O Little Town: Christmas Eve Service

The Christmas story is a reality, but gets a bit blurred by the fact it occurred in what we assume is an un-relatable ‘long ago’ and ‘far away’. From December 24, 2021

Christmas Stories: Glimpses of Perfect Goodness – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From December 19, 2021

Christmas Stories: Glimpses of Perfect Goodness

God desires to give you grace, not because you’re good enough, but because you’re loved enough! From December 19, 2021

The 12 Steps of Christmas: Overcoming Chaos With Christ – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From December 12, 2021

The 12 Steps of Christmas: Overcoming Chaos With Christ

Today we’re working to overcome our addiction to the chaos of Christmas by adapting a tried and true recovery program. From December 12, 2021

Our Own Backyard: His Commission, Our Ambition – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From December 5, 2021

Our Own Backyard: His Commission, Our Ambition

The best missionary is always one of the natives, and our mission field begins in Skagit Valley. We’re backyard missionaries. (Includes audio from Pastor Nick’s Philippines mission update video.) From December 5, 2021

Government Mandate: Obedient Disobedience to Authority – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From November 28, 2021

Government Mandate: Obedient Disobedience to Authority

Laws can modify behavior, but they can’t transform a heart. From November 28, 2021

Flood Walls: Preparing for the Storms of Life – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From November 21, 2021

Flood Walls: Preparing for the Storms of Life

We get lulled into laziness because devastating things, whether emotional, relational, or physical, don’t happen that often. But when they do, the unprepared are underwater. From November 21, 2021

Motivational Seeker: Using Glorifying Reasoning – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From November 14, 2021

Motivational Seeker: Using Glorifying Reasoning

Whatever I choose to eat or abstain from, to enjoy or avoid, or to believe or reject, I must be fully convinced that I am expressing genuine trust, obedience, and gratitude to the Lord! From November 14, 2021

Stumbling Blocks: Only Offending in Love – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From November 7, 2021

Stumbling Blocks: Only Offending in Love

Walking in the truth means standing up to non-truth, when God gives us the timing, the means, and the wisdom to do so in love, as His servant-ambassadors. From November 7, 2021

Tricky Treat: How to Handle Halloween

Halloween is a great dark-and-gory night to practice being a light “in” it but not “of” it. (No Q&A due to Arktoberfest setup today.) From October 31, 2021

Sin Pickers: Judging Without Being Judgmental – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From October 24, 2021

Sin Pickers: Judging Without Being Judgmental

Are you better known for criticism or compassion? Condemnation is such a sneaky, snaky sin that we often blindly follow or even lead each other in. From October 24, 2021

Unique Unity: Avoiding Offending Believing Siblings – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From October 17, 2021

Unique Unity: Avoiding Offending Believing Siblings

Our Father wants kids, not clones! He created us to be different from one another but the same in our aim. And it is a challenge for uniquely-created beings to unite. From October 17, 2021

Disputable Matters: The Sin of the Stronger Believer – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From October 10, 2021

Disputable Matters: The Sin of the Stronger Believer

Why is so much responsibility put on the strong believer? Because, the weaker can’t cater to the stronger. But the stronger can bear the weaker. So are you the stronger? From October 10, 2021

Just Judging: The Case of the Weaker Seeker – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From October 3, 2021

Just Judging: The Case of the Weaker Seeker

There are three sides to every story: your side, their side, and the truth – otherwise known as God’s side. From October 3, 2021

Fish Tale: Seeing God as Unflawed – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From September 26, 2021

Fish Tale: Seeing God as Unflawed

The Word of God ain’t flawed! So, let’s act on the fact that He’s God and we’re blind. From September 26, 2021

No Going Back: Focusing on Faith Over Fish

Piggy banks are good; piggy hearts are bad. Because there’s a big difference between saving and pigging. (No Q&A due to baptisms today.) From September 19, 2021

Go Fish: The Lure of Love – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From September 12, 2021

Go Fish: The Lure of Love

Love in the face of our trials is our witness. In fact, our best witness can come in our worst circumstances. From September 12, 2021

Net Gain: Dropping What’s Dragging Us Down – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From September 5, 2021

Net Gain: Dropping What’s Dragging Us Down

Our nets are filled with the things we cling to – or rather, cling to us – that distract us from fully following Jesus. From September 5, 2021

Anyone and Everyone: Receiving What We’re Believing – Q&A

 Question and Answer session. From August 29, 2021

Anyone and Everyone: Receiving What We’re Believing

Whoever you were before doesn’t matter when you’re partnering with God Himself! From August 29, 2021

Talking the Walk: True Confessions of a Trusting Heart – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From August 22, 2021

Talking the Walk: True Confessions of a Trusting Heart

The most powerful way to share our faith is to show the difference Jesus is making in our lives when we make Him our Lord. From August 22, 2021

Wrong Way: Turning to the Right Righteousness – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From August 15, 2021

Wrong Way: Turning to the Right Righteousness

We’re all heading wrong ways in ways we’re unaware of. So it’s a kindness when the Rock becomes a roadblock. From August 15, 2021

Nothing on Noah: Bringing Joy to Our Creator – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From August 8, 2021

Nothing on Noah: Bringing Joy to Our Creator

God didn’t have to create you; He wanted to create you! What greater significance could you be given? From August 8, 2021

God’s Friendship: Above and Beyond Serving – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From August 1, 2021

God’s Friendship: Above and Beyond Serving

We love to sing about Jesus’ friendship toward us, but is there enough reason to sing about your friendship toward Him? From August 1, 2021

God’s Workmanship: Our Contribution to Creation – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From July 25, 2021

God’s Workmanship: Our Contribution to Creation

A key indicator of maturing, is finding ourselves less-and-less asking “Who can meet my needs?” and more-and-more asking, “Whose needs can I meet?” From July 25, 2021

Dead to Sin: Breaking Free by the Spirit – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From July 18, 2021

Dead to Sin: Breaking Free by the Spirit

When someone says, “You’re dead to me!” it means they want nothing to do with you anymore. Being dead to sin is like that. From July 18, 2021

Lightweights: Training for Truth Without Excuse – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From July 11, 2021

Lightweights: Training for Truth Without Excuse

Whatever you do, don’t lean on Jesus as an excuse to stay weak. We should be using our light afflictions to allow Jesus to strengthen us to handle the full weight of glory! From July 11, 2021 

Negative Navigations: Correcting Our Immoral Compass – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From July 4, 2021

Negative Navigations: Correcting Our Immoral Compass

Everyone has become corrupt, like when your computer crashes. It hasn’t lost its value; it just can’t do you any good. Because its operating system has become corrupted. From July 4, 2021 

Rigor Mortar: Hard Hearts in God’s Hands – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From June 27, 2021

Rigor Mortar: Hard Hearts in God’s Hands

Like a potter’s clay, we need to put ourselves in His hands every morning, to be kneaded and molded and slowly made holy. From June 27, 2021 

Faithworks: Balancing Faith, Grace, and Works – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From June 20, 2021

Faithworks: Balancing Faith, Grace, and Works

Living, growing, fruit-producing faith requires what I’m calling “faithworks”. Like fireworks. Because without faithworks there’s nothing to see. From June 20, 2021 

Trust Fund: Credited with Christ’s Righteousness – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From June 13, 2021

Trust Fund: Credited with Christ’s Righteousness

It’s our father Abraham’s faith that first reveals that our righteousness is not our own, it’s the Lord’s. And now our sins are not on us, they’re on the cross. From June 13, 2021

Lawbreakers at Heart: Breaking the Curse of the Law – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From June 6, 2021

Lawbreakers at Heart: Breaking the Curse of the Law

The law doesn’t reward its followers, it only punishes its violators. That’s what Paul calls the curse of the law. From June 6, 2021

Foremost Foreshadow: Circumcision of the Heart – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From May 30, 2021

Foremost Foreshadow: Circumcision of the Heart

It doesn’t matter if it’s circumcision, catechism, confirmation, or communion: At best, the ritual can only reflect the reality. From May 30, 2021 

Don’t Settle for Pseudo: Overcoming Superficial Spirituality – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From May 23, 2021

Don’t Settle for Pseudo: Overcoming Superficial Spirituality

Don’t settle for superficial renewal and pseudo transformation. Keep going and growing until you’re so alert, loving, and sober-minded that people can smell it on you! From May 23, 2021 

Training for Glory: True Believers and Make-Believers – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From May 16, 2021

Training for Glory: True Believers and Make-Believers

Transformation takes determination, and progress takes patience. Because gains in glory come one degree at a time. From May 16, 2021

Settle Down: Growing Up in Babylon – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From May 9, 2021

Settle Down: Growing Up in Babylon

How do we remain faithful in those inevitable, uncomfortable situations that can daily challenge our faith? From May 9, 2021

Cruise Control: Resetting Our Heading – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From May 2, 2021

Cruise Control: Resetting Our Heading

Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, God wants us to undergo mind metamorphosis – by resetting our cruise control. From May 2, 2021

Tankers and Tugboats: Training for Transformation – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From April 25, 2021

Tankers and Tugboats: Training for Transformation

Whether it’s physical, intellectual, musical, or spiritual, genuine transformation requires incremental training. Bump, bump, bump. From April 25, 2021 

By the Grace: Our Example to the World – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From April 18, 2021

By the Grace: Our Example to the World

This isn’t about beating ourselves up, but beating our pride back and down to where it belongs. When sincere humility meets bold transparency the result is inspiring. From April 18, 2021 

Light Affliction: Taking Jesus to the World – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From April 11, 2021

Light Affliction: Taking Jesus to the World

We’re called to a holy life, not an easy life. So let’s face the painful fact that pain is part of the process of a good fight! From April 11, 2021 

Attention at the Cross – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From April 4, 2021

Attention at the Cross

What possible reason could this centurion have for being the first to declare that Jesus was “the Son of God” after His death? From April 4, 2021 

Hands Up – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From March 28, 2021

Hands Up

Every little thing you do reveals, communicates, and strengthens who you are. And every little thing drives you toward wanting to put goodness and love in your heart. From March 28, 2021 

What’s in a Name? – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From March 21, 2021

What’s in a Name?

Christian fellowship means being a part of others’ lives through prayer, participation, and relationship. And our name—who we are to others—is an important part of fellowship. From March 21, 2021 

The Amen – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From March 14, 2021

The Amen

Like the “I do’s” at a wedding, our Amen (truly!) is an affirmation of truth and a vow of trust, to live out what we pray about. The LPG #12. From March 14, 2021 

Always and Forever – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From March 7, 2021

Always and Forever

We need to examine this word--forever--all by itself, because it’s a modifier that applies profound power and eternal glory to each line before it. The LPG #11. From March 7, 2021 

Kingdom, Power, and Glory – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From February 28, 2021

Kingdom, Power, and Glory

Speaking out praise, whether privately or publicly, produces freedom and liberation and emancipation from the chains of pride that restrain and restrict so deep inside. The LPG #10. From February28, 2021 

Deliver Us Out Of – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From February 21, 2021

Deliver Us Out Of

Once we take the plunge into sin, and we’re in over our head, we can no longer be led “not into”, but need to be delivered “out of”. The LPG #9. From February21, 2021

Temptation Training – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From February 14, 2021

Temptation Training

Temptation provides resistance training. Just as roots will strengthen when the wind blows against a tree, each time we stand firm against the force of temptation we become stronger. From February14, 2021 (Repeated from May 3, 2020 due to snow day closure)

Lead Us Not Into – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From February 7, 2021

Lead Us Not Into

If you’re a good parent, you’d never tempt your teen to get drunk or high, or to commit sexual sin; but, you’ll drive ‘em to the prom! The LPG #8. From February 7, 2021

Choosing Defusing – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From January 31, 2021

Choosing Defusing

There’s no compelling reason to forgive those who’ve hurt me if I only see it as my generosity. But I’m empowered to forgive when I begin to see it as my gratitude to Christ. The LPG #7. From January 31, 2021

Forgive Us Our Mess – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From January 24, 2021

Forgive Us Our Mess

Just let Dad see the mess you’ve made, and then let Him do what only He can do, and what He does best: cleansing us and changing us. The LPG #6. From January 24, 2021

Our Daily Bread of Life – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From January 17, 2021

Our Daily Bread of Life

Whatever trial, hurdle, test, or disaster we might face in our moment of truth, the truest provision will always come from knowing the Words of the Truest Bread. The LPG #5. From January 17, 2021

His Will Will Be Done – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From January 10, 2021

His Will Will Be Done

We think of the will as fairly straightforward: I desire; I advance; I obtain. But if, for instance, you’ve ever taken kids to Disneyland, you know that a parent’s will is a bit more … complex. The LPG #4. From January 10, 2021

His Kingdom Comes First – Q&A

Question and Answer session. From January 3, 2021

His Kingdom Comes First

To pray “YOUR kingdom come,” is to pray for all those who are outside the kingdom that come into our heart. The LPG #3. From January 3, 2021