is a gift to be found in anticipation? A blessing to receive in the waiting? It’s there, ready for you to discover it. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday.
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You're Driving Me Crazy!
Missing Peace
December 10, 2023Luke 2 records the refrain declared by the host of heaven, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” But across centuries, continents, and cultures, no matter which corner of history we search, we discover an overwhelming deficit of peace. Certainly, even a quick scan of today’s headlines reveals a serious lack. So, did the angels get it wrong?
Perhaps the answer lies in where we’re looking. Could it be that instead of searching for evidence of peace around us, we must open our hearts to the gift of peace within us?
I invite you to join us as we continue our Christmas sermon series, Missing Peace.
It's been said that you can’t give what you don’t have. The peace the angels sang about begins within us, as we experience peace with God. And then it swells, deeper and stronger, as we extend it to those around us. It’s the kind of peace that can’t be shaken. It cancels fear, strengthens courage. Peace on earth, in your heart, your family, your community, is possible. It’s the promise of Christmas. Come join us this Sunday.
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Is Peace Possible?
Missing Peace
December 3, 2023The holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is on the horizon. But when our newsfeeds continue to be filled with stories of international conflict, economic uncertainty, political division, death, disease, heartbreak, and loss, it’s hard to believe that the message of Christmas - peace on earth, goodwill to men - is even possible. The realities of our world kinda suck the holly-jolly right out of the season… if we let them.
In a world that is filled with pain, the possibility of peace seems almost out of reach. But the Bible tells us – promises us – that peace is available to us. And not just a fragile, momentary relief, but a perfect peace. The kind that can be ours when we focus our minds on what we know to be true; on what’s truer than the headlines, and truer than our heartaches. A kind of peace that surpasses our ability to understand. Peace that is found only in Jesus.
Do you have that kind of peace? Do you need it? Come join us this Sunday.
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DON'T BLINK!
- as the world burns -
November 26, 2023This Sunday, we’re continuing our look beneath the subject lines and rhetoric that fill our newsfeeds, to see what God’s Word has to say about the things happening in our world. We’re looking to gain a firmer grasp on what we can know for sure, and what we must confidently entrust to the sovereignty of God. Because in the midst of the chaos, one thing is certain: it is very easy to become distracted by the to-do lists, the deadlines, disappointments or even our own desires, and miss what God is doing around us or even in us.
In the midst of an incredibly busy and often distressing world, it’s important that we know what matters most and how to keep it in clear view. Some things are too important to miss. Let’s make sure we don’t.
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TEETERING ON THE BRINK
- as the world burns -
November 19, 2023It’s no wonder that as we look around our world, scroll through social media, and listen to the news, that so many of people are struggling with uncertainty and fear about the future. Things are very dark in our world and just seem to be getting darker. Is there any hope to hold onto?
Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to dig beneath the headlines and take a deeper look at what is really going on in our world and where we can find a hope that can conquer every fear.
The dark can be a scary place. But there is both Light and Hope available for you. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday.
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A Faith Of Their Own
Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child's Heart
November 12, 2023This Sunday we are wrapping up our series, Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. We’ve covered a lot of ground the past few weeks, but we’ve saved the best – and maybe the hardest – for last. As parents who have committed their lives to Christ, we want our kids to grow up to be followers of Jesus too. But all too often, we feel inadequate or intimidated by the responsibility of teaching or discipling our kids. So we hope they’ll have great Sunday School teachers or youth leaders that can take care of that.
The truth is that you are the most influential person in your child’s life. For better or worse, your voice carries the most weight and your life has the most impact. Discipling your child isn’t rocket science – no seminary degree required; but it is one of the most challenging and important things you’ll ever do. It requires humility, vulnerability and intentionality.
Helping your child develop their own relationship with Jesus is the most important work you will ever do. We’ll help you figure out how to do it this Sunday.
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Because I Said So
Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child's Heart
November 5, 2023As we continue in our series on parenting this week, we’ll be taking a look at the difference between discipline and punishment. Though we often use the words interchangeably, they aren’t the same thing at all. Punishment is linked to condemnation and control; discipline is connected to redemption and restoration, to growth and development.
Just as a shepherd’s rod can be a source of security and comfort for the sheep, loving appropriate discipline should be a source of security and comfort for our children. I hope you’ll join us as we unpack what effective discipline should look like, as we endeavor to disciple our kids.
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Thanks for listening to Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
This week, as we continue in our series on parenting, we’ll be taking a look at how much marriage impacts our kids. In our world today, the traditional family isn’t so traditional anymore. There are lots of single parent households, broken and blended families, and grandparents raising grandkids. Families come in all shapes, sizes, and situations. But regardless of their status, the ability of those raising children to model what healthy relationships look like for their children is what establishes the foundation for those kids to stand on. And it matters… more than you might even realize.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
We are midway through our series Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. This week, we’re taking a look at the weight of our words. We all know that words are powerful and that we need to be wise in how we use them. We know words can be misunderstood, taken out of context, or be twisted. But when it comes to our kids, there’s a whole ‘nother level of potency to the words we speak, and to the ones we don’t. Words, both spoken and unspoken, from a parent to a child, carry more weight than you might realize. And far too often we underestimate the weight of our words. Join us this Sunday, as we unpack the power of words in the lives of our kids.
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We are in week 2 of a six-week series that we’ve called Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. Throughout this series we are taking a look at big picture principles for successful parenting that will help us to navigate the nitty gritty of daily family life.
We all know that change is one of the most certain things about life. Every time we turn around something else is different, updated, changed in a way that requires us to adapt. And it’s no different in parenting. Just when we think we have things figured out, something changes – a sleep regression hits, or a growth spurt happens, or hormones kick in, or boundaries start being tested. The challenge for parents is knowing how to navigate the changing seasons in our kid’s lives with patience and grace.
I invite you to join us this week as we take a look at the different seasons of parenting and unpack some powerful principles that will equip us to navigate these seasons successfully.
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Destination Parenting
Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child's Heart
October 8, 2023This week we are beginning a new series we’re calling Parenting: Winning the Battle for Your Child’s Heart. Being a parent is the most challenging job in the world. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, something changes. That’s both the fun and the frustration of parenting. And in order to be successful, we need an unchanging goal. A north star, so to speak, that keeps us focused and on track, even as the seasons and strategies of parenting shift.
Parenting is the ultimate job. And though there are no higher stakes in life than the successful care and nurturing of another human – it seems there are no educational requirements for the job. There’s no degree you can earn to prepare yourself, no training courses you have to take to qualify; you don’t need to pass any tests to make sure you’re ready for the responsibility. And the reality is, many parents are just kind of winging it, doing the very best they can to keep the kids alive, day in and day out. It’s not that they don’t want to be successful in raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted kids, it’s just that they are so busy surviving, there’s no time to think about thriving! And while there is no parent certification course to prepare you, there is wisdom and truth available to help you on the journey.
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Risky Faith
Stuck: Get Back In the Race
October 1, 2023This week we are wrapping up our series, Stuck: Get Back in the Race. We’re going to unpack what it could or perhaps should look like for followers of Jesus to live out a faith that takes risks; that is unflinchingly ready to say ‘Yes’ to the possibilities and opportunities God puts in our lives.
I don’t know about you, but I want to live a life with no regrets. A life of saying ‘yes’ to whatever Jesus calls me to – regardless of the risk. And it’s a pretty safe bet that God is calling you to a ‘yes’ of some kind, in one area of your life or another. Saying ‘no’ shuts the door to opportunities, possibilities, and even improbabilities. What miracle might you be missing out on, because you’re afraid to take a risk?
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Stuck In a Rut
Stuck: Get Back In the Game
September 24, 2023We are in week 3 of our 4-week series we’ve called Stuck: Get Back in the Game. This week we’ll consider some of the reasons we get stuck and stay stuck, along with some how-tos for getting unstuck.
Everyone, at some point – and probably more than once – is going to get stuck. It might be relationally, emotionally, financially, spiritually, or even physically. And when it happens, having a strategy for getting unstuck will be the difference between faltering and flourishing, between life and death.
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We are in week two of a new sermon series we’ve called, Stuck: Get Back in the Race. As we continue in our study this week, we’re going to take a look at who God says we are - beneath the labels, the job descriptions, the hats we wear and the roles we play. Strip all those things away and what’s left? What’s at the core of who you are? And how does that shape the way you live?
Having a clear understanding of who we are is essential for healthy growth. And there isn’t anyone who doesn’t need a reminder from time to time, about what is really true about us. It’s when we forget, that we are prone to getting stuck. Join us as we rewrite our labels and remember what is really true about who we are in Christ.
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The (UN)comfort Zone
Stuck: Get Back In the Game September 10, 2023 Most people want to use their time well and spend it wisely. We value productivity, growth, health and happiness. We want life to be good; always moving up and to the right. But sooner or later, we all get sidelined – something breaks down, whether in us or around us, and we find ourselves stuck. Stuck can have a lot of different faces and look a lot of different ways. Which can sometimes make it difficult to recognize.
This Sunday we are beginning a new sermon series we’re calling Stuck: Get Back In the Race. Over the next four weeks, we’ll be unpacking the different ways that stuck can look in our lives and discovering strategies we can use to help us get moving again.
You know, though it sounds like it would be, getting stuck or being stuck isn’t a problem. It happens to all of us, all the time, for a variety of reasons. But staying stuck is damaging. Join us as we learn how to get unstuck and move forward; growing together toward our goal of becoming more like Jesus.
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We are coming to the end of our sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we’ve journeyed through this psalm together, we’ve discovered many benefits of choosing to live a life fully surrendered to Jesus. As we come to the final phrases of this well-known psalm, we’ll find there is still more abundance, more blessing in living wholly yielded to our Good Shepherd.
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Between a Rock and a High Place
Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 27, 2023 We are in week 4 of our 5-part sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we gather together this Sunday, we come to verse 4 of Psalm 23. This is the ‘comfort’ part of the psalm that people all over the world know so well. And buried in the middle of this familiar verse about a valley of death is an ordinary preposition that we often overlook. It’s the word ‘with.’ There is both comfort and strength in knowing that you’re not alone... never alone... even in the hardest, darkest, most difficult parts of your journey. This is the power of with.
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Going In Circles
Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 20, 2023 We are midway through a sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we gather together this Sunday, we’ll be looking at verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 23; verses that describe the daily circle of life for a sheep under the care of a shepherd. It’s a circle in which there is great comfort, but it’s also a cycle, in which there is growth.
You could say that our weekly, Sunday at 11:00 AM rhythm is a circle of sorts. Same day, same time, familiar faces, consistent pattern. But we are not the same people from Sunday to Sunday. Each of us is on a journey, learning and growing; a little bit changed as we lean into the leading of our Good Shepherd each day.
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Enough Oil
Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 13, 2023 We are at the front end of a new series we’ve called ‘Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life.” We’re on verse 1 this week. I bet you know it by heart... “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.” That’s the old-school version. In more modern translations it says, “I have all that I need.” Notice that David, the author of this psalm doesn’t say I will have all that I need. This isn’t a promise of some future provision. This is now, today, for real. I have enough.
Perhaps the secret to contentment isn’t about having enough, or being enough, but in being deeply connected to the One who is enough... more than enough.
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The Blessing of Surrender
Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life August 6, 2023 This week, we are beginning a new 5-week series we’re calling Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a deep look at one of the most well-known and much-loved passages in the Bible. This song of the shepherd/king David is familiar to people all around the world, whether or not they are followers of Jesus. But our familiarity with the words and phrases can cause us to miss some of the deeper meaning waiting for us within the text.
It’s counterintuitive, for sure. Our country and culture were built by strong-willed, independent, ‘I do it myself’ kind of people. We don’t give up or give in very easily. We look out for number one, climb the corporate ladder, break the glass ceiling, have it our way. We are determined and driven, self-reliant and self-sufficient. To give up or give in feels like failure. We’re not quitters. To concede means we lose. To succumb means we’re weak. To acquiesce means we submit. And surrender? Absolutely not.
Surrender doesn’t come easily. But there are blessings promised to those who choose to live a life that is fully surrendered to God.
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It's Not Fair!
Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 30, 2023 In an online article at Inc.com, Ryan Jenkins, author, speaker and generations expert writes, “Entitlement is perhaps the top word associated with the Millennial generation. In fact, 71 percent of American adults think of Millennials as “selfish,” and 65 percent think Millennials are ‘entitled.’” The Millennial generation – those born between 1980 and 1995, have been characterized as self-absorbed, narcissistic, overconfident, materialistic and lazy. (My apologies to any of you Millennials out there, but that’s what the research says!). There’s no shortage of information to support the assertions; studies have been completed, data has been analyzed, and reports have been published. When all is said and done, it seems to me that what it boils down to is a lot of unrealistic, unmet expectations and an inability to know what to do with them. But are these traits really a millennial thing or could it be that this is a human thing?
For the past few weeks, we’ve been working our way through the Old Testament story of Jonah in a series we’ve called Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God. And if the adjectives are accurate, in a lot of ways, Jonah seems like a misplaced millennial, filled with and driven by unmet and unrealistic expectations. Jonah, it seems, is a lot like us, in a lot of ways; regardless of generation.
I invite you to join us as we wrap up Jonah’s story this Sunday. Spoiler alert: there is no tidy ending. In fact, we’re left with loose ends and a couple of unanswered questions. But maybe that’s the point... to wrestle with our own unmet expectations – our inner millennial – and figure out what to do with them.
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Trading Places
Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 23, 2023 Sooner or later, it happens to all of us. Someone asks us to do something. And we know we should; we want to want to do it. We might even be aware that it’s something that God wants or is asking us to do. But we’re just not feeling it. We don’t want to. We are reluctant.
We are so focused on what we want, on our own needs, comfort, or agenda, that we don’t want to go out of our way or get out of our comfort zone, even when it’s God who asks us to. But if we don’t, if we give in to our reluctance, we’ll miss the blessing the follows obedience.
This is week three of our four-part series on the book of Jonah. I invite you to join us this Sunday as we discover that God can use even the most reluctant steps of obedience to bring about tremendous blessing.
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A Reality Check
Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 16, 2023 We all make choices in life – good ones or not-so-good ones, and sooner or later there are consequences. And there’s not much you can do about the consequences, except for choosing how to respond to them.
We are in week two of a four-week summer series on the story of Jonah. This week, we’ll discover that Jonah, just like the rest of us, had to face consequences for his choices. And then, in the middle of his consequences (quite literally!) he had to choose how to respond. What happened next was directly linked to Jonah’s choice.
Join us as we unpack the life-changing lessons the book of Jonah holds for us.
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Love Beyond Borders
Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God July 9, 2023
Summer is in full swing in our part of the world, and for a lot of people that means getting out on the water. Whether it’s a lake, river, or even the ocean, many of us enjoy escaping the cares of life to enjoy some splashing in the sun.
So it seems like a great time to do a sermon series that includes a whale of a tale! For the next four weeks, we’ll be taking a look at the short, Old Testament book of Jonah. And while it’s the big fish that swallows up both Jonah and our attention, it’s really not the most outrageous part of the story. As we will see, as we unpack this unbelievable but true fish story, there’s something far more outrageous going on!
I invite you to join us for Life Interrupted: Reluctant Prophet, Relentless God. What could be more unbelievable than a story about a man being swallowed by a fish and living to tell about it? You’ll just have to join us to find out!
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve been in a series we’ve called Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence. We’ve been unpacking some of our pre-conceived ideas about what it means to share our belief in Jesus with other people. And we’ve come to understand that there are ways we can do that, that don’t have to be scary or intimidating. This week, as we wrap up, we’ll be taking a look at the power of sharing our stories.
Of all the books I’ve read, the movies I’ve watched, of all the stories I’ve heard... my absolute favorites are the ones that communicate the truth of the power of Jesus to change a heart and redeem a life. Those are the greatest stories ever told. Let’s learn to share those stories with others!
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Question Everything
Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence June 25, 2023 We are in week 3 of our series, Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been reframing some of our ideas about evangelism – what it is and how we do it. And we’re learning that it doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating and that we don’t have to know all the answers. This week, we’re going to unpack the principles of asking good questions.
Being curious and asking questions can be powerful tools in our efforts to sow seeds into the lives of others. We all know how good it feels to be asked a genuine question from someone who truly wants to understand.
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Flip The Script
Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence June 18, 2023 This week, we’re going to look at strategies for effective seed planting. Not the vegetable garden kind of seeds, but the kind of seeds that help produce faith and life-change in the lives of the people around us.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid gardener or have the kind of skills that could kill a cactus; if you are a follower of Jesus, you have been entrusted with the most incredible seed and given a mandate to sow, scatter, and plant wherever you go. And trust me on this... once you learn how, you will love it! I can’t wait to share with you this Sunday!
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The Myths of Evangelism
Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence June 11, 2023 We hear the word ‘influencer’ thrown around a lot in our culture these days. It’s like a new category of popularity or famous-ness. There are people who are well-known for being politicians, musicians, artists, authors, and.... influencers. We all know what those other categories are, but what does it mean to be an ‘influencer’?
We are launching a new series this Sunday that we’re calling Magnetic: Activating the Power of Influence. The truth is, all of us are influencers. We all talk about the things we love because we want to share them with others. It might be a great new restaurant or an amazing vacation spot or a fantastic book or an awesome new song or a fun new game. We all share the things we love with the people around us. And we do it naturally, casually, conversationally.
I invite you to join us this Sunday as we begin to unpack what it could look like to influence the people in our world for Jesus.
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The Practice of Prayer
Conversations With God June 4, 2023 This Sunday we are wrapping up our series, Conversations With God. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the topic of prayer. We’ve unpacked some of our problems with prayer, and discovered fresh insights about the purpose and power of prayer. This week, we’re diving into the practice of prayer.
I know... practice doesn’t exactly sound fun. But it’s all about the expectations you attach to it. Playing piano wouldn’t be fun for me if I had to practice in order to play like Beethoven or Billy Joel (well, it might be kinda cool to play like Billy Joel!). But God has wired me to express the uniqueness of who I am through piano in my own way. I practice in the way that fits who He’s made me to be. And He’s invited me... and you... to do the same thing in prayer. Yes, there are certain things we need to get right, but my prayer life isn’t like anyone else’s. It’s my own personal, individual connection with God. And He’s longing to have the same connection with you.
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The Power of Prayer
Conversations With God
May 28, 2023We are in week three of a four-part series we’ve called, Conversations With God. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve unpacked the problem and the purpose of prayer. This week, we’re turning our attention to another aspect: the power of prayer. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, writing to the people of Israel, penned these words from the LORD, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing...” And the psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
It’s so counterintuitive to us. We are go-getters, the git-er-done-ers. From the time we’re old enough to utter the words, “I do it myself!” we are fiercely independent. It’s almost a badge of honor! But God coaxes and nudges us a different direction. Toward connection, relationship, dependency on Him. And it’s in that connection, communion, and conversation with Him that we find that the unlimited power of God is more than enough to meet our every need. Because there are some things we can’t DIY and even more that would be better if we didn’t try!
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The Purpose of Prayer
Conversations With God
May 21, 2023I invite you to join us this Sunday as we continue our series Conversations With God. We’re focusing on the topic of prayer; this week more specifically, on the purpose of prayer. I think a lot of people might say that the purpose of praying is to ask for divine help with something too big for them to handle on their own or to get something they want or need. But that perspective reduces God to some sort of cosmic vending machine. As we will discover, there’s a much deeper, and perhaps surprising, purpose for prayer. And it has everything to do with friendship.
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The Problem With Prayer
Conversations With God
May 14, 2023Join us this Sunday as we begin a new sermon series we’re calling, Conversations With God. We’ll be taking a look at the topic of prayer. When it comes to praying, a lot of people have more questions than answers. We wrestle with things like, “What should I pray for? What words do I say? Is God even listening? What if He doesn’t answer? Where do I even start?” And because it can feel confusing or intimidating or even pointless, because – let’s face it – God doesn’t exactly talk back to us the way our friends do – we give up and spend more of our time wishing instead of praying. Over the next four weeks we’ll unpack some principles for developing a powerful prayer life.
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It's A Choice
What Happy Couples Know
May 7, 2023We are wrapping up our series, What Happy Couples Know this weekend. Over the past three weeks, we’ve unpacking principles for developing and nurturing healthy marriages, But the principles we’ve learned can be help us thrive in every relationship! In this final week of our series, we’ll discover that happy couples know they have a choice.
In the classic scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the Grail Knight cautions Indy as he stands before an array of chalices. “Choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.” The choices we make in life, and in our relationships will make the difference between thriving or surviving, between life or death.
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Sometimes You Have To Throw Things
What Happy Couples Know
April 30, 2023The Apostle Peter was a fisherman. And though he fished with nets, rather than contemporary rods and reels, he was an expert at casting. He knew that to accomplish that he wanted (a haul of fish) he had to cast those nets with all of his strength. You couldn’t just let them slip into the water beside the boat. You have to fling ‘em with everything you’ve got! Which, interestingly, is another definition for the word ‘cast’ - “to throw something forcefully in a specified direction.”
We are in week 3 of our 4-week series, What Happy Couples Know. We’re unpacking principles for nurturing healthy marriages specifically, but these principles apply equally to the success of any healthy relationship! I invite you to join us, regardless of your relationship status. This week, we’re gonna learn that sometimes, you just have to throw things!
In his first letter to the early church, former fisherman, now apostle Peter writes to “cast all your cares on Him (God), because He cares for you.” Remember, to cast can mean to throw something forcefully in a specified direction. With all your strength. Fling the nets. Otherwise, you might come up empty. Perhaps expert casting will improve more than our fishing. Maybe it’s a secret to healthier relationships as well.
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It's Mutual
What Happy Couples Know
April 23, 2023Last week we began a four-week series called, What Happy Couples Know. And yes, it’s a series about marriage. But the principles we’re discovering apply not just to marriage, but to all relationships.
In his fantastical work, author Hugh Loring’s pushmi-pullyu of Dr. Doolittle fame, is an imaginary creature. This “rarest of all animals in Africa,” is described by Loring as a cross between a gazelle and the last of the unicorns, with two heads, one at each end of its body. It provides a good illustration of how a two-headed beast can not just survive, but thrive – by each head deciding to serve the other, choosing to move and work together as one, for their mutual benefit.
Let’s put our heads together this Sunday and learn what God’s word has to say about how “two heads” serving the other in our marriages, as well as other relationships, can thrive!
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Nothing
What Happy Couples Know
April 16, 2023This week, we’re beginning a four-week series called, What Happy Couples Know. And, as you might gather from the title, it’s a series about marriage. But it’s not just for people who are married! You might be dating or waiting, engaged, divorced, single or separated. But regardless of your current relationship status, one thing is true... you have relationships. And while we’re going to focus on how to have a healthy marriage, the principles we’re going to unpack apply to healthy relationships across the board.
Good marriages, and good relationships in general, don’t just happen. Healthy relationships require effort. And sometimes we don’t feel like making it. Usually that’s because we don’t have the right equipment and we’re unsure of where to start. But we’ve got hope and help to share over the next four weeks.
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A Story Worth Telling
Easter Sunday
April 9, 2023How do you determine what is true and what is false? Is your experience a reliable method for making such a determination? Are your thoughts, ideas, or feelings a solid foundation on which to make decisions or build a life? In order for something to be ‘true’ it must align with what is real and accurate. It is vitally important that we be able to sort out what is true from what is false.
Join us this Easter Sunday as we celebrate the true reason for our hope... the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new life that is ours through Him. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! Come celebrate that truth with us this Sunday!
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Carried Away
Good Friday
April 7, 2023
Since the beginning of time, humans have offered their crops, their animals, even their children as sacrifices to God. Until... Two thousand years ago—in a shocking reversal—God offered a sacrifice to us. This powerful message traces back through history to explain the magnitude of what God did through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This Good Friday we reflect on the debt we owed, but could never hope to repay and the One who sacrificed everything to purchase our freedom. Remember and worship with us.
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Forward Facing Faith
On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter
April 2, 2023We are wrapping up our study of the letters of Peter this Sunday. As we look at Peter’s final words to the believers to whom he was writing, we find valuable instructions about what it means to wait well.
As followers of Jesus, we say we believe that God is the author of time, that we trust His timing, His purposes, His sovereignty. But if we really trust Him, why are we so impatient when things don’t go according to our timetables? Why are we so unable to wait?
So often we think of waiting as unproductive. But according to Peter, it is anything but! Perhaps we need to re-evaluate our perspective on waiting.
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Counterfeits Condemned
On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter
March 26, 2023We are almost to the end of our series, On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter. In our passage this week, Peter addresses the issue of identifying counterfeits. This was vitally important for the young churches Peter was writing to and it’s just as important for us today. Our enemy is as determined to deceive and destroy as ever. He is the ultimate con man. Nothing delights him more than successfully getting us off track. We must be able to distinguish between true and false. They aren’t always what they appear to be!
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Fruitful Faith
On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter
March 19, 2023This week, as we continue in our series, On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter, we begin unpacking Peter’s second letter. Peter is writing what he believes will be his final words to the churches scattered throughout Asia Minor. He’s living in Rome, during the reign of Nero, who was persecuting the followers of The Way. When we were in Rome a few years ago, we visited the Coliseum, one of the places where Christians were tortured and killed for sport. Peter knows that it won’t be long before Roman soldiers come for him as well. And he has an urgent, final message to share.
Peter is writing to people like you and I who are facing difficult circumstances, to give them clear instruction on how to keep from feeling useless or unfruitful. He wants them (and us) to know how to make the most of what God has given us, so that we can avoid looking back on our lives with regret.
What has God given you? How are you growing, using, investing all that He has provided for you? Join us this Sunday as we learn how to leverage all of who we are and what we’ve been given for the cause of Christ.
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Shepherd, Serve, Stand
On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter
March 12, 2023As we come to the end of Peter’s first letter to the churches of Asia Minor, Peter shares some powerful principles about what godly leadership – the stewardship of our influence - looks like. Peter unpacks principles for shepherding the people God has placed in our care and living out our faith with both humility and boldness.
We are in the middle of our series, On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter. As Peter wraps up the first of his letters, he challenges his readers to lead wisely and follow well. Because it’s hard to be an effective leader, if you haven’t first learned how to be a follower.
No matter what roles God has given you to play in life, you are most likely leading in some ways, and following in others. It’s vitally important that we know how to do both in ways that bring honor and glory to God. Let’s learn to leverage our influence wisely in every role.
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Steadfast in Suffering
March 5, 2023
Time is our most valuable commodity. Tolkien said “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” Time management means organizing your time intelligently – so that you use it more effectively. The benefits of good time management include greater productivity, less stress, and more opportunities to do the things that matter. But who decides what things matter? Is it just completely subjective?
We are working our way through the Apostle Peter’s letters to the churches scattered throughout Asia Minor in a series we’ve called On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter. As we dive into 1 Peter 4 this week, we’ll find that Peter has some insight for us about how to make the best use of our time
On the one hand, we all get 24 hours every day. No more, no less. On the other hand, none of us knows how much time we have left. How we use whatever time God gives, is of utmost importance. Let’s learn how to make the most of it!
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Righteous Life / Ready DefenseOn This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 PeterFebruary 26, 2023We are three weeks into our series On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter. The Apostle Peter wrote his letters to both Jewish and Gentile Christ-followers who were scattered throughout five different parts of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor. Life for them, living in a foreign land and under the persecution of the Roman emperor Nero, was difficult, to say the least. Peter’s words of hope as they faced uncertainty reminded them of the unshakeable foundation that was theirs in Christ. And his words of encouragement, to steadfastly live out their faith, even in the face of oppression, motivated them to imitate Christ, that the world around them might see and know Him.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to become like Him, to walk and talk the way He did, so that others might see a true picture of Christ and be drawn to Him. Are you growing to be like Christ? Be encouraged in your pursuit to be more like Jesus.
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Our Submission/God’s Honor
On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 PeterFebruary 19, 2023Last week we began a brand-new series called On This Rock: The Unshakeable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter. Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a look at these two letters written by the Apostle Peter. Peter knew first-hand what it meant to forget who you are and who you represent. He’d felt the sting of failure and born the weight of disgrace. So as he encourages his readers to remember who they are and whom they represent, he writes from a deeply personal place. Who do you represent and what kind of representative are you?
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Living Hope/Holy Life
February 12, 2023
his week we are beginning a brand-new series we’re calling, On This Rock: The Unshakable Hope of 1 & 2 Peter. Over the next several weeks, we will be digging into these personal and passionate letters written by the Apostle Peter. If you’re familiar with Peter’s story from the gospels, you know that he was bold, outspoken, and passionate. There was no holding back with Peter! Peter was well-known throughout the early church. So, imagine the joy and excitement of the believers who received his written words of encouragement! Living essentially as exiles, scattered through Asia Minor, following Jesus was not just counter-cultural, it was difficult! As we will discover, Peter’s words to them, and to us, are filled with encouragement about the hope we have in Christ and the firm foundation upon which our faith can stand.
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Thanks for listening to Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Don't Look BackResilient: Strength That PrevailsFebruary 5, 2023You’ve probably heard it said that God gave us two ears and only one mouth, so perhaps we should listen twice as much as we speak. Along the same lines, when driving a car, you have a big windshield facing forward and only small mirrors (or perhaps a camera these days) to see what’s behind you. If you, as a driver, were to become preoccupied with what’s in your rearview mirror while driving down the road, you would quickly find yourself off in a ditch or worse! While it’s valuable to know where you’ve been, it’s much more important to focus on where you’re going! Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to navigate your way through a sea of pedestrians... maybe at the State Fair or a sporting event, and had to evade people who were walking while looking at their phones? For crying out loud people, look where you’re going! It’s one of the basic things we teach our kids as they begin to explore their ability to walk on their own, without holding a hand. You gotta watch where you’re walking, not get distracted by what’s behind or beside you. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are wrapping up our series, Resilient: Strength That Prevails this Sunday. And as we do, we’ll be taking a look at the importance of steadfastly looking forward, not gazing back to the past. I invite you to join us as we unpack why the direction of our attention matters so much and how we can make sure we are facing the right way. Practically speaking, we all understand the value of looking where we’re going. But it’s actually easier said than done. Our hearts are drawn to the past, to the good ol’ days; to what was, because what is can feel overwhelming, frustrating, even hopeless. The past – even if it was hard – feels safe because it's known. The future – what’s unknown – is scary. And yet, we also know that unless you want to get sidelined or stuck, you gotta look where you’re going!
The Deep Well Within Us [Part 4]
January 29, 2023
We are in the fourth week of our series, Resilient: Strength That Prevails. This week, we’ll are taking a look at what the Bible refers to as our ‘inner being.’ The apostle Paul, writing to the church at Ephesus, says, “I pray that out of his (God’s) glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” But what is our inner being? And how do we access the strength and power God puts there? I invite you to join us as we seek to understand more deeply what it means to access and live out of this inner part of ourselves and how to connect with God in that place.
The process of getting to that deeper part of who we, are and connecting with God there, will look a bit different for each of us. And, like anything worthwhile, it will take time, patience, and perseverance to get to what’s at our center. But I can tell you from personal experience, the process is worth it.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
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Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Resilient: Unconverted Places
January 22, 2023
We are in week three of our series, Resilient: Strength That Prevails. This week, we’ll be considering the unconverted places in our lives and what the process of more closely aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with the heart of Christ looks like. Those unconverted places, those areas where we haven’t yet surrendered to Jesus, where we struggle to walk in obedience to Him, aren’t profitable for His kingdom or for us.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
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Thanks for listening to Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
The Strength That Prevails
Resilient: Glory or Desolation
January 15, 2023
The landscape of Oregon is dotted with evidence of once-bustling, thriving frontier communities that have, for one reason or another, been abandoned. While it’s almost impossible to prove, some have claimed that Oregon is home to more ghost towns than any other state. There are no set definitions for what makes a particular place a ‘ghost town’ but experts have agreed on three classifications: true, partial, and tourist. A true ghost town has no permanent residents, while a partial ghost town has lost the majority of its population. A tourist ghost town has completely changed the purpose for their existence, while retaining the character of their historic heyday. In the book, Ghost Towns of the Northwest, an old-timer from the dwindling Wheeler County village of Spray was quoted as saying, “They’s just like any other town ‘cept they ain’t hardly no one livin’ there.”
So, what causes a once-thriving community to decline to the point of abandonment? How can a place so full of energy and life end up forsaken and desolate? Most often, it’s because of a change in circumstances. The Oregon Secretary of State’s website says, “Some towns died because the economy which supported them finished or failed. Mines are worked out, timber is cut down, wells go dry, and new routes bypass the community. Still others die from natural or manmade disasters. Floods and droughts, heavy regulation, or total lawlessness ended their share of towns. Famine, disease, pollution, and war have slain innumerable communities throughout history.” These towns all share a story of devastating loss and subsequent decline, to the point that they are dead... or mostly dead. They didn’t have the resilience necessary to survive or thrive in the midst of difficulty. Circumstances killed the community.
I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in week two of our new series, called Resilient: Strength That Prevails. This week, we’ll be looking at how it is possible for us to flourish and thrive, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Sooner or later, all of us will face circumstances that have the potential to rob us of our creativity, inspiration, energy and initiative. But for followers of Christ, there is strength to prevail available to us!
The Strength That PrevailsResilient: Strength That PrevailsJanuary 8, 2023 There’s a popular children’s worship song that came out in the early to mid 70’s. It had fun hand motions, and who doesn’t love a song with fun hand motions? Maybe you remember it... I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me. Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see. Opens prison doors, sets the captives free. I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me. Spring up, o well, within my soul! Spring up, o well, and make me whole. Spring up o well, and give to me, that life abundantly. Now, I don’t know about your Sunday School teachers, but I don’t recall mine ever really taking the time to explain the “river of life.” Where does it come from? Of course, the Sunday School answer is “Jesus” or “God.” And maybe as a kid, I didn’t really care all that much where it came from; it was just fun to jump, hop, and “splish, splash” with my friends as we sang. But if those words are true... then now, as an adult, I want to know more about this supposed river. Because I think for a lot of us, we spend more time feeling dried up, worn out, and weary than we do feeling the rush of a river of life running through us. I’m happy to have enough energy just to get through my day... but according to the song, the river is more than enough for me... it should overflow out of me and transform others! So how and where do we experience this river of life? How do we live abundantly, with more than enough for today, tomorrow, and the next day and to share with others as well? I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. Over the next five weeks, we will learn how to replenish our reserves and live out of the overflow of hope and peace that we have in Christ, in a new series that we’re calling Resilient: Strength That Prevails. I invite you to join us on Sunday mornings as we gather together to worship and learn how to live out of the supernatural resilience that is available to us through Jesus Christ. Friends, for too long we’ve been running on empty. Let’s learn how to refill our tanks so we can thrive and flourish as God intended us to!
2022: Year In ReviewJanuary 1, 2023Happy New Year, friends! All across the country it was a memorable Christmas with wild wintry weather, cancelled flights, and rescheduled or postponed family gatherings. Whatever your circumstances, I hope you enjoyed the holiday and made good memories with family and friends. What is it that makes something memorable? Science is still figuring out how the brain, and more specifically, memory, function. But we do know that strong emotions or trauma associated with events creates memories with more sticking power. So... this Christmas, with all of the drama involved, will probably stick out in people’s minds when they look back through the years. The associated emotions or stress will make the memories of this year stand out! Brain science also tells us that the more we practice something or think about something, the stronger the connections or synapses in our brains become. Those synapses grow stronger or weaker based on how much we rehearse or think about something... or don’t. In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, God tells the children of Israel to be intentional about remembering His laws for daily life and the promises attached to them. “Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish...” Perhaps God knew a bit about how memories are strengthened in our brains.
A King Like No OtherThe GiftDecember24, 2022Have you ever met a royal? There is a tremendous fascination with the British royal family here in the United States. Millions of Americans willingly crawl out of bed at an ungodly hour, to watch a royal wedding or funeral. All of the pomp and pageantry is undeniably breathtaking... even when you’re just watching on TV. I can’t imagine what it must be like to experience it all in person. It’s not likely that I ever will, but just in case... there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First of all, stand when a royal enters the room. And stay standing until they sit down. Be sure to use the correct titles: Your Majesty for a king or queen; Your Highness for a prince or princess. The most important ‘rule’ is to never touch a monarch! A slight bow of the head for men, or a brief curtsy for women is appropriate, but don’t try to shake hands unless it's initiated by them. And never attempt to give a hug! It’s primarily a security thing, but they are royal, after all; and the rest of us are just commoners. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. This Christmas season, we’ve been looking at the story of Jesus’ birth from a little different perspective, in a sermon series called The Gift. We’ve taken a look at the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. Gifts, which, we have seen, were less appropriate for a baby, but certainly fit for a king. This Christmas Eve, we’ll consider the gift of gold and the significance of it. When the wise men brought their gifts to Jesus, the gospel of Matthew tells us that they bowed down and worshipped Him. They knew they were in the presence of The King.
It's Hard To UnderstandThe GiftDecember18, 2022It’s only one small word. But in the mouth of a young child, it has the power to drive a weary mom to the edge. Some kids repeat it incessantly... over and over and over. Why is the sky blue? Why do I have to go to bed? Why do people get sick? Why aren’t there dinosaurs anymore? Why can’t I have ice cream for breakfast? Why do birds fly? Why is it dark at night? Why? Why? Why? It can be challenging to satisfy the insatiable curiosity of a child. And perhaps it’s our thinly veiled frustration with the never-ending questions that eventually kills their curiosity. Because sooner or later, many of them...and many of us, quit asking the ‘why’ questions. Somewhere along the way, we lose the gift of wonder. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. This holiday season, we are looking at a piece of the Christmas story that we’ve not really unpacked before, in a sermon series called The Gift. Have you ever wondered about the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus? I mean, why would anyone bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to a baby? This week, we’ll be talking about the myrrh and what it represented. And we’ll consider an even bigger ‘why’ question along the way... why was Jesus even born? Why did God send Him?
Someone Finally Understands MeThe GiftDecember11, 2022 The Amazon, UPS, USPS, and FedEx drivers are working around the clock this time of year making holiday deliveries. And if the traffic in and out of Keizer Station on the weekends is any indication, there’s a whole lot of people who are still working on their Christmas shopping. Gifts – both giving and receiving them – seem to be the centerpiece of the holiday season in our culture. But in a way, I think that’s appropriate. After all, the story of Christmas is all about the greatest gift ever given to mankind.Over the next three weeks, we will be taking a look at the gifts the wise men brought to the Christ Child in a new series called The Gift. Sometimes, I think familiarity with the Christmas story causes us to just read right past those three baby gifts without really thinking about them. I can’t imagine Mary putting those items on her Amazon wish list! Have you ever stopped to wonder why the wise men gave the things they did? How are gold, frankincense and myrrh even helpful for a new baby? Wouldn’t burp cloths, blankets and diapers make more sense? This week we’ll dig a little deeper into why frankincense was among the gifts given.What gifts are on your wish list this holiday season? Our wish is that you would join us at Dayspring this Christmas season as we celebrate the gift of Jesus!
Becoming VictoriousEphesians: Becoming Who You AreDecember 4, 2022Almost every Wednesday our staff spends time together praying for our Dayspring family. This week, as we reviewed the list of requests and shared concerns for family and friends, someone commented that it is definitely ‘sick season.’ Various versions of ‘the crud’ are going around – be it colds, the flu, covid, or whatever – lots of people are down with some sort of bug! When we get sick, there is a battle raging in our bodies. Though we can’t see it, we definitely feel the effects. Coughs, sore throats, body aches, fevers and other assorted symptoms alert us to the fact that something is amiss within. We respond by doing whatever we can to help our bodies fight off the offending invader. We rest, drink fluids, take medication, slurp chicken noodle soup and ginger ale... all in an effort to conquer the virus that’s trying to take us out. If good habits like exercise, drinking water, and a healthy diet are part of our everyday lives, we are better prepared to fight off the occasional illness. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are wrapping up our series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are this Sunday. As we come to the end of Paul’s letter, we find a prescription of sorts from Paul; instructions for fighting another kind of unseen battle - the spiritual one that rages all around us. Just like we take care of ourselves physically, in order to be healthy and strong, there are things we must do every day to be ready for the attacks that try to knock us down spiritually. In order to fight back against things like fear, doubt, discouragement, anger, or any of our enemy’s attempts to take us out, we must be prepared. Ready or not, you’re up against an enemy who wants to knock you out. Don’t be caught unprepared!
Becoming Imitators
Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are November 27, 2022 It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The idea behind this proverb has been around for centuries, but it was first popularized by English author Charles Caleb Colton who included it in a book of axioms and essays published in 1820. The word imitate means to follow or endeavor to follow as a model or example; to mimic or resemble.
I’m not much of an outdoorsy kind of guy. But let’s think about the sport of fly fishing for a minute. I do understand enough about it to know that the goal of the fisherman is to actually catch fish, not just whip his line back and forth on the river all day. According to the ‘experts’ at Wikipedia, a successful fly imitates something that the fisherman’s target species preys on. All successful fly patterns must imitate something to attract the fish to strike. So, to return to our proverb, the fly has been sufficiently flattered, enough to convince the fish to bite!
I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We’ve spent the last several weeks studying our way through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus in a series we’ve called Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. In the first half of the book Paul tells us what it means to be a Christian; helping us to understand who we are in Christ. Now, as we work our way toward Paul’s conclusion, we’re unpacking what it looks like to live out our identity as a follower of Jesus.
I invite you to join us this Sunday as we learn what it means to become imitators of Christ; to live out our faith in such an attractive and authentic way that others will be drawn to the Jesus they see in us. Enough so that they might “take the bait” so to speak.
Becoming Righteous
Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are November 20, 2022 In March of 2020 the world turned upside down and inside out. ‘Normal’ was redefined and daily rhythms reworked as we figured out how to do school from home, order groceries online, attend church via livestream, and of course, attempt to work remotely, surrounded by all the chaos. One thing that quickly became a part of our “new normal” was the Zoom call... the virtual meeting space where we could see and communicate with our people... family, classmates, friends and co-workers. The bulk of our personal interactions moved from in-person to online. Having the technology to maintain our connections while navigating the challenges of the pandemic was an incredible benefit. But occasionally, the Zoom window into our personal worlds allowed people to see a little more than they bargained for! For most of us, who we are and how we dress (or don’t, as the case may be) in the privacy of our homes is just a bit different than who we are with the whole wide world! Which made for some pretty awkward, but funny videos! Most of the time, we dress for the occasion. Although, I have seen the occasional pajamas and slippers at Target. But usually, we wear workout gear to the gym, swimsuits to the pool, fancy duds to prom or a night at the theater, and pajamas to bed. What we choose to put on is usually appropriate for whatever environment we’ll be in. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are working our way through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus in our series we’ve called Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week we’ll be unpacking what it looks like to ‘take off’ the garments of our old life – the old habits, old thinking, old attitudes that were part of our before-Jesus way of life - and put on the garments of our new life – new perspectives, new realities, new disciplines. In Christ, we are not who we once were. The old is gone, the new has come. Let’s be sure to ‘dress’ for who He has called us to be!
Becoming United Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are November 13, 2022 I love a good musical. My favorite is probably Singin’ In the Rain... or Seven Brides For Seven Brothers... or... My Fair Lady (which I get to see in Portland with my daughter next Spring!) ...there are just so many good ones! Another that would land in my top ten would be The Music Man... the classic with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I’ve worked with enough young interns to know that I can’t take anything for granted when it comes to the musical education of the younger generations. So, for those of you who have not yet seen this classic film, allow me to enlighten you. “Professor” Harold Hill arrives in River City, Iowa, posing as an organizer and leader of a boys' band. In reality, he’s a just a slick con man. He convinces the naïve townspeople to purchase band uniforms and instruments from him, while promising to train the young band members. But his real intentions are to skip town with their money. As you might expect, nothing goes as Professor Hill planned. I don’t want to spoil the ending for those of you who haven’t seen it. So, let’s just say that something special starts to happen when those boys put on their band uniforms. A new identity starts to be shaped, and there’s a transformation that begins to happen in the community. The boys are playing a variety of instruments – it’s not all trombones or cornets; each one playing at their own level of competence. But something about being part of the group, dressed in their uniforms but contributing their own unique ability to the band, creates something powerful among them. We are studying our way through the book of Ephesians in a series we’ve called, Becoming Who You Are. This week, we’ll be looking at the idea of unity – what it is, what it isn’t, and how we promote and protect it. At the end of the movie, we see the uniformity of the River City boys' band, as they march in formation, all dressed alike, steps in sync. But it’s their unity – being in tune with one another, playing at the same tempo, maintaining the same rhythm, and staggering their breathing, that matters most…each one playing their part and contributing to the performance of the song. The beautiful organism that we call the church is also filled with a diverse group of people…all crafted in the image of God…but with different backgrounds, a variety of giftings, and individual uniqueness. We are not the same, but the miracle of Jesus is that unity brings it all together.
Becoming Rooted
Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are November 6, 2022 If you’ve been around here very long, you know that I’m a sunshine and blue skies kind of guy. Summer is my favorite time of year. I am thankful that, for the most part, our typical rainy fall weather didn’t kick in until the end of October this year. Which made for a beautiful fall. We were treated to a gorgeous display of autumn glory as the leaves turned colors, creating a tapestry of vibrant red, yellow, and orange throughout our city. The changes we see in the trees as the seasons turn are pretty spectacular. But what is even more amazing is what is going on beneath the surface, where we can’t see! The root systems of trees are really just beginning to be understood by scientists. An online article published in Smithsonian Magazine by journalist Richard Grant outlines new discoveries about the incredible things that take place within the “wood-wide-web” beneath the forest floor, as groves of trees “communicate” with one another; sharing water and nutrients, sending distress signals about drought, disease, or insect attacks, and how other trees alter their behavior when they receive these messages. In the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, giant sequoia trees grow. They are on average 200-300 ft tall, have a diameter of 25 ft, and can live up to 3,000 years! Amazingly, the root systems of sequoia trees are not that deep, but they are intricately intertwined. Sequoias grow close to each other, and the networked effect of their matted roots provides incredible strength and stability to the Sequoias. It is a powerful reminder of the strength of the community. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in the middle of our series, Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week we’ll be taking a look at what it means for us as followers of Jesus to be deeply rooted in our faith. Strong, healthy roots enable us to thrive as we grow in relationship with Christ, as a community of believers, and as the body of Christ.
Becoming One Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are October 30, 2022 September 1938. Tension as thick as the London fog hung heavy over the city. Less than one generation away from the horrors of World War One, Britain teetered on the edge of yet another war. Six months earlier, Hitler had annexed Austria, laying claim to everyone and everything that could fuel his ruthless march toward the creation of a greater Germany. Now, he vowed to invade Czechoslovakia on October 1. Two days before Hitler’s promised invasion date, he agreed to meet with British Prime minister Neville Chamberlain, as well as Italy’s Mussolini and French leader Daladier. The negotiations resulted in an agreement, known as the Munich Pact, which ceded part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler’s control, as well as establishing a non-aggression pact between Germany and Britain. Returning to London, Chamberlain declared, “Peace for our time!” And for a brief moment, Londoners breathed easier. But five months later, in March of ’39, Hitler annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia before invading Poland in September. The peace agreement proved as flimsy as the paper it had been written on. On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes, “It seems that most peace missions fail. I read somewhere that from 1500 BC to 850 AD, there were 7,500 ‘eternal covenants’ agreed on among various nations with the hope of bringing peace; but none of them lasted longer than two years.” Today, headlines from around the world continue to be filled with reports of war... from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to civil wars in Yemen and Ethiopia, conflicts in Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Nigeria, the drug war in Mexico, threats and concerns from North Korea and China, and the ongoing worldwide war against terrorism. There are culture wars, political strife, racial tensions, generational divides, and religious conflicts. With the myriad of things that separate, segregate, and isolate people from one another, is there any hope for lasting peace? Every attempt seems doomed to fail. We are in week three of a series we’ve titled Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week, we’re taking a look at the greatest rescue mission in the history of the world. A mission that makes real peace possible. And not just possible but promised! Join us as we unpack the peace plan that God has put in place for you and for me. Peace, friend.
Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are October 23, 2022 Tony Merida, in his commentary on the book of Ephesians. recounts the story of eclectic English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who lived from 1748-1832. Merida writes, “He was an interesting figure in more ways than one. In Bentham’s will he apparently left a fortune to a London hospital. But there was one condition: Bentham was to be present at every board meeting. Reportedly, for more than 100 years, the remains of Jeremy Bentham were wheeled into the boardroom every month and placed at the head of the table. His skeleton was dressed with seventeenth-century garb, along with a hat, which sat on his wax head. In the minutes of every board meeting, a line read, “Mr. Jeremy Bentham, present but not voting.” Of course, he never voted because he had been dead since 1832!” I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in the second week of our new series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week, we’re unpacking the truth of what it means to be “alive in Christ.” Paul, writing to the Ephesians, says, “when we were spiritually dead, God made us alive with Christ.” To our human way of thinking, death follows life, not the other way around. But Paul wants us to see that from God’s perspective, we were “present but not voting,” physically alive, but spiritually dead, until God gave us new - everlasting - life in Jesus Christ.
Becoming Secure Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are October 16, 2022 I would wager to guess that just about everyone watching this video has looked in a mirror at least once today. Imagine if you crawled out of bed one morning and, after making your way to bathroom, looked in the mirror and discovered that your reflection was distorted – like the image you might see in a funhouse mirror. Perhaps your nose looks too big, or your forehead too narrow, or your eyes too round. Would you wonder what was wrong with the mirror? Or would you wonder what had happened to yourself? We’re launching a new sermon series this weekend on the book of Ephesians; a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the city of Ephesus. The series is titled: Becoming Who You Are. The book of Ephesians deals with topics that are at the very core of what it means to be a Christian; on who we are in Christ and what it should look like to live out our identity as a follower of Jesus; to not just be a believer – knowing truth – but a follower, who lives it out. Join us as we dig into the rich truths of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and discover the timeless truths that God has for us, as we live out our calling as followers of Christ in our culture and community.
Healthy Correction: Stop Being So Nice Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth October 9, 2022 In Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s novel, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” The cat replies, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” Good point. But to Alice’s credit, at least she was willing to ask for some input! An article on the ABC News website states that according to research from AAA, people older than 55 generally have the best sense of direction, getting lost just 26 times a year, on average. Which is surprisingly better than the satellite-navigation generation -- drivers younger than 25 got lost, on average, 37 times a year. Sooner or later, we all need input as we navigate the challenges of life. Having the benefit of another’s perspective can help us figure out which way to go, what step to take, what correction to make, if we’re willing to listen. We are wrapping up our series, Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth this Sunday. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at how God has wired our brains for character formation, and the conditions we need to cultivate in our lives, in order for us to increasingly align the core of who we are with the character of Jesus. This week, we’re looking at the last of four essential nutrients for effective character formation: healthy correction. It’s the kind of input we all need. The kind that’s rooted in joy, saturated with hesed, and flourishes in a strong community. It’s something we all want – whether you know it or not.
Group Identity: What Kind Of People Are We?
Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth October 2, 2022 If you’ve ever driven Interstate 5 on an autumn Saturday in the Willamette Valley, you know that the freeways are often filled with vehicles decked out in the colors of the Oregon State Beavers or the Mighty Oregon Ducks. Beaver fans in black and orange, with flags, signs, and pompoms head for Reser Stadium. If you’re a Beaver fan, I commend you. You’re incredibly resilient. Being resilient takes practice, and you’ve had plenty of opportunities to develop yours over the years! And Beaver fans are loyal, which is another admirable trait. Lose or lose, you hang in there, cheering your team on. You know what it means to be a Beaver Believer and you are all in. Way to go. All kidding aside, the Beavs are off to a great start this season and I’m rooting for you...really... at least until November 26. If you’re an Oregon Duck fan, your entire fall wardrobe is green and gold; you might wear black, but only with green, never orange. You don’t even own anything orange! You only wear Nikes, and your favorite workout is doing pushups. You know a ‘quack attack’ isn’t a medical condition, and that it never rains at Autzen Stadium. And you definitely know what this means. And you...are...LOUD! Seriously loud! You know what it means to be Quacker Backers and you are HERE for it! Go Ducks!! I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in week 4 of our series, Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at how God designed our brains and how that design impacts our spiritual growth. We’ve learned about two essential nutrients that we need for living a transformed life and this week we’ll be looking at a third: group identity. Even in a culture as fiercely independent and individualistic as ours is, we all have a deep desire to belong, to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to identify and affiliate with others. And those with whom we choose to identify, shape who we become in profound and powerful ways.
Whether you’re a Beaver, Duck, Platypus, or even a Huskie... all are welcome at Dayspring. I hope you’ll join us!
Hesed: Our Relational Glue
Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth September 25, 2022 It was invented by accident in 1942. Working with a team of researchers, Dr. Harry Coover was experimenting with chemicals known as cyanoacrylates. They were working to create a clear plastic that could be used for precision gunsights by soldiers in WW II. As they worked, they discovered that the chemicals were exceptionally sticky, which made them very difficult to work with! They stuck to absolutely everything! The cyanoacrylates were rejected as a workable substance for the project, so researchers moved on to other options. It wasn’t until 1951, while working for Kodak’s chemical division, that Coover rediscovered cyanoacrylates and realized these sticky adhesives had some unique properties; specifically, they bonded without any need for heat or pressure. He and his team tried the substance with a variety of items; and every time, the items became permanently bonded together. In 1958 this ultra-sticky stuff was refined and packaged for commercial use under the name “Eastman 910.” Today, Super Glue is a widely used, fast-bonding, high-strength, instant adhesive engineered to bond almost any material. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This is the third week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. We are learning some fascinating things about how God designed our brains and the way our brains impact our spiritual development. We’re also learning how to cultivate the kind of mental and emotional environment that fosters deep spiritual transformation. Last week we talked about joy. This week it’s all about love. Not your run-of-the-mill, everyday, “I love bacon” or “I love those shoes” or even, “I love the Oregon Ducks,” kind of love. This is an incredibly strong, super “sticky” kind of love... a kind that creates unbreakable bonds between people. It’s called “hesed.” And it’s a love like no other. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday. I would love to worship with you!
Hesed: Our Relational Glue
Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth September 25, 2022 It was invented by accident in 1942. Working with a team of researchers, Dr. Harry Coover was experimenting with chemicals known as cyanoacrylates. They were working to create a clear plastic that could be used for precision gunsights by soldiers in WW II. As they worked, they discovered that the chemicals were exceptionally sticky, which made them very difficult to work with! They stuck to absolutely everything! The cyanoacrylates were rejected as a workable substance for the project, so researchers moved on to other options. It wasn’t until 1951, while working for Kodak’s chemical division, that Coover rediscovered cyanoacrylates and realized these sticky adhesives had some unique properties; specifically, they bonded without any need for heat or pressure. He and his team tried the substance with a variety of items; and every time, the items became permanently bonded together. In 1958 this ultra-sticky stuff was refined and packaged for commercial use under the name “Eastman 910.” Today, Super Glue is a widely used, fast-bonding, high-strength, instant adhesive engineered to bond almost any material. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This is the third week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. We are learning some fascinating things about how God designed our brains and the way our brains impact our spiritual development. We’re also learning how to cultivate the kind of mental and emotional environment that fosters deep spiritual transformation. Last week we talked about joy. This week it’s all about love. Not your run-of-the-mill, everyday, “I love bacon” or “I love those shoes” or even, “I love the Oregon Ducks,” kind of love. This is an incredibly strong, super “sticky” kind of love... a kind that creates unbreakable bonds between people. It’s called “hesed.” And it’s a love like no other. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday. I would love to worship with you!
Joy Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth September 18, 2022 Joy. Oh joy. Joy is what brings us together today. I’ve got joy. Joy, joy, joy, joy... down in my heart. Waaaaay down in my heart. That’s where I keep it. I’m saving it for a rainy day. It’s tucked away, safe and sound. You never know when you might need it and I don’t want to run out. Ok... that was hard! I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. And those of you who know me, know that I’m a lot more like Tigger than Eeyore! But for all the talk and singing and scripture about joy that is deeply embedded in our faith, a lot of Christ followers have neglected to let it show on their faces! Organization guru, Marie Kondo is known for asking “Does it spark joy?” when helping people decide how to declutter their home or work environment. The implication is that our joy is fueled by the things around us, the stuff we’ve acquired. When it no longer sparks joy, get rid of it and find something new. And if you look at the spending habits of people all over the world, it’s easy to see that most people have bought in (pun totally intended) to that idea... that stuff is where we find our joy. But I beg to differ.
We are in the second week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at how the brain works and the four ingredients that are essential for effective spiritual transformation. This week we are talking about joy. Real joy... where it comes from, how we get it and how we increase it. And just so you know, it’s not available on Amazon. I’ve got the joy! Do you?
Joy Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth September 18, 2022 Joy. Oh joy. Joy is what brings us together today. I’ve got joy. Joy, joy, joy, joy... down in my heart. Waaaaay down in my heart. That’s where I keep it. I’m saving it for a rainy day. It’s tucked away, safe and sound. You never know when you might need it and I don’t want to run out. Ok... that was hard! I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. And those of you who know me, know that I’m a lot more like Tigger than Eeyore! But for all the talk and singing and scripture about joy that is deeply embedded in our faith, a lot of Christ followers have neglected to let it show on their faces! Organization guru, Marie Kondo is known for asking “Does it spark joy?” when helping people decide how to declutter their home or work environment. The implication is that our joy is fueled by the things around us, the stuff we’ve acquired. When it no longer sparks joy, get rid of it and find something new. And if you look at the spending habits of people all over the world, it’s easy to see that most people have bought in (pun totally intended) to that idea... that stuff is where we find our joy. But I beg to differ.
We are in the second week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at how the brain works and the four ingredients that are essential for effective spiritual transformation. This week we are talking about joy. Real joy... where it comes from, how we get it and how we increase it. And just so you know, it’s not available on Amazon. I’ve got the joy! Do you?
How Do People Grow? Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth September 11, 2022 Gardening season in our area is coming to a close. The skies have been a little dusty lately as farmers across the Willamette Valley have been harvesting crops and mowing fields. The local fruit stands are filled with late summer produce; and for those who enjoy preserving the season’s bounty, this is a busy time of canning, freezing, and drying all sorts of deliciousness from the garden. Raise your hand if you enjoy gardening. Oh... well, I guess that doesn’t work as well online as it does in person. How about comment below if you enjoy gardening and tell us what your garden has produced this year! Gardening would not be on my list of favorite ways to spend my free time. It’s just not my thing. I do have a few strawberry plants in the backyard, though that’s mostly so I can enjoy them with my granddaughter, Avery. But I’m certainly thankful for the people in my life who bless me with the literal fruits of their gardening labors! And I do know that beautiful blueberries, delicious raspberries and vine-ripened tomatoes don’t just magically appear. To produce the fruit or veggies you want, you need to invest time and energy creating the right conditions for a good harvest. In much the same way, growth in other areas of life must be intentionally cultivated. Wishing you were stronger won’t make it so. Hoping to increase your bank balance won’t help your bottom line. Growth in just about every area of life requires effort. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This week we’re beginning a new sermon series called Wired – Brain Science & Spiritual Growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at the amazing way that God has wired our brains for growth and what we can do to cultivate the healthy soil we need to thrive as God intended! Understanding how God has created our brains will enable us to experience greater, deeper, and more lasting transformation as followers of Jesus. And that’s what we’re all about... becoming more like Him. It’s an incredible journey.
How Do People Grow? Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth September 11, 2022 Gardening season in our area is coming to a close. The skies have been a little dusty lately as farmers across the Willamette Valley have been harvesting crops and mowing fields. The local fruit stands are filled with late summer produce; and for those who enjoy preserving the season’s bounty, this is a busy time of canning, freezing, and drying all sorts of deliciousness from the garden. Raise your hand if you enjoy gardening. Oh... well, I guess that doesn’t work as well online as it does in person. How about comment below if you enjoy gardening and tell us what your garden has produced this year! Gardening would not be on my list of favorite ways to spend my free time. It’s just not my thing. I do have a few strawberry plants in the backyard, though that’s mostly so I can enjoy them with my granddaughter, Avery. But I’m certainly thankful for the people in my life who bless me with the literal fruits of their gardening labors! And I do know that beautiful blueberries, delicious raspberries and vine-ripened tomatoes don’t just magically appear. To produce the fruit or veggies you want, you need to invest time and energy creating the right conditions for a good harvest. In much the same way, growth in other areas of life must be intentionally cultivated. Wishing you were stronger won’t make it so. Hoping to increase your bank balance won’t help your bottom line. Growth in just about every area of life requires effort. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This week we’re beginning a new sermon series called Wired – Brain Science & Spiritual Growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at the amazing way that God has wired our brains for growth and what we can do to cultivate the healthy soil we need to thrive as God intended! Understanding how God has created our brains will enable us to experience greater, deeper, and more lasting transformation as followers of Jesus. And that’s what we’re all about... becoming more like Him. It’s an incredible journey.
Final Words Harnessing the Power of Words September 4, 2022 If the search engine results on ‘Famous Last Words’ are any indication, there is an enormous fascination with the final utterances of those who have died. So, what’s the big deal with last words? We spend all day, every day, speaking, thinking, and listening to words. From meaningless chatter, observations about the weather, and bad jokes, to friendly banter, productive dialog, and words of encouragement, we are constantly communicating, in one way or another. Why would last words be so significant? What would you say if you had the luxury of knowing the next words you speak would be your last? And maybe that’s it... it would be a luxury, because, often, there’s no way to know. In 1776, Revolutionary War spy Nathan Hale was hanged by the British after he was captured during a failed espionage mission in Long Island. He had a pretty good idea that his end was coming. His famous last words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Drummer Buddy Rich died after surgery in 1987. As he was being prepped for surgery, a nurse asked him, “Is there anything you can’t take?” Rich replied, “Yeah, country music.” I’m with ya on that one, Buddy. But I wonder, might he have said something else if he’d had an inkling that those words would be his last? In 2008, American rock and roll icon Bo Diddley, on his deathbed, died giving a thumbs-up as he listened to the song “Walk Around Heaven.” His last word was “Wow.” Richard B. Mellon, a multimillionaire, was the president of American aluminum producing giant, Alcoa. He and his brother Andrew had a little game of tag going for about seven decades. As Richard was dying, he called his brother over and whispered, “Last tag.” Andrew remained “it” for four years, until he died. Richard’s last words seem carefully chosen. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We’re wrapping up our series, Harnessing the Power of Words, this Sunday. While I have no reason to believe this would be my final message, I do have the ‘luxury’ of knowing it Is the end of this series! I would venture to say that our words are one of the most powerful resources God has given us. I hope you’ll join us as we consider some final thoughts about how we can use our words to build up, encourage, bless, and bring life to the people around us. I hope you’ll join us as together we grow to be more like Jesus - harnessing the power of words and speaking hope and life into our world.
Final Words Harnessing the Power of Words September 4, 2022 If the search engine results on ‘Famous Last Words’ are any indication, there is an enormous fascination with the final utterances of those who have died. So, what’s the big deal with last words? We spend all day, every day, speaking, thinking, and listening to words. From meaningless chatter, observations about the weather, and bad jokes, to friendly banter, productive dialog, and words of encouragement, we are constantly communicating, in one way or another. Why would last words be so significant? What would you say if you had the luxury of knowing the next words you speak would be your last? And maybe that’s it... it would be a luxury, because, often, there’s no way to know. In 1776, Revolutionary War spy Nathan Hale was hanged by the British after he was captured during a failed espionage mission in Long Island. He had a pretty good idea that his end was coming. His famous last words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Drummer Buddy Rich died after surgery in 1987. As he was being prepped for surgery, a nurse asked him, “Is there anything you can’t take?” Rich replied, “Yeah, country music.” I’m with ya on that one, Buddy. But I wonder, might he have said something else if he’d had an inkling that those words would be his last? In 2008, American rock and roll icon Bo Diddley, on his deathbed, died giving a thumbs-up as he listened to the song “Walk Around Heaven.” His last word was “Wow.” Richard B. Mellon, a multimillionaire, was the president of American aluminum producing giant, Alcoa. He and his brother Andrew had a little game of tag going for about seven decades. As Richard was dying, he called his brother over and whispered, “Last tag.” Andrew remained “it” for four years, until he died. Richard’s last words seem carefully chosen. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We’re wrapping up our series, Harnessing the Power of Words, this Sunday. While I have no reason to believe this would be my final message, I do have the ‘luxury’ of knowing it Is the end of this series! I would venture to say that our words are one of the most powerful resources God has given us. I hope you’ll join us as we consider some final thoughts about how we can use our words to build up, encourage, bless, and bring life to the people around us. I hope you’ll join us as together we grow to be more like Jesus - harnessing the power of words and speaking hope and life into our world.
Can We Talk? Harnessing the Power of Words August 28, 2022 Imagine with me for a moment... You’re short on time. You’re leaving, parting ways, it’s hasta la vista, baby. Could be that you’re just headed to bed or taking off on a weekend road trip; maybe you’re moving to another part of the country or a different one altogether; or perhaps you know that you’re coming to the end of your life (as all of us will, sooner or later). Every night, before I go to sleep, I say, “I love you,” to DeeDee. I know it’s kind of a gruesome thought; but, if she were to die in her sleep, she would die knowing I loved her; and if I died in my sleep, those would be the last words seared into her memory…haunting her for the rest of her days. In every “leaving” scenario, there are words that should be said; it might be instructions to give, cautions to share, values to communicate, or a relationship to mend. What things would be most important for you to say to the people in your life if you were leaving them behind, whether for an evening, a week, a year, or indefinitely? What would you want them to know? On the eve of Jesus’ execution, He spent time praying to His Father, talking about the things that mattered most to Him. He had spent three years speaking truth, hope and life into His closest friends. So, in His final hours, what was His greatest concern leading up to His execution? What did He most want to say? In John 17, Jesus, praying over His disciples, says, “Father... I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one...I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me...” Three times Jesus prays for unity among His disciples; and not just the small group who are gathered around Him in that moment, but He asks for unity among “those who will believe in me through their message.” That includes you and me! Unity was what mattered most to Jesus. Unity was what would spread His message to the world. If unity was such a big deal to Jesus, don’t you think we should do whatever is necessary to cultivate and protect it? In order to do that, we must love each other the way Jesus loves us, in the ways we treat one another and how we speak to one another. And it means that when unity is threatened…we must courageously wade into hard conversations to restore peace. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. We are in week 4 of our series, Harnessing the Power of Words. We’ve covered a lot of ground already; but as we come to this week, we’re going to unpack what it looks like to have hard conversation with a higher purpose…or, as I like to call them, redemptive conversations. We’ll look at how to navigate those conversations in a healthy way and why doing so is so important. Our words matter. Let’s learn to use them in ways that reveal the heart of Jesus to our world!
Close The Gap Harnessing the Power of Words August 21, 2022 The purpose of a bridge is to allow people or cargo easy passage over an obstacle by providing a route that would otherwise be incredibly difficult or impossible. The obstacle might be small, like a creek or stream, or it could be something larger; a deep canyon like the Royal Gorge in Colorado, or a mighty river like the Columbia here in Oregon. The obstacle creates a chasm or gap that separates one side from the other. In order to cross, we need a bridge. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in week 3 of our series Harnessing the Power of Words. Much like the landscapes of our world, our relationships can be scarred by obstacles that create gaps in communication and understanding between people. Which can turn into distance or even disconnection from people we love. If the gaps are small, we might be able to bridge over them easily. But if the span between people has grown and the distance is significant, bridging the gap will require effort. But as the bridge photos reveal, even monumental gaps can be successfully bridged, with the right tools, skills, and time. I invite you to join us as we look at what God’s Word has to say about navigating the gaps in our relationships and how we can learn to communicate in ways that will help us close the gaps.
Careless Words Harnessing the Power of Words August 14, 2022 I think I’m pretty good with words. I’m an avid reader, which has helped me develop a good vocabulary. But recently I ran across an article from Reader’s Digest titled 100 Funny Words You Probably Don’t Know. Ok... challenge accepted. Let’s see if you know any of these... Octothorpe. You may not know what it means, but I bet you know what it is. You probably call this symbol a pound sign or a hashtag—but its “official” name is an octothorpe! Collywobbles. This word is used to describe nausea and bellyaches. Next time you want to show off your repertoire of amazing words, tell your boss that you’ve got a case of the collywobbles and can’t come to work tomorrow. Or how about smicker? This word is like if “ogle” had an affectionate and innocent counterpart. To smicker at something means you are admiring a person, and it’s visible from your expression. Crapulence is a lack of self-restraint, especially when drinking. Next time you’re on a night out, don’t let your crapulence get the best of you.
If you actually used any of these or the other 96 weird words on the Reader’s Digest list in a conversation, you’d probably choose them very intentionally. Most of us just don’t think that much about what comes out of our mouths. We throw words around, speaking without really thinking. And sometimes it gets us in trouble. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in week 2 of our series Harnessing the Power of Words. This week we’ll be considering what the Bible has to say about careless words. Sometimes, our words are careless because we let words fly out of our mouths before we really give them much thought. Other times, we let them fly when we could really care less how they impact the person we’re talking to or about. God’s Word has a lot to say about how we wield our words. Just like every resource God has given us, we are responsible to use words wisely.
You Don't Say Harnessing the Power of Words August 7, 2022 Fifty years ago this month, the Disney classic Bambi was released. In the movie, Thumper, Bambi’s little rabbit sidekick, says a line that’s become rather famous. In fact, it’s actually called The Thumper Rule. I’m sure you’ve heard it, even if you didn’t see the movie! Maybe your mom said it when you were squabbling with your siblings. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.” Not bad advice, for a bunny! But a 2005 study by Robert Schrauf, an anthropologist and professor of applied linguistics at Penn State, revealed that regardless of age or culture, people have far more words in their vocabulary that express negative rather than positive emotions. In his study, Schrauf says, "Half – 50 percent – of all the words that people produce from their working vocabulary to express emotion are negative... only 30 percent are positive and 20 percent are neutral." Apparently, though we’ve all heard The Thumper Rule, we haven’t figured out how to apply it! I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. This week we’re beginning a brand-new series called Harnessing the Power of Words. The author of an online article wrote: Moment by moment we are interacting with ourselves and others using language. We take what we know from our upbringing, what we regularly see and hear in our lives, and the words from the media we ingest and it becomes how we are able to express ourselves. Over the next five weeks, we will be looking at what the Bible has to say about our words and how we use them. I invite you to join us as we journey together to a deeper understanding of how to use our words to bless and encourage others, rather than to discourage or destroy them. The writer of Proverbs 18 said that, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue...” If that is true, don’t you think we should know how to better use it?
When Dreams Can't Come True Love, Dates & Heartbreaks July 31, 2022 I’ve never met a kid who didn’t have a dream or two, or twelve, for their future. Even if they can’t put it into words; even if their answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is “I don’t know,” at some level they DO know that they want what every child wants... to belong. To someone, somewhere. We all want to be wanted. When our daughter, Lexi, was little, she loved to dress up as a princess, playing, pretending and dreaming about her future prince. No kid dreams about growing up and being alone. Because we all want to be wanted. But childhood dreams don’t always come true. And even if, eventually, you found your prince or princess, it probably didn’t happen without some heartbreak along the way. And we all know that even healthy relationships have their fair share of heartache. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are wrapping up our series, Love, Dates & Heartbreaks this Sunday. Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about loving our people the way Jesus does, and what it means to date in a different direction than our culture. But we all know that even the best relationships take work; and even when you make the effort, you don’t always get a fairytale ending. Sometimes the magic wears off, the princess stumbles and loses a shoe, or the prince falls off his horse and dreams get shattered. Perhaps you’re facing heartbreak right now. Or maybe you’ve had more than your fair share and you’ve just decided to tap out of the relationship game. Because it’s just too hard and hurts too much. Or maybe you care about someone who’s in that place. I encourage you to join us this Sunday as we consider what God wants us to know about navigating heartbreak. The reality is that sooner or later, in one way or another, we all face heartbreak. But our hearts don’t have to stay that way and you don’t have to face it alone.
Groundhog Date Love, Dates & Heartbreaks July 24, 2022 You’ve probably heard it said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Humans are creatures of habit. Those habits we live by can either be good ones; or, as is often the case, they can be not-so-good ones. The development of habits, whether they are good or bad, is the same... you keep repeating the same behavior, making the same choice, over and over and over. Eventually, your repeated choice creates a pathway in your brain – just like repeated footsteps create a path in the woods – that leads you to a particular destination or result. If you want to get to a different destination, you’re going to need to take a different path. But clearing and creating a new path is hard work! I have a habit of working out every weekday. Some days I run; other days I go to the gym. Recently, I shared that I have a new fitness goal... to be able to do one handstand push-up by the end of summer. If I continue to just do my ‘default’ workout routine, it’s very unlikely that I’ll achieve my goal. Running won’t increase my upper body strength at all. Though it’s a good habit, it won’t get me where I want to go. Even if I increase my distance or improve my pace, becoming a better runner won’t help me accomplish that handstand push-up. I must do something different if I want a different kind of outcome. We are in week four of our series, Love, Dates and Heartbreaks. Do you find yourself stuck in a rut, relationally speaking? Are you hoping for a different result with your next relationship? Or just hoping that something will change in your current one? If you want a different outcome, you’re gonna need a different strategy! I’m gonna accomplish that handstand push-up. I’ve made some changes to my routine; I’m doing things a little bit differently. Is it easy? Of course not. I have to think a bit differently, and not just rely on my old habits. But I want the outcome enough to make the changes. Do you?
Five Rules For Dating Love, Dates & Heartbreaks July 17, 2022 It seems as if there are rules about absolutely everything. Every family has their own household rules. Things like, “If you made the mess, you clean it up.” Or, “No cell phones at the dinner table.” Maybe, “Homework before screen time.” You know what I mean. Every sport has rules. There are rules for driving, rules for grammar, rules of law, and rules for games. If you’re playing dominoes at my house, I don’t care what the rules on the box say, we’re playing by Voigt rules! Which brings up an interesting point... rules can change from one place to another. There are differences between the driving rules in Italy versus the United States versus Peru. Actually, in Lima the rules are more like suggestions, but you get the point. It’s important to know and follow the rules that apply in your setting. The word ‘rule’ can be traced back to the Latin word ‘regula’ which meant ‘straight stick, bar, or ruler.’ The root word, reg, means ‘to move or direct in a straight line.’ Have you ever bought what we commonly refer to as notebook paper when stocking up on school supplies for your kids? It comes in wide-ruled or college-ruled. Ruled refers to the straight lines printed on the paper. Rules tell us which way to go. Where to write on the paper, which lane to drive in, or what you must do when you’re down to your last domino. And if you don’t... there’s a price to pay.
We are working our way through a five-week series called, Love, Dates & Heartbreaks. We’ve spent a couple weeks talking about love. This week we’re taking a look at five rules for dating. As with all the other types of rules we’ve considered, these rules for dating have a purpose; they are intended to help you know which way to go when it comes to building a relationship with a potential romantic partner. I suppose you could just wing it... but successful relationships are cultivated intentionally. Even if all you turn out to be is friends, don’t you want to develop that friendship in a healthy way? I don’t know anyone who is anxious to leave a string of broken relationships in their wake. No rules relationships result in heartache. But choosing to play by these dating rules will help you build connections that will allow both you and your significant other to thrive, regardless of how you ultimately define your relationship. Healthy relationships are worth the work. Let’s play by the rules.
The Fine Print Love, Dates & Heartbreaks July 10, 2022 Between the German fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm and classic Disney princess movies, the phrases “Once upon a time...” and “...they lived happily ever after” have pre-disposed generations of girls and boys to believe that happy endings require only a little bibbity bobbity boo and a sprinkle of magic. And though we all know that to be successful, real-life relationships require a lot more than that, somehow, we seem to think that we can have the fairy tale ending as long as we find the right person and wish upon a star. There’s just something about the idea of having to work to build a great relationship that sounds so... unromantic. But in the real world, if we want the fairy tale, we need to know how to navigate the gap between once upon a time and happily ever after. Last week we began a 5-part series called Love, Dates & Heartbreaks. We’re looking at what it really takes to build and sustain healthy, successful relationships so that your chances of a “happily ever after” are more than just a wish your heart makes. I invite you to join us on Sunday as we dive a little deeper into what it really means to love well. Relationships, whether you’re actively dating, waiting, or married, can be successful, rewarding, and deeply satisfying. It will require a bit more than a few magic words and some pixie dust, but the benefits are more than worth the effort! Let’s figure it out together!
The Right Person Myth Love, Dates & Heartbreaks July 3, 2022 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach... These opening lines of Sonnet 43 are often wrongly attributed to Shakespeare. But William didn’t have a monopoly on the writing of sonnets or the topic of love. Sonnet 43, more commonly known as How Do I Love Thee was written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. She wrote the poem to the man who would become her husband, Robert. The year was 1844 and Elizabeth was one of the most well-known and best-selling writers in England. The popular, handsome and younger Robert Browning, who was also a poet, decided he wanted to meet her. She agreed and upon meeting, they talked together for hours. Their connection deepened as they began corresponding with long, passionate letters. Elizabeth and Robert were in love. This week we’re beginning a 5-part series called Love, Dates & Heartbreaks. We all know it’s complicated. Love…complicated. Dating…complicated. Heartbreaks…complicated. No matter if you’re married, single, divorced, or remarried, relationships are just complicated. This series can help you get it right. As for Elizabeth and Robert...well, they were an odd pair. Robert was six years younger, handsome, fit, healthy, and socially well connected. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was practically confined to bed with a serious respiratory condition and a spinal problem. To make things even more complicated, Elizabeth’s father refused to allow any of his 12 children to court (that’s the Victorian word for ‘date’) or to marry! And if they did, he disinherited them! But, undaunted and deeply in love, the young couple secretly courted for two years, then quietly married. Sadly, Elizabeth was disinherited by her father. She and Robert went to live in Italy, and historians tell us she never spoke to her father again. Love is complicated. Relationships are complicated. But the good news is that they don’t have to be! I invite you to join us as we take a look at the whole topic of relationships and how to make sure yours are healthy.
Giving Peace Away Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World June 26, 2022 After the last couple of years, most of us have become hyper-sensitive to the thought of being ‘contagious.’ No matter what you believe about the source of Covid, the government response to Covid, masks, quarantines, lockdowns, and vaccinations, I think we can all agree that this ‘bug’ is contagious. The thing about having something that is contagious is that if you have it, you almost can’t help but share it. Unless you do something very intentional to stop the spread, it’s gonna get out! And that’s really the whole ‘problem’ if you want to think about it that way. Those communicable things inside us leak out in one way or another and spread to other people. Usually, we think of being contagious as a bad thing. But yawning is contagious. And laughter can be contagious. Aren’t we all drawn to people who make us feel good? Their positivity can be contagious! And isn’t it easier to keep working on a project if you have someone working with you? Someone else’s energy can keep you motivated! Being contagious means you’re spreading something to another person either by direct or indirect contact which is, then, likely to spread to and affect others. We are wrapping up our series Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World this week by taking a look at how we can be agents of peace in a world that is desperately in need of it. It’s not just germs that are transmissible. We can also choose to ‘infect’ those around us with good things! Things like laughter, hope, energy, and love. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we consider how to contaminate our world with the contagion of peace!
Growing Peace Within Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World June 19, 2022 The Willamette Valley in Oregon is known as the grass seed capital of the world. Not so good news for those of us who suffer with allergies to grass pollen, this time of year can be downright miserable! But did you know that the Willamette Valley is perhaps the most diverse agricultural region on earth, producing more than 170 different crops? In addition to grass seed, the growing conditions of our area are also excellent for a wide variety of vegetables, tree fruits, berries, hazelnuts, wine grapes, hops, grain, hay, peppermint, and Christmas trees. In other parts of Oregon, crops such as pears, apples, wheat, corn, watermelon, sugar beets, garlic, onions and cranberries are produced. But did you notice that certain things grow better in certain areas? And nowhere on the list of crops in Oregon will you find things like coconuts, pineapples, oranges, papayas or mangoes. That’s because the conditions in Oregon aren’t naturally suited to producing those things. A friend of mine has a greenhouse on his farm where he is growing and harvesting Meyer lemons, limes, and tangerines. He’s made the effort to create the right conditions to produce fruit, even when the environment isn’t hospitable to growing them. It didn’t happen by accident; he intentionally designed the conditions needed to produce what he wanted to grow. We are in week 3 of our 4-week series, Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World. I invite you to join us this week as we take a look at what it means to cultivate the right conditions for peace to grow in our lives. Yes, the Holy Spirit gives us peace; but there are also ways that we can intentionally arrange our lives to be more conducive to experiencing peace regardless of our daily circumstances.
Aligning For Peace Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World June 12, 2022 When we use the word ‘true,’ we most often use it to mean the opposite of ‘false.’ But like many words in our English language, ‘true’ has more than one meaning. In the construction world, ‘true’ means that everything is lined up correctly. All of your lines should be perfectly vertical (or plumb), horizontal (or level), and every corner should be exactly 90 degrees (square). If everything is ‘true,’ then whatever you’re building won’t be slanted, tilted or sloped. If nothing is leaning in any direction, everything will line up straight; and whatever you’re constructing will be ‘true.’ For most people, it’s hard enough just to draw a straight line, much less build something that’s straight. And you can’t just assume your building materials themselves aren’t crooked. So, how can you know whether your lines are accurate and everything is aligned correctly? Well, there’s a handy dandy tool called a level. Actually, there are several different kinds of levels, and the one you choose to use depends on the kind of job you are doing. But the principle of a level – whether it’s a torpedo level, a carpenter’s level, a string line, laser, plumb bob, bull’s eye, angle, or post level – is the same: to make sure that every component of your project aligns the way it should. This week, as we continue in our series, Peaceless: Finding Peace In a Peaceless World, we’ll be taking a look at the importance of knowing what is true, how we can make sure our lives are in alignment with that truth, and how that alignment impacts our peace. Peace is not just possible; it’s promised to us by God. Let’s discover how to experience it to the fullest together.
What Is Peace? Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World June 5, 2022 We all want it, but you can’t just order it from Amazon or pick it up at the store on your way home from work. In fact, you can’t buy it, but it can be stolen; you can’t borrow it, but you can make it! Once you’ve got it, keeping it can be a challenge. Do you know what it is?
Close your eyes for just a minute. What images come to mind when you hear these phrases?
“Peace and quiet.” “Peace of mind.” “Give peace a chance.” “Peace out!”
What everyone wants but all struggle to find is real, lasting peace.
Wikipedia defines peace as, “A concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups.”
I guess that’s a good enough place to start; of course, we all want our lives to be free of conflict, hostility, violence and filled with friendship and harmony. But is that really all there is to peace? Is peace just learning how to get along and play nicely with one another? Or is there something more, something deeper we need to understand about peace? Where does peace come from? How can we get it? And once we have it, how can we keep it?
Join us as we begin a four-week series called Peaceless: Finding Peace in a Peaceless World. We live in a culture that is driven by fear and anxiety. We’re bombarded daily by headlines that inform and overwhelm us with the latest crisis and constant chaos. With so much that seems out of control, is peace even a possibility in our world?
The good news is that real peace is available. Join us as we discover where to find it together.
Resurrection & Transformation The Gospel of John May 29, 2022 Most people are resistant to change. Granted, there are a few of you weirdos out there who get excited about it; but most of the time that excitement is due to the fact that you are the one facilitating or initiating the change. For the most part, we are rhythmic creatures who prefer familiarity, comfort, security and routine, even if those rhythms might be detrimental to us. And there’s a reason for that. Our brains are hardwired to resist change. There’s a part of the brain called the amygdala that interprets change as a threat and signals the release of hormones that cause us to respond to that ‘threat’ in one of three ways: fear, fight, or flight. But what would life be like if we didn’t welcome change; if everything, including you and I, just stayed the same? What if ancient Greek astronomer Eratosthenes hadn’t questioned the idea that the earth was flat and discovered that, instead, it was round? What if people like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison hadn’t figured out how to harness the power of electricity? Or what might our world be like if Alexander Fleming hadn’t discovered penicillin? Communication would certainly be different without Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone.
And I, for one, am very thankful for the changes in transportation that people like Henry Ford and the Wright brothers brought about. This Sunday we are wrapping up our series on the gospel of John. With the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples’ world was radically changed; and from their perspective, not in a good way! I invite you to join us this Sunday as we take a deeper look at what changed with the death and resurrection of Jesus and how those changes were incredibly good... for the disciples then and for us, today. Sometimes change can be a very good thing. Will you respond with fear, fight, flight, or faith?
The Cross The Gospel of John May 22, 2022 The odds are good that you have at least one. Most people do. Studies show that 8 out of 10 Americans have them and most frequently keep them in their kitchens. But it’s not unique to us...people in other countries and cultures have them as well. What is it? The infamous junk drawer. A whole myriad of things seem to end up in the junk drawer. Things we don’t know what to do with or don’t want to take the time to deal with. It’s just easier to toss it - whatever IT is – in the junk drawer rather than taking the time to make a decision about where it should go. Junk drawers are the catch-all for the debris of daily life. They’re filled with pens, paper clips, old birthday candles, and take out menus. Batteries, scissors, sticky notes, and band-aids; screwdrivers, permanent markers, and a flashlight that’s most likely dead. There might be old ketchup packets, assorted leftover hardware, a roll of stamps and a wad of rubber bands. What do you keep in your junk drawer? Some people have a whole junk cabinet, because a drawer couldn’t hold it all. Or a junk room, shed, or garage! And if you’re really bad at deciding what to do with all your stuff, you might find yourself on an episode of Hoarders! For those of you who’ve never seen it, it’s a show about people whose entire house is overflowing with junk they just can’t decide what to do with. Over the past several weeks we’ve been working our way through the gospel of John. John wrote his gospel for one purpose: so that people would know the truth about Jesus and believe. Not just give intellectual assent or agreement, but really believe... and choose to do something... choose to follow Him… not just file Jesus away as good information for another day. We’ve almost reached the end of John’s gospel. I’d like to invite you to join us this Sunday as we look through John’s eyes at the crucifixion of Jesus. Out of the inner circle of 12 disciples, he is the only one we know for sure was there. He saw it all unfold and his testimony about that day is important. Junk drawers can be helpful... they give us a place to keep something until we make a decision about what to do with it. What have you decided to do with Jesus?
Guilt & Grace The Gospel of John May 15, 2022 The non-stop clamor for justice from every corner of society, every country around the world, dominates the headlines of news sources every day. According to vocabulary.com “Justice is the quality of being just or fair. Super heroes fight for justice because they want everything to be fair and not let the bad guys win. Just ask Wonder Woman, Superman, or any other member of the Justice League.” But we all know that life isn’t fair. We live in a broken world, with broken people. And yet, as humans, uniquely designed as image bearers of a justice-loving God, our hearts yearn for justice. We long for right to triumph over wrong, especially when we are the ones whose well-being is in question. Pastor Chuck Swindoll says this about Jesus’ experience with justice: Jesus was the only person to live His entire life without failing morally, yet He was arrested, tried, convicted, and condemned to suffer a criminal’s punishment. His arrest was a betrayal, His trials a farce, His conviction illegal, and His punishment a travesty of justice.” Imagine enduring this kind of injustice. How would you respond?
I encourage you to join us this Sunday as we take a look at the way Jesus responded to the injustice He experienced at the hands of His friends, the spiritual leaders of His country, and the government under which He lived. What can we learn from the way Jesus faced injustice? What lessons are there for us in His example? Growing in our relationship with Jesus, to better align our lives with the heart of Jesus, and increasingly become more like Jesus is our highest priority at Dayspring. We invite you to join us in the journey!
An Emotional Time The Gospel of John May 8, 2022 I’m sure you’ve seen them before. Although most of us tend not to really notice them until we’re in a desperate situation. They’re those “In case of emergency, break glass” boxes. Sometimes they have a fire hose inside; most just have an alarm button or lever to pull.
However, fire is not the only emergency for which these kinds of boxes might be needed. Consider these other “emergencies” for which you might want to have a panic option available: there’s the toilet paper emergency, a cold, hard cash emergency, or a desperate need for chocolate.
You most likely have an emergency medical kit in your home or car; hopefully you’ve got an emergency fund at your bank; some people even have emergency food rations stockpiled... just in case of... well, an emergency! You just never know what tomorrow might hold, and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared!
While it is wise and good to be physically prepared for emergency situations, what does it look like to be prepared emotionally and spiritually for the desperate seasons or circumstances of life? As followers of Jesus, we have been invited to dialog with God... to connect with His heart and to know and have a relationship with Him. We have access to Him through the gift of prayer. Not just when we need rescued, but in the ordinary, everyday rhythms of daily life. It’s this regular connection and communion with Him that enables us to weather the storms that will certainly come our way.
We’ve seen this modeled in the life of Jesus as we’ve worked our way through the gospel of John these past couple of months. This week, we’ll see it once again.
In our study this week, we’ll be looking at the conversation that Jesus had with His Father as He walked with the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. This was no casual stroll. Emotions were high; the stress was heavy. And Jesus pours out all that is on His heart in prayer, as His disciples listen in.
Join us as we dig in to this part of Jesus’ story and discover what mattered most to our Savior in these last hours of His life.
Relationships The Gospel of John May 1, 2022 What time did you get up this morning? Did you hit the snooze button or hop out of bed right away? Did you check Facebook first thing or the weather? Look at your calendar or read your Bible? What color shirt did you pick out of your closet? Was it eggs and bacon for breakfast or coffee and toast? Did you stop for gas on the way to work or decide to wait until later? Some internet sources claim that on average people make an astonishing 35,000 decisions each day. I’m not sure how they came up with that number, but even a quick stroll down the cereal aisle at any grocery store would give you a great visual example of the overwhelming number of options that we as humans encounter on a daily basis. Some of our choices are big ones, others...not so much. But even the little ones like Cheerios or Rice Krispies for breakfast, tax your brain just a bit. Is it any wonder that by the end of the day, when you ask your spouse where they want to go for dinner, the answer is often, “I don’t care. You choose.” So, when it comes to making a difficult choice, we are often prone to put off or avoid making the decision altogether. But choosing to delay or ignore is making a choice... it’s just not a great one. We are continuing in our series on the Gospel of John, and this week we’re taking a deeper look at what Jesus said about relationships. What does it look like to really love others, especially when those others can be so opinionated, obnoxious, or different from us? When those others are so stinkin’ hard to love? Loving others is a choice. And like all the other choices we make every day, doing it requires intentionality; doing it well requires real effort. I invite you to join us as we consider what it means to love others, especially those who are challenging for us, in ways that are healthy. At Dayspring, we are fully committed to growing as followers of Jesus, in every area of life. Come grow with us as we learn to more intentionally love others the way Jesus calls us to.
Humility and Heart The Gospel of John April 24, 2022 What was the last promise you made to someone? We make little promises all the time without really giving it a second thought. You might agree to a task or errand, commit to a meeting or appointment, or something bigger like signing a contract or agreement. All of these, in one way or another, are some form of a promise. From the time we are kids, promises are a big deal. Whether it’s a pinky swear or a blood brother covenant, in our earliest relationships we long to know that we matter to someone else and that we can count on and trust them. Our sense of belonging and confidence deepens when we know we can trust another and that they, in turn, trust us. But as we’ve all experienced, broken people, operating in a broken world will not perfectly keep their promises. Sooner or later, we will experience disappointment. But, we were designed by God to be interdependent, not independent. And so even in our disappointment, we continue to look for trustworthy sources in which we can place our confidence. Sometimes, it can feel as if we are out of options. We’re picking back up with our series in the gospel of John this week; and as we do, we find Jesus’ disciples just a little... well, maybe more than a little disappointed in the way things are playing out. But in the midst of their confusion and deep disappointment, Jesus makes some promises. Things are about to get really ugly, and Jesus knows that they will need a lifeline or two. And so do we. I invite you to join us this Sunday as we look at six promises that Jesus gave His disciples just before their world got turned upside down.
In a world where it can feel like everything is upside down, and things are going to hell in a handbasket, we need to know there is Someone we can count on and Who keeps His promises. The promises of Jesus are just as much for you, today, as they were for His disciples then.
Twelve Feet of Separation The Bad Boys of Easter April 17, 2022 In an online article from The Atlantic, author Ed Yong tells a story that illustrates an important truth. He writes, “At some point, a kauri tree fell in a New Zealand forest and no one noticed. Nor did anyone pay attention when the remnant of its trunk rotted away, leaving behind a stump that’s barely even a stump—a chair-size, hollowed-out half cylinder, sticking up from the middle of a hiking trail, leafless and apparently dead. 'It doesn’t look spectacular at all,' says Sebastian Leuzinger of the Auckland University of Technology. 'Everyone would have walked past it for years.'"
Out hiking with a colleague, Leuzinger stumbled across the tree stump. Yong continues, “He saw that even though it had no leaves, stems, or greenery of any kind, it did still contain living tissue—and when he knocked on the stump, it sounded different from deadwood. All appearances to the contrary, it was still alive.”
Things are not always what they seem.
There are a variety of factors that affect how our brains process information and come to conclusions. We rely on our senses to provide us with information. But we tend to enhance that information as it passes through various filters that we all use every day... things like past experience, memories, knowledge, and assumptions.
Optical illusions and practical jokes are effective because they mess with our assumptions. As Albert Einstein said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
Over the past couple weeks, we’ve been in a short series called, The Bad Boys of Easter. As we wrap up this weekend, we’ll discover, much like Leuzinger and his dead-looking, but not dead tree stump, that things aren’t always as they seem.
It’s true that things are not always as they seem. Sometimes, they’re better!
The Pretender The Bad Boys of Easter April 10, 2022 Back in the late 90’s there was an American television drama called The Pretender. Maybe you’re familiar with it. The storyline revolved around a young man named Jarod; a genius impostor who could quickly master the complex skill set needed to impersonate someone in any profession. Kidnapped as a child and raised by an organization known as The Centre, Jarod’s abilities were exploited for their sinister purposes. Eventually, as an adult, Jarod escapes. He goes on the run, moving from place to place, utilizing his unique abilities for good. In each episode, Jarod assumes a new professional identity, such as doctor, lawyer, soldier, or pilot, in order to investigate a crime for which an innocent person has been framed, and ultimately deliver justice to the real guilty party. He traded a ‘secure’ life aiding those whose plans were motivated by power and greed, for the unpredictable life of a fugitive, but one where he could use his skills for the benefit of others. This week, in our series The Bad Boys of Easter, we’re taking a look at a guy who was a pretender, a thief, and a con man. He was motivated by his own agenda... what’s in this for me? When following Jesus seemed like the most profitable option, he was in. But when Jesus didn’t live up to his expectations, when his hopes were disappointed, he flipped and aligned himself with those who offered what looked like a better deal. He traded his relationship with Jesus for a little bit of cash. I invite you to join us this Sunday as we consider the choices of Judas. Sooner or later, all of us experience disillusionment, disappointment and dissatisfaction. And it’s in those moments that we consider whether or not we should make a trade. Sometimes those pain points can prompt us to make good changes that benefit us and others. But there are also times when we are tempted to take a short cut, to give in and exchange what we ultimately want, for what would feel good right now. What kind of trades are you making?
My Private Nation The Bad Boys of Easter April 3, 2022 Control. We like it. It feels good.
We get irritated when our plans go awry, when we’ve got an agenda or timeline and someone or something gets in our way and slows us down, or completely blows up our carefully crafted plans.
While there are some things that you can control, ultimately, control is an illusion. Sure, there are choices you can make; but the truth is, our ability to control is limited. I might choose to go to bed at a time that allows me to get enough sleep, only to toss and turn until it’s time to get up again. Our ability to control is limited. And yet, we as humans seem driven by the desire to be in control.
If you look up the word ‘surrender,’ you’ll find a definition that is full of negative sounding words and a list of synonyms such as: abdicate, capitulate, acquiesce, relinquish, and succumb. Sounds fun, huh? When it’s painted that way, no wonder we resist surrender and pursue control. Those words are not on anyone’s list of life goals.
Even as followers of Jesus, there are places in our lives where we resist surrender. We want to be in control. I know what’s best for me, because I know me. Because trusting in someone or something we cannot see, touch, understand or control, is scary.
This week, we’ll be looking at Caiaphas, the high priest who finds his way into the story of Jesus. He too struggles with control and surrender. Even though he’s on the wrong side of history, there are valuable things we can learn from his story.
Believe it or not, and contrary to popular opinion, there are benefits to not being in control and blessings to be found in surrender. I hope you’ll join us as we explore those ideas together.
Crisis Gospel of John: That You May Believe March 27, 2022 I’ve traveled outside the United States a fair amount. One thing that has been fascinating to me is how different cultures relate to time. The first time I traveled to Honduras, it quickly became a joke among our team that we were on “Honduran” time because the local Honduran leader we were working with was always running about an hour later than he told us to be ready! In Lima, Peru, for our first international worship conference, we set the start time for 9 AM. We were ready and waiting, but people in Lima don’t do mornings! At least not that early. Their approach to time is different than what we expected and planned for. In many cultures around the world, the pace is slower, meals take longer, rest is part of the daily rhythm. Americans, on the other hand, are notoriously impatient. We have instant oatmeal for breakfast, communicate by instant messaging, grab fast food for lunch, download documents or directions instantly to our devices, make dinner in our Instant-pot or air fryer, then entertain ourselves with video on-demand before swallowing something to help us instantly fall asleep. Our pace is fast - we want everything now; there is no time to waste or to wait. In Lamentations 3:25-26 we read: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Did you catch that? Let me say it again: The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. We are at the mid-way point in our sermon series through the Gospel of John. This week we’ll be taking a look at a story that reveals the difference between God’s timing and our own. No matter what culture you live in, hoping, seeking, waiting for something that you desperately want or need can be incredibly challenging. Can we really trust God’s timing? Even when it looks like hope is lost and He has let us down? I encourage you to join us this Sunday as we consider the truth that we can trust God’s plans and timing, even - or perhaps especially - when it seems out of sync with our own.
A Blind Man and the Shepherd Gospel of John: That You May Believe March 20, 2022 Joanna Sullivan was born near Springfield, Massachusetts in April of 1866. She was the oldest of three children born to Irish immigrants. Annie was only 8 years old when her mother died of tuberculosis. Two years later, fearing the responsibility of raising three children alone, Annie, her brother and sister were deserted by their father. A childhood illness had left Annie almost completely blind. After enduring several unsuccessful surgeries to correct her eyesight, Annie entered the Perkins Institution for the Blind at the age of 14. A year later, surgery partially restored her vision. It was at Perkins where she learned to use a manual alphabet...a way of using hand signals pressed into the palm of another to spell words. In 1886, at the age of 20, Annie graduated as the valedictorian of her class. Annie is best known as the teacher and life-long companion of Helen Keller. Just a few short months after graduation, Annie accepted a call to work with the then 7year-old Helen. Like Annie, a childhood illness had left Helen with physical impairments. She was blind, deaf, and had a limited ability to speak. Annie began teaching Helen the same manual alphabet she had learned at Perkins Institute; teaching her that things had names. Within 6 months, Helen had learned 575 words, some multiplication tables, and the Braille system. Orphaned, abandoned, and robbed of her sight, it would have been understandable if Annie had become bitter, defensive, arrogant and isolated. But instead, she chose to listen, learn, and discover new ways of seeing. And not only was her life radically changed, she dramatically impacted the life of Helen, and through her, thousands of others as well. We are working our way through a study of the gospel of John. This week, we’re looking at the account of Jesus’ healing of the blind man. Certainly, the restoration of physical sight was amazing, but there are deeper implications about spiritual blindness that we’ll unpack together.
Feast & Conflict Gospel of John: That You May Believe March 13, 2022 Legendary ad-man Rosser Reeves was an American executive and pioneer of television advertising. He was the genius behind some of the most effective ads of the 40’s & 50’s, including the “Melt in your mouth, not in your hands” M&Ms line, as well as slogans for Bic pens, Colgate toothpaste and Minute Maid orange juice. Peter Michaels, in an online article called, The Power of the Contrast Principle, relates this story: Reeves and his friend were walking through Central Park one lunchtime when they came across a blind person begging for money. He had a cup for donations in front of him with a sign “I am blind” handwritten on it. After explaining to the man that he knows a bit about motivating people and he might be able to help the man get more donations, Reeves asked if he would be willing to let his sign be changed. “Sure,” the man answers and Rosser takes out his pen. He adds four words to the “I am blind” sign, then steps back to see what happens. Soon, passers-by are dropping money into the cup and within 5 minutes, his donations have doubled. As more people drop more change, even dollar bills, the blind man begins to look a little happier. Rosser soon heads back to his office, having effectively demonstrated The Principle of Contrast. What four words had he written on the sign? “It is springtime and...” The sign now read: “It is springtime and I am blind.” Michaels goes on to say, “Rosser Reeves – advertising genius and celebrated ‘wordsmith’ – didn’t add anything fancy.... He simply added contrast, which framed the man’s plight in a way that people responded to. Where they previously passed by, unmoved by ‘just another blind man’ begging for change, now they saw a person in need of help who wasn’t able to see the beautiful New York spring day they all took for granted.” The people were moved by the contrast they saw between their own “fortune” and the lack of the blind man. And being moved, they made a decision to respond. People respond to contrast. Contrast speeds up the connection to our brains, so we understand quickly and clearly where to focus our attention. Contrast allows us to see differences readily and thus helps us make better decisions. This Sunday in our series on the Gospel of John, we’re looking at five contrasts that Jesus gave to help His hearers understand the differences between His message and that of the Pharisees and religious leaders. These contrasts were designed to help people see Jesus more clearly and to move their hearts toward making a decision about who He was and what it meant to follow Him.
Man of Miracles Gospel of John: That You May Believe March 6, 2022 For 17 years, Kim Jong Il, ruthlessly oppressed the people of North Korea before his death in 2011. A 2004 Human Rights Watch report, reports that the North Korean government under his leadership was among the world’s most repressive governments. With no freedom of the press or religion, no political opposition, or equal education, virtually every aspect of political, social, and economic life was controlled by the government, and led to more than 200,000 political prisoners. We in the West, rightfully call him a totalitarian dictator. You might not be surprised to hear that he felt differently about himself -- that he was actually quite gifted across a wide variety of disciplines…and had been from birth. In fact...the official records (of North Korea) reportedly claim that Kim learned to walk at three weeks old, and to talk at eight weeks old. He grew up to write 1,500 books in three years and six full operas which are (and I quote) “better than any in the history of music.” And, not only did he claim to be an artistic genius, he was great at sports, too. The FIRST TIME Kim picked up a golf club, he shot a 38 under par round on North Korea’s only golf course, including 11 holes-in-one. Each of his 17 bodyguards even verified this record-breaking feat. His belief in his own greatness didn’t stop here on Planet Earth. North Korean documents also claim that a glowing new star appeared in the heavens to herald his birth on North Korea’s Baekdu Mountain in 1942. Unfortunately, he was born a year earlier. But don’t tell him! Anyone can CLAIM anything. But that doesn’t mean it’s true.
This week in our sermon series in the Gospel of John, we'll be looking at some of the outrageous claims that Jesus made about Himself. Imagine, someone claiming to be God in the flesh. If Jesus was a liar, then His claim is outrageous. If He was crazy, then His claim is pitiful. But...if Jesus' claim about Himself is true, then it is a game changer and we ought to pay close attention. The Good News is that Jesus brought witnesses to prove He wasn't lying or crazy.
Life and Faith Gospel of John: That You May Believe February 27, 2022 According to dictionary.com, credentials are evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form. Credentials can be permanent, like a high school diploma or college degree, or temporary, like a driver’s license or passport.
Credentials indicate that you’ve met certain qualifications, have demonstrated an ability or capacity for something. Having the right credentials can give you access...like having a backstage pass for a concert or a staff badge on a school campus. You can go places that other people can’t. But your backstage pass won’t get you a seat at the table in the teacher’s lounge at school. And your passport won’t do you any good if an officer pulls you over for running a stop sign. It’s important to have the right credentials when you need them. Credentials also often involve some level of responsibility. If you’ve been credentialed as a lawyer or doctor or driver, there is an implication that you can fulfill the role you’ve been authorized to perform capably. Last week we began a new sermon series in the Gospel of John. This week, we’ll be looking at the credentials of two individuals we meet in the opening chapters of John’s gospel. Perhaps you’ve heard it said that God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. I hope you’ll join us as we unpack that idea and the implications for all of us this Sunday.
God In the Flesh Gospel of John: That You May Believe February 20, 2022 You’d have to be living under a rock to not at least have heard of Queen Elizabeth II. And we all know that she is the Queen of England. But did you know that 16 different countries claim Elizabeth as their queen?
And Queen Elizabeth II is kind of like a nickname. Her official title is: Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
The founders of the United States of America detested the British system of nobility that existed under King George III. To prevent the establishment of such a system in America, they included a prohibition against the granting of noble titles by our government in the Constitution.
Titles, such as king, queen, prince, princess, duke, duchess, lord, lady, and a host of others are still commonly used in 38 countries around the world. And for the most part, these titles are less about function and more about status. Many of them are inherited; others can be granted or appointed. And, though some come with responsibilities attached, many do not.
In American culture, titles are more about roles we have earned or chosen. Your title might be CEO, professor, doctor, or mom. This Sunday at Dayspring we’re beginning a new sermon series working our way through the Gospel of John. John was a disciple of Jesus; and toward the end of his life, after outliving all other eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus, John pens his last work... an account of the life of Jesus, the Son of God.
In the opening chapter of John’s gospel, he records seven different titles of Jesus. We’ll take a look at each of them and unpack what they tell us about Him this week.
Lies Women Believe Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free February 13, 2022 Chris: Hey, friends, I’m with Michelle Snook, Pastor of Community Life here at Dayspring. And, Michelle, you’re wrapping up our Lies We Believe series this weekend, right?
Michelle: I am! I’m going to be talking about lies women believe.
Chris: Perfect. Perfect timing. It’s Game Day on Sunday. That means that I can stay home, get my snacks ready, put my Diet Coke on ice, while DeeDee goes to church to learn about stuff that’s important to women. Right?
Michelle: I’m going to have to say no to that.
Chris: I don’t understand. I’m not a woman.
Michelle: No, but the lies we’re going to talk about impact men as well. And, you have a lot of women in your life. You’re married. You have a daughter. You’ve got a granddaughter, and a mom, friends and co-workers. And you have relationship with all of these women. And it doesn’t matter what level of relationship you have, you have power in your presence and your words. And you can use that power to either help keep them in bondage to the lies or help them to be free from those lies. And, like I said, these lies, although we talk about they’re for women, they really impact men as well, just in a different way. Chris: So, what you’re saying is that maybe I should get ready for the big game on Saturday, so that I can be at church on Sunday.
Michelle: I think that’d be a great idea.
Chris: Sounds like a plan.
Over the past couple months, we’ve been taking a look at the lies that have saturated our culture and, consequently, our own perspectives about ourselves, others, life, and God. Last week, we looked at some lies that particularly impact men, though there are versions of those lies that impact women as well. And this week, as we bring this series to a close, we’ll look at lies that women are more susceptible to believing. That being said, these lies affect men as well, in some way or another.
At Dayspring, we are a family. We are learning together, growing together, doing life together. As a family, we want God’s best for each other. And that means helping one another to know and walk in truth.
Knowing the truth empowers us to break free from the lies, defeat our enemy, and live with unshakeable confidence in God and His purpose and plan for our lives. Who wouldn’t want that?
And, men, what better Valentine’s Day gift could you give to your wife than to understand her a little better?
Lies Men Believe Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free February 6, 2022 News of a baby on the way brings great joy and excitement to a family. But the ability to know whether baby will be a boy or girl has given rise to a whole new genre of celebration: the gender reveal party. It seems the ways to make the big announcement are limitless. Whether it’s confetti, balloons, the color inside a cake, or even fireworks... one thing is constant... blue means boy, pink means girl. Right? An article from a June 1918 trade publication for children’s clothing said, “The generally accepted rule is pink for boys, and blue for girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” Apparently, blue and pink have traded places! Our culture feeds us a lot of ideas that are, at the very least, confusing if not completely upside down, inside out, or just plain wrong. As we’ve seen over the past several weeks, we live in a world that is saturated with so much untruth, we don’t even stop to question whether what we believe IS true. We’ve looked at lies that impact our beliefs about ourselves, others, life, and God. This week, we’re going to look at some lies that the enemy of our souls often uses to damage the hearts and minds of men in particular. God has uniquely designed us, men and women, on purpose, for a purpose. Let’s not allow the enemy of our souls to infiltrate our thinking and warp God’s incredible design for us.
Lies We Believe About God Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free January 30, 2022 A friend of mine recalls this story from her childhood... When I was about 10 years old, our family traveled to British Columbia for the wedding of my mom’s cousin. At the wedding reception, wine was served. We never had beer or wine in our home growing up, and I’d never seen my parents drink. I don’t remember how the glass of red wine ended up on our table. What I do remember is my baby brother – who was in a high chair, so probably around 18 months old – demanding to have the “juice.” So, mom gave him a sip! Suffice it to say, it was not at all what he was expecting! The look of confusion, distaste, and disappointment was hilariously obvious. As this story illustrates, sometimes our preconceptions lead to incredible disappointments. We see one aspect of a thing and end up drawing conclusions that are simply not true. Red liquid in a pretty glass must be sweet, right? Past experience said it was so. But the reality was a startling disappointment. We are in week five of our series, Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free. Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about the lies we believe about ourselves, others, and life. This week, we’re taking a look at the lies we believe about God. For some of us, our ideas about God were shaped by our families and our early experiences at church. But increasingly, there are many people whose ideas about God come from social media memes, movies, school, or other worldly influences. Regardless of where your first understanding of God came from, it’s likely that you have been influenced by lies about Him. We are drawn to the good or “sweet” characteristics of God...His love, compassion, kindness, and goodness. But as we experience more of life, we begin to realize that God is less like grape juice and more like red wine. He is complex. And sometimes those complexities are unpalatable to us. They cause us to question and doubt. Like the little boy with the red wine, we experience confusion, distaste, and disappointment. Have we misunderstood God? Is He not who we think He is? Having an accurate understanding of God is essential to every aspect of our lives. I hope you’ll join us!
Lies We Believe About Life Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free January 23, 2022 Simplicity is the virtue of living an uncluttered life. After all of the extra “stuff” that comes with the holiday season, many people kick off a new year with a renewed interest in getting rid of some of the “extra” that has found its way into their homes and lives. In a lot of ways, this can be a healthy thing.
Simplicism, on the other hand, is a way of thinking that can be unhealthy and even damaging. According to Dr. Jeff Myers, author of the book Unquestioned Answers, “Simplicism...distorts simplicity into a conviction that something isn’t really true unless it is easy to understand and summarize.”
Bumper stickers, social media, and advertising taglines are filled with great examples of simplicism. A catchy rhyme or clever slogan will stick in your brain, regardless of whether or not it’s true. And the more you hear it, the “truer” it sounds. Simplicism caters to our desire to live in an uncomplicated and self-centered world and robs us of the ability to think deeply and communicate clearly about things that matter.
We are smack dab in the middle of a sermon series we’ve entitled Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free. This week we’re taking a look at the lies we believe about life. We are immersed, 24/7 in a sea of messages about what’s important, who we are, what we should believe, think, and do. The messages come from sources we think we should be able to trust. They are purposefully packaged to stick in our brains. And we find ourselves believing things without ever questioning whether or not they’re actually true. Because they make sense on the surface and they sound so right!
The truth, God’s Word promises, will set us free. Let’s pursue that freedom together.
Lies We Believe About Others Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free January 16, 2022 Throughout the western United States, you’ll find beautiful gorges and canyons. The incredible Columbia River Gorge is right in our own backyard. Other canyons such as Bryce Canyon in southern Utah, Royal Gorge Canyon in Colorado, Waimea Canyon on Kauai, and of course, The Grand Canyon in Arizona, draw tourists from all over the world. A canyon is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides. The most common way a canyon is formed is by the power of water. The water pressure of a river digs deep into the surface below it, while at the same time eroding and carrying away the sediment further downstream, which creates the distinctive deep and narrow channels so characteristic of canyons. Slowly, over thousands of years, the layers of rock are worn away and a huge gap is created in the surface of the earth. These gaps are beautiful in nature, but when gaps occur in relationships, the results are often more heartbreaking than breathtaking. We are in week three of our series, Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free. This week we’re focusing on lies we believe about others. Lies infect every aspect of our lives, and our relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers are not exempt from the damaging effects of our faulty thinking. But it doesn’t haven’t to be that way! We don’t have to live in bondage to the fallacies that have warped our perspectives and beliefs. There is truth we can count on and that has the power to transform our lives, set us free, and heal our relationships!
Together, we’ll learn how to bridge the gaps in our relationships with the powerful truths of the Bible. I hope you’ll join us.
Lies We Believe About Ourselves Lies We Believe January 9, 2022 Two Truths and a Lie is a classic icebreaker game. Each person in the group introduces themselves by stating two truths and one lie. The object of the game is for the rest of the group to determine which statement is false and to discover things that are true about others. Even when dealing with just three sentences, it can be challenging to determine which is true and which is not. There are endless numbers of ways to manipulate language and make false statements. Discerning the truth can be difficult. In a game scenario the stakes aren’t so high – you’re just having fun. But what about in life? Is there a source of truth we can really trust? I have a young friend who is a truck driver. On a recent drive, traveling a stretch of highway just outside a small town in south central Oregon, he saw those dreaded flashing lights in his rearview mirror. His GPS told him the speed limit was one thing. The officer who pulled him over said it was something else. He hadn’t passed a speed limit sign. So, how do you know what the truth is? One source says one thing and another source says something else. It can be exceedingly frustrating, not to mention confusing and mentally exhausting to sort it out! In this case, the guy with the badge holds the trump card. But just because he has authority doesn’t necessarily mean his statement about the speed limit was true. Last week we launched a new sermon series titled, Lies We Believe and the Truths That Set Us Free. Conflicting messages come at us from every direction, about almost every subject. This week we’re taking a look at some of the lies we believe about ourselves. We have an enemy who is desperate to do whatever it takes to defeat, discourage, and destroy us. He has embedded lies about our identity, purpose, and worth in absolutely everything. But God’s Word contains the truth about who we are, why we are, and where our value comes from.
Join us as we dig into God’s Word and remind ourselves, or maybe discover for the first time, what God – the One who created you – has to say about you. It’s truth you can trust.
And The Truth Shall Set You Free Lies We Believe January 2, 2022 Everybody knows the phrase. I’m sure you can finish it with me... Liar, liar..... pants on fire. Even though the rhyme is well known, apparently no one knows where it came from! There is no interesting backstory or definitive origin that can be identified. At least, not by a Google search. We tried that! And we all know they know everything! But what I do know…is that if it really worked that way...if a liar’s pants caught on fire when a lie was told, it would be a whole lot easier to identify the lies! Our world is saturated with lies. We hear them every day. So much so, that it can be incredibly difficult to tell the difference between what is true and what is not. We’ve heard them for so long, and from so many sources we think we should be able to trust, that we have begun to believe them. We’ve even gone so far as to build identities and lives around them. Sadly, we too often go around not even realizing the damage these lies do to our view of God, our view of others…and even to ourselves. Contrary to popular belief, truth is not subjective. There is only one source for truth...and it’s not us. There is no “my truth” or “your truth.” Something is either true or it isn’t. God is the source of all truth and His Word is the resource we can trust. We are starting a brand-new year with a brand-new sermon series: Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free. In the absence of britches that burst into flames with every lie spoken, we will need to do the work to develop biblical discernment. I invite you to join us as we uncover some of the most pervasive and persuasive lies in our culture...and discover the truths that can give us real freedom. Jesus said that His followers would know the truth and that the truth would set us free. But the truth won’t just fall into our laps...Jesus’ promise is based on our obedience. We are called to be intentional, faithful followers...learning, discerning, living out the truth of God’s Word so that the world can see what real truth looks like. I invite you to join us as we learn to more faithfully follow Jesus together.
2021 Year in Review Look What God Has Done December 26, 2021 Well, 2021 is almost in the books. We’re closing the final pages in the next few days and The End (of another year) is in sight. Whether you think it was a good year or not, it wasn’t 2020, so I guess we can be thankful for that! I got a new car this past year. It has a bunch of fun technology in it. For example, the rearview mirror is so cool! If you flip it one way, you have a normal mirror, with a reverse image of what’s behind you. But if you flip it the other way, you have a camera view of what’s back there. But with the camera, the depth of field is slightly altered. Things behind you on the camera view look much closer than they actually are! So... your choice...mirror or camera...two different ways of looking back, each with a different perspective.
Isn’t that how it usually works? With looking back, I mean? If we look back too long, that can mess up our forward progress. But it’s still important to be aware of what’s behind us, if we want to move forward in a healthy, productive way. So, that’s what we’re going to do this Sunday.
Before we step into the pages of a brand-new year, let’s pause together and get a little perspective. Remembering where we’ve been will help us as we move into what God has ahead for us. I hope you’ll join us!
An Unexpected Christmas
And Everything Changed
December 24, 2021
As followers of Jesus, we celebrate the birth of Christ because we believe He was the greatest gift ever given. Because of Him, we have a restored relationship with God the Father. But it’s not just our own personal stories that have been impacted by the gift, the life of Jesus. His name is known on every continent around the world. He elevated the status of women, children, the sick, the poor. When Jesus came into the world, everything changed. This is what we celebrate at Christmas...that because of Jesus, we have reason to sing, to laugh, to be joyful, to worship.
Promise Keeper An Unexpected Christmas December 19, 2021 Remember the days of newsy Christmas letters? In our social media saturated culture, the tradition of sending an annual Christmas letter seems to have disappeared. Much like the usual Facebook or Instagram feed, the typical Christmas re-cap is full of only the good stuff...how fast the kids are growing, where they are excelling in school, sports, or music. Updates on graduations, engagements, weddings, babies, promotions, vacations or retirements...all the best moments, carefully edited to make life look and sound amazing. Because those are the things we want to remember; the things that are fun, happy, and make us feel (and look) good. We tend not to include the hard stuff...the struggles and failures. Even though we know that everybody experiences them, that’s not the kind of news we deem Christmas letter worthy. Throughout the Christmas season, we’ve been taking a look at some of the people in Jesus’ family tree. We’ve discovered that the gospel writer Matthew included a few names in Jesus’ genealogy that we probably would have left out of our only-the-good-stuff Christmas letter! This week, we’ll look at the most famous ancestor of Jesus who, for all his incredibly shining moments, was also a colossal failure. Why would Matthew choose to remind his readers of the struggle and sin of David when there were so many good things he could have highlighted instead?
Label Makers An Unexpected Christmas December 12, 2021 “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”
According to this line from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, names are a rather meaningless thing…at least from Juliet’s perspective. But I’m not sure that I would agree. One of the very first tasks that God gave to Adam in the creation story is the naming of all the animals. Naming is both important and powerful work. We give names or labels to all kinds of things. Names communicate value, purpose, and quality. They can identify aspirations or create expectations. But for all the good and positive things that names can imply or communicate, names or labels can also be damaging or hurtful.
Do you remember the generic label trend from the 70’s and 80’s? Those no-name white boxes, bags, or canned products with plain black lettering? For too many years, we lived on many of those, what were then less than high-quality brand substitutes. Generic mac and cheese? Gross! But eventually, the no-name trend gave way to the power of store brands…with recognizable names and reputations we could trust, that taste as good and sometimes even better than the brand name products. Oh, how far we’ve come! Although, I’ll never eat generic cornflakes again, no matter how good the store brand is. Names carry power and have meaning. Names can be an indicator of value or importance. No-name brands didn’t have the same pull.
This Christmas season we are looking at the names of the people in Jesus’ family tree. We’ve discovered there are a few surprising and unexpected inclusions in Jesus’ genealogy! This week, we’ll be taking a look at the story of someone who carried not only a distinctive name, but who also bore an eyebrow-raising label.
An Unlikely Candidate An Unexpected Christmas December 5, 2021 He's making a list, checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, He knows if you've been bad or good. so be good for goodness sake!
The earliest known recording of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town was made in 1934. It was an immediate hit. Throughout the years it’s been recorded by more than 200 different artists spanning a wide variety of genres. From Bing Crosby, Neil Diamond and Bruce Springsteen to Mariah Carey, The Jackson 5 and Michael Bublé…the message has been repeated: He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice…so be good, for goodness sake!
In case you’re worried about whether or not you are on Santa’s ‘nice’ list, you can check online. We looked up the names of every Dayspring staff member and I’m happy to report that we have no one on the ‘naughty’ list this year! I’m not quite sure how Joaquin made it, but we double-checked and he’s definitely on the nice list.
We'd like to invite you to join us this Christmas season as we take a look at some of the unexpected names included in the genealogy of Jesus. I mean, some of these people would definitely be on Santa’s naughty list, so why does the gospel writer, Matthew, include them in his list of Jesus’ ancestors? That’s what we’ll discover this Sunday as we take a look at the stories of Judah and Tamar.
Naughty or nice may matter to Santa, but all are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Bring your brokenness, your disappointment, your weariness, failure or fear. Come as you are. We look forward to welcoming you.
Guest List An Unexpected Christmas November 28, 2021 Thanksgiving 2021 has come and is almost gone. Now it’s deck the halls and fa-la-la-la-la…’tis the season, friends! I hope you enjoyed a great day of celebration with people you love this week.
The Christmas season is filled with traditions and expectations. Do you do an advent calendar or Elf on the Shelf? A real Christmas tree or a pre-lit boxed one? Gifts on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day? Many of our holiday traditions are linked to our childhood experiences, our families and our history. They give us a sense of comfort, familiarity, and identity. But as families grow and change, our traditions and expectations sometimes change.
This Sunday, we’re beginning a new sermon series called An Unexpected Christmas. Most of you know the Christmas story. Many of you have heard it from the time you were a child. But even as well as you think you know it, there are some surprising unexpected details in the story of our Savior. Some of them may just challenge your perspective or change your expectations!
There are so many things to look forward to this holiday season. Unwrapping the unexpected gifts in this series is the one thing I’m looking forward to most. I hope you are as well.
Keep Track If Money Talked November 21, 2021 Have you ever lost your keys?
Imagine the morning rush…you’re racing to get out the door on time. You’ve got a bagel in your mouth, your coat’s half on, you’ve snagged your backpack with one hand, while you try to get your other arm into your coat so you can grab your coffee and herd the kids out to the car. And then, you reach for your keys… only to come up empty. But they’re always right there! In that spot. That’s where you put them every night! Well, apparently not last night. And then the rush kicks into overdrive as you search frantically for the missing keys.
Keeping track of all the things can be a lot of work! There is just so much! There are the basics like time…wait, what time is it? How did it get to be so late? I still have so much to do! And then there’s the refrigerator. What do you mean we’re out of milk again? Why didn’t anyone write it on the grocery list? And there’s the kids, the school and sports schedules, the laundry, dentist appointments, and oops, the car needed an oil change over a month ago. So many things!
Well, thankfully, technology has made it so that some things are easier to keep track of. My keys have this fancy little do-dad that allows me to locate them whenever they aren’t where I expect them to be. I can just find them with my phone! Of course, that’s assuming I know where my phone is! But if I’ve misplaced my phone, I can always track it down with my Apple watch. Ahhh…technology!
There are also apps for keeping track of just about anything…your appointments, your workouts, your diet, your grocery list, the books you’ve read; if you want to track it, there’s probably an app for it! There are even apps to help you keep track of your money!
In our sermon series the last couple of weeks, we’ve been taking a look at what your money might say…if your money could talk. Interestingly, we’ve discovered that if money could talk, it would probably say the same things that Jesus DID say about money.
Send Me Away If Money Talked November 14, 2021 According to the people who are experts about such things, (hey, Google, thanks for the intel) there are certain topics that people just do not want to talk about. I mean, maybe with your spouse or closest friends, but in ‘polite’ conversation there are some things that are better left off the table. Apparently, people don’t really want to chat about things like politics, sin, sex, their faults, or their most recent colonoscopy. And you can add money to that list. Nobody wants anybody else messing around in their personal finances.
Interestingly, Jesus didn’t shy away from those taboo topics. Well, I guess there isn’t any record of Him talking about colonoscopies, but for everything else He jumped right in…challenging the perspectives, assumptions, and choices that people made in just about every area of life. And if He did it (with compassion and kindness, of course), so should we. Which leads us to our current sermon series.
We are in the middle of a three-week series called If Money Talked. It’s an interesting thought…if your money could talk, what would it say to you and what might it reveal about you? The way we use our money says a lot about what we believe, what we value, what or who we trust.
As followers of Jesus, we are learning to more closely align the things we say we believe with the way we really live, every day. Together, we are figuring out what it looks like for our faith to be more than stuff we know, but to impact how we live, to transform who we are, to make us more like Jesus.
I Mean Well If Money Talked November 7, 2021 The story begins with a young boy whose name we’re never told. He’s one face in a huge crowd of people who follow Jesus everywhere. On this particular occasion, the crowd has pursued Jesus out into the countryside and up into the hills above the Sea of Galilee. And Jesus…Son of God that He is…knows the people are hungry. He asks His disciples to figure out a dinner plan. But there’s no McDonald’s or Safeway in sight…just a boy, with five barley loaves and two fish. That’s not a lot to work with! We don’t know if he was reluctant or fearful. But whether he felt like it or not, the boy gives it all…every last bit of his lunch, into the hands of Jesus. And incredibly…miraculously…it is enough. Actually, it’s more than enough. Because when everyone - all five thousand people - had eaten until they were full, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up.
We’re beginning a short 3-week series this Sunday called, If Money Talked. Most people don’t want to talk about money. But Jesus had a lot to say about it. In fact, He talked about it more than He talked about heaven! Being a follower of Jesus isn’t about knowing lots of spiritual stuff. It’s about becoming more like Him. In our daily living we should be growing to be more and more aligned with the way of Jesus, learning to live and love the way He did. Money is part of our lives every day. So, if we are serious about following Jesus, we need to take seriously what He had to say about money. It’s part of being a follower, a disciple.
As a community of faith, a family of Christ-followers, we are on a journey, learning what it means to live out our faith in the ordinary, messy, everyday details of life. Learning to trust Him with everything we are and everything we have.
What might Jesus do with your five loaves and two fish?
Never Waste Your Pain How to Get Through What You're Going Through October 31, 2021 Kintsugi is the centuries-old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery.
The Kintsugi technique uses a special lacquer made from tree sap, dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum to mend the pieces once broken. Upon completion, beautiful seams of gold glint in the conspicuous cracks of ceramic bowls, cups, plates, or vases, giving a one-of-a-kind appearance to each repaired piece.
This unique method celebrates each piece’s particular history by emphasizing its fractures and breaks rather than hiding or disguising them. In fact, Kintsugi often makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with a new look and giving it a second life. The practice of Kintsugi is connected to a Japanese philosophy which calls for seeing beauty in the flawed or imperfect. It also reflects the Japanese feelings of regret when something is wasted, as well as the acceptance of change.
Over the past couple of months, we’ve been talking about how to get through whatever it is that you’re going through. We’ve all experienced loss, pain, and grief. None of us get a pass to a pain-free life. But in our American culture, we tend to hide the broken pieces of our lives, rather than allowing them to be revealed.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’" All things…the hard, the broken, the lost, all of it. God wastes nothing when we give Him the pieces.
This Sunday, as we wrap up this series, we’ll be talking about what it means to not waste your pain.
What could it look like in your life, if you put all of your broken pieces into the hands of our God who wastes absolutely nothing? Let’s find out together.
Sanctification II: Finding Treasure in Darkness How to Get Through What You're Going Through October 24, 2021 Bonfires, shooting stars, fireflies, the northern lights.. These are just a few of the “treasures” you might discover in a dark place.
It’s common for kids to be afraid of the dark. But I’m not sure whether it’s really the darkness they’re afraid of as much as it is what’s hidden within it. Even as adults, we tend not to like what we can’t see. When we find ourselves in dark places in life, it can be tempting to hide under the covers, so to speak; to become frozen by fear of the unknown. But as we’ve already seen…there is treasure to be found in dark places!
This is week 7 of our series, How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. We’re taking a look at how to navigate grief and loss in a healthy way. God has promised in His Word, the Bible, that He is with us in the dark places. And not only is He with us, but that there are treasures hidden for us there.
Isaiah 50:10 says, “Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.”
Even in the darkness, God is with us. Let’s go treasure hunting together.
Sanctification I: Transformed Through Trouble How to Get Through What You're Going Through October 17, 2021 You’ve probably heard the phrase, “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” If you do a little digging, you’ll find the phrase is attributed to Henry Kissinger, who, for you youngsters watching, was a Nixon-era politician. Kissinger should have stuck to discussing politics, rather than science, because while his adage may be motivational, it is factually, untrue. Diamonds do not come from coal! What IS true is that diamonds form underground at high temperatures and under high pressure and consist purely of carbon minerals.
We’ve been working through a series called, How To Get Through What You’re Going Through for the last several weeks. After months of global pandemic, political division, racial tension, violence, opposition, frustration and struggle in practically every area of life, we are all looking for help in knowing how to get through the overwhelming losses of the last year and a half. The good news is, there IS a way through!
This week, we’re looking at the 5th stage of ‘getting through’ – sanctification. Now that’s a big, church-y word! But what it comes down to is the truth that God can use the pain, grief, loss, disappointments, the junk of our lives to transform us. Like the carbon minerals that are transformed under high pressure and high heat into beautiful diamonds, God can use the hard things in our lives to transform us.
Diamonds may not come from coal. But God does promise to make beauty from the ashes of our lives. Will you let Him transform yours?
Surrender: The Path to Peace
How to Get Through What You're Going Through October 10, 2021
The international sign for surrender is the raising of a white flag. Soldiers have been using white flags to indicate surrender for thousands of years. An ancient Roman historian wrote of white flags being displayed as part of the surrender at the Second Battle of Cremona in 69 AD. Most historians believe blank banners first caught on because they were easy to recognize in the heat of battle. White cloth was common in the ancient world, so it may have just been a case of soldiers using whatever materials were available. Over the years, the white flag became a well-established symbol in Western warfare. Wikipedia says, “The white flag is a protective sign of truce or ceasefire, and for negotiation. It also symbolizes surrender, since it is often the weaker party which requests the negotiation." Merriam Webster provides multiple definitions for surrender, including: the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another.
We are at the halfway point in our series, How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. We’ve been taking a look at how to navigate grief and loss in a healthy way. Because loss impacts everyone. No one is exempt.
This week marks a turning point in our series. We’ve looked at shock, sorrow, and struggle; now we turn our attention to surrender. If surrender means to yield or give up, to acknowledge our weakness or inability…then what is it I’m surrendering? To whom am I yielding? And how can this possibly be a good or healthy thing?
The path to peace is one of surrender. Let’s make the journey together.
Struggle: When Life Makes No Sense How to Get Through What You're Going Through October 3, 2021 You might say this when you order no pickles on your burger, but it comes with pickles anyway.
Or when you need to meet a work deadline, but you keep getting interrupted.
“The struggle is real!”
When the pillows at your hotel are more like pancakes than pillows.
When it’s “bring your own” TP at the airport bathrooms in Honduras. And you didn’t!
Or when you can’t find a real Diet Coke anywhere outside of the US!
First world problems!
Difficulty is part of the rhythm of life. Everything is broken, and that creates problems.
Today, I tried to order lunch delivered to the office. Placed the order. Paid online. And then, a Door Dash driver calls to tell us the restaurant is slammed. Full dining room, only three staff, and 6 drivers waiting for delivery orders. Our guy has waited 30 minutes already, and can’t wait any longer. “You should probably just cancel the order” he says. One more problem to solve.
In Genesis 3:17, after Adam and Eve has chosen their way, rather than obedience to God’s way, God tells them, “All your life you will struggle…” And they did. And we have. Do. Will. Struggle IS real, for everyone. Some of it we create ourselves. Some is foisted on us by the actions of others. No matter how it happens, or where it comes from, we all face it.
This week, in the 4th episode of our series How to Get Through What You’re Going Through, we’re taking a look at the reality of struggle. Though we all face difficulty, we’re not all in the same boat. What feels like a struggle for me, might not be a struggle for you. But no matter what struggle you are facing, there is a healthy way to navigate through it and get to the other side successfully.
Oh, and our Door Dash dude…he showed up with lunch just as we were hatching a new plan. So, no struggle after all! I’m sure another is just around the corner. But we’ll be ready. Join us this Sunday, and you will be too.
Sorrow: Getting Through Life's Losses How to Get Through What You're Going Through September 26, 2021 News flash!! The Pity Train has just derailed at the intersection of Suck It Up and Move On and crashed into We All Have Problems, before coming to a complete stop at Get the Heck Over It. Any complaints about how we operate can be forwarded to 1-800-waa-waaa. This is Dr. Sniffle reporting live from Quitchur Fussin.’ The meme goes on to say: If you like this, repost it. If you don’t, suck it up, buttercup, life doesn’t revolve around you!
While these words might bring a chuckle, they also reveal how we often respond to people in pain. Grief hurts. Heartache is heavy. Loss is hard. And being there for someone in pain can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, difficult.
Their relationship had always been challenging, but now it felt shattered beyond repair. Not knowing where else to turn, the young couple met with their pastor. He listened as they unpacked the pain, then spoke softly. “Thank you for telling me your story. But I want to caution you against sharing with anyone outside this office. People will judge you. See a counselor for help, but don’t tell anyone at church.”
I wish I could tell you this was just a story, written for illustrative purposes. But this really happened, years ago now, to friends of mine. In the early days of a crisis, seeking help to work through broken trust, they turned to the place they thought for sure they’d find hope. Only to be told to cover it up, don’t talk about it, pretend like everything’s ok. Being there for someone in pain can be uncomfortable, inconvenient and hard. Even for a pastor.
We use expressions like, “Don’t cry over spilt milk.” “Sweep it under the rug.” “Put one foot in front of the other” or “Just keep swimming.” Those catchy phrases that encourage us to forget about yesterday and just keep moving forward have been around forever. They are so deeply embedded into our culture – both outside and inside the Church – that we don’t even stop to consider whether they’re good, right, healthy or biblical.
Grief enters our lives in a variety of ways. Through the death of a loved one, certainly. But there are so many other sources of loss and pain in our world. And yet, death sometimes seems to be the only thing we have permission to stop and grieve. Whether you’ve lost someone you love or not, if you’re old enough to be watching this video, you’ve certainly lost something. Perhaps you’ve lost a job, a home, a dream; a friendship, a marriage, a child. Or maybe you’ve lost money, respect, safety or trust. The list of possible losses is unending. With the reality of so much loss and pain in our day-to-day lives, who has time to grieve? Is there any option other than to just let it go, get over it, move on?
The honest, hope-filled answer is YES! We are in week 3 of our series, How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. This week we’re talking about sorrow and what it looks like to enter in and work through sorrow in a healthy way. And “Suck it up, buttercup” is not part of the process. God never intended for pain to be part of our story. But He does promise to redeem our pain and heal our wounds, if we choose to enter into the healing process that He has designed us for.
Shock: When Your World Collapses How to Get Through What You're Going Through September 19, 2021 October 29, 1929… "Black Tuesday" hit Wall Street as investors traded some 16 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a single day. Billions of dollars were lost, wiping out thousands of investors. Overnight, many people lost their businesses and their life savings. The economic impact created shockwaves around the world.
December 7, 1941… 7:48 AM Sunday morning at Pearl Harbor. A surprise attack was launched by 353 Imperial Japanese aircraft in two waves, from six aircraft carriers. Of the eight U.S. Navy battleships present, all were damaged, four sank. A total of 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 more were wounded. We were suddenly a nation at war.
January 28, 1986… Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Space Shuttle Challenger prepared for launch. It was the twenty-fifth Space Shuttle flight; the tenth for Challenger. Seventy-three seconds into its flight, the Challenger broke apart in a shocking explosion killing all seven crew members aboard. A stunned nation watched in horror.
September 11, 2001... Nineteen militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City; a third hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and because of courageous passengers who thwarted the plans of their hijackers, the fourth plane intended for a target in Washington D.C., crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed that day. It was the deadliest attack on American soil in history.
All of these events were catalysts for shock that impacted our nation and even the world. On a smaller scale, each of us has our own experiences with loss and grief that have sent us into shock… your teenager has been arrested; a routine check-up results in an unexpected diagnosis; the spouse who promised to love and be faithful had an affair; the brother you love, is taken from this world with no warning; a son off on a day hike is lost and doesn’t come home as expected, or you’re suddenly fired from your dream job. And in those moments, as you struggle to catch your breath, all you feel is numb. You are in shock.
Last week we launched a new sermon series called How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. This week, we’ll be unpacking the first phase of ‘getting through’ – shock.
Life is uncertain. Learning how to navigate the uncertainties of life and process the losses we all experience in a healthy way, is essential to our emotional and spiritual growth.
The apostle Paul in his second letter to the church at Corinth writes, “(God) comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” Everywhere we turn, there are people in need of comfort. Perhaps you are in need of comfort right now. Or maybe, you need to know how to be a comfort to someone else.
Well, Whaddya Know? How to Get Through What You're Going Through September 12, 2021 It was just a regular Tuesday morning. I was up early and in my office, enjoying some quiet time with Jesus before starting to work on my sermon. There was nothing unique or unusual about the day. Nothing seemed off. As staff arrived, there was the usual banter and laughter around the office. I had no reason at all to expect the news that was about to come. But then again…isn’t that how it usually works? Life is uncertain, unpredictable, and none of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. We just prefer to live like we’re bulletproof, until something rocks our world.
Around 10 A.M. I received a text. It was startling news of the completely unexpected death of one of our Dayspring family. A tragic accident took her life and she is no longer with us, but is now in the presence of Jesus. She was just 61 years young, active, vibrant, generous, a friend to everyone who knew her. She touched so many with the love of Jesus. And suddenly, with no warning, she’s gone.
Grief doesn’t come when it’s convenient, when your schedule allows, when you have plenty of margin in your life. Loss comes in a variety of ways, not just in the death of a loved one. And when loss hits, it hijacks your plans, your emotions, and maybe even your wallet. And there is no escape. You’ve most likely already navigated some sort of loss in your life. After the last year and a half, who hasn’t? But if by chance you happen to have been spared thus far, your turn is coming. You can count on it.
This Sunday we’re beginning a new series called How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. Because grief is no respecter of persons. Grief won’t schedule an appointment on your calendar, or wait until you have time for it. You can’t delegate it to someone else to handle for you or buy yourself a pass to a loss-free life. The hard truth is everything and everyone is broken. We all experience heartache, pain, and loss. But even in loss, there is hope! There is truth to hold on to and a way to process our pain and experience healing. That’s what this series is all about.
Represent! How Do You Recognize a Christian? September 5, 2021 A logo is all about identity.
Wikipedia defines a logo as a graphic mark, emblem, or symbol used to promote public identification and recognition.
Logos can convey certain virtues or values without the need for a lengthy explanation. They can also create strong emotions or reactions. A logo is a declaration, an expression, an exclamation. A logo indicates allegiance to someone or something; a product, priority, or person. A logo communicates a message.
In our current culture, identification is a huge deal. We wear our allegiances on t-shirts, baseball caps, bumper stickers, and tattoos. We declare our affiliations and identities on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. So what does your life say about who you are, and what message are you communicating?
We are wrapping up our summer series How Do You Recognize a Christian? this Sunday, by taking a look at the last of the Apostle John’s letters. In his final letter, John urges his readers to consider the importance of who or what you represent, how you represent them, and the ripple effect that representation has on the world around you.
Love With(out) Boundaries How Do You Recognize a Christian? August 29, 2021 It was American advertising executive and author Lois Wyse who came up with a tagline for a small company in Orrville, Ohio, which made them famous across the country: “With a name like Smucker’s, it has to be good.” And Smucker’s has been a household name ever since. She’s also credited with saying, “If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I would have had them first.” As many of you know, DeeDee and I have a 3-year-old granddaughter whom we adore. Being Avery’s Pops and Grammy is pure joy. We love hanging out with her; reading books, watching movies, taking walks, dancing, singing, making dinner…just about everything is more fun with Aves. As our only grandchild, she has our undivided attention and affection. And she definitely has us wrapped around her little finger! I mean…we’ve already bought her her first car!
Our love for Avery is deep; but as much as we want to hear her laugh and see her happy, we still have boundaries in place that ensure our relationship with her is healthy. She doesn’t get candy for breakfast, we don’t let her run rampant in the streets without supervision, sharp knives are a no-no! Beyond that, well let’s just say Pops is the tops in her world right now.
This week, in our series How Do You Recognize a Christian, we’re taking a look at the short book of 2 John. Though only 13 verses long, this letter from the Apostle John holds important truth for us. In just a few verses, John tells us how to keep our love for others within safe boundaries – by building into our lives two solid guardrails that protect us from going off course: truth and discernment. As pastor Chuck Swindoll writes, “Love flows with life-giving power, but without boundaries, it can do great harm. In the name of love, we can go too far.” Throughout his first letter, John challenged us over and over to love one another. Now in his second letter, he helps us better understand what love should look like.
Know, Know, Know How Do You Recognize a Christian? August 22, 2021 A friend of mine is living in limbo this week. Her routine and schedule have been turned upside down by…wanna guess?? A family member was exposed to Covid. So, she’s waiting, a bit impatiently, for test results. Maybe you can relate?
There’s a ripple effect when our lives are interrupted by the unexpected, the unwanted, the uninvited. Sure, our daily rhythms are affected; but there’s also a deeper impact. There’s an impact in our spirit. Our heart and mind get involved. There’s a sigh of impatience. We get grumpy, frustrated, maybe even angry! We don’t like it when circumstances are beyond our control, or being reminded that the reality is circumstances are always beyond our control. Life is uncertain.
So, what do you do when Covid hijacks your plans? Or an accident changes your life, or a job is lost, or you don’t get in to the college you dreamed about, or…take your pick. How do we not just survive, but THRIVE when life is so full of uncertainty?
We are studying the letters of the Apostle John this summer, and this week we’re coming to the end of his first letter. As John concludes this first letter he wants to remind his readers that there are things that we can know; things that are certain, things we can count on, be sure of, bet the farm on. In an uncertain world, that we can be certain of anything brings joy and hope and life to our minds and hearts. And when we choose to focus on the things we can be sure of, those unexpected, unwanted, uninvited things in our lives have far less power over us. We can walk more consistently and with deeper joy, peace, confidence, hope, and love when our faith is sure. Who wouldn’t want that?
It All Adds Up How Do You Recognize a Christian? August 15, 2021 In an online article titled ‘Why We Believe Things’ David Harding, CEO of Winton, a research-based investment management company, writes, “When we truly believe something it profoundly influences our actions. These actions can then exert a powerful influence on the beliefs of others.” Consider for a minute the things you believe. There are things you believe because of your physical senses, such as it’s hot outside today or that the sky is blue or that something on the stove is burning. Then, there are things that you believe based on past experience: that a chair you’ve never sat in before won’t collapse on you or that your car will start when you get in to go to work or that it will get dark later. There are also more abstract things you believe, because the truth of them has been testified to by a trustworthy source; things such as lying is wrong, that gravity exists, and that the earth is round.
Every decision you make, every word you speak, every action you take is directly linked to what you REALLY believe. So, as people who say they believe in Jesus, does the way we live, day in and day out, line up with what we say, or do our actions speak a louder and contradicting message from our words?
We are continuing in our series How Do You Recognize a Christian this Sunday. We’ve looked at several characteristics that should mark the lives of a Christ-follower over the last couple of months. This week we’ll be taking a look at the concepts of faith, understanding, and belief and how those things impact how we live.
If David Harding is right, and what you believe profoundly influences your actions, what does your life say about what you really believe? Let’s consider that together.
The Circle of Love How Do You Recognize a Christian? August 8, 2021 On December 10, 2020, the Washington Examiner ran a story with this headline: Dairy Queen customers contribute to 900-vehicle ‘pay it forward’ chain. It began on December 3, when one man decided to pay for the car behind him — prompting a chain of giving that lasted almost three days and resulted in more than $10,000 in sales. Perhaps you’ve been in a Starbucks or McDonald’s drive-thru and been pleasantly surprised to have it happen to you; or maybe you’ve been the one spreading kindness to those in line behind you.
Though the concept of ‘pay it forward’ has been around for centuries, the idea was popularized by the 1999 novel and subsequent movie of the same name. However, there’s one significant difference between the book/movie concept and the drive-thru line experience. In the storyline, when someone, ‘pays it forward’ they must do something for someone else that the person cannot do for themselves. Hmmm.
We’ve been studying our way through the letters of the Apostle John this summer, in a series we’ve called How Do You Recognize a Christian? As followers and lovers of Jesus, the way we live should give to those around us clear evidence that we are who we say we are…people who love and follow Christ. Our lives should tell the story of God’s extravagant love for us…and for others. One of the first Bible verses kids learn in Sunday School says, “We love because He (God) first loved us.” In his gospel account of Jesus’ life, John records these words spoken by Christ, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Just as I have loved you is a pretty tall order. I mean, I want to love others like Jesus did; but what does that really mean, practically speaking, for me and for you?
Tried & True
How Do You Recognize a Christian?
August 1, 2021
It began in 1956 and was on-air continuously until 1978. Since then it’s been revised several times, reaching a total of 31 seasons in 2021. To Tell the Truth is an American game show in which four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants. The contestants all claim to be the same person, with an unusual occupation or life experience. The goal for the panelists is to question the contestants to determine which are the imposters and who is telling the truth. When questioned, the two impostors may lie; but the real person must answer honestly. Asking good questions, listening carefully to the responses, and paying attention to body language are all important factors in determining who is the real deal and who are the fakes. But even knowing that two of the three contestants are lying often doesn’t help the panelists. Determining who the liars are isn’t always as easy as it sounds!
We’ve been working our way through the letters of the Apostle John this summer, in a series we’ve called How Do You Recognize a Christian? We’re looking at the first six verses of 1 John 4 this week, where we find some strong words of exhortation. Like a father warning his children, John reminds his readers, “You can’t believe everything you hear!”
So how do you know what is really true? What sources warrant our trust? There is more information available to the average person today than at any other time in history. It can be overwhelming to even attempt to try and make sense out of the rhetoric, the reporting, the spin, or the sales pitch.
This week, we are about halfway through our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? as we study the letters written by the Apostle John. There’s an old song that says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” That’s the heart of what John is getting at in our study this week. The only way the world will know what the love of Jesus looks like, is if they see it authentically reflected in how we love them.
Who's Your Daddy? How Do You Recognize a Christian? July 18, 2021 Nobody likes to be wrong. And in a very real and devastating sense, our culture has lost the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. If you were to say to someone, “What you are doing is a sin,” what they will most likely hear you saying is, “I’m judging you,” not, “I love you enough to tell you you’re headed for trouble.” In our world, the idea of sin has been diluted; and instead of sin, we use words like error, mistake, sickness, faux pas, failure, fault, weakness…or even, preference.
Changing the language we use doesn’t alter the reality…our world, and every person in it, is infected with sin. There is no vaccine that can stop it; it’s only growing and will continue to grow worse. But, there IS hope!
This week as we continue in our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re learning about the hope that is available for our sin-sick world. We do not have to live enslaved to the power of death and destruction. Victory over sin can be our new reality.
Are you in need of some hope? There is a Deliverer, a Rescuer, a Hero - who promises freedom to those who will follow Him. I invite you to join us this Sunday, as we talk about what it means to experience freedom from the power of sin, to walk in victory and experience true joy.
The Blessings of Abidiance How Do You Recognize a Christian? July 11, 2021 Language is an ever-evolving thing. But where do new words or phrases come from and how do they go from obscure to official? A word gets into a dictionary when it’s used by many people who all agree that it means the same thing. First, you drop the word into your conversation and writing, then others pick it up; the more its use spreads, the more likely it will be noticed by dictionary editors, or lexicographers. Dictionaries can add more than 1,000 new words in a single year. Consider these recent additions to our English dictionaries:
Hygge, (h(y)o͞oɡə) depending on how poorly you pronounce this Danish word, means a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable. In the US, we call those hugs.
Merriam-Webster defines the term makerspace as “a communal public workshop in which makers can work on small personal projects.” A makerspace is like an art studio for the whole community. Most makerspaces cater to hobbyists rather than professional artists.
Crowdfunding is “the practice of obtaining needed funding (as for a new business) by soliciting contributions from a large number of people especially from the online community.”
This week, as we continue in our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? I’m creating a new word: abidiance. I’ve decided it means “the act of abiding in Christ.”
But what does abiding mean? What does that look like in the life of someone who follows Jesus? Where do we abide and how do we do it? The apostle John, whose letters we are studying this summer, stresses the importance of abiding more than once in his epistle. It’s important that we understand what it means and why it’s so vital for us!
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction How Do You Recognize a Christian? July 4, 2021 Most people are familiar with the classic ‘icebreaker’ party game, Two Truths and a Lie. To play, one person has to make three statements about themselves to the rest of the group. Two statements must be true; the other, however is a lie. Each person guesses which of the three statements they believe is untrue; and once all guesses have been made, the lie is revealed. It’s a fun, harmless way to get to know people a little bit better. And though the deception is intentional, it’s not really for the purpose of deceiving anyone. The point of the game is to learn new truths about others.
But in real life, lying isn’t fun or harmless. Dishonesty breaks relationships and destroys trust. Being swindled or deceived can be costly. We’ve all heard stories of people who have lost everything because they trusted someone they shouldn’t have.
There are multiple studies that suggest that, on average, Americans tell one or two lies every day. Additional studies have identified nine primary motivations that cause people to lie. So, if lying is so prevalent, how can you tell the difference between the truth and a lie?
Psychologists and body language experts who study these things tell us that there are a variety of ways to tell if someone is lying. Body movements, such as fidgeting, facial expressions, or certain hand gestures can all be clues to whether or not someone is telling the truth. But being able to accurately interpret those signs or signals requires training in how to spot a liar. Discernment – the ability to tell the difference between what is true and what is false – must be developed over time and with intention.
We are about a month into our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? This week, we’re talking about the importance of being able to tell the difference between biblical teaching (doctrine) and false teaching. It is vitally important that we know the truth. Because ‘truth’ comes in a wide variety of flavors these days. Everyone seems to have their own version. We must know, without a doubt, how to navigate the sea of half-truths, almost-truths, and outright lies in order to stand firm in our faith. And the Apostle John has some important instructions for us on how to develop the ability to identify the liars.
A Cautionary Tale How Do You Recognize a Christian? June 27, 2021 If you live in Oregon, where our church is located, you’re probably aware that much of our state is under an “excessive heat” warning this weekend. Around here, that means the highways to the Oregon coast will be packed with cars as people seek to escape from the heat. The forecast at this point indicates it will be about 35 degrees cooler, just 64 miles west!
The purpose of a warning is to provide people with information that allows them to prepare for unusual or potentially dangerous circumstances ahead. Fans and AC units are flying (or have already flown) off the shelves at home improvement and hardware stores around here. We’re stocking up on popsicles and ice cream, preparing to cook outdoors, and covering windows to block out the sun. People are doing whatever they can to prepare for the weekend heat wave.
This week, in our summer series How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re taking a look at a warning the Apostle John gives to those who have chosen to follow Christ. We all know that God is love. And that the love God has for the world has conquered the power of sin and death for those who accept His love. But not all love is created equal. In fact, there is a particular kind of love that God hates. And this is the love John wants to warn us about. You might wonder how any kind of love would be a problem. I encourage you to join us as we find out together.
Level Up Love How Do You Recognize a Christian? June 20, 2021 I’m not really much of a gamer. For you older viewers, that’s someone who plays video games. Although I did get sucked into playing Candy Crush a few years ago. It took me maybe six months to “crush” all 1,400 and some-odd levels of the game. That’s time I’m never gonna get back! Since then, I pretty much stick to word games and jigsaw puzzles.
Anyone who plays video games knows that many of them are structured so there is a hierarchy or levels of progress. You avoid the bomb, defeat the enemy, collect the gems, and overcome every obstacle in your way; and then you advance to the next level. And with every level passed, you, your character, or your team increases in ability, strength, resources, or power. You are better equipped for whatever obstacles are to come in the next round.
Some of these games can be pretty addicting! They’re designed to be that way, because, well…that’s how companies get people to spend money on their games. As humans, there’s something in us that is always wanting more...greater ability, more influence, increased strength. Video game developers are just capitalizing on what they know to be true about human nature. You could say that life is like a cosmic video game; and in one way or another, we’re all looking to level up.
This week, in our summer series How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re looking at what it means to level up in our journey to become more like Christ. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t exempt us from the challenges of life. In fact, in some ways, it can make life harder. There are definitely hazards, obstacles, and an enemy to defeat, as well as treasures to collect along the way. But every step of our adventure with Jesus is intended to challenge us to level up in the way that matters most. We are called to level up our love.
It’s not just a game. The stakes are high. Let’s level up, people!
The Real Deal How Do You Recognize a Christian? June 6, 2021 Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not…do you know a fake when you see one?
From fake grass to fake footwear, fake Amazon packages to fake ID…there’s a “fooler” for just about everything you can imagine.
Many of you know of my love for Diet Coke. In a blind test, I could tell you whether the Diet Coke you gave me came from a can, a bottle, or a fountain. I can also tell the difference between a Diet Coke that comes from McDonald’s and one that comes from 7-11. When I travel internationally, I often pack my own supply of Diet Coke in my luggage. In South America, they have a version of Diet Coke called Coca Light. It is NOT the same. But in some locations, I’ve asked for a Coca Light, only to be served Coke Zero. Just for the record, Coke Zero, Coca Light, and Diet Coke are all VERY different! “Same thing!” a restaurant server will say, with a shrug. I beg to differ! Coca Light and Coke Zero are poor “imitations” for REAL Diet Coke.
This week, we’re beginning a new sermon series called How Do You Recognize a Christian? Throughout the summer, we’ll be studying through the New Testament letters of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. In writing these three letters, John hoped to encourage the young churches scattered throughout Asia Minor to have an authentic, contagious walk with Christ; to rekindle their faith, love, and hope. His challenge to them -- live rightly and boldly in a world gone wrong -- is as relevant for us today as it was for his original readers. We know Jesus is the only real hope. Do we live like He is our only real hope? How will the world recognize real hope if they don’t see it in us?
The Real Deal How Do You Recognize a Christian? June 6, 2021 Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not…do you know a fake when you see one?
From fake grass to fake footwear, fake Amazon packages to fake ID…there’s a “fooler” for just about everything you can imagine.
Many of you know of my love for Diet Coke. In a blind test, I could tell you whether the Diet Coke you gave me came from a can, a bottle, or a fountain. I can also tell the difference between a Diet Coke that comes from McDonald’s and one that comes from 7-11. When I travel internationally, I often pack my own supply of Diet Coke in my luggage. In South America, they have a version of Diet Coke called Coca Light. It is NOT the same. But in some locations, I’ve asked for a Coca Light, only to be served Coke Zero. Just for the record, Coke Zero, Coca Light, and Diet Coke are all VERY different! “Same thing!” a restaurant server will say, with a shrug. I beg to differ! Coca Light and Coke Zero are poor “imitations” for REAL Diet Coke.
This week, we’re beginning a new sermon series called How Do You Recognize a Christian? Throughout the summer, we’ll be studying through the New Testament letters of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. In writing these three letters, John hoped to encourage the young churches scattered throughout Asia Minor to have an authentic, contagious walk with Christ; to rekindle their faith, love, and hope. His challenge to them -- live rightly and boldly in a world gone wrong -- is as relevant for us today as it was for his original readers. We know Jesus is the only real hope. Do we live like He is our only real hope? How will the world recognize real hope if they don’t see it in us?
Essentials: The End Times May 30, 2021 If you google “end times news,” your search will come back with an astonishing and overwhelming 1 billion 850 million results. It seems that people everywhere, of every faith or no faith at all, are, at some level, intrigued with the unknown and interested in what “the end” will look like. Countless people have dedicated their careers, if not their lives, to predicting the return of Jesus and the ensuing chaos and calamity that will result in the end of life on earth as we know it.
Author and journalist Dina Niyeri writes, “For believers, “the end” has always been imminent. In the Christian world, every century seems to bring a new wave of calculations. On January 1, in the year 1000, Pope Sylvester II predicted a millennial apocalypse. Two centuries later, Pope Innocent III predicted that the end would arrive 666 years after the birth of Islam. The Black Death brought rapture fever, as did every comet. Cotton Mather, the influential American preacher, had three guesses between 1697 and 1736. As for this century, a 2010 Pew Research Center study found that nearly half of American Christians – not just evangelicals – believe Christ will return in their lifetime.”
What is this fascination with the end times all about? What is it that drives our desire to know what’s coming? And what do we as followers of Jesus really believe about the end times?
We’re wrapping up our sermon series Essentials: Live Like You Believe this weekend. And we’ll be taking a look at what God’s Word has to teach us about the end times. There is much that we can know for sure; truths that give us firm ground to stand on, even as we navigate increasingly challenging and uncertain times.
Essentials: The Church May 23, 2021 Over the past 18 months or so, people in every sector of our society and around the world have had to figure out how to keep doing the things we’ve always done but in a whole new way. We’ve redesigned how we do work, school, healthcare, shopping, social life, and church. We’ve reorganized our daily routines, re-worked our schedules, re-defined priorities. As we adapt, new routines get incorporated into our lives and old ones go by the wayside. Those people who gather data and statistics on cultural trends would say that in America, one of the things that has disappeared from the rhythm of our lives as a nation is the connection to and involvement with Church. A recent Gallup study reports that for the first time in their eight decades of doing research, the percentage of Americans who say they belong to a church is less than 50%. Why have so many who grew up in church, decided to walk away?
This week in our series Essentials: Live Like You Believe, we’re talking about the Church. What is THE Church? What is its purpose? And why should it matter to you? We’ll be unpacking five core truths about the Church and considering how those truths could change your life.
Essentials: Salvation May 16, 2021 Years ago, when our kids were little, we would pile into the car on Sunday morning and set off for church. Nine times out of ten, we took the exact same route. Though the kids were too little to drive, they knew where we were headed by the familiar route and rhythm of the car. This was the way to church. Once in a while, I would decide to change things up and go a different way. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to church!” “There’s more than one way to get where we want to go,” I’d tell them.
There’s more than one option in almost every area of life. There are hundreds of choices of breakfast cereal, or types and styles of shoes, or music to listen to, or books to read. There’s more than one way to do laundry, to shop, or to exercise. We live in a highly individualized society where we cherish the ability to choose what works for ME.
Many people believe that there are multiple ways to have a relationship with God. But what does the Bible have to say about that?
This week in our series Essentials: Live Like You Believe, we’re talking about what it means to be “saved.” What is salvation? How do we get it? And if I need it, how do I get it? Is there only one way to be saved or do I have options? I invite you to join us this Sunday as we see what God’s Word has to say about what it means to be saved and have a relationship with God.
Essentials: Humanity May 9, 2021 It’s the one question every human being wants an answer to. Maybe you’re asking it right now. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, what color your skin is, what neighborhood you live in, or how much money you make. It makes no difference if you’re a sports fan or a music lover, a stay-at-home parent or a CEO, an early bird or a night owl, on team Diet Pepsi or the winning team, Diet Coke. Sooner or later, we all want to know…Why am I here? Where you find the answer to that question will determine the direction of your life.
Are you looking to another person for your answer? Or maybe a career? Perhaps it’s a passion for a particular issue that motivates you. The trouble with those sources of meaning is that they are temporary and changeable. There’s a deeper answer to the question. One that’s rooted in the unchanging character of the God who created you with intention and purpose. That’s the answer we really want. This week in our series Essentials: Live Like You Believe, we’re taking a look at what the Bible says about humanity. A foundational question about our purpose requires foundational truth for us to build our lives on. I invite you to join us this Sunday as we see what God’s Word has to say about who we are and how the answer to that question could radically change your life.
Essentials: The Holy Spirit May 2, 2021 For most people, the concept of a father or father figure is one that is understandable, if not relatable. Whether your dad was amazing or absent, fantastic or dysfunctional, regardless of personal experience, we each have a frame of reference by which we understand what a father is. By the same token, we all get what it means to be a son or daughter or to have a son or daughter. The words ‘father’ and ‘son’ describe common familial relationships that we can relate to. When the words are used to describe God, our understanding of human relationships, for better or worse, gives us a starting place for understanding God the Father and God the Son.
But then there’s this third part or person we also know as God. We don’t seem to talk about Him as much. And maybe part of the reason is because we don’t know how to relate to Him? I mean…I have a dad -well, actually, I have three, but that’s a different story – and I am a dad. I can relate to the dad part of God. And I am a son, and I have a son, so I get that too. But, there’s no frame of reference for me when it comes to the person of The Holy Spirit. And I think it’s the same for a lot of us. Which has resulted in a serious neglect when it comes to understanding and knowing Him. Or even wanting to. As humans, we seem to want to avoid the unknown.
And yet, when Jesus was about to leave this planet and return to His Father in Heaven, He promised to send His followers something, or Someone, even better. Now, what could be better than Jesus? And if the Holy Spirit is the “better” that Jesus promised, why haven’t we been more intentional about getting to know Him?
We are in the midst of an 8-week teaching series called Essentials: Live Like You Believe. We’re taking a look at the foundational truths of our faith, the non-negotiables of what we build our life on. This week, we’re going to dive in to what the Bible has to tell us about the Holy Spirit; to learn more about who He is, and His role in our lives.
Essentials: Jesus
April 25, 2021
In 1952, C.S. Lewis published his classic work, Mere Christianity. It was an adaptation of a series of talks that Lewis had given on BBC radio between 1941 and 1944. England was deeply embroiled in the Second World War. It was a dark time in history. Lewis, a member of the English faculty at Oxford was invited to present a series of talks on BBC radio on the topic of Christianity. In the midst of dark and desperate days, Lewis’ words challenged listeners to evaluate what they believed, and offered truth and hope. Speaking of Jesus, he said,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
What do you believe about Jesus? Have you examined His claims for yourself? Do you know why you believe the way you do?
This is week three in our series Essentials: Live Like You Believe. We are taking an 8-week look at the foundational beliefs of our faith, learning how to put into words what we know, and gaining a deeper understanding of how our lives should reflect the truths that we stand on. Whether you are just exploring faith, or have walked with Jesus most of your life, there is fresh truth for you as we study the Word of God together.
Essentials: God
April 18, 2021
If someone asked you to identify the five most important things in your life, what would you say?
A quick search and scroll through several different websites this week, provided me with an insightful look at what our culture thinks the most important things are. The order varied from site to site, but for the most part, what Americans value most is: Family, friends, health, purpose, and love. Does it feel like something is missing to you? On site after site, scrolling through one list after another, there was no, absolutely zero, mention of God. That might explain a lot about the condition of our culture! Now granted, these were secular sites. But God or even faith can mean different things to different people. But He still didn’t make any of the lists, no matter how you define Him.
Author Carolyn Custis James writes, “It takes only a phone call to remind us that we are all in the fray and that trusting God is the hardest thing we will ever do. In these moments of spiritual vertigo, only the vision of God’s character has the power to restore a sense of order and help us regain steady footing.”
What you believe about God is THE most important thing about you. Every decision you make, every word you speak, every action you take is deeply rooted to your core beliefs. Whether you are conscious of it or not.
We are in week 2 of our 8-week series, Essentials: Live Like You Believe. This week we’re talking about 5 things we believe about God. We are barely scratching the surface. But in order to know God, you have to start somewhere!
Perhaps you aren’t sure whether or not you even believe in God. Maybe you’ve “known” Him all your life and have taken that knowing for granted. No matter where you are in your journey of knowing God, there will always be more to learn about Him.
Essentials: Scripture April 11, 2021 A spokesman for Ripley’s Believe It or Not once said: “If you’re told something enough times, you’re sure to start believing it." So, how many of these things do you believe?
Camels store water in their humps. Nope. There is zero gravity in space. Also, not true. Coffee stunts your growth and dehydrates your body. Incorrect. People have only five senses. Actually, scientists say there are at least seven. Maybe more! Tryptophan makes you tired. It’s the overeating that makes you sleepy, not the Thanksgiving turkey. Toilet seats are full of germs. Actually, cell phones are 10 times more germ-y than most toilets. Ewww.
Or, consider these conspiracy theories that real people actually buy into… 77% of Americans believe there are signs that aliens have visited the earth at some time in the past. 10% of Americans don’t believe Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin really walked on the moon.
And in a recent national survey of Millennials and Gen Z-ers about the Holocaust, 7 percent were not sure, and 3 percent denied that it ever happened. One of the most disturbing revelations is that 11 precent of respondents believe Jews were responsible for the Holocaust. Most respondents indicated that their knowledge was based on social media posts or internet “research.”
What you believe matters. Everything we do, everything we think, and everything we say is shaped by what we believe to be true. The saying, “Actions speak louder than words” reflects the truth that how we live our lives says more about what we believe than the words we speak. So what do you believe? And how well does the life you live align with what you say you believe?
This week, we’re beginning a new teaching series called Essentials: Live Like You Believe. Throughout this eight-week series, we will be taking a look at some of the foundational beliefs of our faith; the truths on which we build and live our lives. Perhaps you’re new to this Jesus stuff and don’t really know what Christians believe, or maybe you’ve been attending church for a long time but have never really dug into the specifics of what we believe and how it should impact your daily life. Or, it could be that you know what you believe, but you aren’t really sure how to explain it to someone else. No matter where you are in your faith journey, there is something for you in this series.
The Day No One Believed April 4, 2021 I must admit. I am a sci-fi guy. I love science fiction…from space to superheroes. Just the thought of either sparks my imagination about the possibilities.
OK, I’m not looking to start a fight here, but hands-down, the best superhero is Superman. If you’ve ever watched some of the more out-there episodes of any of the more modern Superman stories, DC Comics has done a good job of building a multiverse…or multiple parallel universes, where almost everything is the same, but not quite. So, in our universe, Superman is the ultimate hero. In another, the same Superman might be evil, or just Clark Kent, or a chef...imagine a world without our Superman. It’s a darker place, no matter how it plays out.
Now imagine a world without the resurrection of Jesus. You don’t really have to think hard about how much darker our world would be. Sure, those who call themselves Christ-followers haven’t always represented Him well and have done some terrible things throughout history. But they also lead the charge when it comes to compassion – fighting poverty, hunger, human trafficking, social justice and on and on. In fact, most of our modern compassionate organizations were founded because a Christ-follower allowed the resurrection of Christ to change his or her life and motivate them to live out Jesus’ values to a broken and hurting world.
The resurrection is the source of all…HOPE. Hope… the dictionary says it means to want something to be true or to happen; to wish.
Often the strength of our hope is based on the strength of our desire. Maybe you’re hoping there’s enough money to pay the bills, or that your kids will take good naps today, or that your boss will notice how hard you’ve been working. We hope for all kinds of things.
But what happens when the things that we’re wishing for don’t work out? When people lose hope, they lose their ability to dream for the future. Despair replaces joy. Fear replaces faith.
The men and women who were disciples of Jesus hoped that He would deliver them from the tyranny of Rome and usher in a new kingdom, a new freedom. They celebrated His arrival in Jerusalem just days before the annual Passover celebration, joyfully waving palm branches, dancing in the streets, and declaring, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” Their hope was sky high. The promised Messiah had come! And then, in less than a week, dancing turned to disillusionment, dreams turned to defeat, and Hope was dead. But then came Sunday. In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised; and its strength is in His faithfulness. He has proven Himself faithful; His promises are trustworthy. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen…just as He said! He has broken the power of sin and conquered death. Through Him we have a freedom that’s greater than we imagined, a HOPE that is sure, and a future that is secure! We have reason to celebrate!
T.G.I.F.
Everyone knows what those four letters stand for. Whether you’re young or old, Friday seems to be everyone’s favorite day. And for good reason…there are a lot of good things to love about Fridays. Maybe it’s “casual Friday” at the office, or date night, or family game night, or the anticipation of sleeping in on Saturday, or that a whole weekend of fun – or at least the option to have some – stretches out in front of you. We get approximately 52 Fridays each year. That’s a lot of goodness to look forward to!
In the midst of all those Fridays, and all those “good” reasons we love them, there’s only one Friday each year that is officially called “good.” It comes around every spring just before Easter. It’s the day that Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. So…why would a day that is set aside to remember a death, especially one as horrific as His was…why would we call that day “good?”
Perhaps you’ve never quite understood why this day of remembrance is called “good.” If that’s you, I’d like to invite you to join us this Friday evening as we come together, both in person and online, to remember Jesus death, to reflect on what it means for us, and to answer the question of what’s so good about Good Friday.
For the World March 28, 2021 They say that ignorance is bliss. But is it, really?
According to an article on Forbes website, artificial intelligence experts are now teaching computers to come up with better questions, because humans aren’t as good at identifying the gaps in our knowledge as we think we are.
In other words, you don’t know what you don’t know.
In fact, you will never know what you don’t know. There will always be gaps in your knowledge; places where you are absolutely clueless as to your ignorance.
And in a culture such as ours where being “in the know” matters so much and admitting “I don’t know” can be seen as some sort of fault or failure, sometimes we forget we don’t know what we don’t know, and act like we know it all. Because who wants to actually admit that they don’t know anything about something?
Over the last three weeks, we’ve been discovering some of the things we didn’t know that we didn’t know about where we got the Bible. We’ve realized that we know a good bit about what’s in the Bible, but not as much as we thought about how the Bible came to be, or how it fits together, and why that matters.
This week we’re wrapping up the series with a look at the New Testament and how it fits together with the Old Testament. Sometimes it can feel like the two parts don’t go together very well. I invite you to join us this week as we bridge the gap and see how the two parts of The Bible do fit together. It’s almost like God planned it that way!
The Old Testament March 21, 2021 In the English language, certain words can have multiple meanings. It’s part of what makes English such a difficult language to learn! Take, for example, the word “old.”
It can mean ancient, obsolete, old-fashioned, or stale.
It can also mean durable, enduring, or timeless.
When we think about the Old Testament, which meaning is appropriate? Of course it’s ancient, but not obsolete. It’s enduring, but not stale. This Sunday, we’ll be taking a look at the old part of The Bible. Join us as we discover why and how this part of the Bible is called “old” and why it’s valuable and important for those who follow Christ today.
We’re in week three of a four-week series called The Bible for Grown-Ups. Many of us know the stories IN the Bible, but do you know the story OF the Bible? Where did the Bible come from? Understanding how we got the Bible strengthens our confidence in the Bible. If you’ve ever doubted whether or not you could trust what the Bible says, or struggled with some of the stories it contains, this is a great series for you!
In the Beginning March 14, 2021 All the best stories begin with great opening lines. Let’s see if you can identify where these famous lines came from…
Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. -Winnie the Pooh
Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away. -Oh the Places You’ll Go
Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy. -The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Buttercup was raised on a small farm in the country of Florin. -The Princess Bride A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.... -Star Wars So, how did you do? Great opening lines capture our attention from the very start. This weekend, as we continue in our series, The Bible for Grown-ups, we’re going to look at another captivating opening line. But there’s one significant difference…this is no fairy tale. Every word of this story is true. It starts out, “In the beginning...”.
We’re on the second week of a four-week series that unpacks for us the story OF the Bible. Many of us know the stories IN the Bible, but do you know how the Bible actually came to be? Understanding how we got the Bible strengthens our confidence in the Bible. If you’ve ever doubted whether or not you could trust what the Bible says, or struggled with some of the stories it contains, this is a great series for you!
Last Things First March 7, 2021 I was talking to the mom of a young adult a couple of weeks ago. She told me her son decided to take a Bible class in his secular college. Mom expressed her concern but was told, “Don’t worry, Mom, I know what I believe.” Sure enough, after the class there is nothing but doubt and skepticism. How do you know you can trust the Bible?
Lots of people are asking this question right now as we see values shifting around us in our culture. Most of us know some Bible stories – even if we’ve never been to church or don’t own a Bible. But knowing stories from the Bible isn’t the same as knowing the story of the Bible. And most of us don’t know the story of the Bible.
If someone asked you where the Bible came from, what would you say? Mom and Dad? Church? Amazon?
Perhaps you received your first Bible when you were a kid. A thick leather-bound book with your name stamped in gold on the cover; full of long words and difficult names you couldn’t pronounce. Or maybe it was a gift from a grandparent, youth pastor, or friend who introduced you to Jesus. No matter when you got your first Bible, you were probably told that it was God’s Word, that everything in it was true and you should do your best to live by its teachings. And then you tried to read it…
What seemed like it should be oh-so-simple is . . . well, it’s not simple. And, perhaps that’s because we were taught Bible stories but not the story of the Bible. There’s a big difference.
Do you know how the Bible came to be? Over the next four weeks, we’ll explore the story of how we got the Bible and how it sheds light on and gives us insight into the stories in the Bible.
If you are skeptical about the Bible, this is a fantastic series for you to discover the answers to some of your questions. For sure, if you already follow Christ, it might help you be able to better help others on their journey.
Go the Next Step to Develop a "Rule of Life" February 28, 2021 There are a lot of crazy rules out there.
In the state of Connecticut: Pickles must bounce. You are not allowed to sell a pickle unless it bounces. I guess it’s good they also have a 5-second rule there.
In Juneau, Alaska, flamingo owners are prohibited from bringing their pet into a barber shop. I didn’t know flamingos needed haircuts. And really, how many flamingos are there in Juneau, Alaska, anyway?
In South Dakota, it is illegal to fall asleep in a cheese factory. Now, I can see a rule about not cutting the cheese in a cheese factory. But who falls asleep in a cheese factory?
In New Hampshire it is forbidden to collect seaweed from the beach at night. If you want sushi for a midnight snack, well…you shoulda thought about that before the sun went down.
I’m sure there are stories behind each of these odd ordinances, but still…it begs the question, why do we need rules?
Think back to your days in grade school. When the teacher asked a question, what did you do if you wanted to give an answer? Anybody? Ah, yes…I see that hand back there! That’s right! You raised your hand! That happened because most likely your teacher had established a rule about raising hands before speaking in class in order to accommodate effective learning. Because if everyone just talked when they felt like it, not a lot of learning would get done.
Rules exist to help bring order out of chaos. They provide a framework for behavior that helps make it possible for people to thrive.
As we wrap up our Emotionally Healthy Spirituality series this Sunday, we’ll be digging into the concept of developing a personal “rule of life.” Now some of you love rules, so for you, this sounds awesome. But, you rebels out there aren’t quite as excited. But again, rules provide a framework that help us to thrive. The goal here is to add a tool to our skill set that will equip us to grow toward greater emotional and spiritual health. And that’s been our goal all along; becoming healthier, both emotionally and spiritually. Because you can’t be spiritually healthy, if you’re not emotionally healthy.
Grow into an Emotionally Mature Adult February 21, 2021 Well…it feels a little bit like Groundhog Day to me. Well, it feels a little bit like Groundhog Day to me. Well, it feels a little bit like Groundhog Day to me. …feels a little bit…bit like Groundhog Day, like Groundhog Day, Groundhog Day to me. Not the holiday; the movie. If you aren’t familiar with the 1993 comedy, it’s about a cynical TV weatherman, played by Bill Murray, who inexplicably finds himself reliving the same day – Groundhog Day – over and over again.
Last week we recorded a video about how humanity is pre-disposed to thinking that we are the center of the universe. And how violently people have responded when they come face to face with the fact that it’s not true! We are all inherently self-centered. It’s part of the sin nature we are born with. But over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at what it means for us as followers of Jesus to grow toward greater emotional health – not just taking care of the everyday basics, but tending to the deeper issues within each of us. And then…one little, I mean, big ice storm, and we’re all focused on the basics of food, water, and warm shelter again!
So let’s try this one more time!
As a church family, we are committed to pursuing greater health, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. And we continue in our study, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, this week. We’ll be taking a look at what means to be an emotional adult, unpacking the qualities that mark the lives of those who are emotionally and spiritually healthy. In our broken world, it matters, perhaps more than ever, that we as followers of Jesus, live out our faith in a way that demonstrates to those around us that there is real hope and healing in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Discover the Rhythms of the Daily Office and Sabbath February 7, 2021
Shaniko, Golden, Sumpter, Galena, and Millican. These are just a few of the more than 200 ghost towns that are scattered across our state. There are some who believe that Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state. And while it’s nearly impossible to prove a statement like that is true, it’s a fact that a myriad of once lively and now abandoned communities are scattered across the landscape of Oregon. “Shifting economics and transportation patterns are what create ghost towns,” says Ian Johnson, who works at the State Historic Preservation Office. “If you’re the town that gets bypassed when a railroad goes in, you’re out of luck.” In other words, loss of connection results in the death of relationship and community. Developing and maintaining any relationship requires intentionality. In my own life, I’ve established a pattern of connecting by phone, on a regular basis, with people who matter to me, but that I don’t get to see very often. Without that pattern, those relationships might well be lost. But I value them, so I take the time for meaningful connection. This week, as we continue our study, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, we’re shifting gears just a bit. We’ll look at ways to establish daily rhythms in our relationship with God that enable us to cultivate deeper connection with Him. Ultimately, He is the Great Healer; and a deeper connection with Him will help us align our lives with His Word in ways that bring emotional healing and spiritual growth.
Enlarge Your Soul Through Grief and Loss January 31, 2021 In a culture that is hyper-focused on acceptance, achievement, and success, there is precious little room for loss and grief. No one puts their failures on a resume. We put our best foot forward and slap a smile on our faces, regardless of what’s going on beneath the surface. And yet, without loss, brokenness, and struggle, all that holds meaning for us would be worthless. It is the cost that makes something…anything…worthwhile.
Author J.K. Rowling was once on the verge of homelessness as an unemployed single mother. Michael Jordan missed more than 9,000 shots in his basketball career. Steven Spielberg was rejected from the college of his choice three times.The truth is that our world is broken, loss touches all of us in a myriad of ways, and struggle is a constant part of life on our planet.
So why do we resist dealing honestly with our pain, when doing so would only help us grow? Why do we sweep it all under the rug and pretend like the hard things aren’t there?
This week, as we continue in our study, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, we’ll be looking at the role that grief and loss play in our journey toward becoming spiritually and emotionally healthy followers of Jesus. We’ll look at a slew of coping mechanisms that as humans, we tend to employ. On the surface, they seem to help us cope, but in reality, they keep us from growing. We’ll also discover how to process the losses of life in a healthy way, that will enable us to thrive, even through brokenness.
Our service is livestreamed on Sunday mornings at 11:00. As a church family, we are moving intentionally toward greater heath, both spiritually and emotionally this year. We’d love to have you join us on the journey. You’ll find our service on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the livestream link on our website. Join us as we worship and grow together!
Journey Through the Wall January 24, 2021 Will all the control freaks in the room raise their hands? Don’t worry…I can’t see you. But I know you’re out there! If the worldwide pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that control is an illusion; and though we want it, we don’t have it! Of course, there are some things you can control; but the reality is that life is unpredictable and perfection is impossible.
This week, as we continue in our Emotionally Healthy Spirituality series, we’re looking at the issues of power and control and how we are impacted by our desire for them. Sooner or later, in one area or another, you will come face to face with your own limitations, your own inability, and you will be stuck. What happens then? Ever been there? Perhaps you’re there now. And if not, then just wait…your turn is coming.
We believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth. We also believe that you can’t be spiritually healthy without being emotionally healthy. I invite you to join us as we journey together toward greater emotional and spiritual health. Our service is livestreamed on Sunday mornings at 11 am. You’ll find us on Facebook, YouTube, or by clicking the livestream link on our website. You’ll find it under the Resources tab.
We’re focused on growing and getting healthier this year and we’d love for you to join us. Don’t stay stuck! Let’s move forward together!
Going Back in Order to Go Forward January 17, 2021 A quick online search for the meaning of the word “inheritance” provides us with these definitions: something that is or may be inherited; the act of inheriting property; the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring; and the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations.
Looking back at my own history, one trait I inherited from the Voigt family is a strong work ethic. My dad and my grandfather both taught and modeled for me the value of being diligent, industrious, and productive. They communicated the value and importance of hard work, and they showed me what it looked like to be a hard worker.
Many of us, when we think of inheritance, think in positive terms. But not all that is passed from one generation to the next is necessarily beneficial! It requires no intentionality on our part to pass on our deficiencies, shortcomings, and defects. In fact, without intentionality, we will most certainly transmit to those who follow in our footsteps, the shackles of unhealth that go unchecked and untended in our own lives.
This week, as we continue in our study, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, we’re looking at the impact that our past has on us, and on future generations. As both a father and a grandfather, I want to make sure that I am doing all that I can to leave a healthy legacy for my kids and granddaughter. I believe you want the same for your family. But doing so requires us to do some work – both emotional and spiritual work.
I invite you to join us this Sunday as we look at what God’s Word has to say about breaking free from the bonds and burdens of the unhealthy junk in our past, and moving into all the good He has planned for us. We’re committed to getting healthier, in every area of our lives. Will you join us for the journey?
Know Yourself that You May Know God January 10, 2021 It’s an important question, and one that everyone, sooner or later, will need to answer: Who are you? In countries and cultures all around the world, people are searching for an identity. So where do we find it? How do we know who we are? Far too many settle for allowing feelings, community, or life experiences to provide an answer. Where can we find the truth?
In Hebrews 11: 24 we find a short, but important statement about one of the heroes of the Old Testament, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” It was certainly true that Moses had grown up in the palace of Pharaoh after being rescued as an infant by Pharaoh’s daughter. And though he probably felt both love and gratitude toward his adoptive mom, as he grew in his relationship with God, he understood that temporary circumstances did not provide him with a permanent identity. Moses looked to Yahweh, the God who created him, for the answer to that question.
This week, as we begin to dig into our new study, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, we’re looking at the importance of knowing who we really are. Do you know the answer to that question for yourself? Who or what have you allowed to define you?
I'm Not OK, You're Not OK
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
January 3, 2021
Happy New Year! I don’t think I have ever been so glad to see one year end and another begin. I imagine many of you are feeling the same way although there’s nothing about starting a new year that will make anything magically better or different! I think most of us have made enough New Year’s resolutions – and then broken them – to know that. Making anything better or different takes commitment, intentionality, and discipline. If we want 2021 to be any different than 2020, it’s up to us to do something about it. Obviously, there are some things we can’t control. But what about the choices you can make? What will you do with the brand-spanking new year that stretches out in front of you? How will you choose to grow?
We’re kicking off a new sermon series this Sunday called Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. We believe that for too long The Church (capital C) has neglected to disciple Christ-followers in the area of emotional health. You can’t be spiritually healthy if you’re not emotionally healthy. Being a Christ-follower should transform EVERY area of our lives…including the way we manage our emotions.
I’m really excited about this new series. Personally, I want to be as healthy as possible in every area of my life. Being healthy gives me the ability to give the very best of myself to Christ and to others; to live and love as God has called me to, to the very best of my ability. And I want the same for you. I long to see our church family THRIVING in every way. I hope you’ll join us as we set out on this journey toward greater emotional and spiritual health together.
2020 Year in Review December 27, 2020 It is deeply etched in my memory. And even though it no longer has any practical purpose for me, I still remember it…963.7710. It’s the first phone number I ever memorized as a kid (before area codes were necessary for reaching the intended person). Today, technology does much of our remembering for us. Instead of recalling and dialing a number, we tap a name on our phones, or ask Siri to dial for us! Which means that though I have a pretty good memory, and am better than average when it comes to numbers, I can’t recall some of the phone numbers I use regularly. They haven’t been hardwired into my brain like the ones I learned as a child. They’re stored in my phone’s memory instead.
There’s certainly much about this past year that many of us would like to forget. But, as we come to the end of this year and look forward to a new one, (as if somehow turning the page will make all the difference), perhaps, we should slow down and take a few minutes to remember. Maybe there are some good gifts buried in the muck of 2020 that we need to hold onto.
In the book of Joshua, chapter 3, we read the story of an incredible miracle God performed for His people. He made the Jordan River stop flowing so they could cross over on dry ground into the Promised Land. Then, God instructed them, through Joshua, to gather twelve stones – one for each tribe of Israel - from the dry riverbed - to set up as a memorial. They were a sign of remembrance, of what God accomplished for His people on that day; a marker that helped them to remember His promise, provision, protection, and plan for them.
Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” To recount means to remember. This weekend, as we gather one final time in 2020, we’re going to do just that – we’re going to remember the journey that we’ve walked with God, as a church family, over the past 12 months. And believe it or not, there is treasure to be found in the remembering; there is much to be thankful for.
The Rest of the Story Faithful December 24, 2020 It’s a very COVID Christmas. No matter where you are, or what your traditions might be, all of us have had to adjust our plans, and our expectations this year. I’m sure there are many who ‘ve wrestled through the angst of how/when/ or even IF to celebrate this year. Perhaps you are finding it difficult to navigate this holiday season with joy.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the Christmas story from the perspective of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. From what we’ve learned about Joseph, we know he was most likely a simple, humble man. A man who worked with his hands, building things with wood. We know he was a man of deep faith and deep compassion. But even simple men have plans, hopes, and expectations. But in one miraculous moment, everything changed. And Joseph had a choice to make. Would he surrender his plan for God’s? Would he walk out his love for the Lord, regardless of the cost, with faithfulness?
This Christmas, regardless of our circumstances, we have a choice as well. Will you celebrate the birth of Jesus with us? I hope so!
The Journey to Bethlehem Faithful December 20, 2020 It’s the whine you hear coming from the back seat. Whether it’s over the hills and thru the woods to Grandma’s house, or just a quick trip to the store, it seems you’re barely 10 minutes down the road before it begins... “Are we there yet?” With no real understanding of timeframes or distance, and no choice about whether or not to make the trip, kids can be unhappy campers when it comes to traveling.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the story of Christmas from the perspective of Joseph, the man God chose to be the earthly father for His Son, Jesus. This week, we’re considering the journey that Joseph and Mary made to Bethlehem. I can’t imagine that making the long trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem with your due-any-day-now wife was what Joseph really wanted to be doing. There was a baby on the way. Being a carpenter, perhaps he had a crib to finish making. But they had no choice. Though the timing wasn’t great, not making the trip wasn’t an option. Whether he wanted to or not was irrelevant; whether it was convenient or not, they had to go.
Like Joseph, sooner or later, all of us find ourselves on a journey we’d rather not take. It’s not our idea, it’s not comfortable or convenient; and yet, we have no choice.
The last nine months we’ve all been on a journey that none of us would have chosen. Like kids strapped in uncomfortable car seats, with no idea how much farther we have to go, we ache for the journey to end. Are we there yet? I invite you to join us this Sunday as we worship together and learn from the story of Joseph, Mary, and their journey to Bethlehem.
Raising a Child Not Your Own Faithful December 13, 2020 “Let every heart prepare Him room…” “O come, o come, Emmanuel…” “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee…”
The songs of Christmas are filled with phrases that welcome or invite Christ into our lives. The words remind us of the truth that there was no room available for Joseph and Mary as they sought shelter in Bethlehem. Though their need was temporary, the only option offered was one which was more suitable for livestock than people. I imagine this wasn’t exactly what Joseph had in mind when he set out with his very pregnant wife.
Over the past nine months, we’ve come to expect the unexpected in terms of how life unfolds. We’ve learned to adjust on the fly. “Pivoting” has become a new life skill. I think Joseph gets an ‘A’ in pivoting! I mean, imagine a door-to-door angel showing up at your house, informing you that a baby delivery is headed your way, and you get to be his parent! Talk about an adjustment! And it wasn’t just a temporary situation! In the blink of an eye, Joseph has a new assignment, a new calling, a new responsibility.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our Christmas series, “Faithful.” We’ll consider what it might have been like for Joseph to raise Jesus, a child who wasn’t his own. There’s a lot we can learn from the way Joseph responded to God’s invitation to step up as a step-dad.
Emmanuel – God With Us – has come. Wherever you are, He is there. Will you make room for Him? Let’s welcome and worship Him together.
Whose Child Is This? Faithful December 6, 2020 It’s one of the most exuberant, popular, and beloved of traditional Christmas carols. And yet, it’s not actually a carol at all. In fact, though we sing and treat it this way, it’s not even a song about Christmas; at least, not as its author intended. Isaac Watts was born in 1674, in South Hampton, England. If the father of medicine was Hippocrates and the father of the telephone was Alexander Graham Bell, then the father of English hymns was Isaac Watts. He composed a huge collection of more than 750 hymns, which are still being sung by Christians around the world. The opening line of Joy to the World is sometimes incorrectly sung as, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come.” That is not what Isaac wrote. He wrote, “The Lord is come.” He wasn’t describing a past event (the birth of Jesus) but looking forward to a future event (the return of Jesus). He based this carol on Psalm 98, which is about Christ’s triumphant second coming, not his birth in Bethlehem! And that’s precisely what the song is about. It speaks of Jesus’ final coming to earth when “the Savior reigns” and when “He rules the world with truth and grace.” Watts longed for that glorious final day when the “nations (will) prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.” The phrase in this song that stands out most to me this year is, “let every heart prepare Him room.” What does it look like to prepare room for Christ? In our homes, our schedules, our priorities? Everything about the holiday season feels wonky this year. But Christ has come, and is coming. That alone, regardless of any of the temporary mess we live in, is cause for celebration! Will you make room for Him this week? We’re looking at the Christmas story from a little different perspective this year: through the eyes of Joseph, the man God chose to be His Son’s earthly father.
A Carpenter Named Joseph Faithful November 29, 2020 In this message, we’re beginning a new sermon series called “Faithful.” Throughout this Christmas season, we’ll be taking a look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Joseph. If you’re a parent, you know how carefully you consider the involvement of other adults in the lives of your kids. Can you imagine choosing someone else to raise your child? God the Father sent His only Son to our dark and broken world, entrusting Him to the care of both Mary and Joseph. What kind of dad would God choose for His Son? I hope you’ll join us as we lean in to the Christmas story from a little different perspective.
Life in the Valley Thanks! November 22, 2020 It was given its forbidding name by a group of pioneers, lost there in the winter of 1849-1850. Though history only records that one of the group died there, they all assumed that this place would be their grave. Rescued by two scouts, the group finally made their way out of the valley and over the Panamint Mountains. As they climbed, one of the men turned, looked back and said, “Goodbye, Death Valley.” And this name, along with the story of the Lost 49ers, became part of the history of the western United States.
Steady drought and blistering summer heat make Death Valley a place of dangerous extremes. Winter months can be dangerously cold. Storms can produce sudden flooding on the valley floor. And summer air temperatures have reached as high as 127 degrees. It is the lowest, hottest, and driest part of the North American continent. And yet, for each extreme there is a striking contrast. Towering mountain peaks are frosted with snow. The rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and provide refuge for wildlife. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life is found in Death Valley.
We often think of valleys as being a place of hardship or unwanted challenge and filled with stress or fear. It’s easy to become overwhelmed or stuck in the valley. But, as the story of Death Valley illustrates for us, there is both life to be found in the valley and a Rescuer to lead the way through it.
I’m guessing that there are a lot of us who feel like we’re stuck in a valley right now. No one knows how long it will last, or how dark it might get. Even the most resilient and optimistic of us can begin to feel weary when there is no end in sight. This week we’re wrapping up our “Thanks!” series with a look at how we can navigate the valleys of life with gratitude. While this message will be an encouragement for all of us, I want to especially encourage those who are struggling as the pandemic pressure drags on…please join us this Sunday.
THANKS! Myths of the Mountain November 15, 2020 Mountain climbing, as a sport, began in 1760 when a young Swiss physicist, captivated by the sight of Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in Europe, decided that he would either climb to the top or be responsible for it being climbed. He offered prize money for the first successful ascent of the mountain; but it wasn’t until 1786, more than 25 years later, that the money was claimed. Mountain climbing is not only challenging, it’s dangerous and full of inherent risks! So why would anyone do it? Why not just sit back and enjoy the view from below?
Northwest climber Aubrey Laurence writes, “When I’m climbing, especially when I’m in a challenging position, all of life’s mundane issues and day-to-day stressors fade away… I feel a sense of clarity, focus and calm. Nowhere else in life do I feel more alive.” He identifies particular benefits of climbing such as becoming more self-reliant, developing increased confidence, displaying greater humility, and conquering deep fears.
As followers of Jesus, most of us are familiar with the concept of having a “mountain top experience” with God. We savor the moments of euphoria, the thrill of accomplishment, or the incredible perspective we gain. But in order to make the most of the moment at the top, and reap the benefits of the climb, we must learn from the lessons of the journey.
The ABC's of Thanks November 8, 2020 What a week! I guess 2020 is staying true to form. You know, it would be easy and understandable if we allowed the headlines to capture our attention, steal our focus, and dictate our mood. With the seemingly endless uncertainty, division, rioting…it can feel overwhelming. Then add the increasing COVID numbers, ever-changing and confusing guidelines and metrics. There’s just so much stress! Something’s gotta give!
Science tells us that the mind reacts to bad things more quickly, strongly, and persistently than to equivalent good things. Negative emotions generally involve more thinking, and the information attached to them is processed more thoroughly than positive emotions and information. By default, we tend to think more about unpleasant events — and use stronger words to describe them — than happy ones. In order to counteract the power of negative events, experiences or emotions, studies have shown that we need five positives. That’s a lot of compensating! It means that in order to maintain a healthy perspective we must be intentional about where we choose to focus our attention.
Philippians 4:8 says, “…fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” In Colossians 3:1 we read, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Fixing and setting are action words. We won’t accidentally have a positive mindset! God’s Word instructs us to actively choose what we will think about. But it’s up to us to make the choice!
This week, we’re beginning a short sermon series called, “Thanks!” For the next three weeks, we’ll be taking a look at what it means to be grateful, in both good times and hard ones, regardless of our circumstances. Learning to cultivate gratitude is a powerful discipline. Will you join me as we unpack what the Bible has to say about being thankful?
REMEMBER REBOOT: Creating a New Normal November 1, 2020 Memory is a strange thing. The ability to remember is complex and sometimes frustrating. There are things I’d prefer NOT to remember, but can’t seem to forget, and other things I really want to remember that seem all too easily forgotten. To remember is to keep something in mind. The prefix ‘re’ means again and ‘memor’ is Latin for mindful. Put together, we get: again, be mindful.
The word ‘remember’ in all its various forms occurs over 250 times in the Bible. While some of those “remembers” refer to God, many of them are exhortations for us as His people to be intentional in our remembrance of Him. This Sunday, we’re wrapping up our REBOOT series with a message about the importance of remembering.
I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship. This Sunday, November 1st, is a significant day for me. It was 20 years ago this weekend that God called me to join the pastoral staff here at Dayspring. It’s been quite a ride over the last two decades! But over and over again, we as a church family have experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God. I’m looking forward to celebrating all that God has done in this season. Remembering the past gives us hope and confidence for the future. It reminds us of who God is, of all He has done for us, and of His promises for tomorrow.
RECONCILIATION REBOOT: Creating a New Normal October 25, 2020 Our English word “reconcile” comes from the Latin, reconciliare, which means “to make good again” or “to repair.” A quick online search of the word “reconcile” gives us a few different definitions that help us more fully grasp its meaning… … to restore to friendship or harmony … to settle or resolve an issue … to make consistent, or … to submit to or accept something unpleasant The Bible is filled with reconciliation stories…examples that help us understand what it looks like when reconciliation takes place…Jacob & Esau, Joseph and his brothers, the prodigal son, and the ultimate story -- of Jesus, the One who reconciles us to God. We’re nearing the end of our REBOOT series; and this week we’re looking at what God’s Word has to say about the topic of reconciliation. We hear that word thrown around a lot these days; but, like toilet paper and Clorox wipes, it seems to be in short supply! Our world is in desperate need of some restored harmony and resolved issues. As followers of Jesus, (which means we actually follow, not just believe) what does love require of us when it comes to reconciliation? In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul writes, “… God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” Reconciliation is not just a task to be undertaken, an agenda to pursue, or an effort to be made—it is our calling to be lived out.
REFOCUS REBOOT: Creating a New Normal October 18, 2020 Have you ever looked at an ant through a magnifying glass? They’re terrifying! Crouch down low, get your face near the ground, peer through the glass, and take a look for yourself.
What do you see? Huge pinchers and menacing eyes! Did you know they can carry 20x their own bodyweight? And when they fight, they fight to the death! Ants are fearsome creatures!
That is…until you stand back up again. Then you can see things from a new perspective. Depending on how you look at them, an ant is either a terrifying beast or a total non-issue. The way you look at the ant – your perspective – makes all the difference!
As we continue in our series REBOOT this week, we’re taking on the oft-avoided and sometimes taboo topic of politics. In a culture that is increasingly divided and where hostility toward those of differing views continues to grow, how do we as followers of Jesus engage in a way that honors Christ? What lens do we use to examine the issues, and how does it shape what we see and the way we respond?
I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we worship together and look to the Word of God for wisdom as we navigate the divisiveness in our nation and seek to live out the hope we have in Jesus.
RECONNECT REBOOT: Creating a New Normal October 11, 2020 In a quick poll on Facebook this week, people responded to the question, “What has been the most difficult thing for you to cope with during the seven months of pandemic?” A variety of responses came in, but there was one clear theme. Let’s see if you can catch it… “Teaching school virtually.” “No in-person church.” “No gathering.” “…loneliness…” “…isolation…” “Missing family and friends.” “No hugs.”
Not one person mentioned finances. Nobody complained about masks. Activities like sporting events, concerts, or movies didn’t make the list. What most people miss more than anything is community. We are wired for connection. God designed us for relationship. But the framework that afforded us the opportunities to connect has been radically altered, if not eliminated, for many of us.
So what does community look like in a Covid culture? How do we connect and even BUILD relationships in this time where social distance is required?
Throughout our Fall sermon series, entitled REBOOT, we’re taking a look at what it looks like for us to thrive and flourish in every area of our lives, even in challenging circumstances. This week we’ll be talking about how to foster connection and community in this season.
RENEW REBOOT: Creating a New Normal October 4, 2020 A wise person once said, “Sometimes you need to talk to a two-year-old just so you can understand life again.” I’ve certainly found this to be true as I interact with our 2-1/2-year-old granddaughter, Avery. The wonder of experiencing life from a two-year-old’s perspective can be so refreshing.
Until it isn’t.
Just because you can talk to a two-year old, or see through their eyes, doesn’t mean it makes sense. Sometimes it just boggles your mind.
Take these tweets (seen in video above) from parents who used the hashtag, #whymykidiscrying as collected by boredpanda.com.
This young girl is upset because her dad told her it was her birthday. You think you’re crying now…wait til you turn 50!
This sweet little toddler is unhappy with her mom because she won’t let her play with knives. C’mon mom, it’s never too early to start training for the circus!
OK, maybe I get not playing with knives, but this mom is really off base. Her daughter just wants to see if the stapler can go through her finger.
Even Avery, my own practically perfect, incredible granddaughter who never does anything wrong, has her moments. She was recently unhappy with her mommy because she wanted Cheez-Its for her snack, and Lexi had the sheer audacity to give her Cheez-Its for her snack, and it made her mad.
Yeah, the mind of a two-year-old is incredible…until it makes no sense.
Sometimes those big emotions are just too much for little ones to handle. And while we hide our smiles and choke back the laughter, we also need to help them learn how to navigate the world of feelings appropriately. Because it’s not nearly so funny when the fit is being pitched by a THIRTY-TWO-year-old! Learning to process emotions in a healthy way is work. Hard work. And this year is pushing everyone’s emotional healthy to the edge of sanity. It’s time to get to work getting emotionally healthy.
We’re in the midst of our Fall sermon series entitled REBOOT. We’re taking a look at how we, as followers of Jesus, can thrive in every area of our lives, regardless of the circumstances around us. We’re forward focused, and looking for the opportunities that God has embedded in this season, for our growth, health, and maturity in Christ. This week we’re taking a look at what God’s Word has to teach us about being emotionally healthy. Because you can’t be spiritually healthy without being emotionally healthy!
REINVENT REBOOT: Creating a New Normal September 27, 2020 First instituted in 1901, speed limits are assigned to increase road safety and reduce the risk of traffic accidents. For a long time, individual states were responsible for determining their own speed limit laws. After oil shortages in the ‘70s, Congress established a national maximum speed limit of 55 mph which was signed into law by President Nixon in 1974. Congress returned speed limit authority to the states in 1995. Since then, 34 states have raised speed limits on some parts of their roadway systems.
Regardless of what the posted speed limit is, it seems we always want to go faster! I try to obey the speed limit, but it’s so easy to just “go with the flow” of the traffic around you, then glance at the speedometer to discover you’re flying down I-5 at 10, 15, or even 20 miles per hour over the speed limit! I mean, not me, of course! You know who I’m talkin’ to!
Speeding is a major threat to road safety. It accounts for more than 13,000 deaths a year, and it's estimated that speeding-related crashes cost over $40 billion a year. Though it’s clearly a dangerous activity, almost all drivers speed.
This “need for speed” isn’t necessarily limited to our pace on the roadways. If the last six months have revealed anything to us, it’s the unsustainable pace at which most of us have been living life. What if blowing through our days, weeks, and months with barely a moment to breathe is just as dangerous to our souls as flying down the freeway at breakneck speeds is to our bodies?
As much as we all think we want things in our world to go back to “normal” after Covid goes away or a vaccine is found, I’m not sure “normal” is all that good for us. So how do we leverage the lessons of a less frantic season of life? What lessons can we learn from the limitations of this season that might be beneficial as we look toward creating a more sustainable, healthier pace of life in the future?
We’re in week three of our fall sermon series called REBOOT. We’re taking a look at what it means to thrive in every area of our lives, even in an unsettling and uncertain season. God has good plans for you. Let’s explore what His Word says about that together!
RE-ENGAGE REBOOT: Creating a New Normal September 20, 2020 Being a great cook is more than just following recipes or measuring accurately. It also means being able to take a look in the fridge or pantry and using whatever you have on hand to make a meal, replace a missing ingredient, or add something unexpected to an existing recipe. Great cooks know how to improvise.
Being willing to improvise means being willing to take a risk. And not every risk will turn out to be a culinary success. (That’s when frozen pizza or Uber Eats saves the day!) But there’s an abundance of freedom in learning to be adaptable, rather than being locked in to the specifics of a recipe – especially when you’re out of a particular ingredient!
We launched our fall sermon series entitled REBOOT last weekend. Over the next several weeks, we’re taking a look at what it means to quit waiting for life to return to “normal” and, instead, move forward toward our goal of becoming more like Jesus in every area of our lives. Over the past six months, it’s felt a lot like we’re missing some key ingredients in our standard recipe for growth and health. So what might it look like to improvise and try something new?
REIMAGINE REBOOT: Creating a New Normal September 13, 2020 Well, it’s back to school season! But…wait… The calendar says September, but did we ever really finish the last school year? Where did the last six months go? There was no spring soccer or summer baseball, no vacations to Disneyland or 4th of July fireworks, no Summer Olympics or Oregon State Fair. How can it possibly be September??
I’ve grown to hate the words “social distancing.” I’m tired of the global pandemic. If I never hear the words “new normal” again, it will be too soon. If we’re all in this together, why are we so far apart? I’m done with the constant bickering about masks. And how many times can I rethink the way I’ve always done things and try to figure out a new way? I liked the old way! I want the old normal back! The only good news in this whole unprecedented, global pandemic is that we really are in this all together, because none of us can escape!
I would bet you’re a lot like me. You can feel our culture sinking. Six months ago, we all pushed “pause” thinking we’d just have to get through this for a month. Then two months. And now, we’re six months in, with no end in sight. Friends, we’re never going to get back to “normal” as we knew it. We’ve entered an alternate reality. It’s kind of like someone downloaded an upgrade, like the ones tech companies force on your computer or phone. Once those files are installed, you always have to reboot and then, figure out how to do the old things in a new way.
We’re launching a new sermon series this next week called “Reboot.” Over the next eight weeks, we’ll be taking an honest look at what it means for all of us to move forward in this new reality, whether we like it or not. God’s Word tells us that, “…as we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need"…did you catch that?..."EVERYTHING we need, for living a godly life.” Even in a coronavirus culture.
You & the Stranger The God Who Turns Up the Heat September 6, 2020
All that glitters is not gold; You can’t judge a book by its cover; Clothes don’t make the man; and It’s what’s inside that counts. These familiar figures of speech are clever ways of saying that things are not always as they seem.
We’re wrapping up our summer series, Stranger Things, this weekend. Over the past couple of months, we’ve been taking a look at the different ways God shows up as a stranger in stories throughout the Bible. In the process, we’ve been reminded, again and again, that our assumptions, preconceptions, or observations may not always lead us to what is true. We’ve been challenged to examine our own responses to the stranger, the marginalized, the different; and to that which is uncomfortable, unexpected, or outside our comfort zone. The goal has been to deepen our understanding of the heart of God toward people…all people…and to be willing to challenge ourselves to live out His heart more faithfully and authentically. Our vision as a church is to love God and love people. We love God best when we love people with an authentic, radical, risk-taking kind of love; the kind of love that changes hearts and transforms lives.
Cleopas & the Stranger The God Was There All Along August 30, 2020 Blindness affects millions of people all over the world. There are a number of things that can cause permanent blindness, including repeated eye infections, conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and some health conditions that affect the eyes, such as diabetes. In 1882, Helen Keller was struck deaf and blind at the age of 19 months by an illness that included a high fever. Historical accounts of Keller’s life have speculated that the illness was rubella, scarlet fever, encephalitis or meningitis; but the exact cause remains a mystery. According to a modern-day medical analysis, bacterial meningitis was the likeliest culprit. But just like there are many causes of physical blindness, there are also many different types of blindness. A popular air freshener ad refers to being “noseblind.” There are conditions such as night blindness, color blindness, being blinded by the sun, blind rage, or blinded by love. Or you might be flyin’ blind, with blind faith on a blind date! Blindness is more than a physical condition. As we continue in our Stranger Things sermon series this week, we’re looking at the story of a less familiar Bible character by the name of Cleopas. He’s only mentioned a couple of times in scripture. But the encounter recorded for us in the book of Luke about Cleopas’ journey on the road to Emmaus following the crucifixion of Jesus reveals to us another type of blindness…the blindness of disillusionment. I’d guess that most, if not all of us, have wrestled with some level of disappointment or disillusionment in the past few months. We’re all processing a variety of losses and working through grief. If we’re not careful, those things can blind us, much like they did Cleopas, to what God wants us to see, do, and be.
Ezekiel & the Stranger The God Who Turns Up the Volume August 23, 2020 In 1969, one of the longest running television shows in the United States debuted. Sesame Street has been on the air continuously ever since. If you were a kid who grew up watching or you had kids who watched, you most likely remember the song, One of These Things Is Not Like the Others. Kids were encouraged to identify which one out of four similar items, was different and didn’t belong with the rest. While our culture celebrates uniqueness, difference, and individuality, as humans, we also want desperately to connect, to identify, to belong.
As we continue in our Stranger Things series this week, we’re taking a look at the prophet Ezekiel. His story is definitely unique and, to be honest…kinda weird! Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet; an exile, living in Babylon during one of the darkest times in the history of Judah. He’s a man without a country, living as a stranger, even among his own people who had forsaken their covenant relationship with the Living God. And if that wasn’t difficult enough, God called Ezekiel to be a messenger to the people of Judah in some very strange and uncomfortable ways.
Feeling like the one thing that “doesn’t belong” is hard. Ezekiel’s story reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we are called to be different, to be strangers in a world that is not our home. We too have a message from God to share with the people around us; people He desperately loves and longs to have a relationship with. Ezekiel’s story will challenge us to step out of our comfort zones and into God’s calling for our lives, even when it might be uncomfortable.
Isaiah & the Stranger The God Who Turns Life Upside Down August 16, 2020 Have you ever had the experience of bumping up against someone else’s assumptions about you? Or maybe you’ve been the one making assumptions about someone else? You don’t have to look far to realize that most of us are pretty good at making assumptions…about all sorts of things. At least we think we are. It’s so much easier than doing the hard work of pursuing truth. This week, as we continue in our Stranger Things sermon series, we’re taking a look at the life of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. We don’t know a lot about Isaiah, but we do know from his writing that God called him to the task of challenging the nation of Israel on their assumptions about God. That’s right…they (and maybe even we?) had some deep-seated assumptions about God that were literally destroying their relationship with Him. Have you ever even considered what assumptions you might have about God that may not be true?
David & the Stranger The God Who Used to Show Up August 9, 2020 The dictionary defines “giant” as: a person or thing of unusually great size, power, or importance. The name Goliath has come to imply something that is big, really BIG. There are goliath frogs, goliath grouper fish, goliath spiders, goliath burgers, and my favorite, the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags! The common denominator? Each of these is enormous – relatively speaking – and most likely overwhelming in one way or another! “Giants” come in all shapes and even, all sizes. What is big, scary and overwhelming to me might not be to you, and vice versa.
This week, as we continue in our Stranger Things series, we’re looking at the story of David, the giant slayer. Through David’s life we’ll see him in moments of confidence and, in others, crippled by crisis and chaos. We’ll also see how God sustained David through the valleys and the victories.
Are you facing your own giant right now? In need of an infusion of courage? Of hope? Or strength? Maybe this season, fraught with insecurity and strife, is more than you can cope with. Perhaps your “giant” is closer to home. Maybe it’s depression or lost dreams. Maybe it’s a broken relationship. We live and work and breathe – day in and day out – in a world that can be overwhelming in a myriad of ways. So how do we keep moving forward in faith? Let’s learn together from the lessons of David’s life this Sunday.
Naomi & the Stranger The God Who Doesn't Turn Up at All August 2, 2020 The Old Testament story of Naomi begins with loss, grief, and broken dreams. Stripped of everything that gave meaning and purpose to her life, Naomi struggles with God’s apparent absence. Pain and devastating circumstances convince her that God has abandoned her; and on the surface, we see no overt evidence of His presence in her story. There’s no burning bush, no voice from heaven, no angelic visitation. There is only silence. Has God truly forgotten her? Maybe you can identify with Naomi’s story. Perhaps it’s difficult for you to see God at work in the circumstances of your own life.
We are in the midst of a sermon series called Stranger Things. We’re taking a look at stories from the Bible that give us a glimpse at some of God’s more perplexing personality traits. As we look at Naomi’s story this week, there are important truths for us to glean. As we will see, just because God is silent doesn’t mean He’s not at work. The fingerprints of God’s grace are all over Naomi’s life. We just might need to look a little more closely.
In this season, it can feel like our days are full of change and loss. It can be overwhelming and exhausting trying to keep up with the restrictions, the data, the changing information, and the differences of opinion. It’s easy to develop a mindset, much like Naomi’s, that is focused on all that has been stripped away. When uncertainty seems to stretch on endlessly, and it feels like nothing is “for sure” anymore, God is our firm foundation. Unshakeable, immovable, faithful. I trust Him.
Gideon & the Stranger The God Who Turns Up Way Too Late July 26, 2020 Any successful organization – whether it’s a business, church, or family – has principles or guidelines that all who are involved agree to abide by. One of the expectations I’ve set for the people on my teams throughout the years is to honor and respect others by being on time. It’s a simple way to express our love for people – by showing up on time, ready to begin – whether it’s a meeting, a rehearsal, whatever. Being on time matters.
But when we consider the Creator of time, it can seem that He has little regard for timetables…especially ours. Why does the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God of the universe seem to be so consistently inconsistent when it comes to timing?
In his book, God is Stranger, (the book that inspired this sermon series) author Krish Kandiah writes, “For one whose timing is supposed to be perfect, God often seems to come across as rather disorganized. It doesn’t matter if it is heartbreaking global issues, or the personal challenges in our immediate circumstances…stuff happens that can make us seriously question God’s timing.”
As you have faced the challenges and uncertainties of recent days, have you found yourself questioning God’s timing?
I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer. Last weekend, we began a new sermon series called Stranger Things. Over the next few weeks, we’re taking a look at stories from the Bible that give us a glimpse at some of God’s more confounding qualities. This week, we’ll be looking at how God showed up in the life of the Old Testament hero, Gideon. We’ll see how perfect and trustworthy God’s timing is, even when we can’t make sense of it.
Abraham & the Stranger: The God Who Turns Up Out of the Blue July 19, 2020 Author Andy Crouch writes, “In Scripture, the God who made us and calls us turns out to be so very different from what anyone expects – no matter what we expected.”
All of us, regardless of age, gender, race, or any other defining characteristics, are living through a time that is overwhelmingly different from what anyone could have imagined or expected. There’s no script, no roadmap, no guarantee for what next week, next month, or even next year will look like. These are some strange times. No matter what your expectations were for 2020, this year has turned out to be very different from what any of us anticipated. In very real ways, life on our planet has become very strange. It almost feels like the only thing we know for sure, is that nothing is for sure anymore!
I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer. This Sunday, we’re starting a new sermon series called Stranger Things. I’ve been following Jesus for most of my life. Through the years, as I’ve grown in my faith and obedience to Him, I’ve come to realize that the more I know or understand about God, the more there is for me to learn. I will never have Him “figured out.” He is beyond my limited human capacity to comprehend. Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll be looking at a series of stories from the Bible where God shows up in the lives of people in some pretty unique, if not downright strange ways. These stories will give us a glimpse at some of God’s more perplexing characteristics, and will both challenge and deepen our faith, as we navigate this strange season. Join us this week, as we look at a unique encounter with God from the story of Abraham.
Sealed with a Kiss July 12, 2020 For the past five and a half months we’ve been studying Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. When we began this study on February 2, we had no idea of the things that lay ahead of us in the months to come. Who could have imagined all that has transpired around the world, and here in our own nation? In a very real way, the foundation of our global civilization is being shaken, and the fabric of our nation continues to fray. Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers are practical and purposeful, filled with exhortation and encouragement about what it means to authentically live out a vibrant faith in a broken world; to fully embrace our freedom in Christ, acknowledging that we have not only been freed FROM something, but FOR something. In a season of confusion and division in their world and in ours, Paul has reminded us that our focus must be on the eternal, not the temporary. This intensely practical study has been incredibly timely for us. The unshakeable truth of God’s Word is our firm foundation, even and perhaps especially, in uncertain days.
We are wrapping up our Messy Church series this weekend, with a look at Paul’s concluding words to the Corinthians in chapter 16, which he seals with a kiss. I hope you’ll join us – in person, or online – this Sunday!
God Bod July 5, 2020 The global health club industry is a $94 billion market. Around the world 174 million people like me spend time every week trying to get in shape, or stay in shape, so they can live longer, healthier lives. From the moment I started working out, I decided that I wasn’t ever going to cross the line into obsession. I’m not after the perfect body. I just want to be healthy.
But it’s no secret that cultures around the world are obsessed with the perfect human body. For centuries, artists have celebrated, even exalted the human form in their art. A quick search on Amazon reveals that this obsession with bodies continues to thrive in our own time and culture. There are more than 90,000 books about exercise, 80,000 books about diet, and over 90,000 search results for exercise equipment available through their website! That’s a lot of emphasis and focus on something that’s as temporary as the human body! Or…is it as temporary as we think?
This Sunday we’re in the second half of chapter 15 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. Last week, Pastor Jon unpacked Paul’s teaching on one of the foundational beliefs of our faith: the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that that means for us. This week, we’re looking at the promise of our own resurrection and the implications that promise holds for us today, both in how we view our bodies and how we use them.
Two Truths & a Lie June 28, 2020 I have never broken a bone. I love rollercoasters. I’ve traveled to Antarctica.
Of those three statements, two are true and one is a lie.
Two Truths and a Lie is a popular party or icebreaker game. The point of the game is to get to know the people playing a little better. In turn, each person makes three statements about themselves, two of them true, and one being a lie. The other players then try to guess which “fact” is false. Often, it can be challenging to discern which of the statements is true and which one isn’t!
This week, in our study of 1st Corinthians, we’re in the first half of chapter 15. We’re getting close to the end of Paul’s letter to the young church at Corinth. After focusing much of his attention on encouraging the Corinthian believers to live out their faith more consistently, Paul now begins to emphasize and reinforce a foundational truth of their faith in Christ. Upon this truth, their faith stands firm or falls flat; and Paul wants to make sure that they are solid in their understanding of it! This truth is essential for us as well, as we navigate a world that is overflowing with half-truths and outright lies. Oh…and just so you know…I really haven’t ever broken a bone, and rollercoasters are one of my absolute favorite things. And as much as I believe penguins need Jesus too, in all my traveling, I haven’t made it to Antarctica…yet.
Come Together June 21, 2020 Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last few weeks, you can’t help but be aware of the protests that have occurred - and continue to occur - in the streets of cities all across our country. From coast to coast, people of every background, ethnicity, and skin color are crying out for justice. There have been thoughtful and respectful conversations that are leading to greater understanding and producing much-needed change. But there have also been demonstrations filled with disorder, chaos, and destruction that have only created greater division.
This Sunday, as we pick up our study of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, in chapter 14, Paul continues to emphasize the importance of order in public worship services. As followers of Jesus, we have become members of one body, each of us gifted with unique abilities intended for the edification of the Church. But the Corinthian church had lost sight of their purpose, and their gatherings had become self-serving exhibitions, rather than demonstrations of the self-sacrificing love that must characterize those who follow Christ. And just like we see in our culture today, the chaos resulted in disorder and division.
Say What? June 14, 2020 You don’t have to be around pre-schoolers very long before you’ll hear one of their very favorite words: MINE! Sharing is a concept that has to be learned! And though parents, grandparents, and teachers patiently coax and coach the little humans in their lives to have a gracious and generous heart toward others, the me-first, it’s MINE mindset is wired deeply into our brains. It’s a default setting that we as humans constantly contend with.
As we press on in our study of 1 Corinthians this week, Paul continues to address the chaos that has begun to characterize the young Corinthian church. Many of the believers there had become consumed with a me-first mentality that was creating division and disunity within the church. After emphasizing the supremacy of selfless love for one another, Paul now turns his attention to selfless service; the practical, Spirit-enabled, living out of our faith as followers of Jesus and members of His body. As believers we have been called and equipped for a faith life that is in many ways, counter-intuitive. But as Christians, it’s not about me, it’s about we.
Love Does
Messy Church
June 7, 2020
Every year since I graduated from high school, I’ve been part of at least one wedding. Whether I was singing, playing piano, standing alongside a groom, or officiating, I’ve been in more than my fair share of ceremonies! More often than I can even tell you, 1 Corinthians 13 has been used as a sentimental reading to express what love looks like. But the apostle Paul never intended for his words to become fodder for the standard wedding ceremony. This chapter, as eloquent as it is, is full of hard truth. It calls us to a kind of love that is beyond sentimentality, to a selfless, sacrificial kind of love that’s much more than just a feeling. Scripture tells us that God is love. As we are filled with His love, and learn to love others as He does, we will find that love is life-giving, empowering, and fills us with purpose, as we employ our spiritual gifts to serve others. We’ll be unpacking what Paul has to teach us in this most famous chapter of 1 Corinthians as we continue in our series, Messy Church, this Sunday.
These are challenging times in our country. As the body of Christ we are called to love the way Jesus did; to be His hands and feet to a world that desperately needs Him. Love changes everything. Let’s get on it!
The Perfect Gift May 31, 2020
In each of the last few weeks, I’ve had the joy of giving a gift to one person (or family) who has filled out our online Communication Card. It’s been fun to delight people with a surprise they didn’t expect and to give them something that was chosen specifically for them. If you haven’t been completing the Communication Card, you might want to rethink that! You just might end up being our weekly recipient! I mean, who doesn’t want to get a gift?
As we come to our study in 1 Corinthians this week, we’re in chapter 12. Paul continues to give instruction about how the body of Christ should function; and in this passage, he turns his attention to the topic of spiritual gifts. Unlike our weekly gift that goes to just one lucky “winner,” ALL who belong to the body of Christ, who choose to follow Jesus, have been given spiritual gifts. They’re gifts that have been carefully selected for each individual. They’re given for a purpose, and discovering what they are and then using them brings great joy and satisfaction!
Let Them Eat Cake May 24, 2020 Though legend has often attributed the phrase, “Let them eat cake,” to Marie Antoinette, it’s more likely those words were said about 100 years before her time by Marie-Therese, wife of Louis XIV. British author and biographer Antonia Fraser writes, “It was a callous and ignorant statement and she, Marie Antoinette, was neither.” The phrase references the plight of the poor during a time of famine in France when bread was in short supply and extraordinarily expensive, consuming up to 50% of a household’s income. It shows us just how disconnected she was from the challenges facing the poorest citizens in France at that time.
As we continue in our study of 1 Corinthians this week, Paul has some words of correction for the believers in Corinth around their practice of communion. Originally, their remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross was part of a larger feast, commonly called a “love feast,” meant to be a blessing to those in need in the congregation. But the practice within the Corinthian congregation had become significantly lacking in love. Their “let them eat cake” attitude was hurting the unity and strength that communion was meant to build. Paul, fed up with their drift from the purpose of the love feast, issues a strong rebuke, urging them to remember the price paid for their redemption and that they are now, one body.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes Mother's Day May 10, 2020 Happy Mother’s Day! Traditionally, on the second Sunday of May, we honor moms and all of the sacrifices they make (or have made) to love and care for their families well. Our celebrations or remembrances will most likely look a little different this year. But what a great opportunity to get creative as we affirm and bless the important women in our lives! Moms, we appreciate you. Thank you for all that you are and all the ways you love and serve. You are a blessing, and we are grateful.
Now, whether it’s the ongoing Covid crisis or the discovery that a new, invasive species of “Murder Hornets” has arrived in our part of the country, it seems the world is just moving from one crisis to the next, with no end in sight. In the swirl of “sky is falling” voices, it’s important to fix our eyes on the truth of God’s Word. This weekend, we’re looking forward to hearing from Pastor Michelle, as she brings a special message of encouragement…not just for moms, but for all of us!
The Freedom Trail Messy Church - Loving Others Isn't Easy May 3, 2020 Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1951, the Freedom Trail is a unique collection of locations and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution. A 2.5-mile red line, beginning at Boston Common, leads to 16 nationally significant historic sites and gives tourists the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of America’s founding fathers.
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been walking with the apostle Paul down a “freedom trail” of our own. We’ve considered how our freedom in Christ calls us to balance truth and grace. We’ve looked at how our freedom challenges us to balance our rights with our responsibilities. This week, as we look at 1 Corinthians 10, we’ll look at two more “freedom trail markers.”
Life as followers of Jesus looked very different from what the Corinthians were used to before embracing faith in Jesus. As the founding father of their faith, Paul guided them in how to walk out their new freedom. The principles we find in Paul’s writing equip us to use our freedom as believers, wisely.
Even in this season where everything feels wonky, we are still called to walk out our freedom with wisdom. So, what does that mean, and what should it look like?
This Sunday, we’re looking at 1 Corinthians 9 in our series Messy Church. In this section of his letter, Paul challenges the Corinthian believers to stay focused, to keep the big picture in mind. Distraction and difficulty will threaten to pull them off course. But Paul reminds them to be disciplined and diligent, keeping the goal of the gospel as their target. His words to the Corinthian believers couldn’t be more appropriate for us.
“Meating” in the Middle April 19, 2020 In case you’re not counting, it’s been 25 days since the governor of Oregon ordered the citizens of our state to stay home. Twenty-five days of disrupted schedules, disappearing toilet paper, and, for many, discontinued paychecks. It seems everything about our lives has been completely re-oriented around the Coronavirus. You don’t have to look very far to find advice on how to navigate this season or opinions on what our government should (or shouldn’t) do next. The clamor has created a swirl of confusion, frustration, and fear. How do we, as followers of Jesus, respond?
We are in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians as we continue our series called Messy Church. In this passage, the apostle Paul is again responding to a question sent to him by believers in Corinth. Relatively young in their faith, they were intent on figuring out how their faith in Jesus impacted their daily lives. And, shocker, it appears there was a difference of opinion about what that should look like!
Whether it’s government policies or drinking alcohol or selecting a movie to watch – even among Christians today, there is a variety of opinions. We get to do life together, and every decision impacts someone else. So how do we choose wisely?
He Lives! April 12, 2020 If you had told me a year ago that we would not be gathering together this Easter; that churches all around the world would be empty on the day we celebrate our Risen Savior, I’m not sure I would have believed you. And yet, right now, this is our reality. In the last three weeks, life as we know it has turned upside down. Nothing is as we expected. And in a way, it’s almost fitting. Hang in there with me for a moment... You see, 2000 years ago the disciples of Jesus had a vision. They knew Jesus was the Messiah; and in their minds, they had expectations of how things were going to play out and what that would look like. And then suddenly, in the midst of a Passover dinner, Jesus tells them it’s not going to work out at all like they expected. Faster than they could process, their world turned upside down and their hearts turned inside out. The Master they followed, the Messiah they loved, was betrayed, judged, sentenced, crucified, and buried. He was gone. And so was their vision, and their hope. But behind the scenes, working in ways that they could not fathom, God was preparing to unleash a hope bigger than they could imagine, a rescue more powerful than they could dream. We will celebrate the resurrection of our Savior this Sunday in ways we never have before. Gathered around computer monitors or television screens or cell phones is not what any of us imagined or hoped for. And yet, what if God is doing something bigger behind the scenes that we can’t see? What if He is preparing to do something more powerful in our world than we can even imagine? Jesus lives! Hope has come! In homes all across our city, state, nation, and around the world, followers of Jesus WILL CELEBRATE the risen Christ this Easter. Just imagine…worship rising in my home and your home, in homes from coast to coast and continent to continent, as Jesus is exalted! The Holy Spirit unites us in a powerful way, even and perhaps especially, when we can’t be together! I’m excited about what God is doing, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Life Lessons #2: Contentment Messy Church – Loving Others Isn’t Easy April 5, 2020 You know…months ago when we were planning and preparing to begin livestreaming our services, I was really excited about being able to use technology in this way to reach people. And don’t get me wrong, I’m still excited about it and incredibly grateful that God has given us the resources to make videos, stream services, and connect with one another through the internet. But having to do everything this way is hard. Really hard. We all miss the personal interaction, our community, our “people.” I know you feel the same way. When the circumstances of life are hard, it’s easy to become frustrated, anxious, and discontent. The passage we’re looking at in 1 Corinthians this week is very timely. We’re in the second half of chapter 7, and the apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthian believers about this very subject…contentment. We don’t know for sure what crisis they were facing, but Paul refers to challenging circumstances in verse 26. Today, we face a global crisis; and Paul’s words of encouragement are just as important for us, in these times, as they were when he wrote them.
Life Lessons #1: Marriage and Divorce Messy Church – Loving Others Isn’t Easy March 29, 2020 There is definitely a lot of uncertainty and confusion filling our world right now. Every morning it seems there are new questions, new statistics, and new information. If you aren’t careful, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! Daily, we are navigating our way through new territory; and it can be difficult to know what the next right thing to do might be. It can feel like there are a lot more questions than answers. The believers of the church at Corinth were navigating new territory of their own. Most of these young Christians had been converted from a pagan lifestyle to a new life, following the Way of Jesus. But figuring out what that looked like, practically speaking, in their day to day life was a challenge! They had lots of questions! Fortunately for them, and for us, the Apostle Paul had answers. And the principles that Paul laid out for the practical application of faith to daily life are as valuable and important for us, today, as they were for the Corinthians.
Let's Talk About Sex Messy Church – Loving Others Isn’t Easy March 22, 2020 As we continue this Sunday in our study of 1 Corinthians, you might find yourself feeling really glad that we’re not gathering in person! We’re in the second half of 1 Corinthians chapter 6, and Paul is going to have THE TALK with his Corinthian kids. It’s time. Maybe past time, and Paul speaks boldly and directly to the church at Corinth about S-E-X. That’s right, we’re gonna talk about sex. See…I told ya, you might be glad to be watching from home this week! If you’re uncomfortable or embarrassed…well, you can be that way in the privacy of your own home! But don’t let discomfort distract you. Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian believers because who we are and how we live out our faith matters in EVERY area of our lives, including this one. And, his principles apply to more than just sex as well.