First Love

Over time, we can become less preoccupied with Jesus as the world overshadows our day-to-day lives. We need to refresh and keep our first love, remembering to focus on Him. Guest speaker: Graham Kerr. From December 29, 2013

Weaving the Word #5: Jesus’ Temptation Continues

We’re required to live with the tension of trust between us and God. And, we don’t like it, and the enemy knows it, and exploits it! From December 22, 2013

Weaving the Word #4: The Temptation of Jesus

The Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted. But, aren’t we supposed to flee temptation? We’re told to flee temptation but not the tempter. We have to face him in battle. From December 15, 2013

Guess Who? #1: John the Baptist

When would anyone ever fall away on account of Jesus? When He isn’t what we expect. Don’t make the mistake of doubting Jesus when He doesn’t match your expectations. From December 1, 2013

Collect the Critters #1: Doves

Why would the Holy Spirit appear as a dove? John the Baptist said Jesus came to baptize us in the Holy Spirit. But, why a dove? What’s it mean? From November 24, 2013

Try Harder

Comparing ourselves to others without proper perspective can lead to a dangerous cycle. So, how do we break the cycle of trying harder, fatigue, failure, and guilt? Guest speaker: Chris Herbert. From November 17, 2013

Weaving the Word #3: The Baptism of Jesus

Jesus begins His journey by repenting on behalf of all mankind. When Jesus stepped into the Jordan, He stepped into our shoes. From November 10, 2013

Weaving the Word #2: Word Play

The Bible is God’s autobiography, diary, plans, purpose, and revealed will … for you. God himself has sent you the ultimate text message! From November 3, 2013

Puzzling Parables #1: Words for the Whys

Jesus was never a question and answer man. He was a question and question man. Parables require pursuit, and Jesus is always all about pursuit. From October 27, 2013

Missions Sunday

There are missionaries (you), there’s the mission (share your faith), and there’s the mission field (where you’re gonna share). Your mission field is, more than likely, here in the good, old USA. Speaker: Nick Harris. From October 20, 2013

Connecting the Jots #2: The Yeast of Hypocrisy

The Pharisees and Sadducees had one thing in common: they were both hypocrites! The teaching of the Pharisees was truth without grace; the Sadducees, grace without truth. From October 13, 2013

Connecting the Jots #1: The Blood of Grapes

In a perfect setting, a celebration, a wedding, God-the-Gardener proclaims with this sign that His Son, the True Vine, has come! From October 6, 2013

Weaving the Word #1: Line Upon Line

Righteousness doesn’t come from independent, self-sufficient devotion to rites and rules, but through a childlike relationship with Righteousness itself! From September 29, 2013

I’m Kind of a Big Deal

Sometimes we pray for a change, and then when an opportunity arrives, we think it’s beneath us. We are kept from healing because we believe we are above the necessary steps. Guest speaker: Chris Herbert. From September 22, 2013

The Story of Joseph #60: Finishing Well

Joseph did what God expects His faithful fruit to do as it ripens: he presented himself as an ever sweeter, brighter offering unto the Lord. From September 15, 2013

The Story of Joseph #59: The Death of Grace

Joseph’s brothers feared that the death of Jacob signaled the death of Joseph’s grace! 17 years in Goshen, and they’ve never fully received what Joseph has so freely, joyfully given. From September 8, 2013

The Story of Joseph #58: Rest Assured

Do you see death as a conquered enemy? For the believer, death is a door, and the door has a merciful name. From September 1, 2013

Living to Make God Famous

God has designed us to fulfill 5 purposes in a balanced way. So, how do we move toward perfect balance in the Christian life? Speaker: Wayne Nonoshita. From August 25, 2013

The Story of Joseph #57: Deathbed Blessings

Joseph and his brothers gather at their father’s deathbed to hear his blessings. They assemble there, but not in any apparent order; not by birth, not by mother. Why? From August 18, 2013

The Story of Joseph #56: Going On Seventeen

Nothing can separate you from Christ’s love … except you! He’s the Word, in the Ark, cast down, in the flesh, as an anchor, in the storm, to cast His net, as a Fisher of Men! From August 11, 2013

The Story of Joseph #55: Four Fifths

Jesus came to collect: your power, property, security, independence … and trust. Everything! And we discover that true freedom only comes when we’re bound to Christ. From August 4, 2013

Walk Away

Freedom for us is waiting. It’s as simple as responding to Him. Being fully aware of our superstitions, we still respond. Guest speaker: Chris Herbert. From July 28, 2013

The Story of Joseph #54: The Blessing of Goshen

However difficult your journey has been, there’s an eternal purpose for it. Your life is a pilgrimage, equipping you to bless. From July 21, 2013

The Story of Joseph #53: Scarred Reunion

Believing that God has promised what He has, and that He’ll do what He’s promised, is what turns wounds into scars. And scars serve to remind us of the battles God has brought us through. From July 14, 2013

Jump Starting in the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is given to us to help guide us in our obedience to his command to love God, neighbor, and self. In other words, my weakened faith is jump started by the Holy Spirit’s presence! Guest speaker: Graham Kerr. From July 7, 2013

The Story of Joseph #52: Dislocating Israel

Jacob receives the worst/best news he’s ever had: his beloved son Joseph ‘returns from the dead’ and offers him the best of Egypt … if he’ll leave the Promised Land! From June 30, 2013

The Story of Joseph #51: Changing Clothes

Joseph gives Benjamin five sets of clothes, and God throws down the challenge: “See if you can find what those five sets of clothes might represent!” From June 23, 2013

The Story of Joseph #50: Just Fine

To remove their shame, Joseph must find a way to let his brothers pay a just fine in a demonstrable way. Like Jesus, he found a way to pay the price on their behalf and take their shame. From June 16, 2013

The Story of Joseph #49: Never Say Die

When Joseph’s brothers throw themselves on his floor they transform, in the twinkling of Joseph’s teary eyes, from betrayers to brothers. From June 9, 2013

The Story of Joseph #48: Passing the Test

Joseph is giving his brothers a test with huge consequences. He’s not testing them to see if they deserve what he longs to give, but if they’re capable of receiving it! From June 2, 2013

Building a Body

Organs and limbs can’t fulfill their purpose without being connected to a body. In the same way, we need to be connected to the body of Christ: a group of believers we are committed to. Speaker: Wayne Nonoshita. From May 26, 2013

The Story of Joseph #47: Out of the Bag

To have their deepest needs met, Joseph’s brothers must feel the grief they’ve inflicted, and die to self. Likewise, to receive true life from God, we must die to the self that denies His authority. From May 19, 2013

The Story of Joseph #46: The Silver Cup

A cistern is just a big ol’ cup! And this cup of betrayal that Joseph entered had to be completely free of any trace of moisture. From May 12, 2013

Date With Destiny

How we define life largely determines our date with destiny. Thankfully, there are three Biblical metaphors that can greatly impact your life here and into eternity. Guest speaker: Chris Herbert. From May 5, 2013

The Story of Joseph #45: About Face

Unbeknownst to his brothers, Joseph was celebrating a reunion, 22 years in the making. And the banquet they share is all about the face … and the tears. From April 28, 2013

Awake at the Gates: Submitting to the Sign of Jonah

Condemning is one of the most self-centered things we can do, because we use condemnation to lift ourselves up by putting others down. From April 21, 2013

Asleep at the Keel: Waking to a Greater Reality

Paul says to fix our eyes on the greater reality, of the unseen eternal, and realize that we live in a lesser reality, a poor reflection of the true reality found only in Christ. From April 14, 2013

Shuteye Q&A: Follow-Up to the Easter Sermon

The “Shuteye” sermon on Easter Sunday has raised a lot of questions, not to mention eyebrows! This Q&A session provided lots of answers; the 3-hour recording has been edited down to 51 minutes. From April 7, 2013

Making God Smile

God didn’t have to create you or me. He wanted to! And a big part of our created purpose is the joy and gladness and satisfaction that we bring to our Creator. Speaker: Wayne Nonoshita. From April 7, 2013

Shuteye: Envisioning an Invisible God

If God designed a definitive analogy, allowing everyone, ever born, everywhere, every day, to sufficiently perceive everything, what would that be like?! From March 31, 2013

The Story of Joseph #44: Blast From the Past

Besides being part of a larger picture of God’s sovereign, gracious plan, most of this story centers on a self-absorbed young man maturing and learning the full meaning of forgiveness. From March 24, 2013

The Story of Joseph #43: A Skunk in the Offering

Selfless acts, motivated by gratitude, are fragrant to God, but sacrifices that aren’t sincerely selfless just stink! From March 17, 2013

For His Purpose

What is the driving force in your life? When we choose to put our faith in Christ, He said He will transform our motivations from self-centered to love-driven. Guest speaker: Chris Herbert. From March 10, 2013

The Story of Joseph #42: Judah Takes Action

Repentance isn’t just a feeling, a surrendering, a receiving, a desiring, a resolving, a choosing, or even a committing. Repentance is incomplete until it’s an action. From March 3, 2013

The Story of Joseph #41: Hidden Treasure

Joseph takes everything his brothers have, in exchange for everything they need. Likewise, salvation is the free gift that will cost me everything! And I’ll gladly, joyfully pay! From February 24, 2013

The Story of Joseph #40: Selecting Simeon

When my strength and God’s Spirit disagree, I must surrender to His love and look to His cross. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of ultimate strength under ultimate control of Ultimate Love. From February 17, 2013

The Story of Joseph #39: Reuben’s Rescue

It’s no coincidence that Joseph’s brothers see God’s hand, and confess their guilt, after Joseph responds, perhaps reluctantly, to please God. From February 10, 2013

Joy Beyond Grief

We only find healthy joy beyond grief (the goal) by entering into grief with raw honesty (the process); but, we often hold back because it feels like unbelief (the obstacle). Guest speaker: Todd Cullop. From February 3, 2013

The Story of Joseph #38: The Black Space

Joseph is in a very dark place: God is speaking and directing, but Joseph is putting the Lord on hold, because he doesn’t want to do what he knows God wants him to do. From January 27, 2013

The Story of Joseph #37: Spy vs. Spy

The battle has begun: it’s a grudge match with God, between Joseph’s lust for revenge and his need for reconciliation. From January 20, 2013

The Story of Joseph #36: Deeply Ingrained

God knew that nothing short of a famine would get Joseph’s brothers to go to Egypt, confront their sin, repent, seek His will, and find their purpose. And all this goes for Joseph too, by the way. From January 13, 2013